People and Places that Inspire Me

Today is Friday, a miracle of a day, and I am relishing in the time I have to relax and unwind after a busy week.

I want to take this time and share with you all the people and places that inspire me and are miracles in themselves.  May this list bring you inspiration and happiness!

People
Susan Branch: Susan Branch is an artist who publishes beautiful handwritten books filled with scrumptious recipes, advice on love and friendship, and so much more.  She keeps a blog about her daily life in Martha's Vineyard, and her joy for life permeates her writing.  She is just as much in love with England as I am.  Recently, she spent a couple months in England and blogged about her entire experience.  She is even going to be publishing her "English Diary" and all the pages will be beautifully handwritten like her other publications.  She calls her fans her "girlfriends."  For a burst of happiness and souljoy, visit her blog!!

Carolyn Weber: Carolyn Weber is the author of Surprised by Oxford, a memoir of her time as a romantic literature graduate student at the University of Oxford.  My kindred spirit Samara recommended this book to  me as we both studied at Oxford in the Summer of 2011.  The village of miracles and fairytales, I just knew that this memoir was going to be special.  Carolyn converted to Christianity while in Oxford and met her husband there.  She writes about her life and reviews many time honored books like Anne of Green Gables and Persuasion with a Christian angle.  If you have any connection to Oxford or are at all fascinated by the university, I highly recommend her book!

The Lizzie Bennett Diaries: A group of immensely talented actors and actresses have created a modern version of Pride and Prejudice presented in video blog form.  As of now there have been 46 episodes and at this point the Bennetts are getting ready for "Bing Lee's" party.  Go to this YouTube channel, start watching, and laugh merrily!

Places

West Harwich, MA 

Oh, Cape Cod!  I have not been able to return for three years, but prior to that, I came here every summer for 19 years.  This is the view from my grandparent's condo and serves as the background picture for my blog.  We have a private beach and travel to it via a weathered wooden boardwalk bordered by tall shrubs and beach plums.

If you ever go to West Harwich, you must try Bonatt's Bakery and have their melt-aways, a flaky pastry sprinkled with a cinnamon sugar crumble and filled with anything from cream cheese to fruit! Some of my fondest memories come from Cape Cod.

Oxford, England

The Radcliffe Camera: This is part of Oxford's Bodleian Library and where I did the majority of my Jane Austen research.  This photo was taken from the Vaults and Garden Cafe, my favorite cafe in Oxford where I got my Sunday breakfast.

Magdalen Tower:  I lived in Magdalen College and told time by the bells in this 14th century tower.  I bravely climbed to the top, despite my extreme fear of heights.  If ever you step foot in Oxford, you must visit Magdalen.  I experienced the most amazing peace and expanded my intellect more than I could have ever dreamed.

Chatsworth House, Chatsworth, England

 Do you recognize this place?  

 Now do you recognize this place?!

Nestled in the Peak District, Chatsworth House serves as Pemberley in the Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice.  I talk about this trip extensively in my blog about Oxford.  This was the best day of my life, the most perfect trip.  If you ever visit the Peak District, visit Chatsworth!! Also, if you love nature and walking, consider taking a guided walk with Sally Mosely.  I unfortunately could not arrange a guided walk with her, but she is a local who guides many through the most amazing walking tours of the countryside.

There are so many more people and places that inspire me, but the list I have above shows people and places very dear to me right now.  More inspiration coming soon!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone, keep seeing the miracles and inspiration all around you! 

Memories of September 11th

University has kept me extremely busy...so sorry I have been away for so long!

Today is September 11th, and I'd like to share my memories of that day in 2001 with you all.

First, I need to flashback to when I visited the World Trade Center in 1996.  I was six years old and visiting my aunt and uncle in Manhattan.  We rode the elevator to the very top at rapid speed, my ears popping as we made it to the top floor.  I remember the carpet, the movie theater inside, the machine where you could mold a penny into a design of the towers.  The view was spectacular.

On the morning of September 11th, my Dad left to go on a business trip to San Diego.  He was in a plane during the attack.  The flight attendants thought there was a bomb on his plane, and he called my Mom with a voice, she told me, she would never forget.  His plane emergency landed in St. Louis, and he and his colleagues had to to drive a U-Haul 10 hours home to Columbus.

I was in Mrs. Caplin's 5th grade class.  The school guidance counselor came in and told Mrs. Caplin something in the hallway.  She came back into the classroom looking pale and simply told us that New York had been bombed.  I immediately thought of my uncle who worked in Manhattan, right across from the World Trade Center.  Thankfully, he was on a business trip in Philadelphia that day.

The teachers never told us the specifics of what happened.  It wasn't until I got home that day that I realized what really occurred.  I was petrified as an 11 year old, that such a thing could happen to thousands of people and in a place where I had once stood.  I remember going upstairs to find photos from our World Trade Center visit in 1996, and I found two photos that my sister took from the roof of the tower, overlooking New York City.

Looking back on how I handled 9/11, I realize that I sincerely mourned the loss of those towers and the thousands of victims.  I printed out pictures of the towers and taped them to the walls of my room.  I wrote a poem from the perspective of the towers on the six month anniversary.

I am proud that our country is ingraining this event into our collective memory.  We must never forget the victims that suffered on that day, and pray for peace in our present.  

