I JUST HAVE TO SAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON BUT THE GRAMMAR IS ENTIRELY SCREWED UP IN THE POST FROM SEVILLE. i THINK WHAT HAPPENEND IS THAT IT WAS TRANSLATED INTO ITALIAN WHILE I WAS WRITING IT IN ENGLISH,,SO THE WORDS ARE IN INGISH BUT IN THE ITALIAN FORMAT. SO DISSAPOINTING. I HOPE YOU CAN STILL UNDERSTNAD. I WILL HAVE TO RE-WRITE IT ANOTHER TIME.
CORRECTIONS: SERENITO SANDWICH...NOT SERENITY SANDWICH
FRIENDS FROM 'PAMPLONA' KRISTEN AND LISE...NOT HARMONY..OR WHATEVER IT SAYS.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
correction
sorry it's late and i'm tired since i've been at the colloseum and pallantine hill all day...i'm obviously not travling around canada..duh...ITALIA!!!! i'm tired...and there u can tell...oh dear.
goodnight.
goodnight.
The beginning of Semana Santa Trip: Seville
It Has Been Almost a week that I've written ... I've been traveling this week and will begin my trek through two more parts of Canada starting tomorrow. I'm doing well, the However lenghth of the semester has hit me, the Lack of my family, and the little things from home or with my dog ... just 'the family unit' Lack is sinking into. I do not know if it's just today b / c it's Easter, But im definitely Gaining excitement to finish things up. That Probably I think this really healthy. I do not even want to think about Saying goodbye to my host family and my german girlfriends, and others that I've met along the way, However at the Same time, there are some i just can not wait to see,,, That Being the family unit. Thank goodness for skype, as i was SO saved to visit with all of theme ... even WAS lady barking into the room on Saturday night. So wonderful. These feelings I'm HAVING Also i know b / c I've Been accomplishing the things I've always dreamed of. You guys,,, Them I'm checking off the list. When the 'look at everything I've done ... all the places I've seen, it's incredible. Frankfurt Germany, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Hendaye France, Paris France, Barcelona, Madrid (Several Occasions), Toledo (Spain), Segovia (Spain), Olite (Spain) Salinas (pueblo-Spain), Seville, Rome, and now my trek across the rest of Italy to Florence beginning tomorrow until Sunday, and then on to Venice, it's more traveling and Experiences Than I Ever Could Have Imagined. It's hard to explain the emotions in my heart, it's as if to say, I'm sad b / c it's coming to an end, But It's to say I'm happy for what it has made me.
On Tuesday night, the two girls That I am traveling with and i Took the train from Pamplona to Madrid, in Madrid and then changed to an all night That We Took bus to Seville. It was very smooth - sleeping on the bus Is not the Same as the bed, but that's Another Thing .. benches from airport to bus seats, I've learned 'how' to sleep without a bed. We Arrived in Seville on Wednesday morning by 8am, and b / c we couldnt check into Our hostel just then, it was fabulous b / c the weather WAS absolutely perfect, the sun WAS coming up, and and we got to walk around the Mary Luisa park. The vegetation in it is just incredible. It is beautiful. We then Went to a small cafe near Our hostel and drank the cola-caused (hot milk with shock. Powder you add), and a bun with butter for breakfast. We enjoyed walking along the beautiful river, and then venturing into the older part of Seville, seeing the Plaza de los torres, doing Some souvenir shopping, people watching, and viewing places Such as El Alcazar, the Cathedral, the Plaza de Triunfo, and watchng to many ppl of the afternoon preparing for the Semana Santa processions. We napped in the afternoon During nap for about 2 hours, then got cleaned up and Went out to watch the processions. I "m telling you if this wasn't a religious / sacred experience, then i do not know what is. I Was incredibly moved. Seeing the nacerenos, the penitent, the Solemn people, quite, and dressed up as if it WAS easter sundy on Tuesday .... It Was Just breathtaking. The streets were so crowded at times you could not even go down one b / c there were so many people. For dinner, I Had The most amazing sandwiches and potato chips at this ethnic spanish restuarant That no-kidding Was a whole in the wall. I Was Glad That Kristen Joined me to eat there, and I Had the best glass of wine to Thus there as well. I Had to 'Serenity' sandwich, Which is Apparently 'the' best thing to get at the restaurant. Upon walking in, i did not know what to get, and now understnad Did not Recognize the vocabulary / descripciones on the menu .. But a very friendly young couple and Another Woman eating with Them there saw me looking at plate, and then asked the Them What It Was They Were eating, and the were so friendly, the Explained everything, and even insisted That I take a bite of Each of Their foods I know That I Could Try and decide what i like. Well I'm telling you, it WAS incredible, so i ordered Exactly What They HAD. The serenity sandwich Which Came with jamon serrano on top as well, potato chips That I Were So Good, free olives ( Also I know amazing), and the best red wine of my life ... I'll say it again .. so fantastic. I slept like a doll That night hehe. Our hostel WAS cute, But We Were surprised with the security b / c It Was Almost non-existent.
On thursday morning, i got up early, and Went for a run in the park The Same In Which We Had Walked The Morning of Our arrival (the Maria Luisa). It Was Such a so beautiful and wonderful experience. Despi The Fact That WAS my right lower leg Hurting me, i chose to forget it and Endure it b / c the park Aroused my senses to an extent That was overpowering to the pain. Were the smells incredibly, as everything and i mean EVERYTHING is in bloom, it WAS early morning-fresh sun-up just sort of sky, green everywhere, canopies of trees, hidden plazas with statues and graceful looking poses Placed Amongst the wildlife, The most pleasing-sounding and birds ... Were Better Than Their songs all the music i have on my ipod, to the Point That I Had to literally take off my ipod b / ci HAD to listen to the amazing sounds of nature to get the full experience. WAS to the grass dewey, and the group on the damp sand, but i laid into it anyway to do my physical therapy and Mat. It WAS an amazing moment and i needed it. After a shower and breakfast, we met up with Kristen Lise M and H, two of my close friends from Extremely harmony. It was wonderful to Have A Change Of Pace in Regards to spending time with Different People, as myself and the two girls I'm traveling with We Are Each Have found 3 very unique individuals who are very different. We toured the cathedral in Seville, and climbed the Giralda, Which is a large tower That get's to the very top. There Is a beautiful lookout of Seville in it's entirety, and it WAS breathtaking. You will enjoy the photos. Following, We Had a picnic lunch in the park and It Was alcazar about 80 degrees F and sunny. Absolutely beautiful. I Took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pant legs, and used my jacket and purse as a pillow. WAS A distinct type of lilac in bloom, and smelling That put me in heaven. After about 30-40 minutes of off-on napping, Both Kristen's, myself, and Lise headed to watch more of processions, and Megan Went off to do her own thing. We ended up seeing two people who sang and how incredibly it WAS quite the Thousands of People in the Streets Suddenly Became. Even the Children. I Could not believe it .. It Was As If The Singer Had a microphone b / ci Could Them here perfectly. What Was I spiritually amazing about This Was That I Had Chills The entire time, seeing the candles, the faces of the people in the Streets, The Eyes of las nacerenos, the real 'faith' and spirit of Catholics and Christianity. I Had this incredible feeling connected-With All of These people-strangers, friends, foreigners, locals, all in The Same Streets, solemnly remember What Jesus did for us, And Also Celebrating His strength, courage, power, and incredible gift Given to All of Us. He blessed with me with a neat experience after this That I wish to not forget as well. Although I Could look at this as something Flattering, it is more of an 'aura' compliment b / c of the state of the young man. When the man singing on the balcony HAD finished His prayer-song, a spanish man about 65 years old Began Came up to me and speaking to me. I Had no previous acknowledgments with this person before, But When he asked me after 15 seconds of talking if i was de Espana, and I Said 'no' But yo body, 'I Can Understand' and puedo Hable (i can speak), h asked me for a favor. Behind HIM, He Pointed to His Son, Probably about 25 years old, medium height with dark hair and glasses, and well-kept. He Explained to me that he is handicapped and has a disability, But I saw During the procession, and just 'fell in love with me-or my appearance.' The father Continued to ask me if i would say hello to HIM, or just my name Tell Him. Before I Could even analyze the situation of His son, Said of the course, and the son approached and stuck out my hand. I Introduced myself by my first name, and wished a happy easter HIM. I TOLD HIM about studying in Spain, Being from the states, etc.. Whether he Understood the concepts or not, it was really sweet b / c We Were Able to communicate in Spanish, And When I finished talking with HIM, he appeared to be in awe. By this point the mother with the father and WAS Both Were Thanking me profusely for Under Their Breath Merely just talking With Their son, the father and Continued to tell me what the DID WAS Such a Good Thing. But really, what the Took Was the flattery from this That the recieved "Some are from my personality aura of 'friendliness' and wanted to talk with me. If I Could Affect at a minimum just one person a day in this Manner, Life Would Be More Than a success .. life has purpose for Them But Not Only for you When you do this as well. It was really neat, and it is this aura i hope i can bring to my Patients in the hospital someday, to less-fortunate Those who will serve in the country Their Some day.
Following experience this, us girls las Continued on to view murals in the northern part of the city, and then megan met up with us. We got caught by A Few more processions, But I'm telling you They never get old. I can not wait to show you the picures. We then Were planning on going to a local-but 'hidden' 'local' bar for an 11pm flamenco show. A Few of the girls Picked up food along the way quickly, But I Was So Happy That Kristen M wanted to go out with me. I figure, why buy food at the Quick Stand When You Can Actually Find It For The Same Price, have it cooked for you, Also be authentic, and Have a real-experience to enjoy it with the atmosphere. I guess for me the atmosphere is really important to make the experience good, i dont care how good or bad the food is. Kristen M and I sat outside the cutest outdoor table at the right in the plaza, the Night Life Was hussling bussling But at a relaxing and peace, and we drank a glass of wine, jamon serrano and ordered sandwiches, with The most amazing white cheese Could you image. It was fantastic. We Made It To The Flamenco show with ample time to share, and the other girls HAD saved us a seat. Our Friend Taiwain Basille met up with us as well (he studies with us in Pamplona and Seville in WAS too). We ordered a pitcher of Sangria, and dry thoroughly enjoyed the flamenco performance. I liked it better than no i thought i would, and i was amazed with her SO Ability to move her upper body so grace-fully while tapping her feet and forcefully know QUICKLY at the Same Time. The guitar player was perfect, and the Man Accompanying the flamenco woman WAS outstanding as well. It Was a free show-and i believe The most local, real flamenco seville You Can Have experience when you're on a budget. :) The night ended with Some chocolate from a small market on the way back to the hostel, Which hit the spot-thick white chocolate from Spain, and of course, my favorite White Chocolate with hazelnuts ... However choc.s right up there now hehe.
Friday morning myself with megan and kristen f and prepared to check out, and Went for a walk along the River Once Again As We HAD to be out of the hostel by 11:30 But HAD time to spare, we know Took in some-more sun, and Carried Our towels to dry. We are limitd space for this trip b / c We have one luggage That We Are and sharing it can only way 15 kg. Which is about 30-35 lbs. The company is very cheap for airline tickets, But if you are over weight in on luggage, They totally get you and charge you. Thank God megan has a weigher Weighing Specifically made for luggage, so We Had It Right at 15 kg., However we could not put wet towels in there b / c They Would weigh more .. I know we got some funny looks walking on the Sidewalks as Our Arms Were rack laundry dryers.
We Took a bus to the airport in Seville, and although WAS Our plane delayed by 1 hour, Flew out in-route to Rome with no trouble what-soever. That I just pray this will continue on Friday night When We leave Venice and fly with the airline company Same back to Barcelona. I Have Learned how to layer on many shirts to wear, to hide things in my jacket Such as extra pieces of clothing or souvenirs That Might Be weightful, and i have to eat the food ahead of time .. even if I'm not hungry in order to weigh less ... haha ... if That Makes Sense. NO, But It does to me I know I'll remember this hehehe .. It Was silly b / c we HAD to make sandwiches for food in the morning, and even though we'd just eaten lunch at 12 pm, we where eating Our 430 or supper at 5 pm again b / c we Knew we would not get anything else the rest of the day, nor did We have the room to bring it. We Arrived in Rome about 830pm, and Took bus to the center of the city. There We Were Able to buy train tickets for Our Florence (Which we will use tomorrow), and got on bus Another Which Brought us to a location nearer to Our hostel. We are staying in an old Nunnery, But The building is beautiful, the room has 5 beds in it But it is HUGE, we each GET a huge closet with a key so security there is very good, breakfast is very good, hot showers are , facilites are alway stocked and clean, and my bed is Extremely comfortable. More Than my comfortable bed in Pamplona. What a shame .. heheheh But I'm on vacation so i need to enjoy it.
Really though ... i know other's look at this as a vacation, But It's starting to get hard to llook at it like that b / c we aare in charge of so much; of What We Eat, Where we are going to sleep, how we are going to get here and there, keeping safe Each Other, Our purses in huge huge huge crowds of people, how we are going to pay for things (Our scattered money), with tricky travling-weight-limiting Airlines, etc., , it really is a lot ofwork. It's wonderufl, and i am so blessed to get to see so much. I would say it is more like school But without travling class home-work. The homework is to learn how to interact with the world, to think logically, to communicate Effectively with the other cultures to get along with people You Have To Be With Who are COMPLETELY Opposite Than You and hard to deal with at times, to watch out for you, take care of you (number one) Basically we can say responsibility and global-minded-ness. It'sreal-world living not only 101, But 202, 334, and I'd say I'm in 404 now. I "m graduating. I'm ready to go home, to hug my mom and let her spoil me with food, a back-rub, and a girls-night movie in bed. I'm ready to spend time with dad and well and lady. .. to get her kisses on my cheek, and just to be with my family unit. Do not get me wrong I'm happy and I'm experiencing ,,,,, The most amazing things, But Things Are coming full circle, and now not a day goes by That I dn't think about my return. I'm scared for it, I'm scared for how i will feel when i am home, how i will feel about the people there , my town, the Lack of my life spain Being 'Alive and Present' in my life. But I will adjust again.
Have I still 1.5 months left, and many wonderful things to Occur, But I'm ready to finish up classes for sure. Because it really is perfect to end i am looking forward to the trip to Lanzarote with my guy-friend, and then 3 days later i wil head home. I'm not looking forward to studying all summer, But It Will Be OK. I will jump back in and be fine.
As for now, I've Spent The entire weekend out and about in the ancient and beautiful city of Rome. I can not believe i leave here tomorrow Already to move on to Florence, But It Was a great experience. I know i prefer over Rome Seville (as do as Comparing cities), but i still Have two more to judge. I will write to you about Rome in the coming days. I must go to sleep.
Happy Easter: He is Truly Risen!
Amen
Lauren
On Tuesday night, the two girls That I am traveling with and i Took the train from Pamplona to Madrid, in Madrid and then changed to an all night That We Took bus to Seville. It was very smooth - sleeping on the bus Is not the Same as the bed, but that's Another Thing .. benches from airport to bus seats, I've learned 'how' to sleep without a bed. We Arrived in Seville on Wednesday morning by 8am, and b / c we couldnt check into Our hostel just then, it was fabulous b / c the weather WAS absolutely perfect, the sun WAS coming up, and and we got to walk around the Mary Luisa park. The vegetation in it is just incredible. It is beautiful. We then Went to a small cafe near Our hostel and drank the cola-caused (hot milk with shock. Powder you add), and a bun with butter for breakfast. We enjoyed walking along the beautiful river, and then venturing into the older part of Seville, seeing the Plaza de los torres, doing Some souvenir shopping, people watching, and viewing places Such as El Alcazar, the Cathedral, the Plaza de Triunfo, and watchng to many ppl of the afternoon preparing for the Semana Santa processions. We napped in the afternoon During nap for about 2 hours, then got cleaned up and Went out to watch the processions. I "m telling you if this wasn't a religious / sacred experience, then i do not know what is. I Was incredibly moved. Seeing the nacerenos, the penitent, the Solemn people, quite, and dressed up as if it WAS easter sundy on Tuesday .... It Was Just breathtaking. The streets were so crowded at times you could not even go down one b / c there were so many people. For dinner, I Had The most amazing sandwiches and potato chips at this ethnic spanish restuarant That no-kidding Was a whole in the wall. I Was Glad That Kristen Joined me to eat there, and I Had the best glass of wine to Thus there as well. I Had to 'Serenity' sandwich, Which is Apparently 'the' best thing to get at the restaurant. Upon walking in, i did not know what to get, and now understnad Did not Recognize the vocabulary / descripciones on the menu .. But a very friendly young couple and Another Woman eating with Them there saw me looking at plate, and then asked the Them What It Was They Were eating, and the were so friendly, the Explained everything, and even insisted That I take a bite of Each of Their foods I know That I Could Try and decide what i like. Well I'm telling you, it WAS incredible, so i ordered Exactly What They HAD. The serenity sandwich Which Came with jamon serrano on top as well, potato chips That I Were So Good, free olives ( Also I know amazing), and the best red wine of my life ... I'll say it again .. so fantastic. I slept like a doll That night hehe. Our hostel WAS cute, But We Were surprised with the security b / c It Was Almost non-existent.
On thursday morning, i got up early, and Went for a run in the park The Same In Which We Had Walked The Morning of Our arrival (the Maria Luisa). It Was Such a so beautiful and wonderful experience. Despi The Fact That WAS my right lower leg Hurting me, i chose to forget it and Endure it b / c the park Aroused my senses to an extent That was overpowering to the pain. Were the smells incredibly, as everything and i mean EVERYTHING is in bloom, it WAS early morning-fresh sun-up just sort of sky, green everywhere, canopies of trees, hidden plazas with statues and graceful looking poses Placed Amongst the wildlife, The most pleasing-sounding and birds ... Were Better Than Their songs all the music i have on my ipod, to the Point That I Had to literally take off my ipod b / ci HAD to listen to the amazing sounds of nature to get the full experience. WAS to the grass dewey, and the group on the damp sand, but i laid into it anyway to do my physical therapy and Mat. It WAS an amazing moment and i needed it. After a shower and breakfast, we met up with Kristen Lise M and H, two of my close friends from Extremely harmony. It was wonderful to Have A Change Of Pace in Regards to spending time with Different People, as myself and the two girls I'm traveling with We Are Each Have found 3 very unique individuals who are very different. We toured the cathedral in Seville, and climbed the Giralda, Which is a large tower That get's to the very top. There Is a beautiful lookout of Seville in it's entirety, and it WAS breathtaking. You will enjoy the photos. Following, We Had a picnic lunch in the park and It Was alcazar about 80 degrees F and sunny. Absolutely beautiful. I Took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pant legs, and used my jacket and purse as a pillow. WAS A distinct type of lilac in bloom, and smelling That put me in heaven. After about 30-40 minutes of off-on napping, Both Kristen's, myself, and Lise headed to watch more of processions, and Megan Went off to do her own thing. We ended up seeing two people who sang and how incredibly it WAS quite the Thousands of People in the Streets Suddenly Became. Even the Children. I Could not believe it .. It Was As If The Singer Had a microphone b / ci Could Them here perfectly. What Was I spiritually amazing about This Was That I Had Chills The entire time, seeing the candles, the faces of the people in the Streets, The Eyes of las nacerenos, the real 'faith' and spirit of Catholics and Christianity. I Had this incredible feeling connected-With All of These people-strangers, friends, foreigners, locals, all in The Same Streets, solemnly remember What Jesus did for us, And Also Celebrating His strength, courage, power, and incredible gift Given to All of Us. He blessed with me with a neat experience after this That I wish to not forget as well. Although I Could look at this as something Flattering, it is more of an 'aura' compliment b / c of the state of the young man. When the man singing on the balcony HAD finished His prayer-song, a spanish man about 65 years old Began Came up to me and speaking to me. I Had no previous acknowledgments with this person before, But When he asked me after 15 seconds of talking if i was de Espana, and I Said 'no' But yo body, 'I Can Understand' and puedo Hable (i can speak), h asked me for a favor. Behind HIM, He Pointed to His Son, Probably about 25 years old, medium height with dark hair and glasses, and well-kept. He Explained to me that he is handicapped and has a disability, But I saw During the procession, and just 'fell in love with me-or my appearance.' The father Continued to ask me if i would say hello to HIM, or just my name Tell Him. Before I Could even analyze the situation of His son, Said of the course, and the son approached and stuck out my hand. I Introduced myself by my first name, and wished a happy easter HIM. I TOLD HIM about studying in Spain, Being from the states, etc.. Whether he Understood the concepts or not, it was really sweet b / c We Were Able to communicate in Spanish, And When I finished talking with HIM, he appeared to be in awe. By this point the mother with the father and WAS Both Were Thanking me profusely for Under Their Breath Merely just talking With Their son, the father and Continued to tell me what the DID WAS Such a Good Thing. But really, what the Took Was the flattery from this That the recieved "Some are from my personality aura of 'friendliness' and wanted to talk with me. If I Could Affect at a minimum just one person a day in this Manner, Life Would Be More Than a success .. life has purpose for Them But Not Only for you When you do this as well. It was really neat, and it is this aura i hope i can bring to my Patients in the hospital someday, to less-fortunate Those who will serve in the country Their Some day.
