Conference Among Other Things

I think this week I've finally found my place. Meaning I now feel comfortable here. I know for the most part what is expected of me, I have a fairly set schedule, and I feel like the kids have learned to respect me if not even maybe love me. Who knows. 

This week is General Conference for my church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In case you were wondering. But anyway I've been looking forward to conference for the past couple weeks. I feel like it'd be nice to have a little extra guidance while I'm out here on my own. We've only had the Saturday sessions as of yet and so far I feel like they're all about being a missionary with those around you. Strangely enough before I left for Spain I had a blessing from dad saying something very similar. I feel like conference is confirming my belief that the reason I'm out here is to share my beliefs. Already I've had so many opportunities to share what I believe in with my host family, other au pairs, and many other people I've met. More opportunities than I've ever had in the states. It's really amazing and I think it's cool that I get to bare my testimony to these people. 

For instance just this past week I was watching Women's Conference and crying because I felt the spirit. That's how the Judd's roll. Anyway Soledad came in to ask a question and saw I was crying. I got to explain to her in slight how the holy ghost works and how it sometimes makes me as a lucky individual cry buckets of tears. Well not exactly but I did tell her about the holy ghost and how I believed it worked. Then I shared President Uchtdorf's talk with her. She watched it and said she liked the message it taught. So that's awesome! I love that it came about naturally! I've always felt that missionary work is something I've had to force and I feel like I've always come across as awkward. That's not the case apparently! Woo!

Anyway I'm really excited for the next sessions coming up. I have to stay up till midnight to watch them live but I think it's worth it. 

And now to what I did this week. I told you people last week I was going to make cookies. I did! I had to cream the butter and sugar by hand, which flipping sucked. I also had to cut a candy bar into pieces for the chocolate chips and bake them in a metal pie tin because they didn't have a cookie sheet. I'm under the impression that since there are so many bakeries around here no one feels the need to bake for themselves. It's sad. But anyway the cookies were good and made me happy!

 Oh it's so pathetic looking. Man.

 I also went to the beach last Sunday and just read a book. It was pretty beautiful. I might have also taken a nap but I'm not really sure.

 Someday this week I went to the market and bought fish. My weekdays really just blur together. They eat a lot of fish here. Going and buying fresh fish and seeing what it looks like before its been flayed and all that other crap makes me wonder who thought fish would be edible. Fish are freaking scary looking! Sorry for that random thought.

 This is a part of my daily walk to and from school with the kids. Speaking of school this next week they're in till five and I'm so excited since that means more free time for me! Woo!

 This is someones courtyard. I think it's beautiful and wish I could live there.

I also started my Spanish course this week. It's pretty fun. I like most of fellow peers. I especially like this girl name Susi from Germany who is also being an Au Pair. Maybe because I can relate with her. The teacher is super nice and makes sure we understand before moving on. Which can be difficult sometimes considering that the whole class is in Spanish. I didn't realize it was a immersion class when I signed up. But I guess it's a better and quicker way to learn the language. It was just a little surprising at first.

This is a statue that I thought was interesting. Partially since I'm coming to hate seagulls. When in Virginia I'd love seeing seagulls. They reminded me of living in down town Tacoma. Now I find seagulls irritating and bothersome. They are so loud and decide to make their stupid noises every morning at about 6. They wake me up and just..... ugh. Simply put, I now I hate them.

 Yesterday we went to Playa de Oza. At least I think that's what it was called. It was this cute little beach that had wind surfing and kayaking.

 The water was muy frio and there was no way I was getting in. I opted for just chilling on the beach and reading. I'm getting a lot of reading in I guess. You must all think I'm such a book worm.

 I liked this weather vane.

 Then after this beach we went to a restaurant in what felt like the countryside. It overlooked an inlet with these beautifully colored houses of blue, yellow, and orange with orange tiled roofs across the way. It made me feel like I was in a movie. (pictures below)  At this said restaurant I ate Pulpo, whole fish excluding the head, and fried baby calamari. The calamari wasn't to bad. I think because it was fried.

 After we ate we went down to this beach and chilled for an hour. I liked it. It gave me time to really appreciate the beauty of the area.

 Anyway that was yesterday. Today I decided to go explore the old city. I didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked because I was starving and I didn't have any food with me. Alas I will have to go back at another time. I found this really cool door knocker. It's just so random but so vintage. I love it.

 I discovered this cute street of colorful houses. Why don't we have more colorful houses in America? I feel like we used to but now houses are all boring colored. My family's house included. Is it because we want to be "modern"? Note to self: When I have a house paint it blue with red steps.

 This is the other end of the steps only with a really cool side view of Plaza de Maria Pita.

 I really love all the courtyards here. They're all so cute! I also love that people take the time to put flowers everywhere. It makes the city great.

I think I'm now going to go for a walk and maybe go to the beach and read for a bit. I still have a couple hours till conference and I don't feel like missing out on the nice sunshine. So till next week!