BeautifulThings

Yesterday my marketing class went on a field trip to a guitar factory about 45 minutes outside of the city. I am kicking myself for not bringing my camera, because the drive was SO beautiful!!! Alicante is in this pretty mountain range (I have no clue what it's called) that we drove through yesterday. My friend Daniel said the mountains must be in our blood, because we can't get away from them! I like that. I love the mountains! And how different they are in different places. It's so cool.
There were all different types of houses (little ones, 2-story super nice ones with pools..must be nice) and some of them would be in the middle of their blooming almond tree fields. I don't know the first thing about almonds, but when they are in bloom, they're this beautiful light pink color and they were all over the place!! (There were also a lot of olive trees) We drove to the last town in the northern part of the province of Alicante, called Muro. This guitar factory is called Alhambra and they hand make around 50,000 guitars each year! I thought it was really interesting walking through the factory and seeing how they make these beautiful Spanish guitars! I've always loved that show on Discovery Channel, 'How It's Made', so it was like seeing that in real life! Really cool experience. Then our teacher, who just happened to be playing the guitar since he was 11, agreed to play us a little tune. He was pretty legit. Who knew? I want to learn to play the guitar. Maybe I'll take lessons when I get back home...


On the drive back to Alicante, a lot of people fell asleep. I wasn't really tired, so I put my ipod in and enjoyed looking at the towns and rolling hills. When we were getting closer to the city, the sun was beginning to set, which is one of my favorite things ever. Picture this: These mighty mountains jutting up from the ground, the sun beginning to set in between these mountains, and off to the left there was a piece of a rainbow, so beautiful and bright. All the while I'm listening to 'You're Beautiful' by Phil Wickham (which i looove) and all I could think was, 'Hey God, this is so beautiful! YOU are so beautiful!!' Y'all God is SO good!!! I just can't get over it!! I'm so thankful for his forgiveness and for his mercy! So thankful for this opportunity!! So thankful for his love.


I don't know really how to end this. Watch this video if you haven't heard this song before. It's awesome (videos kinda cheesy). God is good. 

The Lord has done GREAT things for us,

and we are FILLED with joy!

-Ps.126:3

Seville!

Our trip to Seville was a success!! It was so much fun! Here's how it went down...
(sidenote- when i say 'we' i am referring to erin and i)

Day1:

We got to the airport at 5am and after several complications (who knew that to print your boarding pass it would cost 40Euros?!?!? Yes, you read that correctly. 4-0. To print a single ticket. And I was forced to check my CARRYON bag. an additional 35Euros... i was pretty upset) we boarded our plane and in less than an hour, arrived in beautiful Seville!! We took the bus into town and were instantly happy once we were dropped off. It was b-e-a-utiful! Fountains, and pretty, old buildings! So we obviously started taking pictures.

(The first statue we saw!)

We walked around and found our hostel, which was pretty nice (Nuevo Suizo, if anyone needs a good one in Seville), left our bags there and began venturing around the city. We walked down to the river, saw the Plaza de Toros (the bull ring which held 14,000 people=huge!), walked up to the top of Torre del Oro (the Tower of Gold), and experienced some real-life gypsies (scam). Then we went to the amazing Cathedral. Here are a few pictures that don't even do it justice:

Like I said previously, it is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the 3rd largest cathedral in the world!! It was so great. And we got in for the student discount = an even better experience! We had our own personal tour guide (thanks to my trusty RickSteves guide book- thanks B&J!!!) and saw the tomb of Christopher Columbus (interesting fact: he set sail for America from Seville), some beautiful stained glass, and a great view from the top of the tower we hiked up! Afterwards we HAD to stop at Starbucks. Duh. We don't have one in Alicante, so I was very very excited.

(Caitlin is very hard for Spanish folk to pronounce/spell.)

Then we headed over to Plaza de España, which is this beautiful, giant semi-circled building. We couldn't exactly figure out what it is used for, but it had a moat and ton of pretty tile, so we didn't mind! 

We were VERY tired (since we had been up since about 4 that morning), so we headed back to the hostel, later went and grabbed dinner, and finally to bed!! :)

Day2:

We woke up and headed to Alcázar, which is the oldest palace in Europe that is still functioning. It is a lot bigger than it looks, and the gardens were massive. It was really cool. I personally loved the walls that surrounded the palace. It looked like something you'd see out of a movie! We then met up with Aaron and his friend, Zenia (pronounced like Xena the Warrior Princess). After walking around the city for a while, we went our separate ways to get ready for our evening! We went to see traditional Flamenco dancing!!! SO COOL! I am now obsessed with the Spanish guitar. I wish I could play like that. It's insane. Boyfriend and I are currently training to become the next top Flamenco dancers. Watch out world.

