Community

It still feels like Monday.  It still feels like I'm taking tests and doing homework and that tomorrow doesn't start the weekend.  It's been quite a long week, but at the same time it feels like it flew by!  I don't know exactly what happened!

       Well, on Monday afternoon I started my volunteer work at a retirement home for men who don't have any family members around.  I went for two hours and played some dominoes with them.  I was just laughing up a storm with one of the men because he thought that I was so funny because for the first hour straight I did not win a single game of dominoes.  Oh, and fyi, the men there just LOVE to compliment the ladies.  They don't see too much of them anymore, and so when I walked in and started to greet some of the men, they were just showering me with compliments.  Hey, if any woman is having a bad day, she should just go there and play games with some of them for a while and she'll have a smile on her face by the time she walks out!  I promise you.  As I greeted one older gentleman with besitos (two little kisses on the side of the cheek-- but NOT actually kissing. just making the sound), he said "okay, now one on the lips."  In my head I was freaking out, but I played it cool and said, "oh, no thank you.  Would you like to join our game?"  And he kept insisting, but sorry, man, I don't kiss other old, unknown men on the lips.  Anyway, it was all quite funny, but being there reminded me of one of my grandpas in particular.  He just loved life and loved to laugh.  He would always insist on us playing some sort of game, making us eat pie or some other dessert.  All of my grandparents have passed away, but it was good just to be surrounded by other older people for a while and laugh with them.

        After volunteering, I went to the end of a flamenco dance intro class.  I learned a few steps and cooled down with them.  Seems like a really cool thing to do here!  It's definitely a Sevillano thing, so I want to try and do it (if I have the time!)  Then I went with some friends and studied for my two tests that I had on Tuesday.  Tests at this school are basically essay tests, which I don't mind, but there's so much to know and write about!!  My Spanish is improving... I think/hope... but at the same time I don't have a wide range of vocabulary, so it can be a bit tough trying to say what I'm thinking in another way.  I understand my professors well, and I understand my host mom, dad, and sister very well.  And I'm starting to actually understand the boys now, too! Which is crazy for me!  That alone tells me my comprehension is better.  The speaking and getting all the words out correctly thing is still not my strong suit. BUT! I am learning and growing.  I mean, after 4 months I'd hope that I am starting to improve my language skills.

        Tuesday after lunch, my host mom surprised my roommate with a cake for her birthday!! (Her birthday was two days prior, but we didn't have time to celebrate it.)  The cake was SO DELICIOUS! I asked for the recipe.  I swear, I've already asked how to make so much of the food here, I need my own book or something!  Anyway, then I had some great interaction with my host siblings.  We got to play with them for a good few hours after lunch.  I think my host mom doesn't want them to "bother" us (which they don't) and so she doesn't want them to impose on our privacy. (I totally respect that and I'm glad she respects that, too!)  But yea, so it was a grand ol' time.  Got to even help them on their homework!  They have been coming to me for their English homework more often now, and I love helping them!  I'm so glad they do!

It was a layered cake of wafers and chocolate.  AND chuches (candies) on top!  Every kid's dream!

       Wednesday was Encuentro, but it wasn't my week to lead.  I was so grateful that this is the week that I'm sick (more like a little under the weather) because I wouldn't want to try to lead with a sore throat and a runny nose!  It was nice to have some quality time with the Lord and to surround myself with other Christ-centered folks.  Afterwards, I got to spend some lovely time with a good friend and just talk about life and be real with each other. (not to mention chai tea!!! YUM!)  We shared our struggles, doubts, what God is teaching us in these times.  It was a great way to connect with one another.  Similarly, God blessed me with another conversation like that today with a few more friends!  I needed to bond with these people, and to know that I'm not the only one feeling what I'm feeling--whether that be homesickness, disliking some part of something of the culture (hey, no culture is going to be perfect!), or loving another thing like triángulos.  I feel like this adventure is quite the emotional roller coaster.  There are some days when I just love Spain and all it has to offer, and other days where I just need to speak English and have some American kind of humor.

