Happy 2012, I'm off to Africa!!

That's right folks!! I leave for AFRICA tomorrow!! I can not believe it is actually here. I was so so busy with exams, and Christmas that it snuck up on me. In the first wee hours of 2012 (IN LESS THAN 9 HOURS), I will be boarding a plane headed to Lilongwe, Malawi for TWO weeks!!! I am beyond excited. I feel so blessed to be able to go on a trip like this and cannot wait to get there!! 


I have to answer three more questions for my Malawi class, so without further ado, here are the final questions:


Question One: List the two greatest achievements of NGO's in Malawi.
Throughout our readings and research, we have found obvious achievements of NGO's in Malawi. In my opinion, one of the greatest achievements they've had is the education that they have given the local people which is priceless. They are able to help get children to school when otherwise, they might not have had the chance. They also have NGO's that give people knowledge on how to help protect themselves against AIDS and HIV, personal hygiene, and safe sex. Another important thing I believe NGO's have been able to do in Malawi is being able to provide aid to the people there. There are now more clinics set up than in the past which can provide different types of aid. 


Question Two: List the two most common reasons why NGO's disband/fail.
One of the most common reasons that NGO's disband is when the mission is no longer appropriate and the non-profit struggles between it's original mission and with relative security. These are two constant, competing tendencies  that can become extreme when organizations are under pressure, and ultimately lead to disband or failure. The second reason is the risk/survival analysis, finding the proper balance between organizational extension and risk taking and organizational security. There is a point where a line needs to be drawn between the public service mission and the organizational security which can be a struggle for NGO's and can also lead to disband or failure. 


Question Three: Which is more challenging, managing cash flow in a non-profit or a regular business? Why?

Managing cash flows in a non-profit organization is more challenging than that of a regular business due to the fact that it may or may not be an unsteady inflow. This can result in a shortfall of cash during the year and force the NGO to alternative routes to resolve this problem. Some of the routes include reserve funds, liquidate assets, borrow money from a trustee, or a loan from a bank. 

So my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I probably won't sleep well tonight. You know, pre-trip anxiousness (I'm 22 years old and this still happens before every trip) and the fact that fireworks will be going off all night long (happynewyears!!). Also a fun piece of information:: Gray and I will have been dating for THREE YEARS in two days!!! :) :) So blessed. He is the best ever. He's being super sassy that I won't be here (typical) but I'm bringing him a baby lion cub in return for my absence. Fair trade. 

Well, I'm off to go do some last minute things. Please be praying for me and my time in Malawi! Can't wait to share my new adventures with you :)

THIS is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that is we ask anything according to his will, 

he hears us.

And if we know he hears us - whatever we ask - 

we know that we have what we asked of him.

-1John5:14-15

New Adventures

School has kicked itself into high gear as the semester is coming to a close. From this side, it seems like the papers, presentations and exams will never stop. But I know that in a few short weeks the world will be right again, and everything will once more be calm (PraiseJesus). I have had a wonderful semester back at App and can't believe it's nearing a year to when I left for the great adventure that was Spain. As I reminisce on my time there, I am so thankful for the beauty of other countries and cultures that I was able to see, the people I was able to meet, and the overall eye-opening experience I was blessed to have. I love Spain. 


SO even though the semester is slowly winding down, I am gearing up for a new adventure :) One that will take me out of the country from January 1-16. One that will require me to fly over the Atlantic. One that will land me in SOUTHERN AFRICA!!!! Specifically, Malawi. I am going to Malawi, Africa!!!! I can not tell you how excited I am!! I am going with a group from Appalachian (about 10 other students) and we are staying mainly at a Non Profit called World Camp in their volunteer house. We are going to go on a safari (YES!!!) in Zambia and also go to Lake Malawi and stay a night there. The icing on the cake is that we get class credit!! It counts as three credit hours that will go towards my spring semester!
For part of our grade in the class we have to have a blog (perfect) and we are required to answer a few questions for class before we leave and then keep a daily journal while we are in Malawi. So instead of making a whole new blog, I edited mine a bit and am just going to add to it! So our first 2 questions for class are...


