Conflicting Sentiments

In about the middle of last week, I felt myself completely "checking out" of Spain. I´d done pratically everything I wanted to do, I missed my friends, and when I walked to class every day my thoughts immediately turned to everything I needed to do when I returned to the states, instead of future plans here in Granada. I feel like I´ve been here for an eternity -- and now all I want to do is go home to my house/apartment, car, friends, university, and a semblance of stability. While I´m still enjoying Granada, it felt like it was time to go. I even wandered into an adorable local bookstore to buy something to read on the flight home (my decision: Orgullo & Prejudicio). Coming home from Cordoba, I felt satisified -- I´d see everything I wanted to on this trip: The Alhambra, the Mezquita, Morocco.

Weirdly, though, I´ve now done (unexpectedly)--not quite a 180, but maybe a 135 in those sentiments. Church sunday was phenomenol (my ability to understand has quadrupled, at least -- I understood all of the talks (except one, by this german guy who had later learned spanish. His accent was impossible, especially since he talks quickly), and then I understood both the Sunday school and relief society lessons. I chattered happily with all of the members, and then associated with my friends. The next thing I knew, I had plans for every day this week except Friday (where I sure we´ll create some).

Last night I taught Wolfang how to do some awesome stuff with PowerPoint (he wants to create a slideshow of Spain pictures with music to send to his family in Venezuela), and then as is typical, we got tapas and then wandered around a park chattering about our families, church, pop culture, and politics before going home. I love those evenings. They´re so relaxing and enjoyable, and the best Spanish practice imaginable. I´ve realized now that I´ve made some wonderful friends here, and I´m genuinelly going to miss them! I don´t have any plans to ever come back, so when I say goodbye, I´ll likely be saying goodbye forever. Sadness :(

I suppose the easiest solution to these problems would be for a dramatic earthquake to delete the Atlantic ocean and suddenly merge Europe and the US together. Either that, or I could take Wolfang home in my luggage, call in government connections to get him legal papers, and then tell him to go live with Micah.

Somehow I don´t think either of those are feasible. But no! I won´t be sad! I still have a week of fun to experience, and I´m going to enjoy it, gosh darn it! (Besides, I still am really, really, excited to be back home again in Indiana).