Coddiwompling

I recently traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And while both are were very different and interesting, I can't explain the happiness that flooded my body when I finally landed in Valencia (or rather Alicante because it was cheaper). Never thought I would be so happy to hear Spanish.  Düsseldorf was interesting, I am glad I was able to check it off my list and it did provide me an opportunity to experience a Christmas market!!!!!!!! To be fair I had built up Germany in my head that it wasn't possible for it to be as good as the vision in my mind. I always imagined the Christmas market to be extravagant and radiating with Christmas joy and cheer and while it was pretty big, there was something missing. Maybe it was my favorite people. After tasting all of the sweets possible and of course the German sausage and Glühewin, I was ready to book it to Amsterdam.  But of course my bus was delayed 75 minutes. I found this out after I walked the 20 ...

Edinburgh --> Glasgow Scotland was the longest time with the least amount of sleep, I have done in a while. My flight to Edinburgh left at 6am, so after a 30 minute cab ride and getting to the airport a recommended 2 hours before, by the time I arrived I had already been awake a good 6 hours and it was   only 9am   (I always forget about time change) ANYWAYS, after only a minor hiccup of forgetting the currency exchange to pounds, I got into the center of Edinburgh around 10am and immediately had a connection to this city. The man working the currency desk was so friendly, it made my mistake worth it because I was welcomed into the country with a good joke and a happy smile. The weather was   very crisp , there was a good sized Christmas market, the cobblestone and houses were what you imagine when you read fairytales. There were hills of buildings and hills of green   lush   grass. There was a castle on some hills and it was busy, but not crowded. Th...

Another new experience, my first major holiday in Spain. This year, had I been in Texas, I would've been home in Boerne. My parents, Alexis, and I would be driving to Uvalde for a feast and lots of love. Previously, I never would've claimed Thanksgiving as a favorite holiday, but when you're 5,228 miles you miss the things you took for granted. The feast that comes with Thanksgiving - the mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, mountain of bread rolls, the classic turkey, the better ham (in my opinion), and my personal favorite stuffing!! I got lucky with two large families, there's so much love squeezed into the room where we all eat. It is perfect. There's so much loud conversation and laughter. All the younger kids are playing and running around; MJ, Alexis and I claiming our spots in line and at the best table; the adults are chatting about anything that can be chattered about. After my first plate of food, I nap in one of MJ's huge comfy recliner...

I’m not sure what the age is when you become fixated on thinking about “what’s next?”. But if you aren’t working at a stable job that you thoroughly enjoy or in school going after the job you have dreamed of, then it seems that you have to wonder what is next for you. The first semester of my senior year at the University of Houston I started admitting to myself that I really had no idea what I wanted to do once I graduated. HOWEVER, I did know I didn’t want to go get my masters yet or start another few years of school. And I didn’t want a desk job (not that my major really prepared me for a desk job). I was working as a pharmacy technician and I was happy at work, but I knew I wanted to travel. I casually mentioned to friends and family that I wanted to go teach English abroad... I don’t really recall the reactions from everyone. I do remember my dad being happy it was Spain that I chose, after initially saying Thailand and than just joining the peace corps. Spain - It became a r...

After a long week, coming home early on a Friday afternoon wasn't giving the normal happinesss it usually brings. Usually I am overly excited for a weekend to explore more of Spain, after completing a week of doing my best at teaching the English language to 8-12 year olds, but this Friday felt different. This week was much harder than the past weeks, the students were more difficult than I am accustomed to (just ask my mom). I was frustrated and exhausted and the only thing I wanted this Friday afternoon was to be surrounded by my people who know me best. I wanted to walk into their rooms and just lay down at the end of their beds and vent or plan a wine and cheese night. But being in a foreign country, all I had was myself and my phone to communicate with. Luckily, Jesus showed me once again He is always one step ahead. I heard my host family come home and then my host sister, Lucia, coming down the stairs. She went into a closet and came out carrying a large pan and told me ...

welllllll, technically a month and a few days now. There's so many emotions, so many days, so many experiences!!! I never imagined how much I would learn about teaching, about living with people in another country, and about myself. Teaching is chaotic alllll the time. Even when there is a test something will happen, some kid will start something, and then another kid will respond. I have learned to always have a backup plan - whether it is playing Simon Says or Jeopardy or a simple "copy what I do". Fourth graders are way easier to control and appear more eager to try speaking English. It is such a satisfying feeling having students attempt to explain in English, even if they don't know the words. This family has blown my mind. They have been everything I could've imagined and more! It blows my mind that this family, and my next 2 host families, are so open and so welcoming to a stranger living in their house. I am so lucky for them and for this opportunity...

