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.