My Last First Day of School

Today was my first day of classes, and oh what a glorious day it was!! I have two classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Business Communication and American Literature.  The former is going to be so practical for me as I am job-searching/applying to graduate school, and the latter will allow me to not only explore an area of literature with which I'm not familiar, but a ton of my friends are in this class with me!  My Business Comm. professor even gave me a hug this morning and says she is looking forward to working with me.  I love it when people are unexpectedly kind!!

Then I got home and went on a walk/run around campus, starting up my exercise routine so that I can become even healthier.  What I love about this plan is that with every run I can just continue to soak up the beauty of my campus while I can!

Here's to a happy, healthy, and productive semester!

And yes...I do have a neon yellow lunchbox.  :)

My Second Home

Hello everyone!

I am back to blogging after a much needed month home in my hometown.  With the GRE under my belt, I am now back at the University of Dayton for my Senior year!!

Oh, to be back at UD!  This university has been such a miracle in my life.  I have the most amazing support system in my friends, and the Campus Ministry just can't be beat.

This was the view from my dorm room window freshman year.  Now, I'm a senior with my very own house! I get to live right across from my church and hear the bells ring every hour.  Telling time by the bells...it's exactly what I did in Oxford via Magdalen Tower.  Hearing those bells is becoming a little daily miracle for me because the sound is so soothing and can not only bring back beautiful memories of England, but can also become a wonderful part of my memories of Dayton. :)

Today I was able to visit my very best friends (besides the ones I live with) and chat for hours.  I love the porch life at UD.  Everyone is outside, listening to music and enjoying each other's company.  It's the miracle of community here that I absolutely love!

So now that I am starting a new year, my goal is to blog every two to three days about the little miracles that I find in my last year of university.  May this year be filled with joy and love. <3

Home

Home is where the heart is.

So incredibly cliche, but for me right now, it is so incredibly true.

My journey home felt like an odyssey of sorts.  Let me explain why.  I had a smooth flight from Madrid to Newark, NJ - we landed early and customs was a breeze.  My luggage even got there safely - first miracle of the day!  I transferred terminals just fine and got through security without a problem.  Then came the hurdles.  My flight back home got cancelled which threw me into momentary panic as I have never in my life had a flight cancelled.  Thankfully, with my father's lessons in sweet-talking and my naturally sweet demeanor (hehe), I was able to be put on a flight home scheduled two hours later, and put into first class for no extra charge!  That was definitely a "Thank you God" moment, the second little miracle of the day. 

But then, of course, that flight got delayed an additional 6 hours.  What was I supposed to do with myself for 6 hours?  How was I supposed to stay AWAKE?!  Well, since 25 other flights were cancelled that day, I decided to interact with my fellow travelers and hear their stories.  One of the most fascinating experiences a human being could ever have, besides feeling like a minority, is to become fully aware of the fact that everyone, every one of the over 6 billion people in this world, has a story.  The airport is the perfect place to discover a mulitude of stories.  I met a family from Knoxville, TN flying home after they went on a relaxing European vacation.  I met a lady from Oxford, OH who has a farm and we exchanged tomato sauce recipes and learned a thing or two from each other.  I met a girl from Northern Ohio about to start her 5th year of college with a fiance and is as busy as ever, but she helped me stay awake in those late hours right before my flight took off (at 12:30 am)!! 

One of my favorites to meet was a worker at the newstand who saw me come through three times as my flight status kept changing.  She put on a blank face with everyone else, but for some reason her face would light up as I came to buy my snack, then my magazine, and then some further hydration as my flight got further delayed.  I think it was because I actually looked her in the eye and talked to her.  She had the most beautiful laugh.  I wish people would stop more and talk to the people helping them out, you know?  That laugh, as well as the kindess in those people I met, were the most lovely miracles in my day.  They helped me through my anxiousness and allowed me to stay awake through it all.  I got home at 2am EST to tired but very happy parents all the same. 

Now I'm home and absolutely relishing in some much-needed me-time.  This is the beginning of harvest time for my family's garden, so the taste of home-grown vegetables is simply divine for me.  Yes, I am about to embark on further responsibilities such as my thesis, taking the GRE and further researching grad schools, but for now spending time with my family is all I really need.

5 Lessons I Learned in Spain

Well, it's about time I updated this blog!! My apologies for being so out of touch - work and the Spanish lifestyle have certainly kept me busy!!

I finished my last day of work today, and I was pleasantly surprised by the editorial staff when they brought us each a free Spanish dictionary from the company and made us delicious brownies.  I felt the love and appreciation today.  That makes me so happy and joyful in my heart, to know that I have done good work for them and that they appreciate it.  I think that being appreciated by someone is one of those little daily miracles that can sometimes be overlooked.  Tell someone you love that you appreciate them - it will be such a miracle in their day!

Spain has taught me so much.  I have gone through many struggles here, but I firmly believe that the lessons I have learned and the successes I have experienced make up for it all.

So. Five lessons. Here we go...

1. There is always going to be someone who is better than you.  Embrace the beauty of who you are.
-- We all compare ourselves to others far too much.  When we meet someone who seems to be smarter, prettier, more accomplished or making more of an impression, it is hard not to completely focus on all our faults, all at once.  This tendency to compare myself to others has been a constant struggle, but now after being here and experiencing this internship, I see that it does not do to think in such a negative manner.  For the reality is that no one can achieve pure perfection.  It's just not possible.  Instead, we should all focus on the beauty that lies within our souls.  Each and every one of us has a story, something that makes us special and unique unlike anyone else on this Earth.  Embrace that beauty!

