Para empezar

You have to start somewhere. Right now, I am starting this blog (what a queer word), sitting by a gas log fire in the basement and enjoying a not uncommon reflective mood and some Schwepps ginger ale. This break has been a simple time of relaxation and catching up with friends. However, unlike most breaks, this has also been a time of looking forward to what is ahead.

For about the next 6 months or so I will be based in Sevilla, Spain and studying at the University of Sevilla. I plan on using this site to give updates to friends, family and anyone who cares.

So, basics and beginnings.
-Why blog?
It's for you guys to keep up with me, but also for me to be able to reflect, process, and verbalize. I feel like that's a good win-win. [Cite cliche about birds and stones].

-Why Sevilla?
It is in Europe, and I've always wanted to go to Europe. It is a larger UNC program, and I know a couple of other people that are going. I am a Spanish minor, and Spain does seem like a wonderful place to learn to speak better Spanish. Finally, Sevilla is beautiful, probably even more so in person.

-Why 6 months?
The program I'm in stays from Jan 12-Jun 12 or so. Yeah, a long semester, but I get 2 spring breaks, so that's not bad.

-And perhaps most fundamental, why study abroad?
A tough question. Life is good at UNC, and I love it. I shall miss my friends and family and I willdefinitely miss out on some amazingly fun times.
Sevilla is an chance for an experience. I have no idea what I'll find. Some people have tried to tell me, but I have only glimpses of what they saw and experienced.
Sevilla is a change of pace. It seems like a way to break the tedious aridity of everyday life.
Sevilla is a window through which I can see another place, people, culture, etc. International travel really appeals to me for reasons I can't explain in the slightest.
Sevilla is an opportunity, and I jumped at it.

If you read between the lines, you might perceive that I am looking for changes, taking an opportunity that I hope will lead to an enjoyable experience and a livelier plane of existence. But the scenery is not where we must look for change, it is internal and so much more essential. So I look for this too as I go abroad--not just a change in scenery but a revolution of perspective and regeneration. Regeneration.

"Empezar de nuevo" is the name of this blog. In English, "To start again," or rather, "To start anew." This is constantly where we find ourselves, especially around Jan. 1. Start over, hoping not to repeat the failures of yesterday. However, even if we are successful in this we find legions of new failures around every corner. Yet hope springs eternal and we ever seek the solace of our soul, whether in one place or another.

~Acts 17:27~

So, I continue the cycle of hoping to break the cycle, delusions of grandeur running at full force just waiting to get knocked to the ground. So to all of the mistakes and all of the loss, to all of the successes and glories, to everything in between, cheers. I won't turn back.