Full Throttle

Buenos Días,
Like the title says, my life is pedal to the medal - full throttle!  Classes started about three weeks ago and are now going strong.  I am taking a full load of political science and international studies courses that keep me challenged and busy.  On top of that, I am meeting two to three times a week with different native Spanish speakers in order to keep up with the language!  And most importantly, there is Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ).

I felt a little out of the loop the first week since I was not there the week prior during Welcome Week for planning etc.  (I was spending some much needed time with my family!)  Anyways, now I am in full swing.  I am helping lead a freshman Bible study on Tuesday evenings, which is great!  We have had great turnouts the past two weeks and I am very encouraged by the women I have met.  I am so excited to get to know them and live life with them!  Wednesday evenings before our big group meeting I am in an upperclassman Bible study, which is very beneficial.  It is nice to be able to get together with women that I love and respect and be able to talk about how things are going and get into the Word.  As for our big meetings, what a turnout we have had!!  The first week we had over 70 people come!  Less than two years ago, we barely had 20 people each meeting.  We have almost doubled each year!  Needless to say, there have been and are so many things to praise God about!

On the downside, not everything has been a smooth ride, specifically for me personally.  Since I went (almost) directly from Spain to Ocean City Summer Project, I really didn't have time to process and experience "culture shock."  Thus, I am experiencing it now and double-time - Spain and Summer Project.  It is hard to really articulate what I am feeling but it is like a sense of homelessness.  In Spain, I easily became part of the culture, the life, everything.  It was so natural for me and even my host family commented on my "morphing" ability.  Haha.  The only way to describe it was like falling in love - not only with my host family and other Spaniards, not only with the beauty of the country but with the language, the food, the culture - the life.  Spain and this summer really showed me what happiness is to me.  Happiness is simplicity, to say the least.  It is a small apartment in Alicante, Spain.  It is a life centered around Christ.  It is living with just enough and treasuring the small moments and the people in your life.  For me, it isn't about a big house, a fancy car, a high profile career or even the material things I can buy with all the money I am supposed to be working towards in order to legitimize my life.  With that said, it is difficult to be back in school, competing with my classmates for a job and thus, the lifestyle, that I no longer desire.  

After re-reading that paragraph, I realized how depressing I may sound!  That is not my intentions, but I don't dare delete it because it is what is on my heart and it is important for me to share how much the Lord (and the experiences He has blessed me with) has transformed my life.  And now the Lord is teaching me to have patience and peace with where I am at in life.  I know and trust that this will be an amazing and fruitful semester/year.  

Besos,

Sarah

PS I am hoping that people are still reading my blog... occasionally?  I feel like I am writing to cyber space hoping that someone is reading it!  Haha :)

Time Flies When You're Having Fun... Or Just REALLY Busy!

To all my dedicated blog readers (mainly just Kristin at the bank! haha):
I am sooo sorry for letting you all down over the past two months.  My last post was June 27th and I apologize.  Catching you all up will be a challenge and there is really no good way to go about this than just throwing a bunch of words at you all and hoping something sticks.  So here it goes...
My summer was absolutely amazing - filled with great Christian community, growth in my own faith, sharing Jesus with others (especially the women at my work), and a whole lot more!  Summer project was definitely stretching and taught me many valuable things such as faith is not a feeling and that we must trust in the truths God has provided us with through His Word.  Ocean City also stretched me in sharing my faith and being bold and courageous in doing so - a lesson that I am continually learning as I am back on campus in Chicago.  After staff left halfway through the summer, every student was assigned a "project job".  Mine happened to be planning our second Women's Conference that I co-led with Ryann from California.  It was amazing to be able to plan something specifically for the women, something that would encourage them and touch their hearts.  Our theme centered around "empowerment" and empowering women to go back to their campuses as they left Ocean City and the comforts of Christian community.  Through summer project, I made lifelong friends that I will never forget.  Before I went on summer project, someone told me that the women I meet on project will be the bridesmaids in my wedding (God-willing).  I didn't believe them at first but after being on project that statement isn't too far off.  :)  How beautiful a friendship bonded in the love of Christ.
Currently, I am in my new apartment on campus at Loyola University in Chi-town.  It is good to be back!  My apartment which I am sharing with three new roommates has a lake view (hard life, isn't it?).  The only downside being that we get absolutely NO cell phone coverage, meaning if you try to reach me and it seems as if I am taking forever to respond or it seems as if I am ignoring you, I'm not.  I probably just didn't get it.  Bummer.  Anyways, it is great to catch up with all the people I last saw nine months ago when I left the States for Spain.  I really think this is going to be a great year - in terms of being involved with Cru, classes, friends, and everything in general.  This first week has been crazy and it has taken me a little bit to get back into the swing of classes and having to do actual work.  My classes are engaging and interesting, however, they are also difficult and challenging (which is what I want, of course, to be challenged).  My busy schedule and class load will make it easy to become stressed and get caught up in finding my value in my performance, which makes keeping an eternal perspective even more important.  (Eternal perspective being the perspective of realizing that the things of this world will not satisfy and do not define us but instead we should look to heaven, where our true treasure lies and to Christ, who is the only one who can truly satisfy us.)
Anyways, it is getting late and I need my sleep so I can be fully functioning tomorrow in class. This weekend I am heading up to Minnesota with Jared and Gina where we will meet up with our families to plan for a wedding and have a little Labor Day fun!  :)
Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!  Hopefully the next time you read a new post from me won't be two months from now!  
Dos besos,
Sarah
PS  As much as I am enjoying being back in Chicago (let alone, the States), I am truly homesick for Spain and miss the country, the culture, the language, and the people every day.  I am continuing to study up on my español and am trying to secure an intercambio or two for this year!  Echo de menos mucho.  ¡Hasta luego!

Quick Update from the Shore

Hello all!
As I type up this blog, I am sitting in one of the only airconditioned room in the Ambassador Inn (where I am living this summer in Ocean City, NJ).  It feels amazing.  Jersey has been incredibly hot this week.  A few days ago I think it reach 98 degrees with the temperature exceeding that when including the humidity etc.  Whoa!  Then that evening, our fan broke.  FAIL.  After a moment of sheer panic and terror, we (my roommates and I) stole the fan from the downstairs lobby.  SUCCESS.  Gotta do whatcha gotta do!
Speaking of success, I completed my first week of work at A Bella Salon & Spa.  I am so thankful and blessed that I was able to secure a job within the first week of coming to project.  As a receptionist, I have a myriad of things to do.  I answer phones, make appointments, check people in, confirm appointments, enter data, clean pedicure stations, fold towels, make goodie bags for little girls' birthday parties... It definitely keeps me busy and the 8-hour work day flies by!  Usually... if I am lucky.  Lots of multi-tasking.  The boss and staff are great!  They love having students from Campus Crusade work for them during the summers.  I am working quite a bit so it has been a challenge trying to get enough sleep while making the most of my summer here.
I am having a fantastic time!  I have never experienced Christian community quite like this.  With over 120 students, there is never a dull moment!  Not only am I growing in my relationship with Christ but I am growing with the women here who are fantastic!  Two weeks ago, we did a lot of evangelism on the boardwalk, had over 2000 spiritual conversations and saw over 200 people come to know Jesus.  In just TWO WEEKS!  How cool!  We just finished up All For One Week which focused a lot on fellowship and community.  So we had to do lots of group activities that strengthened our ability to depend on one another.  For example, Thursday morning, all 120 students had to wake up with only two alarm clocks (one for guys and one for girls).  Meaning we had to coordinate who would wake up first and who they would wake up and so on and so forth.  Finally the week ended with the best slow-pitch softball game ever!!! It was epic!!  Staff v Students.
Anyways, I wish I could write more but right now I am meeting with a girl from Loyola and we are going to start planning for Cru for next year.  :)  I can't wait to see how the Lord will work through us on our campus this fall!
Update soon!
Dos besos
Sarah

Fist-Pumping in South Jersey (No I'm Not Kidding)

