So now that I have been here almost a week to get a feel of this place, I have a mixed bag of emotions. One thing I am certain of is that I will have to constantly remind myself of why I am here and what it is that I want to get out of my time in this place. I have decided to keep a low profile for the next month due to several reasons. First, it will help me out economically in the long haul and I will be able to cut down on excess spending. Second, I'm going to observe my surroundings and the people in it in order to learn the motions of this place and figure everything out. And third, It will help me plan out what the remainder of my year will play out like.
My Christmas here was completely uneventful, but not unproductive. I finished my first milestone of German on Rosetta Stone, hit the gym a whole lot, as well as continued with my learning plan in French. I joked with my mother a few days ago that I've been taking in so much foreign language that when I sleep I don't even know which of the 4 I'm dreaming in! I also spoke with many of my friends and family, and after speaking to Eugene my first big trip in Europe came to light. I'm meeting up with him and a few other people the last weekend of February in Barcelona. This is extremely exciting for me considering that it's one of the places I've always wanted to visit and learn about. I find Catalan culture to be immensely intriguing and fascinating. Before I left the States, I created a bucket list of places that I wanted to visit possibly during my first year here. On that list, amongst others were Gibraltar/Tangier, Brussels, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Lisbon, and Prague.
One of the advantages of the military is that you always know when you're going to get paid (the 1st and 15th) and also the exact amount of income you should expect in your check. After balancing out my finances past bills, savings, and random expenditures, I have decided to make at least 1 weekend trip every month to a different part of Germany or Europe. By this time next year, that would equate to 11 different trips I've made throughout the year, and that would be excluding any leave time (30 days paid!) Not too shabby :)
This week I only have to "work" 3 days, I get Thursday through Sunday off again. If everything goes as planned, the week will be a very lite one again, and I'll be able to bring in the new year with loads of determination and anticipation. Cheers!
Jose,
ReplyDeleteI don't really know how I ended up at your blog, but I have spent the past hour or so randomly reading through some of your posts. I remember several years ago, you telling me of your desires to go to Germany. You actually had asked me if I was interested in back-packing through Europe with you. Whether or not you were serious, I do not know. But it warms my heart to see that you are finally living and exploring life in a way that brings you happiness. Or at least, it seems, you are aiming to find happiness. I truly admire your heart and your ability to throw caution to the wind, and live life as you feel it should be lived. When I read through your blogs, it kind of makes me sad because, in a lot of ways, I wish I could be more like you.. I hope that you are content with where you are now, and that you will continue to go where life takes you.
-Wafa
Wafa OMFG! I cannot believe I'm reading this just now! Thank you so much, I've often wondered where you've been since we last spoke! I miss you dearly.
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