Following experience this, us girls las Continued on to view murals in the northern part of the city, and then megan met up with us. We got caught by A Few more processions, But I'm telling you They never get old. I can not wait to show you the picures. We then Were planning on going to a local-but 'hidden' 'local' bar for an 11pm flamenco show. A Few of the girls Picked up food along the way quickly, But I Was So Happy That Kristen M wanted to go out with me. I figure, why buy food at the Quick Stand When You Can Actually Find It For The Same Price, have it cooked for you, Also be authentic, and Have a real-experience to enjoy it with the atmosphere. I guess for me the atmosphere is really important to make the experience good, i dont care how good or bad the food is. Kristen M and I sat outside the cutest outdoor table at the right in the plaza, the Night Life Was hussling bussling But at a relaxing and peace, and we drank a glass of wine, jamon serrano and ordered sandwiches, with The most amazing white cheese Could you image. It was fantastic. We Made It To The Flamenco show with ample time to share, and the other girls HAD saved us a seat. Our Friend Taiwain Basille met up with us as well (he studies with us in Pamplona and Seville in WAS too). We ordered a pitcher of Sangria, and dry thoroughly enjoyed the flamenco performance. I liked it better than no i thought i would, and i was amazed with her SO Ability to move her upper body so grace-fully while tapping her feet and forcefully know QUICKLY at the Same Time. The guitar player was perfect, and the Man Accompanying the flamenco woman WAS outstanding as well. It Was a free show-and i believe The most local, real flamenco seville You Can Have experience when you're on a budget. :) The night ended with Some chocolate from a small market on the way back to the hostel, Which hit the spot-thick white chocolate from Spain, and of course, my favorite White Chocolate with hazelnuts ... However choc.s right up there now hehe.
Friday morning myself with megan and kristen f and prepared to check out, and Went for a walk along the River Once Again As We HAD to be out of the hostel by 11:30 But HAD time to spare, we know Took in some-more sun, and Carried Our towels to dry. We are limitd space for this trip b / c We have one luggage That We Are and sharing it can only way 15 kg. Which is about 30-35 lbs. The company is very cheap for airline tickets, But if you are over weight in on luggage, They totally get you and charge you. Thank God megan has a weigher Weighing Specifically made for luggage, so We Had It Right at 15 kg., However we could not put wet towels in there b / c They Would weigh more .. I know we got some funny looks walking on the Sidewalks as Our Arms Were rack laundry dryers.
We Took a bus to the airport in Seville, and although WAS Our plane delayed by 1 hour, Flew out in-route to Rome with no trouble what-soever. That I just pray this will continue on Friday night When We leave Venice and fly with the airline company Same back to Barcelona. I Have Learned how to layer on many shirts to wear, to hide things in my jacket Such as extra pieces of clothing or souvenirs That Might Be weightful, and i have to eat the food ahead of time .. even if I'm not hungry in order to weigh less ... haha ... if That Makes Sense. NO, But It does to me I know I'll remember this hehehe .. It Was silly b / c we HAD to make sandwiches for food in the morning, and even though we'd just eaten lunch at 12 pm, we where eating Our 430 or supper at 5 pm again b / c we Knew we would not get anything else the rest of the day, nor did We have the room to bring it. We Arrived in Rome about 830pm, and Took bus to the center of the city. There We Were Able to buy train tickets for Our Florence (Which we will use tomorrow), and got on bus Another Which Brought us to a location nearer to Our hostel. We are staying in an old Nunnery, But The building is beautiful, the room has 5 beds in it But it is HUGE, we each GET a huge closet with a key so security there is very good, breakfast is very good, hot showers are , facilites are alway stocked and clean, and my bed is Extremely comfortable. More Than my comfortable bed in Pamplona. What a shame .. heheheh But I'm on vacation so i need to enjoy it.
Really though ... i know other's look at this as a vacation, But It's starting to get hard to llook at it like that b / c we aare in charge of so much; of What We Eat, Where we are going to sleep, how we are going to get here and there, keeping safe Each Other, Our purses in huge huge huge crowds of people, how we are going to pay for things (Our scattered money), with tricky travling-weight-limiting Airlines, etc., , it really is a lot ofwork. It's wonderufl, and i am so blessed to get to see so much. I would say it is more like school But without travling class home-work. The homework is to learn how to interact with the world, to think logically, to communicate Effectively with the other cultures to get along with people You Have To Be With Who are COMPLETELY Opposite Than You and hard to deal with at times, to watch out for you, take care of you (number one) Basically we can say responsibility and global-minded-ness. It'sreal-world living not only 101, But 202, 334, and I'd say I'm in 404 now. I "m graduating. I'm ready to go home, to hug my mom and let her spoil me with food, a back-rub, and a girls-night movie in bed. I'm ready to spend time with dad and well and lady. .. to get her kisses on my cheek, and just to be with my family unit. Do not get me wrong I'm happy and I'm experiencing ,,,,, The most amazing things, But Things Are coming full circle, and now not a day goes by That I dn't think about my return. I'm scared for it, I'm scared for how i will feel when i am home, how i will feel about the people there , my town, the Lack of my life spain Being 'Alive and Present' in my life. But I will adjust again.
Have I still 1.5 months left, and many wonderful things to Occur, But I'm ready to finish up classes for sure. Because it really is perfect to end i am looking forward to the trip to Lanzarote with my guy-friend, and then 3 days later i wil head home. I'm not looking forward to studying all summer, But It Will Be OK. I will jump back in and be fine.
As for now, I've Spent The entire weekend out and about in the ancient and beautiful city of Rome. I can not believe i leave here tomorrow Already to move on to Florence, But It Was a great experience. I know i prefer over Rome Seville (as do as Comparing cities), but i still Have two more to judge. I will write to you about Rome in the coming days. I must go to sleep.
Happy Easter: He is Truly Risen!
Amen
Lauren
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Palm Sunday
Today was a beautiful day for los Ramos (palm sunday). Julia and i went to la misa (mass) at 11:45 and got our palms and stood outside in la plaza, where all the people were gathered. It was so beautiful outside. All of the priests walked outside (the procession) and the rest of the people followed. I was in awe b/c there were so many people. I've never seen so many people try to fit into one church,,more than xmas time. It was so cool, even the little kids were just dressed to adorable and behaved EXTREMELY well. Julia and i didn't get to sit next to each other but we could see each other, so every once and awhile i'd look over and smile at her. There where the cutest 2 little girls prob about 4 or 5 thathad to stand the entire mass with their mom and grandma (b/c there were so many ppl, ppl wer standing in the aisles) but i couldn't believe how well behaved they were. For the entire 50 min they stood and listened, and i would look over and smile at them every once and awhile, and they would smile back hehe,,but they were so well behaved. and their mom had them dressed so cute. My little girls are going to be just as well behaved someday if they have to stand the entire mass at church, and i'm going to dress them as cute too heheh. Oh i cant wait!
Julia and i had a nice photo taken of the two of us afterwards with our palms in la plaza...i asked a stranger just b/c i thought that we looked so nicely dressed, etc. We walked over to Maribel's house afterwards, and they had just gotten home b/c they spent the night in Salinas last night. We are all worried and frustrated a bit with Inoa, b/c in the last month she's lost 9 pounds, and continues to not want to eat. Maribel is so stressed (let only she is a biology professor so she has that stress and now Inoa), so Inoa was in the house, and we talked to her a little. I had a talk to her last night in Salinas, just the two of us, about how i regret doing some of the behavior when i was younger b/c now i am paying the price as i'm having such problmes with the bones in my legs. Man if i would have only known, i would have eaten and drank so much more milk. I hope that she shapes up. Julia's mad at her too. or more worried. we also think she is starting to suffer from depression. It is hard for me to see that b/c it reminds me of someone i know so well who went through that same thing with the same behavior. I recognize everything. It's so amazing how one grows and and changes and realizes however. I know fully understand the importance of when my mom would and does tell me "Honey i know because i've lived longer". I never wanted to believe her b/c i thought i knew it all, but really i dont. Those who are older really do know so much more, and man the things we can learn and take from them if we would only just listen and take what we hear as truth. I tell Ainhoa, but she doesn't want to hear me.
I came home after that, and i went straight to my desk to begin my finalizing for italy. I'm so stressed since we'll be gone for over 12 days, but everything will be fine. I was just mapquesting, doing some banking business, and making sure we know were we are going, have our documents, plane tickets, checking the weight allowances for luggage, things like that
Then this afternoon i worked on my research for the debate i'll have to give after semana santa vacation. This afternoon i went for a run in the park. I was just so mad b/c my legs hurt, but i sucked it up and just went b/c i was mad enough about it. Whether that was good or not..prob not,,i went anyway. God punished me though, b/c it started pouring rain...no kidding...like a downpour rain. I just laughed and kept going until i got to the bridge and i went under it and stretched and waited for the downpour to pass. It was actually really nice for me to just chill, think, and clear my head. Then, all of a sudden, the sky's cleared, and i saw a small rainbow. the sun came back out, and i went one more time around the park. I felt better upon my return :)
For some reason, i was homesick today, really missing mom, dad, ben and lady. I think it's just the anticipation since i know i'm going soon, and im just preparing my self for classes, leaving spain, saying goodbye, etc. It's not going to be easy eiether way i llook at it, b/c i don't want to say goodbye, but i also miss them. I got to skype with mom and it was so wonderful just to see her voice. And ben's too :) and dad. they are just going on with life like usual, but it is so comforting for me to see them. If i've learned anything about life since i've been here, it's this: regardless of how many friends you have, how many boys mis-treat you or hurt you, how many hardships or setbacks you've had to go through, and how many people you've made mistakes with, your family never stops loving you. They never stop caring, believin in you, supporting you, and caring for you. Even when you don't see it, they are still there, loving you and waiting for you to see them. If i could teach anything in this world, it would be this--because it is so true,,and so often we don't see that.
I got my hair cut last week--a real European style haircut. I couldn't look at the floor when he was done however b/c there was SO much hair on the floor omg. i don't even want to think about it. But guys i LOVE it, it is so much cuter..still long, but i have layers ALL over, and my hair has so much more body now! It has been fun wearing it down b/c of this, and it will be so fun when i get home to use my curling iron hehe . I really nice Spanish guy cut it for me at this peluqueria near my house. Now after all my friends saw it they want to go there too, so that is good. And it was so cheap..just 9,50 Euros! My friend Maribel from the med school (we go to class their together) came with me just since i was so nervous and wanted a good speaker to accompany me incase i needed help explaining. But we did a good job :)
Tonight i just finished some homework, so i think i will just go to bed since i will have a very busy day tomorrow with classes and preparations for the trip.
I wil bring my laptop along since i have to do some homework (unfortunately :( ) but that way i'll be able to update you as we go.
All my love,
Lorena Beatriz
Julia and i had a nice photo taken of the two of us afterwards with our palms in la plaza...i asked a stranger just b/c i thought that we looked so nicely dressed, etc. We walked over to Maribel's house afterwards, and they had just gotten home b/c they spent the night in Salinas last night. We are all worried and frustrated a bit with Inoa, b/c in the last month she's lost 9 pounds, and continues to not want to eat. Maribel is so stressed (let only she is a biology professor so she has that stress and now Inoa), so Inoa was in the house, and we talked to her a little. I had a talk to her last night in Salinas, just the two of us, about how i regret doing some of the behavior when i was younger b/c now i am paying the price as i'm having such problmes with the bones in my legs. Man if i would have only known, i would have eaten and drank so much more milk. I hope that she shapes up. Julia's mad at her too. or more worried. we also think she is starting to suffer from depression. It is hard for me to see that b/c it reminds me of someone i know so well who went through that same thing with the same behavior. I recognize everything. It's so amazing how one grows and and changes and realizes however. I know fully understand the importance of when my mom would and does tell me "Honey i know because i've lived longer". I never wanted to believe her b/c i thought i knew it all, but really i dont. Those who are older really do know so much more, and man the things we can learn and take from them if we would only just listen and take what we hear as truth. I tell Ainhoa, but she doesn't want to hear me.
I came home after that, and i went straight to my desk to begin my finalizing for italy. I'm so stressed since we'll be gone for over 12 days, but everything will be fine. I was just mapquesting, doing some banking business, and making sure we know were we are going, have our documents, plane tickets, checking the weight allowances for luggage, things like that
Then this afternoon i worked on my research for the debate i'll have to give after semana santa vacation. This afternoon i went for a run in the park. I was just so mad b/c my legs hurt, but i sucked it up and just went b/c i was mad enough about it. Whether that was good or not..prob not,,i went anyway. God punished me though, b/c it started pouring rain...no kidding...like a downpour rain. I just laughed and kept going until i got to the bridge and i went under it and stretched and waited for the downpour to pass. It was actually really nice for me to just chill, think, and clear my head. Then, all of a sudden, the sky's cleared, and i saw a small rainbow. the sun came back out, and i went one more time around the park. I felt better upon my return :)
For some reason, i was homesick today, really missing mom, dad, ben and lady. I think it's just the anticipation since i know i'm going soon, and im just preparing my self for classes, leaving spain, saying goodbye, etc. It's not going to be easy eiether way i llook at it, b/c i don't want to say goodbye, but i also miss them. I got to skype with mom and it was so wonderful just to see her voice. And ben's too :) and dad. they are just going on with life like usual, but it is so comforting for me to see them. If i've learned anything about life since i've been here, it's this: regardless of how many friends you have, how many boys mis-treat you or hurt you, how many hardships or setbacks you've had to go through, and how many people you've made mistakes with, your family never stops loving you. They never stop caring, believin in you, supporting you, and caring for you. Even when you don't see it, they are still there, loving you and waiting for you to see them. If i could teach anything in this world, it would be this--because it is so true,,and so often we don't see that.
I got my hair cut last week--a real European style haircut. I couldn't look at the floor when he was done however b/c there was SO much hair on the floor omg. i don't even want to think about it. But guys i LOVE it, it is so much cuter..still long, but i have layers ALL over, and my hair has so much more body now! It has been fun wearing it down b/c of this, and it will be so fun when i get home to use my curling iron hehe . I really nice Spanish guy cut it for me at this peluqueria near my house. Now after all my friends saw it they want to go there too, so that is good. And it was so cheap..just 9,50 Euros! My friend Maribel from the med school (we go to class their together) came with me just since i was so nervous and wanted a good speaker to accompany me incase i needed help explaining. But we did a good job :)
Tonight i just finished some homework, so i think i will just go to bed since i will have a very busy day tomorrow with classes and preparations for the trip.
I wil bring my laptop along since i have to do some homework (unfortunately :( ) but that way i'll be able to update you as we go.
All my love,
Lorena Beatriz
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Life just keeps moving forward
Well,,,it's been almost 10 days since i've blogged. That's because i've been so busy traveling and preparing for Italy, teaching, writing papers, going out with my friends, meeting new friends, planning new travels, being with Julia, being with her kids and grandkids, walking in the park, eating, dancing with Ruben, talking with Marion, and dreaming right along as i'm having the most incredible experience of my life. Today we lose an hour, so it's really 1 in the morning instead of midnight. I am so tired b/c i came home at 4am this morning, but i went out and had such a great time with my german girlfriends and other exchange friends at a bar. Every Friday night they do a different cocktail special, and last night it was carribean, so it was enjoyable, and there was a lot of fun people there that i love spending time with. It was also cool b/c i met some knew people..including two Spanish men (who i must add were VERY handsome). This was good to just get out b/c i wasn't going to at first, but it was one of those nights were you are SO glad you did when you;re on your way home. It's so funny b/c these to guys are number 5 & 6 who ask for my number within the last 3 months. I guess that has just never happened to me with such frecuency like here,,but boy the one from Valencia is guapisimo. We will see haha. The music was fun last night too, and I was with my best friend Marion and her sister who is visiting this week, eva, saskia, jan, paul, skyla, her roommates, another concordia girl here visiting (that was so cool to see a familiar face i just hugged her so long haha!), Nerea, Leslie, Sharmaine, everyone. It was fun.