2. Cherish moments with family.
-- I think the long Spanish dinners and the board games with my host family truly made me see the importance of this lesson.  Americans are too antsy.  We rush through our dinners and plan everything to a T.  Spaniards spend 2 hours eating dinner and having meaningful conversation.  They relish in good food and take the time to play board games with one another.  I have missed my family terribly while I have been gone, and now I know I will cherish every dinner, every board game, every movie marathon...everything. Even more.

3. Being spontaneous is okay.  Sometimes taking risks and not having any plans turns out for the best.
-- My life has been extremely spontaneous here.  Anyone who tried to plan a Skype date with me knows this.  What a difference from my typical "plan everything to a T" routine.  Some of the most fruitful experiences came from making a decision right on the spot.  We would walk into the most fantastic restaurant, or we would wake up one morning and say "Let's go into Madrid" and have the best time.  Obviously, there are some things in life you must plan.  However, I urge you all to try being spontaneous one day if, like me, you like to plan everything all the time.  It takes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.

4. Being the minority in any situation is tough.
-- Honestly, this was the first time in my whole life where I have felt like a minority.  Americans living in the parts of Spain I lived were extremely sparse.  I was judged for my American accent when speaking Spanish.  I received strange glances many, many times that really shook my confidence sometimes.  I kept trying though, working through the cultural differences and doing my best to adapt.  I now have increased empathy for international students, immigrants, refugees, any foreigner really.  I know exactly how it feels now, and I want to bestow the kindness and understanding upon them that I wished I received more of here.

5. Globalization is very real.
-- I learn about globalization in university.  All the philosophical theories behind it and the predictions about its effects have been ingrained in my brain, but I have never really seen it come to fruition until now.  What struck me most about Spain was that all the music on the radio is in English.  Yes, I'm serious!  So the Spanish population that doesn't know English therefore does not understand the lyrics of the music they listen to on the radio!  They focus on the beat instead.  Crazy, isn't it?  But this trend also shows me that there is more opportunity for bilingualism here - there is so much more exposure to English here than we have in Spanish for example in the US.

Most of all, I have realized the importance of love while in Spain.  I did not receive a hug for a month and a half, so when I got my first hug from my host family's baby girl, I seriously felt like it was a God-given miracle!!  Among the wonderful publishing experience and beautiful Spanish food, I have developed even more empathy and love for others.  Mission accomplished, I'd say. :)

Happy Days in Aranjuez

Hello beautiful people!
I have extremely busy ever since my most recent move to Aranjuez!  I am now living with an American who works in the company and her family.  What a beautiful family she has - three sons and a precious baby girl.  All of them speak just enough English to be able to practice with us, and we get to have wonderful Spanish practice.  Her husband also cooks the most miraculous dinners - the freshest gazpacho, the most succulent chorizo, the meats are to die for, and we have the freshest fruit for dessert every night.  The family also blesses the table and gives thanks to God before every meal which is so comforting!  On Tuesday I got to go to her sons' music concert that was the most precious thing I have ever seen.  Imagine an elementary school auditorium filled with about 30 children dressed as pirates and the stage decorated like a pirate ship.  Then imagine a play all about a pirate expedition in Spanish complete with songs from the piano, guitar, and a rock band.  It lasted 2 and a half hours, but I loved every minute of it! The rock band even sang songs in English which was SO fascinating.  I'll have more comments about the presence of globalization here soon!

Aranjuez is the safest city in Spain, did you know that?? It is a medium sized city outside of Madrid and it's in the valley so guess what...it's GREEN!!! Yes, lots of trees and grassy parks.  This weekend Kaitlyn and I are going to explore the Royal Palace and its gorgeous gardens.  Oh yes, Aranjuez has a Royal Palace, AND you can see the palace from the house.  The house I am staying in is at the top of the hill so I can see the entire city and the mountains.  I also still get to be with golden retrievers - two of them actually! Luna is 9 years old and Osita is 3 years old.  Osita means "teddy bear" in English!

My job is starting to get really interesting!! I am doing research for the company about their competition in digital innovation, and I also got to translate bible stories from an entire textbook for 4th level Primary and simplify the English.  So, I basically got to do the initial writing of the text - so cool!! I am also translating interactive activities online for secondary level textbooks.  My thesis research is going swimmingly - such a miracle that I got to come here and have so many wonderful, enriching interviews.

Oh! I have to tell you all about a miracle that happened yesterday.  The lady we are living with had to go to a conference for the day yesterday and said she would pick us up around 5pm.  Well 6:30pm rolled around and we still hadn't heard from her, so we decided that we needed to take public transport home.  We walked outside and right as we got to the driveway, she pulled up!! That saved us about 2 hours of time on public transport home.  Miracle?? You better believe it!!

To close out my blog post, I would like to mention the miracle of Spain's VICTORY yesterday!! I love watching the EuroCup here!! Pictures of Aranjuez to come soon as well as my musings on the cultural aspects of Spain!!

Days that Renew your Faith

This post is going to be short and sweet (what?! short and sweet from Kristina?! yes, yes it happens from time to time...)

