1/13/13

Today we rode the bus to church! So that was kinda fun. Before church we talked with the missionaries because they spoke English and we were early haha Relief Society was first and the lady made sure to talk slowly and even knew some English words so I was able to understand basically everything and it was great. They were very welcoming and nice. Sunday school I didn’t get much to be honest ha Sacrament meeting was cool because it was Fast and Testimony meeting since last week was their celebration of the Three Kings or something like that. So it was way cool to hear everyone’s testimonies and you could really feel the Spirit I liked it. I was a little tired after church though because you have to way focus to try to understand what everyone is saying! Haha but lunch was good back with Blanca and I had a little siesta, which was way nice. We then met and hung out at the Knapp’s house and talked about the upcoming week and stuff and had some yummy crepes. For dinner Blanca made us pizza so that was cute. Her granddaughter was here again tonight; she wasn’t as scared of us this time! We even sang Jingle Bells together! Haha it was fun. Tonight at the Knapps’ we talked about how the theme for this trip is gratitude. We talked about how we are grateful for what we have at home, and also here. Last night Taylor and I were actually talking about that exact thing. We were discussing how we have significantly less here, by means of space and stuff and electricity and just everything in general. But we have been totally fine. I have no complaints. Our host mom is an amazing cook; I love all of her food-probably a little too much ha. And she is super sweet, my roommate is awesome, this city and country is beautiful this is such a great experience I am so grateful that I have been able to take advantage of this opportunity and to be here! 

1/12/13

Today we were able to sleep in which was way nice! We hung around here and then had a late breakfast and then had our big lunch around 2 with Blanca. She made a way good vegetable and cheese soup that reminded me kinda of Panera’s, and some stuffed chicken like Cord en Bleu with some fries and bread and fruit haha I like the bigger lunches and smaller dinners. We then met up with most of our group in the Plaza Cervantes and then we rode the bus around to make sure we knew how to get to the church, and we were able to find it ok! After that we walked around the Calle Mayor with all of the shops and stuff. It was fun to walk around and look at everything. Then we went to the Knapp’s house and hung out for a little bit before we rode the train one stop away to a huge store similar to Walmart, it’s called Hipercor. Taylor and I got a straightener while we were there since hers blew out this morning haha It was crazy in there! Soo many people and so much stuff and so much Spanish haha then we came home and Blanca made a way yummy salad for us and we had a good end to another great day in Spain:]

1/11/13

We rode the train into Madrid today! Oh my gosh. SO awesome! I love it. It’s big and beautiful and amazing. The train took about 40 minutes but it really wasn’t bad at all. Then we walked through this huge beautiful park called Parque de el Retiro with lots of huge trees, and fountains, and playgrounds, and benches, and a little pond and statues. We rode some rowboats in the pond and that was a ton of fun.
I love everyone on this trip! Everyone is so fun and awesome and funny and beautiful and I am just obsessed with everyone it’s fine haha. Then we walked around Madrid with Brother and Sister Knapp and we walked down the street and went to Puerta del Sol. It was a big open square and there were a bunch of street performers and characters that wanted you to take pictures with them and do stuff to have you pay them. It had a kind of fun, big city, bustling vibe I liked it. Also right in there was the geographical center of the state of Madrid. So that was pretty cool to see! After that we walked over to the Plaza Mayor, which was a big square that had many streets and shops off of it. That’s where we left the Knapps and we went and explored! We walked up and down a lot of the streets and went into some of the shops. And, one of my proudest moments ever-so we were in a little store and it was playing a cool Spanish song and the workers were watching us because we are stupid suspicious Americans apparently, but one of the workers was singing along with the song. So I asked him what the name of the song was and he was like no, but I like it and stuff and kept singing along to it and was asking me if it was new and I liked it (all in Spanish of course;]) and then he asked if I was German! I know that sounds not that cool or anything, but he didn’t think I was some dumb blonde American and my Spanish must have sounded somewhat convincing! So that was an exciting moment for me haha. We came back to Alcala on the Metro and then Train. Everyone told us the Metro would be crowded, and they were right. I was touching people from every side and I don’t think the man I was all up on appreciated it. We came back to see Blanca and had dinner here with her Granddaughter, Miranda. Another amazing day!!

1/10/13

Today we had a Spanish test first thing in the morning. It was pretty easy in the beginning and I was feeling good about it, and then I got to question like 20 and it started getting way hard all the way til question 100 haha. We then got a tour of The University of Alcala and learned about the history and the students who attended hundreds of years ago. After that we went on a tour of Alcala, then returned home for lunch. Then we did an “Amazing Race of Alcala” with all the other students in my program. We kind of got lost finding the church building but met up with some of the other students so that was fun coming back with all of them. Then we had churros and chocolate at the Knapp’s house-well just churros for me:] After that we came home and had dinner with Blanca and were able to talk with her more. Jann came home and showed us what she got in Madrid today. We also got a bunch of maps of Madrid from our directors tonight, and I am super excited to go into the big city. After dinner we talked a little bit more with Jann and Blanca, so that was fun being able to practice our Spanish. It went pretty well! Except when we were trying to explain to Blanca how it negative degrees in Fahrenheit at home and it’s Celsius here and everything, ha yeah that kind of just ended in us being like: yeah it’s cold at home haha. So it’s been fun. I LOVE it here!

First Day in Spain! 1/9/13

I arrived in Spain today! I can’t believe I am actually here! I had a layover in Dallas and there were two other girls from my program on my flight from Dallas to Madrid. Thankfully my bag made it through security! We then rode a bus from Madrid into Alcala-the city we will be living in and going to school.  We were in the main plaza and met our host Mom, Blanca. She was so sweet and we walked home to her apartment with her. She is on the 5^th floor of her apartment complex and Taylor and I am sharing a room. We had some pasta for lunch and some yummy bread and a banana. There is also a lady from Australia that is living with Blanca. She is also taking Spanish at Alcalingua. She showed us around town a little bit and then Taylor and I explored. It is so pretty here! I love it:]

P.S. We hope our converters and adapters work!! It was quite the adventure trying to figure it out haha

Winter Break!

I had a great time being home for Christmas! My family is the best:]
We were able to go on a trip after Christmas, we went on a Princess Cruise. It was Emma, Mom, Dad, Jake, Jil and I and we went to Aruba, Curacao, and the Princess Cays. It was so nice and warm-and surprisingly none of us really burned! It was quite the shock coming back to the snow and cold. But now it is time for me to get ready to head out to Spain!

I'm going to miss these girls!

These are my awesome roommates-Ashley, Kellie, Maddy, Rachel and Scooter. They are the best roommates in the world seriously. I was so blessed. I am going to miss them so much this next semester! But hello Christmas break:]