Week 5=Crazyness!

Wow, where do I even begin?! This week has flown by, but it felt like it was dragging while I was in the midst of it…a lot has happened and I will do my best to catch you up. I’ve missed writing, and I’m sorry that I haven’t written recently…so here you go, the adventures of Week 5!!!

Last weekend, Friday-Saturday (23-24) we traveled to the north of Spain to Bilbao. It is near San Sebastian, and absolutely beautiful…after a four hour bus ride we arrived in Bilbao about 9 pm, and headed to our hotel. We were all pretty tired so we stayed in and order a pizza and enjoyed some “girl time”, laughing, talking and actually a whole lot of abs work! J We awoke to the beautiful Spanish sunshine and enjoyed a leisurely stroll by the river down to the Guggenheim Museum. Which if you are not familiar with the museum, there are only 4 in the world, one in New York, and I’m not sure where the others are. It is a contemporary art museum and was really fascinating. We spent about an hour there, and then walked back to old town Bilbao and ate some really good hamburgers!! While we were down town we came across a whole wedding crowd standing outside of the church, one of the most beautiful wedding’s I’ve ever seen…it was fun to see the different Spanish styles, weddings here are A LOT more fancy than most weddings I’ve been to

I took off from Bilbao about 4 pm by myself back to Valladolid, my friends were staying for the night and then to San Sebastian the next day…but I came back because I had to go to Madrid the next day to pick up my friend!!! The funniest thing though, I got on the Bus in Bilbao and I was the ONLY one on the bus!!! So for about 2 ½ hours I had a bus to myself, played some musical chairs, slept and enjoyed the indescribable scenery, I felt like I was driving through a calendar. But it was really nice to come back and relax a little bit, I got to talk to Brandon on skype which was amazing because we don’t always get to talk that much….

Sunday—was an interesting day. I was supposed to be on a bus at 6 am to the airport in Madrid to get my friend Natalie Morgan (one of my roommates my first year at Poly) who came for the week…but day light savings happened during the night, and I got all messed up and ended up over sleeping my bus…ran to the station, there were no more, had to go to the train station and get a train ticket…but of course the computers at the station weren’t working in the moment, so I had to wait, but after all that I ended up on train headed for Madrid, I jumped on the Metro and eventually found Natalie at the airport. We spend the afternoon together in Madrid and came back later that night….on a side note, I cannot tell you enough how amazing Natalie is, I mean if the fact that she flew to Spain just to see me for a whole week isn’t enough…she’s amazing. We became great friends my freshman year through living together. She’s older than me and now lives in Ventura teaching. When I first planned on coming to Spain she told me “I’ll be there!” and I’ve heard that before, but Nat really means it, so she came on her fall break and it was amazing

So then Monday morning came and thus began the craziness! Seeing as its week 5 that means midterms…I had two big midterms on Thursday…in my Culture of Spain and Witch Hunt Class. So the it was hard because I really just wanted to be hanging out with Natalie, but I was studying a lot…she’s a trooper, she went all over Valladolid in the mornings while I was in class, then we’d meet up at my house eat, and she would hang out while we studied somewhere, then she came to class with us in the evening, and then more studying…so in the midst of so much studying we got to hang out…Wednesday night was really nice because I took a study break and Nat and I went on a long walk by the river, and were just able to talk and enjoy being together! Then we went out to dinner together…it was awesome. She was so amazing, and easy going, went with the flow the whole time and was super supportive during my crazy week which was amazing…

THURSDAY---test day. Lots of studying went on this day as well…but it all paid off because I think my exams went really well…so I am pleased about that…and I felt so good after the tests…so to celebrate the week…what better to do than go to a Real Valladolid Futbol (soccer) game?!?! Yes Natalie and I experienced together our first Spanish game, and it was amazing. Real Valladolid vs. Mallorca (from the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain) and we won!!! I love the atmosphere at a game, so much energy and passion, I miss being able to go to more games in Ecuador…those are great memories…so now I’ve added to that with my game here! We went with a big group of students from our group…

Friday—was such a relaxing day…I felt so carefree and just sigh…happy to be done and able to hang out with Nat…I went to class in the morning and then met up with her around one to go and explore more of Valladolid. Between class and meeting up with Nat however, I got in such an amazing with one of the guys on our trip…and we talked about all kinds of things, it was super challenging and exciting to see God giving me an opportunity to talk about Him and challenge my friend to think…we talked about what we were willing to die for? How this part of our lives fits into our goals for the future? He has super interesting perspectives on life and the meaning and goals in life, so it was fun to be challenged by him and to challenge him in return…super super exciting for me…you can be praying for more conversations.