Wow! I feel like it has been forever since I have written on my blog and updated everyone. It may be a disappointment to you that I am not traveling throughout Europe running into crazy Aussies and eating pastries at the base of the Eiffel Tower but I will tell you this - I am experiencing what will be one of the best summers of my life.  I am in Ocean City, New Jersey!!  Why am I here you ask?  Well, my freshman year of college at Loyola I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and started to really live life for the Lord, which has been fantastic!  He is sooo good to me!  Anyways, Campus Crusade has these summer mission trips called Summer Projects.  They have international and state-side projects.  So I applied last fall to be part of one this summer for about 8 weeks in Ocean City.  And... here I am!  I like to think of this Summer Project as more of a "practical" (if you will) missions trip.  We are asked to find jobs in the community and learn to share our faith with our co-workers and people we encounter through our work.  This will help me in the future because I may not be called to missions in Africa or East Asia.  It is just as important to share the Gospel in your hometown as it is to share in a remote village.  Also, we do a lot of different activities on the boardwalk and beach - because OC is a vacationers' town.  In addition, we survey people as well about their spiritual life and what is important to them.  I am here with 110 other Christian students (plus staff) and therefore it is a great place of Christian community, which I have been lacking since I was in Spain for five and a half months!
Today is the one week anniversary of my being here in Ocean City.  And it hasn't been all that easy or a walk in the park.  The first few days were completely overwhelming.  I was thrust into a group of semester students who were right in the middle of one of the busiest weeks of project.  (I came with all the quarter students because I was studying abroad).  It was difficult at first to remember everyone's names and I was disappointed that I wasn't having deep conversations right away (ridiculous expectation, I know).  But anyways, a few days ago I started orientation with the quarter students which has helped build relationships and feel like I belong.  I have also been hanging out with the Loyola students (yay!!! represent!!!) as well as my "Action" group (which includes my three roommates and discipler) AND my "Impact" group (which includes my action group and another guys' action group).  We have had a fantastic time!  I have been learning so much about the Lord and how BIG He really is.  But honestly, I haven't had much time this week to process stuff.  So busy getting settled and all.  I will be taking pictures soon so be excited!  Ocean City is beautiful!  The boardwalk absolutely blew my mind - it is soo much fun and there are soo many people!  (You will see what I mean when I post pictures).  Although I haven't found time to go to Mack and Manco's for a slice of pizza yet, I have been to Wawa numerous times for coffee, sandwiches and much more!  FANTASTIC!  Oh and best news of all - I found a job!!!  Praise the Lord!  I will be working as a receptionist at a popular hair salon in OC.
Well right now I need to get ready for the last day of orientation but I will surely update you soon with pictures and other insights into life in SoJO (south jersey haha).
Dos besos
Sarah

Home in the US of A

Hello from the great state of Iowa!
Yes, I am home in the United States... finally (por fin).  After traveling out of a backpack for three weeks I was ready to get home to my bed and shower.  Like I've said before, if I can't be in Spain, Iowa is the next best place, huh? :) 
My last day in Paris turned out to be one of the best days of my trip.  Why?  Well, I met up with my wonderful and beautiful Aussie friends (Nicci and Jade).  We had an amazing time eating a picnic lunch under the Eiffel Tower.  It was delicious.  A French baguette, a wheel of cheese from Holland (I think...), strawberries, pistaccios, and fudge and wine to top it off.  It was nice to have some company and great conversation.  Don't get me wrong, traveling alone is great and has its advantages but in Paris, you definitely need a wing-woman or two, especially when they're as fantastic as my Australian friends.
The plane ride home was a decent nine hours.  I occupied my time with the movie Invictus, finishing my book and trying to take a nap (FAIL).  Turns out I was up for about 48 hours altogether with only a few hours of shut-eye.  Weird to be home in the States.  Great to see my parents and soon friends!  It was definitely a strange feeling to come home to Burlington, Iowa and see that nothing has changed.  Barely.  My mom has a few new decorations, there's a house on my street that is getting a facelift and construction on Roosevelt but besides that... same ol' Burlington.  There is something comforting about that too.  On the other hand, there is something strange about the feeling of coming home where nothing has changed and feeling like the last six months have only been a dream.  Everything feels surreal especially when you are as jetlagged as I am. 
Speaking of jetlag, I was up at five am this morning.  Wide awake.  So my dad and I went out to breakfast at the golden arches (McDonald's, of course).  It was... well, McDonald's.  Tasty... I guess.  Today I am getting my haircut (finally!!!!!) and going to one of my favorite places in the USA - TARGET!  whoop whoop! :)  Yesterday my mom and I had a wonderful pedicure... finally my calluses are gone!  Then we met up with mi padre at the farmer's market.  I won't lie, even though it is a fresh, local farmer's market, the food will never even rival Spain and was a little disappointing.  Food just tastes better in Spain.  I can't even describe it.  After we went to Lindo Mexico - REAL MEXICAN FOOD! oh my gosh - heavenly.
As of now, seven thirty am here, I am drinking my second cup of non-Spanish and therefore not-as-good coffee and am washing my clothes, or what little clothes are still not in pieces.  My mom couldn't believe that I wore the same pair of jeans my whole 18 days traveling with the exception of wearing leggings a few days here and there.  To my defense, I am European by now and jeans take up a lot of room in your backpack and are quite heavy.  Since I didn't wash them or have a dryer, by the time I reached home, I could practically pull them off my hips without unbuttoning them.  Needlesstosay, they are in the dryer as we speak.  On high.  :)
Update soon.
Dos besos
Sarah


PS I just added the pics of my recent excursion through Europe. I apologize because they are not specifically organized according to their city.  The main reason being there are over 700 photos and I uploaded them all together while I was sleeping.  And a few of the Paris pics are out of order. My sincerest apologies.  Due your best to determine where I'm at.  Lo siento.

Eating My Way Through Paris

Bonjour my friends!
I just ate the most wonderful piece of pizza and pastry of my life.  In Paris listening to the music of a carousel in a park beneath Sacre Coeur.  Could life get any better?  Yes, actually it will, in two days when I am home with friends and family but that is neither here nor there.  Right now - Parisian food.  Delicious.  Incredible.  It started with the best baguette in France two days ago and now it is all about the amazing pizza (Italy is still Numero Uno in this department but this Parisian piece is a close second).  The pastry was so moist and soft and flaky with powdered sugar... heavenly.  It doesn't end there.  Last night I was given the generous invitation of having dinner with family friends from Florida who are currently in Paris on business.  We went to a place called the Buddha Bar just near the Louvre.  From the sound of the name you can assume it was a Japanese restaurant and you would be correct.  But we not only ate sushi but also an orray of amazing dishes.  Wonderful.  The company was the best part.  The last time I had seen Jim and Karen was over 10 years ago... at least.  We had a great time catching up and it was so nice to have something social to do, rather than be hanging out sola.  I think that is why I am as ready to come home as I am.  I like to travel by myself but it gets boring... or I get bored.  Museums and monuments and wonderful French food are not as enjoyable alone as they are with family and friends.
Speaking of museums... yesterday morning I went to the Louvre - one of the (if not THEE) most famous museum in the world.  I'm assuming it is the BIGGEST museum in the world but I have no idea - I just couldn't imagine anything bigger.  It is in a PALACE for goodness sakes.  The musuem is a museum itself.  Gorgeous.  In order to see all 35,000 pieces of art I walked at a pretty quick pace and didn't get to see it all.  At first, it was very peaceful walking through the museum with only a few other people scattered throughout.  However after 1.5-2 hours of being open, the Louvre began a Disneyworld nightmare.  People, tourists everywhere being loud even though it is a museum and taking crappy pictures of pieces of art they could just Google Image... I couldn't move freely throughout that museum which is enormous let alone breathe freely.  Needlesstosay I got the heck out of there immediately!  An experience... indeed... one that I would rather not relive... ever...
The rest of the day I wandered the streets of Paris and for a few hours enjoyed an amazing spinach and salmon quiche while reading my book and journaling in a bakery called PAUL in the Latin Quarter.  Then dinner at the Buddha Bar which lasted quite late so I got to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up at night - stunning!  Better from afar at night than in the day time close up, which is what I did today - the Eiffel Tower - the main attraction of Paris or most famous.  It was... steel, lots and lots of steel.  Not my favorite part of Paris but worth it.  I also went to Versailles today.  WOW!  Talk about over the top.  That King Louis XIV knows how to do it up... too bad King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette would later be beheaded as a result of living a too-fabulous lifestyle among a myriad of other things.  Although I did not go into the palace because I hear it is a let-down, the gardens were enough to keep me occupied for hours.  They stretched for miles and miles and miles and miles.  Endless.  With a canal in the middle, hundreds of fountains, thousands of statues and maze-like hedges.  Beautiful.  I ate a sack-lunch on the banks of the canal and enjoyed my book for a few hours.... Oh to be in Paris.
So that kinda sums up my Paris experience.  I have one more day in which I plan on heading back to the Montmartre District and the Latin Quarter - my favorite places.  Hopefully there will be sun tomorrow but it is doubtful.  Then I plan on taking a long shower tomorrow night before I wake up and hop on a 9 hour plan ride which will last technically only 2 hours... crazy concept I know.  Jet-lagged I will arrive in Chicago on Wednesday.... I'm ready but I'm not ready all at the same time.  I own a jumble of feelings right now.  Oh the paradox of life.  How philosophical.  Anyways, thank you all for tuning in to my adventures across Europe.  I have had the time of my life and I hope you all have enjoyed reading about my adventures every step of the way (or as close behind as possible).  And don't worry I'll be back to Europe before I know it (God willing) and will be blogging about Europe again before I know it.  In the meantime I hope you all continue to keep up with my blog as I will be trekking to Ocean City, New Jersey this summer for a missions trip and then this fall back to Chicago of course! 
Dos besos,
Sarah

