First Week!

Okay guys! I'm going to be honest with you. This week has been really fun and amazing but really hard. Like so hard! I cried a couple times. Just going to say it. The reason it was so hard I think is because I've gone through so much change in such a short amount of time. As I go through this post you'll see what I mean.

So my whole family went to the airport to drop me off. There was tears amongst us all. Except for not really dad. That was really shocking. At least to me.

My dearest Cho-Chan was being an alligator or something. She kept saying "chomp chomp" while gnashing her teeth. It made me realize how much I'm going to miss her. I feel like I've put the most effort into this kid so it was really sad to think I won't see her for a couple months.

Goodbye Virginia! I left Tuesday and got to A Coruna Wednesday. I got a window seat from Virginia to Philly. So that was nice even though it was my shortest flight. I had a 2 hour layover in Philly. I talked to some old grandmas who were going together on a trip down the Rhine. Mom when you're old be adventurous like that. But take me with you instead of some old lady friend. Anyway I then had a 7 hour flight to Heathrow. Luckily had an aisle seat. I would have hated being in the middle.  Heathrow airport is freaking huge! Like so big. I had to take a bus to one terminal to the other. I've also decided that people at that airport are extremely helpful and kind. They kept making sure I knew where I was going and my destination. No offence US but your airport customer service is lacking. I had to go through security again after I got off the plane. That was a little weird but not to big of a hassle. Then I waited and waited. I took a small nap. Or at least tried to. Dude everything is so cheap in Europe! I got lunch for like 5 bucks. A sandwich, yogurt, and fresh orange juice. Why can't everything always be cheap like that. My plane to A Coruna was delayed and made me kind of worried. It all worked out though. I wanted a window seat for that flight but I got stuck in the middle. So that sucked. When I got there the passport guy didn't speak very good English and gave me some trouble and when I went to pick up my luggage they had lost my suitcase! YAY! That part kind of stressed me out. Plus I was super tired. It was a long journey. But I made it and now I have my suitcase! Hallelujah!

Look everyone! I live in a magazine! That's seriously what I feel like anyway. Appearance here is taken very seriously. Houses are all prim and proper and everyone matches. Even their swimming suits are the same color! I'm lucky if my siblings are wearing clothes. And on the streets they're all so fashionable, which made me feel so ghetto because I just had a couple t-shirts and jeans in my carry on. Oh well. At least I had clothes. I got in at like 9 and they had waited to have dinner with me. Honestly I just wanted to sleep. That's okay though. We had lasagna. It wasn't really saucy it was more like noodles with meat, peppers, and cheese. It was pretty good. Not what I was expecting when she said lasagna though. But that's nothing compared to what I ate on Thursday. Just you wait!

Apparently on Wednesday Olivier's parents also came into town so on Thursday we did touristy things with them just in the town. But guess what guys!? They only speak French! Well the grandma did and the grandpa knew how to say hello and hold a very very simple conversation. So the family was speaking Spanish and French pretty much the whole time. This is one of the reasons this week was hard because I had no idea what was going on. They'd be planning something in French and then they'd be like oh yeah now we're doing this and I'd just kind of follow them around like a little duckling.

Anyway my first day we just walked around A Coruna. This is pretty much what the common streets in the old part of the city look like. Pretty darn amazing!

Like a ton of buildings have flowers hanging from the windows and it's amazing. I love it anyway.

And look what I had for my lunch that first day! You take off the heads and then eat the rest. It just tasted like fish but the look of it was really horrifying. But I ate it! I also ate calamari. That was  difficult. But again I did it! I also had these little roasted peppers that luckily weren't spicy. I still didn't like them that much though. Oh and I also had a Spanish Tortilla, who's name is very misleading to my uncultured Americaness. It's pretty much an omelette with potatoes in it.

Maria Pita as posted about earlier in my blog.

The beautiful blue ocean. But HOLY FREAKING CRAP it's FREEEEEEEEZING. I don't understand how people swim in it.

I found cool tide pools with sea urchins and other sea creatures. That was fun. Totally the highlight of my week.

Torres de Hercules. Also posted about early on my blog. Eventually I'll go up and visit it up close.

I think they call this the centennial spire. I could be wrong though. I need to do more research on it but it looks cool when the sun shines through it.

A local flower shop.

