Someday...

My dream is to go to Europe (and specifically Norway) sometime in the middle of May.  Like during this time.  I have reasons!

First reason is that the 17th of May is Norwegian Constitution Day (or Norway Day!) and I want to experience it in Oslo.  My dream is to see and be a part of the festivities that occur in Oslo on this day.  They have parades and people have flags waving everywhere and many people dress in traditional clothing.  It just seems really cool and I would love to experience it.  It is a big part of Norwegian culture and national pride.  I've wanted to celebrate for years but here I have no one to celebrate with.  Hopefully someday I can go celebrate with my Norwegian friends!

The second reason is because my favorite competition happens this time of year in Europe!  That would be the Eurovision Song Contest.  People can say what they want about it, Eurovision is great!  There are some really bad songs, but there are some good ones, and it's not just about the music.  Rant over.  Relatively short compared to how much I normally rant about it.  Anywho... Last year I watched the final with a friend.  This year I'm back to watching it on my own since she's busy.  I was introduced in Eurovision after Norway won.  A Norwegian friend told us about it as well as my friend who watches Eurovision with me.  In 2010 I meant to follow it but didn't so officially I started following in 2011.  I love it and think it's great!  Anywho I have a dream to go.  And it normally falls in mid-may (being around the 17th of May.  What a coincidence!  The only problem is it might be difficult to do both.  So maybe Norway will win again soon so I can do both.  I at least want to be in Europe while it's going on.  I want to watch it on a real TV (not just my computer) and with people.  I'm sure it's not as big of a deal as I imagine it to be but I want to experience the Eurovision season in Europe.  It may be a bit weird but it's a dream!

Well I have my list in order of my favorites!  1-39

1. Denmark
2. Norway 
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. Azerbaijan 
6. France 
7. Italy
8. Belgium 
9. Israel 
10. Estonia
11. Ireland
12. Iceland
13. San Marino 
14. The Netherlands
15. Moldova 
16. United Kingdom
17. Serbia 
18. Slovenia
19. Sweden
20. Cyprus 
21. Switzerland
22. Albania
23. Greece 
24. Malta 
25. Russia
26. Latvia
27. Austria 
28. Georgia
29. Armenia
30. Montenegro
31. Croatia
32. Bulgaria 
33. Hungary 
34. Ukraine
35. Lithuania
36. Belarus
37. Finland
38. FYR Macedonia
39. Romania

I came up with it fairly quick but that's my official list for this year!  If anyone reads this a disagrees, get over it.  I'm not even able to vote.  It's just what I like.  Denmark is usually up there on my list.  Back in 2011 I decided to make a tee-shirt (yeah a bit cheesy but still) for my favorite country.  It was Denmark and I'll be wearing it again for the finale! 

Chao

It feels a lot different leaving Uruguay is a lot different than it felt to leave England.  After England I had Uruguay to look forward to.  After this I have Abilene to look forward to.  Another thing is leaving England was okay because I felt like I'll probably go back someday.  I don't feel so certain about Uruguay.  I've loved living here in Uruguay and these 4 months have been incredible, but I feel like when I leave tomorrow morning it's going to be for good.  I could come back someday maybe, but I feel like it's more realistic that I return to England.  At the same time though, I feel like I have done Uruguay.  I've done a lot this semester in the country and in Montevideo so I'm content with leaving and don't feel like I have anything unfinished.  The only reason I would come back is to see the friends I've made here.

Tomorrow I board a plane and return to the States.  I'll be able to communicate with people how I want to.  That's a plus.  But it's just going to be weird.  I'm ready to go though.  A couple weeks ago I didn't feel like I'd be ready, but I am.  I had a great semester, made some great friends, and though I'll miss this experience and my friends I'm ready to be back.  This just has been such a big part of my life, it'll take some readjusting.

The friends I've made here have been incredible.  When I found out there were only going to be 7 of us I honestly thought that this semester could be rather bad.  I mean with having 27 (or whatever the number was last semester) you could escape from some people when you needed a break from them and you didn't spend all day, everyday, with the same 6 people.  When you have class with, eat with, live with, hang out with, travel with, etc... the same few people it can be a bit difficult.  But I wouldn't trade any one of these people here and I'm so glad I've gotten to know each one of them.  We were talking one day and if one of us weren't here it would really be a completely different experience. I absolutely love these people!  I have gotten to know them so well over these last few months and I will miss them terribly over the summer.  I can't wait to see them again in Abilene and we can hang out and talk about our adventures in South America.

My Spanish has improved a lot over this semester and I hope to continue improving it over the summer, especially since I'm taking Advanced Spanish Conversation next semester and I don't feel like I'm ready for that at all!!!

I guess I don't have too much more to say right now.  I've been warned about re-entry adjustment.  It's just going to be weird and I'm going to miss Uruguay and I miss England, but I'll be great to be back in the States.  Thursday morning I will be back in Texas!