Tonight Shelley celebrated her 40th birthday. We met for her party at a place called the Phoenix Bar. The food was free (i.e. on Sean, you only celebrate 40 once) which was nice. I met some cool people from England who are celebrating their wedding/honeymoon by traveling around Europe in a van for a year. They are awesome. Their engine broke down though, so they are stuck in Sevilla for awhile, but God has provided for them just when they needed it, more than once. It's really cool to hear their story, especially with the accent. I really enjoyed meeting them. Sean was nice enough to drive me home. It was a fun night.

Saturday I went to the Sierra Nevada mountains. Pictures later (hopefully). I went with the youth group from the Baptist Church down the street. I met some new friends, that actually don't go to the church, they go to one in town and they visit this one. They were all family, a brother and his wife and his two sisters, so they adopted me for the day. They were really sweet. Two of the girls spoke English, Adriana spoke really well because she lived in the states for 7 years. The other girl, Noelia, spoke a little because she had taken class at the university for three years. We had a lot of fun playing in the snow. We found some cool igloos and we sledded a bit too. It was a good day. The hot chocolate at the top of the mountain was fantastic, the lack of bathrooms wasn't.

So I don't understand the names in this city. Yes, I did just start a sentence with so. Anyway, I've seen buses traveling to and from Kansas City. Now I don't know where this Kansas city is...but I know that I'm NOT in Kansas. I've also seen a bus with the heading "La Paz". Now for those of you who don't know...La Paz is in Bolivia...which is in South America...across The Big Blue. There are buses going to this place. They must have taken notes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Now I'm guessing that these are places in which people are dropped off and picked up, otherwise known as plazas, or "paradas"-meaning stops. There is, in fact, a Plaza de America, a Plaza de Cuba, and I've also seen Guatemala and Mexico. San Diego is also included in this odd mix, as well as Puerta de la Carne, or, Door of the meat (beef). I have no clue what that means. So my question is, are these people for real? I mean, I know in NYC we have little Italy and Chinatown, but do we go as far as The Beef Door? I really do not understand...

I'm starting to think keeping a blog is harder than I thought. I've been very busy the past few days. Tuesday and Wednesday I went walking, trying to find my way around town and manage bus schedules. I finally found a bus map after walking around the world, and I managed to get lost, and then find myself, multiple times. I did accomplish knowing where I was at any given moment, though, so now I will be less lost. The city has many small roads and alleys, which makes it difficult to maneuver. I ate lunch with Sean and Shelley and Shayln and Shaphan yesterday at a Tex-Mex restaurant called Tijuana's. I miss El Mexicano. I also bought some groceries yesterday, along with an alarm clock that doesn't work and a set of hangers I don't need. I am going to return the latter two items. Today I went into Bormujos to see some people and get some things from the other house. While I was there I got a cell phone, because a guy named Nathan ended up not coming, so I got his cell phone, and I got some hangers. I also finally figured out how to get a bus pass for the city, because the one that I have only goes from the city to the pueblos. I had to get a yellow card, called a tarjeta mensual, or monthly card. It is one of three different kinds, but it offers the best deal for my situation. It is unlimited travel for 30 days. It took me forever to find one of those, too, but Abby told me where to go. Tomorrow I am going to take my test, finally, for my classes. I hope all goes well!

Today I wrote a poem.

Me and my Kit-Kat McFlurry

Took a stroll by the river today.

I don't think my friend quite enjoyed it

For he started melting away.

I desperately tried to save him,

My attempts to no avail.

Though I tried my best to succeed,

I somehow abysmally failed.

So I offered him words of comfort,

On this, the prettiest of days.

"I will remember your presence,

and the taste of your goodness, always."

Sunday I met the family. Maria's son and his wife and child came over  for lunch and then they took me to the park. There we met his cousin and his cousin's wife. It was a really good day, and we had a lot of fun. There are two museums, one of art and one of architecture, in the very large park, and I am looking forward to going back and checking those out. Here are some pictures of the day.

I moved in today!!!! TA-DA! I'm so excited! I finally got to unpack everything, with the exception of the clothes that I need hangers for, but everything else is put away! The people I'm living with are Maria and Carmelo, but Carmelo is at the beach with his son at the moment. Maria made me a lunch of fish soup and salad and pizza, which I thought was very nice of her. I am eating the salad and pizza as we speak, because it was too much at lunchtime, but she made sure I wouldn't go hungry. We've been communicating fairly well I think. I went to the baptist church that Sean told me to visit tonight. It was a lot of fun but I mostly sat and listened. They tried to include me though and everyone was really nice. They have youth group every Saturday night at 7 and next weekend they are going skiing. I might go. It sounds like a good deal, only 15 euros, and I could make some new relationships, as well as get out that heavy sweater i've been dying to wear since Christmas. So it's been a good day, and I'm ready to really learn my surroundings and get going. I might even have a ride home from school if I'm lucky!

