She Is Lucky Who Has Friends

11-15-15, around noontime, Barcelona Time
 
   A group of touring students stopped for a minute in front of the mock 50s diner I sat in. They milled past. I sipped my paradoxical cappuccino. (The American coffee here sucked the last time. Yes, unfortunately, I have to admit that I have come to this diner before. It was just as disappointing last time, too. I won't make the mistake again - but let me just say : eggs Benedict and pancakes can only be found in so many places in Barcelona.) 
   The students, I knew, would follow the pattern that I took part in repeating at the beginning of this fall: meeting a bunch of new people, judging the crap out of everyone, seeing who you seemed to fit in with and who you wanted to fit in with. Then, people split off and cliques form, the cool people separate from the not-as-cool. "Cool" in whose eyes? The group´s as a whole, I suppose. I am always in the group who isn't considered "cool."
   At first, I came here wanting to be more adventurous, to take more risks, and I associated that with "cool." But I have realized that isn't me. And that's okay. In my own way, I have taken risks, tried new things, and explored new places. (I do need to work on getting to know myself better however.) But, I have realized that the people who aren't considered "cool" are usually the people who just don't find themselves cool. They don't think of it; they don't care. And they shouldn't. I shouldn't.
   Now, I think this whole "cool" and "not cool" thing is just a nice way of saying the "stuck-ups" and the "not stuck-ups." And, not all the people in these groups fit this stereotype obviously. But it has helped me determine that I don't need to "fit-in," something I thought I had learned in high school and had come to - I thought - accept in college. Maybe doubt just came back in a different form in this new country. Either way, I know it now and don't want to forget it. I appreciate the people I have met here and hang around with. It also has gotten me to appreciate my friends from home and school in the States more as well. I talk to people here who for their own reasons do not have the large group of reliable, loyal, and kind friends that I am so lucky to have. I would like my friends to know that, too.

i am . . . lucky. Lucky to have friends. Not just any friends: My Friends.