The wonder of answered prayer

I like to think that I truly trust God. But sometimes, when a prayer is finally answered, a little later than I anticipated, I have to concede that my faith is as solid as a block of Swiss cheese.

All this to say - yay, God! This week, I got the two things I've needed - the right place to move and a classroom to participate in my scholarship project. I am elated.

Regarding the living situation: I've been living with this amazingly sweet, generous family for the first month, but the place is too far from my school. Also, it is a very cozy arrangement. On Monday I'm moving into the new place. It is a five minute walk to Parque Retiro (remember this park, the new love of my life?). Once I'm moved in, I'll post more pics & info.

Regarding the scholarship: I applied for a scholarship that requires a project proposal. I proposed a video pen pal blog between an elementary school class in San Diego and another class in Spain (Doesn't that sound so fun for the kids?). This week, I finally nailed down a classroom in Spain, and I have a feeling this is going to be a big success! Both of the teachers are phenomenal and really excited about the project.

Besides these big breakthroughs, it's been a very pleasant week: Lots of city strolls, quirky cafés, and 30 ROCK!!! Finally!!! Also, I thought I lost my camera, but I found it this week. So - more pics to come! Considering the grandeur all the beautiful sights here, I've felt a little sheepish using a phone to take pictures. But now I have something a little better, a slightly broken little digital camera. I would love to be able to more in terms of lighting, focus, and all that fun stuff. But for now, I'll just focus on the framing!

I'm about to post a random little collection of pics to facebook, but here are a couple of fun ones:





And speaking of answered prayers, here are a couple pics from my brother's wedding last Friday. So happy for him!

Dizzy with anticipation

"The prophets… haul us unceremoniously into a reality far too large to be accounted for by our explanations and expectations. They plunge us into mystery, immense and staggering... The God of whom the prophets speak is far too large to fit into our lives. If we want anything to do with God, we have to fit into him" (Eugene Peterson, Message Remix, p. 962).

"God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right - everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones" (Isaiah - prophet, poet, political advisor, Is. 30:18).

The contents of the past week have not strayed far from the main storyline: who am I? What’s my purpose in life?



If I thought I could escape answering that question in Spain, I was wrong. I was asked “What do you want to do with your life?” several times this week, and twice in Spanish. Damn. Darn.

I feel validated by the words of Eugene Peterson. Especially while living in this foreign country, on this foreign continent, mangling a foreign language – I am plunged into mystery, immense and staggering. What do I want to do with my life? I have two words for you people: No sé.

A wedding, a chicken cigar, and the prevalence of purple

Today, my brother Roman and his fiancée Pomai (or RomPom as I like to think of them) are getting married.



The wedding is in Hawai'i. In Hawai'i. And I am in Madrid. So yes, I am a bit sad. And yes, I cried a little bit this morning. But despite my little homesick pity party, I am ecstatic for them. They are both so genuine and generous. I admire their loyalty to family & friends, and their love for Hawai'i. Also, they have the most irresistible baby girl you have ever seen.



So, congrats, RomPom!!!! I am excited for your future together & believe that God will bless your marriage abundantly!

I realize that I haven't posted a blog in 11 days. Sorry! Two words, one excuse: CULTURE SHOCK.

Dang, that stuff is strong medicine. Moving to Madrid is not the first drastic move I have made in my life. And it's not my first experience as a stranger in a strange land. But it is my first experience in a country wherein I don't really speak the language. It is not easy! Acclimating to a new language leaves no room for timidity or insecurity - a lesson I have to learn every day. I have to accept the fact that I look and sound like an idiot for awhile, and I have to remember that my identity and value is not in my ability or inability to speak a language.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though your outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 1 Corinthians 5:16-18

On a different note, I turned 27 last Wednesday. Happy birthday to me (and the ground)! I ate churros con chocolate, but I took a picture of the chicken cigars:



Also, what is it about the color purple that makes people want to wear it from head to toe? One of these days, when I become a faster photo-snapper, I will devote an entire blog post to the many people sporting the regal tones. For now, this hasty shot will have to do:



In case you missed that, all three of them were in purple from head to toe, not just the grandma. Go ahead, take a second look. Also, thought you might enjoy the Catedral Almudena:

Love at first sight

Yes, it's true. And I know, a bit shocking. How could this have happened so soon?, you ask. Nicole, it has barely been a week!, you say. But the heart knows what it wants. And my heart wants... Parque del Buen Retiro.

Retiro is magical. Tree-lined paths stretch ahead indefinitely...



Until you finally arrive at a quietly stunning fountain.



You stroll a bit further and stumble upon another statue...



And another...



Then another...



And suddenly the pathway breaks open and you find yourself at the marble banks of a small lake.





Dense, scraggly trees give way to carefully manicured gardens.





You stop for a snack (Think ferrero rocher meets kit-kat),



Have a good laugh,



And tiptoe through the ruins before climbing back through the looking glass.




Then you wake up the next day aching from all the walking. Ah, the things we do for love!

I shopped

I paid 5.99 euros (8 bucks) for jeans:



My first eccentric purchase - some strange purple heels, in homage to my filipina heritage:



Ok, this isn't a purchase. And the picture quality isn't very good. But there was a mariachi band in the plaza del sol, and this older gentleman was by far the most entertaining dancer:



Today, my only goal was to meander through Parque del Buen Retiro. I had planned to leave a couple hours ago, but my time was commandeered by the neighbor lady. The doorbell rang, no one else was home, and I recognized her as a friend of the family. So I opened the door. She had an enormous, piping hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle/rice soup for me, because she heard that I had a cold earlier this week. So thoughtful!! Also, I consider it quite an accomplishment that we were able to communicate (albeit with oversimplified sentences and many gestures).

She sat with me and carefully watched my soup-consumption. She made sure I slurped ever last drop. Que aproveche! Anyhow, finally, I am off to Retiro!

Shopping!

I kept seeing signs for this store called "Rebajas." I thought, wow, this store is everywhere. Then after nearly a week, I found out that Rebajas means "Sale." Silly me! But the fleeting seconds of sheepishness were enveloped in the excitement of the biggest sales of the year. My eyes became big "Rebajas" signs.

So after about 2 days of fighting un resfriado (a cold), today I am hitting the rebajas! I'll let you know about my fabulous finds.

Hasta luego!