You know how I was saying they make plans and don't really tell me and I just have to kind of follow along. Well Friday through Sunday was like that. Guess where I went?! Sanxenxo! I didn't even stay in A Coruna for Two whole days. Now this was really cool but also really difficult for me as I was planning on going to church and meeting people. That was supposed to be my normality! But no it was ripped away! If you couldn't tell this kind of upset me. I'm fine with it now.

Sanxenxo was really quite beautiful though. I loved it.

The beaches were fabulous.

Like look at this amazing old church. They were prepping for a wedding and someone was singing hallelujah upstairs. It was beautiful.

View from the old chapel.

By the church with Matilda and Olivier. I really like Olivier. He praises my ukulele skills and makes jokes in a fun french accent. It's great.

We had coffee at a 5 star hotel. I had Orange Juice. BTW. Coffee is like a small break between breakfast and lunch. Lunch is usually at 2. So kind of late. Especially since breakfast is at around 8 when you wake up.

The cute chicos.

We went to this beach where the sand felt like flour. That was a really odd feeling, but still pretty cool.

We had lunch at this little cafe. I had pulpo! It didn't taste like much it just had a weird texture. I also had what I think was fish fin and squid in it's own ink. So weird. The fish fin was okay but I didn't really like the squid.

We went to a cool old Monastery. This little restaurant was outside and I just thought it was cute with it's grapevines growing all over the place.

I also took a picture of a cat. 'Cause I felt like it. Sucka!

Cool windows.

Just beautiful.

And cool bell towers.

We also walked around this cute little port town that had tons of witch souvenirs. Apparently they're lucky in this part of Spain.

Another beach. Sorry if you're getting bored of them.

There was also these cool old storage buildings. Apparently they're used to store grain and they are built in a special way to keep out rats. Pretty cool stuff.

Lastly on Sunday we went to Santiago! Say hello!

Cool old buildings.

Sweet old streets.

Flipping fantastic courtyards.

Really just a beautiful old city all around. 

There also was really cool small alleys.

And street performers. There was another guy on bagpipes.

Anyway but in all seriousness I think Santiago was my favorite place that I visited this past week. It was just filled with so much history and culture. More than any other place that I've been. I don't know how to explain it to you people. It was just amazing. I also went to a Catholic mass at the St. James Cathedral there in Santiago. It was definitely a new experience but really cool. I felt the spirit too. It kind of confirmed that what I was doing was the right thing for me and even though it was hard it would all be worth it. It kind of made up for me not being able to go to church. After the mass we went to a restaurant. I had a hamburger. Which still wasn't a hamburger. At least it didn't taste like one. I don't know it was weird. I'll say though that my most favorite thing that I've eaten so far is the Galician Crepe. So delicious. It's kind of like the crepes I usually have at home only they're smaller and taste kind of lemony. And they sometimes have different fillings. I had one just with whip cream but then I had another one with some pear filling with whip cream and chocolate. My Fav! We'll see if it's my fav after the next couple weeks. But after having a bunch of weird food that I've never had before it was nice having something that was similar to what I've had at home but still tasted flipping delicious and full of flavor. I don't know, I feel like the food is kind of bland here. That could just be me though. I might be to used to extreme quantities of salt and sugar in my diet. Anyway Sunday night we got home. I was able to call my family after practically no Internet connection to call them with. (I'm using whatsapp) I cried and people made fun of me but whatev's. I can't help that I'm close with them.

Well I think that's all I have to say for now. I'm kind of exhausted. Guys I did all of this in not even a week. I got here Wednesday. It's Monday. Can you see why I might have been a little weepy from exhaustion and so much change? Anyway I'm adjusting and already feel less homesick! Till next week! 

My Last Day

Today was my last full day in the Americas. That's a strange thing to say. I woke up at ten. Woo! I really do love sleeping. It's my favorite. That's why I'm excited for the siestas that they have out there in good ol' Espana. My puppy, Howell, came and greeted me after I came downstairs and then decided chill on our window seat. I'm really going to miss him. He's the flipping cutest.

My mother loves me and made me waffles for breakfast. As you can see the children really enjoyed them. I mean look at Jane. Sometimes I think she is a little bird. 

Then we had our after breakfast cleaning dance party. Jane and Dad really got into it today. And Aisy just didn't care.