After that we made a feast lunch consisting of peanut butter (which is a novelty in Spain) and Jelly sandwiches, apples and bananas…once we were filled we hit the town. We met up with some of my friends and walked through town to the big park in town…we walked around the park…got some delicious ice cream and then Natalie and I went SHOPPING! She got some really cute boots….but most of all it was just fun to be a “tourist” (mostly I’m in class or on a trip) in Valladolid and just enjoy such a relaxing afternoon with her!

There is an international film festival in Valladolid this week so there are red carpets stretched out on the sidewalks as you walk around town. So last night, me Natalie, Tiffany, Aubrea and Kristen went and saw a French film called “The Army of Crime”, in French with Spanish/English subtitles…It was a movie about the French Resistance during World War II and the people who gave their lives for it…absolutely beautifully done. If you’ve seen “Life is Beautiful” (an Italian movie) it is a lot like that. The theatre we went to is like an Opera house, it was so beautiful…

After the movie we walked around town some more, got some dinner and chocolate and churros (a Spanish specialty) and then back home…Natalie had to be at the bus station at 3:45 am this morning, so we went to bed at 1 am for a 2 hour nap, took her to the bus station, came home by 4:30, went to bed for another 2 hours, was up by 7 because I’m on my way to Santander for the weekend…we have a holiday on Monday, so its been a short night…but here I am driving once again through beautiful country to the north coast of Spain!

This is long…but I wanted to get you all caught up and then from here on…stay caught up…thank you for your prayers and support even without knowing what I’ve been up to!

I will put up pictures later today but here you have the information! Much love to each one of you!

Swamped...

Hello Family and Friends...
I am sorry for the short week...or lack of writing! This week is midterm week...
so I wanted you to know that I'm def still alive, enjoying an amazing visit with my
friend Natalie Morgan, but am just swamped and kind of overwhelmed with life right
now...2 big tests on Thursday, but I promise I will catch you up on all that is going on
in life! Thank you for your prayers, I am doing well, other than busy, and I hope you are
all doing well...
I miss you and send my love!
:)

A foggy day in Valladolid....

Well good day to everyone...and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet sister Sammie! :) It is such a blessing to now have 2 sisters! and I hope Sambo you are having a fabulous day...I love you and miss you!

also this week was Kaylyn's birthday...(one of my best friends from high school) so happy birthday to you to Kay! :)

Well here are a few more pictures from my time with my dad! We had so much fun together, and this is in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid....


Well I wanted to share a little bit about what I'm learning and what has been going on lately. Well as you know I have a solid group of girls here that I have been hanging out with...I love each one of them so very much! Some are Christians...some are not, and God has been giving me a really cool chance to have some awesome conversations with different girls...and everyone of those has been challenging to me in different ways. Last Saturday night my dad took me and some girls out for dinner, we had a blast...but towards the end (or not so end as discussion started!) of our meal he asked us this question....
"If you had 15 min to talk to the world, in a language that everyone understood, what would you say and why? What is most important to you to share with the WHOLE world?"
That as you can imagine opened up the table to a lot of things...super challenging and interesting...how would you answer that question?
For me, I would talk about the way the Christ has made such a difference in my life...that in this broken world there is hope in Christ...that is the only hope, its not anything we can do or not do...only in Christ do we find freedom and eternal life...how exactly I would express that I'm not totally sure...but it was a really cool way for me to talk about it, because that's the first time, or most blatant time I've shared my faith with some of the girls...and I do get nervous, but I know its truth...and I so badly want them to be apart of my "family"...so that was an awesome conversation, it was great to hear what the girls thought, and how they would answer it, but it really just challenged me to be praying for each one of the people here...praying for opportunities to be real...but more than anything its challenging me to be in the Word more than ever, because I know nothing I can do will ever make a difference...only through Christ...so that is super exciting, challenging, scary, and awesome...and I would love your prayers for that...for boldness again and just good good time in the Word....
Through all that God is teaching me a lot about judging and loving in a way that we are called as Christians to love...without judging...and through that we had Bible study on Monday and talked about 1 John 4-God is Love...and what that looks like, that perfect love drives out fear...and just thinking about what fears keep me from loving like I'm called to...fear of rejection, of being broken, hurt....left alone....but God is so gracious with me and is just teaching me so very much!

