You have been waiting a long time for this blog, but it is finally here. I don't have much excuse why I haven't written, besides the fact I've been enjoying life in Madrid.
Last Sunday, I woke up around 10am thinking to myself I didn't want to get up, I was still tired cause I stayed out really late. But around 10:25 my phone rang and it was this guy I met randomly downtown, and he asked for my number to hang out sometime. I gave it to him, having the idea that he will prob never call plus if he does, I won't have this number for long. He's from Cameroon and looks slightly homeless, but, I don't think he is.
Anyhow, he doesn't speak English so I had to talk to him in Spanish only. He asked if I wanted to hang out, I told him I was going to church and he could come if he wanted. I was surprised when he agreed, and I rushed to get ready, make a lunch to go and run out the door to meet him, as I was late in waking up.
I met him at a metro stop and we chatted in Spanish till we reached the church. Now, the church I go to is in English, but the sermon is translated into Spanish through a headset thing. This church also likes to worship, so a lot of the service is singing. Well my friend Nicolas doesn't know any of the songs or what they mean, so I tried my best to translate as much as I could so he knows what we are singing about. I used so much Spanish, I thought my nose would start bleeding. Thankfully the service was translated to Spanish so I didn't have to do that. But, it must have been a bit boring cause Nicolas fell asleep, he did say he liked the church a lot and would come back again sometime.
After the service, all though young adults stayed and had a lunch together, after the lunch we had a short Bible study, it was nice to get to meet more young people that believe in Jesus.
After the Bible study, I rushed to meet this guy Alonso, who works at a photocopy shop near where I live. We went out and about around town, to parks and had ice cream. And again, I had to speak all in Spanish because he doesn't speak English! Talk about improving my Spanish! WOW!
All is very well with me. I am really enjoying myself here in Madrid, I am meeting people from all over the world and starting to make good friends. The weather has warmed up, and the sun is great! I've been able to start running cause of the nice weather! Oh happy days!
One day this girl Elise and I road a whole Metro line, just to do something fun!
On Sunday I got myself out of bed on time, I cleaned up nicely and ate breakfast, scooted out the door with enough time to make it to church. I found the church with no problems and only arrived a couple minutes, but, strangely it look like the service had already started, and the worship was really short, I was a bit confused but, I went along with it.
The sermon was super good and what I needed to hear. It was about spiritual warfare, something I normally learn about before entering a new country. But, because this isn't a mission, I didn't have anyone to tell me about spiritual warfare. I got it this Sunday though! It was so good to hear too. There are many idols here in Spain, and from what I've observed there are very few people I've met that wants anything to do with Christianity.
These past few weeks I have really felt the need to meet other believers. This is my first trip I've made that I haven't had a Christian community surrounding me. Which is a little challenging, but in a good way, I've been challenged to seek God deeper; to be in community with the Father, Spirit and Son!
Thankfully, I got the contact information for the young adults group at the church I went to. I did meet a few people at the church. As I left the church building this six year old came up to me and started talking to me...in Spanish. It went well though. Then on my way out back to the Metro station I caught up with this Chinese guy, of 16 years old. A young one. He is interested in everything that has to do with music, he's in a band. I might check it out one day. We chatted the whole way till we had to switch subways and go different directions.
I am so thankful I found this church, I believe it will be a good place for me to get plugged in! I did find out though that, Spain changed to day light savings....and I didn't...so I showed up to church an hour late! Just can't seem to make it to church on time no matter what!
I did meet another feller of 29 years old, this one I met at the park, long story, but, a bit of it goes like...we tried to rent a bike, stood in line for a long time, I was next to get a bike then it closed, so no bike for me. Anyhow, we decided to just walk around and chat, which was great, we hit all sorts of deep controversial topics. I really enjoyed hearing his socialistic opinion on things. Although he doesn't have a Christian point of view because he's an atheist. Our conversations were rich none the less. Later we headed into the heart of Madrid to walk around and see the night life, get churros con chocolate, and a few tapas y canas. All of which were at super crowded intense restaurants.
Overall, I had a great day! I met new people, had good conversation and laughed a lot!
(This I a picture I took in the street. Yup, it's the Beatles!)
Today marks my full week in Madrid. When I first got here I was met by Albert (father) who took me to their condo and I met Azucena (mother) and Hannah (child). I also met Maria their house keeper and Azucena's mother too. Oh, and also David, Albert's intern. My day was very full and I started straight to work trying to play with Hannah and get her accustom to me.
