Estoy en Espana (I am in Spain)
There is a difference between what one expects in any situation and what actually happens. Most of the time, you find that whats happening to you isn't exactly what you planned, and it turns out to be the best thing for you. Sure, I have had and have many expectations for this great country, but to be honest, I hope that Spain just happens to me, without my trying to figure it out before hand. I want to break away from my expectations!
Its obvious that I hope to gain a lot from being here in Spain, and yes, it is true that I have many goals. I want to become fluent in Spanish, I want to assimilate into a different culture, and I want to really learn about a different place. I want to become a better person based on the knowledge I gain here. I want to be able to understand things that were once confusing about the language, and I want to be able to "fit in" in Spain, like I was meant to be here. I want to be Spanish, essentially.
These seem like reasonable goals, and like the true hardworking goal-oriented American, I have been taught to persue these goals and expectations relentlessly until they come true. I have, however, been aquainted with a different attitude that I have seen and have talked about with many Spainiards. Sometimes, its not always about plans and the red-hot persuit. My senora here has asked me many times when I go out with friends, "Why are you going so early? You have plenty of time."
I do have plenty of time to realize these goals. I feel I have acquired a new attitude on how exactly to realize them, which essentially equates to letting it happen, and trusting myself to to the best I can in every without so much rush and worry. I have learned that they will perhaps be met in a different way than I expected. Based on my last sentence, it seems I have come back to the beginning of my entry It is almost impossible to escape our expectations in any situation! =)