The Final Stretch

Hello all.
I have 22 minutes this time so this should be a little more detailed and a little less sporatic.  I am in Paris!  But before we start with Paris, let me update you on Munich.  The Castle, like I said before, was fantastic and the countryside was beautiful as well.  The next day we went to Dachau concentration camp.  It was a very somber and serious trip but it was worth it.  I think visiting a WWII concentration camp and seeing the horror that humanity can commit against one another is very important.  We toured most of the camp including the dorms, torture rooms, crematory (spelling? sorry), and gas chambers.  It was eerie at times  especially when walking through the long corridors of the rooms used for torture and solid confinement.  It was horrible hearing about the methods of torture and the brutality that the SS guards and Nazis committed against Jews, homosexuals, gypsies and anyone else who was not blonde hair and blue-eyed.  Walking through the gas chamber with the word "shower" (in German) above the entrance was one of the worst experiences and feelings of my life.  I couldn't be in their for more than 5 minutes and I would never again want to go back.  I can't even express how I felt because I have no idea how to put it all into words and phrases.  It's indescribable but something I suggest everyone experiences if given the chance.  All in all Munich was a success.  Although I was sad to leave Jared (and his fantastic med school friends), I was ready to go to Paris.
Means of transportation to Paris?  Night train.  At first I was a little sketched out because I had heard so many creepy stories.  However, it was pleasant.  Cramped but pleasant.  After popping two sleeping pills, I was out like a light and barely woke up through the night until the train guy woke us up in the morning.  One of the best nights sleep I have had on this little adventure since leaving Spain.  Yay!  Night train was a success!  I barely got the the hostel in the Montmartre district before I left to go take a free walking tour of the city.  What an introduction! I saw a little bit of it all today:  Notre Dame in all her glory, Shakespeare's book shop where starving writers live and work, Eiffel Tower from a distance (tomorrow I'll go to the top), Napolean's tomb, the thriving and entertaining Latin Quarter, Tuileries gardens in bloom, Opera Garnier, Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde, the Grand and Petit Palais (didn't go inside but they were pretty on the outside), Place St. Michel and the Arc de Triomphe (with a car accident occurring every 30 seconds on average).  We walked by the Louve and tomorrow, since there is rain in the forecast, I have plans to go see the Mona Lisa, other works by DaVinci, Venus de Milo, the sculpture room and all 35,000 other works of art housed in the Louve.  I also hope to go to the Musee D'Orsay, which was the old train station and is now a museum.
Today I also visited the neighborhood I am staying in - the Montmartre District, known for its artists.  In this district is the Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur (on Paris's highest hill and has a stunning view), Toulouse-Lautrec and his can-can dancers, Lapin Agile - the bar where Picasso exchanged paintings for food back in the day, the Red Light District, Paris's last surviving windmill, the Artists' Square where there are wall-to-wall artists wanting to sketch your portrait, Van Gogh's house, Picasso's studio and sooo much more.  This area has so much character and quirks.  Full of coffee shops, bakeries, cafes and food and art stands.  I hope I have time to return and explore some more but it's Paris and there is soo much to see!
And sooo much to eat!  Paris is known for its baguettes, cheeses (there are 365 different types - one for every day of the year), crepes and any other type of delicious baked goods.  Today, I had a nutella crepe made by the original crepe people from the town of Brittney (spelling?) in France.  I also bought a baguette from the man who was elected to make the best baguettes in France this year (in the Montmartre district as well).  The feeling of a warm, fresh out of the oven baguette.... indescribable.  I also bought some local Brie cheese... (honestly I wasn't that impressed but don't tell the Parisians - I plan to give it another go tomorrow).  Mmmmm delicious.
I have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people on my journey from Vienna, Austria to Paris, France.  It has been a wonderful adventure and Paris, as a last stop, will be going out with a bang!  So much to see.  It's almost overwelming.  Traveling has also made me realize that seeing the sites is really not enough.  I wish I could live in these places and become part of them instead of just passing through.  I feel too tourist-y.  I don't like it.  I love to travel and see the places, smell the fragrances, taste the food and experience it all... but it's not the same as living in a place like I did in Spain for five months.  It has has to do with people.  Traveling alone has its perks but I miss laughing with someone in Paris, getting lost with someone else in Paris etc.  That's why I am ready to come back to the States.  I want to see my family and friends.  If I can't be in Spain, I want to be home, ya know?
Anyways, time to get going.  I'll try to update the day before I plane out of Paris to Chicago. 
Adios.
Hasta pronto.
Dos besos.
Sarah

Munich

Hello all!
I only have 8 minutes left on the computer so this is going to be short and sweet!
I am in Munich, Germany with my brother!!! (and his medical school group that are heading to Romania to do service work)  We have had a blast and its not even over yet!  The first day we took a walking tour of Munich and heard all about the history of the city.  Munich is the birthplace of Hitler's 3rd Reich and there is so much WWII knowledge to learn.  Sooo tomorrow we will be going to Dachau concentration camp.  Although I know it will be somber and depressing I feel it is an important piece of history  that I want to learn about and experience as best as I can.  However today we went to Neuschwanstein Castle in the same region as Munich - Bavaria.  BEAUTIFUL countryside.  The castle, which Disney modeled his castle after, was breathtaking.  It was so intricate and stunning.  Built only in the 1800s, it is rather young and was not completed because the King Ludwig died *suddenly*.  Very interesting storyline which I wish I had more minutes to tell you about in detail.  We also went to the original HaufbrausHaus - the famous Munich beer hall which I probably did not spell correctly.  Very cool.  We have also eaten a lot of Doner Kebaps which are fantastic and gelado.  I have finally decided that my favorite flavor is pistaccio.  It only took me 19 years and 11 months to come to that conclusion but I am satisfied now.
49 seconds... Tomorrow evening night train to Paris.
Update more then.
Dos besos
Sarah

To Be a Berliner...

