Across the Universe: Spain

For me, Madrid started as an intimidating city, moving fast and full of life. For a while, I resented the enormous neighborhoods, the spread of apartments that covered the landscape and the seemingly constant streams of madrilenos on the streets. But with time, things have changed.

My sixth floor apartment overlooks the streets of Arapiles and Vallehermoso. On late nights I normally find myself with my feet up on my table, sitting back in my chair and listening to my iPod as I watch the world pass by. Lately, I can’t seem to walk out of my house without smiling. The sun is shining, and I can find a sweet pickup game nestled between an ancient church and an old apartment complex 10 minutes from my house. Opportunities abound-the dude abides.

When I take a step back at these moments, I realize that this is what I should’ve been doing a long time ago. I guess that would be the lesson that I am most appreciating. You have to take the time to reflect on what you are doing with your life. If you aren’t happy with where you are, then your happiness will start immediately to affect all parts of your life. You’ll find yourself making stupid, bad decisions. Regret and anger ted to follow, and that is good for no one.

However, when you are content and happy with life, even curveballs thrown your way don’t seem to sting quite so bad. I’ve always believed that life moves on with or without you. The sun sets on everyday just the same, and it will keep on doing that long after we are dead and gone. You might as well make the most of what you’ve got in front of you.

I’d like to share a little story with you. Two Thursdays ago I was having a drink in my room and was waiting on a friend of mine to meet up with me. Let’s call him “T.” We met up at the metro, had a few more beers and went to get a few free pitchers at public house. After a couple games of pong, I made the mistake of paying for a shot with my spare change while T and I discussed the intricacies of bar life in Madrid. Unfortunately, my keys happened to be in the same pocket as my spare change. Fast forward through some interesting metro rides, plaza hopping in malasaña and embarking on a long drawn out search for the closest night bus stop in gran vía and finally on to home. I then called my senora at four in the morning. The following wait and long
scolding in Spanish, were not fun, but you live, learn and have the memories forever.

I do still find myself thinking of home now and again. It’s not an unwelcome thought by any means, but I don’t ache missing it. I look forward to the chance to once again borrow a golf cart, play soccer with my friends on a perfect fall afternoon and living in the chaos that is the FIJI House. But when you are having the time of your life, everything else just seems a little duller in comparison. I might walk out of my house this evening to go grab a book from the library, and then four hours later waltz in with just a grin on my face. What a life I live-I’m just hanging on and enjoying the ride for the next few months.