So thats kind of where I'm at...I would love your prayers...especially for time, time in the Word, time to stay connected with people from back home because that is getting hard, and I don't mean to slack on it, I'm just so busy...time for my studies....
thank you so much for your prayers...I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system...
Much love to each one of you and I hope you are having a phenomenal day! :)

The Rain in Spain...

Hello family and friends...and whatever other person might have come across this and decided to read it...

Happy day! Today it rained ALL day, it was lovely. I LOVE the cold weather, although I decided that its a love-hate relationship because I don't like bundling up because by the time that I walk to class and enter the building its super HOTT! So then you have to take off the many layers on, but then to go outside you put it all back on...and if you know me I'm not a big fan of being hot hot...just comfortable. But most of all I like the cold/rainy weather! Its supposed to get much colder too, which if thats true we'll all freeze! Because it is already cold here!

Well I had an absolutely fabulous weekend! My dad flew in on Friday afternoon and I met him in Madrid, and we hung out for awhile! We saw the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, and just walked all around...we even enjoyed a Starbucks!




So fun story about this is that my dad studied Spain when he was in high school and he studied Paella (rice with seafood in it!) and he told himself that someday he would get to Spain and eat it...so here he is eating Paella in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid with me! :)

We went on a day trip to Segovia, which is an old roman city and we saw the Aqueduct which is 2000 years old! It is NOT held together by anything other than gravity! amazing huh?!


Us girls up on the top overlooking the city!

We then saw the great Cathedral in Segovia, as well as the Royal Palace. The city is beautiful and we got some great weather to be walking around and enjoying it! :)
Enjoying some me and dad time!

The Cathedral Behind us...After climbing 152 steps this is the view from the top of the castle!
More view of the city...Cal Poly Group 2009


The girls of the group!

I loved having my dad here and just for him to be able to know my life here and meet my friends was really cool...I am so thankful I got to see him....
Well I am quickly fading, but I have a lot to share with you about what I'm learning and some ways to be praying...but for now here are some fun pictures and info about life up to now!
Love to everyone and I hope you are doing well!

Has it only been 3 weeks?

Hello Everyone!
And happy Thursday/Friday depending on when you read this. I realized I have been really bad this week about keeping you updated and blogging so I just wanted to say hello and tell you whats going on!
Probably the most exciting thing is that I am going to Madrid tomorrow to pick up my DAD!!!! from the airport! I am so excited! He is on his way back from South Africa and decided to stop on over in Spain for the weekend! I can't wait!!!!
This week has been good...the bug thats been going around finally caught up with me. I was feeling not so great on Saturday when I woke up but it wasn't bad until Monday and Tuesday, but I got good sleep..my "mama" took good care of me, she gave me meds and made me yummy soup! So I am pretty much done being sick, it never fully reached its potential so that is good!

This week has been good, busy with school and everything, but I'm so glad tomorrow
is Friday! I am just loving life here, one area in particular is through speaking Spanish. I love learning, growing and using my Spanish every day!!! I love my roommate...Hanna, is amazing. she challenges me to think, especially about my walk with God and what I'm learning and how I'm growing...God knew exactly what I needed for a roommate and he has provided so amazingly in Hanna!

Things are good...I can't believe its ONLY been 3 weeks! I feel like I've been here forever...but its all so good and fun and amazing! Thank you for your prayers...keep them coming. God is answering them...much love to each one of you and I hope you are having a FABULOUS day! :)



Hanna and I trying a little wine! (not very good though! ;)


The girls out touring Valladolid!


Me and Tiffany!


Tiffany, Aubrea, Hanna and I enjoying some time together!

Video of the Mediterranean!