Today I had a beautiful day, a day that I truly needed after a very, very long week.  I don't wish to elaborate on why this week has been terribly long, but I do long to tell you about why today was especially miraculous!

I have been struggling to see the improvement in my Spanish here, but today I got the opportunity to have an interview completely and successfully conducted in Spanish.  Then at lunch today I saw a woman sitting alone and decided to sit with her.  She ended up being one of the friendliest, most heart-warming women I have ever met, and we spoke in Spanish the entire time - 45 minutes straight!  The Spanish seemed to flow so naturally for the first time.  I knew that there was this barrier between me and the Spanish language that I needed to cross.  A barrier that, once crossed, would allow me to more fully understand the language.  Today I feel like I'm finally beginning to cross that barrier.  Oh joy!

I am moving to Aranjuez this Sunday to live with an American lady I work with and her family for the next three weeks.  I am very much looking forward to seeing the city - it has a Royal Palace and everything!

Here's to sunshine, renewed hope, and little daily miracles. <3

I love the color green.

I never really realized how much I loved the color green until now.  I have gone a full month without seeing green grass, so when I had the chance to travel to Asturias, a northern region of Spain, I just knew I was in for a treat.  Northern Spain is full of green mountains and grassy parks, and I was truly in heaven as my bare feet touched the blades of grass.  This feeling is one of my childhood, running around barefoot in my backyard and smelling that sweet scent of freshly cut grass.

Kaitlyn and I traveled to Oviedo where a professor of mine lives during the summer, and this city was filled with gorgeous European architecture and churches dating back to the 9th century.  Each building was different with every shape and color imaginable lining the streets.

Just a little glimpse at what these streets look like!

We met my professor in one of the town squares and she took us on a tour of the town.  One of my absolute favorite sites in Oviedo was the cathedral.  It looked just like the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford only about five times bigger! Let me show you what I mean:

This is the cathedral in Oviedo... 

...and this is St. Mary's in Oxford

Interesting resemblance I think! This cathedral inside was just spectacular with the most beautiful golden and porcelain alter.  We went to a mass here on Sunday morning, my first Spanish mass in Spain, and the songs moved me to tears.  So beautiful!  

After our tour we got to experience some major food culture!  Asturias is famous for their cider, made of green apples and extremely tart yet refreshing.  The bartender takes the cup in his right hand and puts it down by his knee and then takes the bottle with his left hand and reaches to the sky in order to pour the drink from above.  What seems to be theatrics is actually a necessary pouring technique in order for the cider to properly oxidize!  We then met my professor's family and had a typical Spanish lunch that lasted about three hours and we had chorizo soaked in cider, roasted peppers fried and salted, fried garlic chicken, and an entire platter of Asturian pastries! 

With happy tummies, my professor's family drove us to the top of the mountains, what I had been waiting for, and my heart began to sing.

"What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" my favorite author muses in Pride and Prejudice.  Even though I went to the Peak District in England, this is the highest I have ever stood on land, and the breathtaking glory of God's creation stood before me in all its splendor.  I look so small in that photo with the statue of Christ, and finally I feel the deep truth of Austen's words.  What a miracle to behold such beauty!

I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my time in Oviedo and Gijon (a beach town just 30 minutes away), but alas I had to go back to Madrid and to my job.  This is okay though because I have a new and exciting project!  My thesis is researching how publishing companies are handling the move from producing print to digital texts, and so I started to research the competition of the company I am working for.  When the Global New Media Manager heard I was doing this, she requested that I make an actual document of all my findings so that she can use them to develop the company's digital strategy!! It is so thrilling to think that I will help the company make that move to digital texts in some way.  And my research is utterly fascinating - I am looking at six different companies and seeing how they are digitally innovative.  I have had 4 interviews so far and will have another four interviews this week!

I have a little less than four more weeks here.  I love what I have learned so far and appreciate the struggles that have made me stronger and even more empathetic.  Seeing the silver lining in absolutely everything is the only way to live in my opinion, and I will keep on seeing the beauty in everything I encounter throughout the rest of my stay here.  

Then, it will be time to go home, my beautiful home, where, I now realize, my heart truly resides. <3

The Halfway Point

The end of this week marks my halfway point - I have been here for one month and have one more month left in Spain.  I can never stress enough how much Spain has taught me, both about the beauty of life from a different cultural perspective and about the nitty-gritty aspects of adjusting to a different lifestyle in a foreign country.  One of these nitty-gritty aspects: people in Spain don't really hug each other.  The typical introduction to someone here is the two "air-kisses" on both cheeks.  This lack of hugging has really made me see the miracle of hugs.  Hugs foster closeness among people and show affection in such a special way.  I miss hugs so much so that I find that I have to hug myself once every day or so (which is just crazy)!  Fortunately, I have beautiful friends who, when they heard that I haven't had one hug here, reached out and gave me hugs with their hearts.  This love is such a miracle in my life and definitely boosts my strength to continue the dynamic work I am doing here in the publishing industry!

So the moral of the story is: don't take hugs for granted.  Each hug you give and receive is a gift of love.  Try randomly hugging a friend of yours one day - I do this all the time - and then watch their face light up!  A hug is definitely something that counts as a little daily miracle.

Now for the beauties of Spain!  Today after work Kaitlyn and I treated ourselves by going into Madrid and first getting lunch at our favorite tapas place - Mercado de San Miguel! Look what I got!