       Tomorrow a good friend from back at home visits!! She is studying for a semester in Madrid and she is coming with a friend to my city!! I can't wait to take her around!  It'll be a busy and wonderful weekend (nevermind that test coming on Monday.)

So much love and community has happened in the past few days, and so I will leave with this:

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality."  

Romans 12: 9-13

Viajante vs. Tourista

Shout out to my roommate Kayla!  It's her birthday today! (Sunday) WOOT! Feliz cumple, chica ;)

      These past two weeks have been one heck of an emotional roller coaster.  I guess it just started with still experiencing new things, getting more used to daily life here in Spain, and missing home.  I guess since I've travelled before (and I've lived somewhere different each of the past 4 years) I didn't think I'd miss home that much.  But alas, I did! And I still do somewhat.  But as a result of my homesickness, I have pushed through and keep repeating to myself to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  I feel like I keep learning that lesson over and over.  I don't know why I keep "forgetting" ... I guess my own pride gets in the way.  But I have given the things out of my control over to God and I am living in the moment here.  I hope I don't have to learn this lesson again.

       Anyways! One of the highlights of these past two weeks was going to Córdoba (NOT Qdoba.)  I went with my art class and we got to actually see some of the sights that we had learned about in class!  It was really cool.  I don't typically get to see places for myself that I've learned about in class, so this was quite neat!  We saw the infamous mesquita there.  I must tell you, it was quite impressive.  Looking at all of the detail and the precision made me stand in awe.  People felt so passionate about their religion that they wanted to perform the most difficult, intricate work that they've ever done to praise their god.  I feel like us Christians need to have an attitude like that--we should give our all and perform the best to our abilities.  Not so that we get awarded here and get caught up in the world, but rather that it would be an expression of love for our God.  Anyway, it was really cool!  Actually, it was extrodinarily hot there without much of a breeze.  But I stopped caring about the temperature and I started exploring with my friends! We had a bit of free time after the sites before heading back, so we walked around the city.  It's beautiful there!  I realized that I could take all the pictures in the world with my snap and shoot camera of the buildings, but without anyone in them they wouldn't really be a point to it.  You can go look up some pictures on the internet of it, I'm sure.  So I just started taking pictures of my friends and me, and it was a much more fun way to enjoy the day.

La Fachada

     This past week ended up being really busy with little things going on.  On Wednesday I had Encuentro again and I lead worship.  This time it was in a quaint church and so I could hear myself and the piano much more.  I was a little nervous leading (and apparently the role of the leader just was handed to me... but hey, I don't mind!)  I play the guitar and sing, but there are 3 other girl singers, a guy singer/plays the bongo or something, and then we asked a girl to play the piano.  The nerves left when I got up and started playing.  Of course there were mistakes here and there, but it didn't matter.  I was praising with everyone else.  My pulse increased, my cheeks got red, and I was energized.  However, afterwards I was utterly exhausted because I put so much energy into that.  I was completely empty, but entirely full.  I haven't had a feeling like that in a long time.  I really loved what came of that night.  I should make note of that. 

     Thursday evening, we had a "noche de tapas" with other Spaniards! FINALLY! I get to meet some real Spaniards my own age and hang out with them.  (Church here isn't the first place I'd meet a ton of people my age.)  It ended up being incredibly fun because we just went from restaurant to restaurant to try out food. (and of course we had ice cream afterwards!)  The conversation was great (and in Spanish, of course... which sometimes produced laughter with a little barrier...)  We talked about television shows, a little bit about football (soccer,) and loads of other things I'm sure.  By the end of the night we were exchanging contact information. Hopefully we will get back together soon.  They seem really great folks.  My Spanish is already improving.  I noticed that night that I wasn't just speaking some magical language that only my profs and host family can understand.  I can go and have good conversations with people I just met (like 9/11 and what that was like in the States.) 