(Typical Flamenco consists of a male and female dancer,
a singer (who you can't really understand), and my favorite, the
Spanish guitar player.)

(¡Baile!)

We hit up an Italian restaurant and then a few bars around town. It was so nice to meet Zenia and so so good to see Aaron!!

Day3:

We said our goodbyes to Aaron and Zenia the night before because Aaron had an early bus back to Morocco. So Erin and I walked around a bit and then headed back to the bus stop that goes to the airport. Our flight went smoothly and we arrived back in Alicante Sunday afternoon with no problems!! 

Erin is a great travel partner and I am SO glad she came with me! :) Thanks Erin!!! 

It was a great trip and I am planning to put up the rest of the pictures on Facebook very soon! Thank you for reading! :)

check it.

This is my friend Aaron.

We've been friends since freshman year.

We're blood brothers.

He is in Morocco for 12 weeks. 

& this weekend, we are meeting up in....

SEVILLE!!! 

Erin and I are flying out at 7am (so early) tomorrow morning to spend the whole weekend in this great town in the south of Spain! We are meeting up with Aaron sometime on Saturday (pumped.), and then we fly back to Alicante on Sunday afternoon!! I've heard this place is beautiful and I am so looking forward to spend some time there!! It is home to Flamenco dancing(check), bull fights (which i can not make myself go to. those poor bulls... maybe i'll just hit up the museum), and the Cathedral of Santa Maria of the See (which is the largest Gothic cathedral, and the 3rd largest church in the world!!). You will be hearing about this great adventure (plus a few pics if your lucky.) sometime next week :) ¡Hasta luego!

A Rainy Tuesday.

It’s raining. I didn’t pack for rain. I’m flustered. My sperrys are soaked (they were my best shoe option for today, other than my sassy boots, which were NOT happening (their first appearance was a tragedy. blisters, etc)). I’m wearing my snowboard jacket (which is way too warm for today) but it’s the only waterproof thing I have here. I opted last minute not to bring my rain jacket, and am now regretting that decision. Before I came here, I looked online and it said ‘there is NEVER any rain, maybe only 20 days a year!’ Well I don’t know who wrote that, but they lied. It’s rained about 5 days since I’ve been here (three weeks today!).  Which isn’t that much, but it is to me, because I can’t properly dress myself. Bueno.

ANYWAYS, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I hope all of you reading this had a great day with those you love! :) I think it’s a kind of cheesy “holiday” but I was still sad that I couldn’t spend it with my novio. We had a little get together at my friend Adriana’s apartment, and it was very fun! There is a handful of us who have significant others that are not here & a handful who currently do not have any significant others, so it was nice to be doing something all together!  A night filled with great food, and laughter (trying to teach Kevin (a French friend of ours) American “pick-up lines”. Ex: (picture in French accent) What up shorty? Lemme holla at you! Can I get your number? Hilarious.)

Okay, so you know how animals have their natural habitat? Like pandas in China, or hippos in Africa?? Well the Mini Cooper’s natural habitat is definitely Europe (I have yet to venture out of Alicante, so yes, I am making the assumption that it is like this all over Europe). This car seems to be designed for Europe (which makes sense, because Mini was founded in England)- sharpest turns ever, parallel parking in about 5 feet of space without hitting other cars, weaving through traffic, etc, etc… I love Minis. So Euro. Minis in the US just don’t compare. Sorry American Mini lovers!

(By the way, this is not Alicante.)

I decided it would be funny to write something that is cool and not cool whenever I blog! It is going to be about anything – my life, classes, whatever. Anything is fair game. Chances are I will have a lot more ‘cools’ than ‘not cools’. So hopefully you’ll like them! :)

Cool: Pretty much 99.9% of the cars here are manual (aka: a stick-shift). It’s pretty much the coolest thing ever. Kira and I want to go to Italy, find the Ferrari factory (or finding the Aston Martin factory in the UK would suffice) and test drive the most beautiful cars in the world. We’ve made friends from both Italy and England, so I’m holding out hope that this is a possibility.

Not cool: Having to watch where you walk all the time. Alicante is a city. Locals love their dogs here. You mostly see the little (chi-chis (as Erin likes to call them)) dogs, not really as many big dogs. Since it is a city, there is not a lot of grass. So these dogs do their business on the sidewalks. Great. Not many owners clean up after their dogs (#1- understandable, but #2??? Come on people!!!). So you constantly have to watch where you walk, so you don’t step in something you will regret. Not cool. 

We love because He first loved us.

-1John 4:19

laying my burdens down.