Every Saturday around 11pm, I get a notification on my phone to write down the things I am thankful for... A lot of Saturday's I am already asleep or I am out and don't give myself time to really think about it or write them down. I usually put it off for a day or so and then scribble some generic things down so that I can check it off my to-do list. But yesterday when it popped up, I just smiled. I had just walked into my room from a very long day of hiking and it came at the perfect time. I have so many things to be thankful for and I got to write down some good ones from the week!! Hiking 15 miles with 50 strangers up to the highest point in Valencia - finishing the hike with a swim in a freezing waterfall, some new friends, a cold lemon beer, and an exhausted body Friday's dinner with delicious salmon, sushi, beer, chips and guacamole, edamame and good, fun conversation Doing my first private lesson and it being chaotic and fun and with happy happy kids My first ...

I knew teaching would be difficult, especially when I am coming with no experience and I am teaching to a classroom where 98% of the students don't really understand the language I can speak in, English. I am at a semi-private school in Valencia, Spain. The years I am helping in are fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, so ages 9-12 give or take. I wasn't expecting it to be easy whatsoever, but I completely overlooked how young 9-12 year olds actually are. I think I also forgot I am no longer 18 and I am viewed as an adult, instead of just a cool "big kid". It is so difficult being the adult because I am un-phased by a lot of things they do. I'd rather a kid sit on his desk and pay attention to me, than in his desk yelling or bothering their neighbor. I'd rather a kid practice their lines standing up or wherever than sitting doing nothing. The fourth graders are in the phase of still thinking I am cool and also want to tell me everything about themselves. It...

Currently working on #119: learn to speak Spanish decently; #122:  Read the Bible in 1 year; #97:  pay my loans off from undergrad before I'm 30;  ride in a helicopter complete the  Houston Bucket List eat at salt lick in Austin TX see all  seven natural wonders  of the world go to all 50 states  go to Mexico go on a mission trip run a half marathon (IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half-Marathon Championships 2:08:08!!!) run a 5K  (Oaxaca, Mexico; Valencia, Spain) run a 10K try someone else's favorite food document a year of my life travel America cross country by  train buy a polaroid camera read Harry Potter series buy a soft top jeep wrangler drink a beerrita 1.12.16 read  Anna Karenina read the Bible from cover to cover go to Houston Cook-off climb a volcano go deep sea fishing and catch a fish eat something I have caught camp on the beach without a tent road trip out of the state with friends go ...

I seem to always be in a situation that is awkward or funny or uncomfortable. And sometimes all three!! I try and write them down because they always bring more laughs when you need them. SO here are some that have happened in the past few weeks that I can think of, hopefully you get a laugh like I did when they happened. June 16, 2018: While in Spain, I have followed some fashion trends - the most recent being platform sandals. AND THEY ARE SO CUTE. However, I wouldn't describe myself as someone who is good at walking taller than I actually am. While walking up a hill on cobblestone in one of the neighboring pueblos, I rolled my ankle in front of the 10 people in this town and almost went all the way down. BUT I caught myself, but my friend and I could not stop laughing hysterically.  May 17, 2018: When my grandparents came to visit, we only had a few hours to squeeze in so many things and people... so when I realized we had to make the next bus, I said, "we gotta run...

When I began this journey I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into . All I knew was that I had this ache in me to travel and explore and Spain seemed like a good idea. The rest really fell into place. There were a lot of doubts... like was this program legit? Was I going to fly into Spain and be kidnapped? Were the families going to want me in their house as one of their own or was I going to be that awkward guest that lived in the room next to them? Were the kids going to understand me or even want to learn English from me? Did I know how to teach a language at all? (Still wondering about the last question) The whole time before I arrived, I sent many silent prayers to ask God for guidance and to let Him know that I was trusting that all of this was going to work out. Of course I still worried and the anxiety that hit me (especially when my mom and sister flew home) was like a giant ton of bricks.  Every minute I was getting more anxious about the next step. ...

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy / Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy Pisa, Italy Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy Cornigila, Cinque Terre, Italy Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy Pellestrina Island, Italy Gaudi, Barcelona, Spain Bookstores in La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain Finally made it to my new home in Valencia, Spain. After 2 weeks of living out of a backpack, it feels good to sleep in a normal sized bed in my own room. Although these views and experiences were all completely worth it!!! I had an amazing time in Cinque Terre, Italy and on Pellestrina Island before I made my way to Barcelona.The food was fantastic and the people were even better. I got to explore Barcelona for a few hours with new friends - the market was my favorite with all the fruits and meats and empanadas!! I'll definitely have to go back and visit when I have more time. Bye, Ciao, Adios !!!