During the sermons at church, I would grab a prayer card and draw maps of different countries and mark a star on the position of their respective capitols. I would sketch the skyscrapers that I read about in National Geographic. I could name the capitals of the world long before it was a requirement for school. Call me what you will but an aspiring world traveler has been in the making since I can remember.
My passions have evolved over time – becoming ever more interested in all things Spanish related. Some have even said that a SPANISH DEMON has been growing in me ever since I first picked up the language two years ago. I have decided to submit to my demon and live and study in Madrid for the year. I will continue to study Economics and develop an Honor’s Thesis topic based upon political and economic relationships between the EU and their members. I believe that being in Spain will give me a clearer perspective about my hopeful topic and force me to become fluent.
So here I am today, two days before I take off to Spain for a year. And you ask me what’s on my mind? My teeth! Having visited the dentist twice and an oral surgeon thrice in the past three weeks, you may confuse me as a Brit rather than an American. Looks as if I’ll be visiting some more dentists in Madrid – so stay tuned to see if a root canal is even more hellish across the pond!
Teeth aside, I certainly am not disappointing those small dreams of the Atlas Boy from the fourth grade. And for that I am proud. This blog will be my journal in Spain – I don’t have any clear plans for it other than to inform those that I love back at home on my adventures. Join me, if you’d like, as I travel, stumble, and pick myself up again through Spain and Europe. ¡Hasta pronto!
Me, fourth grade, at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas: one of many "exciting" travels of my youth
