For Spring Break '09, I wrote about our trip around Spain. It started out taking a train from Mérida to Madrid. We sat next to an elderly man who Dan began to talk with. The man lives about 30 mins from Mérida and is a retired fruit farmer. He was on his way to Madrid as well and then Egypt for vacation. He travels everywhere! He invited us to call him sometime and visit.
Dan called last week and we visited today. It cost 5.60 to take the train and Emilio met us at the train station after our 20 min ride to Montijo. He showed us many of his farms that his sons now run and we ate peaches, nectarines, and pears off the trees. He took us to his hacienda that is now not lived in, but it is full of his hunting trophies, photos, and has a huge swimming pool in the back. He had a cold bowl of cherries that we munched on until we were sick. He showed us some of his bronze age axes and Roman cooking ware that were found on the property. We found that he had not lived there since his wife passed away in 2005.
Emilio also took us to his fruit warehouse and showed us how they store, package, and ship the fruit. Then he took us into town to show us around the big church and have a beer with great fried potato chips. Yum! He decided to give us a ride back to Mérida to top off his kindness. I am so thankful for this little day trip. He is too kind and I don't know if I'll ever see him again. I sure hope so!
To end that trip, we had him drop us off at CarreFour (our big grocery store) and we carried groceries home for a mile in the 95 degree sun. Uff dah! The Mérida summers are back!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Week 9 of 10
Yes, I am already on week 9. For those of you who did not know, Cincinnati insists on staying on the quarter system, so we only have 10 weeks of school and a week of finals. My last final is on June 11, and we will go to Portugal then and fly back to the States on June 15th.
As for now, things have been going well (Thank you God!). I have seemed to have gotten a great start on my projects and only have a few odds and ends that must be done. Unfortunately, all those odds and ends will pile up because professors tend to post things late. No worries though!
We only have two more weekend services at church. We will be sad to say good-bye. Our really good friend just got a promotion, so I don't think we'll be able to see him before we go. There are lots of good-byes to say because I do not know when I'll return. Dan is at least coming back in September for a conference!
Well, I'm off to start my day!
As for now, things have been going well (Thank you God!). I have seemed to have gotten a great start on my projects and only have a few odds and ends that must be done. Unfortunately, all those odds and ends will pile up because professors tend to post things late. No worries though!
We only have two more weekend services at church. We will be sad to say good-bye. Our really good friend just got a promotion, so I don't think we'll be able to see him before we go. There are lots of good-byes to say because I do not know when I'll return. Dan is at least coming back in September for a conference!
Well, I'm off to start my day!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
No more stinky breath
After than foot-in-mouth experience, I was much more cautious about my conversations. The next day we spent with a couple of Italians and our new Spanish friend. Dan was the tour guide of our city and it was very enjoyable, though beastly hot. That night we went to the Parador for cocktail hour and I ate so much jamon...yum. They also had bite-sized cream puffs that reminded me of the the Wisconsin State fair in Milwaukee. Yummy!
After the cocktail hour, we went out with Germans, Romanians, the previously mentioned Italians and our Spanish friend. They were all speaking 5 languages, switching back and forth and I was amazed. They all knew each other's language and others. I was amazed and thought that we should raise our kids in Germany or Romania. I'll start looking for jobs for Dan :)
After the cocktail hour, we went out with Germans, Romanians, the previously mentioned Italians and our Spanish friend. They were all speaking 5 languages, switching back and forth and I was amazed. They all knew each other's language and others. I was amazed and thought that we should raise our kids in Germany or Romania. I'll start looking for jobs for Dan :)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
I don't know why I insist on sticking my foot in my mouth at every social gathering in which I attend.
There is a large archaeological conference in town. German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish archaeologist are here and last night there was a 10pm cocktail hour at the theater. Dan said I could go and everyone spoke English so it was comforting. Most of the people are very intelligent, but lack social skills. I was so excited to be able to talk to people that I talked a lot. Many of them had never been to the theater before so Dan and I told them about the musical that we had seen a few years ago.
It was about Homer's Odyssey, but it took place in World War II and it was about gypsies trying to get back to their home. It was cleverly done and though I did not understand the words, the music and actions were beautiful and I sobbed throughout the beautiful performance. For some reason I was so caught up in telling a German woman about the performance and she was feeding me with fascination and goose-bumps. I then said, "and it was so intense with the gypsies trying to get out of the concentration camps and the Germans coming after them...err...eeek..." stumble stumble over my words...feel humiliated and stupid....wonder if I should apologize, keep talking about the musical....5 minutes later...new topic!
Yeah, not cool. Dan said it wasn't a big deal at all; that Germans look at it like we look at our Civil War. I don't know.
The rest of the night I was much more calm and I did not get emotionally involved in a topic, but the conversation was very broken and uneasy (all the nerds trying to speak to one another) ;) I was thankful for the opportunity to speak again to people in English and not my broken Spanish, and enjoy the great weather in a great setting!
There is a large archaeological conference in town. German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish archaeologist are here and last night there was a 10pm cocktail hour at the theater. Dan said I could go and everyone spoke English so it was comforting. Most of the people are very intelligent, but lack social skills. I was so excited to be able to talk to people that I talked a lot. Many of them had never been to the theater before so Dan and I told them about the musical that we had seen a few years ago.
It was about Homer's Odyssey, but it took place in World War II and it was about gypsies trying to get back to their home. It was cleverly done and though I did not understand the words, the music and actions were beautiful and I sobbed throughout the beautiful performance. For some reason I was so caught up in telling a German woman about the performance and she was feeding me with fascination and goose-bumps. I then said, "and it was so intense with the gypsies trying to get out of the concentration camps and the Germans coming after them...err...eeek..." stumble stumble over my words...feel humiliated and stupid....wonder if I should apologize, keep talking about the musical....5 minutes later...new topic!