I slept so good last night, and slept in this morning. I hurried to get ready b/c Julia and i left to go to Salinas today to have a big birthday party for me and her son Carlos. I'm telling you, i think it was the best celebration i've ever had and i'll never forget this day. Last night, after just 1 caramel chupito (shot), 1 pina colada, and 1 baileys, i was still feeling 'nice' today..a little tired...but that changed once i got in the car. The sun was out, the most beautiful blue' tint to the sky i've seen, and mom...a straight line flying high in the sky. It was so fun to ride in the car in the back seat and just look out the window. I forgot how much i miss riding in the car! And the roads are so nice and smooth here. Julia's son Javier and his wife Angelina picked us up and we would meet everyone else there. Javier and Angelina are so good to me...i just love them. Between Maribel (Julia's daughter), and two of her 4 sons (Carlos and Javier), they treat me like their own...like part of the family. It is such a cool feeling and i'm so blessed to have this time with them. We got there, and the dads (carlos and Inaki (maribel's husband)) already had the wood fire burning in the beautiful backyard, a fire built in a pit in the wall entirely made of stone...so beautiful words can't describe it ..i took photos. The pig (ham) was cooking in there all afternoon. So amazing. Maribel and Ainhoa and Inaki (the 11 yr old son) were there, as well as Carlos' wife Eva and their kids Jon (18), Alaine (12), and Julin (7). I just love them. So us kids hung out this afternoon, and it was so cool b/c i got to play tennis with Ainhoa and Alaine, lay in the sun and look at the mountains, listen to the birds--and also nothing at all but the sounds of nature :) ,,smell the fresh air, feel the pleasure of my heart and soul all around me. It was just awesome. I wasn't even thinking of all the homework i have to do, packing and planning i still need to do, nothing...b/c it was just pure bliss/pure heaven. For lunch (la comida: this is the biggest meal of the day eaten around 2 or 3 everyday), we had an amazing traditional meal of Spain. I ate salad with olive oil, Anchovies soaked in olive oil with peppers and garlic that you put on bread, white asperagus, the best cheese i've ever eaten in my life (it was like really old, RICH RICH RICH tasting), and i think the best red wine i've had yet, from a vineyard right here in Navarra. Then, the dads brought in the meat, and it was like ribs from the pig (or that's how i'll describe it b/c we had to eat it with our fingers and bite the meat off if you know what i mean hehe). For dessert, Angelina had made Notilla (a custard that is SO amazing i just am in LOVE with it, and there are my favorite cookies that i'm addicted too in there. Its so good b/c then they are soft and have soaked up all the custard.) It's amazing. Julia had also made Hornijadas filled with Chocolate: so good...i am in love with this too. I still need to go to Beatriz and buy some before i forget :) Later one, we went on a bikeride all around the pueblo! Oh man it was so nice to ride a bike,,,i just missed that! and then we took a walk to a little pueblo about 20 -25 min down the road from Salinas. We walked along el camino de Santiago path, so that was really historically cool for me, and it was breathtaking the views. ON one side of me were pine trees, leaves, decidious trees, and familar smells from Itasca state park back home, and on the other side i was looking out at some breathtaking mountains just a reach away, a wine vineyard were the grape plants are placed in there perfect rows and look so precise, and at a little pueblo with it's lights starting to come on (since it was dusk), and of course the moon was out tonight (as if it wasn't already cozy enough!!!). We walked there and back in about an hour, talking, and then at times not saying anything at all. I really enjoyed talking with Alaine the 12 yr old grandson. He's really awesome and it was enjoyable for me to talk with him b/c he did a great job of explaining things to me, answering my questions, etc. we talked about deer, grizzley bears, what types of animals are here in their woods, school, classes, just great topics for interesting discussions. The stars came out when we got home, and they took me to a river just 5 min from la casa *the house), where there is a natural spring fallin gffrom the mountain and is known by the people as the place you can take a drink of natural real-earth water. So, it was my first time drinking actual 'water' from the earth without having been through any processes, and it was very good actually :) Then we went back to the house since it was getting a bit cold. By this point, after all the activity and fresh air, the sofa was SO appealing, and all the parents were sitting at the table still talking, smoking and drinking their wine, the kids in their own rooms (the boys playing piano and guitar in the other room, and Ainhoa on the coach with me finishing a wii game on the tv.). So i laid down thinking i would just relax, and you guys i fell asleep! Like a hard sleep, and it felt so good. The fire was crackling, and i felt like i was in that cozy house in our favorite movie the Holiday. The entire house (walls inside and out) are made of stones, so it is just SO amazingly cozy. When i awoke, everyone was really happy that i'd fallen asleep though hhe. I was a little embarrassed, but i just felt so at home and comfortable. For me to fall asleep like that..i guess i really know now i was feeling at home :) I thought to myself, why don't i do this more often at home in Moorhead. I really need too.
I had some more notilla and bread and meat for la cena (a little supper at about 1030pm), with some wine. My camera battery died right when i got to Salinas today :( , but lucky for me Javier let me take his camera all around with me and take as many photos of everything that i wanted, and then he's going to come over and we're going to put the photos on my pen drive so i have them! He is so nice. Then, Maribel and her daughter gave me this bag from Zara, and i just couldn't believe it ! (Zara is a very expensive but AMAZING GORGEOUS AWESOME clothing store here in Europe). We dont ahve them in the states...there is only 1 in NY. Anyway, when i opened it, they bought me a really cute dress grey European looking dress, and a really nice creme colored/hazelnut colored sweater. Seriously, maribel must have paid about 60 Euro for everything. I just couldnt believe it. I thanked them over and over profusely, and bless her heart she kept telling me,,here is the reciepts, and you know where Zara is so if you want to change anything you just do it ok sweetheart"...Then they all sang this song to me in Spanish about being a "sweet girl who they are happy to know and for this i recieve their loves and gifts"..I will never ever ever forget this night for the rest of my life. I know there will be great birthday celebrations, but what a unique, amazing way to begin the next decade of my life. I"ll NEVER forget it, along with these people. And i'm so happy, b/c since mom and i extended my time here, I'm going to go back out to Salinas in April or May b/4 i go to las islas canarias to enjoy the flowers and walk somemore..and def take a nap on that couch that i'm in love with.
Yes,,its been so long i haven't told you that i'm staying in Spain longer :) by about 12 days. It's really amazing how this opportunity came about, but my really great friend took me out on our weekly dates for supper again last week, but this time he presented an all inclusive trip to Lanzarote, an island in the canaries that is known for it's beaches and volcanoes and hiking, snorkeling, trails for biking, and warm weather. I couldn't believe he had already gone to the travel agent, found out all the information and cost so he could be ready for every question i would ask, etc. However, in the price covers my plane ticket, all the food and drinks i want, and the 5 star hotel that we'll stay at. I must say, don't get the wrong idea..he is my friend :)...we've been 'going out ' on casual dates for about 1 month, and he hasn't kissed me the lips hehe, so i'm VERY sure that his intentions are not for just one thing with me. He has gone to these islands before with his family, so i am very lucky b/c he has so much excitement he said to show me around and 'in essence' be a 'tourguide'. It is this big extra thing, but then like i thought, it isn't everyday that i'll have an invitation to do this, let alone be so close to the islands already. It would be alot more hassle and money to fly here just to do this from the States..and money is just money. I can't take it with me to the grave, i have my whole life to work, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so blessed, and i can't thank you God enough. Thank you.
Last weekend, i went to Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia for a three day weekend with Kristen M and Kristen F from Concordia. We took in a bullfight in madrid on sat night, ate the most AMAZING food at a traditional spanish restuarant (paella, chorizzo, other unique pinchos like empanadillas de atun (tuna), bread, sandwiches, and of course sangrias. We ate there both fri and sat night. Guys,,,i' think im not losing weight anymore haha..and it doesn't help that my legs are back to the swing ofgiving me pain again. I'm hoping that the injections i can recieve in my legs this summer will help. Anyway, i will be back to eating normal soon enough, so i just am going to continue to eat and try and be open to anything presented to me.
Ha...my waistline isn't going to get too much help this upcoming week b/c we are going to seville on Tues night until Friday, then flying to Rome fri night, in rome until monday night, then train to Florence for 4 days, and then train to Venice for one night until we are back in Barcelona ..on to pamplona late fri/early sat morning April 9. It should be a trip of a lifetime as well, however i have a paper i'll have to write during my time :( and i'm stressed about packing. I still have 3 days though.
Anyhow, its passed an hour already so i best get to bed, but i'm sorry i've slacked with updating ou guys. life has just been so full and busy, but i love it that way, and i'm so happy. I happy to say too, that i am now sure i'll be ready to come home when it's time. It feels so healthy to have come full circle, to have experienced all these emotions, changes, and takes on life. But i'll be ready :) I'm getting there more and more with everyday. I am so blessed. Tomorrow i am going to church with Julia at noon and it is palm sunday (de los ramos) here, so i am excited for this. I will miss my family over easter, but guys i will have so much to share with you when i come back. It overwhelms me with how much i've learned, how much i now know about myself, who i am, what i want, what i like, what i can do, what i won't and dont stand for, and how lucky i am. The friends i have here, the family i have here, they ahve touched my life in a way that no other person or experiece could have done...they have brought out a Lauren that I love, that is truly me,,that i'm going to keep around forever. I can't wait for you to meet her.
Goodnight, and all my love,
Lauren
I slept so good last night, and slept in this morning. I hurried to get ready b/c Julia and i left to go to Salinas today to have a big birthday party for me and her son Carlos. I'm telling you, i think it was the best celebration i've ever had and i'll never forget this day. Last night, after just 1 caramel chupito (shot), 1 pina colada, and 1 baileys, i was still feeling 'nice' today..a little tired...but that changed once i got in the car. The sun was out, the most beautiful blue' tint to the sky i've seen, and mom...a straight line flying high in the sky. It was so fun to ride in the car in the back seat and just look out the window. I forgot how much i miss riding in the car! And the roads are so nice and smooth here. Julia's son Javier and his wife Angelina picked us up and we would meet everyone else there. Javier and Angelina are so good to me...i just love them. Between Maribel (Julia's daughter), and two of her 4 sons (Carlos and Javier), they treat me like their own...like part of the family. It is such a cool feeling and i'm so blessed to have this time with them. We got there, and the dads (carlos and Inaki (maribel's husband)) already had the wood fire burning in the beautiful backyard, a fire built in a pit in the wall entirely made of stone...so beautiful words can't describe it ..i took photos. The pig (ham) was cooking in there all afternoon. So amazing. Maribel and Ainhoa and Inaki (the 11 yr old son) were there, as well as Carlos' wife Eva and their kids Jon (18), Alaine (12), and Julin (7). I just love them. So us kids hung out this afternoon, and it was so cool b/c i got to play tennis with Ainhoa and Alaine, lay in the sun and look at the mountains, listen to the birds--and also nothing at all but the sounds of nature :) ,,smell the fresh air, feel the pleasure of my heart and soul all around me. It was just awesome. I wasn't even thinking of all the homework i have to do, packing and planning i still need to do, nothing...b/c it was just pure bliss/pure heaven. For lunch (la comida: this is the biggest meal of the day eaten around 2 or 3 everyday), we had an amazing traditional meal of Spain. I ate salad with olive oil, Anchovies soaked in olive oil with peppers and garlic that you put on bread, white asperagus, the best cheese i've ever eaten in my life (it was like really old, RICH RICH RICH tasting), and i think the best red wine i've had yet, from a vineyard right here in Navarra. Then, the dads brought in the meat, and it was like ribs from the pig (or that's how i'll describe it b/c we had to eat it with our fingers and bite the meat off if you know what i mean hehe). For dessert, Angelina had made Notilla (a custard that is SO amazing i just am in LOVE with it, and there are my favorite cookies that i'm addicted too in there. Its so good b/c then they are soft and have soaked up all the custard.) It's amazing. Julia had also made Hornijadas filled with Chocolate: so good...i am in love with this too. I still need to go to Beatriz and buy some before i forget :) Later one, we went on a bikeride all around the pueblo! Oh man it was so nice to ride a bike,,,i just missed that! and then we took a walk to a little pueblo about 20 -25 min down the road from Salinas. We walked along el camino de Santiago path, so that was really historically cool for me, and it was breathtaking the views. ON one side of me were pine trees, leaves, decidious trees, and familar smells from Itasca state park back home, and on the other side i was looking out at some breathtaking mountains just a reach away, a wine vineyard were the grape plants are placed in there perfect rows and look so precise, and at a little pueblo with it's lights starting to come on (since it was dusk), and of course the moon was out tonight (as if it wasn't already cozy enough!!!). We walked there and back in about an hour, talking, and then at times not saying anything at all. I really enjoyed talking with Alaine the 12 yr old grandson. He's really awesome and it was enjoyable for me to talk with him b/c he did a great job of explaining things to me, answering my questions, etc. we talked about deer, grizzley bears, what types of animals are here in their woods, school, classes, just great topics for interesting discussions. The stars came out when we got home, and they took me to a river just 5 min from la casa *the house), where there is a natural spring fallin gffrom the mountain and is known by the people as the place you can take a drink of natural real-earth water. So, it was my first time drinking actual 'water' from the earth without having been through any processes, and it was very good actually :) Then we went back to the house since it was getting a bit cold. By this point, after all the activity and fresh air, the sofa was SO appealing, and all the parents were sitting at the table still talking, smoking and drinking their wine, the kids in their own rooms (the boys playing piano and guitar in the other room, and Ainhoa on the coach with me finishing a wii game on the tv.). So i laid down thinking i would just relax, and you guys i fell asleep! Like a hard sleep, and it felt so good. The fire was crackling, and i felt like i was in that cozy house in our favorite movie the Holiday. The entire house (walls inside and out) are made of stones, so it is just SO amazingly cozy. When i awoke, everyone was really happy that i'd fallen asleep though hhe. I was a little embarrassed, but i just felt so at home and comfortable. For me to fall asleep like that..i guess i really know now i was feeling at home :) I thought to myself, why don't i do this more often at home in Moorhead. I really need too.
I had some more notilla and bread and meat for la cena (a little supper at about 1030pm), with some wine. My camera battery died right when i got to Salinas today :( , but lucky for me Javier let me take his camera all around with me and take as many photos of everything that i wanted, and then he's going to come over and we're going to put the photos on my pen drive so i have them! He is so nice. Then, Maribel and her daughter gave me this bag from Zara, and i just couldn't believe it ! (Zara is a very expensive but AMAZING GORGEOUS AWESOME clothing store here in Europe). We dont ahve them in the states...there is only 1 in NY. Anyway, when i opened it, they bought me a really cute dress grey European looking dress, and a really nice creme colored/hazelnut colored sweater. Seriously, maribel must have paid about 60 Euro for everything. I just couldnt believe it. I thanked them over and over profusely, and bless her heart she kept telling me,,here is the reciepts, and you know where Zara is so if you want to change anything you just do it ok sweetheart"...Then they all sang this song to me in Spanish about being a "sweet girl who they are happy to know and for this i recieve their loves and gifts"..I will never ever ever forget this night for the rest of my life. I know there will be great birthday celebrations, but what a unique, amazing way to begin the next decade of my life. I"ll NEVER forget it, along with these people. And i'm so happy, b/c since mom and i extended my time here, I'm going to go back out to Salinas in April or May b/4 i go to las islas canarias to enjoy the flowers and walk somemore..and def take a nap on that couch that i'm in love with.
Yes,,its been so long i haven't told you that i'm staying in Spain longer :) by about 12 days. It's really amazing how this opportunity came about, but my really great friend took me out on our weekly dates for supper again last week, but this time he presented an all inclusive trip to Lanzarote, an island in the canaries that is known for it's beaches and volcanoes and hiking, snorkeling, trails for biking, and warm weather. I couldn't believe he had already gone to the travel agent, found out all the information and cost so he could be ready for every question i would ask, etc. However, in the price covers my plane ticket, all the food and drinks i want, and the 5 star hotel that we'll stay at. I must say, don't get the wrong idea..he is my friend :)...we've been 'going out ' on casual dates for about 1 month, and he hasn't kissed me the lips hehe, so i'm VERY sure that his intentions are not for just one thing with me. He has gone to these islands before with his family, so i am very lucky b/c he has so much excitement he said to show me around and 'in essence' be a 'tourguide'. It is this big extra thing, but then like i thought, it isn't everyday that i'll have an invitation to do this, let alone be so close to the islands already. It would be alot more hassle and money to fly here just to do this from the States..and money is just money. I can't take it with me to the grave, i have my whole life to work, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so blessed, and i can't thank you God enough. Thank you.
Last weekend, i went to Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia for a three day weekend with Kristen M and Kristen F from Concordia. We took in a bullfight in madrid on sat night, ate the most AMAZING food at a traditional spanish restuarant (paella, chorizzo, other unique pinchos like empanadillas de atun (tuna), bread, sandwiches, and of course sangrias. We ate there both fri and sat night. Guys,,,i' think im not losing weight anymore haha..and it doesn't help that my legs are back to the swing ofgiving me pain again. I'm hoping that the injections i can recieve in my legs this summer will help. Anyway, i will be back to eating normal soon enough, so i just am going to continue to eat and try and be open to anything presented to me.
Ha...my waistline isn't going to get too much help this upcoming week b/c we are going to seville on Tues night until Friday, then flying to Rome fri night, in rome until monday night, then train to Florence for 4 days, and then train to Venice for one night until we are back in Barcelona ..on to pamplona late fri/early sat morning April 9. It should be a trip of a lifetime as well, however i have a paper i'll have to write during my time :( and i'm stressed about packing. I still have 3 days though.
Anyhow, its passed an hour already so i best get to bed, but i'm sorry i've slacked with updating ou guys. life has just been so full and busy, but i love it that way, and i'm so happy. I happy to say too, that i am now sure i'll be ready to come home when it's time. It feels so healthy to have come full circle, to have experienced all these emotions, changes, and takes on life. But i'll be ready :) I'm getting there more and more with everyday. I am so blessed. Tomorrow i am going to church with Julia at noon and it is palm sunday (de los ramos) here, so i am excited for this. I will miss my family over easter, but guys i will have so much to share with you when i come back. It overwhelms me with how much i've learned, how much i now know about myself, who i am, what i want, what i like, what i can do, what i won't and dont stand for, and how lucky i am. The friends i have here, the family i have here, they ahve touched my life in a way that no other person or experiece could have done...they have brought out a Lauren that I love, that is truly me,,that i'm going to keep around forever. I can't wait for you to meet her.
Goodnight, and all my love,
Lauren
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Busy day on 2 hours of sleep
Hi all!~
I just thought' i'd say hello once more before i take off until Sunday night. We are going to Madrid tomorrow, then taking another bus to visit the small but cute pueblo Segovia. We are staying in a hostel in madrid Fri and Sat night, and it works out well b/c segovia is only about 30 min away. Then on Saturday, we plan on getting up early in the morning and taking another bus to Toledo, another pueblo that is supposed to be gorgeous. I'm excited!--even though i've been traveling non-stop. I can't believe i'm holding up as well as i am hehe. Sat night and Sunday we will relax in Madrid and explore..(we've already made our list of 'must-do's and then everything else is extra.). I already went to Madrid just yesterday with my culture and civilization class. It was a long day let me tell you--i really enjoyed it, but it was unfortunate b/c we spent about 9 hours in the bus for the duration of getting there and back, and got just 5 quick hours to explore. We crammed alot in though, and we got a tour of the Senate building (which was awesome), a detailed tour of the National Library of Spain (so cool!!..it made me actually WANT to study ..there! in a library like that!), and then we went to the National Museum of ARcheology. It was pretty cool, however i'd seen alot of that stuff already at the Louvre museum in Paris. We ate our packed lunches in the hot sun outside the library, and i'm telling you, we all came back with red noses and cheecks. It's so fun to look in the mirror and have color on my chest and face...and hands!!! I think Spring is really coming b/c it's warmer now and it's so nice. I can't wait to run in the park next week. Then when i got home, ok now this is going to sound crazy bc it is crazy, but i went out to a discoteca after ALL of that. And i got home at 5am. And i had class at 830am. And i went. and you know what's best of all, i've felt great all day!! I don't get it. I had so much going on tho, so i've been very preoccupied and busy studying and getting stuff done for school, dealing with cord. registration problems, packing, teaching, etc. So to go out and dance was a blast. i went with my friend David, and danced the night away. It was a Saint Patricks-themed party so there was a lot of the green hehe.
he walked me home & .... :-)
Today was a busy day b/c i had class at 830 and again at 10, then i went to the library, then home to work on registering. For lunch i had my favorite sopa del col once again, and then also these amazing meatballs in Tomato sauce with bread. God it was SO good to dip the bread in tomato sauce! something familiar. I took a 20 min nap, in which i seriously think i reached REM sleep mode b/c i'm getting so good at making use of oppportunities for quick sleep...and then i went to teach the little girls next door. It was so cute b/c there mom had just left (she leaves when i come hehe..! i'm like a babysitter too, but' i love to help her), and we played cards, hair salon..(mom they played with my hair and told me stories...god i missed you so much when they were doing this b/c that was me n u),, and then i helped the 6 yr old with her math homework. I'm so proud of her (Iraiti is her name). She was working on adding and subtracting today, and she's doing SO great. Then it was cute b/c the 4 yr old was sitting around the table trying to be apart of it too, and the 9 yr old sister was great at explaining too!
