El Fin

So this is my final post. I apologize for being so late....but it was really hard to not just jump right back into my American life. However, I can’t really leave my blog without a close, now can I? Well let’s see. Home. Half of my time back in California so far has been catching up with friends and family and remembering how to drive and cook and all that jazz. The other half was spent trying to process the last four months I’ve been blessed to have abroad. 

La Mezquita in wintertime

In this past week or so of being home, every single person has asked me the same question, “How was Spain?” It has quickly become my most favorite and my most hated question. Favorite because I absolutely LOVED my time in Spain, and I am more than happy to share about my experience. But, it’s also hated because it is impossible to truly answer that question in a couple sentences. I literally need hours or even days to explain. 

After leaving Córdoba for the last time, I went to Spain’s capital, Madrid, for a day and that is where it started to hit me that my semester abroad had really come to a close. I would get to go home to see my friends, but I wasn’t going to be living with my wonderful Spanish family anymore. I wouldn't have to speak in a different language anymore, I wasn’t going to get to go to a different country each weekend anymore, and I wasn’t going to get to go to tapas bars anymore. However, I was going to get to return to my family, my friends, my macaroni and cheese....my home. But the biggest thing: I wasn’t going to be isolated anymore because I was going back to community. And this, I think, marks the biggest thing that God has taught me in the past 4 months. He put me in an environment where I got to be Mary, and not Martha (Luke 10:38-41).

Córdoba is a place where God took me out of schedules, out of deadlines, and out of just plain busyness. You wouldn’t beLIEVE how much free time I had. For the first time in my life, I was able to take 4 hour naps just because I wanted to, not because I was so exhausted that I needed to. Ridiculous, I know. But even more than that, that is where God showed me how beautiful isolation and silence really can be. Why? Because in that environment, I got to have Jesus all to myself, and I could freely give Him all of me. No distractions. No excuses. I hated that it felt so selfish at first. It was like I didn’t want to do anything else. It didn’t seem right that I wasn’t full force trying to be a witness or an example or you know, something I'm supposed to do. But I was quickly shown that it wasn’t selfishness at all...because it wasn’t about me, and it’s never going to be. It’s about the desperation that for the first time I could clearly recognize because there was nothing else to do. Desperation to know Christ. And His desperation to respond. 

This is my basic conclusion (I realize it’s long, but hey, I had four months!). God is frustrating. He is pushy. He makes me uncomfortable....a lot. And there are times when I just don’t like Him very much. I love Him all the time, but there are some days when all I can say is, “God, I just don’t like you very much right now.” And that is perfectly okay; He is still the best thing that has ever happened to me. It means that it is a genuine relationship. In this pushing and prodding and challenging and changing, I’ve learned that these frustrations are rooted in this natural unwillingness I have to change the way I define things to the way God defines them. His version of “normal” isn’t mine. His definition of “perfect” isn’t mine. The way He describes “good” isn’t exactly like mine. And the way He is “love” is more than I will ever be able to comprehend. And you know what? His version is always better. Everything He is oozes grace and mercy and it’s frustrating to me because sometimes it is just plain obvious that it isn’t deserved. But God isn’t about “who deserves this” and “who deserves that.” He is about “who can I love today.” Plain and simple. I know that I am going to spend the rest of my life trying to take on His perspective of the world and attempting to completely ditch my own. Allowing God to annoy me has opened my eyes to see how much I need Him. How much I absolutely HAVE to be defined by Him. Because if I didn’t have Him and I didn’t give Him free reign over my life, I would not be able to live. Seriously. Our relationship is real. I depend on Him more than I depend on the oxygen in the air to breathe. And while I may mess up (a lot), I’m not broken any more. He’s already cleaned me up. So now I’m going to go and be free and live for my favorite Jesus. He loves people...and He loves me. So I think I’m just going to have to get out there and do something about it. 

I just couldn't resist!

i used my running shoes outside of the gym!

This past week was certainly jam packed. After all...it was the last one I have here in Spain and so I (along with everyone else) just tried to absorb everything I could. Even though we were in the midst of finals, we all still found a way to have some fun. I still have to do a lot of things so I’m going to keep this one short.

