Hi from home sweeeeet home....
Made it back safely with no problems..just a few delays. I am SO happy to be home---I can't even tell you. Going abroad was by far the best thing I've done in my life as of yet...I learned so much about myself and the world we live in...I feel like I have a different place in it, if that makes sense. I feel like my vision is bigger and my boundaries are wider...I have this confidence that I can do anyyyything and go anyyywhere and be OK. It was also the hardest thing I've done as of yet...but looking back on it, it was nothing but a happy experience. This quote has been in my head for past few weeks--(some guy said it in People Magazine's Sexiest Men of the Year Issue...I know, lame, but it's so good)---"Knowledge is sexy and international travel is the best education you can get".

Here are some other things I learned....
*I love and am now addicted to olives with anchovies in them (a traditional Spanish dish)
*I will neverrr grow if I stay in a place where I am always comfortable and secure
*you gain what you risk
*you cannnn survive living in a country where you don't know the language
*In the long run, I don't want to live in a big city
*I can cook (enough to get by :))
*how to know people's nationality just by looking at them (Spanish, French, German, American)
*a tonnnn about Judaism
*I'm now functional in Spanish...wahoo.
*there is NO PLACE like home
*a relationship across an ocean is possible...with patience and understanding.
*it's good to question your beliefs
*having an open mind in evvvery aspect of life is so so important
*I know more about Spanish history than I know about American
*the currency exchange rate sucks
*friends from home who have tried to stay in touch are the ones that matter
*European fashion is gooood...and pretty much anyone can pull off skinny jeans...just remember that. haha...
*hostels aren't scary
*ryanair.com is da bomb
*how to pack for a trip using only a backpack
*there are so many things to see in the U.S. and I'm going to start taking advantage of traveling to new places in my own country
*I can do ANYTHING