Question One: Why is Malawi poor?
I think that Malawi is poor for many different reasons. They have a very poor infrastructure, very bad corruption, undiversified exports, and limited natural resources. Malawi finds itself in a poverty trap. The total discretionary budget is $378.8 million ( 53.6%) of the overall budget. This represents $31.56 per capita for the provision of all services. This small amount is obviously inadequate to provide services that will be impacting. So quality of health, education, financing investments in agriculture and food security, and other services get put on the back burner and thus they are still in immense poverty. Most of the population lives in rural areas and agriculture is what a majority of these people do for a living. However, they have been farming on the same land for years which leads to a decline in the soil fertility and it stagnates the agricultural productivity. This results in an unstable food security situation. According to national data, 64% of the population live below the poverty line. Also, Malawi has an external debt of $3.23 billion which is taken from the very small amount the country does have that should be put into developing the country. 


Question Two: What does it mean to be poor?
In my opinion to be poor means to not have the financial means to support yourself and lacking access to basic amenities.




and the second set of questions too because I'm late with the first ones (sorry Meredith!)...




Question One: What is the definition of a sustainable process?
A sustainable process is development that does not jeopardize the ability of future generations to meet their needs by fulfilling our own needs at present time. 


Question Two: How does it encompass inter-generational and intra-generational equity?
The Brundtland Commission's interpretation of sustainable development brings together the equity between generations (inter-generational) and the equity within generations (intra-generational). The report stated, "Even the narrow notion of physical sustainability implies a concern for social equity between generations, a concern that must logically be extended to equity within each generation." Sustainability is what connects different generations. It requires people in industrialized countries to reduce their consumption of resources per head to a level that everyone in the world would be able to live on indefinitely.


Question Three: What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?  
Most people fail to differentiate the difference between sustainability and sustainable development. Sustainable development is a term that ultimately gives priority to development, and growth. It is more of a business term. On the other hand, you have sustainability that is mainly about the environment and used more by environmentalists.




So, dear friends, please be praying for me and I am preparing for this amazing trip. I am so excited to see what the Lord has for me in Africa!! 

Here's another way to put it: 

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. 

God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?

I'm putting you on a light stand. 

Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! 

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. 

By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

-Matthew5:16-18 (The Message)

Manaña.

Can't believe it's finally here. I leave Spain tomorrow. WHAT!?! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! Actually feels real. It hasn't really up until now. I'm actually going to be able to see Gray and my family in 2 days!! And then my homegirl Allie in 3 days (along with lots of other pretty faces I can't wait to see!)!!! Y'all just don't understand. 5 months is a long time. I'm so so ready to be home! 
But I made some lists. So enjoy :)


So Ready For...

• Not having to walk a bizillion miles a day and be able to drive again
• Two words: Air Conditioning. 
• Milk and eggs that are refrigerated in the grocery store. It still sketches me out.
• A Moe's burrito (plus lots of others. like an actual breakfast from ihop. or a jersey mikes sub. it's pretty much what kira and i talk about all the time)
• A North Carolina summer. 
• Some Cornerstone Summit!!! So excited.

But I will miss...

• Living at the sea
• The pretty fountains all over
• Tortilla de patatas (determined to learn how to make it though)
• El castillo. (cool that i've lived by a castle for 5 months)
• All my cool new international friends
• Prime time European people watching (it's seriously the best)

Also there are things I won't miss...

• Cockroaches (since it has gotten warmer here they seem to think it is okay to come hang out. false. and they're massive. Erin said it looks like they're on steroids. true statement)
• Living in a city (over it. take me back to boone)
• This small, dark apartment. 
• Jellyfish in the water (aka medusas in espanol)
• Techno

Hogueras started a few days ago. If you read when I went to Valencia to see Las Fallas (you can read it HERE ), it is very similar. The cool artsy statues that they burn down at the end of the week. If you want to read in detail about it you can do so HERE or just google it. They also have firework shows daily. And let me tell you something - the Spaniards know how to put on a firework show. I don't know how to describe it. Not only are there fireworks, but there are these firecracker things that vibrate the ground. I'm not doing it any justice, but believe me it's awesome. I won't be able to see when they burn everything, but I am okay with that because I saw Las Fallas and plus I'll be home by then :)

Okay, I need to go pack so I can so say bye to everyone tonight! 