     My host dad talked to us Saturday morning about how people (I think he meant us) live it up here in Seville and go out and see the world, explore the city, live the "Spanish" way.  I completely agreed with everything he said.  And I think I have been living that way, but the previous day I was exhausted from the week so I just read for most of the afternoon.  It was his pep-talk to us, which I thought was just the sweetest thing.  He gave us some ideas of what we can do--like rent a car between a few of us and just take a day to see the surrounding cities.  Or go to this site or that site.  Or get lost in the city and find somewhere that the tourists don't know about.  I love doing that.  He said we should be more like viajantes (travelers--people who stay to get to know a place) than touristas (you guys can figure that one out.)  I agree and I am excited to get to know this city better!

     We have some tests coming up and so this weekend (ok so it's just been today) I've been studying.  I am a bit nervous about that since they are the first of the year, and they're in Spanish.  Essay questions.  Great.  It'll be aaight though.  This past weekend I finished a book, hung out with friends, great talks with God, went to a concert, went to an international festival, and hung out with my roomie for her birthday.  A good weekend, I'd say!

Hopefully I will be more diligent about updating my blog.  I deeply apologize for that.  Hey, I want to remember this stuff, too! :)  I guess it's a good thing that life has been busy enough for me not to be on my computer.

"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:16)

The Weekender

I know it hasn't even been two weeks yet, but I'm already starting to settle in a little bit.  I have begun to get to know the streets of my city a little bit better every day, and I am starting to get into my exercise routine and homework routine.  This past weekend was just wonderful to relax.

On Saturday I walked around the streets, hoping to get lost so that I could find my way back. (Don't worry, Kayla and another friend accompanied me.)  It was actually pretty fun!  I am better with directions that I thought I was!  I realized that I hadn't taken many pictures of the actual city, so I went ahead and took some not-so-great photos with my not-so-great camera.  I really wish I could capture the beauty of the city to show you all! But I guess that's why you'll have to come and visit me ;)

My street!  How European! :)

I finally used Google Hangouts (beat that skype!) to video chat with my family.  Four (or five) different computers, three different time zones.  It gets a little difficult sometimes to figure out when we can all talk, but hey, it worked.  They know I'm safe and sound now (as if reading this blog wasn't enough proof.)  We had a lot of laughs during that time.  It was great to be able to talk to my family.  Shout out to mamacita who has an interview tomorrow!  I am praying! You are a rock star! Go get 'em!

On Sunday I went to La Catedral to mass to see what it's like here in Spain.  I believe that my profesora told us that it is the largest (Gothic?) cathedral in Spain, and the 3rd largest in the world (or something to that extent.) Anyway, the point is that it's huge--ginormous.  I stood in awe just looking at all of the architecture, and how much thought must have gone into this building.  Not only that, but there was insane detailing going on.  It amazes me how I'm much more interested in this kind of stuff as I get older.  I guess I appreciate it more.  There must have been so many hours and so much labor that went into this building-- and I probably didn't even see the half of it.  What a way to worship the Lord!  Well, I wasn't really able to understand what was going on.  Maybe it was because of the mumbling.  Maybe it was because of the noisy children who sat in front of me.  Maybe it was because it was in Spanish.  (but most likely not :P ) Whatever it was, I was getting a little bit confused.  The older Spanish man next to us kept looking at us--apparently not amused that we were just poor little "giris" (foreigners) that didn't know any better.  We were just trying to learn a little bit of the culture!

This is the inside of part of the Catedral--where our service was.  Sorry, a little blurry.  No flash. (My camera died soon after.)