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Its been a long time...

Me, Pat and Ian!


The girls...minus hanna!

Why hello everyone, long time no talk! :) Happy Wednesday to each one of you, and I hope that this finds you well! Wow...where do I begin, there is so much to say, but I will try to stick to the highlights and not bore you! :)

This past weekend was our first 3 day weekend so me and 5 of my good girl friends, Hanna (my roommate), Aubrea, Tiffany, Dalia and Kristen! decided to go to Nerja which is in the south of Spain, on the beach! (near Malaga)I discovered when coming to Spain that my Grandpa Payne has a first cousin living there so I contacted them and we ended up staying with them. Their names are Pat Ian and Pat McTavish! Absolutely amazing people! They rented an apartment for us girls to stay in next door to theirs, as well as a room in one of their friends house so we all had a bed to sleep in! We took the train Friday night late and arrived about 1 AM Saturday morning into Malaga. We were met their by my cousins (first time I'd ever met them!) and then drove about an hour to Nerja. Once we got there (this time about 2 AM) we had a feast...pizza, octopus, Macaroons, and a delicious Macaroon Paste (kinda like Humus) that Ian had made! So about 4 AM we crawled into bed...happy but very tired...

our view from where we stayed!

We woke up (later that morning ;) around 10 and went down to old town Nerja and walked around and enjoyed the shops and everything...at the end of our walked we ended up looking over the entire Mediterranean Sea! Absolutely BREATHTAKING!





After shopping a little more we sat down and enjoyed some good pizza for lunch then headed for the BEACH! My cousin has a friend who owns a paddle boat company so we got to take out a paddle boat for about an hour...but not just any paddle boat...it was a PINK FLAMINGO! We swam while out and just enjoyed the most beautiful day ever...I cannot describe enough to you how beautiful it was!





We enjoyed the beach for awhile then went back to meet my cousins for a grand feast for dinner! We went to this restaurant and enjoyed a Spanish style meal...no plates you just all eat off the dishes and pass everything around...we had Calamari, Fish, Pork, Prawns, Chicken...great food! Then since it was a holiday weekend in Spain (Spain Day/Columbus Day) there was a festival so we went and spent some time there, went on a roller coaster! It was awesome....we fell into bed that night again very happy but very tired....



The next day we woke up again and went out to a Flea Market that was in town...shopped for awhile and just enjoyed being outside...it was HOT! but so nice...
we came back for lunch around 3 with my cousins down on the beach...again quite a feast...fish, Calamari, Chicken, Prawns....(drooling yet?!) After our feast us girls went down and swam and played on the beach for awhile...took a bunch of pictures and just enjoyed each other and the beauty that surrounded us!



We then went and got some yummy dessert and coffee! Then came back and hung out with Ian and Pat for awhile...they are absolutely amazing people! They were so hospitable to us girls, took care of us, showed us how the locals EAT and live, and loved on us for the weekend. we left very refreshed and blessed! One of the coolest things about the weekend was that I got to hear some stories about my family (especially my Grandpa Payne as a young boy! ;) They have worked hard on the family tree and so I got to see that and where I fit in and I even got a copy of it! And just a fun fact about the Payne family, and the reason for our intelligence ;) is that we are actually related to SIR Isaac Newton!

So that was my weekend...it was amazing...fun, refreshing and just a huge blessing. A blessing to be with the girls and be challenged and loved and encouraged by them...so thats all for now. I have more stories and of course pictures...but I don't want to overwhelm you! Much love to everyone...

Primer Puente!

"Puente"-that is the Spanish word for Vacation! And so Monday we have
our first FIESTA, or day of school! So we are headed to the South of Spain,
in Malaga for our first official trip in Spain! I am so excited, its supposed
to be 80s and a weekend at the beach sounds great to me! So I will for sure
be putting up pictures for those and telling you all sorts of new stories!

As for now...things are going great. I wanted to just let you know I'm still
here and doing GREAT...I am loving everything about this experience! :-)
Much love to you all and thank you so much for your prayers!

