A new mission, a week in.

My biggest concern about studying abroad was that I would not take advantage of the unique opportunity that I was lucky enough to be given.  I am in a foreign country, taking intensive language courses, and living in an apartment practically by myself, in the middle of a city, and I want to ensure that I am doing everything that I can, and living life to the fullest.  But while I was panicking that I have been here for a full week and not taken advantage yet, a very wise friend of mine reminded me that even if I only do one adventurous thing a week, then I will still be doing a great deal of things.

Instead, I am going to take it as my mission to do one thing that scares me every day.  This used to be my motto and it fell by the wayside, yet Spain seems like the perfect location to start it up once more.  So, everyday I will report here what I have done that has scared me, something brave, or something adventurous for each day.  It may be something little like learning to cook a new meal, or it may be something big like exploring the city but I am going to do something everyday (ok, well at least I will try!).

And to make myself feel better I am going to list the things I have already conquered:

Jan 7: Hopped on a plane to leave all of my friends and family behind and immerse myself in a new culture.

Jan 8: Navigated Paris' stupidest and most confusing airport ever AND successfully communicated where to get my lost baggage returned to AND stayed in a hostal by myself.

Jan 9: Conversed entirely in Spanish with my landlord and learned how to make small talk (that one doesn't sound big, but it was hard for me).

Jan 10: I cooked bacon for the first time by myself.  Yes, I burnt some of it, and yes I certainly burned my arm with some splatter but I did it (and now I know how easy it is).  

Jan 11: I went into the middle of a strange city with no plan, no sense of direction, and no goals.  I got completely lost and found my way back all by my lonesome :)

Jan 12: I bravely crossed the frontier of meeting new people!

Jan 13: Even though I was terrified of ordering something in Spanish, especially something as cultural as the Churros con chocolate, I ordered it from the cute little man who runs the cafe under my university.  Success!

Jan 14: Although it has yet to occur, I am going with some people to learn salsa dancing tonight!  Enough said, that is brave (those of you who have ever seen me dance understand).

Also, the pictures on this page are of the University Campus, though I am pretty sure more will follow.  Well due to a strange noise in the middle of the night (which may or may not have been a dream) I did not sleep well last night so I am off for a siesta!  Hasta Luego!