Later on, I decided to go out for another run by the río.  Twas like 5 in the afternoon, which as you may or may not know, is basically the hottest part of the day.  (at least it is here.)  I mean, it was a great run! However the sun was so strong! SO. STRONG.  The vast difference between the shade and the sun astounded me.  Anyway, I got back and showered and all such things.  My host mom later that night asked what we did that day, and when I told her that I ran around 5, she looked at me like I was crazy.  And yes, I may be crazy, but I had a craving to run.  (Dude, that sounds weird coming from me.)  One of the rules in our house was our shower hours which are between 9am-9pm.  Hey, I'm fine with that! I just got to adapt to running in a time frame where it might be a little bit hotter than it would be if it was early in the morning or late at night.  So I might be crazy, but I gotta get my ejercicios in!

Oh! As I have mentioned, I have 2 host brothers (age 9) and a host sister (age 11.)  All three of them participate in a sailing club.  On Sunday, they won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their (final?) competition!  The whole family won medals! I was super impressed! My host dad came home and was so proud and smiling and completely overflowing with joy.  It was so great to talk to them about their accomplishments.  Que guay!

All in all, it was a nice, relaxing weekend.  School started back up again.  I feel like today's phrase was, "oh yea. That's why I'm here. To study."  But, in reality, school has been fantastic! My profesoras are so awesome! AND, I can actually understand them! Yay for comprehension! :)

One of the main streets (for me anyway) of the city. Tan bonita!

Dear God, thank you for providing this opportunity.  Use me this semester in any way, shape, or form.  I am Yours.  Amen.

Busy Life Begins

Holy moly! It’s already Thursday!

On Tuesday, I had a meeting with some musically gifted students about creating a Spanish worship band for our Wednesday night youth group (Encuentro).  We split up into two groups so we would only have to do every other week.  Well, I was the guitarist for the first group and we ended up leading last night.  I was a little bit nervous since it all happened so quickly, but I ended up having a good amount of time to practice.  Since we met in the park for the first Encuentro, we wouldn’t be using any other instruments besides the guitar. AH!  Anyway, we met up beforehand and practiced for an hour before Encuentro started.  It ended up going pretty well, I just hope everyone could hear the guitar since we were in a park.  Our Students Activities Director gave her testimony and shared with us the current religious situation of Spain.  I was shocked to find out about .01% of people say that they have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Here, when you say you’re evangelico, there are some people that even think it’s on the level of Mormonism or Jehovah's Witness.  In essence, there is very little knowledge about Christianity and how one can have a personal relationship with a God who loves him/her.  People here, in a developed country, need God, too.  I think we (myself included) can get worked up in the idea that we need to go to other countries (particularly third world ones) to be missionaries, but our neighbors need God's love just as much.  With this knowledge of the current situation in Spain, I am encouraged/challenged to be even more Christlike.  I hope and pray that God can use me to better advance His Kingdom.

Back to the daily life events... Today I had a  hard time focusing in class.  I think I was just mentally exhausted.  I forgot how mentally straining it is to speak a different language all of the time and trying to do life in that language.  But I tried to stay focus, because if I drift off, then I have a hard time regaining where the class is--particularly in a different language.  Anyway, classes went well. I'm glad that I don't have too much homework as of yet.  Fortunately, I have that break between my classes, so I usually do my homework during that time so I can focus more on other things here!

I realized that I signed up for so many things! I'm just super excited to participate in everything!  Besides leading worship at Encuentro, I also signed up to be a Bible Study discussion leader.  Basically that means that I will have some material that they give me, and I learn it and go through it with other students who are also into getting deeper (theologically) into Christianity and the themes of the week.  NERD ALERT! Sounds like a blast to me!  I wouldn't want it any other way ;)  I also would love to participate in a Flamenco dancing class that our school holds, too.  I also signed up for Intercambio, where we pair up with a Spaniard who is trying to learn English, and go have coffee or hang out or do what Spaniards do.  I've heard of some good experiences that came from that, and I would love to have an awesome Spanish friend!

