el meu any passat

Another year has come to a close, and I cannot believe how quickly time is passing by. On Ally McBeal, the Biscuit's Mother said that if at the end of the year, you don't break down crying, either from pain or happiness, then it has been a wasted year.

I can honestly say that I can break down crying for both reasons. And by coincidence, "Searchin' My Soul", the Ally McBeal theme song, just came on.

It has been a difficult year. Financial issues (being paid late, not being paid enough to live, cancelling trips) were the least of my concerns when my mom suffered a heart attack in the middle of les Falles. (She's doing much better now, for the record). Loneliness, depression and anxiety continued to be major themes of my life. Not to mention the visa issues the Comunitat Valencia has given me.

When I arrived in Valencia on 1 August, within the first five minutes I lost my mobile phone. Was it in the taxi or metro, I'll never know. I never found it. That set the tone. By the end of the week, I had caught sunstroke (insolación). It just set a run of bad luck that has continued throughout the end.

However, despite all that, Valencia has had some amazing stuff. I worked at the best school I have worked at. I felt, for the first time, integrated into the school. The students were typical Spanish students, but I enjoyed working with them, and I had the best colleagues.

I also discovered the gym, which has been my saving grace. What would I have done without Body Combat? What did I do before the gym?

I also discovered How I Met Your Mother.

Looking back at Madrid, I had nothing going for me. Unrequieted crush, horrible living situation, horrible work situation...looking back in Linares...I didn't know what I had. The school was definitely better than Madrid, but not quite as good as La Vall. All the memories of Linares have turned to fond memories, whereas the memories of Madrid are a sordid blur of disappointment, hurt and angst. I think Valencia will become like Linares...the good overweighing the bad when I look back on my time here.

And the time has gone by.

What does the future look like? Any number of things can happen.

1. This is what I am hoping for. To receive funding to study at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and finally get my master in Spanish.

2. If that falls through and I cannot get student loans, I may throw my hat into the auxiliar ring again, aiming for a place in the north (Catalunya, País Vasco, Navarra, etc.)

3. Go back to the States, work substitute teaching and at Starbucks to save money.

4. Find a job in the States teaching Spanish.

I would like at least one more year in Spain. The more I stay in this country, the more I fall in love with it. There are so many undiscovered places I still have yet to see. I would be incredibly stoked if God blessed me with another year here. But I think long-term sees me teaching Spanish in the States...unsure whether it´ll be at high school or university level. Time will tell.

I can say that while I'll miss certain things about Valencia...the best is yet to come. I have a feeling in my heart it's going to be Barcelona. I better use that valenciano I've learned this year to learn how to stay "Visca Catalunya", eh?

And who knows...maybe El Principe Azul is awaiting my arrival in Barcelona...who knows what is in store.