I was browsing on Facebook and through other people’s statuses I just found out that a classmate from high school passed away earlier today. I didn’t know him personally, but I knew of him and I was still very shocked and upset. He was my age and we had a lot of friends in common; it could have been anyone, here one second and gone the next. This reminded me once again of the shortness of this life and to look at the big picture of things instead of stressing over minute details. It inspired me to embrace each moment and live my life to the fullest, and I could not be happier about my decision to study abroad and do some traveling around Europe. I don’t know exactly how he died yet, but I am definitely going to keep his friends and family in my prayers.
On a lighter note and completely different topic, the party last night was amazing. Because it was themed “American Dream”, they played alot of country music and classic American songs, but I didn’t understand why it was on a boat in a place called Zen with statues of Buddha everywhere. Regardless, it was a good night and we all had a lot of fun, and I’d love to go back sometime. I woke up just in time for my French class this morning, and after 2 long hours of not understanding anything in class, I am happy it’s finally the weekend. Tonight I’m going to stay in and watch a Hindi movie because I haven’t in so long, and I’m going to cook the first real meal of my life-spicy lemon-pepper chicken with rice and pasta-I can’t wait=)
I finally feel completely settled in here and organized and at home. Although ideally I should be studying psychology and music in a warm, Spanish-speaking country, instead of studying God-knows-what in a cold, French speaking country, I am proud of myself for adapting so well and so quickly to something so outside of my comfort zone. I love going to new places and trying new things and meeting new people and learning so much about so many things; I love how I’m learning to be independent and adapt to change and deal with stress so well and I’d say that overall, I am pretty content with life right now.
I know what I’m doing after I get back too, and it’s nice to finally have a plan for my future. I do want to mention that this not real life though. I have no job or responsibilities so it feels more like a vacation with some classes, and I know I’ll be busy and back to real life when I get back; regardless, I am excited and looking forward to the rest of my time here in Europe as well as for everything back home and in my future.