After school today, Kayla and I headed back home to have lunch with the family.  Turns out it was just us that was going to be eating together because my hermanos had sailing practice.  Hey, that was okay, since I was having a hard time communicating since my mental health was drained.  Then I decided I'd do some homework and then go for a run.  I haven't done that since being here, so it was awesome to explore the city.  But remember how I said it's been hot here? Yea, it was "cool" today at about 87 degrees.  The sun here is a lot stronger than I'm used to in the States.  I was surprised how extraordinarily hot it was at the end of it.  However, I did notice that there maybe was one other woman out running, but I saw a bunch of men running. Interesting...

After getting sweaty, Kayla, Andrea, and I hung out and got some helado at Rayas!  We heard that it was the best helado in town, and we just had to try it!  Andrea and I were a little homesick today, but being together, eating some ice cream, and laughing made it all better.  I am so blessed to be studying a beautiful city like this!  Just a quiet evening with friends is what I needed after a long week that we've all had.  I had forgotten how hard culture shock can hit.  But it's been a good experience so far, and I am excited to see what is in store for me this semester! 

God, I pray that You use me this semester to better myself and to also pour out love to others around me. Amen.

"El Río" (Realmente es un canal.)

El Primer Día de Clase

Today was the start of the "real reason" I'm here: to take classes with Spanish professors and receive college credit for it.

I was a bit nervous to go to my classes today. I had met the professors just briefly, but this time I would see how they really interact with us. I mean I'm sure that they are lovely people and are going to teach us more than I could possibly describe, but it was a little bit threatening. I know my Spanish isn't the best that anyone has ever spoken--particularly with the Spanish/Sevillano accent-- but I am trying. Then it hit me: they know I'm trying my best. They understand that we aren't going to know everything right away. If we did, we wouldn't be needing to take these classes.


Well, unlike universities in the States, we have the same classes at the same time every day. Hey, now I don't have to know exactly what day it is! I signed up for Spanish History, Spanish Literature, and the History of Spanish Art. Fortunately for me, they all correlate really well with one another. I do have a 2 hour descanso (break) in between my first and second class, so I am hoping to be able to be productive during that time and do some work so that I can do fun stuff later!

Today after classes, I had a meeting with my volunteering class. I'm so excited to start that up! We are going to be assigned (well, we sort of get to choose, but aren't promised anything) where we are going to volunteer. Some options include an old folk's home, a children's hospital, and a convent where you teach children English. The old people peaked my interest because the volunteers play dominos with old men, or you can teach them how to something, or simply chat with them. How fun is that?! I love playing games! And bonding with more mature people is always rewarding. I am also told that the men there just shower the ladies with compliments. (Trust me, I'm not interested in that place solely because it would stroke my ego.) I would love to go to the children's hospital and hang out with some kids for a while, but it's at the same time as Encuentro. (I'll talk about that later) It would be a shame to miss out on that. And as much as I would love to teach children English, it's pretty far away from where I live. But I'm trying not to let that kind of thing stop me.


Encuentro is a chapel service for the students at my university every Wednesday. I signed up to be a singer/guitar player (if necessary) in the band that they have. I don't know yet what it's going to be like, but we have a meeting tomorrow about it. I really want to get involved with Encuentro.


After the meeting, Kayla and I headed home for siesta and lunch. We chose siesta today. It surprises me how tiring it is to speak Spanish all day and to try to understand it. It will take some adjustments, for sure, but I'm hoping to be better by the end of the semester. I think it's because I have to concentrate on every single word that is spoken to me and the words I'm speaking. Already I can see a difference in my Spanish abilities and I've only been here for almost 5 days. Crazy! Maybe I'm just more confident... but at the same time I've definitely been put in my place. But comparision is the thief of joy, they say. So I am just going to work on my Spanish and see how I can connect with these people the best that I can. Repeat.