Spain (/Europe), thanks for having me. It's been great!

America,  I'M COMING HOME! SEE YOU SOON!!!

MyBooneFriend.

First things first. Update: I have EIGHT days until I leave Spain! AHHHHH!!! What?!?! I know. I'm excited. It will definitely be a culture shock when I get back. Europe is way different than the States. But I think I'll do just fine :) Can't wait to give everyone the biggest hug EVER! :)


As you may know, my sweet friend Jaime came to visit me this past weekend! And what a great weekend it was! She arrived on Thursday night and we spent the evening eating yummy Italian food, sitting by the Mediterranean , walking halfway up the castle to see the city lit up, having good conversations, eating gelato (praisejesus), and passing out. The whole weekend we were on the same sleep schedule, which was so great! 
On Saturday we went with some girls to San Juan Beach and had our own DIY spa day! Alicia (from New York) prepared the whole thing and it was really fun! We did facials out of oatmeal, honey and yogurt. Cucumbers and all. Some type of hair treatment with yogurt, olive oil, and an egg (ew). And an exfoliation scrub with strawberries, olive oil and sand. Each of these was a first for me. My favorite was the scrub cause it worked and felt so good!! Might just have to do that one again. Afterwards we showered, then got kebabs and ate at the harbor! Margaret was having a going away party since she was leaving the next morning. Hilarious. No words. Funny funny night. She has a 'ritual' where she burns her notes and books from the past semester of the classes she didn't like. So a little into the night we all hiked up to this place kind of overlooking the city and indeed burned her papers. 
The next morning we rode with Margaret to the airport and said our goodbyes! She is now safely back in her favorite place in the world, Latvia. The apartment is a lot quieter and she is greatly missed! :) We spent most of the day at the beach. It was a solid beach day. Then we got gelato again (perfect excuse to eat it when a guest is in town! no more though. tri coming up) and hiked up to the castle! It was a beautiful day and did not disappoint. 

We sat for a while waiting for the sun to set, but gave up because it sets around 9:30. Impatient and hungry. We showered and then went to a chinese restraunt at the harbor with my Texas roommate Elissa and her boyfriend Austin. Sooo good. Like I said earlier, Jaime and I were on the same sleep schedule so after dinner we were exhausted so headed home and went to bed. 
On Sunday we had breakfast then headed out of town to San Paz to a market/flea market type deal. It was so cool! I really liked it. We liked looking through the old things and finding gems amidst all the stuff. Once we got back into town we had pizza, then walked around for a while until we had to bid adieu at the train station. 
I'm so so happy that Jaime was able to come and visit and check a goal off her list! I really enjoyed our time together! Sweet friend, sweet conversations, and such sweet time together! So thankful for you Jaime!! :) 

Moris is pokin out there (jaime's hair extension).

Off to the beach! Which is probably what I'll be doing for the next week! That and tri training. Ugh. Still can't believe I'm doing that. I might be crawling across the finish line. Hopefully not. 

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

-Job37:14

Sky'sTheLimit.

20 days. Passed the 3 week mark yesterday. Feelin good about it. These are a few of the things I'm missing right now:

The beauty of Boone, NC.

R.Giddings :)

Sheepie.

My Allisons

The Sibs & Los Tres.

Graybill :)

I've been playing this song a lot lately... 

This Thankful Thursday I am very very thankful for Cornerstone Toledo livestream every Sunday. It is always so encouraging to be able to worship and be fed the relevant word of God! This past Sunday Bishop Pitts talked about the love of God. About how God is love. God's love is without qualification or conditions! You don't have to qualify for God's love! It's so much more than any type of love we can fathom. He has NO limits!!! The revelation of His love compels us to do more. Aspiring to reach more. To know more. 

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

Oh how He loves us!!! God is love. This chica is thankful.

This is how God showed his love among us:

He sent his one and only Son into the world

that we might live through him. 

This is love:

not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us. 

-1John4:9-10

Happenings.

