Tunes: The Decemberists

This city can change drastically on game day. My friends always joke about how you can never park anywhere illegally, because you’ll get a ticket within 5 minutes; however, on game day, people park on sidewalks, in flowerbeds, hugged up against dumpsters, and behind other people, blocking them in.

This was last night. Also, the city was FULL of police officers, and each one had a riot helmet and a baton hanging from their belts. They don’t mean to mess around. Don’t worry Andrew, I’ll get my chance.

I went with my friend Morten, a guy from the hostel, to a bar close to the stadium for their big screen and 3quintos/1euro deal. Really festive night--it was great to get some decent man time in.

Well, not too much going on over here. It's a beautiful day, so I'm probably going to walk around the beach. Tomorrow, I'm going to Sueca to stay with some new friends. I don't know quite what to expect, but that's the fun of it. In a few weeks, they want to go camp in the mountains and watch the stars. THAT's my kind of thing. Super friendly people. From the first time I sat down with them, they made me feel at home.

And yeah, I'm hanging with the "frikis" aka the nerds. Super genial.

To today,

Josh

Healthy

Tunes: Crowder

Man, that was a crazy 24+ hours. Got sick Tuesday, was in class and felt like my stomach was going to explode, so I went outside to lay in the sun. After a few hours of almost-napping, I felt completely drained of energy, but I had to go to a class. So, I tanked up on water and Lipton tea, and struggled through class. Success. I was burning up. So I went home, bought some medicine, watched a movie, then fell asleep by 7:30PM.

It's crazy what one's mind can do in such a state. I woke up a few times in the night, took some more meds, then went back to sleep. After about 15 hours in bed, I woke up and felt completely better (more or less). No more fever, a bit of strength, and an appetite. My fever had to have been above 100º Tuesday night, and I was completely better the next day.

That little episode was quite humbling to me. My mom often tells me that I have an invincibility complex, which I can't really argue. I often see dangers/obstacles in life, but they are never the major factors in decision-making. My short bout of sickness, combined with many days of new experiences here in Spain has just pointed me back towards the extreme might of God. I remember waking up in the middle of the night, and praying "God, I am completely helpless. I'm at your will. Please bring me to health."

I've climbed cliffs, played the most dangerous sports, spent days in the elements with my supplies on my back, canoed in dangerous rapids, spent at least a few months-worth of time traveling in cars and planes, and probably will continue my life in the same manner. However, none of that proves anything. My life can be snuffed overnight.

I've spent the last 5 days reading all of the specifics in Exodus & Leviticus about how God wanted his ark and such built, how to consecrate his people, and how to make everything holy, etc. Man, that got boring after some time... but everything kept layering and layering a depiction of the perfection of God. In order to experience the presence of God, Moses had to do this, and that, and that, and that, rinse, repeat... Humbling. We are not worthy of the greatness of God.

Enter the gospel. The good news. Motivated by love, God sent his son to make it possible for us to be in His presence. That just makes the greatness of God even larger, and me so much smaller.

Hell, I know this sounds strange to many people, but because I experience God in such a way, and trust him, it gives me so much joy. God is bolstering my depiction of him. He's refining it to be closer to who he really is... and he's doing it every day. Because my eyes are being opened to this, it makes the difficulties of life pale in comparison (just like that Rob Bell video from earlier). I get to tap into the most perfect being, and kick it with him.

Now, let's keep it on that track. That'll be nice.

My pants are beginning to wear in the crotch. All that biking... really makes me sad. This pair just started to become on of my favorites... and this is the second pair to do that this year.

I'm in the library, listening to some good tunes, and eating my smuggled ham sammich. About to read, and then class at 5.

Ciao

Coffee talk

About to head into my philosophy class. Just wanted to throw down two notes I wanted to share

-Yesterday, in my US lit class, our teacher was trying to explain how humans need love, physical contact, and words of affirmation and such as an essential part of child development. We're reading The Bluest Eye (a very tragic story of an unfortunate girl who has no love). Our teacher made us hold hands with our neighbor, look into their eyes, and say (loudly) "Qué guapo/a eres, ¡coño!" It was hilarious. She encouraged hugs, kisses, but made sure no clothing came off (hah). Our teacher is a riot. Every day, she has something shocking to say/do.

