The final blog post

Well, I figured to day is as good a day as any to write my final blog post, being that I have not felt so American in the 9 weeks that I have been here as I do today. And that is truly saying something considering people still stare and catcall at us as we walk down the streets. I have had so many people tell me I look Irish it's not even fun anymore to tell them I'm American. I am currently sitting at the Puerta de Jerez metro station with a venti pumpkin spice latte on ice in yoga pants and a tank top sweating bullets because even though it is October 28th it's still hot as all get out here. Needless to say I still don't feel entirely comfortable here. I have gotten used to life and the day to day way that this city and its people function. It has brought me some fun memories, like my friends and I having drinks and gummy candy at the Festival de Las Naciones, and some hard memories that I will never forget, like the crushing homesickness of knowing that I won't hug my family for close to four months or a man not taking I'm not interested for an answer. I know that my time here has changed me, even only halfway through, and I know it's not done with me yet. As I sit here in the shade and reflect I know that I am improving in my Spanish, if only marginally, and am satisfied with how my grant is progressing even if no one is emailing me back. These were my major contract goals going into this experience. But they are one single drop in the entire darn bucket of this experience. I have made more progress learning about myself here in 2 months than in 20 years in the states. The stares of others don't phase me as they did, I don't care if that man walking next to me thinks I am being too loud or that others on the metro laugh at my laugh. I will tell off that creep that catcalls me, or worse, makes my friends feel uncomfortable walking in their own neighborhood. 

And to that guy who openly stared at me as I was writing this yes I know I don't look like your friends, your family, your teachers, bosses, etc. I know my hair is strange and no one wears these pants. Thank you for staring and have a great day.