Since then, I've learned the daily routines of Hannah and the family here. They are nice people. Hannah is a child that is used to routine, which is good. She is very big and intelligent for her age. She will be 2 years old in April.
I help in the mornings getting her ready for school and then after school we play games, I feed her dinner and help with bath time, this will be my job, but, she doesn't let me help with it at all. (Hannah is very cranky at bath time). Hannah is a very affectionate girl, but, of course like any child gets upset when she doesn't get her way. We've had good days and we've had some bad days.
I've ventured out a few times because I have a lot of time on my hands during the daytime. I've not yet gone into any of the museums yet, but soon will. I've seen the plaza mayor, visited the sol area, people watched, I went to the Jardines del Buen Retiro, which is very big. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit, and I will definitely be outside more.
Today I went to the local market that is in our neighborhood on Tuesdays, for being so little there were many people shouting!
On a typical weekday I get Hannah out of bed at 8:00am and change her into her school clothes. Then wash up, brush our teeth and comb the hair. She has a few fiber cookies and we are out the door with mommy who drives her to school.
We go pick her up from school around 5:00pm and we play/read books/do whatever Hannah wants to do. Then comes dinner and bath time, we play a bit more and around 8:00 she is ready for bed. That is my typical day with Hannah.
Besides that I have started Spanish classes for immigrants on Mon and Wed. Which only take up the morning, then I'm out exploring the rest of the time. Lunch is around 2:30 here in Madrid, which is pretty late and dinner time is around 8:30-9. Pretty much EVERYTHING is closed between 2:30 and 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Life is definitely different around here.
I thought the people would be a bit more friendly on the streets, I have found it hard to make a person smile while passing them en route. I haven't really made any friend yet, but, I have to remind myself I've only been here a week, and need patience.
On a side note apart from anything Madrid related. I do enjoy using commas in my sentences when I write!
On behalf of Amanda B, whom I didn't know read my blogs, this post is dedicated to!
Dear Amanda (and all my other readers, hehe)
I arrived safely on U.S. soil, after many many hours of waiting in airports, making myself sleep deprived I fell asleep in my own room (which looks different then when I left it) the night of my arrival, which felt nice. The week after my arrival, flew by so quickly. My contact (Gigie) in the Philippines was here in the USA taking a worship school so she came and visited me for a week. We ran around everywhere visiting people, places and things! I had an awesome tie dye party and yes, just in case the question was in your mind, we did have punch that had sherbet!
This past week has been spent hanging out with family and friends. I got to see my baby cousin for the first time since she was born! Bowling is now a favorite pastime of mine! Also, I did beat my brother, not once, but twice at Monopoly!
I do have another adventure in mind, I leave on Monday for Spain. I am following my very good friend's footsteps in becoming an Au Pair (a nanny). Unfortunately, Caroline has been back from Spain for some time now, since I before I left for the Philippines actually. But, she is my inspiration to this next step in my life! I will be living with a young family in Madrid, there is one child in the family who is two years old. This is not a job, but, is a culture exchange, so, again in my life, I will not be making a profit, but, I will not be loosing this time. The family has found a free Spanish class for immigrants to take. So, hopefully, I will improve my Spanish.
Of course, the excitement is almost bubbling over, Spain will be an experience I've never had the privilege of knowing yet. Even though I don't have any plans (as of right now) to be helping little children hanging out on the streets with no shoes, that doesn't mean I still can't minister. My ministry just might look a little different.
My stay will be for three months, so not too long, not too short, just right! I will continue blogging, I can't promise a blog each week, but, when I have something significant and important to say, I will surely write about it.
If you have been to Madrid or Spain before, and have any suggestions of things/places I should go to, just shoot an email my way! If you want to see more pictures, I will load the to Facebook!
As always thanks for reading my blog, even though I might not know you do read it! I appreciate it!
I remember the day in which I got on the plane. I met a very friendly lil old Filipino man.
I remember the days I met my roommates, they asked a lot of questions.
I remember the days I prepared sandwiches for the cute kids in the squatter areas.
I remember the days I had a long conversation in English with Dreb.
I remember the days I cried on the phone with my dad because my emotions were everywhere.
I remember the days we celebrated Gina's birthday with a yummy turkey and fruit salad for dinner.