We finished cleaning up from breakfast at 12 but you know whatever because then we went and had lunch at the ward cookout. I got to say goodbye to some people. It's weird that I won't be seeing them again for another 3 months.

I had the great privilege of putting Jane down for her nap. She's currently against any bedding but sheets. I put them in and she immediately throws them out. Which is lame because she's got a sheepskin. Ungrateful brat.

 Then the Parentals, Jairus, and I took a trip to Target. Jairus made a deal with me that he would clean the bathroom for a month if I bought him $20 of stuff from Target. That's a great deal. For me anyway. Bathrooms are the worst. Apparently one of the Pokemon cards he got out of it is super rare and it's worth $20 and today is the best day of his life. So I guess it was a great deal for him too. Win win?

 As a goodbye dinner Dad took us to Famous Dave's. So delicious. The waiter was awesome and got us extra food. Perks of being in a large family people pity you and give you free stuff all the time. Woo!

 Jairus being bored. So lame.

 Joan-Claire being very focused. She was so concentrating so hard it was a little scary.

 And after we ate me and Jane played outside because she was done. Those with little kids understand.

After our fun adventurous day we cam home and Dad gave back to school blessings. As much as I'm not going back to school my blessing was one the most powerful one's I've ever received. It made me feel a little less nervous about this whole traveling international thing.

Today really was pretty much like any other day. It was weird though thinking that it was going to be my last average day for 3 months. When I get to Spain everything is going to different. The scary thing ,and I think the reason why I'm suddenly so nervous, is that I don't know exactly what is going to be different. It's all the unknown and it's just something that I'm going to find out when I get there. Don't get me wrong I'm also very very excited but there is always that nervousness that comes with the unknown. I'm sure you people know.

Yesterday we had my goodbye party. I wanted to take pictures but ended up getting distracted with talking and saying goodbye to everyone. I think that's a reasonable excuse if you ask me. But no it was amazing how many people came and it made me happy that I was able to say goodbye to so many people that I love out here! I didn't get to say goodbye to everyone I love out here but I'll be back in December so I guess it's not the end of the world.

Next week I'll be in Spain and you'll probably get tons of cool pictures of Heathrow Airport and Spain and everything else. So for now I must say goodbye because I have to get on a plane and fly and be in airports for more than 24 hours tomorrow. Wish me luck!

What's been going on?

Not much. This post might be really short. I'm just going to say that. Unless of course I decide to ramble on for paragraphs on end like an old lady.

This past week I started packing and going through all my clothes and other crap. I've never felt like much of a hoarder but apparently I am. I have things like old homework assignments, my first wallet, play scripts, and even old toy cars. Do you even know how long it's been since I last played with hot wheels? 8 years or more! So why did I save them? I really have no idea. My sisters like to play with them though so that's nice that they're not going to waste. Or something.

I've also discovered in my packing that I'm secretly goth.

I mean look at this suitcase! Except for that one dress it's all black or navy. I already knew that I dress in kind of dark colors but I didn't know it was this extreme. But now you people know! I only wear dark colors! My brother just pointed out to me as I typed this that I'm wearing a navy blue shirt and black shorts. Maybe being in Spain will help brighten my wardrobe.

It's sad when the only picture you have to show is a boring suitcase. But whatever! I'm having a goodbye party next Sunday. Contact me and I'll give you the info.  It should be fun. Mainly because there's going to be food. Parties aren't fun unless there's food and usually music. That's my personal opinion on the matter. Anyway that is all I have to say to you people today. Next week I expect to be much more interesting. Pictures from the party. Plus I'll be leaving the next day. Guys. I'm leaving a week from tomorrow. This is crazy. Well until next week!

A Slight Change in Plans

Well the visa game is apparently too difficult for me. At least on my first try. Sometimes I think the world has decided to hate me and make everything go wrong in my life. Even though it's highly annoying that I wasn't able to get my visa in time I think it's for the best. I'll be able to come home for Christmas and for my new baby bro/sis birth. (It's unknown what it is yet. We all want it to be a boy.) All fun and important things that I would rather not miss. Now I don't have to.

Now for my overall plan. I'll go out to dear old A Coruna for 3 months and while there register in a language school. That way I can learn Spanish and make it possible for me to get a student visa. Two birds with one stone! Woo! Then come back for 3 months and while here in Virginia work, make money, and try to get my visa again. Only this time I think I'll be more successful since I now know all the documents I need, how long it takes, etc. After that I'll head back to A Coruna for the rest of the Spring/Summer.

