I am here in Spain. In my pueblo, Puente Genil, to be exact.
Things have been difficult. Too many stresses, not enough sleep, a lot of tears. I miss home.
My spirits are low.
I am trying to focus on the small blessings, though. My roommate, Rocio, speaks no English (nor does anybody in my town) but is very friendly and patient as I stumble over my Spanish words. My apartment has no internet but I figured out that there was a USB hook-up I could buy to get internet...and I managed to converse with the sale's lady at the store about it! She was very patient with me as well.
Things have been difficult. Too many stresses, not enough sleep, a lot of tears. I miss home.
My spirits are low.
I am trying to focus on the small blessings, though. My roommate, Rocio, speaks no English (nor does anybody in my town) but is very friendly and patient as I stumble over my Spanish words. My apartment has no internet but I figured out that there was a USB hook-up I could buy to get internet...and I managed to converse with the sale's lady at the store about it! She was very patient with me as well.
I know things will improve but in the meantime I was hoping if you read this you might take a moment to leave me a note. Words of wisdom, a funny story, a good quote...anything that might give me comfort during these days when I am often disheartened. I feel vulnerable asking this, but my father advised me to trust in others and while I know he meant all of the strangers around me, I didn't think it could hurt to start here.
Gracias, amigos.
22 comments:
Oh man Kate, truthfully I don't know how you are doing it. So the only words of encouragement I can come up with right this moment are how PROUD I am of you! What a massive, scary step you are taking. You will pull through this hard spell and hopefully you'll love it there in Spain. :)
We love you.
Hm. Maybe a few laughy taffy jokes?
"What did the man say when the picture fell on his head?
-- I've been framed!"
"What's brown and sticky?
-- a stick"
No? I think this is cute. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8-6SGWZFbY/TJO520TOvgI/AAAAAAAAAtk/OngT5gx-QGA/s1600/1284059689893007_large.png
We miss you girl! You are awesome and inspiring. Hoping things get easier for you soon!
Hey Kate! I know exactly how you feel. I went to Spain 3 years ago, and it's a bit overwhelming. It will get better! If you need any help with Spanish, I majored in it, and would be more than happy to help you. Take care, and keep us updated!
Kate,
I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I moved to France and had to get by with the little French I knew.
The language was hard to learn. I was afraid of mistakes and embarrassed at how hard it was to communicate. But I met someone who held his arms out as wide as he could and said "Look, it takes this many mistakes to learn French. You can either spread them all out over the time that you're here, or just get as many of them out in the beginning." So I allowed myself to make mistakes and feel stupid and get corrected. But the more I let myself fail, the better I got. That may seem odd, but it worked for me.
A lot of times, when I was feeling homesick, it was easier to just sit in my room. I had to force myself not to make excuses to stay in, but to make excuses to get out, to see what's around me, and to find things that I knew I would miss when I left.
Have you seen Sabrina - the old or newer one? I hope so. There's a point where she writes to her dad "I have learnt how to live... How to be In the world and Of the world, and not just to stand aside and watch." That's what I always thought of. I tried to be Sabrina.
Most of all, give it time. I'm positive that pretty soon you'll love Spain, and when it's time to come home, you'll be so sad your adventure is over.
But in the meantime... you have many friends who would love to send you postcards, letters and packages to cheer you up! Me included. All we need is your address. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIoG4PlEPtY&list=SL
this makes me laugh so hard!! Hope that your day gets brighter!!
<3
Hi Kate!
Just started reading your blog, and really enjoying it!
I can't imagine having your courage - moving to a country and having to deal with a language barrier... the idea terrifies me! That you are able to even think about doing something like that is so impressive and you should be very proud of yourself.
I know that's not much, but I hope it makes you feel better. :)
Kathleen
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/demotivational-posters-i-feel-pretty.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gM5TjSOQ48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk
Love you!
Sorry babes no funny story but i do think what your doing is amazing and sooo brave. If I was there with you i'd give you a huge hug......... but sadly since i'm not I am sending you a great big hug all the way from Sydney.
Love Libby
xox
I just spent six months in Spain! At the beginning, it's hard! But you'll get used to it! the people are wonderful and warm and welcoming.. and all kinds of other nice W-words! :) believe me, when its time to go, you won't want to!
Take advantage of being there while you can! So have some tapas, a copa of sangria, and enjoy the place!
