one more day

Today marks my last full day in the United States before studying abroad in Madrid for the fall semester. I will be in Europe for the next 3 1/2 months! So crazy to think about ... since I've never been there. The only place I've been outside of the US is Tijuana for a day trip! So this will definitely be a change of pace. I am actually more excited than nervous right now. I have heard lots of stories about others' experiences and have gathered advice from the many people I know that have studied abroad in Madrid. So I think I have a good idea of what to expect and how it will be... but I know it will be sooo different than life in the United States. I am really looking forward to practicing my Spanish, getting to know the culture, and just experiencing Europe.

Tomorrow morning I fly to Philadelphia where I will meet up with 4 of my friends (3 of them will be living with me in the same homestay). So the 5 of us will be on the same flight to Madrid, which is great.

This is my first shot at 'blogging,' but people have told me it will be a great way to document my trip while keeping family and friends posted on my experiences. I hope to put up tons of pictures too. (The current one is of Parque del Retiro in Madrid that I got off of google images, but I promise, all other pictures will be taken with my own camera!)

Well, I'm back to finish packing..
Shout out to my brother Jeff who's 15th birthday is today!!