 I went to Thursday Market this morning. It was a piece of road closed off along the park, a road I don't see used much when it isn't Thursday. It was interesting to see though. It felt like a small fair/flea market. Those buckets to the lower right of the street length picture are different olives. They don't like you to take pictures of them because of the "secret recipe". I don't know what that's all about. For breakfast I went to a van in front of the Market and got Churros y Chocolate, which is basically fried bread, sortof like a thick funnel cake, and melted chocolate. I had some Churros y Chocolate at the Cafe where we got tostadas and it was ok, but these were fantastic. For one thing, the chocolate wasn't hot chocolate, it was literally thick, melted chocolate.Another interesting food item (yes food) were snails. Escargot anyone? They were very pretty. I especially like the ones trying to escape. Poor little guys.

They have various other things to buy at the Market. It isn't very long in the first place. People set up their wares of jewlery, clothing, shoes, candy, floor mats, and stockings that are very popular for some reason. All in all it was a very interesting morning, but I quite enjoyed myself.

 

The below picture is of number 23, Calle Lope de Vega, where I have been living for the past two weeks, and unfortunately will soon be leaving. The other pictures are of the patio out front.

Sorry it's been a couple of days. Not much has gone on to warrant a post. I haven't been out of the house much except for walks. It is getting warmer. Lately there hasn't been a cloud in the sky. I did wash my laundry, which takes about two hours, and I hung it up to dry on the roof, which takes even longer. I finally understand why all of Abby and Darby's towels are stiff. I plan to use a lot of fabric softener in the future, in hopes that it will help. I walked to Burger King for lunch yesterday and found that it was rather expensive. I couldn't get a drink, but I did get a Whopper with cheese. Sorry I didn't take a picture, it wasn't as spectacular as in Honduras...for those of you who know that to which I am referring. Anyway I came home to find Darby and Abby making breakfast for lunch, i.e. pancakes and biscuits. Speaking of home, here are a few pictures of the patio out front. 

I finally got to see the two choices for homes that I have today. I woke up late again, though, because my alarm didn't go off, and my phone said it was 10:30 instead of 11, even though I reset it last night...something is faulty. I am going to have to figure out another alarm idea. Anyway, the two choices were: A house in the city with Wi-Fi or a house in Sevilla Este (East Seville) with internet. I still haven't decided which one I am going to get, but I am leaning towards the one in Sevilla Este, because the lady is very nice. Aside from that I havent' done much today, but I hope to get moved in this week!

Yesterday I went to the supermarket with Darby to buy ingredients to make chicken salad for today. Later we went into town, and now after walking around I am really anxious to get a house. I think I'm ready to be a city girl. I want to go exploring! The best thing I saw yesterday was the Cathedral, which is the third largest I think. It literally took my breath away. I was only in there for about two minutes, but I will go back and take pictures and maybe even a video. Today I went to church, and then the gang went to TGIFriday's but I stayed home so I could talk to the church at home, but unfortunately they had technical difficulties, so we'll try again next week. I did, however, make a fantastic chicken salad all by myself, and I think that is a great accomplishment, considering I am not the best cook. I am learning though. Hopefully I will get to go see some houses tomorrow, I'm supposed to go at 11:30. I'm hoping and praying!

I took a walk today. It was finally bright and sunny outside, but still chilly. Thats the only thing exciting i've done. I have basically sat around all day on the computer. I did watch No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones and it was very good.

So we did end up going to IKEA, but i'll get to that. Darby and Abby left early to go into town, and I wanted to sleep a little longer, so I told them i'd meet them. I did get up and I left the house to find the bus station, in the rain, and first I went the wrong way, so I called Sean. I finally found the bus station, but I missed the bus. It drove right past me. So there I sat for another 20 minutes, drenched, but not getting continually so because I was under a small shelter. When I finally did get on the bus, I found that I was going to wrong way, deeper into town than out of it. The bus driver informed me that I was supposed to have been at the bus station across the street. He kindly let me ride around with him for no extra fee, though, for which I was grateful. We (the bus, me, and all its inhabitants) finally got going in the right direction, and I got off at the Plaza de Armas, which is the large bus station in Seville. There I met Darby and Abby and we continued on to IKEA. Once there I got a hotdog, called a perrito, because I was starving, considering I hadn't had anything to eat and it was past 1. It only cost me ,50 Euro. (They have commas instead of question marks here; that would translate to .50, or half of a euro.) Once we got going Darby found a chair that she really liked, and Abby and I both found umbrellas (which, we both switched out for different colors in the end). I also got a clothes hamper, which I needed, and I think it will fit in my suitcase. Abby and Darby got various other things as well. Thankfully, David came and picked us up, so we didn't have to ride the bus home with all that stuff. Once at the Actons, Darby and Francesca went out to lunch while Abby and I ate with the other girls and played phase 10. We had picked up the whole Acton crew plus one Blacksten on the way. The car was pretty crowded. When Darby and Francesca came back, Olivia and Isabella accompanied Darby, Abby and I back to our house, where we played scum. Darby and Abby then left to go to English club at McDonalds (They brought me back a Happy Meal...and I was happy.) I painted Isabella's fingernails and then their dad came to pick them up. Later after Darby and Abby came home we watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, which I had never seen. It was good. That was my day yesterday, sorry I didn't get around to writing about it. Hopefully I will get around to writing about today, but later.

