Rainy Day

Tunes: For You & Fix You by Coldplay

I've been motivated by reading a friend's blog to open up a bit more. I can honestly say that the closest friend I have here is God. Such a bold statement, isn't it? This is a difficult thing to say, because I wouldn't even say to myself that I let him be close to me. I read so many statements of how God wants intimacy with me, but when I can't hold it in my hand, it seems to flutter out of my grasp. God has been giving me this opportunity to 'lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance.'

I have a great task in front of me: embrace this time for personal growth and learning. Yes, I am in a breathtaking city, but I sometimes find myself seeing a spectacle, and wishing that I could appreciate it more. It's as if all of the drastic changes in my life recently have left me with a boundaries on my heart.

As I have been reading in Matthew & Mark, almost every time Jesus heals someone, he makes a note that he did it because of their faith. Faith first, healing after. That's a scary thing to trust.

I have been keeping a count of the number of times I find "steadfast love" in Psalm. The count is getting pretty high. You see, I believe with my mind, that this is who God. It makes sense. However, I don't think my heart has fully grasped on. This is why I have had so much difficulty recently. This experience of being abroad has put a magnifying glass over my life.

Back to the whole trust thing... I think it's coming, but it's taking quite some time. Time that I am not comfortable with, and change that I don't understand. I have seen some progress with my heart. Yesterday, for the first time, I wrote a poem about God. I've thought about doing it before, but nothing of that sort has left me through the tip of my pen.

I thought about apologizing for the seemingly debbie downer-esque entry, but I find that it's only fitting and proper. You have seen the pictures and landmarks of my exterior. These are the pictures and landmarks of my interior.

Chest out, eyes looking up

Jackpot & People

Tunes: The Decemberists' album Picaresque

I went on a long walk today, and wound up in a big shopping mall. I didn't bring much clothing, because I wanted to only have one suitcase. SO, I wandered and wandered until I found some spamtastic deals. T-shirts. Nice ones. 1.99 euros each. That's $3/per t-shirt. Gift from God? I submit, yes.

I'm really enjoying my walks. If I wanted, I could take a different street every time I go out. Always different people, different styles, different buildings, and different parks. I'm finding beauty in may different ways here. One of my favorite things has been seeing the old man friends walking slowly together and talking up a slurred storm. I think I saw 3 such pairs today. They move at their own pace, and stand to me as candy for my soul. I think I might start taking pictures of them.

Some other things that have been noteworthy are the big, old doors, a younger man tossing the ball for his two dogs, a park playground that was overflowing with people, another park that had so many pigeons that you couldn't hear the outside world, and the sandwich I made for lunch. I challenge you, reader: This week, walk with your eyes up, and heart open. Wander too much, and don't pay attention to your gait. See what happens. See what your Father will show you.

It's 1:09AM here. Early night. Tomorrow, I plan to get some sort of course schedule banged out. Vamos a ver.

Blankets and Full Stomachs

We celebrated Mateo going away last night with 3 lasagnas, many new wines, and lots of old punk rock music. I know, you're like 'did he say punk rock?' Yeah, I said punk rock. Apparently Giacomo really likes old punk rock and ska music, so he blasted our ears with it for quite some time. Back to the food: I made guacamole because only one person had ever tried it. Apparently, it was "de puta madre," and that means "good."

I'm really just waiting around right now, until school starts. Yesterday consisted of eating, reading, grocery shopping, reading, getting the Spanish version of hot chocolate (very good), reading, working out, making guac, then Mateo's dinner. Today, I'm not sure what I'll do. I want to find the campus gym.

Oh yeah, when I came into my room last night, there was an extra blanket on my bed from Bea, that said "Para que no tengas frío." She's so sweet--we don't have a heater, and I've been sleeping with one sheet two small blankets, and a sleeping bag. Needless to say, I slept in a warm bed with a warm heart.


G'day

Vale

Tunes: ZzzZzz

Today, I went to the beach. There have been many times that I felt closed off, due to language barriers or lack of companionship, but today I experienced freedom. It was 55ºF, so definitely not swimming temperature, but perfect for a jacket, scarf, rolled pants, and sandy feet. I must've walked for quite some time, because I listened to the waves for a long spell, then a 45-minute sermon by John Lynch, then two of my favorite albums (Aha Shake Heartbreak & Fever to Tell).

I didn't have anywhere to be, anyone to see, or anyone to watch. Today was a gift from God. This sort of solitude is quite amazing. I feel like my eyes have been opened to seeing the opportunity that it contains. I take today, and put it in my pocket.

