the summer months have officially arrived and the heat, final exams, and frantically filling each day to its max are in full swing. as always, time is zooming and i'm constantly racking my brain for things still left to do: presents and granada goodies to buy, favorite tapas bars to eat at, things to give away, 'see ya laters' to be exchanged, and hours of studying looming in the distance. yet, when i really stop i think i realize that all these things will get done in due time and the days will pass, but what will i remember most? it won't be the little moroccan earrings i buy or the exact flavors of the gelato i ate, or the time i spent studying in the cafe. i will remember the people i've met and the moments we shared. ok, it's true. i am starting to get nostalgic, but seriously--one life lesson that has really been reinforced over here is the importance of people and the value of spending time together, showing them you care. while we all have moments when we need to shut the door and swallow the key, get work done, and sadly turn down the opportunity for a mid-day coffee date with a friend or weekend adventure at the beach, i truly believe there should be more 'yes's, more time spent together than things checked off our to do list. spain knows how to do this quite well, and while sometimes it drives me nuts when time for 'getting things done' dwindles as a coffee date turns into a 3 hour affair, i have learned to love it and need social outlets in a different way than before.
so, here are some pictures of this past week and the moments shared with some pretty incredible people who have made this adventure the extraordinary experience what it has been:
first, my exchange program had our 'Cena de Despidida' (Farewell Dinner). check it out. here's the terrace where we ate dinner. not a bad view :)
california kids rock. i take such comfort in knowing that we will be in the same state next year
after the dinner it was time to dance.
hike up to the caves--hanging with the gypsies and some davis girls.
here's our international dinner with chinese food, spanish cuisine, and hummus :)
gathering on the terrace to watch the sunset and enjoy the evening with friends:
our little spanish/italian/cali family :)