-Okay, so there's a lady who works at my faculty's cafetería, who's gotten used to me ordering a café americano every time I come. Now, before I can even get up to the register, she yells ¡Americano! This morning, she yelled it as soon as I walked into the door. By chance, she was working in the psychology faculty's cafetería a few hours later. So, of course, I was thrown for a surprise when I was in a different building, and the same lady was yelling americano at me. I think it's hilarious. I really enjoy the many random ways I connect with people. I hope that relationship will grow past one word.

My eyes are heavy. I couldn't go to bed, because I was sucked into watching The Usual Suspects. I just saw it about a month ago, but Kevin Spacey wouldn't let me go to sleep. Oh well, great film.

My first motion picture

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtysonwilliams/4379647207/

More

She's still singing and whistling. She knows every lyric to every song. I think this is going to be my way to get a smile when I really need one.

I Want You (She's So Heavy)

I just played the above song, and upon pushing play, Bea started to sing and pound on the wall. I almost died laughing. She has Beatles posters ALL over her room, Beatles coffee cups, Beatles clothing... Now she's walking around the house humming along and singing. So great.

} I wanted to post what I had written for yesterday (Saturday)

I went to see the Valencian Firebats, Valencia’s American football team, play today. It was very fun. I burst out laughing in joy when I got my first glance of helmet and shoulder pads. Who’da thunk that could be so enjoyable? The whole time I was there, I was entertained. The Firebats destroyed their competition, with 40-0 at half time. There was a group of English-speakers who basically set up camp in the stands with bags and bags of food, lots of beer, a few curious dogs, and a homemade stove to keep warm.

Watching the team played reminded me of middle school or freshman football. Even though the players were 20+ years old, when I looked at them, I saw children. Their big smiles, the way they celebrated… everything. Also, the skill level was at about that level too.

} Back to the present. My hands are cold, and my stomach is full. Bea is still singing. Oh, the little things in life. The little things in my life. I really liked this weekend. That's about it. I'm putting it in my pocket.

Class tomorrow. Happy Birthday, sister.

<3
Josh

Friends and pastries

Tunes: Something that's perfect for an 80's aerobics class.

I think I'm going to greatly miss the pastries here. I'm really surprised at how much I haven't been talking about all the food I've been eating. I'm not sure if I've written about this yet, but there is a pastry called a "Napolitana dulce." It's the same pastry dough as a croissant, but it's shaped like a large hot pocket. It's filled with super creamy chocolate, and topped with honey and chocolate sprinkles.

There's a bakery called El Horno de Los Borachos, literally translated as the oven of the drunks, that is only open from about midnight to about 7am. There are many such places. Well basically, now whenever I'm about to go to bed, I crave a napolitana dulce. My mouth is watering right now. I don't understand why, because just before writing this entry, I licked my fingers from the napolitana that I just finished. Damn. So good.

God is answering my prayers. I've been quite lonely, but I'm making some friends. Today, the very talkative guy in my English class (the one who only talked in English. Josep.) invited me to come sit with him and his friends. We talked from about 3pm to 6pm. I got to practice my spanish, learn some catalán, talk about Walker Texas Ranger/Family Guy/Star Wars/other pop-culture, laugh it up, and bond with some locals. I think this is a group I can kick it with

I was considering traveling to Alicante this weekend, because I had nothing else to do. However, Josep and his friends invited me to their town this weekend to hang and see EL HOMBRE LOBO aka THE MAN WOLF. Hehe. I'm excited to see what this town is like. I'm excited to see what the more rural Spanish life is like.

I'm in my school's café. I like being here. Many people, cheap and delicious coffee, cheap and different sandwiches (I want to try each one), and a really funktastic radio station. It plays old, poppy American music, that's really catchy. I find myself bobbing my head... The lady sitting behind me has been humming for the past 20 minutes.

I met t Ukrainian lady who works at the café. She's very sweet, and I love listening to her accent. She has a daughter who lives in Chicago (Alyx!). She's visited Valencia before, and said she loves Chicago way more than this town. Well, I guess that means I need to pass through the windy city.

I'm reading and eavesdropping on a conversation between a Spanish girl and an American girl. They're mocking different English accents.

Back to my book(s), then to bike home in the rain,

Josh