Aka. "Destination Anywhere", "The Boy and Girl from County Bavaria"... After a very intense year in Würzburg (Germany), I'm back in Salamanca. I probably won't have that many experiences to write, but there's always an excuse to post a new entry!

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

This year is coming to an end, so I guess it's time for me to look back and think of all the experiences - good or bad - I've had in the past twelve months. In spite of all the lights, the cheesy TV shows and the nice landscapes covered in snow, Christmas is not only a time for joy and celebration. Cynical non-believers see it as the biggest display of consumism; those who have lost the ones they loved feel nostalgic to think of the moments they won't share with them anymore; and those who can't afford to take part in the 'Christmas spirit' watch enviously their neighbours' big family dinners and presents.

I don't believe in God; at least not in the way I was taught to. Neither do I understand the sudden blasts of generousity certain people experience at the end of December (if you really are that selfless, shouldn't you worry about poor African children a bit more often than just two weeks a year?) To me, Christmas is nothing but a nice excuse to leave my routine, just like any other holiday, give and get presents, see my parents and sister... and also a time for nostalgy, but a different kind. We're about four days away from New Year. The little girl in me still sees it as the beginning of a new era, a moment to remember what I'm leaving behind and I might have ahead of me.

2007 was amazing. 2008 was eventful. 2009 was insane. I'd be lying if I said that 2010 has been one of my best years. Not that it was my worst either, but if I had to choose one word to describe it, I'd probably say bittersweet. It's been full of changes, some of them for the better, and some others... well, only time will tell.

For the first time in my life, I welcomed the new age away from home, in a place I was hoping to make my home out of in the near future. However, destiny seemed to have other plans for me. Shortly before Easter, I would regret spending so much time and money on someone who didn't deserve it. That, nevertheless, gave me the chance to focus on other things - making new friends, considering other options, rethinking what I really wanted... But most of all, I concentrated on making the most of my last two months in Salamanca, both academically and personally.

June began with my graduation, a happy ending to a very special chapter in my life. Satisfied with the good job I had done yet sad to say goodbye to Salamanca, I headed for Ibiza. In the middle of my summer storm, which I'd rather not talk about too deeply, two things made the season different from any other so far - on the one hand, Joaquín's unconventional singing lessons; on the other hand, a wonderful week in Paris with my family.

Those three months of uncertainty ended with some clarity and my return to the only place I could ever refer to as my hometown. It was a hard and crazy start, wondering whether that masters' course was really for me... and having to move away from my place two weeks after. Luckily, that gave me the chance to face and overcome two of my biggest fears - sharing my place with a friend and using a gas cooker. Needless to say, this was when the year started improving considerably. My social life has grown way richer (Dani, I owe part of this to you), I've learnt to appreciate my masters' course (or rather the great people I've met there)... and I've finally found the creative input my life needed, and most of all the strength and enthusiasm to fight for it.

Now, looking ahead, I feel quite optimistic about the future. And that's probably because I don't expect anything in particular from the new year, except for one thing  - guidance. Whatever may come, I'll know that there is a reason for it. The wind that closes one door, will open a new window, so I trust in destiny to give me what I need, even when it doesn't look that bright at first sight. Therefore, my only New Year's resolution for 2011 will be to stand my ground and never lose my energy; to rise again from the flames like the phoneix I always wanted to be. And, of course, not to let anyone or anything enslave me.

PS. This time I haven't posted the traditional entry to say thank you. Of course, I have many things to be grateful for, but those of you who have stood by my side and done so much for me already know. I just hope life will make our paths cross again and, in some cases more than others, I wish for you all to find the clarity to make up your minds and to grow a good pair of guts to face any possible challenge.