Halfway point

Today marks our 38th day of travelling! We only have 38 more days to squeeze in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the rest of France, Prague and Denmark (again). I would like to take a moment to highlight a few things.

What I miss most from home:
- My mom's cooking; including but not limited to: lasagna, anything barbecued, tortelini soup, sausage roll-ups, salmon, puff pancakes, waffles, egg salad sandwiches, ice cream, PIE, old folks sausage (just seeing if you are paying attention, Mom, lol), and grilled salad.
- The farm and all the guys who like to take care of me and keep me out of trouble during the summer.
- Sticking my tongue out at my sister when Mom isn't looking.
- The ability to text or call anyone without it costing a fortune.
- My vocabulary. (Talking to people who don't speak a lot of English makes it difficult to use big words. I feel like I've forgotten them!)
- Driving.
- Having money.
- The animals.
- Ketchup! Oh my gosh, I miss it so much!
- Cousin nights and drinking on the beach.
- And of course, the island.

What I have learned about myself and others while being away:
- Snoring still sucks and is still considered a deal-breaker in my book. Sleeping in hostels with boys has only made me hate snoring more.
- Men are sleezy even on this side of the world. Do they really think that they'll get a date by yelling out cat-calls and whistling when females walk by? This gender still never ceases to amaze me.
- I've learned that life doesn't happen if you sit around and wait for it. From now on I am going to make things happen for myself. I am tired of waiting around.
- I've learned how to navigate public transportation systems in 4 different languages. (Danish, German, Dutch, and French.)
- The world is SO BIG and there are so many people living on it! I realize that this is an obvious statement, but the hugeness of the world population was difficult for me to grasp until I left the US. I have met a countless amount of people so far on this trip and I am only halfway done.
- I am so much more appreciative of nice people.
- I have a better understanding of what it looks like to be appreciated. It makes me mad that I haven't been appreciated in the past and that I put up with it.
- I am more inspired to learn another language. It is important to put forth an effort to be bilingual.
- I am more patriotic.
- And due to my extended stay in Portugal, I am more tan :)

I can't wait to come home and play house while applying for graduate school and preparing to teach pre-school for the first time. See you all in 38 days!

xoxo, Meg