Although in reality, many times it feels like I can’t. In the middle of finishing final papers and homework, preparing presentations, and studying for exams we are also all worrying about class registration and housing for next school year, spending precious last moments with our families here, and having one more shebang before packing it all up again... in 9 days. Ready, set, go!
I can’t believe we’ve reached the last week of class; the last times Alfonso and Ge (and for many, María Elena) will see our bright and shining faces staring back at them alert and ready to venture out yet again into that fantastic faraway place known as the World of Knowledge. But we’ll no longer have to worry about the videos not working in Ge’s class, or the computer asking if we’d like to have a chat in the middle of a lecture, or trying to hear over the noise of motos, firecrackers, and the songs of birds or elementary schools nearby. No more frantically trying to copy down notes before the slide changes. No more listening to Alfonso talk about “rollos”, or picking on Anne in 368, and no more complementing him on his attractive ‘salt and pepper’ hair. No more making up questions to take up time. No more trips to the Mercadona/Mercadillo in between Lit and History. No more tutor sessions... No more class in Spain. All we have left are the many precious memories we have made to take back with us. And of course we keep making new ones!
We had been planning to throw a surprise party for María Elena’s birthday a little while before (surprise!) she actually invited us over for a birthday/pool party at her bungalow. Nevertheless, we were determined to make it work, so on Friday when she was busy at the UNED we snuck over early with all of the decorations and food to get everything ready. All of the other students (well, except poor Kelly!) came to quietly await María Elena’s return in her living room. As she came up to the house, Neal called to her that we were waiting out on the back patio, but as she walked in, “¡Sorpresa!” we were all there to greet her. Following this we had a wonderful time of eating coca (like coffee cake), showing the video message we had made, and then María Elena had a chance to tell us each individually how special we are :) After that it was party time! Many students (locos) jumped into the freezing pool and we all ate, drank, talked, and danced to our hearts’ content.
We have an awesome group/network of people here, not to mention unforgettable experiences, so you guys at home will have to forgive us if at times it seems like life has been so much better in Spain. The truth is that the differences have been so good, it’s hard to imagine going back. So much so that I’ve had to make some promises to myself in order to keep everything focused in these last days: I promise to remain a good student; I promise to not completely cut off communication with my friends and family back home (although you’ll have to expect a little less out of me;); I promise to make the most out of each day; I promise to take more pictures and eat more Spanish food; and I promise to have A LOT of fun. ¿De acuerdo? ¿Sí o no? Vale. It seems like a daunting task to get so much accomplished in so little time, but I know that as with all things, through Christ who strengthens me, I can.
-Written by Hope McElroy (including some suggestions from other students)
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