I'm about to hit the sack, but I'm excited about tomorrow, so I wanted to share. One of Giacomo's friends, Mateo, is leaving to Italy tomorrow. So, Giorgia (italiana, who's mom is a professional cook) is going to cook Lasagna for everybody. My favorite food. Mom, I preemptively apologize if I return and say that hers is better than yours. We will see. I'm going to make guacamole, because they've never had it before.

Bed.

Love and licks,

Josh

Roomies and Paella

Last night was my first in the new place. I spent most of my time in the living room, where I was reading until Trini came in--we talked for many hours about each other, films, culture, religion, and stereotypes. It's harder for me to understand her more than the others, so I didn't get all of what she was saying. I can't wait to learn more Spanish, because she really has some things to say.

Later, Bea came home, and we talked about stereotypes and food. Bea's explanation of Spanish work culture made me laugh my head off. I wish I had recorded it. (In a nutshell, the Spanish work a lot more hours than the other Europeans because they make a mess of things, and spend so much time trying to fix it, that they end up not progressing). Trini said something about how we eat peanut butter, and I brought out the extra-large Skippy jar that I brought with me. Stereotype: true. Enter: laughter.
We also talked about marshmallows (that don't exist in Spain), and politics. At about midnight, Giacomo and three of his friends came back, and we all drank a chupito of lemon liquor. It's supposed to help you digest your meals.

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Trust me when I say this: at least once in your life, go to a nice place on the Spanish coast, and get paella de marisco. I'm not a big seafood person (which is changing quickly), but I LOVED this. We (Giacomo, and his friends Mateo & Giorgia) went to a place in La Albufera, and spent about 3 hours eating, and talking. Here's how it went:

1: Barón de Turís white wine, water, and bread
2: Salad, some cold fish that tasted like tuna, some other fish that was lightly battered and fried, tasty muscles (which I had never had tasted before), and fried calamari.
3: 2 dishes of paella. Paella Valenciana and paella de marisco (seafood).
4: Lots of jokes about a lady who was yelling to her friends throughout her whole meal, and more wine & water.
5: Postre. Mateo and I had apples because we were too stuffed, but Giorgia and Giacomo had flan. I still don't like flan.

After, we went to a bar to get coffee, and sat out in the sun to keep warm. It was a cold day, and I would love to return when I can wear my jorts and tank-top. While waiting for the bus, we all played on a small playground... probably some of the best fun I've had in a while. You know those animals that you sit on and have a big spring underneath, and you rock back and forth? Yeah. That's the one. I don't know why, but the ones here were so much more fun than any other one I've been on. I think their spring is larger.

I'm off to read some more, and go to bed. I'm not sure what sleep schedule I'm on, or what sleep schedule I should be on. Let's figure this out. Email me if you want to talk about something you read. I don't have many opportunities to engage in deep conversation, and it really is what fills my stomach.

The Place

Tunes: "Promise What you Will" (This song was perfect for some reason)

So, my roommates are Giacomo (the Italian guy), Bea, and Trini (the Spanish girls). I'm really impressed at how they run the place. It's a bit like French house--we have a labor chart, and there's comida común (aka guff). My balcony overlooks a really rad park with a soccer court, a roller-blading rink, a basketball court (nobody plays), outdoor ping pong tables, and outdoor chess tables.

I wanted to go to the beach, but I'm not sure if I will have time today. Need to go to the shop for bedding supplies. My room comes pre-equipped with a bed, desk, side table, lamp, bottle of windex, closet, shoe hanger, shelves, and a very particular red lamp. I have good vibes. Giacomo cooked lunch for all of us: pasta with bacon, then he mixed in about a half dozen eggs (with spices). Sooo good. He said he likes to cook on the weekends.

It's cool in my room, but fairly warm outside. Good sign for the summers. Recently, it's been quite difficult writing in English. I'm always second-guessing myself, and leaving words out. In the hostel, we had two lingua francas: one, an Italian/Spanish mix to speak to the italians. The other, a Spanish/English mix to talk to the other Europeans. So I think the grammar portion of my brain has been shut down since Tuesday due to overload.

To be honest, I think most of my brain have been shut down recently due to sleep depravation/jetlag/this odd culture. That's my cue.

Later

I have a flat!

Tunes: The Kooks

I found a flat yesterday! Address: Calle del Explorador Andrés 41 puerta 9. 3 Rooms, 4 people, a balcony, good-sized living room, and a full kitchen. It's a ten-minute walk to class, and a 15-minute walk to the beach. I haven't explored the area a whole lot, because I hadn't been looking in the area before. Magdalena, a girl from Oklahoma that I met here at the Purple Nest, gave me the number when she found another. Perfect.

The room is 160 Euros ($222) per month plus utilities, which average about 20 euros ($28) per month. So, $250 per month? Are you serious?! Guess that leaves me with more money for tapas and paella.

More later. I need to get to my apartment.