After i made a trip to the market and bought my favorite crackers that i'm addicted too for the weekend. I' also bought some carrots, choc, etc.stuff for the bus/backpack. I had dance class tonight and it went pretty good, but that was when the tired-ness started kicking in. It was warm though, but i got a good workout. I just can't wait till i have time again to go the ciudadela to work out. NEXT week for sure! I've just been flying around like super=woman traveler for the past 3 weeks, so i'm actually looking forward to a down week..even though i'll be studying and writing papers. That's my life in school here hehe..but i love school here! Ruben helped me afterwards correct one of my papers that's due next week so i feel better about that. I just have one more to write but i'll do that after this trip this weekend. Us 3 girls decided we're going to make it nice and relaxing, and not try to rush and see everything..but re-coup and just have'us-time' if that makes sense :) I'm very excited. I am in love with this country and this place in general. The ipod is all charged, and i'm packing my suitcases now. I can't wait to look out the window once again tomrrow,,i will also sleep hehe
Other than that, life is good. Mom, Dad, and Ben,& Lady, i miss you guys like crazy. I know it's been like 1.5 weeks since we've talked or 2, but i've been thinking of you guys more than you know. I've got another big round of postcards going out to you all from Barcelona, i just didn't get a chance to get to the post office today, so i'll hopefully go in Madrid this weekend. Just so you know tho..they're on their way. Anyway,,All is well..i'm just content at the moment..that is how i'd explain the feeling in my heart.
I think of you all alot, and thanks again for following me and thinking of me <3
All my love,
Lauren
I just thought' i'd say hello once more before i take off until Sunday night. We are going to Madrid tomorrow, then taking another bus to visit the small but cute pueblo Segovia. We are staying in a hostel in madrid Fri and Sat night, and it works out well b/c segovia is only about 30 min away. Then on Saturday, we plan on getting up early in the morning and taking another bus to Toledo, another pueblo that is supposed to be gorgeous. I'm excited!--even though i've been traveling non-stop. I can't believe i'm holding up as well as i am hehe. Sat night and Sunday we will relax in Madrid and explore..(we've already made our list of 'must-do's and then everything else is extra.). I already went to Madrid just yesterday with my culture and civilization class. It was a long day let me tell you--i really enjoyed it, but it was unfortunate b/c we spent about 9 hours in the bus for the duration of getting there and back, and got just 5 quick hours to explore. We crammed alot in though, and we got a tour of the Senate building (which was awesome), a detailed tour of the National Library of Spain (so cool!!..it made me actually WANT to study ..there! in a library like that!), and then we went to the National Museum of ARcheology. It was pretty cool, however i'd seen alot of that stuff already at the Louvre museum in Paris. We ate our packed lunches in the hot sun outside the library, and i'm telling you, we all came back with red noses and cheecks. It's so fun to look in the mirror and have color on my chest and face...and hands!!! I think Spring is really coming b/c it's warmer now and it's so nice. I can't wait to run in the park next week. Then when i got home, ok now this is going to sound crazy bc it is crazy, but i went out to a discoteca after ALL of that. And i got home at 5am. And i had class at 830am. And i went. and you know what's best of all, i've felt great all day!! I don't get it. I had so much going on tho, so i've been very preoccupied and busy studying and getting stuff done for school, dealing with cord. registration problems, packing, teaching, etc. So to go out and dance was a blast. i went with my friend David, and danced the night away. It was a Saint Patricks-themed party so there was a lot of the green hehe.
he walked me home & .... :-)
Today was a busy day b/c i had class at 830 and again at 10, then i went to the library, then home to work on registering. For lunch i had my favorite sopa del col once again, and then also these amazing meatballs in Tomato sauce with bread. God it was SO good to dip the bread in tomato sauce! something familiar. I took a 20 min nap, in which i seriously think i reached REM sleep mode b/c i'm getting so good at making use of oppportunities for quick sleep...and then i went to teach the little girls next door. It was so cute b/c there mom had just left (she leaves when i come hehe..! i'm like a babysitter too, but' i love to help her), and we played cards, hair salon..(mom they played with my hair and told me stories...god i missed you so much when they were doing this b/c that was me n u),, and then i helped the 6 yr old with her math homework. I'm so proud of her (Iraiti is her name). She was working on adding and subtracting today, and she's doing SO great. Then it was cute b/c the 4 yr old was sitting around the table trying to be apart of it too, and the 9 yr old sister was great at explaining too!
After i made a trip to the market and bought my favorite crackers that i'm addicted too for the weekend. I' also bought some carrots, choc, etc.stuff for the bus/backpack. I had dance class tonight and it went pretty good, but that was when the tired-ness started kicking in. It was warm though, but i got a good workout. I just can't wait till i have time again to go the ciudadela to work out. NEXT week for sure! I've just been flying around like super=woman traveler for the past 3 weeks, so i'm actually looking forward to a down week..even though i'll be studying and writing papers. That's my life in school here hehe..but i love school here! Ruben helped me afterwards correct one of my papers that's due next week so i feel better about that. I just have one more to write but i'll do that after this trip this weekend. Us 3 girls decided we're going to make it nice and relaxing, and not try to rush and see everything..but re-coup and just have'us-time' if that makes sense :) I'm very excited. I am in love with this country and this place in general. The ipod is all charged, and i'm packing my suitcases now. I can't wait to look out the window once again tomrrow,,i will also sleep hehe
Other than that, life is good. Mom, Dad, and Ben,& Lady, i miss you guys like crazy. I know it's been like 1.5 weeks since we've talked or 2, but i've been thinking of you guys more than you know. I've got another big round of postcards going out to you all from Barcelona, i just didn't get a chance to get to the post office today, so i'll hopefully go in Madrid this weekend. Just so you know tho..they're on their way. Anyway,,All is well..i'm just content at the moment..that is how i'd explain the feeling in my heart.
I think of you all alot, and thanks again for following me and thinking of me <3
All my love,
Lauren
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
accepting reality while living in a dream
I just have to write again tonight, even though it's my 3rd time today. Today was just a heart-wrenching afternoon/evening, not in a bad way, but i want to write to save those feelings and experiences i had today b/c they are important to me.
This afternoon like i said was just beautiful, and i sat at my desk working on my paper, looking out watching the spaniards walk outside my window, carrying their jackets, the leaves green on the trees, and i just had to smile. Dance class was wonderful as always, but it is coming to an end. I have 3 classes left, and i just cannot believe how fast time flew. I swear to god this was the best thing that i could have signed up to do. NOt only did i meet a great new guy friend, but also my teacher is amazing, & i've never laughed so hard with my girlfriends and the other girls there in all my life. There is another session following that goes from April 8 to May 27, and i want to sign up so bad, but i'm just crushed bc i am scheduled to leave May 11, and i would miss 3 weeks (so six classes). I don't know,,i might still go and sign up just to be able to experience it more..and since it's the same teacher and my Spanish friends are continuing. I'm going to talk with Nerea on Thurs about the class (she's the teacher)
Then tonight my guy friend took me out again after class...it was so fun..we have a great time talking and he only speaks spanish, but it is so great for me. I have a really hard time trusting men in general now, b/c the majority of them i've been with have been absolute jerks, so my expectations are low for things to go anywhere, however i'm not exactly looking to make that happen either..I justfeel like now, whatever is meant to be will be and i'll just guard my heart and enjoy the ride at the same time. The "One" is gonna have to work hard i guess unfortunately when he finds me since of the 'jerk's i've met and passed time with.
After he kissed me on the cheeks and told me we will go anytime i want, i just walked home under the stars thinkingabout how awesome this is and has been for me. I was already feeling a bit emotionally/ or sentimental when i got home, and then Julia and i had a heart-wrenching conversation about when i'll have to leave. We talked about how i'm leaving earlier than the kids normally do here, and how it will go fast..but what really touched me was what she said after that. I told her that th day i leave i'm going to cry all the way to the United States..She looks at me and says "oh no..everyone cries, but once you get on the plane, you'll be thinking about your life back there". But then she continued" but i will be sad for a long time" She then continued..."You are so special to me" "When you are gone, i wont have a reason to get up in th morning b/c i won't have u here to make breakfast for" "I wont' have your clothes to wash, your sheets and bed to tend to, or hear your voice in the house".."YOu keep me company, and i am not lonely when you are here"..SErioulsy, we just looked at each other, and all i could think about was "God"..i mean..i would have never in all of my biggest and greatest imaginations imagined that i would find myself so much and fit in so well in this country, with these people. I think we both could have just cried at that moment, and to prevent it i changed the subject quickly an just said"well i stil have about 6 wks lef). but that is so short, and my heart breaks thinking about it already. Don't get me wrong, i love my life in the United.States., and i wouldn't trade my American citizenship for anything, however i have two lives now. Coming to spain, i found more than just a semester abroad. I've been living the culture of the Spanish, eating their food, speaking their language, listening to their music, following their traditions day by day; accustomed myself to this way of life, this way of thinking, studying their history and culture, celebrating their traditions, praying their prayers, dancing their traditional dances, and falling in love with the people. I have a family here, i have best friends here; a part of me is here,,and what is more important is a part of me has 'become' into existance here, a new part that i love, that i never knew existed; a part that i've found and i am so happy to have encountered. Just the way i think, the way i interact with the people, the way i look at the world and what i have, what i want, and what is important to me. It's unbelievable. For this Spain is a part of me as well. It is not a temporary trip or study that i will leave or lose. I will return, perhaps frequently, b/c there is more than a piece of me here. There is a girl here who i love, who i want to keep and take with me forever, wherever i go, whatever i do, whoever i'm with, in whatever country i'm in.
I don't know which road my life will lead me down, but the amount of gratitude i hve for the life i've encountered and developed here in Spain i'll never be able to measure, because it is immeasurable. And i am not going to keep it a dream, but acceptit and be thankful for it as a real-life reality that i can have for ever, and continue with.
I will accept reality when i have to, i will continue on with my life in the United States b/c i have a dream there too, i have people i love, who love me back, the best family i could ask for, and many things to be thankful for. But this is apart of me know too, in a large way, and i'm going to keep it that way. I think the two can complement each other. I will make sure the do
I will be in Madrid tomorrow at the governement buildings for my civ/culture class, but i'll fill you in in a few days
all my love
LB
This afternoon like i said was just beautiful, and i sat at my desk working on my paper, looking out watching the spaniards walk outside my window, carrying their jackets, the leaves green on the trees, and i just had to smile. Dance class was wonderful as always, but it is coming to an end. I have 3 classes left, and i just cannot believe how fast time flew. I swear to god this was the best thing that i could have signed up to do. NOt only did i meet a great new guy friend, but also my teacher is amazing, & i've never laughed so hard with my girlfriends and the other girls there in all my life. There is another session following that goes from April 8 to May 27, and i want to sign up so bad, but i'm just crushed bc i am scheduled to leave May 11, and i would miss 3 weeks (so six classes). I don't know,,i might still go and sign up just to be able to experience it more..and since it's the same teacher and my Spanish friends are continuing. I'm going to talk with Nerea on Thurs about the class (she's the teacher)
Then tonight my guy friend took me out again after class...it was so fun..we have a great time talking and he only speaks spanish, but it is so great for me. I have a really hard time trusting men in general now, b/c the majority of them i've been with have been absolute jerks, so my expectations are low for things to go anywhere, however i'm not exactly looking to make that happen either..I justfeel like now, whatever is meant to be will be and i'll just guard my heart and enjoy the ride at the same time. The "One" is gonna have to work hard i guess unfortunately when he finds me since of the 'jerk's i've met and passed time with.
After he kissed me on the cheeks and told me we will go anytime i want, i just walked home under the stars thinkingabout how awesome this is and has been for me. I was already feeling a bit emotionally/ or sentimental when i got home, and then Julia and i had a heart-wrenching conversation about when i'll have to leave. We talked about how i'm leaving earlier than the kids normally do here, and how it will go fast..but what really touched me was what she said after that. I told her that th day i leave i'm going to cry all the way to the United States..She looks at me and says "oh no..everyone cries, but once you get on the plane, you'll be thinking about your life back there". But then she continued" but i will be sad for a long time" She then continued..."You are so special to me" "When you are gone, i wont have a reason to get up in th morning b/c i won't have u here to make breakfast for" "I wont' have your clothes to wash, your sheets and bed to tend to, or hear your voice in the house".."YOu keep me company, and i am not lonely when you are here"..SErioulsy, we just looked at each other, and all i could think about was "God"..i mean..i would have never in all of my biggest and greatest imaginations imagined that i would find myself so much and fit in so well in this country, with these people. I think we both could have just cried at that moment, and to prevent it i changed the subject quickly an just said"well i stil have about 6 wks lef). but that is so short, and my heart breaks thinking about it already. Don't get me wrong, i love my life in the United.States., and i wouldn't trade my American citizenship for anything, however i have two lives now. Coming to spain, i found more than just a semester abroad. I've been living the culture of the Spanish, eating their food, speaking their language, listening to their music, following their traditions day by day; accustomed myself to this way of life, this way of thinking, studying their history and culture, celebrating their traditions, praying their prayers, dancing their traditional dances, and falling in love with the people. I have a family here, i have best friends here; a part of me is here,,and what is more important is a part of me has 'become' into existance here, a new part that i love, that i never knew existed; a part that i've found and i am so happy to have encountered. Just the way i think, the way i interact with the people, the way i look at the world and what i have, what i want, and what is important to me. It's unbelievable. For this Spain is a part of me as well. It is not a temporary trip or study that i will leave or lose. I will return, perhaps frequently, b/c there is more than a piece of me here. There is a girl here who i love, who i want to keep and take with me forever, wherever i go, whatever i do, whoever i'm with, in whatever country i'm in.
I don't know which road my life will lead me down, but the amount of gratitude i hve for the life i've encountered and developed here in Spain i'll never be able to measure, because it is immeasurable. And i am not going to keep it a dream, but acceptit and be thankful for it as a real-life reality that i can have for ever, and continue with.
I will accept reality when i have to, i will continue on with my life in the United States b/c i have a dream there too, i have people i love, who love me back, the best family i could ask for, and many things to be thankful for. But this is apart of me know too, in a large way, and i'm going to keep it that way. I think the two can complement each other. I will make sure the do
I will be in Madrid tomorrow at the governement buildings for my civ/culture class, but i'll fill you in in a few days
all my love
LB
Love the one's your with
Oh my gosh you guys,,,the weather here has been absolutely wonderful for the past two days..i'm telling you yesterday (monday), it was probably 14 or 15 Celcius and now today i think it's about the same, if not a little warmer (16). It is wonderful. Yesterday i was a bit stressed bc a substitute professor for my lit class assigned us this paper to write, and he isn't even going to continue teaching our class. grr..and i have 2 days to do it..since i'm going to Madrid tomorrow (wed) for civ/cult. class, and then i am leaving again on Friday until Sunday night to visit Madrid again, Segovia, and Toledo. I've been stressing a lot about homework b/c it's really picking up, but then my friends and i myself remind me that it's ok, i just have to relax, i'll get it done, and i also can't worry so much b/c i'm in Spain, i need to travel, i need to see things, experience things, go out, learn, talk, and live the culture. I'm hear to study, but i'm hear to live and learn the culture and the country and the people as well. This i ahve to remind myself everyday. And goodness, you know like i said before when God closes doors, he opens them too. I've met two great new friends that are very different, but are so fun and unique in there own way. One of them only speaks Spanish, so when we go out on dates, etc, it is so awesome b/c he is so patient with me and is really intersting to listen too. We teach each other a lot. I also dance salsa and tango and chachacha with him, and it's a lot of fun. Then, i met a great guy through a friend the night of my birthday party, and we also have developed something fun. He's cool, and i' enjoy talking with him and..of course dancing too hehe! He's a daryl for all of you who understand that...like majorly. hahah. Anyhow, that's all i can say about that now, but it's really fun b/c my time here with these new friends really just rings true to one of my favorite songs..(the Blender's version) "Love the One your with"..you should just listen to it and the words...they are SO true.
I went for a jog/walk yesterday since i was angry with that prof, and let me tell you it really helped. it was exactly what i needed b/4 having to sit at my desk for the next 6 hours working on that paper. I laid in the grass and did my physical therapy, situps/pushups..etc..and had just a t-shirt and capris on..in March!! I love this! I slept so good last night!~
Today has been a pretty good day..despite the fact i got assigned another paper to write for a different class...grr...i'm getting ready to study science instead of writing all these papers..but maybe that's God's intention for me who knows hehe. B/c i have a lot of that ahead of me, however i'm getting good at these papers and i've got a format down.
So that's what i've gotta get my little but doing now, but oh..i just have to say I"ve been eating SO good. Julia has been cooking my fave foods so i am so lucky. Yesterday she made the sopa de col ( i have to get the other word...versa (con 'b' sonido, o repolla') for my future reference hehe! oh god it was SO amazing. I hadn't had it since Jan . Then today i had rice with chicken and carrots, but she surprised me with TORRIJAS for dessert! yes..yum!!! the bread that she soaks in honey and then fries with olive oil, then smothers in cinm. and sugar. I ate it with green tea. God i'm spoiled...Do i have to leave?//please no!!! ok...i'm not even gonna think about it.
Well, i'm gonna get a move on it,,and work on this paper. Tomorrow i'll be up at attem early at bus stop by 730 to go to Madrid, and then i'll be home by 12..it's so funny b/c David invited me to go out dancing, and i can't wait and at first i was sad b/c i dind't think that i would be back from madrid in time, but then like Marion told me...the dancing doesn't start until 1 anyway ha.
Well, we'll see how i feel.
Anyway, i'm gonna work, and then i have dance class tonight! I can't wait..and u know another reason too hehe..or i'll tell you later. Anyway,
All my love,
Lauren
I went for a jog/walk yesterday since i was angry with that prof, and let me tell you it really helped. it was exactly what i needed b/4 having to sit at my desk for the next 6 hours working on that paper. I laid in the grass and did my physical therapy, situps/pushups..etc..and had just a t-shirt and capris on..in March!! I love this! I slept so good last night!~
Today has been a pretty good day..despite the fact i got assigned another paper to write for a different class...grr...i'm getting ready to study science instead of writing all these papers..but maybe that's God's intention for me who knows hehe. B/c i have a lot of that ahead of me, however i'm getting good at these papers and i've got a format down.
So that's what i've gotta get my little but doing now, but oh..i just have to say I"ve been eating SO good. Julia has been cooking my fave foods so i am so lucky. Yesterday she made the sopa de col ( i have to get the other word...versa (con 'b' sonido, o repolla') for my future reference hehe! oh god it was SO amazing. I hadn't had it since Jan . Then today i had rice with chicken and carrots, but she surprised me with TORRIJAS for dessert! yes..yum!!! the bread that she soaks in honey and then fries with olive oil, then smothers in cinm. and sugar. I ate it with green tea. God i'm spoiled...Do i have to leave?//please no!!! ok...i'm not even gonna think about it.
Well, i'm gonna get a move on it,,and work on this paper. Tomorrow i'll be up at attem early at bus stop by 730 to go to Madrid, and then i'll be home by 12..it's so funny b/c David invited me to go out dancing, and i can't wait and at first i was sad b/c i dind't think that i would be back from madrid in time, but then like Marion told me...the dancing doesn't start until 1 anyway ha.
Well, we'll see how i feel.
Anyway, i'm gonna work, and then i have dance class tonight! I can't wait..and u know another reason too hehe..or i'll tell you later. Anyway,
All my love,
Lauren
Barcelona continued: Sunday March 14
If you haven't read about friday/sat in Barcelona, you'll want to scroll down and read that part first, since i got too sleepy Sunday night when i finally got home to write about Sunday hehe! So now i'll finish her off now!