Oh what I would not give to be a true Berlin-er today.  Why do you ask?  Well, today was this huge Culture Festival and Parade in Berlin and it was INSANE.  Berliners know how to through a party - although, Spain still trumps all fiestas!  Jaja.  There were thousands upon thousands of people in the streets.  Body to body.  For miles and miles.  I have never seen that many people anywhere.  Well, maybe at the Iowa State Fair.  Jaja.  Since it was a culture parade, there were many different booths with food, crafts, jewelry, scarves etc. from all over the world.  I found this adorable quilt made in India but have no way to get it home, seeing as I'm backpacking!  Bummer.  But I took a picture so maybe I can find something similar in the States although it won't be the same!  To sum up the Berlin Culture Fest in a few words or even a blog post would be impossible - definitely something that you need to truly experience and I am so glad I was able to.
The highlight of Berlin has definitely been the company.  I am staying with a girl named Katie who knows Barbara who is one of my CRU leaders.... Katie lives in Berlin and is on STINT with CRU.  Not only have I met Katie and her other fellow STINT-ers but I have also met students from Purdue and Butler University who are on Summer Project with CRU in Berlin!  Craziness!  It has been a lot of fun being able to tag along with them on a few things.  Tomorrow if it does not rain, we are doing a walking tour of Berlin! On Saturday I went to the German History Museum which was very informative especially about WWI and WWII.  I haven't done a lot of sightseeing yet because I am planning on the tour tomorrow and also it has been nice to just relax.  I needed a little breather after Vienna and Prague and definitely before Munich with Jared and then in the final stretch with Paris!
Although I am very excited to come home to the States and then go to the OC, I am still missing Spain and my friends and family from there a ton.  Last night I had a dream about my host family... and my American girls from Spain... I miss them soo much.  It's unbelievable how close I became with all of them in less than five months.  On the other hand, I am extremely excited to see my family-family in the States (Jared in Munich) and then see my friends too!!  YAY!  I am also excited to use a dryer, eat real Mexican and sushi, go to Target and simplify my life back in the States.  Yes, that's right, the first thing I am doing when I get home is to get rid of a ton of stuff and simplify my life.  Living out of two suitcases for the past five months made me realize that I don't need a lot and how much I really have.  If I don't need it now, there is someone that does need it NOW.  I am so blessed and fortunate to have so much but there is a line between having enough and having too much.  I like having a simplified life.  Less mess :)
Well I better sum this up.  The girls and I are about to watch X-men 2.  Last night we watched the first one, which I had never seen!  My first American movie in 5 months!  Wow... the transition has begun.  It will be tough with the reverse culture shock so I am glad to be starting now and to be starting slow.
Dos besos
Sarah

Prague: Czech Me Out!

Hello all from Prague, Czech Republic!
I am in LOVE with Prague; it is absolutely breathtaking.  Maybe I love it so much because Vienna was a let-down or maybe because Carly was here... whatever it was, I love Prague.  It isn't just one part of the city that is beautiful - the WHOLE city is amazing.  Cobblestone streets, adorable shops, amazing food (consisting of meat, potatos, and beer) and so much more.
In Vienna, I met two girls from Australia who were going to Prague the same day I was so we took the 5 hour train from Vienna to Prague together.  They are so much fun!  And as it turned out, we are going to Berlin at the same time too (tomorrow) so we are taking the train together again.  It is wonderful to have train buddies for those longer train rides.  They can be so boring but with two fun Aussies, we played Monopoly card game and talked the whole way.
Once we got to Prague we went our separate ways with plans to meet up in three days to catch the train to Berlin.  I headed to my hostel - adorable and clean!  I am having great luck with hostels this trip.  I only pray that Munich and Paris will be just as good.  Carly, my friend in Spain, was there with her brother and her friend in the same hostel so we hung out together, which was such a relief and a blessing.  Having Carly made everything so much better because traveling alone can be a downer especially after saying  goodbye to friends and family and SPAIN!  The first day we went to the Old Town Square, where there are two churches and the Astronomical Clock.  So much fun!  All throughout the square was little food stands where you could buy beer, hot wine, corn on the cob (which made me think of Iowa), chorizo hotdogs (which made me think of Spain) and chicken skewer sandwich things.  Delicious!  Over the next few days we saw the classic sites of Prague which includes the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, Municipal House, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and St. Vitus's Cathedral.  We also tried beer brewed by the monks who live in Prague as well as huge amounts of pork.  I was in need of some protein!
The Charles Bridge is a gorgeous site that was built in 1357 and is dsitinguished by 30 statues erected down the length of it.  One of the statues is famous for either bringing you good or bad luck depending on which side of it you rub.  Some people were rubbing both but we figured that would bring you ever worse luck!  Carly and I, not wanting to jinx our travel, opted out of rubbing at all.  Just in case.  Jaja (haha).  Across the Charles Bridge and up the hill is the Prague Castle, which is about 1000 years old and I was told that it is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) castles in Europe.  It didn't really seem like a castle but was gorgeous none-the-less.  Within the castle grounds is St. Vitus's Cathedral - the most famous of all of Prague's cathedrals.  Prague is also known for its Jewish Quarter, which remains perserved even through World War II.  This is because Hitler did not destroy any of the synagogues in Prague.  He did this so after he "exterminated" the Jewish race, he could use Prague and its Jewish Quarter as a "museum" of "what was".  How terrible!  But I am glad it was preserved because it too was stunning even though we didn't go into all of the synongogues.  Within the Jewish Quarter known as Josefov is the Old Jewish Cemetery, Pinkas Synagogue that holds the names of 77.297 Jews and is about 400 years old, as well as the Old-New Synagogue which is the most important and over 700 years old.
In Prague I also ate my first bagel since leaving the States in January.  There are a few bagel places called Bohemia Bagels and I just couldn't resist.  Not as good as Big Apple Bagels that used to be in Burlington but it was sufficient to satisfy my bagel needs. :) On the subject of food, today we ate goolosh and dumplings - tasty!  Then for dessert we shared one of these hallow cinnamon roll things with Nutella in the middle.  Carly and I are suckers for Nutella - our weakness.  The amount of Nutella eaten in the past 5 months is shameful.  Jaja.
Tomorrow I leave for Berlin and am very excited.  Stop number 3 on my journey.  I will be staying with Katie who is doing a STINT with Campus Crusade and is a friend of Barbara's.  I am so blessed that she is opening her home to me.  I am not only excited to meet her and hear all about what she does but I am also excited to meet some students from Purdue University who are doing a missions trip of some-sort over in Berlin right now.  I leave for Berlin tomorrow as my brother departs from Chicago to Europe on his medical school trip to volunteer in Romania.  After Berlin, we will be meeting in Munich.  Yay!  It has been so long since I have seen my brother - highlight of my trip!
Anyways, thanks for tuning in again to my travel blog!  Hope I didn't bore you too much.  :)
Dos besos
Sarah

Socks and Sandals

Vienna without rain is much more enjoyable.
Today I saw the Town Hall, Parliament, Votiv Church, Freud's house, the Spanish Riding School with the dancing horses, Burgtheatre, the Museum Quarter and sooo much more.  I also went to the Naschmarkt which was very neat!  I had coffee there, ate olives, and stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon while people watching.  It was very entertaining.  Everyone is so different yet all the same.  Although I could not understand what they were saying, their actions and expressions said it all.  Wow.  And the food was delicious.  Tonight = the OPERA! in Vienna!  Craziness.  It actually turned out to be a ballet but was at the main opera house in Vienna.  Incredible!  I'm amazed at how flexible the male and female ballerinas are. 
Tomorrow = Prague with Carly.  Thank goodness I will be with someone else.  Because I am still a little sad since leaving Spain.  Today I am over traveling.  Tomorrow will be better, I hope.  I miss my friends and family in the States and I miss my friends and family in Spain.  Blah. 
But anyways these next 15 days will go by so quickly.  And I'll be in the States before I know it, having to deal with even MORE culture shock.  Looking forward to it, of course!  jaja
Dos Besos
Sarah

