Will the top ever stop spinning?

So I'm a week away from being back home, back to that reality. We've been working 9-2 and traveling on the weekends. In Spain. Yeah, that place over the Atlantic. I still am in awe, I can't explain it. I have felt a freedom like I've never had. My free time has been well spent, and my time at the university even more so. I'll take this in parts though. First, university time.

I am four days from presenting my final project and I am very happy to be this close to finishing. Everything I have is basically wrapped up, the learning process, the experimentation, and the data analysis. Only thing left is to put it all together and not look dumb at the presentation. I have had the greatest of times at the university. Jose Ramon, the PhD student I have been learning the most from, has been sitting down and explaining the things that are going on in the trials I have done, and I am so grateful for it. I got freedom within the lab as well, after Jose had shown me all about what was going on in the reinforced concrete samples. He helped me setting up the first runs, and after that I was free to work at my pace. Whenever I had a doubt, he'd be available for me to take it up with him, and if not, anyone else in the lab were always helpful. I think that's what I liked the most. People in the lab genuinely want you to do well, and they know that if you learn the material right, in the end it only benefits all of us. This work in corrosion has been an eye-opener too, because the work these guys are doing is pretty legit. Hazard mitigation is a real problem, and we need people aware of these things, everything does not last forever. Through this experience, I have also gotten to visit a few of the projects they are doing, and to have Dr. Gandia explain what's going on and meeting some of the people involved with the mussels raft was amazing. The applications for science, man. So cool.

Gandia after the gym (straight flexing)

On change.

Satisfying need
to pet donkey.

I can probably say I am the youngest person to come on this IRES research experience, in all 3 years. I turned 20 in the first week here in Valencia, and from my point of view, nothing in the world could have been better. I have started some of my Civil Engineering courses, and I know that what I have learned here will be applicable throughout the rest of school, and work too. I have discovered I am fond of a laboratory setting, something I would have thought impossible five weeks ago. Finally, and I do not take this lightly, I think I have learned something about myself. I say I don't take it lightly because I feel it's something you read at the end of every high school essay, ever. I have done a lot of things that I never have done and never would have thought of doing. I pushed my boundaries, I have changed how I view people and these scenarios, and I know that I will be useful in the future, it's a hunger in me that needs to be satisfied.

I have learned that I'm not sure anymore about where I want to live when I grow up. Yes, grow up. Life is dark and full of terrors (I have been waiting so long to do a GoT reference, this won't be the last one) and I know I can do something about it. Things seem to be happening worldwide, and if I can do my part, maybe the world will be a bit better. I recently talked to a childhood friend, and he seems to think that breaking the wheel seems like an admirable thing to be a part of back home in Honduras. It's something that is in everyone's mind, but there aren't many who actually step up to the plate and do something about it. Being in contact with people all over the world can help change perspective, how others might have it better or worse than we do.

I know some of my fellow participants have been having a tough go at it, but I can only speak to how amazing this experience is when it is done right. The professionals I had a chance to work with were hands down the best part of the trip. Traveling Spain was cool and all, but I can not be happier about anything more than I was  being in the lab and learning from the people there. Leaving here I will always keep that with me,it was my first real job (doing stuff I enjoy), and the people that were with me on this crazy trip that I met, like my two roommates (pictured above), will also be a great part of the experience. I know I could stay, it's been tempting, but I know I can always come back to this small world I have. It's feeling more like family time, and I'll see them at the end of the week and tell them about everything that happened around here.

Looking back, it all feels like a dream. I don't think I'm going to wake up though.

Social Identity

Michuuu

Got to see Pablo in
Madrid!!

Coming into this trip four weeks ago, I had nothing figured out. I was planning on doing research, and looking up where to go, but I was relaxing after my semester of school when it suddenly dawned on me I was about to leave. According to me though, I knew Spain. My brother had told me a bit and I had heard more from Spanish friends I had made during their time at UTA doing study abroad programs.

Well, I got to Valencia, and I realized I didn't know anything about anything. The advice I had gotten was good, but being there in the moment it didn't make a difference. We were completely lost, and we didn't even have WiFi (this is where you gasp in horror). New country, new setting, same old me.

The next part is all about how I was completely lost and didn't understand the language they speak, and missed home dearly, etc. etc. That's not the truth though. I've been adapting to these kind of situations ever since I was small, moving from Honduras to Arkansas when I was 6 years old, moving from Arkansas to Miami a couple of years later, from Miami back to Honduras, then Honduras to Paris, Texas, and finally, from Paris to Arlington. Except, that's not where it ends. Now I'm getting used to Valencia. This one has been particularly fun. Oh, and this past weekend, a completely different one: from Valencia to Granada.

So my roommates couldn't travel with me to Granada. I was set on going, no matter what, so I booked a Bla Bla car and decided I would stay at a hostel (I haven't told my mom this... surprise). I have heard different things about hostels, but one thing that is consistent is that you meet people easily. This hostel was no exception. Within five minutes, I had left all my belongings at my bed, and gone up to the terrace to see a group of about ten people, most of which didn't know one another, just talking about where they're from, where they've visited, and where they're going. I met an American and an Australian that I met up again with at the Alhambra, and had a couple of other adventures with. I also met two French sisters, who ended up being the people I hung out with for most of the weekend. They barely spoke English, and I could barely even understand their French, but we got along well and we had the same goals in mind, seeing some flamenco. We accomplished it the second day and it was definitely one of the better things I've done here in Spain. In the end, this Granada experience has been the most different from what I've experienced in my entire life. I have never traveled alone, I've always had my family or friends, and even here in Spain I've always been with my roommates. I would do it again if I had to, but I feel traveling is best with someone you care about. My grandfather has told us that it's not about the journey, but about the people you meet getting there. And it's so true. The thing I miss the most about the places I've been is the people.

Shoutout to my gramps and
whole fam, miss them.

My parents are currently living
it up in Honduras.
(happy bday dad)

  Here's some Granada pics too!

View of Albayzin from La Alhambra

View from hostel terrace

Beginning of flamenco show

Me and the Sierra Nevada

Chilling by the Genil River

High garden at Generalife

Okay, so let's take this back to social identity. My view of the world isn't really about how different they are from us, or how better the United States is because they have stores that are open 24/7 (although I can say that would come in so handy here). I just appreciate how different cultures have different customs, and that's that. All that's left is for you to get used to it, or make an entire country get used to your ways... Yeah, no.