A little bit of nostalgia

Some nights I sit here and wonder how this happened. When did I go from bring a little girl dreaming of traveling abroad, to actually living it? In brief moments I want to go back, after all life was much simpler then. But, I would never take any of this back. I love my life, this is exactly what I wanted to happen. Yeah, it's hard, mentally, emotionally and even physically(hello altitude, we are NOT friends!) and I'm pretty sure I left my comfort zone back in Minnesota, but it's worth it.

I don't think I could have ever imagined all the experience I've already had back when I was trying to complete all of the paperwork to get here. Never would I have expected to be scaling the port hills every weekend, living with nerdy girls who are just like me, or dancing the Rueda in to the night and feasting on pancakes and ice cream the next morning.

I've come to realize how incredibly thankful I am that my parents raised me to be so independent. I would never have even begun the process of getting here without their support and guidance. Nor could I survive here without the life lessons they forced me to learn. So thanks Mom and Pops, I know we've had our arguments, and I can be a touch stubborn, and maybe even a little too independent(yeah, yeah, I know I was supposed to call at least once when I was in Europe) but it's because you guys are such excellent parents that enabled all of this to happen. So thank you.

What brought this on? Well, in a couple hours it will have been exactly three weeks since I left my warm, comfy bed in Minnesota to start this adventure. I've got a long ways to go and I'm bubbling over with excitement for what's yet to come(Milfords Sound anyone?!) But I also wanted to remember those at home, and let them know I love and miss everyone.

(P.S. Could someone please give the llama some hugs from me!)