Drink: Tinto de Verano (claro! red wine + lemon fanta = amor), two croquetas (one with spinach and one with chorizo!), a slice of fresh-as-a-daisy manchego cheese from the specialty shop (heaven!), and finally some marinated pork tenderloin with sauteed onions and peppers on a piece of fresh bread.  SO GOOD!!

This is a bit hard to see, but there was a huge dessert shop in the market with the most amazing looking truffles.  We found a chocolate orange truffle, and this one is absolutely legit with orange zest in the middle! YUM! 

Then we crossed off yet another thing on our Madrid bucket list - taking a tour of the Palacio Real (The Royal Palace)!  The King and Queen of Spain don't live there, but it is their headquarters and has been for centuries.  

The front of the Palace! So beautiful!

And this is the view of the Cathedral from the front of the Palace - gorgeous! 

They would not allow us to take photos inside the palace, but let me tell you all that the grandeur that I witnessed was beyond anything I have ever seen in my life.  I saw the most regal tapestries and frescoes, ornate porcelain and wooden carvings on the walls, a throne room, and so, so much more!! What a gorgeous day to tour such a breathtaking palace! 

Then we came home to the doggies - we are taking care of them this weekend since my boss is in London for the weekend for business.  Dixie is still my best friend:

 She likes to come upstairs, sit next to me, and put her paw up on my hand like she's doing here! Precious!!

And here is their newest addition: A golden retriever puppy named Joey!! What a cutie-pie with TONS of energy!! I actually caught him in one of those rare moments where he sleeps! 

Puppies are miracles too.  These dogs, though they have such high energy and can get a bit rowdy, are miracles in my day.  They send me off to work with a smile and always shower me with love when I come home.  

Well, my job continues to be dynamic and my thesis research is going well.  I will be doing most of my interviews this coming week!  I may be going to Toledo this weekend and am planning a trip to northern Spain in Oviedo next weekend! Northern Spain is much greener, almost reminiscent of English countryside (!!!!).  I am also learning how to do some Spanish cooking - we made our own tortilla espanola the other day!  It was really good and came out in one piece - yay!  Until next time, keep seeing the miracles in your day, even when things may not be going your way.  Amor Siempre <3

Discovering Madrid

Many tiny miracles have occurred in the past couple days, and I am so grateful!  This week went by quickly for me at my job, but I definitely had no shortage of things to do.  I am still uploading audio files onto the digital books, editing manuscripts, and I will possibly be making my own manuscript of some activities in English for a Religious Education textbook!!  I come alive at the chance to create.  I may also be uploading interactive activities onto the digitized books, so that will be a major tutorial in the technology department for me!  I am also setting up interviews for my thesis which is nerve-wracking but also extremely exhilarating since I am finally starting my primary research.

On Friday after work we went into Madrid and met up with my friend Almu who studied at UD this past year and is from Madrid!  She showed us around her favorite places in the city.  First we got to see El Parque Retiro, a massive park next to the Prado.

Kaitlyn and I by the lake!

Almu and I by the Rey Alfonso XII monument!

We went to the Real Jardin Botanico (The Royal Botanical Garden), but were saddened to see that there were not very many flowers, and the flowers that were there were quite shriveled.  Oh well, we just ventured on and went to the "barrio" of Chueca to a well-known tapas bar in the area called "El Tigre."  What a miracle of a tapas bar, because all you have to do is order your drink,and then they give you three plates of delicious food for free!! We received some paella, roasted potatoes with a tomato-like salsa, and a plate with bread, jamon and queso, AND croquetas!! So delicious!! 

Then, I decided to face my fear of heights and go to the city hall with Almu and Kaitlyn and take the elevator to the observation deck!  Last summer I climbed a 12th century bell tower to see the views of Oxford.  This summer I got to the see the "vistas hermosas de Madrid."  Here is a photo of me at the top of the tower:

Do you see me holding onto that steel bar for dear life?! Yes, I was quite nervous, but very happy that I decided to face my fear anyways.  That's what life is all about right?  Facing your fears and then being blessed with the results - knowing that you can do whatever you thought you couldn't do.

We then walked through the bustling center of Madrid, Sol, and then onwards to the Palacio Real (my FAVORITE area of Madrid by far)! 

Yesterday was a leisurely day reading and reflecting (as always).  In the evening we went back into Madrid to meet up with a young editor from work to go to the Bollywood Festival in Lavapies, a melting-pot of a barrio with many immigrants and a beautiful array of cultures.  After having some drinks, we went to where there was a massive stage set in front of this old structure that looked like a castle!  We saw some Bollywood dancing, and then they played a movie that was in English, but the actors had thick Indian accents, so we actually relied on the Spanish subtitles to understand what was happening!  The atmosphere was contagious - so many people just relaxing and having fun right in the present moment!  This type of lifestyle is so appealing, something I think Americans really need to adopt more often.

We grabbed the last train out of Madrid, and when we got to the train station to get the taxi, there were no taxis in sight.  I became extremely nervous and literally looked up and said "Dear God, please let there be a taxi coming soon!"  And what do you know, two seconds later a taxi comes shooting down the street right to where we were standing!! What a miracle, thank you God, and we got home safe!

This morning I also experienced the miracle of getting my internet back after it decided to go away for a day and a half!! And also, the family I'm staying with just got a new Golden Retriever puppy! Pictures to come as soon as I can catch him sitting still! :)

Assimilating, Soul-Searching, and Beautiful Nerja

Hola a todos!!

