I am starting to realize how quickly studying abroad is sneaking up on me. How can it possibly already be October? My shorts, flip flops, and tan have permanently entered hibernation mode, and as far as school goes, the professors have decided it’s time to crank up the workload and test my ability to not sleep. Before I know it I’ll be on a plane leaving the USA. This has got me thinking about what I will miss most while I’m there. Don’t get me wrong, I am still extremely excited, but the country is not the only thing I’ll be leaving behind that I will definitely miss. I’m not talking about the generic and obvious but rather those random off-the-wall “things” every person is uniquely a little obsessed with.
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#1) Jiff Peanut Butter
Yes, I put this as number one because I am not lying when I say I am addicted to peanut butter. I absolutely love it. So much so that I did a little research to make sure I could purchase it while abroad. Bad news… I can’t. Apparently here in America we have high peanut production, hence the abundance of peanut butter products. In Europe, peanut butter simply is not as well known or popular. How this is possible, I have NO clue! The Europeans tend to lean more towards the “hazelnut butters.” While I enjoy my Nutella, it does not hold a candle to Jiff. All I can say is my 50 lb. limit for my suitcase will have 5 lbs. set aside to fill with peanut butter jars. I’ll have to do my best to ration it over the 4 months that I’m in Barcelona!
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#2) Television Shows
Mondays – Gossip Girl. Wednesdays – America’s Next Top Model. Thursdays – Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Project Runway. Sundays – Desperate Housewives. That would be my weekly line-up. I like to consider my shows as “study breaks” that excuse me from doing necessary homework. There really is no solution for this one… the USA owns rights to only allow the shows available online when inside the country. My only solution would be to watch the shows via Skype with someone (but considering it would be 3 am in Barcelona this really won’t work either). Basically it looks like I will be spending a lot of time on Hulu upon my return!
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#3) My Hairdresser
The truth is I am not a natural blonde (although my ditzy behavior may suggest otherwise). I’m starting to wonder what to do about my hair over there. Obviously waiting 4 months to get my highlights re-done would not be an option. I’m seriously contemplating leaving my blonde hair back in the USA and going brunette. Or else I will totally be “that American girl” going up to random Spanish women (whose hair looks good of course) and asking them where they get their hair done. I don’t know which way to go but it is something I should probably figure out soon!
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#4) Coffee
You know how I said I was a peanut butter addict? Well, my addiction extends to include coffee as well. I drink way more caffeine than is generally advised but I really don’t care – I love coffee, and lots of it. Except it seems Europe may not cater to my needs for at least 4 cups a day. When I was in Belgium last summer and ordered a small coffee it literally came in an espresso cup… that is like the size of a shot glass.   Not cool. Another problem, they didn’t give free refills on coffee either. All I can say is if this is the protocol in Barcelona, I will be suffering from some major caffeine withdrawal. On the plus side there are 20 Starbucks in Barcelona – yes, I looked that up- but hey a girl has to be prepared right?!
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#5) My Mom
Okay, in reality I said this lists the “random things” I’ll miss while abroad. Family, friends, and pets don’t really fall under that category. That is until my mom said that if I don’t specifically give her a shout out she wouldn’t pay my tuition (I think she was kidding but why take the chance)! So here you go mom… I will miss you SO much!