9 MONTHS!

happy monthiverrsary to me and Brandon! Because as of today we have officially be dating for 9 months, and I'm pretty excited about that! God is so good...I am dating such an amazing Man of God...which in turn makes him just flat out a great man! :) I'm lucky. One thing that I'll share with you that I've learned about Brandon since being here, or realized more about him since being here is his patience. Patience is a virtue that I most appreciate about God, one of the things I'm most thankful for because without it I would not be here I am today. And since being here, God has really shown me the patience that Brandon has...in everything. not just with me...but with everything...like there being a 7 hour difference between us, or the fact that there's a whole ocean between us...He remains so patient and just reminds me that God has us where He has us for a reason, part of which we have no idea...so I just wanted to share a little bit of that with you and brag a little about my man, cuz he's amazing and I'm excited about our relationship. If you know Him you know exactly what I'm talking about...and if you don't, I hope you get the chance to meet him someday, then you'll know what I'm talking about! :) So happy 9 Months Babe!

As far as school goes and life here its all good...todo bueno! I'm am so tired, staying up late as is the Spanish Custom, for example tonight we didn't leave the table until like 12:12 pm, cuz we were just talking and enjoying life...which was so fun because our "mama" had a friend over and we just talked and talked...and he was so great, they're both so good at correcting us and explaining things and I think my Spanish is improving. Also because I know some of you are praying for this, but I have been more BOLD in my Spanish, and that makes me excited because thats how I'm going to improve! So I'm doing well...Oh this weekend we have a holiday on Monday, so me and 5 other girls are going to Malaga! Which is in the South of Spain on the BEACH! WOHOO! :) we're stoked, we're actually staying with my Grandpa Payne's first cousin, who I found out existed when I decided to come to Spain! So we are all so excited about it!
But more on that later, for now...I really need some sleep...everyone is battling colds and sickness so I guess a HUGE prayer would be health, I really don't want to get sick! So just for the people who are sick and then for continued health for me! Thank you so much for all your prayers...much love!

Mi vida en Valladolid...

God is GOOD...all the time....

how true that is in my life and how much more I have seen it since coming to Spain,
I just feel like God is blessing everything I do, and just shower the blessings on me...I am so undeserving, and He is still so giving. Thats the thing about God though, or one of the most amazing things, is that no matter what I do, where I'm at, how much I mess up...or already am messed up, He loves me UNCONDITIONALLY and desires to bless me and show me His love in various ways....and being here is one of the biggest ways He's shown me His love. Simply through the girls I've met so far! Each one of them have taught me something different and challenge me to think and see life in a different way. to ask tough questions, to think about life, as well as push me to be a better person. and I know already that I will be and am a better person for knowing them.

Today was super awesome. a couple of us girls decided that we wanted to get together and do a Bible Study...and today we met for the first time! BUT the coolest thing is that it had grown before we even had a first meeting! Girls heard about what we were doing and wanted to come, so we had about 8 girls there today and it was so SWEET! We talked about what's been on our hearts lately, and for a lot of girls its love...what does that look like, how does that play out in our Relationship with God and with others, with boyfriends, with each other, just unpacking that a little more, and we're all on different journey's in that, but our journey's cross as well...then we talked about the Fruits of the Spirit...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control...and my friend Aubrea, has this theory that every person has a Fruit of the Spirit that corresponds with them, and a way that brings out the other fruits and connects them all together...hers for example is JOY, when she feels joyful, she feels the others pour out as well...its a way for her to Connect with God and something she feels she receives from God and can in turn share with the people around her, which is so true, because she's an incredible JOYFUL person. Then we discussed the ones which we don't do so well in or express well...
so for me...I think the fruit that I most connect with, is gentleness...I just feel like that is a way I care about others, and I really receive and see God's gentleness..I like to care for others...but on the contrary the one that I most need to work on is probably self-control and that plays out in various forms....

It was just so awesome to be able to be real with the girls and hear everyone's heart. My biggest prayer for this group is that God truly would work in and through us, with the girls that we come in contact with in our group especially...but also our group as a whole, as well as the people we meet here, our familias....we were all excited about just being here, in a place away from our normal comfort systems, most of us away from family, friends, boyfriends...but stoked about the family God has given us here and the way that we can learn away from all of that...together in a new country among a different culture...its amazing....so today was good...
thank you for your prayers...God is answering them above and beyond all expectation...
much love to each person reading this...you don't know how much you mean to me, and how important you are in this journey that I'm on...