This past Tuesday we had our final presentation for our Business Spanish class. It went well & I am SO glad it is OVER! Praise Jesus!!! What would have been the final class on Wednesday, was cancelled! So after the presentation, I was officially DONE with classes here in Spain! (sothankful)


'So Caitlin, why aren't you coming home now if you're already done with classes?' Well I'll tell you. Way back when I had to book plane tickets, I had no idea all those classes in English ended in the middle of April. So I looked online and it said that the exams through the university ended on June 17th. So not knowing what classes I was taking, I had to assume I could have an exam then and booked my flight for the 22nd. I ended up taking only one class through the university (business spanish) and instead of a final exam, we had the presentation! So I was done May 24th!! I looked into changing my flight, but it would cost me over $600. To me that was just a confirmation that I was suppose to stay here. God's not done with me here yet!! 
So for these next 25 days (yes, 25!!!!!!!!!) I am going to be at the beach as much as possible. I am going to be training hardcore for this triathlon (still can't believe i'm doing this!). I might be taking some day trips to other nearby cities. I might be going to a theme park for a day. Oh yes, and one other thing... I am gonna see THE Jaime Meier HERE in Alicante!!! YAY! As some of you know, she is studying for a month in Madrid. She talked her instructors into letting her come here for a weekend and I couldn't be more excited!! :) So that is something to look forward to!! And that is my month! I'm sure it's going to fly by. Just like this semester has. It always happens that way.
The weekend Jaime comes, Margaret is going back to Latvia & she is so so excited. She has been a good roommate, especially since she has never had a roommate before! I have learned a lot about Latvia, and have an open invitation to come and visit whenever I return to Europe! It'll be weird without her here, but I won't be alone when she leaves! Today a girl named Alyssa from Texas moved in!! She is taking one Spanish class through the university for the month and then hopes to travel. She seems really nice and I'm excited to get to know her better! 


This past Wednesday was my little brother's 18th birthday. (Okay, he's not so little anymore. He's bigger than me.) I wish so badly that I could have been there to celebrate him, BUT that just means a bigger celebration when I get back!! :) Daniel, I love you and miss you a lot!! I'm so proud of you and so so thankful you are my brother!! Praying for you and CAN'T WAIT to see you so soon!!!!

So much sass.

UnoMesMas.

Holy Mackerel!!! In exactly THIRTY days I will be HOME!!!!!!! One Month!!! That's all!!!!! How in the world is it already one month left?? I felt like it was just yesterday when I was one month in!! (& at the same time I feel like I've been gone for centuries) I'm not complaining though! I am beyond excited to see my boyfriend again and my family and friends!!! I have had such an amazing time here in Spain (still not over!) and memories that I'll have with me for the rest of my life! 
I just thought this was an important day and wanted to post my happiness so I won't forget! I would love to write more, but like I said yesterday, I have this big final presentation tomorrow, so I need to finish it and get some good shut-eye!! :) 
God is beyond good and I am so so so blessed!!!

I've thrown myself headlong into your arms— 

      I'm celebrating your rescue.!

   I'm singing at the top of my lungs, 

      I'm so full of answered prayers!

-Ps.13:5-6 {TheMessage}

NothingShortOfThankful.

While I should be working on my final presentation for my Business Spanish class (for Tuesday), I am instead choosing to blog about Rome. Makes perfect sense. I'm so over this class and can not wait until Wednesday when I am OFFICIALLY done with all my classes!!! Praise the Lord!!! 


Okay, so Rome. It's my favorite place I've been to in Europe. By far. I love history and Rome is the definition of a historical city. But lets start at the beginning...

Day One

We woke up and got ready for the big day. The guy who worked at the hostel saw that we were up early (no one else was up) and prepared breakfast for us an hour earlier than normal! Saweeet! We took the metro the airport, checked in and hopped on the plane, jet-setting to Italy. The flight was fine and we were oh so excited to finally be in Rome! We took the public bus to the metro, and then the metro into the city (savvy money savers) to where we were staying. Our Mom was so nice to find and finance where we stayed! It was this little bed & breakfast right near the castle and the Vatican! (Thanks again Mom!) It took us a little bit to first find it and we were both tired, starving and delirious. After we checked in we decided what better to do in Italy than eat! I know you were thinking the same thing. Don't lie. So we ventured out (starving, weary (carlie's favorite word) travelers) and found this legit pasta place. 