It amazes me how fast a week goes by. It's making me realize how soon I'll be going to Spain. It's two weeks from Tuesday! It's insane! I think I'm mostly ready. I'll probably start packing next week and start that whole fiasco. Should be a ton of fun. Not. It's hard fitting your life into a couple of suitcases.

Anyway that's all I've really got for you today. Until I go to Spain and start having adventures not much will be happening over here. I don't have any awesome pictures to show you or a lot of exciting news. Just the everyday stuff that people find dreary. Sorry 'bout that! Until next week!

Loving Spain and People

I am currently loving Spain and the people there. Just from observation of course. This week I've been struggling with feeling like I'll be able to get my visa in time. I mean I leave in less than a month! Everything is working out but I feel like it's not going fast enough. If that makes sense.

Even though this week has been stressing me out a bit. I've been calmed down somewhat by some lovely people. I told Soledad somewhat of how I was feeling and she made me feel so much better. She believes that I'll be able to get my visa in time and that even if I don't I can always just come for three months. She said it with so much confidence that I just felt like it was true. Seeing as I've never done this before I don't have much confidence in it. So it's nice to see someone who does have confidence in it.

After I talked to Soledad she had one of her friends reach out to me. Her name is Linda. She's from Australia but has been living in A Coruna for sometime now. She's been amazing and has been helping me find easier ways to get my visa. She also has been telling me about A Coruna from an outsiders perspective. That alone has been super helpful.

I love how so far everyone I've talked to from Spain is helpful and kind. They just seem so loving! I don't know if everyone from Spain is like that but these people sure are making me have a great impression of the place. Anyway stop with the stressful stuff and onto the fun things!

It turns out Siestas are a legit thing! Hallelujah! I'm so excited to go to a place where nap taking is accepted as part of everyday life. This alone makes me love Spain! If you can't tell I really like naps. Linda also says that people live to eat food and be with friends and family. They don't live to work. "Work is just a necessary evil to pay for food." I really love that. By the sounds of it they're just a very laid back people. That's my style of people!

As much as they're a very laid back people I don't know if I approve of their food choices. Linda says the food is delicious and that I'll love it but then she sent me this picture.

Pulpo! A.K.A Octopus! I think I'm going to die. She says that you get get used to it and that she even starts to crave it if she hasn't had it in a while. Apparently it's pretty common there too. I'll eat it but I have literally no idea how or if I'll like it. I'm nervous. 

Anyway I also had a blessing from dad this week and it also made me feel at peace. It's just hard to trust that everything will work out. I've had so many confirmations that it will all be fine but man it's so difficult not to be stressed out about it. Maybe it's good I'm stressed about it. It's making me work harder. Or something. Well I believe that's all I have to say to you people for now so until next week!

Mi Familia Nueva

This week my post will be about my new family. The mom (Soledad) is from Southern Spain and her family owns a farm with pigs and horses. I think that's so awesome. She says we'll definitely go down and visit sometime. The dad (Olivier) is from France and apparently usually in the summer they go visit his family. I would love to visit France so I hope that happens. The youngins that I'll be watching seem amazing. I've skyped them a couple times and they seem really sweet and loving.

 The oldest (Matilda) is 10 and said she would teach me the Spanish guitar. You know I dig that! I get to teach her the ukulele in exchange. Which is awesome!  Finally someone who wants me to teach them! My siblings say it's "too hard" and then give up. Looking at you Jairus!

The middle boy (Diego) is 8. I have a feeling he's really hyper just because when I skype he often leaves in the middle and goes off and plays. That's to be expected of an 8 year old though! In the very beginning he said he wanted me to be his Au Pair which was very cute. But it also could have been the fact that I sent them a pic of me making cupcakes. So.........

The youngest (Teo) is 3. He along with Matilda I've talked to the most. Well kind of. His mom translated for me. He asked if I was "coming today" and after I said no he asked if I was coming "tomorrow" So cute!

Now after that last paragraph you're probably like "Wait! Do they speak English!?" Thankfully the two oldest do and the youngest understands it but doesn't speak it. That's partially their reason for having an American come out there. So that I can teach them and improve their English. I've never been wanted for my English speaking skills before so that's a snazzy new experience.

