Outside, I can hear the song of crickets, a sign that autumn is coming. It seems that the first signs of the changing seasons come right after the 4-H County Fair. Even though it is still hot and humid, and there are a few weeks left of the summer, the crickets, the chill in the night air, and the blackbirds which line the power lines show that fall will soon be here. While the signs of changing seasons haven't changed, this fall is not going to be the same as the last two since I will not be returning to Bucknell for the fall semester. Instead, I will be heading off to Granada, Spain!

It wasn't until this week that I realized how quickly the summer has gone, and how quickly the time of departure is arriving. Earlier today, as I watched my younger brother and sister, Patrick and Emily (aged nine and 12) jumping into the river off our dock, I thought about my upcoming trip and how I am about to leave all that is familiar behind. The river, like the crickets' song, is something that I know, and understand and can predict. Granada, on the other hand, will be uncharted territory, which I'm excited to explore ... but which also makes me a bit nervous. I'm excited for city life and the opportunities it offers, but I also wonder what it'll be like for this country mouse to be in a city.

Aug. 13, 2007

I dreamt about Spain last night. I had just arrived in Granada and it was really late at night. The taxi dropped me off at the bottom of this hill, which I then had to climb, dragging all of my luggage. The hill was so steep I could hardly bend my ankles enough to walk up it. Still, half-way up, I realized that this must mean that I would be staying with the host family with six children. A past Bucknell en Espana student who stayed with them told me that they live at the top of one of the steepest hills in Granada! Some people would probably be horrified at the prospect of being with six children, (or having to climb the steep hill) but I, on the other hand, would love to be with this family, as I love kids, and come from a large family myself. (I'm the oldest of four, along with Emily and Patrick, I have a sister, Alicia, who just turned 18.)

Although my younger siblings sometimes make me want to scream, (and often have me muttering under my breath, "I'm never having kids!"), overall, the idea of staying with a large family appeals to me. The steep hill (which I doubt is as bad as the dream hill) will probably be worth getting the opportunity to stay with this family.

In real life (in contrast to the dream life I had last night) we don't know anything about our host family. We'll find about them in about a week. I hope that they have children, but I'm sure that whomever I'm with will be great. I'm looking forward to actually living with a host family, rather than student housing because of the opportunities it gives one to explore the culture and to experience the country as those who live there do.

When I was in my junior year of high school I went to Mexico for a semester. I stayed with a host family, and went to a private school. It was an amazing experience and I go back whenever I get the chance. I'm looking forward to creating the same kind of ties and relationships in Spain.