Perfection in a picture, I know (well 2 pictures). Story of my life. But what you don't know is that I was very sick. I sadly only ate about 5 bites (with carlie forcing me) (but don't worry, I took it home and ate it later). I had an awful headache and was nauseous. I think it was brought on from lack of food and sleep. But Carlie, on the other hand, hand no problem what-so-ever and ate it like she had never eaten spaghetti before in her life. Our waiters were thrilled to help us with our Italian (seriously. 4 of them came out of nowhere) when we asked how to say Ibuprofen. We found a pharmacy, got some meds, then went back to the room. I felt bad that on our first day in Rome I had to feel bad. We took a nap which was so needed. When we got up I felt a little bit better and ate my pasta. So good. 

We didn't want to waste our whole day, so we set off to be exploradoras. Like I said, our room was right near the Castel San Angelo (beautiful), so we walked past it and then towards Piazza Navona. The streets were so pretty. On the way to the Piazza we stopped and got our first gelato (aka- heaven. i will never eat simply 'ice cream' again. only gelato). We sat by a fountain eating perfection, listened to music by the cutest old Italian man, watched people breakdancing, and walked through a mini market with paintings. Everything was so alive. We decided to keep exploring, so we walked to the Pantheon. It was closed when we went, but it was really cool! It's Rome's best preserved monument. It was built back in 126AD as a temple to all the gods. Hence the name. All (pan) of the gods (theos). 

We continued walking and saw the Tempio Adriano (a once magnificent temple built in 145AD, dedicated to Hadrian (emperor)), and the Parliament building. It was fun just walking around and seeing Rome. We found this pizza place for dinner. Yum! We were still so tired, so we headed back and hit the hay. 

Day Two

So at our B&B we had breakfast in bed. Kutos to whoever came up with that idea. I'd like to take my breakfast in bed from now on. The little Italian woman who worked there, named Dorina, spoke no english. We spoke no Italian. She was super nice and would come in talking in Italian to Carlie and I, give us our breakfast, pat our arms, still talking and walk out. Her daughter worked there some and knew some english, which was needless to say, very helpful. Anyways, we ate our breakfast (consisting of toast, a croissant, juice and coffee) and prepared for a day full of sightseeing. Today was the day for the Vatican! We got there and it was so massive and pretty! We got in line to go into St. Peter's Basilica when a man told us 'Can't wear shorts inside'. Opps. Didn't even think about that! So we decided to go see how long the line was for the museums. It was very long, so we went back to our room, changed out of our scandalous shorts and headed back to the Vatican. Take 2. We waited in line again and were cut by some suppppper rude people, right at the front of the line! I informed him and his friend that there was a line, and he just waved me off. Jerk. It ruffled Carlie and I's feathers, but we quickly forgot about it when we walked in and saw the splendor of the Basilica. 

This place is unreal. It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the whole world. The Basilica was built above the tomb of Peter, who was also the first Pope. There are also a lot of other past Popes that have been buried here, including the recent John Paul II (you can see his body. weird). We walked around in awe for a while then ate our leftover pizza from the night before while sitting under the columns in St. Peter's Piazza. Success. 

We went back over to the museums to see if there was still a line and great news - no line! Thanks Jesus! AND we got in with the student discount!! This always makes me the happiest! There were 10 museums all clustered together. Overload. We made our way through them, perfectly timing our steps so the english tour was directly behind us. Just addin knowledge to the noggin. Basically the grand finale is the Sistine Chapel. We sadly weren't able to take pictures, but even if we were, I don't think you could capture how beautiful it was. It was amazing!!! I can not imagine having to paint all of that!! Touche Michelangelo!!

After we finished the museums we took the metro a little ways. We got gelato (whatelse) and walked over to the Spanish Steps. Did you know that they are the widest steps in Europe?? Me either. We went and found some shade so the weary Carlie could rest. THEN the best thing ever happened!!! We stumbled upon the Trevi Fountain. We love the Trevi.