Early sunday morning, at about 530am, the rest of the girls came back from being out partying. It was at that point that i rolled over and was very happy i had gone to bed 5 hours prior :) I then woke by 9, showered, and packed up all of my stuff into the backpack that i'd packed..(by the way..dad,,the next time we go somewhere and i have to pack, you're going to say to me "Lauren, is this all you're bringing?! Wow!" b/c i've become a pro at packing enough things to live out of my backpack hehe for 4 days!!! I'm a real traveler now ha). Anyhow, we got to enjoy one more amazing breakfast of cereals and milk, toast and jelly, my favorite crackers that i'm addicted to, cafe con leche that is free!!!, magdelenas, and fruit (i didn't eat all of these things but i just have to list them b/c again,,,it was like i was on survivor just being handed free reign these options!!!). Then we met in la plaza catalan, and walked to take the metro to el parqueguelle. I"m telling you, this was my aboslute FAVORITE thing that we did. It was SO incredibly beautiful outside first of all, so the sun just made me SO happy. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was SO warm. It must have been about 70 degrees and i was walking around in my t-shirt and jeans. We had to hike up a large hill to get there, but it was so worth it. Then we just split up and made a plan we'd all meet up again around 2, so i then began trekking around the park. It was literally like a small community (Gaudi the architect had intentionally planned for this region to be a neighborhood in which he would design all of the homes, etc, but it didn't really work out, so they turned it into a park). There are two buildings he designed right at the entrance, and then throughout the park there are beautiful stone structures/walls, bridges, a little cute house, and lookout structures that look out over ALL of Barcelona. YOu are able to see in EVERY direction. It was just SO incredibly beautiful. I took lots of video-taping with my camera and also lots of pictures. I felt like i was in a tropical state park to be honest, because there were palm trees, pine trees, deciduous trees, waterfalls, streams of water running along the paths, stone-made steps and bridges to cross..it was like i stepped right into a movie. YOu will have to look at the pictures i have on facebook,,and i'll be putting more up. I even got sunburned a little on my face hehe!!!--what a nice problem huh??!!. It was really awesome just to reflect and think about my life, what i'm thankful for, and things like this. It also really made me miss my parents since it was just so beautiful and breathtaking to look out over all of the city, i could see the Mediterranean Sea, and everything. I got tears in my eyes at one point, just because i was so happy. I can't explain it to you. I just got this feeling that i wanted to travel for the rest of my life. That i wanted to just stop dead in my path, pick up just my backpack with the clothes and shoes on my back, and just never quit traveling. It's hard at times b/c sometimes i get to thinking about my path ahead of me, and the long road i will need to continue on with my studies to achieve my goal, however, a good friend of mine reminded me that my life will continue on this road. he said life will move, and you WiLL travel during your studies. YOu can make time for it in the summer he told me. He is from Sweden and i met him on this trip--he was a very nice guy. But anyway, his advice was so true..yet sometimes,,when you have these breathtaking moments, that dreaming side takes over me..or i see a mom pushing her little girl in the stroller and her 4 yr old little boy with a cute little hat on walking with her and i just think,,"Man i wanna be a mom,,and enjoy stuff like this"..hehehe,,but i can't rush that. Don't get me wrong i am LOVING the way my life is now, being single and free to do what i want, but also don't get me wrong that i cannot WAIT for secure things in my life,,for certain things to have certainty, and then go..I can't imagine how i will feel when i have those breathtaking moments in the future while knowing what is of certainty in my life. ONe good lesson i've realized though, is that nothing really ever is certain, or for sure, so you just have to cherish every single moment you have with the people you are with or in the place that you are at. And that is what i'm getting to do each and every day that i am here in Spain, and it is wonderful. the people that i'm meeting, that come and go i our lives, it's really neat to be able to realize or understand what their purpose in our lives were, and for this how we changed from having known them, or knowing them.
After the park, i went with a few girlfriends from Concordia to a pizza place back in Las Ramblas. It was pretty good, not the best, but it was hot food/a meal, so of course i ate it. Then i headed back to the hostel to gather my backpack and got on the bus. We left Barcelona around 415pm, and arrived back in Pamplona by 1145pm..so it was a long ride, but i enjoyed listening to my ipod (singing and having to be asked to be quiet hehe), looking out the window, talking to Maite, Megan, and Kasey and laughing, sleeping, and eating my leftover pizza for supper haha.
All in all, it was an absolutely awesome, fun, quick weekend. would i go back?...DEFINITELY...in a heart-beat in fact. I loved Barcelona. It just has something about it that you can't understand until you go there and see it, and feel it. It's awesome. You'll see the pics.
I will close this blog, but i'll write another to fill you in on my last two days hehe :-) I should be studying this afternoon, but i feel compelled to write
xoxoxo
Early sunday morning, at about 530am, the rest of the girls came back from being out partying. It was at that point that i rolled over and was very happy i had gone to bed 5 hours prior :) I then woke by 9, showered, and packed up all of my stuff into the backpack that i'd packed..(by the way..dad,,the next time we go somewhere and i have to pack, you're going to say to me "Lauren, is this all you're bringing?! Wow!" b/c i've become a pro at packing enough things to live out of my backpack hehe for 4 days!!! I'm a real traveler now ha). Anyhow, we got to enjoy one more amazing breakfast of cereals and milk, toast and jelly, my favorite crackers that i'm addicted to, cafe con leche that is free!!!, magdelenas, and fruit (i didn't eat all of these things but i just have to list them b/c again,,,it was like i was on survivor just being handed free reign these options!!!). Then we met in la plaza catalan, and walked to take the metro to el parqueguelle. I"m telling you, this was my aboslute FAVORITE thing that we did. It was SO incredibly beautiful outside first of all, so the sun just made me SO happy. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was SO warm. It must have been about 70 degrees and i was walking around in my t-shirt and jeans. We had to hike up a large hill to get there, but it was so worth it. Then we just split up and made a plan we'd all meet up again around 2, so i then began trekking around the park. It was literally like a small community (Gaudi the architect had intentionally planned for this region to be a neighborhood in which he would design all of the homes, etc, but it didn't really work out, so they turned it into a park). There are two buildings he designed right at the entrance, and then throughout the park there are beautiful stone structures/walls, bridges, a little cute house, and lookout structures that look out over ALL of Barcelona. YOu are able to see in EVERY direction. It was just SO incredibly beautiful. I took lots of video-taping with my camera and also lots of pictures. I felt like i was in a tropical state park to be honest, because there were palm trees, pine trees, deciduous trees, waterfalls, streams of water running along the paths, stone-made steps and bridges to cross..it was like i stepped right into a movie. YOu will have to look at the pictures i have on facebook,,and i'll be putting more up. I even got sunburned a little on my face hehe!!!--what a nice problem huh??!!. It was really awesome just to reflect and think about my life, what i'm thankful for, and things like this. It also really made me miss my parents since it was just so beautiful and breathtaking to look out over all of the city, i could see the Mediterranean Sea, and everything. I got tears in my eyes at one point, just because i was so happy. I can't explain it to you. I just got this feeling that i wanted to travel for the rest of my life. That i wanted to just stop dead in my path, pick up just my backpack with the clothes and shoes on my back, and just never quit traveling. It's hard at times b/c sometimes i get to thinking about my path ahead of me, and the long road i will need to continue on with my studies to achieve my goal, however, a good friend of mine reminded me that my life will continue on this road. he said life will move, and you WiLL travel during your studies. YOu can make time for it in the summer he told me. He is from Sweden and i met him on this trip--he was a very nice guy. But anyway, his advice was so true..yet sometimes,,when you have these breathtaking moments, that dreaming side takes over me..or i see a mom pushing her little girl in the stroller and her 4 yr old little boy with a cute little hat on walking with her and i just think,,"Man i wanna be a mom,,and enjoy stuff like this"..hehehe,,but i can't rush that. Don't get me wrong i am LOVING the way my life is now, being single and free to do what i want, but also don't get me wrong that i cannot WAIT for secure things in my life,,for certain things to have certainty, and then go..I can't imagine how i will feel when i have those breathtaking moments in the future while knowing what is of certainty in my life. ONe good lesson i've realized though, is that nothing really ever is certain, or for sure, so you just have to cherish every single moment you have with the people you are with or in the place that you are at. And that is what i'm getting to do each and every day that i am here in Spain, and it is wonderful. the people that i'm meeting, that come and go i our lives, it's really neat to be able to realize or understand what their purpose in our lives were, and for this how we changed from having known them, or knowing them.
After the park, i went with a few girlfriends from Concordia to a pizza place back in Las Ramblas. It was pretty good, not the best, but it was hot food/a meal, so of course i ate it. Then i headed back to the hostel to gather my backpack and got on the bus. We left Barcelona around 415pm, and arrived back in Pamplona by 1145pm..so it was a long ride, but i enjoyed listening to my ipod (singing and having to be asked to be quiet hehe), looking out the window, talking to Maite, Megan, and Kasey and laughing, sleeping, and eating my leftover pizza for supper haha.
All in all, it was an absolutely awesome, fun, quick weekend. would i go back?...DEFINITELY...in a heart-beat in fact. I loved Barcelona. It just has something about it that you can't understand until you go there and see it, and feel it. It's awesome. You'll see the pics.
I will close this blog, but i'll write another to fill you in on my last two days hehe :-) I should be studying this afternoon, but i feel compelled to write
xoxoxo
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Fri and Sat in Barcelona...Sunday will be tomorrow so come back to read more!
Hi to all! Wow,,first of all let me just say i've got to get back on track with blogging not just for your sake but for my sake as well. 5 days is a long time..and i've been wanting to write so bad that i have a list here at my desk in front of me from days ago ..in which i had dates or moments that i MUST blog to you about! So don't worry..they are coming..i just need to get the time to do it! I just returned from Barcelona tonight, and it's midnite now..12:01..so i'll try to start filling you in on the trip, and then if i get to sleeping and need to go to bed, i'll continue with where i left off in the morning! I must say though, it is so beautiful there,,i just absolutely LOVED it!! and definitely would love to go back!
We left on Friday morning around 10 am...and it was a group of about 35 people...about 15 girls from the University Navarra (my college) and then about 17 guys and 4 girls from the San Sebastian campus (studying engineering). It was a blast getting to know these people, and i met some Great, amazing new friends. It was so great for me! It was about a 5.5 hour bus ride, but i just LOVEd looking out the window, listening to music, and just thinking. This weekend really was awesome for the way that it provided me with time to think about my life, what i' have and continue to be learning, what has changed about me, what remains the same, what i'm thankful for, what i'm going to change in my life, etc. It was just really awesome :) Upon arrival, we unloaded our stuff off at our hostel, which was right off of the main drag in Barcelona (las Ramblas is this main drag street with awesome stores, mercados, interesting people, and also the most dangerous place to get stuff stolen), but anway,,,it was beautiful. And i was pumped b/c our hostel accomodations where wonderful..much better than what Kristen and I had had in Paris, (granted little do i know what this room cost since i just payed for the trip a fixed price), but anyway the room was quaint, and i was one of 10 of my old and new girlfriends on the trip. The boys had to stay in a different hostel (school rules). Anyhow, then we went on a walk down the main drag of Las Ramblas, explored a market, and walked down to the port where all of the boats where docked (this is the port to the Mediterranean Sea). (east side hehe). Anyhow, we just continued to walk around, and then wound up at a bar to eat potato chips and olives and drink (i drank water), but it was weired b/c this bar had closed their kitchen and it was only 9pm,,but that's early for Spain, so we then went to another bar after this since we all were hungry and wanted more food! It was fun b/c it was the majority of our large group, and we ordered 2 bottles of wine (the red wine was so good...better than what i drank in Olite),,,which i still have to tell ou about ..i took that trip last weekend hehe), and then others drank beer. However, i was so proud of myself b/c guess what i ate?...octopus and calamari! I really preferred the calamari, b/c the octopus was more squishy when i was chewing it hehe! It did have an alright flavor tho, and i just had to try it b/c i knew this bar is known for the seafood, b/c we are right on the Mediterranean, and when we walked in there was octopus sitting on the counter..with their tentacles, etc..i know it sounds gross, but this bar was so cool! I'm so proud i just did it..and to be honest, i wasn't afraid and i liked it! But that's another cool thing that's changed...the fact that i will try anything!!!--well PRACTICALLY anything hehe! Then me, Kristen, Megan, and Lise went to a McDonalds and bought icecream heehe..yes i know..i'm looking down guiltily as i write this..but we just felt like we needed it since we had the opportunity hehe! it was great fun! We all slept awesome that night. I"m telling you..i LOVED my bed there! I could have slept for 10 + hours in this bed..i was on the top bunk, but i had this cozy little light up there, and the mattress was more comfortable than what i have here,,(however it is very nice to be back to Julia's cooking and to see her !!).
Saturday morning, we had planned who would wake up in order to shower,,,so we had this domino affect that worked really awesome since there was only 2 showers, however i was really impressed with the bathrooms as well. They were clean, didn't smell, and it was just fun being with all my girlfriends. I felt like i was back in the dorms,,only with ALL of my best friends that i would want to be there (b/c that's what these girls have become here..we are sisters forever),,and it's just so fun meeting new ones too! Anyway, then we went to breakfast, and i'm teling you, i was just like a kid in a candy store. There was 3 kinds of cereal we could pick from (coco krispies, corn flakes (which i eat here every single day ugh..), but i love them now just cuz i'm thankful to get cereal in general,), and then this banana/nut ceral. Then there was juice, cold milk, toast and toasting makers, free oranges and apples, galletas (my new absolute FAVORITE COOKIES.) God you guys...this is off on a tangent but they are SO incredibly awesome..there's nothing to them..there just these plain think cookie-like crisps that have a honey flavor, but i'm telling you i eat them everyday. I don't think there's too many calories..hehe. but even if there is i don't care b/c i have never had anything like them, and then there was magdalenas (a muffin-type of thing) that is also SO good!!). Then, there was an open bar/cafe and i could order any hot drink i wanted, tea, cafe con leche, or whatever, so i always got cafe con leche (coffe with milk) since that is the typical type here in Spain. I think we all just went absolutely crazy with the food..even though it was your typicall continental breakfast, we all felt like we have been on survivor just WANTING these food..and being able to take and eat as much as you want!!!! i probably sound like such a little fatty hehe but seriously, i don't get to help mself to more breakfast when i'm here in pamplona since i'm served it and it's more normal to eat very small for breakfast ! (well brkfast is my favorite meal)! So no lie,,my friends were eating like 3 or 4 pieces of toast, we had strawberry marmelada, cafe con leche etc. i had two bowls of coco krispies and thought i'd died and gone to heaven hehe! ok..i'll move on..but you get the drift..the breakfast's we absolutely LIVED for!!!!! And it was in this huge room that looked out over the streets of Barcelona all lined with windows, so it was light and gorgeous in this room!
Then, we would meet the boys in la plaza catalana and then move on from there. It was this gorgeous, huge plaza that was filled with places to sit around it made of stone, many many many birds (often times we'd scream b/c a little kid would run into their flock on the ground and then they'd all take off towards us!!!), and two gorgeous fountains. The sun was so warm and the sky was so blue on sat..i couldn't believe the difference in weather between pamplona and Barc. it was like 60 or 65 on Sat..so beautiful. We had a tour of the Barrio Gotico by an Italian woman (friend of one of our leaders on the trip), and so she showed us this neighborhood. It was beautiful, and i took tons of amazing pictures of the thin streets lined with tall apartments in these old buildings with wrought-iron little decks off of them, filled with green plants and hues of red, purple, and yellow flowers peaking through. I seriously felt like i was walking right within a movie..far far away, that i'd always dreamed of being in. And it was real, i was alive, smelling, seeing, hearing, and feeling the moment. God,,this was my WHOLE weekend in Barcelona guys, and i'm teling you,,,amazing. I really needed this b/c i lost touch with myself for the past 2 weeks, and this trip was exactly what i needed. I found myself again, i got over a letdown with a boy, and really just returned to finding "lauren" which was SO awesome :) I just can't explain to you how awesome it was..and my understanding and rationalizing of things. i mean u just have this amazing time to think to yourself, to process things, to talk, to listen, to learn, ...it's incredible. I know who i am, and the neat thing is that no matter what happens to me, what i have to go through, or what i learn or see or experience, their are parts of me that will always be 'me' and it just feels so secure/safe & nice/good hehe to have that feeling. It's hard to explain to you, but i hope you can kindof understand. and then at the same time, while i'm experiencing these amazing trips, views, tours, etc, they are influencing who i am as well..it's such an experience. man...oh man...
One of the group leaders on the trip , Maite, became an awesome new friend to me! She is SO cool, and so much fun to be around. she's from Spain, and she works at the Univerisy of Navarra in the foriegn exchange student office, but she's 23 so we are all close in age, and DEF more like friends. The group was given some free time in the afternoon, so first we went down to the port with some of the other girls to lay in the sun, and then we split up, and Maite and i went back to las Ramblas, where we bought some gorgeous earrings made by this lady from Barcelona (SO awesome can't wait to show you!), and several rings. It was like this big craft-type thing,,but differnt. There was everything from flowers and food to jewelry, paintings, books, just so much. Megan was with us too :) Then we went and had some lunch, and i bought some awesome postcards i will be mailing to some of you hehe!! Julia was so awesome and packed me a tortilla de patata bocadillo large enough to basically last 3 meals haha (it was so big i almost couldn't fit it in my backpack in the beginning haha!), So i didn't have to buy lunch until today (sunday). Then we walked to this park, and took pictures, stuck our faces into the sun (mom just like u and i do !! and so for this i missed you!), and then walked back to plaza castillo. At four we met and then there was 3 different options of activities that the group could choose. I went to see la SAgrada Familia, this huge gorgeous church designed by Gaudi, the famous architect from Barcelona Spain. Barcelona is basically 'the home' of his work, so everything has this really eccletic, dreamy, sometime creepy-twisted look to it. Then on another hand some things are just absolutely gorgeous: mosaic-looking alot. The other options were to visit la casa mila (La pedrera): which is like an apartmente building he designed, or to el museu d'art contemporani de barcelona. I ended up seeing both the church (only the outside since the inside was gonna close in 30 min so we didn't want to pay for only short time), and then i paid to see la casa mila. They were both really interesting to see. I was bummed b/c my camera battery died for the house/apt tour, but my girlfriends promised they'd share with me. We got to even climb up to the roof of this place and look out over the city while the sun was setting. i"m telling you, i could describe this setting in another 2000 words to you, but i wont. but just know...it was awesome/incredible.
After this, some of the girls went back to the hostel to sleep b/4 supper b/c they were going to go out all night to party, but me and kristen, lise and megan went back to las ramblas. We went to a carrefour express (like a walmart sort of thing) to buy some snacks since it was only 7pm and we were hungy and knew we'd have to wait till about 10pm to eat b/c we were going to be meeting up with the group again. So we did this (bought diet coke, galletas, chocolate, fruit, and bread) and then went to a starbucks to sit since we were tired! Megan was able to buy her frappacino since she hadn't had one since! I had my coffee in paris, so i was alright! Then i was pumped b/c we quick ran in to H&M b/4 meeting in la plaza cataluna b/c i wanted to buy something for my hair b/c my new friend from Switzerland was going to teach me this gorgeous new way to fix my long hair (which she did today and i can't wait to show you!!), but i ended up finding my fave pair of skinny jeans that i found in SanSebastian. I"m telling u they are the best, so cute, and Pamplona doesn't have any. I wanted to buy another pair b/4 coming home hehe..so i was successful with that! i snatched them esp since they were the last in my size! and only 18 E! that's good for new and they will last me for years!
We all met then after and took the subway to this darker, scarrier part of town, but to this really neat , huge bar where we ordered pitchers of beer, and i had a pitcher of sangria with my 4 friends around me. Then we ordered food..it was like sandwiches with jamon, queso, and stuff like this..but guet this.. so me and the several ppl around me ended up ordering last, and they ran out of bread :( That sucked!!!! b/c i was starving and wanted some real food..but all we could order was patatas fritas! (french fries). so we did,,and they were greasy and good..but i felt so bad eating like that!---granted i hadn't eaten any for a long time..but still..it's like ive cleansed myself from them...so i didn't feel the greatest after. I did have a blast though talking and laughing with all the ppl here..we were at this long table. Then lise and i left b/4 all of them left to go party all night. I oculd have, but they were gonna stay out till 6am (and they did b/c they came into the room at 530 am this morning when i was sleeping n woke me up hehe!), and i just didn't want to have to cme back to hostel by myself earlier, so lise and i left but we took a little side turn b/4 we got back..i'll just say we found some dessert hehe (but it's a secret so we don't seem like little fatties!! ) I"m running tomorrow..or gonna try hehe!)