Burgos.

Hanna and I!

They say (although i'm not sure who THEY are) that Pictures are worth a thousand words, and I agree with them on this point, because describing to you the beauty of Burgos would be impossible so I'm going to try with these pictues! I hope you enjoy them.



Walking through the streets...


The Plaza Mayor


more Plaza


You can see the Cathedral in the Background.


The walkway by the river...the trees turn colors soon!


The Main Cathedral...so stunning inside and outside.




The stairs we climbed up to the Castle...
but the view was so worth it!





Me, Aubrea and Kristen...



love love LOVE these girls...


Today we went to Burgos, which is about an 1 1/2 away. Burgos is a Medieval City and just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I really enjoyed it. It was a beautiful day, with clear skies and bright sunshine!


I just think this is so captivating.

Yesterday...class was good, and then the afternoon was pretty relaxed. We went for a run along the river which was really nice...but was certainly a good work out. Then last night we celebrated one of the girls' birthdays with the whole group so that was really fun!

Things are going really well, school is picking up and getting crazy, but its all enjoyable and interesting things to be learning! :) I am just absolutely loving Spain. Valladolid is such an ideal place to live because its beautiful and small, friendly and inviting. I just love this place! And I know its because God is answering your prayers. I hope you are all doing well, know that your prayers are being answered! I am so blessed to be living a dream!

Much love to everyone...this is my favorite saying of the day.

"That God give us the peace that the world cannot."

First day of School!

Today was officially our first day of school!
and it was great! well it didn't start out that great,
but over all in the day I cannot really complain...Basically
I got to school and found out I did pourly on the entrance exam,
which I knew because it was a lot of conjugating and grammar which
always gets confusing to me, and takes more time for me to get used to
again...but I was really discouraged at the class I was placed in and
so that was hard...but I got to talk to my professor and we figured things
out that I can go up to the next level which I think will be better for me,
but it was kinda a discouraging way to start the day. but as I thought about
it more, I realized that more than anything my pride was really wounded...
which is funny seeing as I'm not super confident in my Spanish abilities, but
I realized I am prideful in them and God showed me that by just revealing how
much it bugged me...yes I'm a work in progress...and God is so patient with me...
so today's lesson is ongoing and is that I do not need to be the best at everything,
or anything for that matter, because my knowledge of something, or someone does
not give me value...only the fact that I am a daughter of the King....only in Him
do I find my value, and that is a lesson that is ongoing for me...


This is where my language classes are!

we have 2 hours of grammar, then an 1 of Culture of Spain or Oral Work in Spanish every other day. but grammar every day. and i love it! I am taking Culture of Spain in English and Spanish, and they will slightly overlap but not completely. My other Cal Poly classes are awesome, Culture of Spain,and a History class about the Witch Hunt in Europe. Both seem very interesting and I am in them with all my friends so that is awesome...the rest of the afternoon was pretty relaxed, we went to a Cafe and enjoyed some internet time and chatting with the girls, then a late dinner (more Spanish style) at 10, and we talked with our Mama until like 12:30 pm. It was awesome. She's so hilarious. And now I'm tired...so to bed I go. But much love....and if you look down I have one more thought...


Yay for the first day of school!

SO we've been talking a lot about love lately...us girls...basically it comes down to wondering what is the true definition of love? I know (saber)-head knowledge, and have experienced GOD IS LOVE, I know that, and experience His love daily...especially here...but what does it mean to know (conocer) that love...to see it daily played out in me, to love the people around me. We are going to start studying love, and see what the Bible has to say about it and how we can unpack such a simply complex little word. so I thought I would ask your thoughts...I know many of you who read this have experience with love, God as Love, being in love for a lifetime, brotherly love, have lost in love, or gained much in love...have been through hard things in the name of love, have seen true love lived out in your own life in or the lives of others...but over all have more wisdom and experience with the topic and so as I wonder and attempt to unpack it a little more I thought I would ask for your thoughts...ideas about where to turn in the Bible...so if you have a moment, I would love your thoughts...email me! nepayne@calpoly.edu
thank you for your prayers and your love, because i truly do feel loved every day....