January 28, 2010

Well, I was about to say that nothing too special happened today, but I've realized that everyday this semester should be incredibly special! I am living in SPAIN for crying out loud! I don't think it has truly hit me that I am seriously here! My life is completely different, and the way life is lived here is completely different. In the U.S. people live to work, and work to live. Here, people live to work, and work to socialize and make relationships that last! They are never too busy to stop and chat. Everyone is much more relaxed. These people get a scheduled nap! People walk everywhere, and everyone goes to cafes, and they do it to relax and meet up with friends, not grab their drink and go. Americans don't know how to stop for 3 hours and relax at a cafe without checking their watch every 10 minutes. I am a very timely person, and I can't stand when people are late, but I've come to realize what they do here. If they see someone they know, it is better to stop and chat for a few minutes. Work can wait. We need to take time to stop and smell the roses! Living so differently is already starting to open my eyes a little. It's okay to take a day for yourself. We don't always have to be on the go. Seeing how beautiful the trees and lights and rivers are in Seville is only a daily reminder of God's creativity! I love this city, and I already know that it will be difficult to leave this town 4 months from now. I am living an adventure of a lifetime, and I love it! Today after classes I went to a cafe with my friends Jess and Carrie to do homework, then we went to Parque de Los Principes, and it is gorgeous! We took some pictures and goofed around. It's good to do that sometimes! Then we had a noche de Chicas (for you non-spanish speakers, that's "girls night") at the Chocolateria which is a chocolate shop/restaurant. We had churros dipped in chocolate, which was amazing! After we went back to school, and had a time of all the girls sharing their ups and downs of the trip so far, and it was good to hear other girls mention things that are hard for them too, so that we can all relate to each other. After I just did some homework, and got ready for bed. Everyday I find myself more excited for what's to come this semester! One thing I do know if that no matter what comes, and no matter how far away I am from friends and family, God is never far away!

Verse for the day: Psalm 139: 7-10 "Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me."