I remember the days it wouldn't stop raining then there was a flood.
I remember the days I cut little kids nails very very short which gave me pain, but, brought joy to my heart because of our conversations or just the fact that we were touching each other.
I remember the days I met relatives of the Wabes.
I remember the days I really used my blanket at night cause the air was chilly.
I remember the days I didn't know I was drinking tap water, but I turned out fine.
I remember the days to pass away the slow day I read a lot.
I remember the days I would sit with our landlord and enjoy each others company.
I remember the days the Wabes would take the staff out to eat.
I remember the days my 'sister' Queeny would talk to all my suitors for me.
I remember the days the power was out, boy was that hot.
I remember the days the Singaporean team came.
I remember the day I ate chicken feet.
I remember the days I cut a dread off then waited to see if Queeny would notice it in her bed.
I remember the days I enjoyed with my campus friends.
I remember the days we had exciting Christmas parties with out ministries.
I remember the days I had a massage by the blind people at the mall.
I remember the days when words I had repeatedly heard clicked and I knew what they meant.
I remember the days we visited Hundred Island, what a beautiful creation.
I remember the days we would make bread together...it turned out good only sometimes.
I remember the days when our meetings were really long...oh that was everyday.
I remember the days I met my Slavic friend who always teases me.
I remember the days I cover my nose cause of all the gas pollution.
I remember the days I had salty dried fish and liked it.
I remember the days of my time in the Philippines, I experienced all sorts of things; love, anger, joy, frustration, energy, weakness, places, people, words, smells, sights, sounds and so much more.
I have about three weeks left here in the Philippines, an ample amount of time. But, I find myself getting restless. I have discovered a pattern in my life. Near the end of any of my adventures, I get restless and want to be done and move on to other things.
In high school, my senior year came and I was so ready to get out; to graduate and move on to earn big dollars at the Pig. Later I made the decision to do ComLife, and I was ready to leave Zion and find some independence in GA, although I didn't want to leave the great ol'Pig. Hehe. As ComLife came to an end, I found myself in the last few months getting restless and something inside me wanting to move on. I had to practically seat belt myself there.
Now, it's happening again, I am ready to move on and start a new adventure. I've thought to myself,
"Self! Why? Why do you do this? Are you not content and happy where you are?"
No, I am, I am quite content. I love the ministry I'm involved in, the relationships I've made, and the people I live with, of course things are not perfect here, but, where are things perfect? Life is pleasant for me here.
This time I don't want to be restless and fidgety. I've been praying and asking the Lord for more discipline in my life; to be satisfied these next few weeks and not to look to the future and what it holds for me; to focus on the 'here and now'. My desire isn't to leave here now so I can go to my future, but many times that is what my flesh wants; it wants to live in the future...but how in the world can it do that?
I am trying to break the pattern. Please partner with me in prayer. I want to finish strong, to make these next few weeks the most I can. To live in the 'here and now'.
Also, I will not post what I'm doing next in life, till I leave the Philippines, then I'll tell all of it!
I was just excused from our morning meeting because it's about planning, and I'm leaving in less then a month, so no need for me to plan for the future. Now I am sitting here on my bed, listening to the soundtrack of Pride and Prejudice thinking of what I can write and update you all on.
We experienced a tiny earthquake last night, enough to wake me up, but, in my state of grogginess I decided it was just my imagination that my bed was moving and the window shaking. In the morning I come to find out it's not my imagination but others experienced it too. This is my first encounter with earth shaking.
Lately I've been reading many books to occupy my time and to also expand my minute vocabulary. Which surprisingly has been working but hasn't helped my spelling much at all.
This last book I have been reading, which is by Paulo Coelho, reveals the struggles of a girl who observes life and yearns for love. I want to share with you a short part of the book. I am not posting this because I feel like she is speaking for me, or I feel like our lives are the same. But only because I believe there is some sort of wisdom in these words.
"I spent today outside a funfair. Since I can't afford to fritter my money away, I thought it best to just watch other people. I stood for a long time by the roller coaster, and I noticed that most people get on it in search of excitement, but that once it start, they are terrified and want the cars to stop.
What do they expect? Having chosen adventure, shouldn't they be prepared to go the whole way? Or do they think that the intelligent thing to do would be to avoid the ups and downs and spend all their time on the carousel, going round and round on the spot?
