Champagne Tales

I am actually here. I traveled the 918 miles from Barrington, Illinois and have come to what really is a huge state. I wish I could say that it has all been smooth sailing. I got all of my stuff moved into my tiny 400 square foot studio apartment (yes, it's extremely tiny but I absolutely love it), and what do you know... The air conditioner won't stop leaking. Not just small drops of condensation: buckets full of water. My apartment building was redone a year ago, and I guess no one has lived in it since it was redone, so the second I turned the air conditioning unit on in over 100 degree weather, it decided to start leaking. So, good news? I moved into a new apartment! But had to move ALL of my stuff into that one. Oh, and I would not have electricity until today, August 3rd, which is unbearable to not have air conditioning in Texas this time of year. I have not fully had a home yet and thank goodness, Brandon's family lives down here and is able to put a roof over my hea...

My life has drastically changed since I last wrote on this site. I originally dedicated this blog for all of my traveling escapades in life. Usually those pertained to solely international ones which are usually a tad bit more exciting. But since I am skating less, writing more, making more long distance phone calls, and studying more, this one is dedicated to my domestic travels to see someone that's pretty darn cool. Life has so many possibilities for me in the future, I sometimes get giddy and at times scared with the exciting possibilities. Something I will be doing for the first time is flying down to the fabulous southern state of Texas. From the more than twenty countries I have visited in the world, I have yet to venture to this state. Ironic, I know. I will let you know if I see tumble weed and eat lots of barbecue. Adios sleeting/raining Chicago and hello sweet Texas.

Normally this blog is devoted to my travels. I don't think me traveling to Oxford, Ohio has quite the same affect and excitement as traveling to Europe. So instead of this being "From My Travel Eyes to Your Soul," I will call this post simply, "From My Heart to your Soul..." A snippet of what my crazy head is thinking. Enjoy. I know in my heart that I will never regret this decision. I know that after of hours of thought, prayer, and conversation, that this is the right decision. I am forever changed from my summer abroad in Spain. I forever hold in my heart the new things that I learned about myself. I learned who Kelly Dawes Smith was as the non-ice skater. I loved discovering who that girl is. I loved figuring out what my dreams and goals are in life. Many days I sat on the beach, usually with an awesome boy named Brandon by my side, who just listened to me talk and asked me questions about almost everything in life. I have so much more I want to offer the w...

I sit here in quiet Barrington after being home for just over a week. Reverse culture shock is just the beginning of my emotions. It's crazy how quickly you can adapt to a new part of the world, a new culture, lifestyle, friends, food, language. So I sit here in my quiet house trying to make sense of the biggest question people keep asking me, "What next?" "What is life's next adventure?" For once in my life I am not sure. I know I will take the knowledge and beauty I learned this summer and see that forever change my life. But what is next for Kelly? Who knows. It doesn't mean I'm not planning or dreaming because let's face it, when do I ever stop dreaming of adventure? But more than anything now, I feel extremely blessed for this summer I had to travel and see the world. To have my eyes fully opened for the first time. This is a chapter of my life that I am sad to leave behind but I know that Spain will always be a part of my heart. So it is wi...

I can't believe that in less than 12 hours I will be leaving Barcelona to travel home to Chicago. I simply can not believe that somehow 70 days have passed since I have last stepped foot U.S. soil. I can not believe how much I have learned this summer. I can not believe how much I have grown as a person. I can not believe this part of my journey in life is coming to an end. I can't believe it and I don't want to believe it. I do believe that I will never be the same person after this summer. I will forever have a different output on life with how I see the world and how I interact with people. I do believe that this was the most incredible summer and trip of my life. I embraced every moment and opportunity and opened up my heart for it to change: and it did change. I don't cry very much in life but know that when my taxi picks me up at 6:45 AM from my apartment that tears will be pouring down my face. Even as I travel on my 3 planes to head home, or sit in the Frankfurt...

I did my body a huge favor today: I went for a run. Well, a run with occasional walking. I ran along the boardwalk of the beach before dinnertime and absolutely loved it. I found out that I sweat just as much here in Barcelona as I do at home. And what else would my day be without a little bit of exploring? I found the neatest park with a river, metal sculptures, awesome real estate surrounding the park, and the most unusual benches. Best part of my day: sitting on a swing meant for children about 100 pounds less than me and swinging next to my friend Brandon. The coolest thing I saw were these metal boxes that you could step on and hit different music notes with. It basically would have been my childhood dream playground =) After that we found a fantastic mall with restaurants that I know I am going to hit up soon and then proceeded to hop on the tram to get home. I had no idea the tram even existed until today. Funny how life just continues to surprise me.

A piece of my heart will always be in this place, Barcelona. A piece of how I think for the rest of my life, how I view the world, how I talk with foreigners, how I talk in Spanish; it will all be impacted by this country. I go to class at 9:30 and done at 1pm everyday. I absolutely love it. My English is starting to get pretty bad with how I speak. I keep laughing at the odd phrases I say or the interchanging Spanish I use. Afterward class, the day is mine. I'm free to explore, hit the beach, check out the huge sales that Barcelona is currently having in this extreme heat, and make it home in time for a cold shower before my cena (dinner) at 10pm. I'm laughing a lot with the people I'm with, I'm smiling just looking around me at all the ironic or beautiful places; I'm loving it. I wish I could take all the people I love so much from home, my friends and family, and ship them over here for one night. I would take them up to a beautiful view of Mount Juic , dri...