I’m back in Madrid, after a nice and mostly-relaxing break in Miami. The break was long, but still felt short in some ways.

In coming back to Madrid, I’m interested in what is and what feels changed, different. For sure, coming back here didn’t feel like moving to a new city — it felt like coming home. I think I’ve become better at feeling at home in places. I still don’t feel at home in other people’s houses, so perhaps it’s more that I’m becoming quicker at making a place feel like my home. Nonetheless, it’s a nice feeling, and as such I’ve promised myself to make the best of being in Spain. Take advantage of my luck, right?

I’ve started working with a professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, who’s doing EEG research into depression. We’re creating and carrying out a study, and because I have experience with EEG, he’s letting me take a greater role than I might have done if I had stuck with MEG work — although he’s promised me the opportunity to observe some MEG studies if I’m interested. (I am.) I’m excited to get back into doing psychology work; I’ve already mentioned on this forum that I’ve come to actually miss it. And if things go well, I may be able to help with any paper that comes out of this work — it helps to be fluent in English here, since most significant scientific publication is in English. Excellent.

As most people reading this know, I’ve applied to graduate school in clinical psychology, and I’ll be interviewing shortly. That’s a change, actually — a change in what kind of nervousness I’m feeling. But damn-exciting, no? I’m getting really excited about all of this, which is great up until the possibility where I don’t get in anywhere. But I’m keeping my hopes up, and if I do get in to grad school, then I’ll be thrilled to get started. Terrified, of course. But thrilled.

Here are some of the things that will happen before the end of the year, though. Things to look forward to, things to work on. For one, Joe will be coming to visit in early February. That should be exciting and fun. I may miss part of his visit for an interview, but I’ve no doubt that he’ll survive. My parents and maybe my sister are coming in the end of March, which should also be fun; we’ll explore Madrid and travel up to the north of Spain.

I also fully intend to do some outdoor climbing and hiking. There are amazing mountains in this country. Let’s take advantage of that, Justin! I’ve been meaning to buy a book on mountaineering in Spain; maybe from the climbing gym (I’m going this week; it seems worth it for the fun, and because maybe I’ll meet some people I like). There’s good hiking near Madrid, once it’s a bit warmer, and Kara recommended climbing up near Zaragossa, in an area called Rodellar. That sort of climbing would require a group, but I bet I can find bouldering somewhere nearby here. So I will! And maybe a friend will come with me and enjoy the outdoors and make sure I don’t break my neck.

In mid-May, I’m going to this music festival in Barcelona called Primavera Sound. Stee went two years ago and raved about it; the lineup is pretty awesome, I think. I’ve never been to a music festival before! Should be fun. And then of course, in July, I’ll be doing some traveling. I’m still unsure about my plans, but I want to head to some places in Europe that I’m really curious about. Suggestions are welcome!

Beyond that, I’ve just got to take advantage of things like being-in-Madrid. And meet some more Spaniards. Such shall it be.