Busy, Busy, Busy

Today was my last day of work. It was sad to leave Hannah and Rachel, but I took their address and email and am excited to send them postcards and letters. I will miss hanging out with them.
I have been busy getting excited for my trip. I bought a book on Madrid (Top 10 Madrid by Christopher and Melanie Rice, DK Publishing) that was very helpful for picking out things to do in the limited time I am in the city. I also purchased Frommer's book Barcelona day by day, which I have given a quick look at but plan on using while in Spain to plan the last leg of my trip. I went crazy on my shopping spree and bought a carry-on that will carry my computer, a new book and all the toiletry items I will need for 2 months.
I have not begun packing yet. I have laundry at all the places I am going, so over packing shouldn't be too much of an issue. However, I still have to get everything out of the closet and in the bag. First, I need to get the things off my floor that don't belong there. Anyway, I will pull it together.
I have been nervous about this trip. At times going it alone seems like a terrible idea and I feel I'll be perpetually lonely. I am not incredibly scared of crime or violence, as this is a problem in the US as much as it might be there and there is no use getting myself worked up if I have prepared myself properly. I am more scared of getting bored of being alone. I love to be alone, it gives you freedom and flexibility you do not have when traveling with others. This is the plus side. The negative is I am not particularly good at meeting people. In the back of my mind I know this has been one of my motivations for this trip. I want to be better at being alone in a crowd. After reading some things on solo travel I have realized that it may be harder than having a built in companion, but it's not impossible to meet people. I guess I've come to think of it like going to camp...no one knows each other but everyone automatically likes you because they are as alone as you. I'm glad I will be in school for most of it.

With my fears aired, I leave you with this quote that Jessie sent me in a card she sent:
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
---Mark Twain

Jenn

P.S. I have officially been offered an au pair position in Cuernavaca, Mexico from March to August. However, I am still waiting for the mother to call me. I will keep you updated.