At the moment, I'm far too lonely to think about love, but I have to believe that it will happen, that I will find a job and that I am here because I chose this fate. The roller coaster is my life; life is a fast, dizzying game; life is a parachute jump; it's taking chances, falling over and getting up again; it's mountaineering; it's wanting to get to the very top of yourself and to feel angry and dissatisfied when you don't manage it.
It isn't easy being far from my family and from the language in which I can express all my feelings and emotions, but, from now on, whenever I feel depressed, I will remember that funfair. If I had fallen asleep and suddenly woken up on a roller coaster, what would I feel?
Well, I would feel trapped and sick, terrified of every bend, wanting to get off. However, if I believe that the track is my destiny and that God is in charge of the machine, then the nightmare becomes something thrilling. It becomes exactly what it is, a roller coaster, safe, reliable toy, which will eventually stop, but, while the journey lasts, I must look at the surrounding landscape and whoop with excitement."
This is NOT a Christian book or anything. But, it makes me think of John 10:10 (I am not paraphrasing John 10:10 either). We can either let the thief come and steal our life by weighing us down with worry, fear, etc. or we can allow God to give us life, freedom in Him so we can live it abundantly. We need to chose what attitude and perspective we look at life with.
I had to yet again, renew my visa, something I thought I didn't need to do, but upon entering back into the country form Taiwan, I needed another extension. I was not to happy to learn this especially because it's expensive, I have to dress up, take two jeepneys and deal with the officers, which I haven't found too many to be cheerful. Although my last visit to renew my visa didn't go bad at all. Remember my post about the grumpy old man before?
This time I went by myself, I was worried a bit about where to find the office again, cause I had forgotten, but I used my Tagalog skills and asked the driver to help me, in which he then struck up conversation with me, rambling on about something, I didn't really understand him, I can pretend well though.
I made it to the Bureau easily. Upon walking to the entrance of the office, I notice the old man (Albert) from before, so I put on a big smile and greet him politely, to my surprise he was very happy to see me and ushered me in to get my visa renewed, he made sure that I was being well taken care of in the office, and speeding my passport along. After I had filled all the papers out, we chatted a while, about history, the USA, why I don't have a bf, and other random things.
I was only in the office about an hour, which was a short time, and I was happy, I paid for the visa, which thankfully didn't cost so much, I realized a little while later when looking over the receipts why it was cheaper. I didn't have to pay the express fee which cost about $30, because I had made a friend, who was the top man. I was thinking in my trip back to the base, that God had granted me favor in Albert's eyes. I am very thankful for this, my eyes were opened in seeing God's hand in everything. Even if it's just a trip the immigration office.
Ok, the story gets better, Tito (uncle) Bert as he is now referring himself to me as, is sad that this will be my last time to renew my visa cause it will be the last time I see him.
I tell him, "I'll come back to say goodbye before I leave the country!"
Then he goes on to say something like, "We'll go have dinner."
I jokingly respond, "We'll call it a date!"
And that's what it has become. I now have a date with Tito Bert, the man who frightens everyone because he's a bit arduous.
When I was leaving he put his arm around me and we shot the breeze, then he gave me a kiss on the cheek (his stubble was abrasive). He is a cute old man, that is short and often frowns. On our date I will tell him he needs to smile more often!
What an interesting day! I'm thankful for such a stress free experience.
doesn't speak English! Talk about improving my Spanish! WOW!
were rich none the less. Later we headed into the heart of Madrid to walk around and see the night life, get churros con chocolate, and a few tapas y canas. All of which were at super crowded intense restaurants.
on U.S. soil, after many 
many hours of waiting in airports, making myself sleep deprived I fell asleep in my own room (which looks different then when I left it) the night of my arrival, which felt nice. The week after my arrival, flew by so quickly. My contact (Gigie) in the Philippines was here in the USA taking a worship school so she came and visited me for a week. We ran around everywhere visiting people, places and things! I had an awesome tie dye party and yes, just in case the question was in your mind, we did have punch that had sherbet!
not be making a profit, but, I will not be loosing this time. The family has found a free Spanish class for immigrants to take. So, hopefully, I will improve my Spanish.
Life, and I was ready to leave Zion and find some independence in GA, although I didn't want to leave the great ol'Pig. Hehe. As ComLife came to an end, I found myself in the last few months getting restless and something inside me wanting to move on. I had to practically seat belt myself there. 