I'm really excited to go out there and meet them in person. From all the pictures they've sent I'm under the impression they going swimming. A lot. And they just have a lot of fun in general.

That's what I've got for you on them for now. Don't worry though you'll hear all about them as the year goes on. 

In other news the past week I bought my plane ticket. I'm officially leaving on the 6th of September. Too bad it's not the 5th. Then I could have quoted a song. Lame. I have a 7 hour layover in Heathrow. Too bad it's not quite enough time to go to Windsor. That and it would cost almost $80 for a taxi there and back. Oh well. I hear the airport is huge so I'm sure I'll find stuff to do. That's the fun part of my journey but pretty much I'm going to be in airplanes and airports for 24 hours. I've never done that before let alone travel internationally. I'm a little nervous but I know it'll all be fine. I've been talking to my frequent traveling friends and they make it sound pretty simple. Hallelujah!

I also was able to contact the branch president of the branch for my church out there. He says the branch has 100 members and 10 of them are in my age group! Woo! People my age! I'm excited to go out there and make friends and meet all these people. It should be a lot of fun, At least that's what I'm hoping. 

Lastly this week I got my passport. Now I can travel wherever I want! Too bad that costs money. Now I just have to get my visa. I don't think that should be too difficult. It better not be since I'm leaving in a month! 

That's all I have to say to you people today. Until next week! 

A Coruna, Galicia, Spain

The place that I will be living for almost a whole year is called A Coruna. It is in the Galicia principality of Spain. Dad believes that I'll come home with a lisp because the people pronounce Galicia like Galithia. We'll see if that happens. I don't think it will. 

Here it is in comparison to the rest of Spain. And France. 'Cause that's cool. It has the same climate as my dear old Washington State, where I am originally from. It's rainy and cloudy most of the time, doesn't get get lower than 45, doesn't get higher than 80, and it's muggy when it's hot. Woo! Just like home! Of course this is all according to Google, but Google tends to be pretty truthful. 

Besides similar weather to my favorite state (I still love you Virginia) it also has some cool touristy things to do. I'll get them done and over with and then be a local. Tourists are my favorite prey of people watching. It's entertaining to watching them find their way around the metro with their group t-shirts and fanny packs. Perks of living close to D.C. I see them every time I go into the city. Hooray! No but seriously I love them but don't want to be one. I'm sorry I'm a horrible human being. 

Anyway......back to touristy things to do there! I think one of the things I'm most excited to see is the Torre de Hercules.

This is the oldest WORKING Roman light house in the world. It was built in 2 A.D. and was last renovated in 1791. The fact that even the renovation was an extremely long time ago is amazing to me. I love how over in Europe there is so much history and culture way older than anything we have here in America. I can't wait to learn about the history while I'm over there. 

Another thing I'm excited to see is Plaza de Maria Pita.

This plaza is named after a fierce warrior woman named Maria Pita who protected A Coruna against an invasion . She led the people into battle after her husband was killed in the fight. She was successful in warding off the invaders (obviously) and this beautiful place was built in her honor. Besides that cool back story they have an outdoor market there. May I just say that I'm so excited to buy everything from markets. I need to become fluent in Spanish first but still it's going to be amazing. These are the main touristy things but of course there is the beaches, markets, and everything else foreign and new to me. 

And here is A Coruna in it's entirety.

 I think it's beautiful. I genuinely can't wait to go there and immerse myself in the culture and history. I honestly have never had Spanish food before so that's going to be a new adventure. Everyone says, "Tapas!" I'm like, "Ok. I don't really know what that is." I talked to the family's current Au Pair and she says they eat a lot of fish. Figures since they live on the coast. Good thing I like fish. I'm not a very picky person, but I'm training myself now not to be afraid to try things that sound gross. Just in case. I tried wasabi last week. Not that it's Spanish food. But still. It was extremely difficult for me. I hate hot things like that. But I did it! Woo! 

As for trying new things Church is going to be a very new experience. There is a branch 15 minutes away by bus from where I'll be living. I've always lived in areas with a fairly numerous Mormon population and have been in large wards with hundreds of people. Branches I hear are quite small in comparison. I'm excited though. It's going to be my chance to love people. I feel like that's one of my main reasons for going away. To love them and make them feel wanted. Both the children that I'll be tending and everyone else that I meet. At least that's the plan. 

Until next week, Adios!