First week of classes? Conquered. Here's a rundown on the 5 classes that I am taking (I added one since I last blogged).
1. Quality & Environment International Management Systems 
Such a mouthful. My teacher in this class is super nice, but the class is ssuupperrr boring. Bless his heart. I wish I wasn't taking it, but I am biting the bullet because it is transferring back as one of my core business classes, which is awesome. I think it is going to be easy, just hard to be motivated for it. There are about 6-8 of us in that class. Really small. But it's in english and it ends in April- Praise the Lord! 
(Side note: I am in the International Business Program (IBP) here at the University. The classes in this program are taught in english. Coolest part is that the classes in this program end April 17. Like over. As in done with exams and everything. I am more than happy to participate. 4 out of my 5 classes are in this program.)
2. Entrepreneurial Initiative: Starting & Running a Business
I have this great thing called a stipend. It's awesome. So thankful for it. Because of it though, I am required to take an entrepreneurship class. I think it could be very interesting, but it is too early to tell. Hoping it's awesome.
3. Cross-Cultural Business Behavior
I can say that this is my favorite class that I'm taking. I think it's very interesting to learn about different cultures all around the world and how those should be approached from a business point-of-view. The teacher is indeed a spanish version of Rita Skeeter. No lie. If you don't know who Rita Skeeter is, then you should invest some time into reading the Harry Potter series. As my old roommate (s.e.c.) would say, 'It'll change your life.' 
4. Marketing in the European Union (EU)
I also think this class is going to be very interesting. In the first few classes we are just going to be reviewing the basics of marketing as a whole before we focus on the EU. The teacher is nice and he LOVES handouts. Any opportunity there is - he's got a handout for us. For something that could have easily been put on a slide... "Go green" apparently hasn't hit Spain yet ... We are going on a field trip next week (?) to a guitar factory and I'm pumped. I love field trips. I don't even know the last time I've been on a field trip. But I'm so excited! Haha
5. Business Spanish
This class is hard. It's in spanish, which makes sense since it is for the local students. But who knew someone could talk so fast!?!? You know back in the day when we had cassette tapes? And when you would fast-forward it sometimes it would play the song super fast in a high-pitched, chipmunk-like voice?? This is my teacher (but not so high-pitched). So I spend the two hours in the class trying to dissect and comprehend what she is saying. Four of the other App students are in that class with me, so we are hoping that with all of us put together, we can pass. This is my one class taught by the University. The university classes go until the middle of June. So after my business classes end in mid-April, I will indeed have ONE class until the end of May (exams go until mid-June). It.is.awesome.


The University of Alicante is very different from good ol' Appalachian State University. I think this is a European thing, but everyone carries around a pencil pouch. It's great. And for their notebooks, it is not college or wide ruled, but all graph paper. I think that is also European. Who knows. They serve alcohol on campus at the cafeterias. So crazy. The computers in the library are ancient and huge. But my favorite thing is the coffee vending machine (may quite possibly turn to an obsession). Yes, I have seen them in the States, but these are on point. So cheap and so good, every time. 


God really has just been teaching me a lot and opening my eyes since I've been here. One awesome way He's been moving is in my wonderful relationship with my boyfriend :) I am so grateful that Christ is our rock and our foundation! I truly believe that He holds all things together and I feel so blessed! I miss him so much and obviously wish I could be with him(/or him be here, which would be awesomeee), but I'm choosing to be thankful for this time in our lives and in our relationship! Praying that He does some amazing things in these next few months!! 
My sweet sweet YoungLife leader wrote on her blog about a week and a half ago about Libby Ryder. Libby is 27, a new mother, and a wife. In July, Libby was diagnosed with cancer. I went to her blog and have been so blessed through reading her story - her testimony.  She is genuine and real about her struggles and triumphs. It's so awesome to see how she is impacting so many with her faith and how the body of Christ comes together. Her story is so awesome, because GOD is so awesome!! Be praying for her and her family, and for positive results for her upcoming PET scan!!
Libby's blog is here: http://libbyryder.blogspot.com/ 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...

Consider him who endured such opposition

from sinful men,

so that you will not grow weary 

and lose heart.

-Heb.12:2,3

The Confusion of Classes.

SO technically the first day of classes was on Thursday, but I OFFICIALLY begin classes on Monday! Craziest thing. On Thursday we were told to attend a meeting held by the Faculty of Economics (aka the business school). When we got there they said if we were in the IBP (International Business Program) then we didn't even need to be there- our meeting was on Friday. Annoying, but whatever! 