After homework, Kayla and I decided to go to one street that apparently had a ceramic of a head of a king. Legend* has it that a king was walking around drunk one night and happened into a fight with another man and killed him. An old lady saw it from her window but couldn't make out that it was the king, so she went and told people that some guy randomly killed a man on the street-- apparently this made it worthy for the man to be beheaded. Word got back to the king with a description of the man, and once he realized that they were describing him he basically said, "yea, i'll take care of it." Then he proceeded to put a fake head in a box to say that he beheaded the man and that it was all said and done. When he died people opened the box and realized it was a ceramic head, and that he was lying about the whole thing. I don't know how they jumped from one conclusion to another, but we decided that we better check this thing out! So away we went. We got there perfectly--we had some troubles in the past getting lost. And once we got to the street, we had no idea where it would be. Kayla had told me that it was a box with a person head in it and that it was on a light-colored wall. This would be more helpful if we were in a place like Cinque Terre, where that would stand out. However, most of the buildings on that street had light colored walls. Therefore we just walked up and down the street a few times, not being able to see it. Right as we were about to turn to go back, I looked up and I saw it, and I said, "Kayla, is this the 'box'? Why doesn't it actually look like a box?" Then we proceeded to take pictures and laugh. Twas a lovely adventure this "afternoon."

Hey, look, we found it!

We came back to eat dinner, and our host brothers and sister were awfully talkative today! They told us all about how 2 of them won medals in their sailing competitions today, and then brought out and showed us every metal they've won. It was pretty impressive. I wish I could say I won all sorts of medals as a child, but man, these guys have some talent! It was the first day that Kayla and I have had a real, good conversation with the kids. After they proudly showed off their metals, the daughter Ana**, told us about her mother (our señora) and how she had so many animals when she was a child. It makes sense to me since she is a veterinarian. It was just lovely to laugh with the kids and to let them be proud of what they accomplished today. I really think I lucked out on a good family. And by lucked out, I mean I am so blessed. I don't know why God is so good to me, but I am so grateful He is.


Today--the first school day of many to come--was a successful day. ¡Gracias a Dios!

¡Qué bonita!

*Do not quote me on that.  I am not liable for you or your appearance of stupidity if I am wrong.

**Of course I'm going to change the name of my host sister. Anonymity is precious.

A New Beginning (Again)

¡Hola y bienvenidos!

¡Estoy en España aprendiendo español por un semestre!

*This entry will be longer than usual (I anticipate) because I am summing up a couple of days.

(I will not apologize for my rambles or my immediate jumps from topic to topic.  Nor will I apologize for my lack of eloquence--I'm just trying how to remember to speak English. Spanglish is my nearest and dearest friend.)

I arrived this past Wednesday and fortunately I travelled with a group of 30 something people.  Nothing too eventful happened, but I can clearly remember the bus ride from the airport to drop each persona off con sus señoras.  My roommate (Kayla) y yo were the very last ones to be dropped off.  At this point we memorized how to greet our host family-- con besitos (2 little air kisses on each cheek.)

My host family is comprised of 3 children--2 twin boys and a girl-- and mi señora y señor. We greated them (including the kids!) with the best besitos anyone ever saw--we were naturals.  Not exactly true but we will have it down pat by the end of these 4 months.  The children are quite possibly the cutest kids I have ever seen.

This family is the sweetest I tell you!  The first night we got here, Kayla and I decided to give our family our presents that we had brought from the U.S.  As you may know, I love giving gifts and I love seeing people enjoy the things I got them. So naturally, I couldn't wait too long before I got anxious and wanted to give them their presents!  Well they reacted so well to our gifts that the children gave us besitos once again!! I mean I guess I could give them more things as long as they keep doing that.  Spanish culture is great!  When I went into another room where my host dad/señor was to give him his gift, I had a rough time speaking in Spanish.  I had now been up for longer than 30 hours (minus the few hours I slept on a plane) and was having a hard time getting my brain to function.  I felt so bad for not being able to communicate, but he just kept telling me that I just needed to keep speaking in Spanish.  He said that it was okay that I was messing things up, but said that it shouldn't stop me from speaking.  And he said that whenever Kayla and I need help with homework or anything else, that we can always go to him or my señora.  At that point I couldn't help but hug him. (Since people are "touchy"-er here than in Finland--the other place I've been abroad-- I felt like it was okay. And even if it was weird, it's my thing. And I really felt like he understood us. Maybe it was the exhaustion kicking in.)  Well after that, we plopped into our Godsend beds, ready to fall asleep and dream for hours.