Saturday, we went to a small bar with our art history professor and some of her friends and listened to a duet with a singer and a guitarist. It was absolutely beautiful...but I’ve got to say, I loved the guitar most!

Sunday, 4 of us girls, Angela, Amrita, Lauren, and I went on a hike in the mountains a little bit outside of the city. It was a looooooong hike (7 hours!!!!), but it was a blast! All I have to say about that is that my Jesus can make one heck of a view. 

mi viaje último: el puente

So Wednesday, I got back from my last weekend trip in Europe. Ok, so it wasn't a weekend...it was a whole week. SCORE! Did I ever mention that I love Spanish holidays? Well I do. Why? This is the way it works. You have Wednesday as the official fiesta day...but that is SOOOO close to the weekend...why not take Thursday AND Friday off!? Well...okay!! So we had two of those...and then combined it made a week. I like that kind of math. 

Ok. So. What I did. Well, Miranda and I met up in Málaga on Wednesday night to fly out to Bremen, Germany to see my friend Felix, and then half way through the week, we took a train to Amsterdam, Holland to visit my family. (I know, I have family in the Netherlands...no big deal :] Hence, the last post). 

Before I continue on, I just have to say that this trip was so blessed before we even went on it. We had booked a flight that was a day earlier than we had wanted to leave...but then it turns out that the Spanish airport workers went on strike the original day, meaning that we most likely would have been stranded in Spain for half our trip. When we arrived in Bremen, it was snowing. It was soft and beautiful...but then we found out later that because it got worse, a lot of flights to Germany were canceled. THEN, we hear that because of the snow, all the trains in the area were getting canceled or delayed like crazy the day before we left for Amsterdam...so I asked God if He could clear it up for us, and so there was definitely sun when we got on our train, with everything working perfectly. Literally everything about our trip was perfect, both the logistical side of it and the fun side. I’ve got a pretty good Daddy up in heaven. He looked out for us that’s for sure. 

So there is a lot of stuff we did. Well, duh...we were gone for a week. So we’re going to do this picture style again. I feel like it will be less boring...hopefully you agree!

First we got to Bremen and Felix was nice enough to pick us up from the airport. He drove us a bit outside the city to his town, Weyhe. It is absolutely beautiful. After settling our things in his (awesome) house, he drove us around Weyhe and showed us all the things in the city, including his school. 

We got back to his house just in time for lunch. His dad made us a traditional meal that is typical for northern Germany. It was one of the best things I have eaten here in Europe. No doubt about it. It’s called Grünkohl & Pinkel. I didn’t think I would finish it...but don’t worry, I did. It was wayyyy too good to leave left overs! We were so stuffed after lunch that we just relaxed for a few hours, but then we went to this place afterwards with a bunch of trampolines and bounce house-type-things and such and jumped around for a few hours. It’s one of Felix’s favorite places to go, and we were more than willing to join him. His sister came with us, as well as his friend Daniel. The next day, since Felix had to go to class, Daniel was nice enough to drive Miranda and I into Bremen and show us around the town. 

Miranda, Me, and Daniel, our very own tour guide!

The famous Musicians of Bremen

Daniel, Miranda, Aleks, and I

It is a little city filled with life, but at the same time, it’s so quaint and cozy you just can’t help but feel relaxed. OH. Also, they had all their Christmas lights up, because it is that time of year. And all the little food stands and shops. It was time for their Christmas Fair. I LOVE Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday. And it all looked perfect with the snow. Even if it was freezing. As the day passed on, more of Felix’s friends showed up, and we had a blast meeting all of them. After Felix showed up, the Germans took us to their favorite pub to relax and get some drinks. They weren’t going to let us leave until we had some German beer of course. (Too bad I don’t like beer at all...but actually I did find one that I don’t mind...Felix called it a girly beer...but I just told him that it was a good thing that I’m a GIRL). 

The next day, we took it easy and went ice skating for a few hours (aka the only winter sport I am capable of doing...thanks for the lessons Mom!!!). But I’d have to say that for Miranda and I, our pride and joy that day was that we ordered a hot dog and fries successfully in German. Yessssss. Granted we guessed. A lot. There were a lot of things with the word “wurst” in it...and we knew that it was the word for sausage...but we didn’t know which one was the hot dog. But we TOTALLY guessed right. Geniuses, I know. After spending some more time with the friends we had met the day before, we called it a night because we had a train to catch the next day. 