Then we went to try and figure out our Spanish classes. Back in the States (go america!) we had to do this "fun" activity where we had to find classes that were offered here at the University of Alicante (fun fact: people talking about the university call it the uni. Ex: "You're going to the Uni tomorrow?"). We then had to go to the different chairs of those departments at App (ex: the chair of Marketing, or Economics) and have them sign off on the classes and tell us what they could transfer as at App. So on Thursday when we are trying to figure out our classes, they tell us that the classes offered in Spanish are in a separate program (this program they have set up for international students taking spanish taught classes) and will cost 135 Euros per class. Whaatttt???? No thanks.


Long story short- very frustrating process when each place you go is telling you something completely different than the last. But good news is that I think it is all worked out! We found a Business Spanish class (which most of us were going to take) that is being taught by the University (aka- no extra $$!). So I will be taking only one spanish class and 3 business classes. Business Spanish, Entrepreneurial Initiative, Cross-Cultural Business Behavior, and Marketing in the European Union! Yay school! So keep those prayers coming for my classes beginning on Monday!


The weather has been BEAUTIFUL here! I feel like I'm on vacation! It's really funny because most of the locals are still in their pea coats and knitted scarves like it's freezing... when it's actually about 70 degrees. Boyfriend would definitely be in his boardshorts :) Us chicas are about to head down to the beach and soak up some rayyssss! (IN FEBRUARY!!!!) Yes, please!!!


I'm going to try and upload the pictures I have so far onto Facebook later today. (I apologize in advance for all of the scenic pictures!) So be looking out for them! :)


This can hold you over in the mean time-

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your justice like the great deep...

How priceless is your unfailing love!

-Ps. 36:5-7

One Week In!!

First and foremost- GOD IS SO GOOD!!! I am constantly finding myself in awe of what He is doing here in Spain. He has blessed me with great friends, a great roommate, and a great, safe flat! A few things I'm thankful for: my Latvian roommate who is hilarious and full of joy; Skype!!! (so i can see your beautiful faces!); Nutella (needs no explanation); my new space heater for my room (please and thank you!); Ryan Long's album Arise which is always on repeat (& Mark Wagner's song, There is Hope)(please look these up, they're AWESOME!); and the Starbucks VIAs that the Elliotts gave me before I left! (I like all flavors if anyone was wonderingggg)   :)


So I've been here for about a week and I can say that my Spanish skills are slowly improving! My English skills on the other hand are getting worse by the day! True story. No bueno. I blame this on the fact that I am speaking broken English to my roommate and others. I'm not going to tell you how many times I've had to edit this post, because it's too embarrassing. So I just laugh at myself all the time and am banking on when classes start (on Thursday!), I'll immediately become so fluent, I will only speak Spanish until I leave in June... We'll see... Haha


Since I am not good about blogging every single day about my activities, I am going to give you the highlights of the past few days. These will include cool adventures, hilarious moments, and just great things.

1. There are a few things that Spaniards love. One is PDA. They love PDA. All the time. Any where. Doing anything they want... nasty. Another thing they love are boots. Mainly for the ladies. But everyone has them! So I of course went and bought a pair of sassy boots! Have yet to wear them, but hopefully soon. Lastly, they love leather jackets. Erin and Kira (my great App friends) are pros since they already had leather jackets! It is going to be my next purchase and I believe paired with my sassy boots, I am well on my way to becoming a local (which you'll remember was one of my goals for Spain!).
2. One of the coolest things so far, has been to meet so many cool people from all over the world. Kyle and Daniel (2 of the App boys) have a roommate, Luigi (confirmed that he does have a friend named Mario, fyi), from Italy. Last night us girls had the guys over for a pasta night. Luigi gave us constructive criticism on our pasta-making skills, and now we could basically open up our own pasta place because we are so good. It is also hilarious to hear an Italian say sassy. Picture saying it slower with that Italian accent. (I know some of you just said it outloud hahah) Descarado pantalones (sassy pants en español). Fun night. Like I mentioned earlier, my roommate is from Latvia, so every time we are discussing a certain word, she tells me what it would be in Russian. So watch out! I'll be trilingual soon! There is also Selin (like Celine Dion) from Turkey, JeanMarc from France, Vici from Finland, Maria from Austria and more!!
3. The other day, we went up El Castillo de Santa Barbara and explored around! It is absolutely beautiful! After a hike to the top, you can see 360 degrees- the blue waters of the Mediterranean on one side, and the majestic mountains on the other. These pictures don't even do it justice-

We start classes on Thursday, and I have no idea how that will go. It is a very confusing process, but I am excited to have some sort of schedule!  I'll try and write later on this week and let all of you pretty people know how it went! :) Thank you for reading this longest novel ever! Ciao!