Stop Crying, Vienna, Please

As I type this, I am sitting in the most amazing little hostel in Vienna, Austria.  It is adorable.  I was a little worried at first when I could not find the place.  I walked around for 30 minutes with a huge backpack in the rain trying to remain calm.  Finally I found it.  The apartment building is a little sketch but when I finally got inside, I sighed a huge sigh of relief.  Adorable.  Home.  Clean.  Smile.  It has everything you could ever want and more.  Computers with internet.  Olive oil and other condiments.  Breakfast included.  Sheets.  Television.  Books.  Information about Vienna.  Even toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, Q-tips.  For crying out loud! 
I love the hostel in Vienna but I have yet to fall in love with the city.  The main reason being the weather.  It is rainy, cold, windy.  Not ideal weather for walking around Vienna or touring huge gardens or palaces.  And definitely not ideal for taking pictures.  However, I did hit the jackpot when I met Jake, a student from Atlanta who is studying abroad at Oxford for a semester.  He knew exactly what he wanted to see, where it was at (he was equipt with a GPS!), and he had a guidebook.  We had a fun time seeing Vienna despite the rain.
First thing we did was go see these 'steps' that are supposed to be some of the prettiest steps in all of Europe.  They were... pretty... but again, it was rainy and therefore not as magical as I had hoped these 'steps' would be.  Then we went to one of the main squares in Vienna where there is this huge fountain and also this is where many concerts are held when the weather is nice.  We went to three palaces today.  The first being the Belvedere Palace, the summer home of the Hapsburgs.  Fantastic.  Even in the rain it was gorgeous.  Second palace was the Imperial Palace in the middle of Vienna close to the Museum Quarter where I will be going tomorrow.  We also walked by the Opera House but were not able to go in because it was Sunday (again, tomorrow).  We walked through Stephansdom cathedral - enormous!  Not as cool as the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.  Nothing will ever beat that cathedral.  Close to Stephansdom is St. Peters church with a huge dome on top.  That was kinda neat although they were doing restorations... always a bummer, especially for photos.  Next we went to the Schonbrunn Palace and actually took a tour!  How interesting!  Of course, it looked as you would expect a palace to look.  High ceilings, beautiful ornate furniture, way to many rooms, gold-decorated everything!  Schonbrunn means 'beautiful spring' which was appropriate because there are so many fountains and the gardens are fantastic!  There is so much land and lush green vegetation... it is crazy!  Even in the rain and wind, we walked up this hill to get a look at the entire thing.  The view was incredible.  The history is incredible as well.  Maria Theresia of Austria, when she was crowned, had an architect re-vamp it.  It is currently this beautiful yellow color.  Emperor Franz Josef of Austria lived and died there.  Also interesting note:  Marie Antoinette is the daughter of Maria Theresa... can't wait til I go see Versailles in Paris!!  At first, I was on the fence about going because it is a whole day afair and costs a bit of money and I thought it would just be another palace but what the heck?!?! Why not.  The history behind all these monuments and palaces is amazing!  Speaking of history, we walked by the Imperial Hotel in Vienna, which is where Hitler had his headquarters in Vienna during WWII.  Crazy, right?  WWII is going to hit me like a brick when I get to Berlin!
Anyways I am hoping it will be nicer tomorrow so I can take more pictures and enjoy myself a little more.  I need to stop by the train station and get my Eurail validated and get all set up to leave Tuesday for Prague.  Tonight, after such a cold and rainy day, I am going to stay in my cozy hostel and read my book.  I'm on vacation.  It's nice.  Although I won't lie, I will definitely be ready to come home-home.  I love traveling but its exhausting.  I think things will go uphill in Prague where I'll have Carly, Berlin with Katie, Munich with Jared and Paris... well its Paris and my last stop!  I will continue to update you all as best as I can.  Hopefully I'll have luck with the other hostels being this nice as well.
Dos besos
Sarah
PS It's still tough being gone from Spain too.  Today, I ate my last tortilla espanola sandwich that Feli packed for me and almost began to cry again.  Ugh. 
PPS I dont know how I could have forgotten to mention this seeing as I love coffee a lot!  Vienna is known for its coffee and particularly coffee houses.  So this afternoon, seeking shelter, we went to one of the famous coffee houses called Central Cafe or something like that... close to the Imperial Palace.  It was absolutely beautiful inside but the coffee was honestly a let down.  Spanish coffee in Feli's little Italian coffee maker is so much better.  :)

No Goodbyes - Only Hasta Luegos

I survived the dreaded goodbyes (or aka, hasta luegos).  I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it through these past few days without throwing up.  My stomach has been in knots for days now.  Still is.  But I survived and am now in Barcelona after just meeting with Gina's former foreign exchange student who lives in Barcelona - Iris.  I am so glad that we finally got to meet up, especially after having such a tough day of goodbyes it was nice to grab a coffee with such a sweet and genuine person.
Last night after dinner with the family around 9:30ish, I went over to Morgen's apartment with the gang for the last get-together.  Triste. Triste. Triste.  I am going to miss them so much.  I am so blessed to have met such wonderful, amazing people this semester.  They made my experience what it was.  And although our time together in Spain is over, I look forward to all the USAC reunions!  Wherever they may be.  *cough cough* Cabo :) jaja  Anyways this morning I woke up and did NOT want to get out of bed because I knew this was the last morning I would wake up in my comfortable little bed in my cozy little room in Alicante, Spain.  During the usual breakfast with Feli, I was tearing up... No way could I start to cry already.  I sucked it up.  jaja  The whole morning and afternoon, there was a huge elephant in the room called This Is Sarah's Last Day in Alicante with Her Amazing Host Family.  It was obnoxious.  Finally it was that time.  I went to my room, put on my shoes, then went back to the living room where Feli and Alba were... I can't even remember if I said anything before we were all hugging and had tears in our eyes.  I couldn't stand it - seeing both Feli and Alba cry.  Madre mia.  We said how much we were going to miss each other, what a delight it had been living together, how we can't believe it went by so fast, and how I am going to return muy pronto (ASAP).  Then Feli apologized for anything that either she or Alba did over the course of the semester that might have upset me etc.  At first I thought she was kidding or that I had misunderstood because neither of them ever did a thing (not even in the slightest) that upset me even a bit.  I told Feli that she was crazy for thinking that and that they were perfect.  When I start to tear up, I can't speak or convey my feelings without bawling so before I said goodbye, I wrote them a letter - everything that I knew I wouldn't be able to say in fear of crying or just because I needed to use the translator!  jajaja  The last thing that was said was "Hasta luego" and then as I was walking down the stairs I heard Feli say "pobrecita" and that was it.  I was crying.  As much as I will miss "pobrecita", I will miss Feli calling me "carino" even more.  They will always hold a very special place in my heart as I know I will in theirs.  Needlesstosay, the walk to the train station was a little embarassing...  Spaniards were staring at me (which isn't unusual) but they were staring evenmore as I was bawling on the sidewalk with a gigantic backpack on.  I finally put on my sunglasses to conceal the tears and redness. jaja
Anyways that is enough of my sob story.  I'm sure you all are tired of hearing about that.  But overall, I could not have asked for a better Spanish experience.  I'm not sad because I know that I will see all these beautiful people again even if it is in a few years.  I am more sad because I was not ready to leave, in my opinion.  There is so much I needed to do, needed to see, needed to say, needed to learn, needed to experience and of course, there was  time that I needed to spend with these wonderful people.  But there is a time for everything - a time to plant and a time to uproot (Ecclesiastes somewhere...).  I know this is true.  But I wish it just didn't have to hurt so bad to uproot.  I am excited for the next chapters of my life but when you enjoy one chapter of your life as much as I did in Spain, turning the page is about the most unbareable thing.  I am so blessed to have had this experience and to have grown so close with my friends here and host family.  I am also incredibly lucky to have the wonderful friends and family back in the States.  I cannot wait to see you all!!!!!!
I love you all a ton.  Thank you for being here for me through the thick and the thin.  You are amazing.
Tomorrow - Vienna, Austria.
Dos Besos,
Sarah

The Final Countdown...

