Before the last week starts...

It's Sunday night... the night before my last class starts for the summer... a perfect time to reflect...

It's funny now, to go back, and revisit how nervous I was a month ago about all of this. Being in Madrid, and going to school every day, feels so normal now! I've figured out the grocery stores, how to get places, some words in Spanish to keep me afloat when service people don't speak English (which, by the was is NOT something I expect, but rather has simply been a nice perk)...I never did eat a roommate, I have not gotten locked out of my apartment or gotten lost. My classes have been intense and challenging, but also, not anything I couldn't handle.

One of my classmates left this weekend. He had taken a course previously that covered the content of the one we're taking this week, so he opted out. It was really sad to say goodbye on Friday... it's hard to believe that this group of people that have been around for nearly every waking moment the last 3 weeks, will soon not be a part of my every day life anymore.

One thing we've all kind of come to agree upon within this masters is that the content of the courses does not stand alone. It wouldn't be half of what it is without the conversation that every working professional in our class brings to it. It's amazing to learn from others in the field. I'm so glad I have gotten, and will again next summer get, face to face time with all these amazing people.

Not to mention that they live in all sorts of wonderful places around the world... I've met a Filipino woman who works in Shanghai (at a different school than I worked at), but we've reminisced about me being there. I met a Lithuanian woman who works in Rome, and we've discovered that we can connect on so many things... we've shared pictures and stories of our travels through each other's countries... and she might even come visit this fall! I've heard lots of details about great schools, with great packages out there... opportunities for the future!

Of course, I'm still nervous about the school year, and having to work full time, and do online courses on top of it...but, I'm sure now, that this was the experience I was meant to have. England might have been easier... but, Madrid was where it was at for me!

So the next week brings the last class which will hopefully be another great learning experience.... and then on Friday, we celebrate the graduates! We will all attend the ceremony, and then party with those who started this program only a year earlier than we did! It's hard to imagine that in a year's time, I'll be accepting the same honor. But, oh what a cool thought!

On Saturday, both of my program roommates will already be leaving to enjoy the rest of their summer, before returning to their working countries to start the school year. I will head back to Riga, back to Joel, on Sunday. I can't say I'm not just a little more than ecstatic at that thought. When I get back, Joel and I will be moving into our new digs, and soon thereafter starting the new school year. Time flies. :)

I hope this last week will be as great as the previous three have been... and just remind me, next time I start flippin out about traveling somewhere to start something new, that I have nothing to worry about. :) I do ok...and not just that, I enjoy it. :)