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DAYS 41-47
Day 41: Monday, February 10th 2014
I'm excited. I'm getting more and more comfortable here everyday. So today I took Nico to school and rushed home to get ready for school. I left at 10:15, totally forgeting that it only takes 20 minutes to get there, and the class starts at 11, lol. Anyway, when I got there, no one was there. I waited a long time. Maybe I had misunderstood the dude last week. Maybe he meant class is only on Thursdays now, whatever. So I walked home. Freezing day, but nice to get out for exercise.
I spent the day in Aloevera at their grandma's house. I've been studying ALL DAY. Literally. Verbs, just conjugating verbs all day. It's been really good. Also, Nico and I started to make a Valentine's Day box.
Day 42: Tuesday, February 11th 2014
It snowed here today. It never snows. Year round, never. By snow I mean light, little snowflakes. To them it's amazing. They all go running to the window, "Look, snow!" I'm like, yeah that's nothing, and I can do without. Nothing new! I spent the day studying and did some of my own personal Zumba. Lol I have no life. I have the Spotify app on my phone, so I could just totally jam out.
Day 43: Wednesday, February 12th 2014
Today I decided to start my day out right, and do things that will spark positivity throughout the day. Even though it was a cold, wet day; I finally pulled out my tennis shoes and went for a jog. Throughout the day, I chose to ONLY think positive thoughts about everything. This really helped me to come out of my shell more! (Which I still haven't fully done) I went and saw the Lego movie with their family today. It was really good! Well, actually, I don't really know because it was in Spanish. But the parts I did understand, I liked, lol. I think Zach would like it. Idk, is he still into Legos?
Day 45: Friday, February 14th 2014
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Saying that here in Spain doesn't really mean anything. Valentine's Day here is like Groundhog day in the US. Well anyway, today has been a FABULOUS day. I took the bus to the mall and got all excited about shopping. It's been too long. I bought a lot of new things for a really good deal! I have always been good at shopping and I know how to find good and cute clothes for the best bargains. This isn't bragging, btw. Savvy shopping is a gift! I have no regrets. This shopping trip was well deserved and a perfect Valentine's gift to myself. After shopping, I bought some chocolate filled croissants. I couldn't wait to get home to eat it so I was walking home and the wind was blowing super hard and chocolate was oozing everywhere and the rapid wind was blowing hair into my face and sticking to chocolate all over my face. I'm sure it was a pretty funny scene for anyone, because I just started spitting and laughing. It was great.
Tonight was the BEST night. THE BEST. Okay so first there was a Valentine's dinner with the ward. Our small little church was decorated all fun with balloons and streamers. I feel more comfortable with the ward members than anybody here, so I was just talking and talking. It shocks me to hear my own voice speaking another language. I can hardly believe that something I've wanted to learn so bad is coming along so quickly. Anyway, after the dinner Melisa and I met with her friends to go Salsa dancing! It was the most fun I've had in a LONG time! it's free and there's an instructor, and everybody follows his moves, and then we partner up and learn a salsa routine. It was just the greatest thing. I wish I didn't have to go so soon, but my bus left at 11:20. Voy todos los viernes.
Melisa is the best friend I could ever ask for. She's LDS, speaks Spanish-only! Great to be around, and just super funny! She makes it super easy for us to have conversations, although I'm sure my Spanish sounds really broken. Well, best night ever. I'm excited about this weekend.
Day 46: Saturday, February 15th 2014
I took too long today to get up and get ready, and found myself bookin' it to my bus stop in order to go to institute. Luckily I made it, just in time! I was assigned last week to teach a mini lesson in my class today. You can probably imagine how nervous I was because I don't speak enough Spanish to teach my religion in another language! I feel like I didn't do very well and I wasn't able to say what I wanted. But I was glad I took the challenge over saying no. I now understand why 2-year-olds throw so many tantrums. It's because they understand what you're saying, but they don't know how to respong. Sometimes I want to throw a tantrum, but I have to remind myself that I'm 18 and big girls don't cry. So I just need to keep trying and never give up!
One of the hardest things about being here is that I'm not able to fully express myself. I like to joke and make people laugh, but I can't structure correctly what I want to say. But, people still seem to like me anyway, and the funniest thing about me is when I mess up speaking Spanish. So I'm glad I'm giving people something to laugh at!
Tonight I went with Melisa, the Placencia family and Mr. handsome to our church. We played Just Dance on the Wii, I was happy about that because we got that game for Christmas and then I left to Spain a week later. We hung out, ate food and helped Andrea make a craft for Relief Society. Mr. handsome, his name is John, he's 23 and I think I will marry him because I love him. hahah lol. what I really like about him is that he always corrects me when I say something wrong. I wish people would correct me more, but obviously they don't want to be rude to the Rubia who's trying so hard. I prefer to be corrected though because then I'm learning how to speak the language correctly. Buenas noches.
Day 47: Sunday, February 16th 2014
Church day! It was alright. Here's the problem with attending church in a different language; I want to talk SO BAD. I want to share my testimony and experiences, but I just don't know how. It really frustrates me because I have a really strong testimony, and I want to share it with them. I said the opening prayer in English in sacrament meeting, and probably 5 people told me afterward that I speak REALLY fast. These are people who understand or speak a little English, but told me that they didn't understand a single word out of my prayer. Do I really talk that fast?
After church I went to eat with the Placencia family again. I love them all so much. Andrea, the mother, is just this care-free, adorable little woman. I feel like we have a lot in common, and our personalities match really well. I helped prepare lunch, and then we had to make dessert for our Relief Society thing tonight. We made cookies, a cake and bocadillos. I just had the greatest time, and it felt so natural speaking and listening to Spanish. She reminds me of myself because she is nothing close to a perfectionist in the slightest. I want to do something for their family, but especially her, because the first day I came here, so just swooped from her nest and gathered me up in her wings. She's taken such great care of me, and makes me feel at home. Martín, her 16-year-old son already feels like a brother to me. As well as 7-year-old Issy, who runs up and hugs me everytime she sees me.
Their 13-year-old son named Arturo plays the viola and let me plays his today. Playing reminded me how much I miss playing my viola back at home. Once I'm finished with my adventures (mission included) I hope to go home and get right back on to playing. Everything about this family makes me feel like family. Their generousity is contagious, and I've found myself to be looking out for them the way they have been looking out for me. They just give, and give and give, and never ask for a thing in return! They got me a cute pink hat! One of the fuzzy ones that has the braids on the side. And Martín gave me a hymn book. They are just those kinds of people you want to around all the time.
Anyway, I stayed at their house all afternoon, and then Andrea and I had to go to the Relief Society thing. I won't say it wasn't boring. That's all I'm going to say lol. I got home around 10, so it's been a long day. But a very good one indeed :)
- comments
Dad Lyndi, I like hearing about all these new friends you're making at church. That will be fun if some come visit us in Utah.
Marissa Aww, I'm so jealous of how well you are speaking! I miss you, but I feel like you are still kind of here when I read your blogs, so life goes on. "me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, only, me, me!" Idk why, but this has been stuck in my head 24/7!!!
Moe's Hoe Whoa, Moe.....this is weird to see you typing words. In my mind, you're still learning to read. You're growing up!!! Lyndi, are you by chance reading the BoM en espanol? I feel like I don't practice or listen to Spanish very often, but when I read the scriptures, it helps me make a lot more sense of the language. Way to be so positive about everything. Continúa viviendo en tu fe!
Linda Paulson Your adventure is brave, normal and exciting! I read something yesterday to mark 5 stars. I started marking, and it only let me mark one when I wanted to mark 5! Love to read this! Love you, Grandma