Photosyphotosyphotos.

Here is my first attempt at adding photos. They're all terribly out of order, but I can't seem to figure out what to do about it. I'll try to figure out a better method, but I tried to caption most of them. Those that aren't are probably just included to give you more pictures of this BEAUTIFUL country.

So, update. Read as much or as little as you'd like...

The exact time frame of the last few days is a bit of a blur, especially with the combination of jet lag and adjusting to the Spanish schedule. But, here is the jist:

People: The trip was standard, but I met some of my (now) good friends on my flight (a few are in the pics below). There are about 120 of us total from the US in Sevilla, and I've met or seen MOST everyone at this point, and we've all settled down with a few close friends. Everyone is fairly outgoing and independent- what you would expect from kids willing to leave home for Europe for 4 months. Soon after arriving, I met my roommate for the semester, Christine, who is the sweetest and super chill. She's travelled all over the world and once did Semester at Sea. If you've never heard of it, Google it. Coolest study abroad ever. Anyway, we're both studying at University of Menendez Pelayo and are excited to get the placement test we have in the morning over with. Bleh.

Madrid: Madrid was a wonderful introduction to Spain. We tried jamon serrano, cafe con leche, bocadillos, cafe con leche, anchovies, cafe con leche, croissants, more tapas than you can imagine, and finally, cafe con leche. We went on a few tours, most notably of El Prado, which holds some of the world's most famous Spanish art. 

Toledo: Stunning. One of the oldest cities in Spain and most interesting considering it offers a unique combination of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim culture. Check out the picture of the church in one of the pics below; I captioned it with more explanation. The pictures do Toledo more justice than words can, so I'll leave it at that.

Today: We bussed to SEVILLA! We met our host families only hours ago and are now finally unpacked. Mama Esperanza, Rocio (her daughter, 29), and JuanMa (her son, 14), are all precious. They seem more than excited to have two girls, although Ryan Seager (a friend of mine who is a Wheaton senior, soccer goalie and Captain), who studied in Sevilla last Spring and lived with them, left some very large shoes to fill. They gave us an entire room, bathroom, and two stuffed animals. They also have one very elusive cat, Pinguino, and the cutest, most spastic dog, Teo. Our apartment is only a 20 minute walk from the university and not too far from the El Centro de Sevilla (the center of the city). Oh, forgot to mention that the view from our room is of an orange garden. :)  

That's all I can think of for now. Mama Esperanza is currently cooking us our first meal, dinner's at 10pm, and rumor has it she's making Spanish tortillas...

Much love.

Madrid

Processional in Madrid

Kaitlyn and I in Toledo

Cathedral courtyard in Toledo

Catedral de San Juan de Los Reyes.

One of our beautiful ISA staffers, Sara.

This was built as a synagogue for the Jews of Toledo by the Muslims, and is now used as a church. Go figure.

Toledo

These chains are from the freed Christians after Spain recaptured Toledo from the Moors around 1492. They're older than the US, or the discovery of our continent, for that matter.

Toledo

Toledo

Toledo

Kaitlyn, the fiery redhead.

Toledo

My beautiful roommate, Christine. Behind us, Toledo.

Madrid

001 license indicates Ambassador. Apparently they all drive Audis.

Madrid

He's not standing on anything. Can you figure out how he's floating?

Madrid

Anna and Jenny outside the Mercado de San Miguel. It's all glass and iron, and has some of the best tapas in the city.

Bienvenidos a Playa Mayor.

Madrid

We bumped into a processional. A few ambassadors were being transported from the City Hall (I think) to the Palace to present themselves to the King of Spain. They still use carriages. Quite the spectacle.

No Te Cuides.

I leave today.
For Spain. Today.
I'll be eating breakfast on Monday in Madrid.
 ....chaospanicfreakout.

