Preparations

After a wonderful lunch with wonderful people, I began the enduring task of packing the suitcase. I fit my clothes into my larger suitcase, and I saved the small one for toiletries and other accessories, hoping to leave room for items to bring home. I was originally planning to cram everything into one suitcase, but I realized that that just is not going to happen and I will suffer the consequence of paying an extra sixty dollars for my second suitcase. Like I said, it will be beneficial in the long run when I have the extra space to bring items home. I will be sure to post a photo of my packing skills when I have completed the job... haha.

Anyway, I took a break from packing for awhile and decided to go on to Google Earth and search my home stay address. I am very enthused that upon going into "Street View", there is a small book shop below my Señora's home. I cannot wait to go explore this tiny libreria in person when I arrive. I am also pleased that I will be able to meet my pen pal during my time abroad! He is from Salamanca, and we are planning a short trip to meet up, and he is going to show me all around his home town. My other friend who is studying abroad from ISU also has a pen pal from Salamanca, so we are hoping to meet up with our pen pals together and enjoy our time with our new friends!

As a house warming gift, I am bringing my Señora a hand-knitted blanket made by my great-grandmother. Initially, I was going to bring her a map of the United States with the fifty states' quarters embedded in it, but unfortunately I couldn't find our quarter map anywhere (I was thoroughly disappointed). I think the blanket will be a sufficient substitute, however. I am also bringing her some nice lotion and other similar accessories (hopefully she will not be offended and take it the wrong way... haha).

Well, that is about all that is rattling my brain right now, I hope reading this entry was not a waste of five minutes (give or take) of your life! I do not have a cool photo to post that has anything to do with Spain, but here's a photo of the sugar cookies my friend and I made yesterday! They are quite delicious.