When the 4 hour train ride was over, we were met at the train station by my cousin Inez. I was so excited, you have no idea. The last time I saw this part of my family was three years ago at a wedding. 

Ok hold on. Let me back track. Technically Inez isn’t my cousin, cousin. Her dad, Reggy, is my dad’s cousin. Reggy is married to Jacqueline, and they have two kids, Sander and Inez. Inez is my age, and Sander is a few years older. Reggy’s brother Ron also lives in Holland, and his wife’s name is Boudewien. Lastly, Reggy and Ron’s mother, (I call her Oma Lian) also lives in Amsterdam. Whew! I hope you got that. 

Left to Right: Jacqueline, Reggy, Boudewien, Me, Inez, Sander, and Ron

Reggy and Jacqueline were so nice as to let Miranda and I stay in their house. So the first day we were there, we just stayed inside (out of the cold) and relaxed. I was welcomed with a wonderful surprise (besides the excitement of seeing my family, of course)...Oma Lian had made me Indonesian food. THAT’S RIGHT. I was stoooked beyond belief. My dad always tells me that she is his favorite aunt...and I quickly found out why before even meeting her in person. That first night the whole family came over (except Oma Lian) and so we all got to catch up with each other which was so much fun. We had all been through a lot since the last time we saw each other. Family reunions for us are kind of a big deal because we all live so far away from each other. My family is all OVER the place. It might be overwhelming...but I just love it. I think Miranda is the first friend that I have that has gotten to see my extended family. She had never seen this side of my life, so I think she was pretty entertained. We got a great Indonesian meal that night with some Dutch snacks and desserts on the side. Maybe it isn’t typical Dutch...but it certainly was typical family. 

The next day Miranda and I got up and went to the city center. Inez had given us many suggestions on local things to do and places to eat, and Reggy and Jacqueline mapped out everything there was to do in Amsterdam. It felt strange to be taken care of after traveling so much on my own, but I absolutely loved it. Miranda and I went all over Amsterdam that day. Here are some things we saw:

We also saw the Van Gogh Museum...but they wouldn’t let us take pictures. Sad day. That night Sander took us out to dinner in his neighborhood, and one of his friends came with us as well (I would tell you his name, but I have NO idea how to spell it). It was really fun to catch up with him and find out what he’s been up to these past couple of years. 

Sander and me.

For our last full day, Miranda and I explored more of the city again, and included a trip to the Anne Frank House. She has an incredible recount, and as soon as I get the chance, I definitely want to read her diary. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Anne Frank, but the museum did a wonderful job of giving enough background information for each visitor to understand the significance of her story. 

After Reggy got off work, he took us to Oma Lian’s house so I could meet her. She is awesome. She is 88 years old and still unbelievably sharp--she lives on her own and still cooks for everyone. Reggy told me that she was a bit nervous to meet me because she didn’t think that her English was so good, but in my opinion, it was more than good enough. She got really excited when I understood some Indonesian words, so she ended up talking to me in a bit of a mixture with Reggy there to translate in case we couldn’t understand each other. She told me lots of stories and even remembered my birthday! It was such a blessing to get to meet/see her, and I really hope that I can come back and visit again soon!

For dinner, Jacquline made us a typical Dutch dinner and then she and Reggy took us out for some drinks afterwards. With that, we marked our last night in Northern Europe because it was time for us to return back to Andalusia in the morning. 

If you want my honest opinion...I absolutely LOVE northern Europe. The culture there is very similar to the United States, and it played a huge part in making me feel very comfortable. Andalusia is nowhere near as modern or efficient as Germany or Holland, but there is something very special there that has caused me to fall in love with it. I really like living in Andalusia. When I came back to Córdoba, my Spanish family had put up all their Christmas decorations while I was gone. The house looks lovely and the kids were super excited to show me all the lights. I love being in places that are filled with life, and that is certainly an accurate description of my Spanish home. 

Sidenote: I come home in like a week! How weird is that!?

we're international.

I have the best family in the world. For reals.