Well it's now been a week since I've been back. Saying goodbye was quick and rushed because Liz and I got flowers for mamacita but by the time they were done and we were heading home, we didn't have much time. So we hurried back, gave them to her, took a picture, and they helped us bring our suitcases down and say goodbye.
The trip home was a very long 28 hours with some experiences along the way. The bus to Madrid wasn't that bad - going almost anywhere in Spain is fine because of the beautiful mountain scenery. We get to Madrid and went to tackle the metro with all our luggage. My shoulders were killing me because my suitcases where one rolling one and a duffle bag, plus my backpack as my carryon. Kathleen and Liz had two rolling suitcases which made getting through the metro interesting. But we made it to the airport and hung around the food area. Then we got our tickets and were soon off to Frankfurt. Our plane arrived late, cutting our hour layover to about half an hour so we ran through everything and to our gate to have them print our boarding passes. Well unfortunately they only printed Liz's going to Canada and not the one to Chicago too but they said it would be fine. Turns out it wasn't fine. We got to the desk and they said check-in had been closed for 30 minutes and there was nothing they could do to get her boarding pass and onto the plane. Kathleen and I had ours so we could either go without her or stay with her and go on the next plane to Chicago. We were short on time too, especially after trying to figure out anything that could be done for Liz. We had to make a quick decision to go or stay and we went for it. When we got through we didn't feel right at all leaving her and tried to go back but weren't allowed to. We felt horrible all the way to Chicago and kept on going over things. So when we got to Chicago, I wasn't as excited as I would have been if Liz had been with us. We got our luggage (thankfully because that was a mess in itself too) and called our families to find out where to meet them. When I saw my mom and sister I forgot about everything that had happened and my excitement came back. I wanted to run but didn't want to leave my luggage, but Kathleen told me to go for it so I did.
Being back those first few days was just so.. weird. Even though things were the same, it all seemed so different/strange/comfortable at the same time. Now Spain seems so far away and like a dream almost.
Adjusting back wasn't too bad. The first couple days I went to bed around 10 and got up at 6 or 7 but now it's gotten more normal. I'm back to the usual American times of eating and enjoying controlling what I eat although I miss some of the home-cooked mamacita meals. I'm avoiding bread and spaghetti for a while though.
It was great to hang out with my friends all last weekend. We went to graduation parties and hung out before and after. Even though some of the things we were talking about just seemed so.. not what I was used to talking about.. I just felt comfortable being there and being me. Went to lunch with Lizzie, Emily, Ryan, and Jared one day and Kathleen and Nicole the next. Hung out with Kory and Harrison yesterday. Foods and places I've been to are reeses, El Porton, my cereal, oatmeal, oreo balls, veggie and fruit pizza, (other grad food), IHOP (blueberry pancakes!), pretzel and coconut m&ms, Moe's, Quiznos, hot dogs and shells/cheese, tofurkey sandwich.. etc. But no worries.. I've been workout out too on the treadmill, the wii fit, weights, and crunches. I stayed the same weight! Actually I lost a couple pounds and my BMI went down a tiny bit too. :)
I've had lots to do and things to figure out. I even have to use my planner for it all. I had my easy math test, meeting with my nursing advisor, hair cut tomorrow, student health services the next two weeks for physical, labs, TB, etc for the nursing program, I need to get certified in CPR sometime, fitted for uniforms, etc. I applied at a couple BroMenn jobs but I doubt I'll get them so next week I'll probably look into heritage and see about going back there. I'm not going to be too picky.. I just need a job like asap. Ohhh the busy American lifestyle.. how I didn't really miss it.
I finally got everything put away in my room today.
Alright well.. seeing as how my adventures in Europe are finished for now, it's back to my other journal.
Adios!