Oh my... less than 24 hours... like I told the girls yesterday, I have oxymorons in my stomach - bittersweet, nervous-excited, jumbo-shrimp... jaja :D  I just finished my classes.  It feels so good to be done but at the same time it makes me very sad.  The time always passes so rapidly.  Not fair!  As weird as this may sound, I'm going to miss my teachers (even Don Juan jaja).  Between Don Juan and my host family - they have taught me so much Spanish!  The other day Don Juan gave me a very nice compliment about my Spanish - he said "has aprendido español perfectamente.  es increíble."  which translates to "you have learned spanish perfectly. it is incredible."  I have come so far in the last 4 months.  I wish I could stay for longer and see how fluent I could really get!  I have had the time of my life learning Spanish and will continue to do so!
The past couple days have been full of packing and goodbyes (not so much studying jaja).  On Monday I said goodbye to Intercambio 2, Pedro.  Kinda triste.  However it was harder to say goodbye to Intercambio 1, Javier.  My friend Carly and I both have intercambios who are good friends.  So last night we all went out to dinner for a last goodbye.  We had sooo much fun!  Between English, Spanish and the language barrier - it was ALL laughs!  I even got some good videos of us being funny at dinner.  Carly and I taught the boys some good English phrases and vise-versa. :)  Both Javier and Juan Antonio promise to visit us in the States.  Can't wait for that experience!!!  Until then we will use Skype or as the Spaniards pronounce it - "skeeeepe"  Oh, how I will miss España.
After our entertaining dinner, Carly and I headed over to Morgen's apartment where the "gang" was - eating cake with "frosting" and having one of our last "hoorahs".  ¡Qué Triste!  I am going to miss everyone so much.  Its unbelievable how close we have all grown.  Pues.. there's always Cabo, right ladies? ;)  
Right now I am just thinking of all the wonderful moments I have had and how blessed I am.  When I was on my way to España in January, I never imagined it would be this amazing.  Wow.  Although its coming to an end, we will always have the memories (and the photos or videos).
Tomorrow I take off for Barcelona, where I am going to try to meet up with Gina's former foreign exchange student.  Saturday my flight takes off in the afternoon for Vienna, Austria where I will start my 18 day journey.  From Austria I will head to Prague where I will meet up with Carly and her brother.  Then Berlin where I will stay with Katie, who is doing a STINT in Berlin with Campus Crusade!!!  After Berlin is Munich with my one-and-only hermano, Jared!  I cannot wait to see him!!  We already have plans to go to a castle and a concentration camp.  If it works out we will meet up with one of our Liberty, MO neighbor's foreign exchange student who lives near Munich.  Finally, there will be a night train to Paris where I will spend four nights before flying direct from Paris to Chicago on June 2nd.  What a ride!  I will continue you to keep you posted as much as possible!
Hasta entonces!
Dos besos,
Sarah




Later that day...
So after debating back and forth over whether to bring vino and other Spanish gifts back home with me via my friend Sara who lives in Iowa City, we decided yes that we would transport vino etc. in my suitcase.  No pasa nada.  Well this afternoon I went to the Correos so they could weigh my suicase.  First thing the guy says when he picks it up is:  "¡Joder!"  and I respond naturally:  "¡Sí Señor!"  ... 28 kilos later... mi maleta ha roto.  Pues.... no más vino... oops!  I go home to Feli and Alba to tell them about the incident - "Madre mia" was all they could say.  Yo tam.  Yo tam.  So I dropped the broke suitcase off by the garbage, went to get more money to buy another China-shop suitcase, and when I came back - my broken suitcase was gone.  Literally 5 minutes.  Or less.  I kid you not.  So then I go to another China-shop and the only suitcase they had was hot pink (sorry sara!!! you are going to look fly wheeling this baby through the airports jaja).  And now, three bottles of vino less... I am praying this suitcase doesn't fail me.  ¡Fracaso!
PS I want to apologize in advance to all of my loved ones who were going to get Grade A vino from Spain as a gift.  Now you are gift-less.  Lo siento mucho.  :( 
Pues... estas cosas pasan.  Now I don't have to worry about customs getting upset.  ¡Bien!

...lots of cuddling...

Less than a week...

Writing that phrase took all the energy I had, which isn't much because it's time for a siesta anyways.  I still don't want to leave.  But it's okay.  The girls and I have decided to reunite in Cabo, Mexico sometime in the next two years or so.  (This will happen.  I promise.  We all do.)  And today when Feli asked me when they could expect me back, I said within two years, after I graduate from Loyola.  That, too, will happen.  I'm convinced.  One thing that Spain and this experience has taught me is that you never have enough time with the people you love.  Never.  So nothing should keep you from the people you love most.  Not 5,000 miles.  Not money.  Not work.  Not time/schedules.  Nothing.  Family and friends are too important and even that is an understatement.  If only everyone lived with that mindset, people would be much happier and the world would be a better place.  But that's another "tema" altogether.  I have had the time of my life in Spain these past four or five months.  I have learned and grown so much.  I don't want to leave but I know the next chapter of my life will bring joy, growth, and love as well.  I hate endings.  And I hate goodbyes.  Chicas, when we leave Spain we are not saying "Adios" - only "Hasta luego".  Wow.  The more I sit here thinking about leaving the more I cry.  This is going to be worse than heartbreak.  Pues... no pasa nada.  I am just so thankful and humbled by these opportunities but more so by the people I have met here and come to love.  You all have made this experience what it has been.  Indescribable.  I am so blessed to have met you all and we have become best friends in such a short time.  And Feli and Alba have become my second family in only four months.  Spain and everyone Spain has brought me to know and love have stolen my heart.  Through the tears, I'm smiling because I am so blessed, so incredibly blessed.

Okay.  Okay.  I need to write about something else.  So... what has been going on in Alicante lately?  Well, let's see.  Last weekend can be summed up in one word - PLAYA (beach).  Amazing weekend of beachin' it, enjoying meals with my family, and passing the nights with my friends in the barrio.  Me encanta.  Last week was full of classes which have become even more incredibly hard to sit through with only a few days left...  I made banana bread for thank you gifts yesterday.  Delicious but the middle always is a problem.  Yesterday, I had to buy a suitcase to transport stuff home in... muy triste.  Since I don't have much stuff, I am filling it with turrón, datiles, vino, digestive cookies, and paella seasoning.  As well as a lovely pair of heels, that are quite painful but I'm dedicated to practicing.  :)  Last night all of us got all dressed up and passed the time at Morgen's apartment, hanging out, talking, laughing, breaking wine glasses.... again I apologize for that one.  *embarrassed*  Then we went to Havana Lounge in the barrio for some dancing.  The dynamic was great.  Everyone was having a blast.  It was the perfect night.  Tonight, ladies, lots of cuddling??? jajaja

However, that isn't the most important part of this weekend.  The most important part is today because today is Feli's birthday!  ¡Qué bueno!  Alba and I bought pastries and flowers.  In Spain, birthdays aren't a big deal.  Loads of gifts - no.  Lots of sweets and cakes - no.  It was perfect.  We had a delicious lunchtime meal of seafood paella, caviar, brie al horno, and then a few tiny pasteles.  ¡Qué ricos!  It was fun because during lunch preparation and lunch, I had my camera and we took some fun pictures.  One of all of our slippers, which embarrassed Alba because she thinks her slippers are ugly!  jaja  They kinda are but we love them all the same.  Even though it is her birthday, Feli did everything the same, including when I tried to help clean up, she protested until I talked her into letting me wipe off the table.  Tonight, there is no way she is doing the dishes.  

Hm... time to echar una siesta.  What a life!

Dos besos

Sarah

Queen of Pro-Con Lists

Buenos Días Todos
Today is another gorgeous day in Alicante, España.  Both Friday and Saturday I was at the beach, although yesterday was clearly a far more superior beach day (I even got a little "tan" or in my case slightly red/brown).  It has been so relaxing this week.  Going to the beach, cooking with Feli, eating tapas with friends, and just hanging out.  Since the weather is so amazing and the beach so tempting, it will be very hard to concentrate on the last few weeks of school.  Pues... no pasa nada. :)
As many of you know, I am very conflicted about leaving Alicante.  I am super-excited to see my friends and family and this summer will be beyond INCREDIBLE!  However, I have fallen in love with everything here (minus being clicked at by strange Spanish men).  I have grown so much in Spain, learned so much about myself, and met some wonderful people.  I think I would be more at peace with leaving if I knew for sure that I was coming back - especially WHEN.  The thought of never seeing my host family again (or for a very very long time) is very triste (Spanish word for sad).  As I am going through the ups and downs of wanting to go home and then not wanting to etc. I thought I would share with you the things I am excited about in the States (Pros) and the things I will miss here in Spain (Cons).


