Wow! I have been here in Spain for one month and it already feels like a lifetime. I have been experiencing so much, so many new things, so much growth. Lately life has been sweeter for me as I feel I’m finally starting to feel comfortable in Spanish. I have taken so many trips, trips to places like Madrid, Cáceres, Merida, and Lisbon in Portugal, all the while learning so much and making new friends in each and every city. Not only have I visited many cities, I have also been fortunate enough to experience los Carnavales, a big celebration here in Spain (I will go deeper on those in the next blog post). It seems that the fruits of my labor are finally starting to pay off after a month in country. After many frustrating moments failing to convey what I wanted too, many conversations in which I didn’t understand a word of what was said, I’m now able to communicate in and enjoy the Spanish language and culture in ways I never would have thought possible. There’s no real way to convey the feeling you get when you communicate with someone in a language other than your first, or when you listen to music in another language and understand it. It’s not like it is always easy or always fun when it comes to learning Spanish here in Spain but it’s certainly always rewarding. I still remember what it was like my first week trying to communicate with my family and just how difficult it was at first. If nothing else, my time here in Spain has been humbling, exhilarating, at times frustrating, and 100 percent worth every second. I wouldn’t change it for the world.