One of my favorite things in the world is finding out that people are nicer than I thought they would be. In lieu of the in-class final, due to my failing the midterm, my History of 20th Century Social Movements professor offered the option of an oral, interview-like final exam based on a course-related subject of my choice. True to my nature, I put off studying until a few days before and basically went into his office ready for my downfall. And though I definitely lacked basic knowledge of the subject, my professor asked me a few light questions, then asked for my opinion on the subject, then asked if this was a hard subject for me, then asked me for my notes and that was that. No looks of scorn or disapproval when I muttered something about the British Labor Party that was entirely incorrect. All this is to say that, I probably deserved to be reprimanded, and instead he was entirely simpatico.

“Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things …. making those count for more than the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it... and that's all we can ask for.” CHEESY, I know. But TRUE, for me, right now. Spain is hard. But now the heater is fixed and we aren’t freezing in our flat anymore, and a 7 transfers as an A-, and my French flatmates help me with my homework, and these days the sun has been more beautiful than ever and the sky unbelievably blue, and Lo just made the best salsa I have ever had, and my professor let me get off EASY. These are the things that I string together to make up for the fact that sometimes I want to go home so bad that it hurts.