We got to sleep by 2 or 230am..so that was good.
Well this is only Sat, and Sunday (today in Barcelona) was even better, but it's 12:56, and i've just spent 56 minutes typing, so i must get to bed since i have 830 am class tomorrow :( however this is TO BE CONTINUED tomorrow and u will hear all about Sunday.
I wil be doing a better job of blogging now,,so you will be hearing from me! I have SO SO SO SO SO SO much to tell..b/c life is just so interesting here!
oh,,my nickname here i have to tell you is
"Lorena Morena" everyone call's me this..it's really kindof fun!
and "Conquistadora" this is b/c of the boys that have been interested..i'll have to fill u in on this tomorrow..but we just can't figure it out! They are lining up,,and my girlfriends bother me and say what is your secret tell us..etc etc..but i just don't know..but anyway i have some funny stories i will have to tell you definitely!
Until tomorrow,
All my love
Lorena Morena
We left on Friday morning around 10 am...and it was a group of about 35 people...about 15 girls from the University Navarra (my college) and then about 17 guys and 4 girls from the San Sebastian campus (studying engineering). It was a blast getting to know these people, and i met some Great, amazing new friends. It was so great for me! It was about a 5.5 hour bus ride, but i just LOVEd looking out the window, listening to music, and just thinking. This weekend really was awesome for the way that it provided me with time to think about my life, what i' have and continue to be learning, what has changed about me, what remains the same, what i'm thankful for, what i'm going to change in my life, etc. It was just really awesome :) Upon arrival, we unloaded our stuff off at our hostel, which was right off of the main drag in Barcelona (las Ramblas is this main drag street with awesome stores, mercados, interesting people, and also the most dangerous place to get stuff stolen), but anway,,,it was beautiful. And i was pumped b/c our hostel accomodations where wonderful..much better than what Kristen and I had had in Paris, (granted little do i know what this room cost since i just payed for the trip a fixed price), but anyway the room was quaint, and i was one of 10 of my old and new girlfriends on the trip. The boys had to stay in a different hostel (school rules). Anyhow, then we went on a walk down the main drag of Las Ramblas, explored a market, and walked down to the port where all of the boats where docked (this is the port to the Mediterranean Sea). (east side hehe). Anyhow, we just continued to walk around, and then wound up at a bar to eat potato chips and olives and drink (i drank water), but it was weired b/c this bar had closed their kitchen and it was only 9pm,,but that's early for Spain, so we then went to another bar after this since we all were hungry and wanted more food! It was fun b/c it was the majority of our large group, and we ordered 2 bottles of wine (the red wine was so good...better than what i drank in Olite),,,which i still have to tell ou about ..i took that trip last weekend hehe), and then others drank beer. However, i was so proud of myself b/c guess what i ate?...octopus and calamari! I really preferred the calamari, b/c the octopus was more squishy when i was chewing it hehe! It did have an alright flavor tho, and i just had to try it b/c i knew this bar is known for the seafood, b/c we are right on the Mediterranean, and when we walked in there was octopus sitting on the counter..with their tentacles, etc..i know it sounds gross, but this bar was so cool! I'm so proud i just did it..and to be honest, i wasn't afraid and i liked it! But that's another cool thing that's changed...the fact that i will try anything!!!--well PRACTICALLY anything hehe! Then me, Kristen, Megan, and Lise went to a McDonalds and bought icecream heehe..yes i know..i'm looking down guiltily as i write this..but we just felt like we needed it since we had the opportunity hehe! it was great fun! We all slept awesome that night. I"m telling you..i LOVED my bed there! I could have slept for 10 + hours in this bed..i was on the top bunk, but i had this cozy little light up there, and the mattress was more comfortable than what i have here,,(however it is very nice to be back to Julia's cooking and to see her !!).
Saturday morning, we had planned who would wake up in order to shower,,,so we had this domino affect that worked really awesome since there was only 2 showers, however i was really impressed with the bathrooms as well. They were clean, didn't smell, and it was just fun being with all my girlfriends. I felt like i was back in the dorms,,only with ALL of my best friends that i would want to be there (b/c that's what these girls have become here..we are sisters forever),,and it's just so fun meeting new ones too! Anyway, then we went to breakfast, and i'm teling you, i was just like a kid in a candy store. There was 3 kinds of cereal we could pick from (coco krispies, corn flakes (which i eat here every single day ugh..), but i love them now just cuz i'm thankful to get cereal in general,), and then this banana/nut ceral. Then there was juice, cold milk, toast and toasting makers, free oranges and apples, galletas (my new absolute FAVORITE COOKIES.) God you guys...this is off on a tangent but they are SO incredibly awesome..there's nothing to them..there just these plain think cookie-like crisps that have a honey flavor, but i'm telling you i eat them everyday. I don't think there's too many calories..hehe. but even if there is i don't care b/c i have never had anything like them, and then there was magdalenas (a muffin-type of thing) that is also SO good!!). Then, there was an open bar/cafe and i could order any hot drink i wanted, tea, cafe con leche, or whatever, so i always got cafe con leche (coffe with milk) since that is the typical type here in Spain. I think we all just went absolutely crazy with the food..even though it was your typicall continental breakfast, we all felt like we have been on survivor just WANTING these food..and being able to take and eat as much as you want!!!! i probably sound like such a little fatty hehe but seriously, i don't get to help mself to more breakfast when i'm here in pamplona since i'm served it and it's more normal to eat very small for breakfast ! (well brkfast is my favorite meal)! So no lie,,my friends were eating like 3 or 4 pieces of toast, we had strawberry marmelada, cafe con leche etc. i had two bowls of coco krispies and thought i'd died and gone to heaven hehe! ok..i'll move on..but you get the drift..the breakfast's we absolutely LIVED for!!!!! And it was in this huge room that looked out over the streets of Barcelona all lined with windows, so it was light and gorgeous in this room!
Then, we would meet the boys in la plaza catalana and then move on from there. It was this gorgeous, huge plaza that was filled with places to sit around it made of stone, many many many birds (often times we'd scream b/c a little kid would run into their flock on the ground and then they'd all take off towards us!!!), and two gorgeous fountains. The sun was so warm and the sky was so blue on sat..i couldn't believe the difference in weather between pamplona and Barc. it was like 60 or 65 on Sat..so beautiful. We had a tour of the Barrio Gotico by an Italian woman (friend of one of our leaders on the trip), and so she showed us this neighborhood. It was beautiful, and i took tons of amazing pictures of the thin streets lined with tall apartments in these old buildings with wrought-iron little decks off of them, filled with green plants and hues of red, purple, and yellow flowers peaking through. I seriously felt like i was walking right within a movie..far far away, that i'd always dreamed of being in. And it was real, i was alive, smelling, seeing, hearing, and feeling the moment. God,,this was my WHOLE weekend in Barcelona guys, and i'm teling you,,,amazing. I really needed this b/c i lost touch with myself for the past 2 weeks, and this trip was exactly what i needed. I found myself again, i got over a letdown with a boy, and really just returned to finding "lauren" which was SO awesome :) I just can't explain to you how awesome it was..and my understanding and rationalizing of things. i mean u just have this amazing time to think to yourself, to process things, to talk, to listen, to learn, ...it's incredible. I know who i am, and the neat thing is that no matter what happens to me, what i have to go through, or what i learn or see or experience, their are parts of me that will always be 'me' and it just feels so secure/safe & nice/good hehe to have that feeling. It's hard to explain to you, but i hope you can kindof understand. and then at the same time, while i'm experiencing these amazing trips, views, tours, etc, they are influencing who i am as well..it's such an experience. man...oh man...
One of the group leaders on the trip , Maite, became an awesome new friend to me! She is SO cool, and so much fun to be around. she's from Spain, and she works at the Univerisy of Navarra in the foriegn exchange student office, but she's 23 so we are all close in age, and DEF more like friends. The group was given some free time in the afternoon, so first we went down to the port with some of the other girls to lay in the sun, and then we split up, and Maite and i went back to las Ramblas, where we bought some gorgeous earrings made by this lady from Barcelona (SO awesome can't wait to show you!), and several rings. It was like this big craft-type thing,,but differnt. There was everything from flowers and food to jewelry, paintings, books, just so much. Megan was with us too :) Then we went and had some lunch, and i bought some awesome postcards i will be mailing to some of you hehe!! Julia was so awesome and packed me a tortilla de patata bocadillo large enough to basically last 3 meals haha (it was so big i almost couldn't fit it in my backpack in the beginning haha!), So i didn't have to buy lunch until today (sunday). Then we walked to this park, and took pictures, stuck our faces into the sun (mom just like u and i do !! and so for this i missed you!), and then walked back to plaza castillo. At four we met and then there was 3 different options of activities that the group could choose. I went to see la SAgrada Familia, this huge gorgeous church designed by Gaudi, the famous architect from Barcelona Spain. Barcelona is basically 'the home' of his work, so everything has this really eccletic, dreamy, sometime creepy-twisted look to it. Then on another hand some things are just absolutely gorgeous: mosaic-looking alot. The other options were to visit la casa mila (La pedrera): which is like an apartmente building he designed, or to el museu d'art contemporani de barcelona. I ended up seeing both the church (only the outside since the inside was gonna close in 30 min so we didn't want to pay for only short time), and then i paid to see la casa mila. They were both really interesting to see. I was bummed b/c my camera battery died for the house/apt tour, but my girlfriends promised they'd share with me. We got to even climb up to the roof of this place and look out over the city while the sun was setting. i"m telling you, i could describe this setting in another 2000 words to you, but i wont. but just know...it was awesome/incredible.
After this, some of the girls went back to the hostel to sleep b/4 supper b/c they were going to go out all night to party, but me and kristen, lise and megan went back to las ramblas. We went to a carrefour express (like a walmart sort of thing) to buy some snacks since it was only 7pm and we were hungy and knew we'd have to wait till about 10pm to eat b/c we were going to be meeting up with the group again. So we did this (bought diet coke, galletas, chocolate, fruit, and bread) and then went to a starbucks to sit since we were tired! Megan was able to buy her frappacino since she hadn't had one since! I had my coffee in paris, so i was alright! Then i was pumped b/c we quick ran in to H&M b/4 meeting in la plaza cataluna b/c i wanted to buy something for my hair b/c my new friend from Switzerland was going to teach me this gorgeous new way to fix my long hair (which she did today and i can't wait to show you!!), but i ended up finding my fave pair of skinny jeans that i found in SanSebastian. I"m telling u they are the best, so cute, and Pamplona doesn't have any. I wanted to buy another pair b/4 coming home hehe..so i was successful with that! i snatched them esp since they were the last in my size! and only 18 E! that's good for new and they will last me for years!
We all met then after and took the subway to this darker, scarrier part of town, but to this really neat , huge bar where we ordered pitchers of beer, and i had a pitcher of sangria with my 4 friends around me. Then we ordered food..it was like sandwiches with jamon, queso, and stuff like this..but guet this.. so me and the several ppl around me ended up ordering last, and they ran out of bread :( That sucked!!!! b/c i was starving and wanted some real food..but all we could order was patatas fritas! (french fries). so we did,,and they were greasy and good..but i felt so bad eating like that!---granted i hadn't eaten any for a long time..but still..it's like ive cleansed myself from them...so i didn't feel the greatest after. I did have a blast though talking and laughing with all the ppl here..we were at this long table. Then lise and i left b/4 all of them left to go party all night. I oculd have, but they were gonna stay out till 6am (and they did b/c they came into the room at 530 am this morning when i was sleeping n woke me up hehe!), and i just didn't want to have to cme back to hostel by myself earlier, so lise and i left but we took a little side turn b/4 we got back..i'll just say we found some dessert hehe (but it's a secret so we don't seem like little fatties!! ) I"m running tomorrow..or gonna try hehe!)
We got to sleep by 2 or 230am..so that was good.
Well this is only Sat, and Sunday (today in Barcelona) was even better, but it's 12:56, and i've just spent 56 minutes typing, so i must get to bed since i have 830 am class tomorrow :( however this is TO BE CONTINUED tomorrow and u will hear all about Sunday.
I wil be doing a better job of blogging now,,so you will be hearing from me! I have SO SO SO SO SO SO much to tell..b/c life is just so interesting here!
oh,,my nickname here i have to tell you is
"Lorena Morena" everyone call's me this..it's really kindof fun!
and "Conquistadora" this is b/c of the boys that have been interested..i'll have to fill u in on this tomorrow..but we just can't figure it out! They are lining up,,and my girlfriends bother me and say what is your secret tell us..etc etc..but i just don't know..but anyway i have some funny stories i will have to tell you definitely!
Until tomorrow,
All my love
Lorena Morena
Monday, March 8, 2010
Steps of "positivism"
Hi All,
Again another week begins, and a cold one at that here in Pamplona. We are in this 'incredibly deep' cold front that is expected to last about a week and a half, and boy let me tell you with the wind it bites. I pulled out the winter ski-jacket from Maribel today to walk to and from school, and even put the hood up b/c the wind was taking my hair everywhere. Today i had literature class from 8:30 am until 10 and i was a bit sad to learn that it was my last day with este professora. Me gusta ella mucha (i like her so much) she is my favorite. Her name is Palorma, and she is a graduate student here. I will be so sad for her to leave b/c she is just so caring, interesting, and such an amazing professor. I can't believe it..seriously she's one of the best spanish professors i've had, (next to Leonora Sillers :) but she is so positive and encouraging. I asked her if we could meet to have coffee sometime and she said next week, so i will meet her in Pamplona and we will talk. It's very neat b/c even though she is my professor, she is only a couple years older than me, and i think that we could be great friends. I really look forward to talking with her as well about writing: she wants to be a writer/teach writing, so,,,i want to talk to her about my book :-) !!
Conversation class was fine as usual, and then spent some time with marion, Eva, Saskia, and Melanie while they ate lunch. I love those girls. They are all from Germany (Alemania) and It's just amazing how these relationships can form. I feel so blessed. I walked to the post office today then after class to mail a letter to grandma. It's about a 40 min walk from the universidad, and b/c it's cold this was a bit uncomfortable, but i had my ipod on and sang the whole way. I think it was probably funny to the people around me because they were looking at me hehe.
Anyway, as I was walking through the park (la ciudadela), as i was looking down, i see this message written on the sidewalk that says..."Do well." It reminded me of those messages on the bilboards in Fargo that say "SMILE" or "SAY Thankyou" or whatever. So, it made me smile and i continued on.
Well then about 2 minutes down the way, i see another message that says "Be thankful". So by this time i'm intrigued, and it' became sort of a game! As i continued, i stepped across "Be truthful" and then "Don't stop". It really amazed me how something as little as this impacted me at that moment. Painted somewhat 'crooked' across my path, just these simple statements changed my whole tune for the day. It really goes to remind me that so often it's so easy to be influenced by others--at times negatively, but at times positively. Seeing something like this goes to show there are still good-hearted people in this world, and i think we need to see that more often. There are things i haven't written about in this blog, but someday you will know the whole story, and i can explain how some experiences here /influeces from others have impacted my life, and changed the way i see things, the way i think, and added to the amount of strength i have in my heart to move forward. I just want to explain so much to you! the most important thing, is i'm a better person for these things, and i am getting practice from the best situations, and the shitty ones too. It's almost like i train my mind...it's a bit sad at times b/c i think,, "well, i should have known this all along" when something didn't work out let's say, but what i'm starting to see is that it was more important that i took that path, that i through my heart out there, that i took the risk, despite the fact that it probably wont work out. At times i feel i should be more careful to protect my heart, but then how do u EVER experience the amazing things life has to offer if u don't ever take the risk? I think that is so important, and that is someting so grand i'm learning. So if/when im grieving, i think the best thing to tell myself is.."Yah but Lauren,,,think about what would be if you never even would have TAKEN that chance,,gone on that date, danced with him, taken the trip, said what was on your mind"!!! I would much rather have experienced and be sad for a short while then wonder and wonder and wonder for the rest of my life "What if"...All these moments i'm having are steps of positivism for me ...even if they hurt at times. You have to do things that scare you, (keeping your sanity of course) but you get what i'm trying to say. I also think there's a lot to be said for 'letting your "hair-down" sometimes'. More on this in the future.
This afternoon i took a 3 hour nap. It was amazing. I even crawled under the covers, and was so warm and cozy. I figured i'd sleep 1.5 hours or so, but i didn't set my alarm b/c i wanted to just relax. 7 pm i wake up and everything was dark outside, so for a moment i freaked. I wasn't sure if i missed classes, if i'd slept the entire night, or what! But all in all, it was good :) I never allow myself to do this when i'm studying at Concordia.
Tonight was interesting: i was able to talk with some friends, write, write, write, nd skype with mom and Lady for about an hour. It's always nice to have a piece of home :)
Im gonna cut this short now, but i promise this is only a taste of what is going on, and you will get more in the future :) I will still write about Friday and Saturday. I promise.
All my love,
Lauren
Again another week begins, and a cold one at that here in Pamplona. We are in this 'incredibly deep' cold front that is expected to last about a week and a half, and boy let me tell you with the wind it bites. I pulled out the winter ski-jacket from Maribel today to walk to and from school, and even put the hood up b/c the wind was taking my hair everywhere. Today i had literature class from 8:30 am until 10 and i was a bit sad to learn that it was my last day with este professora. Me gusta ella mucha (i like her so much) she is my favorite. Her name is Palorma, and she is a graduate student here. I will be so sad for her to leave b/c she is just so caring, interesting, and such an amazing professor. I can't believe it..seriously she's one of the best spanish professors i've had, (next to Leonora Sillers :) but she is so positive and encouraging. I asked her if we could meet to have coffee sometime and she said next week, so i will meet her in Pamplona and we will talk. It's very neat b/c even though she is my professor, she is only a couple years older than me, and i think that we could be great friends. I really look forward to talking with her as well about writing: she wants to be a writer/teach writing, so,,,i want to talk to her about my book :-) !!
Conversation class was fine as usual, and then spent some time with marion, Eva, Saskia, and Melanie while they ate lunch. I love those girls. They are all from Germany (Alemania) and It's just amazing how these relationships can form. I feel so blessed. I walked to the post office today then after class to mail a letter to grandma. It's about a 40 min walk from the universidad, and b/c it's cold this was a bit uncomfortable, but i had my ipod on and sang the whole way. I think it was probably funny to the people around me because they were looking at me hehe.
Anyway, as I was walking through the park (la ciudadela), as i was looking down, i see this message written on the sidewalk that says..."Do well." It reminded me of those messages on the bilboards in Fargo that say "SMILE" or "SAY Thankyou" or whatever. So, it made me smile and i continued on.
