Buscar Lo Bueno x30

 This morning, as I was doing homework, Inés was sitting across from me and she told me that she found on Facebook that the Christmas Lights in Toledo were to be turned on tonight at 7 pm. I stopped everything and thought about how exciting that is! I had to go out to see it tonight!  I've seen the lights all around the city and have been yearning for the day that they would finally be on. I've just been so excited about Christmas in the last month. It seems like I've been more excited than the last few years. It is probably because I wasn't super excited for Thanksgiving like I usually am when I can see family. So, I just kept looking toward what is to come: Christmas.  There was a kids' choir singing before the lights came on. They sang "Rudolph, The Red Nose Reindeer". It was so cute! Then, the lights came on! It is so beautiful! This is my view for the next fifteen days when I walk through the streets of Toledo.  Then, there was a band from...

 I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving meal we had tonight! We had a fun time singing karaoke (Yes, I actually did sing), then we went to the cafeteria for a special Thanksgiving meal. It really was something special. Each table had a candle and a pretty tablecloth. There was a turkey as a centerpiece that had sparklers and they went off went we walked in. It was so fancy and fun!  We had turkey, dressing, potato purée, green beans, bread, and apple tart. I also got a bit of traditional Spanish food, including pasta and tortilla de patatas . It wasn't the same as having Thanksgiving at home, but I'm so thankful for all the hard work they put into making us feel at home with this special dinner. It was so sweet!  Me and my friend, Inés!   Kthnxbai!

 I fell asleep today while reading after all of my classes. My friend, Inés, woke me up, saying that the desk assistant at the reception called for me. I said, "Okay, why?" She asked me if I'm going to Zumba. My eyes widened and I looked at my watch. Zumba started fifteen minutes ago. I got up and put on my workout clothes quickly. I grabbed my water bottle and keys, then headed to the gym.  I got there during a song, while everyone was in the middle of dancing. I joined them and everyone cheered. Yay! I made it! "Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked Mari when the song ended. "I'm sorry, I don't wake people up. If it's for breakfast or class, I'll wake someone up, but you were sleeping and I didn't want to disrupt it," she replied. "Aww, okay. Next time, wake me up!" I said.  "Okay, next time!" she promised.   I fought back tears for the rest of the time that we danced because I couldn't stop think...

 "Grace, what have you done? Murdered for me on that cross."-Scandal of Grace ~Hillsong United  In the bible study that I've started going to, we are reading in Romans. We are talking a lot about salvation in Jesus Christ and why we need it. One of the discussion questions was, "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross for us?" I thought it was a strange question because in reality, He did not have to die on the cross for us. He doesn't have to do anything! He is God! He is the King of Kings; there is no one above him!   But, He did it anyway. He took our burden even though He did not deserve it in any way. He gave us grace and constantly continues to do so every day.   I am thankful for this neverending grace.   Kthnxbai!

 Yesterday, Ana texted me that we were going to be celebrating two friends' birthday that night with a cake that she made. I met Ana at the bible study I went to last week.  Last night, we read from Romans and discussed more good stuff about faith in Jesus Christ. At the end, we brought out the chocolate cake and sang Feliz Cumpleaños, completely surprising Sebas, whose birthday is Thursday. We ate some cake and had fun conversations. We got together and sang worship songs while Fernando played the piano. It was incredibly beautiful, singing praises to our savior along with music. We even improvised with harmonies. My new friends have amazing voices!   I'm thankful for chocolate cake and the people who shared it. I love how they welcomed me into the family and let me sing and eat cake with them. It's so sweet, literally and figuratively.  Kthnxbai!

 I am thankful for this weekend that I spent in Barcelona. It was so fun and beautiful. The weather was perfect and I ate some amazing food. I had a sweet and awesome director from Argentina. I met some cool friends from the United States who are studying in Granada, which is in the south of Spain. This weekend was really amazing, and I thank God for that.  Kthnxbai!

 A week ago, I was looking at the map of Barcelona to see what was around the place I would be staying, and I found a Filipino restaurant called, Kasarap. It was kind of far, but I looked at the menu and I got so excited about eating lumpia and sinigang! I had to go!  On Saturday, we had free time for the rest of the day after our tour that ended at a shopping center called Las Ramblas . I went to visit two amazing houses designed by Antoni Gaudí. After that, I set off to get dinner at this restaurant.  When I walked into the restaurant, I immediately smelled the aroma of fresh-cooked rice. It reminded me of being at my Lola and Lolo's house. There was a huge Filipino family sitting at a table with cake, celebrating a birthday. There were little kids running around and laughing. I sat at a table and ordered lumpia and pansit guisado. It came pretty quickly and was so warm and delicious. I was so happy. I told the ladies working there that it made me so happy and rem...

 On Friday morning, I walked to the Toledo train station and took the train to Madrid to take the train to Barcelona. The tickets were paid for by my study abroad program, Arcadia. Once I got picked up by my director, we went to the hostel, which was also taken care of by Arcadia. We went to the Arcadia center after dropping our luggage off at the hostel to listen to a lecture about politics and have lunch. After lunch, we went on a tour throughout Barcelona. We had free time after that, which was rainy but still fun.  I'm thankful for Arcadia. The directors I've met are so kind and engaging. It's so nice that I got to go on this trip that was already planned and paid for.  Kthnxbai!

