February started with me locking myself in a bathroom and ended with me on a beach in California

From panicking in my bathroom to enjoying the sunset over the Pacific, February was an interesting month, to say the least.

The madness started one afternoon when I decided to take a quick afternoon shower. I wanted to wash off the sweat from my morning Flamenco class and be fresh for my evening Bachata class. I told myself I would take a quick shower. For this reason, I didn't bring my phone into the bathroom to listen to music. My usual bathroom karaoke wasn't on the agenda.

I took a quick, hotter-than-the-flames-of-hell shower, got out, and went to open the shower door.

I grabbed the door handle and pulled, and it wouldn’t open. I wasn’t too surprised because my bathroom door is tricky. Sometimes you have to do a little push-and-pull motion to get it open.

On my second attempt, the door wouldn’t budge. Then I frantically shook the handle and pulled on the door, and it still wouldn’t open.

After numerous failed attempts, my blood began to boil and my whole body felt like it was on fire. My heart pounded as if it were trying to escape from my chest. In a millisecond my mind leaped to the worst-case scenario.

I’m trapped inside!

Who would find me?

Was I going to die in my bathroom?

Am I going to have to break down the door?

After a few moments of spiraling, I pulled myself out of the pit of negative thoughts. I told myself I was going to MacGyver my way out of here. I gathered combs, Q-tips, and anything I could find to try to pick the door handle and open the door.

Yet, two broken combs and a bent toothbrush later, the door remained locked. So I did the only thing I could think of.

I screamed for help.

Keep in mind I live in Spain, so I had to shout in Spanish.

“ Ayudame”

Luckily, I have thin walls. On any other day, I hate how thin my walls are. I don't know how many times my neighbors' television has woken me up in the middle of the night.

But since I was stuck in my bathroom my only hope was that someone could hear my screams.

By some miracle, my neighborhood heard my cries for help.

We communicated by shouting through the front and bathroom doors. She ended up calling the police, who called the locksmith.

The locksmith had to drill through the front door to get to the bathroom door. I had left my keys in the lock in the inside of the front door, which made it harder to break in.

When the bathroom door finally opened, I stood in my bathrobe in front of the locksmith, two police officers, and my neighbor.

The strangest feeling of relief and embarrassment rushed over me.

Fortunately, the end of the month didn’t end as traumatic as it started.

Returning to my first home

To close out the month, I flew into LAX for my bi-annual trip( every two years) to California. Upon arriving, I took a stroll at Redondo Beach. I walked along the wooden pier and it felt like I was transported in time. There were a few new restaurants but mostly everything was a replica of my memory.

I observed the people lined up at the edge of the pier with the fishing poles hanging over the dock. I smiled at the pelicans perched on the roof, who stalked the fisherman, waiting to steal a fish.

I got one of my favorite treats, a churro, and had someone ask me if I was Panamanian.

And as I watched the sun fall into the ocean, I felt a great sense of gratitude.

Even though Spain is my new home, the South Bay cradled me during my youth. My friends and I used to hang out at the beach after hours. It was a peaceful escape from the drama of the city. This little pocket of earth was the place I came to clear my mind.

Reflections

Even though I was happy to visit California, a short trip was all I needed.

I transitioned from California to Spain five years ago and it has been a wonderful journey. California is my old home and Spain is the place I can see my future.

Last month, I shared part of that journey from California to Spain with others through the article I wrote for Business Insider. You can read the full story here.

I also got my first feature in a publication called AS, on my flamenco journey in Spain. You can check out that article here.

So why do I share this story with you?

To advise you to always shower with your phone in the bathroom (just kidding).

If you're thinking of moving abroad and are worried about something bad or unexpected happening, it will. But know that you'll find a solution.

Also, make sure you have people you communicate with regularly. If my neighbor hadn't heard me, my boyfriend would have come to rescue me in due time. I’m also pretty sure I would have either broken down the door or my friends would be concerned if I didn’t show up for dance class.

Another thing, don't leave your keys in the door. It makes it very difficult for anyone to break in, which is good to keep burglars out. Not so good if someone needs to get in because of an emergency.

The last thing I want to share is gratitude. I know that for many people in the U.S., times are confusing and scary. But I promise you there is something to be grateful for. The more you focus on that, the happier you'll be.

Likewise, you can be grateful for what your home country has given you, and you can walk away.

California has made me who I am, but if I hadn't moved abroad I don't think I would like the version of me that stayed in California.

So, go out and watch the sunset and reflect on something you're grateful for.

Make sure to comment below something you’re grateful for. Writing it down can help uplift your mood and change your perspective.

And if you want to hear more unique, funny, and relatable stories about living abroad, make sure you subscribe.