Love at first sight. This is THE BEST place ever to people watch. You see all kinds of things: people getting engaged, little kids, punk middle school aged kids, trashy Americans, too much PDA, cute Americans (who wore chacos, naturally), sassy Italians, people lounging on rocks eating their gelato, self-pics, guards patrolling way too seriously, Asian photoshoots, and much much more!! We walked around for a while, came back near the Trevi, had a great dinner, then back to the Trevi to continue people watching! We were waiting for them to turn the lights on, but we also didn't want to miss the metro (it stopped running at 9). So we took the metro back to our side of town and found a place for Carlie to have her tiramisu she'd been craving. Apparently if you order a coffee at 8:45pm, they think a shot of espresso is just the ticket. Noice. Even nicer for Carlie later that night when I was so hyper and she wasn't :) shelovesme.

Day Three

Words Carlie & I perfected in Italian: Ciao, Arrivedercci, Scusi, Grazie, & Burngiorno. Words we did not perfect: whatever Dorina said to us in the mornings. We understood Burngiorno and Prego... My go to is when in doubt, smile. Works like a charm :) Today was ancient Rome day. We took the metro to the Colosseum and right when you walk outside, there it is. In all its splendor. We were pretty much starstruck and did what anyone would do... whipped out our cameras and started taking pictures! Duh. 

We decided to share the audio tour (so worth it) and we got to skip the long lone!! I loved listening to all the history and facts. While we were up there walking around, there was some sort of police appreciation day going on down on the street that we were watching. Everyone was dressed to the nines and it was cool to watch. Noice! Once we left, we found a restaurant nearby for lunch. Annnnd my card got declined... splendid. We used the last of our cash to pay and decided to go to the Roman Forums (our ticket for the Colosseum covered the Forums too). We should have gotten the audio guide (but didn't have $$) because after a while everything just looked like different sized rocks. If (& when) I go back to Rome, I really want to go back here and get the guide because I think it would be so interesting!! It used to be the center of Rome - the heart. With temples, churches, houses, government buildings. Coolest. We walked around for a long time and then headed back to our room. We skyped Dad and he rescued us from starving in Rome (Thanks Dad!). After showering and getting ready, we headed over to the Trevi area to find someplace for dinner. We ate at this cutest place called That's Amore. Our food was so good! Our cute Italian waiter loved us and referred to us as the sisters throughout the night. 'Are the sisters done? Would the sisters like some coffee?'. Perfect. 

Afterwards we walked to the Trevi to see it all lit up. She's a beaut. We people watched for a while (our favorite thing) then started to head back to our room. When we were walking we got stopped by police and a second later all of these race cars sped right past us!! We thought it was cool, but didn't pay it much mind. Well once we got near the castle, we found out it was this huge race called the Miglia 1000! The checkpoint for that day was right in front of the castle! We have to walk right past it to go home, so we stopped to check it out (plus we knew dad would be having a field day). We were standing on our tip toes trying to see over people, when I looked over my shoulder and caught eyes with the security guy and he motioned for Carlie and I to go through to the VIP section!!! Believe it. We were directly by all of the fancy photographers! We took a ton of pictures for Dad until the last car checked in. 

Just so you can get a mental picture :) 

Day Four

Today was our last day of breakfast in bed :( Sad. We walked a little ways to an area called Trastevere. It was really pretty there! It was quiet and not as touristy as the center of Rome is. We walked around for a while and guess what we stumbled upon?? An Italian wedding. I forgot to mention that I have a best friend getting married and that's the whole reason Carlie and I went to Rome. To see her get married (justkidding). 

We stayed and drank cappuccinos nearby as we watched the action. I loved it. We explored around the area for a while, then meandered over to the old Jewish district and had sandwiches on a park bench while watching little boys play soccer. We walked through some more ruins and around the Forum to get to the metro. We decided to go to the catacombs and from the map online, it looks like it is accessible from the metro. Well it's not. We walked probably 2-3 miles, no exaggeration, in the heat, with no map. We were not very happy. And the area where we were was suupper sketchy. We finally found it (with help from a nice old lady) and it was really cool! We didn't really know what to expect. We went to the Catacombs of San Domitilla, the supposed largest catacomb in Rome. It was all combined over 11 miles of tombs. It's made up of 4 layers, getting smaller with each layer. Like an upside down pyramid. We had a tour around some of it and it was very interesting. And cold. So cold. We found out how to take the BUS back to the city and had the biggest struggle to date. You have to pay for your tickets on this machine in the bus and it only take specific coins. Well I didn't have these specific coins, so I'm asking people on the bus if they can give me 2 twenty cent coins for 4 ten cent ones. All the while being swung around the bus like a rag doll. I dropped coins and then it ate some of my money. Carlie and I were a hot mess. Finally a man just paid for us haha! We were that pathetic. We were so so thankful and grateful for that couple that took pity on us and helped us. For real. 