Pros
1. Friends and Family, por supuesto (of course)
2. Ocean City, New Jersey!!!!!!!!
3. Target (and other shopping stores but mostly Target)
4. Sushi (yes, they have sushi in Spain but it just doesn't feel right eating sushi in Spain when there is tapas)
5. Chipotle (aka good Mexican food - the Spanish idea of Mexican food is wayyy off)
6. My closet (I am very excited about having CHOICES for my wardrobe once again)
7. Straightening my hair (I can straighten my hair in Spain but its not worth it here and I just want to see what it looks like again)
8. Chicago (I LOVE Chicago)
9. Loyola (surprisingly I am very excited about all my poli sci and international studies classes this Fall)


The list is tentative and will be further updated when I think of more things.


Cons
1. My host family (Feli and Alba have been such a blessing from the Lord and I adore them in every way - This is definitely the biggest Con of them all)
2. Friends (Although we will still be somewhat close in the States, we probably won't go on anymore amazing backpacking trips and be getting coffee on a regular base together...)
3. The food (tortilla española, cocido, tapas, and all the other wonderful food Feli makes.  Also, I will miss how cheap all the food is here.  The fruits and veggies (and brie cheese) are so cheap here it almost feels like you're stealing.)
4. The blinds on my windows (perfect for taking naps and sleeping in because they block out absolutely ALL sunlight.  I am investing in some when I get back to the States)
5. Coffee (The coffee here is amazing.)
6. The culture, in general (Very laid back, much more focused on family and friends... Living in the Spanish culture has made me more relaxed, less worrisome, and less anxious.  Hopefully these are things I can keep incorporated in my life back in the States.)
7. The language (I will miss speaking Spanish all the time in my classes and then coming home and speaking Spanish.  When I get back to the States I will be on the hunt for a Spanish-speaking partner.)


This semester abroad has been so rewarding.  In more ways than one.  It is sad that it is coming to an end.  Life moves too quickly and time goes too fast.  The rapid passing of life reinforces how important it is to live in the present and enjoy each day as if it were your last.  I know that there is a time for everything ("a time to plant and a time to uproot" Ecclesiastes 3:2b)  However, it still hurts having to "uproot" even though I know I am going on to something else wonderful and that the Lord will grow me in that place like He has grown me here in Spain.


I'll continue to keep the lists updated.  Until then... Hasta luego.
Un beso
Sarah

Pues.... Spring Break 2010

Awhhh finally... back in Alicante, España and it feels amazing.  I never thought I would be this happy to be returning to Alicante and to my wonderful host family in a very clean home.  First thing I did when I got home (after hugging Feli (Alba is away for the weekend), talking about spring break, and eating dinner... real food) was to SHOWER!  Best shower of my life.  I have never felt more disgusting before and more clean after.  It was much needed after the hostel we stayed at in Venice but I don't want to get ahead of myself here.  So the story of spring break begins.... You all have already heard about Barcelona, Roma, and Florence.  Now you will read about the adventures had in Cinque Terre and Venice.  Get ready.  Brace yourselves.  And pues... ENJOY!!


Florence was amazing (like I previously posted) but we (Morgen, Sara and I) were very excited to get to the Cinque Terre in Northwest Italia.  Cinque Terre is a national park that holds five beautiful quaint and charming little towns by the names of Monterrosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.  All of which you are able to hike between for a total of about 9km.  Anyways... we were actually staying in La Spezia but that's besides the fact.  We were supposed to call the hostel an hour before we arrived so they would make sure everything was ready, open etc.  However when attempting to call the number we had, it came up incorrect or invalid.  We tried numerous times but each time, failure.  Of course, we remained calm.  When we got to La Spezia, we found the hostel.... but no one was around... Uh oh.  Panic set in.  What are we going to do???  The number is invalid... Panic.  Then Sara, being friends with Italians, remembered that you must dial + before the number.  Hallelujah!  It worked and we got ahold of Antonio who was the owner of the apartment in which we stayed.  Best hostel stay of our trip because it ended up being an empty apartment that Antonio rented out the rooms to travelers so we had our own kitchen, bathroom, living room etc.  Amazing!  Although there was one room that had a lock on it that was questionable... we tried not to think about it, hoping nothing scary would pop out of it in the middle of the night.
Since we arrived in La Spezia on Sunday, there were no stores open for food except a cute little pizza place called Bella Napoli.  We went in and ordered a pizza and gnocchi... no wait... we ordered three pizzas and three gnocchi!  The Italian guys running the place (who we could not communicate with besides pointing to the menu and holding up fingers) thought we were crazy - "How could three little American girls eat THAT much food???"  Believe me, its possible :)  Oh, did I mention that later that night we went back for a Nutella pizza?  They definitely thought we were insane.  The more ironic part took place the next morning as we are heading to the grocery story before we left for Cinque Terre and I am eating left-over cold pizza for breakfast (as we are walking) and we run into the pizza guy from last night.  He recognizes us (me eating his pizza) and smiles.  Our response:  "Buongiorno!"  Story #2 - While in the grocery store (in the bottled water and pop aisle) we see a piece of meat setting out on a shelf unrefrigerated.  Thinking that someone was lazy and after deciding they didn't need the meat just left it in the soda aisle, I picked up the meat (and was going to take it back to the correct section so it didnt spoil) and started to tell Morgen and Sara how rude I thought this was... when an Italian man comes towards me saying "es mio, es mio, es mio" (meaning it's mine, it's mine, it's mine).  Embarassed but laughing to hard to care, I hand the meat back to the nice Italian man....
Cinque Terre.... absolutely the most beautiful place in the entire world.  Period.  If you ever have the chance to go, GO!  Although there isn't much to do IN the towns, the most beautiful part is hiking between them.  Some parts of the hike were harder than others, especially after going up a million steps up a mountain, but the view made our jaws drop open.  Breath-taking.  While on the hike, we befriended two cats by feeding them Sara's leftover tuna.  Sara, if you are reading this, you are a champ!  Way to save the kitties.  
During this trip, we laughed so much it was ridiculous.  We also laughed so much our stomaches hurt, we couldn't breathe, and there were tears rolling down our faces.  Not only the cheese in Florence made us laugh so hard we cried but in Cinque Terre, there was a malfunction with the toliet seat... Speaking of toliets and toliet seats for that matter... Italians do NOT believe in toliet seats.  Rarely will you find a seat attached to the toliet.  It makes you want to BYOTS - Bring Your Own Toliet Seat.  However, at times, there is not even a toliet.  Yes, I know, it's unbelievable.  Unimaginable.  Absurd.  But sometimes, there is a hole in the ground and places marked for your feet (with any squatting position, a good stance is necessary of course).  Each of us will admit it, we were desperate and used the hole in the ground.  Awful but we try not to remember those moments.  Or the moments when they make you PAY to use the restroom.  Pues... no pasa nada.  :)  We survived.
As for survival... the three of us know how to navigate Italy's train system to our benefit.  From La Spezia to Venice (our next and final stop) we had to take three trains, meaning we had two transfers.  The first train - everything went well and we were on time.  However the second train was going to be 40 minutes late meaning we would miss train number three.  That was NOT going to happen!  Not when we only had 24 hours in Venice - we needed all the time we could get.  So making an executive decision we validated our ticket and hopped on the incorrect train - but a train going to the place our train number two would have gone as well.  What was our plan when the conductor came around to check tickets?  A) Pretend to be asleep.  If A failed, B) burst into tears, act innocent, act stupid and naive.  What really happened?  The guy took pity on us and did not say a word.  I kid you not.  He did a double-take at the ticket (obviously recognizing that it was wrong) and he stamped it, gave us a look, and went on his way.  We all breathed a sigh of relief... Close call.  Oh but we were not out of trouble quite yet.  The wrong train number two to Bologna ended up being kinda slow and we missed train number three to Venice after all.  We were about to try our luck and hop on another wrong train to Venice, when a strange Italian man came up to me (because I was holding the ticket) and started speaking in Italian and motioning to come with him.  It seemed as if he was going to help us.  He helped us get our reservation change for a train that would leave only a little bit after the one we missed.  However after the man left and I was still getting our new tickets, the ticket lady told me (in English), "That man is a *insert Italian word here that I do not remember or know*".  When I asked her what that meant in English, she told me she didn't know but that "it isn't good for you".  What????  Weird.  Pues... only in Italia....
Finally, we were in Venice - after eating pasta and cheese with our hands.  (Side note:  We were notorious on this trip for eating strange things - like scrambled (long story) tortilla española out of tupperware on rocks in the Cinque Terre.  Also for utilizing every gadget on my Swiss Army knife.)  Venice would be our breakpoint.  In a way we will be able to laugh about later.  Right now, TOO SOON.  What am I talking about?  Our hostel.  The Venice Fish.  How can I even begin to describe it?  Awful.  Horrible.  Filthy.  Repulsive.  Disease-Infested.  And I am being nice...  I don't even want to think about describing the kitchen or the lack of bed sheets.  Pues... we survived.  Although just barely without losing our sanity.  Sara still thinks she has bed bugs but we told her that was all in her head... or so we hope...  Never again will I stay at the Venice Fish.  After updating the blog, I am going to go give it a horrible rating on HostelWorld.com  Everyone else needs a warning.  Since our hostel was sooo awful, it kinda put a damper on Venice.  Don't get me wrong, Venice is beautiful!!!  So interesting and intriguing.  But we were all glad to get out of there.... hence, why I was so excited, thrilled actually, to get home to Alicante, where I have a CLEAN house, could take a long, hot shower with soap, and have a nice, clean, cozy bed to sleep in... with sheets.