Well, I have not written an entry in about a week and a half which totally defeats the purpose of my "daily" chronicles.  But to be honest, so much has been going on this past week that I could not find the words to express my feelings.  Now, after a beautiful weekend in Nerja and a wonderfully blessed day at work, I can sit down and write a much needed entry about my time here and the miracles that I have been able to find!

Last week was busy at work with many new requests such as uploading audio files and imputing them in the digital book online, editing manuscripts, and creating lesson plans in English for a religious education textbook.  I am truly enjoying the work that I do here, though last week was a bit of a struggle for me in regards to my Spanish.  I was terribly frustrated, but what Spain is teaching me is that I need to be kinder to myself and allow time and my own efforts to work their magic.  This frustration has allowed me to really look within myself and let my soul know that I am beautiful the way I am, and that I certainly have the will power and capability of improving my Spanish, even if it takes longer than expected.  I pray that you all realize this too, that you are all beautiful just the way you are, and that you have the power to make things happen, even if it might take longer than expected.  I feel that this lesson I am learning is truly a miracle in my life, something I have needed to learn for a very long time.

Anyways!  So one of my missions coming to Spain besides being introduced to the publishing world was to go to the BEACH!! I have not been to a beach in 2 years, and my soul was yearning for the sea.  Rick Steves, who I love dearly, raves about Nerja, a village on the Costa del Sol in Andalucia (Southern Spain), so I knew I just had to go.

The bus ride from Madrid to Nerja was the most scenic of my life.  I saw everything from the plains to plateaus to the most breathtaking mountains filled with pine forests and the most jagged rock formations.  We twisted around the mountains at shocking heights, but the view was breathtaking and truly showed the beauty of God's creation.  We saw snow-capped mountains, little white-washed villages snuggled in amongst the wide expanse of sweeping mountains.  Never have I seen such diverse natural beauty all in one trip.  I got to see the windmills of Don Quijote and the sun setting against the mountains, white hill towns, and most importantly, the sea!!

Kaitlyn and I stayed at the exquisitely clean Hotel Mena Plaza with the most amazing rooftop terrace.  Here was our view!

On our first day in Nerja we took the 20 minute walk through town to the sandiest beach of all, Burriana Beach!  The sun was shining brightly and I lazily slept and read a fun Sophie Kinsella book called "Twenties Girl" - highly recommend it!  We had lunch at Ayo's, a famous paella joint right on the beach!  It was all you an eat paella for only 6 euro!  I had two plates full and even ate the shrimp!

Our dinners in Nerja were, of course, Italian because I have been craving Italian food for ages!  I got to have my pasta, cheese, and lots and lots of gelato!!

On Sunday morning we went to the Caves of Nerja!  So hauntingly beautiful.  As we were walking through the caves we heard some classical music playing, and we thought it was a recording.  Ohhh no.  No, it was actually a live classical ensemble!  Such a miracle to behold!  I took a video of this and hope to find a way to post it soon (my computer is being dumb and won't let me just upload it on here)!

I just loved Nerja - the smell of the sea and the breathtaking views!

Now I am back at work all sunny and tan!  The past two days I have spoken lots of Spanish and am starting really good work on my thesis.  My focus is going to have to change, but I expected that and am just going with the flow.  Thank you Spain for teaching me to do that too!

Getting used to a foreign culture and perspective really makes one look inward at the heart and discover the most fascinating things about the self.  It has only been two and a half weeks, but I believe that Spain has brought me some miraculous lessons, and beautiful nature to behold!

Keep looking for the daily miracles in your lives - they are there!! Lots of love to you all, and I promise to write again soon!

A Day in the Life of an Editorial Intern (in Spain)

Hola a todos! (Hello everyone!)

So, I have had many eventful days here!  Tuesday evening Kaitlyn and I went out with my boss's family friend Alva to shop and have some drinks (the bar down the street had Bulmer's cider from England - fantastico, maravillosa, ah!)  Then her mother invited us to dinner and oh my, was this a seriously cultural experience for me.  We did not eat until 10 and we had tortilla espanola (omelet with egg and potato that looks like a pie), croquetas (meat and potato that is mushed together and deep fried), salad, puree of vegetable soup, and bread!  To my surprise, her mother then said that we must go over to her neighbor's house for coffee.  That was very nice as well, and we didn't get home until 11!  This is not late in a college student's standards by any means, but I had to start work the next day so the circumstances were different.  I ended up only getting 2 hours of sleep because of my full (yet happy) stomach, and I started my first day of work on adrenaline and ready to go!

I am working at Grupo SM in the Madrid area and it is such a bilingual environment! There are many native Spaniards that work there and primarily speak Spanish, many British, Scottish, and Canadians as well.  I also found one other American.  My head was spinning from all the code-switching, but now after my third day I am actually really getting used to it.  We arrive at the office around 8:45am and immediately go into the little "cafeteria" which is a tiny room where everyone gets their morning cup of coffee or tea.  Then I go into my office that I share with Kaitlyn and start working on my editorial tasks.  Usually I will receive a proof for a book where the pages are set on massive pieces of paper and I must make the necessary changes regarding punctuation, spelling, formatting, etc.  These books are textbooks for Primary learners in English and deal with a variety of subjects.  I have actually been working mainly with the Science textbooks!  Another job that I have is to transfer the text on the page into a script format for the recordings that are done in London.