What better thing to make your day all better than some gelato?! That's right! Gelato at the Trevi for sadly, the last time. We did some souvenir shopping nearby and bargained a little bit. We had our last Italian meal :( I had spaghetti and Carlie had fettucini alfredo. yummm!

When we got home we packed and got a little bit of sleep.

Day Five

We had to get up so early to get to the airport on time. The guy who met us when we first checked in offered to get a cab to go to the airport. We agreed and when we went down that next morning we didn't have a cab, but a personal driver. Fancy! Driving in luxury to the airport! Our flight back to Valencia went fine. When we got back to Spain, it was sadly very cold! So instead of sightseeing, we spent some time in Starbucks. Works for me! We grabbed lunch, then played cards in the train station until it was time to go. Our train back to Alicante was the most shaky thing ever. Carlie and I thought it was going to go off the tracks! But don't worry- we made it successfully back! 

We had such an amazing time in Italy and just being together!! 

look closely...

Thank you for sticking through and reading all of that. Guess what?? 

ONE MONTH FROM TODAY AND I'LL BE ON A PLANE COMING BACK HOME!!!! :) 

can't wait.

FavorFallingLikeRain

Hi there! I have not forgotten about you! I may or may not have waited to blog until this Thursday so I could tell you how thankful I am for my sister (along with our glorious adventures). Thats right! This Thankful Thursday I want to share my heart and let you in on a secret (but actually not so secret). I love my sister. This is Carlie:

She is the sassiest sheila out there. And she is my best friend. I am so blessed to have Carlie as my little sister & I'm SO SO glad she was able to come see me here in Spain! I am thankful for Carlie's heart. I am thankful that she is in love with Jesus. I'm thankful that she wants to share that love with some middle schoolers next year through the great ministry of Young Life. I am thankful that we both are in love with Boone and go to the same university. I'm thankful that we've grown so close over this past year. I'm thankful for her silly, goofy and crazy personality. There is nothing like the bond of sisterhood and if you have a sister, you can probably agree! 

Carlie, I love you so much and you are my BSF. I am proud to call you my sister. I can't wait to hear about your adventures at the Gap. Praying for you. Miss you. Can't wait to see you so soon :) Lylas...but really haha

So I know what you want to ask. How was your time with Carlie? Well I'll tell you. It was so. much. fun. Like Carlie said in her guest post (here) the 10 days flew by and I can't believe she's already gone! Here is a quick recap of her first few days in Spain:

Her flight got in around 11 (yes, we might have cried in the airport) on the 6th and she was delirious. It's true. She pretended to be a dog on the bus back into the city. Then laughed at herself and proceeded to do it again! Crazy girl. Her first day here was crummy weather. So we had a typical Spanish breakfast (toast and coffee. yup that's it. again - still missing the full irish breakfast!!!) and we wandered around the town. We stumbled upon a beautiful cathedral in the historic district, a kite festival, and I showed Carlie my favorite coffee place on the water (she loved it. duh). My Turkish friend Selin cooked for us this night and it was ah-may-zing!! We had pasta with yogurt and this spicy stuff (sounds gross, but not), this patatoe salad sort of thing and cucumbers. I may have forgotten something, but it was really good! After dinner we had Turkish coffee. It's a small cup (like espresso) with the grounds at the bottom. When you get to the grounds, you turn your cup onto the plate, wait a few minutes then when you pick the cup up there are shapes and lines on the inside (from the grounds) and in Turkey they read your fortune for you! Selin is not an expert, but she read Carlie and I's fortunes and it was so fun!! The next day was beautiful so we decided it was the day to conquer the castle! The castle is the main attraction everyone takes their guests to when they come to visit. It's great and free - yay! We hiked up to the top and it couldn't have been a prettier day!!