 I don't know why, but I actually enjoyed walking in the rain this morning.  Before I went to bed last night, I decided that I would go on a walk this morning before working on some homework to go outside for a bit and find God's peace. I walked on the trail next to the Tagus River for fifteen minutes, then made my way back. It started raining on the way back to the foundation. It wasn't drizzling, but it wasn't raining hard either. I actually found myself enjoying it. I can't explain it. I just kind of liked it.  I've been annoyed by the rain lately because I often think it will ruin everything. That's true for a lot of things. If you're planning on going to the beach and it rains that day, you probably aren't going to the beach anymore. It's supposed to rain when I go to Barcelona this weekend. I am telling myself that I am still going to enjoy my time there despite the rain. Maybe I'll even enjoy the rain like today.  Rain is like th...

  After all of my classes for the day, I put on my sports bra, a Bama Wesley t-shirt, my work-out leggings, and my sneakers. Mari walked in from her last class of the day and started getting ready. Once we were both ready, we headed upstairs to dance.  I've been obsessed with Zumba since I was in high school. I went to the YMCA every morning to dance and sweat all summer after my sophomore year. I found an awesome class that was very similar but called "DaZe" at the University of Alabama. Now, we have an incredible instructor, Gabriela, who comes every Wednesday to the foundation so we can sweat and dance together. She really is an awesome instructor. She's got the energy and attitude when she dances. She is so fun and encouraging.  I am thankful for Zumba because it really is a great stress reliever. I get to have fun and pretend like I have sass and that I can dance well. All of my worries and stress disappear because my only worry is if I'm doing the curren...

 One year and ten months ago, I started a bible study in my residence hall. I put little announcements under every door on my floor and made a lesson plan, that we would read from John. I waited and waited on Sunday afternoon to see if anyone would show up. I went to my room and started working on homework because I gave up. " Maybe this wasn't going to work out" , I thought. About ten minutes later, I got a text message, saying that they wanted to come to the bible study, but didn't know where I wanted to meet.  "Hi, I'm Dawn."  "Hey, Dawn! I'm Sydney. How are you?"  I Facetimed Dawn last night for the first time in a month or two. We caught up, talking about my adventures in Spain and her classes at the University of Alabama. We talked about how excited we are to finally see each other again in a month. I can't wait to see her again and have good, fun times, like before.   I'm so thankful for Dawn and our friendshi...

 Today, I went to a new bible study! Natalie told me about it a few weeks ago and it's lead by American and Spanish students. I was welcomed as I walked into the café. There were two guys there when I walked in, Fernando and Dani. Once more people came, we started reading from Romans 3, talking about being justified and saved by grace through Christ.  We discussed it in three parts: observations, interpretations, and applications. I love that! We dug into the word and talked about how it applies to us. It was so good. I've missed doing bible studies filled with discussion and God's word. I talked to a sweet girl named Ana, who is from England and studying here. I had been texting her for a few weeks so I could meet her at the bible study. She was so excited to get to know me. I was so touched by how excited she was to meet me.   I'm so thankful for this bible study and I can't wait to go next week too! It was a good end to the day, especially after classes. ...

 As I found my usual seat in the congregation and put my coat and purse down, I saw Marcos, the pianist who usually leads us in worship, playing the xylophone. I smiled and got really excited about the service. Then, a lady who I had met before, Esmeralda, sat at the piano. Marcos and Esmeralda played a few songs together. It seemed like they were rehearsing. My friend, Natalie, told me that Esmeralda is Marcos' mom. That just made it all so much sweeter. Now, I was even more excited. "This is so neat!" , I thought.  We did a few hymns throughout the service like we usually do, but the xylophone and the piano together sounded incredible! It was just so fun too that it was something different than the norm. When everyone was walking around and greeting each other with two kisses, I told Esmeralda that I loved listening to them. She said thank you, but then immediately asked me if I play any instruments. I said that I play a few and told her about my experience. She rel...

 I'm thankful for today. It wasn't perfect, but it was so nice.  I woke up earlier than usual this morning to read God's word and prayed. Then, I had a simple and quiet breakfast. I walked to the Castilla-La Mancha library to read for class. I also found a book that has really interested me, so I checked it out so I can try to read it in Spanish. Sorry to spoil the end, but the title is "They Both Die At The End", or "Al Final Mueren Los Dos" by Adam Silvera. Then, I sent some postcards to a family member and a friend.   I headed back to the foundation for lunch, then I went to la Iglesia de Los Jesuitas, or the Church of the Jesuits. Wow! I didn't want to leave. It's so beautiful. I also got to go up to the tower and see an awesome view of Toledo from there.   I don't know what it is about organs, but I just love them. This one isn't even as elaborate and adorned as the organ from the cathedral, but I still love it.  ...