After my first day Kaitlyn and I went into Madrid with my boss and we had tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel - oh was that good!! A miracle in front of my eyes, this covered market housed the most delectable treats.  I had a tinto de verano (red wine mixed with lemon soda) and a little sandwich on a baguette with some amazing Spanish cheese and jamon iberico - some of the best ham offered in Spain.  Then another miracle happened - my boss's friend called her friend who is a native of Madrid and he took us around parts of the city! We got to see the Plaza Mayor, the neighborhood of La Latina, the Palacio Real, and the Egyptian temple!  The city has so much history and is really quite beautiful.

 Tapas!

Palacio Real, from the Jardin de Sabotini!

My second day of work was filled with events - the UD business school came to visit Grupo SM for a tour and we got to join them!  I was overjoyed to see two good friends of mine - it felt like a miracle to see their faces!  We all took a tour of the building which was extremely productive for me because I got to see where all the departments were located.  Then after a presentation all about the company we went to the Grupo SM warehouse which was HUGE!! So many books in one building!  I then went home and rested for awhile - seriously those moments where you just get to relax are also little miracles in your day!

Today was just fascinating!  We had two training sessions, both of which were in Spanish, but I understood everything and I was so proud of myself.  We were trained to use the software to upload images within the books and then we were also trained to work with digital books - they are supplements for teachers and students that are interactive and enrich the learning experience.  This is my project for at least a month and I am so excited!! I am doing my thesis on electronic publishing, and this is the company's first way of developing their digital content.  I get to add audio/visual content and links to the book which is in print first and then converted into a digital format.  So my day will be broken up into three parts: electronic book work, thesis work, and editing/script work with book proofs.  On Fridays we get to leave at 3pm.  It's so great!

Day by day Spanish is getting a little easier to comprehend and speak.  I am happy and my faith is strong. :)

Much more to come soon - might be going to Toledo this weekend and actually planning on going to Andalucia next weekend!  Lots of love!

Un entorno bilingue (A Bilingual Environment)

One of the most striking aspects of my living situation is that the environment is extremely bilingual.  One minute we can all be speaking English and the next the conversation can turn Spanish.  This rapidity surely keeps me on my toes, and it also forces me to confront my anxieties about speaking Spanish.  Surprisingly, I become a very shy person when speaking Spanish - the opposite of what I usually am - and it's mostly because I tend to lack confidence in my conversation skills.  I can read and write Spanish with much more proficiency, so the fear that creeps up as I try and comprehend a question and then answer it is truly frustrating for me.  Part of what this whole experience will teach me is to fight that fear, to realize that I am my harshest critic and that most people do not mind if I make a few grammatical mistakes.  I can't wait for the day when I can walk away from a conversation with a local feeling comfortable and happy with my progress - that will definitely be a miracle in my day!  So far I have been able to push myself and have conversations with some locals who know my  boss and her family.  I find that many of these friends are trying to learn English as well, so we then become equals.  Oh, and guess what I miraculously discovered?  The Spanish cooking channel!! Joy!! Why so much joy?  Because I really need help with my food and cooking vocabulary in Spanish, and what better way to learn that vocab than to watch Spanish chefs explaining how they cook in Spanish! And they even play Jamie Oliver shows with Spanish voice-overs - cool!!  

Yesterday was a leisurely day for me.  I slept for 12 hours straight so I woke up quite refreshed.  I spent my time unpacking, studying for the GRE, reading, and watching some Spanish TV (which is actually quite productive).  For lunch I just had a little sandwich made with a fresh baguette and lomo, a coldcut that is basically cured pork loin, delicioso!! Then I made my boss and her family some fresh tomato sauce with pasta for dinner.  I had to improvise on the ingredients a little bit, but my boss thought it was lovely, so in the end I succeeded!

Kaitlyn, the other girl I am working with and living with from UD, arrived this morning!  My boss cooked us some chicken and risotto with fried asparagus for lunch - yum!  Her daughter's friend was there and ate with us, so we spoke in Spanish during that meal.  I was able to say a few sentences - an okay start - but I know that I will improve as the weeks pass!

We just took a walk into town and I finally got some pictures of the Plaza Mayor de Grinon!

The town of Grinon is really quite nice with the Plaza Mayor you see above, some "tabernas," the usual "tiendas," and even an Irish pub!  There are trees of all different types, but the palm trees reign supreme and are coupled with beautiful yellow and pink roses in various shades.  What I notice most is the camaraderie amongst the locals.  I consider small towns to be little miracles when this happens, because this means that one small place can bring so many people together in a way that the city sometimes does not!

Then we come home to my boss's two precious dogs - Emma, a boxer, and Dixie, the golden retriever who loves to follow me around and sleep at my feet.

Isn't she cute!! She loves this big piece of wood too, it's hilarious!

Well, I start work tomorrow!  I am truly excited to meet new people and start my work in the publishing industry! A definite blog post will be coming about my first day of work, but until then, hasta luego!

España Hermosa

I arrived in beautiful, sunny Spain this morning at 7:30am - about 2am EST!  On the drive to my boss's house, the terrain was so intriguing.  There are trees of all types here, from pine to palm.  The ground is also dry and brown - many houses cannot maintain lawns and instead have trees planted in white rock beds.  The weather is hot, a good 88 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is no humidity so the heat is not as scorching as it is in the American Midwest! I do burn more quickly here though, so sunscreen is a must!