El Fin.


Furthermore, the photos are coming.  Again, they don't do Italia justice but they are the best I can do.  Also, people are not lying when they tell you the pizza in Italy is the BEST in the world.  We each ate a wonderful slice in Venice - probably the highlight of our trip.  Oh, and the gelato.  Do I need to actually tell you that it was out of this world or is that just understood? :D  Well, I have about a million things to do, to unpack, emails to send, homework to do (possible).  I hope everyone enjoys this post and gets a little laugh out of it because we sure had some laughs on this spring break adventure.  Also, I pray that this post finds everyone healthy and happy (and with clean sheets on their beds and a kitchen that doesn't reek of filth - just kidding... well sorta).
Un beso
Sarah

Firenze has stolen my Heart

I love Florence, Italy.  Period.  End of story.





Okay so Florence is really amazing.  I am now travelling with Morgen and Sara - both from Iowa!  (YAY for Midwestern girls!!)  We have already had so much fun!  We took the train Thursday morning from Rome to Florence and checked into a wonderful hostel.  The only downside is the lack of kitchen.... So we have been making it work with sandwiches and veggies from the local market.  The first thing we did was go to the Market when we got to Florence.  Florence is know for its leather (purses!) and for its pashmina scarves (beautiful).  So needless to say, I bought some amazing gifts :) and a few things for myself.  I bought a beautiful leather bound journal for when I am finished with my Target journal!  (Wow, I miss Target! a lot!) 
Florence not only has good shopping but is beautiful!  Breath-taking actually.  We climed Piazzale Michelangelo in the afternoon on Friday for a gorgeous view of Firenze.  It was stunning and we all fell in love with the city.  We also saw the Ponte Vecchio, which is the bridge with houses attached to it over the river that runs through Firenze.  In addition we walked through the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Church of Santa Croce.  All the buildings are beautiful and the streets are so quaint.  It is definitely a romantic city.  I like the fact that it was not HUGE like Rome, although there are quite a few tourists.  Some of the most stunning buildings was the Duomo, the Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore and Giottos Bell Tower along with the Baptistery of San Giovanni.  They were very different from what I have seen because they were made of multiple colors of marable with designs and statues surrounding them.
Then of course, we saw David.  David was magnificent.  The most stunning piece of art I have ever seen.  Absolutely breath-taking.  Standing 15 feet tall, completely sculpted from snow white marble.  Michelangelo was a genius.  To sculpt something so perfect.  He looked so lifelike.  Flawless.  I have never seen anything that wonderful and grand.  Indescribeable.  After David, we spent the day in the park, relaxing, reading, listening to msuic and just enjoying Florence.  We also went to taste some of the finest gelado in Firenze.  Yummmmy.  Later, we picked up a few more things at the market for dinner tonight.  Tomorrow we go to the Cinque Terre and are thankful that the place we are staying has a kitchen!!  Pasta and tortilla and pizza :D 
I am having a wonderful time and of course am so thankful for these opportunities.  It is so surreal to be here.  To have these opportunities.  The Lord is so good.  I wouldnt change a thing right now.  Contentment.  I did however change the end of my spring break plans.  I was going to stay until the 18th but decided I would like to come home early to Alicante and be able to relax, go to the beach, catch up on things, and hang out with my friends and especially my host family!  I am going to miss them so much when I leave in May.  A part of me is excited to go back to the States - for my sweatshirt, Chipotle, sushi, corn on the cob and mirad of other things like Target.  But Spain (and Europe) has had such an impact on me.  I will never be the same.  My daily meal times will never be the same also.  I dont think I can go back to eating dinner at 6pm... 9pm is better!  Haha.  I am excited to see my friends and family.  And am sooo stoked for Summer Project!!
Anyways i better get going because I only have 50 seconds left on my computer time.
Love you all!!
Un beso
Sarah

When in Rome...

Buongiorno from Roma!
First thing I want to say about Roma - craziest drivers in Europe yet!  Madre mia!  My mom was afraid for her life while my dad and I were just along for the ride!  haha.  I will say that Roma is not my favorite place I have been so far.  Maybe it is because it is about Easter time and the amount of tourists here is incredible.  And the lines!  We waited for 2 hours in line to see the Sistine Chapel.  Then when inside, there is like a planned route that you have to take.  It is so crowded and there is so much to see.  By the time we got to Michelagelos work, we were too exhausted to truly enjoy it.  Honestly, I was not too impressed with the Vatican.  Yes, it is the Vatican - world famous.  And yes, it is truly beautiful and ornate.  However, I felt empty when visiting it.  I dont know why.  Maybe I felt like the emphasis was too much on man and on the Pope rather than on Jesus Christ and the Lord.  Im not sure... But either way I am so lucky and was so excited to see St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museum where Michelangelo painted the ceiling :)
Other high points of Roma... definitely the Colosseum!  To see where the gladiators faught for their lives!  Barbaric - yes but amazing none the less!  Then we toured around the Roman Forum and Palatine.  The fact that it is so old and historic is the most interesting part.  We also were able to see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Castle of St. Angelo and the Pantheon.  There is so much to see in Rome!  Not only are there a ton of historic sites and ruins but every building looks so important!
When in Rome... try the food!  We ate so well on this trip.  Most importantly, the GELATO!  We ate some each day we were here.  But today was the best - Nutella and Hazelnut gelato.  Yummmmy :)  It hit the spot!  The day we went to the Vatican we ate at a wonderful little hole-in-the-wall place that was delicious.  The people were so nice and even gave us some free bruschetta and wine.  Best service in all of Roma.
Although I am excited to get out of Rome and go to Florence with Sara and Morgen from my study abroad program, my parents are leaving as well.  I am so blessed to have parents to come all the way to Europe to visit me.  (Like they wouldnt have wanted to anyways - I mean, its EUROPE!)  I just want to reiterate how blessed I am to have wonderful parents - and wonderful family and friends for that matter.  I miss you all!
Un beso,
Sarah
PS pictures will come as soon as I find a computer with the proper capabilities!