So apparently when the microwave is on and the lights are on and other electronical things, the space heaters decide they can't handle so much electricity and the power goes off, which is fixed by a simple switch, but it's rather annoying. Still, at least we're semi-warm. I didn't do much today. I mostly just chilled in the house...literally. Tomorrow we're going to go to IKEA, and then *fingers crossed* Sean and I might get to go check out a house for me. Spanish people take their time though... I watched Sleepless in Seattle for the first time tonight with Abby and Darby. It was pretty good. I'll be going to sleep shortly because I have to get up early, so goodnight!

We also got space heaters today so the rooms aren't so freezing cold. Thanks Sean!!!!

Abby and I went to the supermercado today. I was surprised at how inexpensive my bill came up to in the end. I bought myself some food for lunch for the rest of the week, or whenever I might need it, along with some other things. The grocery store was rather large, and they did have a good selection of things. I got some Sunny D, which made me very happy, and I wanted to get a bottle of Coke but my bags were heavy enough as it was. I also got some Smacks cereal if I ever decide to wake up for breakfast, but I could also eat it for lunch if need be. Darby made some vegetable soup for supper and it was really good. She is such a good cook, and I hope that being on my own is going to teach me a thing or two about cooking myself. Of course, I have many people at home who I can get recipes from. I'm sure i'll manage, but for now its cereal and french fries, unless somebody else cooks. We watched House in Spanish, which was interesting, and I really didn't understand most of what they were saying, but I got the gist of it. Body language says a lot. Now i'm just chillin', waiting to go to bed soon. I think tomorrow I might get to go look at some housing with Sean, so wish me luck!

First off, I watched to Superbowl last night up until the beginning of third quarter, on two different screens. The actual TV was a German showing (with German commentators) and the other was from Dave's computer, projected onto the wall. We were watching people's TVs who were streaming the video, so we did get some English commentary and we did get to see a few commercials. This morning I woke up late and had to rush out the door. I had about 10 minutes to get ready, but I made it, and Sean, Dave and I drove into town so I could register for my language classes, which I did successfully, but it was a small challenge. I handled it on my own though, and I was proud that I was competent enough to do that. Dave and I discussed later how strange it was that a school that taught Spanish as a class didn't have anyone who spoke another language, even French, to help the students. I was thankful that I had a grounding in some Spanish education. That process took up most of my day. I met Martha and Yasmin and walked around with them for a little while, or rather they walked around with me while I figured out school. Martha showed me how to work the bikes in town, which was really neat. I know that I need to get some pictures up of around Seville, but I haven't had time yet. Martha did take two of Yasmin and I today, I will ask her if I may have them to post. She took one by a fruit stand that had huge delicious-looking strawberries. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow so I might have to find me some of those. Martha also showed me one of her favorite cafeterias on campus so I might have to go try it soon. I don't start classes until after the 20th, because that is the day that I take the test which decides which level (nivel in Spanish) that I am in. I have the next two weeks to try and figure out where I am going to live, and hopefully I can get some homework done and help out with whatever needs to be done. I have learned about an opportunity to take dance classes at the cultural center, so I am going to check that out soon. It is called Sevillanas, an easier version of the flamenco, because flamenco is not taught to anyone but professional dancers, which traditionally are solely Gypsies. I told Sean and Dave maybe I could marry a Gypsy, and they pointed out some caravans living under a bridge where I might find them. I changed my mind.  After lunch with the Actons I walked back to the house and took a nap, and now I have eaten supper and have settled down for the night. I might watch a movie. That is all that I have for now, I will update you with tomorrow's news. Goodnight!

Hello. So i've spent my first full day in Seville. We got up for breakfast at around 10, and I ate my first tostada, which is kinda like a bagel without the hole in the middle, toasted, with jam on it. You could also get ham and other types of things if you wanted them. I also drank hot chocolate. There is a specialty in Spain called churros and hot chocolate, which Abby got, and I tried it. It's kinda like a funnel cake dipped in hot chocolate, and it was actually really good.Darby wants me to show her how to make sweet tea, so we have to go to the store sometime this week to get the right pitchers. After breakfast we went to church where we heard a lady named Nanette speak about her mission to help put Romanian children in foster homes because there were many of them in the orphanage that weren't being taken care of. After church we went to lunch at a Don Kebob place, which was really good. I got tea there too, and it was cinnamon flavored. I really enjoyed it. After lunch we went to the Acton's house and played with the kids for awhile. They had a trampoline that we jumped on and played a different kind of game of dodgeball. Abby and I basically threw bouncy balls at the kids from the window. Then later Darby, Laura, Bella and I played skip bo. We went to another church service at a school called Culto Con Leche, which was really good. There was a lot of talent in the group that did the music, as well as a dancer that had a hard time with her CD messing up. She did really good though. Afterwards we had some desserts and then I came back to the house for a little while. At midnight we are going to watch the superbowl at the Acton's house. Go Steelers! I'm really excited about that. That's all for now!