Some people have asked for this list, so here are a few of the friends I'm taking with me:
(Let me know if you read/have read any of them. I'd love to hear about it. Especially regarding the last book. In fact, I might fly you over to Spain if you can offer help understanding it)

Dale Carnegie                 How to Win Friends and Influence People
G.K. Chesterton              Orthodoxy
Tracy Kidder                   Strength in What Remains
Lewitt & Dubner             Freakonomics
Timothy Keller                The Reasons for God
James K. A. Smith          Who's Afraid of PostModernism?
Mitch Albom                   Tuesdays with Morrie
Don Miguel Ruiz            The Fifth Agreement
W. B. Yeats                     Selected Poetry
Shad Helmstetter             What To Say When You Talk To Yourself
Og Mandino                    The Greatest Salesman In The World
C. S. Lewis                      Mere Christianity
Chris Stewart                   Driving Over Lemons
Brennan Manning            Ragamuffin Gospel
James A. Michener          Iberia
James Stewart                  Calculus, Early Transcendentals   (got ya.)
...and others that mom might be shipping. Call me crazy, but I'm bound and determined to read them. Say I won't. Say I won't. :)
The above list is in no particular order. But, I do have reasons for choosing each one. Anyway, there you have it. The recipe for my Spanish book journey. At least I don't have to sell any of them to any Spanish moms. *knock on wood*

To my family, Wheaton friends, Tennessee friends, book friends, and everyone in between,
SO MUCH LOVE.

Until my next post,
Liz

Ground and Growth

I'm about to become a blogger. This whole idea has always weirded me out, but I'm working on ridding my speech of too many disclaimers and explanations that I don't necessarily owe people... I'm about to become a blogger. Here goes nothing.

I'm not quite sure what I want to include in this blog, but I suppose I'll let the ebb and flow of this experience determine the content. I hope to post bits and pieces of thoughts, lists of activities, pictures, quotes, verses, recipes, disappointments, revelations, successes, and definitely failures, but I am hesitant to make any promises. The promise I will make is to do my best to share some of this journey with y'all: those who actually take the time to click the link and read. With the busyness of life these days, I dearly appreciate the effort, even if all you do is skim every few weeks. I'll do my best to make it worth your time, and maybe even provide a laugh or two. We all know I'll have at least one or two good bruising stories.

Before I leave, a bit of background as far as the manner of thought and intention in which I'm going:

In the past few months of life, Christ has moved in bigger ways in my life than really ever before. I think epic phrases like that are thrown around too often, but there it is anyway. Since I don't think you want to sit here and listen to me tell weirdly intimate details, I'll try to keep it general, and maybe that way you can actually take something from this post, and not just read about my life.
I am at that proverbial place of figuring out who I am-- as a woman of God-- apart from any group, any individual, or anyone at all.  It's time for me to determine for myself what I believe about this world He's created. They say that those who don't stand for something, will fall for anything (think the cheesy posters on our elementary walls). And I believe leaders are those who we believe are sincere, honest, want the best for us, but ultimately are those who we want to emulate. They stand for something, or many things, we want to also stand for, fight for, change, believe in, create, or however else you pursue your passions. Those who we follow are those who are grounded, and who always allow for the right amount of growth.
I don't know the balance between ground and growth, the balance between standing for something and also knowing you could be wrong, but I believe you can have both. Before now, I've mostly valued growth in my life. After seeing so much close-mindedness in the Church, on Capitol Hill, and really anywhere, I hated the idea of sacrificing loving others just to maintain an opinion. So, I became a people-pleaser because it was easier than, well, being grounded. Then a few life events broke my people-pleasing streak. (In a good way. I didn't get a tattoo or anything.) I no longer view being grounded, or having conviction, as mutually exclusive with understanding, relating to, and helping people. I think we can be grounded in our beliefs, while maintaining relatability, curiosity, a healthy amount of dissatisfaction, and growth. We can lead with confidence, AND humility. "You can have roots and wings, Mel." (Sweet Home Alabama, anyone?)

I don't know if Spain is uniquely a place to go and figure these things out, but the opportunity to just go anywhere and get away for a while is much needed. I don't know the areas to ground in and which to grow in, but here's to trusting He'll take care of that. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." I know most of the questions I'm asking have been asked before, and I'm hoping to read, and read a lot, while I'm over there and trust He'll answer some of these questions. Or show me the questions that I don't need to answer. He'll bring new people, places, books, experiences, and heck, even new food to form the journey. I don't really have a goal in mind, or a place I'm trying to get. Just to find some balance between ground and growth.
My friend, Hannah Graber, has written on her journal something along the lines of: "Jesus, may my heart become very well acquainted with the lines of Your face."

It's rather exciting, really. And what better place to do it than across the pond?
I leave the 27th, for those who don't know. I might post again before that, who knows.

I'll leave you all with the same Irish traveler's blessing my dear friend, Lolo, sent me off with:

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
    the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.