We had a picnic at the top before heading down to the sea for some sunshine!! The next day we hit up the beach again and then walked around some shops for a while. We went out to dinner and in total excitement for Italy, we ordered pasta. Well it was covered in a sauce made of 4 different types of cheeses. Not normal cheese, but names you can't even pronounce. It. was. so. gross. We didn't even come close to finishing because it was that gross. The next day I had class, so we went to campus and I gave Carlie a tour of the campus and then she waited until I got done. We then picked up our bags from the apartment (and sneaked in a few minutes to watch some of The Lizzie McGuire Movie in preparation for Rome, naturally) and headed to the train station. We rode the train to Valencia (2 hour train ride) which is where we flew out of the next morning. We stayed in a nice hostel right in the center of town. After we checked in, we walked around a little bit, ate dinner and then went back to rest up for our big day - Travel to Rome.

I'm ending this post here because I am getting weary (i'm sorry, it's 1am here!) and I want to give full details when I tell you about Rome!! Until then, I hope this little gem can hold you over! :)

SURPRISE!

So... I'm sure you're wondering what this cliffhanger surprise is...
well: It's me, Carlie, here in spain. YES. guestpost. 
Tomorrow morning I leave. Caitlin and I have had such a blast together. I'm not ready to leave yet, these 10 days flew by. It seems like just yesterday I flew in and we ate pasta salad in her apartment late at night. I know that Caitlin will soon write about our time together and all our travels, adventures, and hilarious stories, but hopefully this is good enough for now!


After a few days here in Alicante (days well spent at the beach, castle, and around the city) we flew to ROME, and just got back today. Rome was so beautiful and with so much to see and do in the city, I think we conquered a lot. I have concluded: after my time spent in this beautiful city in Italy that I want to be a couple of things: 
1. A nun. (inspired of course, by the Vatican) and because they're everywhere around here. They are so cute and are always with fellow nun friends.
2. A gladiator. Brave, tough, and valiant, fighters. Why wouldn't you want to be a gladiator?
3. A tour guide in the Colosseum. More realistic way to learn about and teach others about ancient times I suppose
4. A Vestal Virgin in the Roman courts for the Emperor. Basically all they have to do is sit around in beautiful outfits, help out around the palace, sit by wonderful fountains, and look at pretty flowers all day. Great life. 
I'm so glad that I got to come to Spain to see my sister. I miss her alot and alot in America, she is my best pal. Our trip to Rome was the best and, needless to say we will remember it forever. We are grateful to our parents who support us mentally and financially in our travels! SISTERFRIENDSFORLIFE.


Caitlin and I came up with a list of travel tips if you ever decide to go to Rome (A cliffhanger until her next blogpost)

Travel Tips to Rome by C&C:

• shorts and tanktops are hoochie in the eyes of Italians. Wear clothes if you want to divert some eyes
• Bring good walking shoes!! You walk so so much.
• Don't rush through the Vatican museums . At least not as fast as we did (woops)
• Study basic Italian words before going. We knew nothing, which was sometimes a difficulty (thankfully a lot of people spoke English--Score!)
• Only buy one water bottle because you can refill it all over the city by these fountain things with spickets. You might question them, but don't- just accept a cool drink of water.
• Motto: "When in Rome!" - use as frequently as possible
• you may  at the men dressed up as gladiators, but don't take a pic with them unless you want to pay 5 Euros and be ripped off. A lesson we learned in NYC...scam. only take a pic from afar if you cant resist like me
• If you want to visit the Catacombs, find out which bus to take...DO NOT take the metro or you will have to walk too far to find it. and we didnt have a map.
• Say no to people trying to sell you stuff. As for the people hassling you outside of the restaurants, be sassy and they'll leave you alone to look at menus.
• Start fresh when going to the Roman Forums. Go ahead and get the audio-guide or you will have NO idea what rocks were what. Also bring sunscreen and fill your water bottle!

Duces Spain!

-Carlie