Well then about 2 minutes down the way, i see another message that says "Be thankful". So by this time i'm intrigued, and it' became sort of a game! As i continued, i stepped across "Be truthful" and then "Don't stop". It really amazed me how something as little as this impacted me at that moment. Painted somewhat 'crooked' across my path, just these simple statements changed my whole tune for the day. It really goes to remind me that so often it's so easy to be influenced by others--at times negatively, but at times positively. Seeing something like this goes to show there are still good-hearted people in this world, and i think we need to see that more often. There are things i haven't written about in this blog, but someday you will know the whole story, and i can explain how some experiences here /influeces from others have impacted my life, and changed the way i see things, the way i think, and added to the amount of strength i have in my heart to move forward. I just want to explain so much to you! the most important thing, is i'm a better person for these things, and i am getting practice from the best situations, and the shitty ones too. It's almost like i train my mind...it's a bit sad at times b/c i think,, "well, i should have known this all along" when something didn't work out let's say, but what i'm starting to see is that it was more important that i took that path, that i through my heart out there, that i took the risk, despite the fact that it probably wont work out. At times i feel i should be more careful to protect my heart, but then how do u EVER experience the amazing things life has to offer if u don't ever take the risk? I think that is so important, and that is someting so grand i'm learning. So if/when im grieving, i think the best thing to tell myself is.."Yah but Lauren,,,think about what would be if you never even would have TAKEN that chance,,gone on that date, danced with him, taken the trip, said what was on your mind"!!! I would much rather have experienced and be sad for a short while then wonder and wonder and wonder for the rest of my life "What if"...All these moments i'm having are steps of positivism for me ...even if they hurt at times. You have to do things that scare you, (keeping your sanity of course) but you get what i'm trying to say. I also think there's a lot to be said for 'letting your "hair-down" sometimes'. More on this in the future.
This afternoon i took a 3 hour nap. It was amazing. I even crawled under the covers, and was so warm and cozy. I figured i'd sleep 1.5 hours or so, but i didn't set my alarm b/c i wanted to just relax. 7 pm i wake up and everything was dark outside, so for a moment i freaked. I wasn't sure if i missed classes, if i'd slept the entire night, or what! But all in all, it was good :) I never allow myself to do this when i'm studying at Concordia.
Tonight was interesting: i was able to talk with some friends, write, write, write, nd skype with mom and Lady for about an hour. It's always nice to have a piece of home :)
Im gonna cut this short now, but i promise this is only a taste of what is going on, and you will get more in the future :) I will still write about Friday and Saturday. I promise.
All my love,
Lauren
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Los sujetos de mi alma
Hey:I'm really lagging behind and i have SO much to write...so i will warn you that within the next few days there will hopefully be a LOT on here for you all to read :-) My reasonings for being behind include that Friday i went out with a new friend all afternoon, then to a fabulous/interesting theater production in a town on the outskirts of Pamplona in the night,
Sat i went to the pueblo Olite all day and absolutely loved it :) ( i will tell you all about this),
And then in the evening celebrated my birthday !It was the best celebration i've ever had and i can't wait to tell you about thattoo! Today i spent the afternoon with my best friend Marion in el parque taconera where we just enjoyed the sun (not the wind..it's gotten cold brrrr) and talked, walked, and then took a coffee at Cafe Iruna. It was wonderful. Tonight i then finished by going to mass, and spending the evening with Maribel and their family. It was so very nice. I will leave you with this poem i just finished writing for my literature class. It is due tomorrow, and i still need to write it out fresh on a new page (by hand), but i will translate it to English my best i can and let you dwell on this thought. or i should say thoughtS.
All my love, and until tomorrow
Lauren
"The Subjects of my Soul"
The subjects of my soul cannot be limited to one thing or idea
but rather a grand aura of ideas, of passions, of desires, and aspirations.
The subjests of my soul i'm not able to describe in one phrase or in two or three,
but rather in metafors, through grand visions
However, even these don't do justice to explain these subjects like they really are, and to explain how they really feel within my soul.
One subject of my soul is like an immense view of the ocean
my immagination moves with the waves
It moves with tenacity; never stopping..only and always moving forward.
My goals have no limits, like the horizon on the ocean
They are grand; they are difficult; they are beautiful; they scare me.
These goals will become my reality
however right now they are uncertainties.
One subject of my soul is to dream.
One subject of my soul is like a huge tree with it's thousands of leaves.
At times these leaves green and vibrant
other times brown and dry
Each and every one a special part of me.
There are moments in which varias leaves fall: they die
These moments are sad; cold;
a change occurs that I don't like; that i struggle with
I don't forget these leaves
My soul crys, my heart has pain
because i have lost a part of me, regardless of whether it was good or bad.
I know that a new season is already on it's way
but when?
How long must i wait?
One subject of my soul es patience; with friends, with family, with everyone in the world.
It's to love and to be loved
It's to find the 'One'.
One subject of my soul is like an enormous montain
My desires are at the top,
and always i am looking up; at how I will climb that beastly, sometimes ugly,
thing.
But,
What happens when I reach the top?
Am I able to cry because my endeavor is over?
Should i smile and laugh because i've conquered it?
Should i look forward, or should i look back? And how long can i spend doing this?
One subject of my soul is the exploration:
a trip
a study
a discovery
One subject of my soul is the 'unmasking' of life
With each day that passes, my soul gains new pieces of me
through people
through experiences
through places
With each year, my soul loses pieces of me
good pieces of me, and bad.
However, the subjects of my soul withstand it all.
The subjects of my soul are of dreams
they are of love
they are of the trip of life
they are of my discoveries,
my lessons
my failures.
No one can take these subjects of my soul
and for this,
I will always have
my individuality
and my identity.
Sat i went to the pueblo Olite all day and absolutely loved it :) ( i will tell you all about this),
And then in the evening celebrated my birthday !It was the best celebration i've ever had and i can't wait to tell you about thattoo! Today i spent the afternoon with my best friend Marion in el parque taconera where we just enjoyed the sun (not the wind..it's gotten cold brrrr) and talked, walked, and then took a coffee at Cafe Iruna. It was wonderful. Tonight i then finished by going to mass, and spending the evening with Maribel and their family. It was so very nice. I will leave you with this poem i just finished writing for my literature class. It is due tomorrow, and i still need to write it out fresh on a new page (by hand), but i will translate it to English my best i can and let you dwell on this thought. or i should say thoughtS.
All my love, and until tomorrow
Lauren
"The Subjects of my Soul"
The subjects of my soul cannot be limited to one thing or idea
but rather a grand aura of ideas, of passions, of desires, and aspirations.
The subjests of my soul i'm not able to describe in one phrase or in two or three,
but rather in metafors, through grand visions
However, even these don't do justice to explain these subjects like they really are, and to explain how they really feel within my soul.
One subject of my soul is like an immense view of the ocean
my immagination moves with the waves
It moves with tenacity; never stopping..only and always moving forward.
My goals have no limits, like the horizon on the ocean
They are grand; they are difficult; they are beautiful; they scare me.
These goals will become my reality
however right now they are uncertainties.
One subject of my soul is to dream.
One subject of my soul is like a huge tree with it's thousands of leaves.
At times these leaves green and vibrant
other times brown and dry
Each and every one a special part of me.
There are moments in which varias leaves fall: they die
These moments are sad; cold;
a change occurs that I don't like; that i struggle with
I don't forget these leaves
My soul crys, my heart has pain
because i have lost a part of me, regardless of whether it was good or bad.
I know that a new season is already on it's way
but when?
How long must i wait?
One subject of my soul es patience; with friends, with family, with everyone in the world.
It's to love and to be loved
It's to find the 'One'.
One subject of my soul is like an enormous montain
My desires are at the top,
and always i am looking up; at how I will climb that beastly, sometimes ugly,
thing.
But,
What happens when I reach the top?
Am I able to cry because my endeavor is over?
Should i smile and laugh because i've conquered it?
Should i look forward, or should i look back? And how long can i spend doing this?
One subject of my soul is the exploration:
a trip
a study
a discovery
One subject of my soul is the 'unmasking' of life
With each day that passes, my soul gains new pieces of me
through people
through experiences
through places
With each year, my soul loses pieces of me
good pieces of me, and bad.
However, the subjects of my soul withstand it all.
The subjects of my soul are of dreams
they are of love
they are of the trip of life
they are of my discoveries,
my lessons
my failures.
No one can take these subjects of my soul
and for this,
I will always have
my individuality
and my identity.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A new decade begins, and i'll never forget the first day
First, I must begin by thanking each and every one of you that thought of me today and or wished me well :)I can't believe how many called me, wrote me, and just surprised me in general. As of now, I've recieved 54 messages on my facebook, 4 phone calls, 2 texts, 1 skype, 3 cards in the mail...two of which arrived on the day :), and 2 celebrations..3 if i count the mini one we had after dance with Ruben ha!! This morning, it was a little hard b/c it wasn't the same not being home..but that's bc that's all I've ever known. I didn't have any plans, or any idea of my day..bt let me tell you, sometimes the unknown is the best b/c everything is a surprise, and wonderful <3 I will begin!
I know i lacked yesterday, so i will do today first, and if time i'll fill you in on yesterday too. As i said i'd been busy studying as i had a large midsem exam this morning. so all during breakfast i studied ,,but it was cute b/c when Julia walked in the kitchen, she gave me two kisses on the cheek, and tugged on each of my ears gently hehe! That is tradition here i guess on your birthday ! It was cute. then i was off to school :) My test was fine..it's hard to say how well..but we'll see. I was prepped as best i could do myself. Then i had convo class, and despues (after), i went to the medschool to sit in on Physiology! I absolutely loved it! I went with one of my girlfriends i met here early on at orientation. I don't see her a lot b/c she is a 3rd yr med student and she has to study a lot, but i'm going to audit this class now..(go and sit in and listen). It was all in Spanish of course, and there were probably close to 100 students in the class, but i was so in awe at how much of it i understood! When the doctor talked about Bowman's capsule, and the contracting Sodium and potassium and ATP in the valves of the heart, i was so excited b/c i was understanding this too!---remembering it from Dr. Rutherfords class :) So anyhow, it was very intense, but i really think it'll be good for me b/c it's going to give me another thing to wrap my mind around; another thing that will challenge me while i'm thinking...yet not causing me stress to actually perform and understand EVERYTHING.
When i left the university, I had recieved a phone call from my girlfriends and they all sang to me happy birthday on my phone. It made my day. i could have cried. they wanted to take me out b/c they said they'd gotten me gifts..so we planned meeting at our fave little cafe at 4. Then i walked home. It was so cute...bc when i walked in my room, there was a gift sitting on my bed that i didn't recognize, and Julia went and got the mail and gave me two more special cards from home..one from my family and the other from a close special friend. One of Julia's sons made me a disc of all of the Marisol y Rocio peliculas (movies). They are from the 40's or 50's and are old films that her and I love to watch. It was really specail he did this. I hope it works with my formatting i have. Also, Carlos andJavier called me too. And Maria Josefa in Zaragoza too! It was so fun to sit down and read my cards, and think, and just be in that moment. I then turned my comput. on and was able to enjoy some of the many messages too! One of my best friends called too, Marion, and it MADE my day to talk to her! I missd her today..and i only haven't seen her for 1 day. What will i do when i come home?!! For lunch, Julia made one of my favorite things..This vegetable dish that has califlower and this lettuce type of thing that has been soaked in water/olive oil, and something else..i know it sounds weired but it's so good. So I enjoyed that, and then i had chicken with bread. For dessert, she had made a tarta (cake)..she didn't actually bake the cake b/c she doesn't have an oven here, but she bought la tarta, and then she had poured this drink on it (it's a licor that DArla you would know but i don't remember the name..plus it's in Spanish hehe!), but anyway that makes it soft, and then she made a special creme (vanilla) and also melted chocolate for the top. It was different, but seriously cake is cake to me. Not the same as my annual carrot cake, but i wil celebrate with that when i get home :) Anyhow, so we took some pretty cute pictures, we laughedso hard that we started crying, and had some awesome conversations. Before she took the pictures, it ws so funny b/c she went to the cupboard and she pulled out all this bottles of licor and put them on the table to be in the picture hehe!!!! It was so hilarious you guys im not kidding! Then she gave me a shot of Pacharan, which is anise flavored licor. I really liked it, but she wanted me to drink it fast, so i did, but i would have loved to just sip it! It was so good! Boy did we laugh tho! YOu'll have to check out the pics on facebook and then you'll understand why hehe!
After lunch,, i got to skpye with my family. Dad and Ben were on their way out the door, but I got to talk with mom and lady for 1 hour! It was so nice...it's different bein away from my mama on my bday..especially since it's her bdy too..(well u know what i mean <3) anyhow, we had our time together, so that was nice.
Then, my girlfriends picked me up and we went to the cafe. They bought me cafe con leche, and we talked and LAUGHED o god did we laugh. I laughed so hard at skyla that i almost could have peed my pants, and my tummy hurt b/c i was laughing so hard and so long. It was SO incredibly good for me :) They all bought me chocolate,different kinds even!!!...and we have this huge joke about how i love the choc here..so of course that provoked more laughs :) Then to mke the night even more exciting, Kristen, Kristen, and I headed over to dance class. By this time the Pacharan shot had nicely given me a little silly-ness,,then added with some chocolate, and cafe con leche...dancing was great hehe! And my partner was there now..we've gotten to be really good friends now, and he's so fun, so that was fun too. And Nerea made it so fun tonight...God i love dance class..seriously,,then they had me laughing so hard i did start to pee my pants..oh goodness...! lol... Anyhow, after I interviewed Ruben for this class project i'm doing, and then Kristen, Kristen, he and I all talked for awhile. It was a blast! He is so patient and helpful to us as we talk spanish. It's so great to practice, and he teaches me a lot too!
Kristen and Kristen came back to my piso, and Maribel and her son Inaki came too, and we all had more birthday cake (tarta) and then..hahahah get this..Julia brought out more licor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it was different from the stuff earlier..Oh my god you guys...she was SO funny today! But we drank this peach-flavored licor and it was seriously my favorite new thing. So good. And she had a bottle of red wine, and something else...but we didn't feel like getting to that ! We all enjoyed talking with Maribel, taking more pictures, and then the girls left for home. Julia and I had la cena (just some soup), and we enjoyed talking about my day, all the wishes i recieved, boys (we talk about boys a lot haha!), and my life to come in my twenties :) It really is a very exciting time to come i think...and i am out of the slump i was last week. It really does feel different to be 20 i think..b/c i've changed..and i like the change..my outlook is open, free, optimistic, and the possibilites are endless. Its so excites me to think that if my life can change so rapidly in just 2.5 months, if i can meet so many amazing new people that can change my life is such a positive way...i can't even imagine what this new decade will bring.
Tonight, when i finaly got to my computer and was able to see my facebook, i still can't believe that i ha 54 messages, and to tell you that i am still recieving them. Wishes from Germany, Japan, the U.S., people from Spain here, ...so many wonderful people. I am truly so blessed and lucky for everything i've been givin.
One other funny thing i have to say..this is an awkward spot to write it but owell..so tonight while Julia and I were eating our soup and talking...you know what she says to me?!?! That of ALL the girls that have lived with her over the years, she has never seen one that has as pretty panties as i do!!!!!! At first i didn't understand b/c i didn't know the word for panties in spanish, but then as she explained to me i could only just giggle. I tried to explain Victoria's Secret to her, but i'm not sure she got it! Anyway, we laughed when i told her the only people that really get to enjoy them are me and then the person that washes them hehe! Owell,,, i only need to know they're pretty anway hehe!
Last night we enjoyed watching Mira Quien Baile. It was fun...i can't study though wen i watch, so i didn't get to see the end. Butthe test is more important anyway.. ha.
Anyhow, i guess i should prob get to bed..there are 5 more min of March 4 2010 according to my computer clock now, but again, i can't say enough how blessed i feel, and how Ready i am to start this next chapter in my life. Look out world, b/c here i come!
All my love,
Love Lauren
I know i lacked yesterday, so i will do today first, and if time i'll fill you in on yesterday too. As i said i'd been busy studying as i had a large midsem exam this morning. so all during breakfast i studied ,,but it was cute b/c when Julia walked in the kitchen, she gave me two kisses on the cheek, and tugged on each of my ears gently hehe! That is tradition here i guess on your birthday ! It was cute. then i was off to school :) My test was fine..it's hard to say how well..but we'll see. I was prepped as best i could do myself. Then i had convo class, and despues (after), i went to the medschool to sit in on Physiology! I absolutely loved it! I went with one of my girlfriends i met here early on at orientation. I don't see her a lot b/c she is a 3rd yr med student and she has to study a lot, but i'm going to audit this class now..(go and sit in and listen). It was all in Spanish of course, and there were probably close to 100 students in the class, but i was so in awe at how much of it i understood! When the doctor talked about Bowman's capsule, and the contracting Sodium and potassium and ATP in the valves of the heart, i was so excited b/c i was understanding this too!---remembering it from Dr. Rutherfords class :) So anyhow, it was very intense, but i really think it'll be good for me b/c it's going to give me another thing to wrap my mind around; another thing that will challenge me while i'm thinking...yet not causing me stress to actually perform and understand EVERYTHING.
When i left the university, I had recieved a phone call from my girlfriends and they all sang to me happy birthday on my phone. It made my day. i could have cried. they wanted to take me out b/c they said they'd gotten me gifts..so we planned meeting at our fave little cafe at 4. Then i walked home. It was so cute...bc when i walked in my room, there was a gift sitting on my bed that i didn't recognize, and Julia went and got the mail and gave me two more special cards from home..one from my family and the other from a close special friend. One of Julia's sons made me a disc of all of the Marisol y Rocio peliculas (movies). They are from the 40's or 50's and are old films that her and I love to watch. It was really specail he did this. I hope it works with my formatting i have. Also, Carlos andJavier called me too. And Maria Josefa in Zaragoza too! It was so fun to sit down and read my cards, and think, and just be in that moment. I then turned my comput. on and was able to enjoy some of the many messages too! One of my best friends called too, Marion, and it MADE my day to talk to her! I missd her today..and i only haven't seen her for 1 day. What will i do when i come home?!! For lunch, Julia made one of my favorite things..This vegetable dish that has califlower and this lettuce type of thing that has been soaked in water/olive oil, and something else..i know it sounds weired but it's so good. So I enjoyed that, and then i had chicken with bread. For dessert, she had made a tarta (cake)..she didn't actually bake the cake b/c she doesn't have an oven here, but she bought la tarta, and then she had poured this drink on it (it's a licor that DArla you would know but i don't remember the name..plus it's in Spanish hehe!), but anyway that makes it soft, and then she made a special creme (vanilla) and also melted chocolate for the top. It was different, but seriously cake is cake to me. Not the same as my annual carrot cake, but i wil celebrate with that when i get home :) Anyhow, so we took some pretty cute pictures, we laughedso hard that we started crying, and had some awesome conversations. Before she took the pictures, it ws so funny b/c she went to the cupboard and she pulled out all this bottles of licor and put them on the table to be in the picture hehe!!!! It was so hilarious you guys im not kidding! Then she gave me a shot of Pacharan, which is anise flavored licor. I really liked it, but she wanted me to drink it fast, so i did, but i would have loved to just sip it! It was so good! Boy did we laugh tho! YOu'll have to check out the pics on facebook and then you'll understand why hehe!
After lunch,, i got to skpye with my family. Dad and Ben were on their way out the door, but I got to talk with mom and lady for 1 hour! It was so nice...it's different bein away from my mama on my bday..especially since it's her bdy too..(well u know what i mean <3) anyhow, we had our time together, so that was nice.
Then, my girlfriends picked me up and we went to the cafe. They bought me cafe con leche, and we talked and LAUGHED o god did we laugh. I laughed so hard at skyla that i almost could have peed my pants, and my tummy hurt b/c i was laughing so hard and so long. It was SO incredibly good for me :) They all bought me chocolate,different kinds even!!!...and we have this huge joke about how i love the choc here..so of course that provoked more laughs :) Then to mke the night even more exciting, Kristen, Kristen, and I headed over to dance class. By this time the Pacharan shot had nicely given me a little silly-ness,,then added with some chocolate, and cafe con leche...dancing was great hehe! And my partner was there now..we've gotten to be really good friends now, and he's so fun, so that was fun too. And Nerea made it so fun tonight...God i love dance class..seriously,,then they had me laughing so hard i did start to pee my pants..oh goodness...! lol... Anyhow, after I interviewed Ruben for this class project i'm doing, and then Kristen, Kristen, he and I all talked for awhile. It was a blast! He is so patient and helpful to us as we talk spanish. It's so great to practice, and he teaches me a lot too!