The Spanish are truly some of the most welcoming, hospitable people I have ever met.  The minute I arrived I was able to eat breakfast, shower, and then fight my impending jet lag by going to the horse stables down the street where my boss keeps two horses (Whiskey and Bo).  This particular horse stable is family run and called Asociacion Amigos del Caballo.  What a way to start off my immersion into the Spanish culture!  I was able to meet some wonderful people, and they all welcomed me to their country.  Everyone at least said hello to me, even though they have never seen me in their lives, and some even sat next to me and spoke to me in Spanish for a little while.  Horses are just gorgeous creatures.  I loved how I would walk by each horse and they would stick their head out so I could gently pet them.  The stables had many different varieties of horses - light brown, dark brown, black, gray, multi-colored, and the most beautiful white horses (caballos blancos). The owner of the stables was working with one of them in the riding area, holding the horse by a rope as the horse galloped around the ring in the glowing morning sun.  In that moment, I truly felt like I was in Spain, and I had only just arrived two hours before!  Miraculous things happen every day.

After spending a couple hours at the horse stables I took a much needed "siesta" and then went to walk around the town with my boss to buy lunch!  We went to a chicken place called "Pollo Listo" and they had the most scrumptious roast chicken, croquetas, and patatas fritas.  Here in Spain, lunch is the largest meal of the day, and Sundays are especially important because the whole family is home to enjoy a meal.  Everyone is out during this time, around 2pm or so, and in just walking around town with my boss I was able to meet many more people that she knew.  I have been told that Spain truly emphasizes building relationships among people, and I can definitely feel that vibe already.  Most markets and stores are closed on Sundays because the Spaniards really do desire to spend time with their families.  Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest after all.  Amen!

It is only 3:25pm here so I still have a good deal of the day left before I can hop into bed, but I needed to stay awake, so I figured I would write a blog post now!  We are all just relaxing, including one of my boss's dogs, a dear Golden Retriever, who followed me upstairs and is now fast asleep at my feet. :)

I start work on Wednesday, but until then, there will be more on my adjustment to Spanish life!

My 22nd Year

Today is my 22nd birthday!

Every human life is a miracle at its very conception - and my life began today 22 years ago.  My life has been filled with infinite blessings, especially growing up with a beautiful family that has raised me to know and bestow respect and kindness towards myself and towards everyone else I am priveleged to meet.  Of course, life is also filled with struggle, but I choose to dwell on the beauty of my past - I hope you do, too. :)

My university has brought me so many miracles - my wonderful friends, the Marianists, and the most beautiful opportunities.  Last summer a 12-year dream of mine came true - I studied at the University of Oxford in England for 6 weeks researching my true literary heroine: Jane Austen.  The Bodleian Library, I am certain, possesses magical properties.  The library holds over 8 million novels - many of which are older than the 15th century!  I also met the most brilliant minds while in Oxford, including my kindred spirit Samara.  If you ever have the honor of meeting a kindred spirit, that, my friends, is a truly beautiful miracle.

And now, I am about to embark on another European adventure - I am to be an Editorial Assistant Intern at a well-established publishing company in Madrid, Spain!  My dream for many years now has been to be introduced to the publishing industry.  Here is my chance!!  The minute I saw the advertisement for the position, a lightbulb went off inside.  I knew that this was the chance of a lifetime.  What a perfect way to mold my double English and Spanish major by working in a bilingual environment.  I leave this Saturday and will be in Spain until July 15th. 

For the next two months then I will be blogging about the miracles of Spain!

For now, I will leave you all with the miracles of today - my birthday!
*I wake up at 8am to over 60 birthday messages from friends on Facebook.  Though I am an old soul, technology can be seriously amazing and awe-inspiring!
*My Mom has been trying to find me this particular skirt with a particular material, and when we went shopping today we walked right into the store and found the very skirt!
*Whole Foods is a miracle everytime you walk in the door.  Today we bought the ingredients to my birthday dinner: fillet mignon with a mushroom red wine sauce, herb cheese polenta, and salad fresh from my Dad's garden!  Oh, and we bought a scrumptious birthday cake too!
*It's a beautiful sunny day - can't forget that miracle. :)

Miracles

Hello everyone!

My name is Kristina.  I love to be happy and spread the happiness everywhere I possibly can.  Now, I am aware of the struggles and negativity of this world, but over the years I have realized that my mission in this life is to think positively as much as possible and see the rich beauty that exists in this life.


I heard a talk this past January at a Conference for Christianity and Literature that inspired me - the speaker urged us to see the little daily miracles that happen each and every day.  Miracles every day?  Is this even possible?


But then I thought, YES! Miracles do not have to be huge, mind-blowing experiences.  No, a miracle can be seen in the blooming of a flower, the shining of the sun, the warming embrace of a friend's hug.  If we look at our lives in this way, becoming conscious of the miracles that happen each day, then the world will just become that much more beautiful.


With this blog I aim to chronicle the daily miracles that I see and perceive.  What better way to start than with my trip to Spain happening in less than 2 weeks!! Much more on that soon. :)


May this blog help all of you beautiful people see the miracles that happen in your own lives, big and small!