5 weeks!

Wow, I have officially been in Barcelona for 5 weeks! How insane to think I'm 30% done with my trip. I don't like to think that way though. I want to cherish every minute of my time here in this incredibly awesome city!

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to study abroad. It has already been such a life changing experience. That being said, it is really hard being away from all the people I know and love. I have never, ever been away from my parents for longer than 4 weeks. I have always been close to my parents, and cherish the time I get to spend with them. We definitely have our "moments", but overall we are a very tight unit. Hitting this 5 week mark has been really hard, because I miss them a whole, whole lot.If anything though, being away has helped me appreciate them even more.

I have been really blessed as a kid. I have never properly expressed my appreciation for my parents and all they have done for me (in this regard). Ever since I was a baby (literally, 2 months old), my parents have enjoyed traveling around the country. As a result, I have been lucky enough to visit almost all 50 states, and see so many spectacular sights. This is so special to me because not only have I got to see such amazing things, but I have been able to to do it with my family, the people who mean the most to me.

I didn't always feel this way though. Ask my family. I used to be a big brat (i'm sure they still think i am at times) I always enjoyed vacations but constantly complained about "sharing the backseat" with Wes for a 24 hour nonstop journey across the country. We would bicker and fight over who was hogging the seat. (I was always pretty good at that :) At any rate, throughout these bratty years, I sometimes found myself wondering why we couldn't be like other families and go on normal vacations. I wanted to fly somewhere tropical and stay at a resort and be pampered. My parents thought otherwise. They liked long drives, camping in the mountains, and living rustically. It took me many years to appreciate how dang fortunate I was (and am). Looking back, I would never change any of my vacation experiences. I got to see things I never would have seen if we would have "gone to the beach" and experience quality family moments that I never would have had if we would have embarked on the more typical "family vacations."

I wish I could do over all my early years of vacations. I wish I could have realized how fortunate and lucky I was to able to be exploring the world. My parents (my mom in particular) wanted to provide us with educational and adventurous opportunities, and unfortunately, many times I did not fully appreciate what I was seeing and doing.

I have so many wonderful memories that I will never forget. From Jackson Hole, Wyoming (the Hall family all time favorite spot), to Sugarloaf Mountain, to the Rio Grande, many of my best memories so far in life have come from times I've spent with my family.

I don't know if they realize how appreciative I am, but I hope they do. Without instilling that sense of adventure in me (since infancy), I probably never would have embarked on my current adventure. They are my inspiration, and I hope one day I can be as neat of parents and take my kids on as cool and unique trips as they have taken me on.

Everyday when I see something cool, I wish they could be right by me experiencing it too. Thankfully, sooner than later, they will get to embark on their own little European adventure. I can't wait to share this experience with them. Until then, I will continue to miss and love them!