Voy a MADRID!

My experiences as a student at BYU for Fall 2010 have been drastically different from my Spring and Summer term. I came back to BYU at the end of August after two relaxing weeks at home, and I was feeling really hopeful about the semester, my new roommates, and having all of my friends back. It quickly became clear that the semester was going to be fantastic! Two of my closest friends, Abby and Londyn, were back from California (Bay Area) and Denver, CO respectively, and it has been so good to be around such happy, fun people. Additionally, my roommates are wonderful! I live with Whitney, Courtney, and Chelsea. Chelsea's been my roommate and great friend since my first apartment last January, and it has just been a pleasure living with people that are nice and easy to get along with.

The most exciting piece of news that I have to share, which is old news to most people seeing as I have told just about everyone on earth, is that I was accepted to the Madrid Study Abroad program for Winter 2011! Yes, two months from now I will be LIVING IN SPAIN! Even better news, Abby applied to the program just a few days before the application closed and was also accepted into the program. This was a huge relief for me as the students attending this study abroad live with host families in pairs, and I had absolutely no idea who I would be paired with, if we would get along, etc. So naturally this brought a lot of relief and happiness to the situation and allowed me to feel much more at ease as I anticipate next semester in Europe.

In Madrid, me, Abby, and 28 other students will be studying at the, and we have the option to choose between a variety of classes including Spanish, History of the Church in Spain, Photography, and an optional research class where I am going to study the history of art and architecture in Spain. On top of that, we will be traveling as a group every other weekend all around Spain. Wait, it gets better. On top of that, we have the option to travel in Spain, to France, or to Portugal during the weekends we are not traveling as a group. Not to mention most of the group, including myself, is going to stay in Europe for a couple of weeks following the classes, which run from January 12th to March 31st, to travel. What a dream! I am so excited for this opportunity and so grateful to my parents for their love and support.

There is still so much that needs to be planned as far as travel goes. Abby and I have tried making a list of places in Europe that we are dying to see, and next on the list is to solidify these plans and start packing!

And one more thing, I love my missionaries! Jonathan will be home in less than three months, and although I will be in Spain, I cannot think of a happier moment than seeing my big broski.