The end of the summer has a bittersweet feel to it. While I am excited to get back home to see my family and friends, I cannot believe how fast my time here has flown by. Our group of interns has become very close, through living in such close quarters and going through such an incredible experience together, and I am going to miss everyone so much.

Some of the group at the beach, before a night out.

Now that I am nearing the end of my summer internship, I have found myself to be the busiest I have been all summer, both at work and in life in general. I finished my big project, "La plantilla ideal" a couple of weeks ago, right before my two managers both went out of town on holiday for the rest of the summer. With them gone and my project complete, I thought everything would slow down at the office and I had some fears that I would become bored with nothing to do. Instead, the opposite happened.

The weekend of the world cup final was definitely one of the craziest of my life so far. On Friday I went to Pamplona for San Fermín, the annual running of the bulls. It was out of control. Everyone dresses in all white with a red scarf, and stays up all night celebrating. Then, at 8 in the morning, the bull run takes place, ending in an arena where thousands of people run around with the bulls. I have no idea how this is possibly legal. It is the most dangerous event I have ever witnessed.

I cannot believe my internship experience is already halfway over. I feel as though I am finally getting the hang of things here. I don't get lost every time I leave my apartment anymore, although the other day Jenna and I did spend a good hour and a half wandering around Plaça Catalunya, literally around the block from our destination. I have even gotten used to the metro system. Last week we figured out a way to avoid the terribly long, underground hallway we have to walk down when we change lines to go to the beach (which we suitably nicknamed Hell Hallway).

The thing that has surprised me most about work is the attitude in the office. Although I have heard that Spaniards are generally much more laid-back about work than Americans, describing the work environment as such does not give it justice. It is true that my co-workers have a much more relaxed work style, yet they are still productive and diligent in getting things done. Desigual truly does combine fun and profit, true to its office motto.

The night before my first day of work, my main concern had nothing to do with my actual job, but rather entailed what to wear to work. Anyone who has worked in teh fashion industry understands exactly what I am referring to, as first impressions based on choice of clothing often precede job qualifications in this field.

 Some people argue that first impressions are the most important. I would have to disagree. My first impression with Barcelona was less than ideal. Four years ago, my family and I were traveling through Europe on vacation, and we ended our trip by staying in a hotel off of La Rambla for three days before returning home. To be perfectly honest, it was my least favorite part of an otherwise amazing trip.

 Countdown to Spain: three days. Currently, I am seated in the back seat of my mother's car with my younger sister, on the way to visit St. Mary's University on the eastern shore of Maryland. My sister and I are four years apart exactly, so she will be entering her senior year of high school as I enter my senior year of college. It amazes me that four years ago, I was in her shoes: knowing that after a busy year full of college visits, applications, and enjoying every last memory with high school friends, I was about to embark on the next big step of my life.