Well, apparently we really needed that sleep because the next morning Kayla and I awoke at 8:22 to a knocking on our doors and sounds como "chicas?? chicas?" The previous night our señora asked us 3 or 4 times if we wanted her to wake us up in the morning.  The prideful Americans we happened to be insisted that we had an alarm clock and we would be fine. Turns out it didn't work that well.  Breakfast was to be served at 8:15--and we clearly weren't there.  Embarrassed and rushed, we threw down our tea and toast, and rushed out the door to orientation.  I don't think I even looked at myself in the mirror before heading out.

Orientation came and went--and I was grateful for a break that served us café con leche.  For not being much of a coffee drinker, I thought that was pretty good.  Maybe it was the jet-lagged tastebuds, but nevertheless I was thankful.  We learned about the Spanish culture, met our future professors, and we took a placement test.  I was really nervous during it and so my mind started wandering, but then I held it together towards the end.  Typically I am pretty confident after my tests, feeling that I did my best, but this time I was so unsure of myself.  We had to take a placement test in the spring before coming, and I passed with flying colors--but this time I wasn't so positive.  The next day we had a meeting with our professors to get our schedule and classes for the semester--so that made me even more anxious.  Much to my surprise, they told me I did well on my test and that I could even add another class if I wanted to.  (I'm not going to though because I am also going to participate in other after-school activities and it would cost me additional credit hours to do so.)  So that was exciting and I was at ease knowing that I really had done my best.

We went on a tour around the city. The streets are lined with bitter orange trees!

That evening, the other exchange students and myself met up at el parque de los principes--which was a 40 minute walk from our casa--and we played games and had pizza together.  Twas a beautiful evening outside! Oh, I suppose I should interject that it has been in the 90's all week--which apparently is "nice"/"cool" out for the Sevillanos for the summer. ¡Increible! While I'm over here sweating up a storm wishing that we went back to the adam and eve style-- pre-bite-- I see folks walk all over town wearing pants or warm-looking shirts.  Anyways, after the pizza we walked around town for a while and some people got helado--and then Kayla and I were pooped so we went back home and ended up staying up til 2 in the morning. How that happened? I don't know.  But alas, we fell asleep to the sounds of the city and to the warm air circulating through our room.

The next day, Saturday, we had a scavenger hunt (girkana) planned! We arose at the proper timing--due to three alarms-- and prepared ourselves for one heck of a long day.  The challenge: given clues (en español, claro) and figure out the names of certain sites in Sevilla and correlate pictures that were also given in random order in a book.  After doing that (which we needed to consult some Sevillanos en la calle) we had to get to the location and take a picture of us at the place.  We then gathered at 6:30pm (18:30) to look at everyone's pictures and award the winner! Although we lost by 1 point, I think that my group had the most fun that day ;) It was a blast to get lost in the city and try to find our way around.  It is a beautiful city. After la cena, a few of us gathered to get some helado and wander around the streets.  We had a fun night looking at the city nightlife here.  There are so many people out so late at night! It's been strange trying to get used to the different schedule here.

This morning, Kayla and I went to a Brethren church that was within walking distance. Turns out, about 10 other exchange students had the same idea!  Well, it is a small church that was only about 20 minutes away and the other churches we knew we would have to take a bus.  The service lasted about 2 hours.  I could hardly understand what the pastor was saying, but it was quite an interesting event! After that, Kayla and I headed back for lunch, and then met up with Andrea for helado (we really like it I suppose) and chatted for 3 hours!

After our 3 hour long talk-- (left to right) : Me, Andrea, and Kayla!

Tomorrow awaits the first day of class! ¡No puedo esperar! I must be fully functional tomorrow.

Buenas noches, el mundo.