Kristen and Kristen came back to my piso, and Maribel and her son Inaki came too, and we all had more birthday cake (tarta) and then..hahahah get this..Julia brought out more licor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it was different from the stuff earlier..Oh my god you guys...she was SO funny today! But we drank this peach-flavored licor and it was seriously my favorite new thing. So good. And she had a bottle of red wine, and something else...but we didn't feel like getting to that ! We all enjoyed talking with Maribel, taking more pictures, and then the girls left for home. Julia and I had la cena (just some soup), and we enjoyed talking about my day, all the wishes i recieved, boys (we talk about boys a lot haha!), and my life to come in my twenties :) It really is a very exciting time to come i think...and i am out of the slump i was last week. It really does feel different to be 20 i think..b/c i've changed..and i like the change..my outlook is open, free, optimistic, and the possibilites are endless. Its so excites me to think that if my life can change so rapidly in just 2.5 months, if i can meet so many amazing new people that can change my life is such a positive way...i can't even imagine what this new decade will bring.
Tonight, when i finaly got to my computer and was able to see my facebook, i still can't believe that i ha 54 messages, and to tell you that i am still recieving them. Wishes from Germany, Japan, the U.S., people from Spain here, ...so many wonderful people. I am truly so blessed and lucky for everything i've been givin.
One other funny thing i have to say..this is an awkward spot to write it but owell..so tonight while Julia and I were eating our soup and talking...you know what she says to me?!?! That of ALL the girls that have lived with her over the years, she has never seen one that has as pretty panties as i do!!!!!! At first i didn't understand b/c i didn't know the word for panties in spanish, but then as she explained to me i could only just giggle. I tried to explain Victoria's Secret to her, but i'm not sure she got it! Anyway, we laughed when i told her the only people that really get to enjoy them are me and then the person that washes them hehe! Owell,,, i only need to know they're pretty anway hehe!
Last night we enjoyed watching Mira Quien Baile. It was fun...i can't study though wen i watch, so i didn't get to see the end. Butthe test is more important anyway.. ha.
Anyhow, i guess i should prob get to bed..there are 5 more min of March 4 2010 according to my computer clock now, but again, i can't say enough how blessed i feel, and how Ready i am to start this next chapter in my life. Look out world, b/c here i come!
All my love,
Love Lauren
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Crema de Cocoa, studying, dancing, and laughing, & living in the moment
Yes i know..that is a long title, but it really sums up my Tuesday :) Today was just..hum...a nice day :) I can't believe how they fly, but i've really just decided i have to soak this ALL up. Classes went very well today. I don't like my grammar class as much anymore,,,it just doesn't help me the way i need it to, but i'm studying it extra hard for this,,and then we presented our huge project in Civ/Culture class that we've been working on for 1 month. I thought that we did great!-and it feels nice to have it done with. Now we will get a new professor (graduate student) on Friday, since maria, the one we've had is done now. There are two students splitting teaching our class..but i really liked Maria !! Hopefully Beatriz is great too. Anyhow, after that i went to the library and studied until 2pm or so. It was good to continue to review these stupid confusing pronouns haha,,however i'm happy to say while studyingthem this afternoon they were coming right along. Today for lunch we kindof just had left-overs, but that was ok with me b/c i just cant eat so much all the time..so Julia gives me a hard time that i cause her to have left-overs..but i'd rather it be that way! Ha i still feel like i eat a ton! anyway, i least when i stood on the scale on Monday, it said i'd lost some weight, so that was a huge surprise since i'm eating more than i ever have it feels like haha..!! It's gotta be the walking, dancing, and running. Anyhow, i took a rest this afternoon on my bed that consisted of covering up with my wonderful blanket Julia's givenme here, my lovey, and my book. That lasted about 10 min and then i was out :) I got about 15 min of shut-eye b/4 my alarm went for dance.
Tonight was fun at Dance..Gosh i just love that i know i say it every time but i really do. im gonna say again, Nerea is SO AWESOME. Tonight my partner was gone :( but i had a blast anyway dancing with Nerea. We worked on the ChaChaCha, and then we started the Salsa! Ok..so ive finally found one reason it's great that my ass is so big...and that is b/c dancing the salsa with it is SO much fun! It's like you WANT your curves to be able to move your body to the music,etc. so i just love what i've got when i dance this hehehe..I guess maybe i need to dance salsa everyday so i can feel this way hehe :) Anyhow, it was great! Thursday i am excited to go back. I just wish i had it every day! We laugh so hard too, and it was funny b/c they were making fun of me that they thought i'd had something to drink last time b/c i was just smiling all the time and then i was like..absolutely not hah! Kristen and KRisten too,,,we all just smile! It's so awesome..the best medicine for anything. I forget about everything and just dance. Plus the music Nerea has is awesome. I'm so excited for Friday night to go to her performance! i"ll tel you more about that later!
Tonight it was so much fun when i got home. I love my host family SO much! Tonight, Maria Josefa is staying with us again b/c she had another checkup for her breast cancer today. I"m so happy b/c everything is good for her. She is the neatest women, and we enjoy talking alot. She was here for 3 nights last week as she was doctoring in pamplona, and she gave me the most beautiful crucifix with Jesus that she got from Jerusalem: her sister is there. It meant SO much to me. Now, every time i pray i holdit in my hands and i have it with me all the time. It's like he's with me then all the time. I even hold it all through church :) Anyway, it's so special to me and i will cherish it for the rest of my life in so many moments. Inaki (Julia's 10 year old grandson) was here too, with his Mom Maribel. Maribel was dropping him off to stay since she was going to her tennis team tonight. I love Inaki...This is so funny so i have to tel you what happened.
So normally during the week, Julia goes over to there piso (Maribel's) and helps with laundry, cooking, etc.. (i love this idea...hint hint hey mom maybe you could live just down the street for me to babysit my kids and cook and do laundry hehe) Anyway, so a few weeks ago, i'm sitting in the kitchen in our piso, and i see this pack of cigarettes sitting on the radiator. Im thinking..ok, what the heck,,first of all, Julia doesn't smoke, and 2nd of all, Why are there wet cigarrettes in a box drying in our kitchen on the radiator hahahah!!!!???!!! Anyhow, so i ask Julia, and she tells me that when she's at Maribels house during the day and she's cleaning or tidying, she will often times find these wet boxes of cigarrettes in the garbage. She knows that it's either Inoa (the 14yrold girl) or Inaki b/c they don't want their mom to smoke. Maribel smokes some times, and so she will have them on hand. So when this happened he first time i laughed. But then 1.5 weeks later, when i came home and saw another pack drying on the radiator again, i really had to laugh. But Julia just shakes her head. So ...where im going with this is today,,when i came home from school there was another box drying on the radiator, so tonight, as i walk in the door from dance and i'm standing in the living room listening to Julia, Maribel, and Maria Josefa talk, and Inaki sits at the table working on is homework, Julia says to me, "Lauren, ask Inaki if he's the one who puts the cigarrettes in water!?" And she says this to me IN FRONT OF MARIBEL!!!! I was thinking o god...and Inaki got this funny look/smirk on his face. He smiled and looked down and said well "yes Inoa and I both do it". Julia was mad at him b/c she was trying to explain how expensive cigarrettes are and how instead he should just give them to her and she will give them to her other son Carlos and his wife Eva since they smoke all the time. Oh my goodness!!!..so we have this argument going on..!!! Anyhow, i wish i could have had a tape recorder b/c it really was quite hilarious, however, Maribel had to leave, and the talking hushed down, and the i went to Inaki and in English (b/c no one else understands english sufficiently except for the grandkids snce they're learning it),,i told him good job and that it was good he was wetting the cigarrettes. I kindof felt like a bad-guy, going against Julia and Maribel, but really Maribel i think inside is thankful they do it, b/c she didn't seem to be nearly as mad as Julia. I don't think she does anything/punishes the kids for doing that. It might actually help her. Who knows..but anyway, he just smiled and said yes i know..he said he will catch her in the dark sometimes smoking..and then he'll flip the light and see her standing there...it's a little sad, but i'm glad they're tryng to eliminate it.oh wat a funny saga! I wonder how many more packages will be drying on our kitchen radiator over the course of my time here living with Julia heheheh! Oh how i love this drama, b/c it is just so different from what i'm used to in such a refreshing way.
Another i want to make note of..is that the people here are just so beautiful. I'm not kidding you i don't think i've ever seen as many beautiful people in my life as i have while being here in Europe. I just want to stay so i can somehow 'transform' hehe :) hopefully i take some back with me hehe!!
Tonight, i am all clean and ready for bed. by the end ofmy days i am SO tired, but i love my bed here. I've been sleeping so good now, so that is nice. If anything, i just am reminding myself to live in the moment. It's SO hard sometimes, but it's really what you have to do. I am such a dreamer, and i love to think about the future and what my life has in store for me, but i'm really realizing that you can't seek happiness in anything or in any place but only within the moment that you have right then and there. (Easier said than done) but i will keep up this :)
My new favorite (sinful) indulgence: Crema de cocoa: it's probably the fattiest, thing i could eat, but it's like pb here but choc. It's better..i don't need peanut butter anymore guys! haha. I eat this with a sppoon &or put it on crackers and i'm telling you it's so amazing. God i'm crazy. As long as i'm exercising heheh.
Julia made this amazing dessert for me today too..it was so good it was called Torrijas. It's Inaki's favorite thing too. You take dry bread (from the good long sticks of bread we eat here), and then cut it in some pieces, and soak it in milk and honey. Then she frys it in olive oil and an egg so that it gets a little crunch to it after it's soaked in the honey. Then she puts oodles of cinnamon and sugar on top of it. I'm telling you..So amazing with my cup of hot green tea after lunch today :) I'm a lucky girl. HOw did i get so lucky again to live with her. I can't count how many lucky stars i've been blessed with, and for all the rough, unfortunate things i've dealt with thus far, it's days or even moments like this that make up for it 10 times...and i really see first had what is most important.
I know this was a long one, but i hope you enjoyed it! I"ll cherish these blogs forever..it's my fast way of keeping a diary and i can type everything.
All my love to you,
Love Lauren
Tonight was fun at Dance..Gosh i just love that i know i say it every time but i really do. im gonna say again, Nerea is SO AWESOME. Tonight my partner was gone :( but i had a blast anyway dancing with Nerea. We worked on the ChaChaCha, and then we started the Salsa! Ok..so ive finally found one reason it's great that my ass is so big...and that is b/c dancing the salsa with it is SO much fun! It's like you WANT your curves to be able to move your body to the music,etc. so i just love what i've got when i dance this hehehe..I guess maybe i need to dance salsa everyday so i can feel this way hehe :) Anyhow, it was great! Thursday i am excited to go back. I just wish i had it every day! We laugh so hard too, and it was funny b/c they were making fun of me that they thought i'd had something to drink last time b/c i was just smiling all the time and then i was like..absolutely not hah! Kristen and KRisten too,,,we all just smile! It's so awesome..the best medicine for anything. I forget about everything and just dance. Plus the music Nerea has is awesome. I'm so excited for Friday night to go to her performance! i"ll tel you more about that later!
Tonight it was so much fun when i got home. I love my host family SO much! Tonight, Maria Josefa is staying with us again b/c she had another checkup for her breast cancer today. I"m so happy b/c everything is good for her. She is the neatest women, and we enjoy talking alot. She was here for 3 nights last week as she was doctoring in pamplona, and she gave me the most beautiful crucifix with Jesus that she got from Jerusalem: her sister is there. It meant SO much to me. Now, every time i pray i holdit in my hands and i have it with me all the time. It's like he's with me then all the time. I even hold it all through church :) Anyway, it's so special to me and i will cherish it for the rest of my life in so many moments. Inaki (Julia's 10 year old grandson) was here too, with his Mom Maribel. Maribel was dropping him off to stay since she was going to her tennis team tonight. I love Inaki...This is so funny so i have to tel you what happened.
So normally during the week, Julia goes over to there piso (Maribel's) and helps with laundry, cooking, etc.. (i love this idea...hint hint hey mom maybe you could live just down the street for me to babysit my kids and cook and do laundry hehe) Anyway, so a few weeks ago, i'm sitting in the kitchen in our piso, and i see this pack of cigarettes sitting on the radiator. Im thinking..ok, what the heck,,first of all, Julia doesn't smoke, and 2nd of all, Why are there wet cigarrettes in a box drying in our kitchen on the radiator hahahah!!!!???!!! Anyhow, so i ask Julia, and she tells me that when she's at Maribels house during the day and she's cleaning or tidying, she will often times find these wet boxes of cigarrettes in the garbage. She knows that it's either Inoa (the 14yrold girl) or Inaki b/c they don't want their mom to smoke. Maribel smokes some times, and so she will have them on hand. So when this happened he first time i laughed. But then 1.5 weeks later, when i came home and saw another pack drying on the radiator again, i really had to laugh. But Julia just shakes her head. So ...where im going with this is today,,when i came home from school there was another box drying on the radiator, so tonight, as i walk in the door from dance and i'm standing in the living room listening to Julia, Maribel, and Maria Josefa talk, and Inaki sits at the table working on is homework, Julia says to me, "Lauren, ask Inaki if he's the one who puts the cigarrettes in water!?" And she says this to me IN FRONT OF MARIBEL!!!! I was thinking o god...and Inaki got this funny look/smirk on his face. He smiled and looked down and said well "yes Inoa and I both do it". Julia was mad at him b/c she was trying to explain how expensive cigarrettes are and how instead he should just give them to her and she will give them to her other son Carlos and his wife Eva since they smoke all the time. Oh my goodness!!!..so we have this argument going on..!!! Anyhow, i wish i could have had a tape recorder b/c it really was quite hilarious, however, Maribel had to leave, and the talking hushed down, and the i went to Inaki and in English (b/c no one else understands english sufficiently except for the grandkids snce they're learning it),,i told him good job and that it was good he was wetting the cigarrettes. I kindof felt like a bad-guy, going against Julia and Maribel, but really Maribel i think inside is thankful they do it, b/c she didn't seem to be nearly as mad as Julia. I don't think she does anything/punishes the kids for doing that. It might actually help her. Who knows..but anyway, he just smiled and said yes i know..he said he will catch her in the dark sometimes smoking..and then he'll flip the light and see her standing there...it's a little sad, but i'm glad they're tryng to eliminate it.oh wat a funny saga! I wonder how many more packages will be drying on our kitchen radiator over the course of my time here living with Julia heheheh! Oh how i love this drama, b/c it is just so different from what i'm used to in such a refreshing way.
Another i want to make note of..is that the people here are just so beautiful. I'm not kidding you i don't think i've ever seen as many beautiful people in my life as i have while being here in Europe. I just want to stay so i can somehow 'transform' hehe :) hopefully i take some back with me hehe!!
Tonight, i am all clean and ready for bed. by the end ofmy days i am SO tired, but i love my bed here. I've been sleeping so good now, so that is nice. If anything, i just am reminding myself to live in the moment. It's SO hard sometimes, but it's really what you have to do. I am such a dreamer, and i love to think about the future and what my life has in store for me, but i'm really realizing that you can't seek happiness in anything or in any place but only within the moment that you have right then and there. (Easier said than done) but i will keep up this :)
My new favorite (sinful) indulgence: Crema de cocoa: it's probably the fattiest, thing i could eat, but it's like pb here but choc. It's better..i don't need peanut butter anymore guys! haha. I eat this with a sppoon &or put it on crackers and i'm telling you it's so amazing. God i'm crazy. As long as i'm exercising heheh.
Julia made this amazing dessert for me today too..it was so good it was called Torrijas. It's Inaki's favorite thing too. You take dry bread (from the good long sticks of bread we eat here), and then cut it in some pieces, and soak it in milk and honey. Then she frys it in olive oil and an egg so that it gets a little crunch to it after it's soaked in the honey. Then she puts oodles of cinnamon and sugar on top of it. I'm telling you..So amazing with my cup of hot green tea after lunch today :) I'm a lucky girl. HOw did i get so lucky again to live with her. I can't count how many lucky stars i've been blessed with, and for all the rough, unfortunate things i've dealt with thus far, it's days or even moments like this that make up for it 10 times...and i really see first had what is most important.
I know this was a long one, but i hope you enjoyed it! I"ll cherish these blogs forever..it's my fast way of keeping a diary and i can type everything.
All my love to you,
Love Lauren
Monday, March 1, 2010
Estamos en Marzo
We are already in March! Where is the time going! And i said i was going to go to bed two hours ago..so what the heck am i doing still up. Jeez when am i gonna learn. I just got caught up tonight bc i recieved the cord email that talked about registration so i was already looking through the schedules to plan my courses. Oh it's always so exciting to me.even though i can just sense the level of stress coming already hehe..It will be alright though :)
Today was a successful day. I didn't work out, buti got SO much done. I had a successful presentation this morning in Lit, studied hard core in the lib for 2 hours for my test thurs (on my bday hehe!), came home, ate lunch, then registered for my summer school classes, got to talk to dad on the phone today (yippee!), finished writing this long survey that i have to make and conduct, practiced for my presentation tomorrow, made our tentative italy itinerary, planned some concordia classes for the fall, and emailed several friends and family. I also tried to study grammar a bit more. Oh and i showered hehe but you didn't need to know that i guess! but all in all, good day.. Busy just sitting at my desk, but somtimes i like those days when i feel i accomplish a lot. I am doing better for those of you that knew what was up. This are going well, as i knew that there would be hard moments that would hit me here, but i've gone through enough to have the strength to climb any hill/or mountain, no matter how tall now and no matter how fast it decides to put itself in my path. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and support :)
I hope that all is well with you! Today i was missing Ben a lot! hehe! I happen to see a picture of him and i just can't believe how grown up he is getting. That scares me..i've been thinking about when we were little a lot,,maybe that's why. Anyhow, that was what my mind was on today. Otherwise, i am so thankful for my amazing friends here, Julia, and every opportunity that has and is going to come my way. When God closes a door, he always opens a window somewhere too :)
All my love to you all,
Miss you,
Lauren
Today was a successful day. I didn't work out, buti got SO much done. I had a successful presentation this morning in Lit, studied hard core in the lib for 2 hours for my test thurs (on my bday hehe!), came home, ate lunch, then registered for my summer school classes, got to talk to dad on the phone today (yippee!), finished writing this long survey that i have to make and conduct, practiced for my presentation tomorrow, made our tentative italy itinerary, planned some concordia classes for the fall, and emailed several friends and family. I also tried to study grammar a bit more. Oh and i showered hehe but you didn't need to know that i guess! but all in all, good day.. Busy just sitting at my desk, but somtimes i like those days when i feel i accomplish a lot. I am doing better for those of you that knew what was up. This are going well, as i knew that there would be hard moments that would hit me here, but i've gone through enough to have the strength to climb any hill/or mountain, no matter how tall now and no matter how fast it decides to put itself in my path. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and support :)
I hope that all is well with you! Today i was missing Ben a lot! hehe! I happen to see a picture of him and i just can't believe how grown up he is getting. That scares me..i've been thinking about when we were little a lot,,maybe that's why. Anyhow, that was what my mind was on today. Otherwise, i am so thankful for my amazing friends here, Julia, and every opportunity that has and is going to come my way. When God closes a door, he always opens a window somewhere too :)
All my love to you all,
Miss you,
Lauren
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