No stories that I can think of, however, I just want to say how excited I am for you for this adventure. Just take it one day at a time, being patient with yourself and others...and before you know it you will feel more at peace and start enjoying yourself. I know I don't know you, "in real life", but I'm confident you are a strong, kind and amazing person! Trust your instincts and remember to lead with love with all that cross your path! Can't wait to hear about all your adventures!!! *smile*
Chipmunk,
I think you know that if I could I would spend all day trying to throw you a string with a can at the end so we could talk all the time.
I was going through boxes old photos today (from the disposable camera days)to get rid of the ones that were just of my thumb, or the floor, or people whose names I cannot recall.
I found some pretty awesome pictures of you and I....shocking I know.
It is such a blessing to have you as a sister, someone who knows all my stories and all my history and loves me anyway. I am so happy for the relationship we have and for how much you teach me. I am so proud of the woman my little sister is becoming. Even when times are sucktastic you are so brave and I know you will come out the other side unscathed.
I miss you, of course, and I know that in a few months you will be in love with Spain but don't forget about me here in hot-as-hell Yuma!
I love you! <3 Sissy
Kate! We all love you. I wish there were some profound words that I could say to let you know that it'll be okay. I would sing you the "Just Keep Swimming Song", but my voice is horrible and would probably scare you off. Besides, when I get sad, that's not what I sing. I either sing the Chin up song from Charlotte's Web. Or this...from Big Bang Theory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKLlb3Yc-Us I hope it cheers you up. Sending a big internet hug your way. <3
Kate! sent you an email :)
chin up.
You have lots of friends whose names begin with K.
Hello! I am trying to be a more tech savvy friend, and keep up with everyone's blogs and even the Twitter. It's a slow learning process and I don't like technological change, but it's going. Also, now that you're in Spain, your blog is going to be super interesting (not to imply that it wasn't before)! And I bet you'll have all sorts of neat things to introduce us to via the interwebz.
Thus, my comment! I think that if I were you, I would probably be feeling the EXACT same way, except way less legit, because you have the Spanish in your blood! (Apologies for using articles unnecessarily today.) I am, most unfortunately, not one of those people who remembers good quotes. BUT. I have something even better than a quote. I have a whole blog. This blog is the funniest, most hilarious blog you will ever read in your life. It's written by this girl in Montana who is quite possibly, the funniest person I will never meet. You will laugh out loud so much when you read this, so make sure you are in an appropriate place (not work, like me). I have linked one of my favorites, but there are SO MANY good ones. The "Best Of" sidebar on the right is a good place to start.
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html
Hope this helps!
Love and miss you--Ali
Ok, here is a funny joke for you:
So recently Chuck Norris went to Mars. I know, right? Proof of this was that there was no signs of life on the entire planet.
*knee slap*
Here's a Bible verse that really helped me when I was feeling homesick when I studied abroad: "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5. You may be feeling down now, but things will get better!!!
Dearest lovely wonderful Kate,
In the words of Barney Stinson, "When I get sad, I stop being sad, and be awesome instead. True Story."
LOVE YOU.
I understand that you feel alone, but I think you are really brave. I don't know you or anything, I just know you moved to another country with a completely different language and I admire you so much for that. I dream of doing that sometime, but I don't know if I'll dare to. Just know that bad times pass, they always do, and try to find strength somewhere.
When I'm doing something I'm scared of I sometimes imagine what a favorite book or TV character of mine would do. For example, What would Rachel of Glee do? Be honest and brave. What would Katniss do? Probably look pissed and sit silent (That might not be such a good thing...) It actually helps me.
And now that you're in Spain you're in the same timezone as me. Woho :)
Kate-
You are so brave! I am so impressed with you! I could never do what you are doing. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be and how lonely it can be at times - but Someone very wise helped me in January when I was low and was questioning everything. I hope that in some way I can give those words back to you. Trust in what you are doing. You have been called to do this - you never have done anything without much thought and I know you put tons of thought into this. There is no doubt in my mind that you will changes lives while you are there. I am sure it will get easier - just hang in there. Please remember there are tons of people who love you tons and are thinking about you. Please let us know if there is anything else I can do for you. I am going to try and get a hold of my niece and see how far away you are. I love you girl!
Shanda
Kate,
The first day I got to Greece, I cried! It's hard to be away from home, but it does get easier. I know that you have the added struggle of the language difference and that can be exhausting. Feel free to skype me if you want! I look forward to keeping up with your blog.
Hang in there, Kate. You are going to have an amazing experience. Just be patient. If you need help, I'm fully fluent in Spanish aaaand I have visited most of Spain, having worked for the Spanish airline Iberia in college. It's a beautiful country -- enjoy it! :-) *hug*
Girl! You gots to be one of the bravest ladies I know!!
<3
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