The association areas are located in the:
spinal cord
brainstem
thalamus
limbic system
cerebral cortex

The association areas are located in the cerebral cortex

Explanation:

The four cortical cortex lobes are the point of the areas of association. The primary function of this association is to process and to amalgamate the various data from the different senses and relate it to the process of reasoning and thought.

It helps in producing a logical perception of the world and its experiences. Of these lobes, the frontal one is involved in organizing movements and actions as well as abstract way of thinking.

my hamster died and my second hamster i got after that one died as well. i also lost two birds named rainbow and kiwi, (they didn't die, they flew off and escaped). i lost a cat named omi, and a dog named snoopie. the best way i got over it is, paying my respects, and just thinking that they were in a happy place. as well as just remembering but not thinking about it all the time, just do fun activities and try not to think about it too much. hope you feel better. i'm sorry about your loss. : (