Yeah, not cool. Dan said it wasn't a big deal at all; that Germans look at it like we look at our Civil War. I don't know.
The rest of the night I was much more calm and I did not get emotionally involved in a topic, but the conversation was very broken and uneasy (all the nerds trying to speak to one another) ;) I was thankful for the opportunity to speak again to people in English and not my broken Spanish, and enjoy the great weather in a great setting!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Priorities
The theme of my life these past few weeks have been priorities. Where did I get the theme? Well, I listen to podcasts from Christians (Mars Hills Church and Joyce Meyers) and Dan interprets the sermons at our church here. I do not have a Christian support person or group that I can share with about all the exciting things the Lord is doing in my life and the struggles that I face.
Growing up as an only child, I was made to feel extremely special and important. I spent a good majority of my life trying to prove that to other people. I was sort of smart, got good grades, faked knowing everything pretty well, smiled a lot, was a hard worker, and was an okay friend (when I wanted to be). The American dream was to work hard and prove how strong and capable you are...and then make money and have nice things.
Priorities...
Thankfully I married someone a lot like me. It's not that I don't want to dress nice, get my hair done, have nice things, it's just that I do not have the money nor the know-how to do such things. Dan actually made a comment that I do not have to buy whatever is on sale, no matter how great a deal, because those clothes do not necessarily look good on me. Whooa! ha ha. Now, that is where I'm drawing the line. I want my husband to think I look good.
Back to other priorities. Joyce Meyers was talking about fitting your schedule into Jesus, not trying to fit Jesus into your schedule. This has been a huge thing for me. Very difficult when I spend my whole day sitting in front of my computer and books...working on school. God has given me strength to accomplish all my work and have time to go to church and read the scripture and pray. I believe with all my heart that I'm suppose to be in school, it's a blessing, and that He has equipped me and continues to do so for this time.
Back to Joyce Meyers and clothes: she is really into the prosperity message. I believe that God blesses people so that His glory shows, not just so we can have great things. He's not my magic lamp that I rub and ask for anything I want. I do believe that He gives me more and better things than I could ever imagine (Dan, a nursing degree, living in Spain, the Master's education, family, friends, etc.). Joyce stated today that she was a garage sale shopper and that God provided for her family through miracles. She then said she was so thankful for the day that she was "delivered from garage sale-ing". She said that as a child of God, she didn't have to live that way (not that she was putting it down). I was appalled and saddened. I believe that God can provide riches, but who is she to say such things? I think I'll be a life long garage saler. I don't see myself ever having a lot of money, but then maybe my faith is too weak. I am sorry for those in her audience who put themselves down because they do shop at garage sales and feel as if they are not being blessed by God.
Well, this posting was not to be a put down blog. The last thing I want to do is criticize another Christian (there are enough people that do that), but I do want my priorities to stay clearly focused on God. It's hard for me to read Christians' postings on facebook (I "LOVE" my new....(possession)). I like things...but when I do have a job, I pray that I am not in love with my new things!
Last Note:
I was excited when I was studying about God giving manna to the Israelites in the desert. I knew that he was providing for me and I trusted Him and had more peace and seemed to get my work done sooner. A few months later I was reading John 6:
32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
41At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'[d] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."
Wow, there is more than just manna. There are blessings (salvation!) beyond what He equips us for! I cannot wait to see all that He has for me in this last month in Spain. I look forward to what He has for me in Cincinnati. The future is very unclear as to where I'll be after December, but I put my trust in Christ.
Growing up as an only child, I was made to feel extremely special and important. I spent a good majority of my life trying to prove that to other people. I was sort of smart, got good grades, faked knowing everything pretty well, smiled a lot, was a hard worker, and was an okay friend (when I wanted to be). The American dream was to work hard and prove how strong and capable you are...and then make money and have nice things.
Priorities...
Thankfully I married someone a lot like me. It's not that I don't want to dress nice, get my hair done, have nice things, it's just that I do not have the money nor the know-how to do such things. Dan actually made a comment that I do not have to buy whatever is on sale, no matter how great a deal, because those clothes do not necessarily look good on me. Whooa! ha ha. Now, that is where I'm drawing the line. I want my husband to think I look good.
Back to other priorities. Joyce Meyers was talking about fitting your schedule into Jesus, not trying to fit Jesus into your schedule. This has been a huge thing for me. Very difficult when I spend my whole day sitting in front of my computer and books...working on school. God has given me strength to accomplish all my work and have time to go to church and read the scripture and pray. I believe with all my heart that I'm suppose to be in school, it's a blessing, and that He has equipped me and continues to do so for this time.
Back to Joyce Meyers and clothes: she is really into the prosperity message. I believe that God blesses people so that His glory shows, not just so we can have great things. He's not my magic lamp that I rub and ask for anything I want. I do believe that He gives me more and better things than I could ever imagine (Dan, a nursing degree, living in Spain, the Master's education, family, friends, etc.). Joyce stated today that she was a garage sale shopper and that God provided for her family through miracles. She then said she was so thankful for the day that she was "delivered from garage sale-ing". She said that as a child of God, she didn't have to live that way (not that she was putting it down). I was appalled and saddened. I believe that God can provide riches, but who is she to say such things? I think I'll be a life long garage saler. I don't see myself ever having a lot of money, but then maybe my faith is too weak. I am sorry for those in her audience who put themselves down because they do shop at garage sales and feel as if they are not being blessed by God.
Well, this posting was not to be a put down blog. The last thing I want to do is criticize another Christian (there are enough people that do that), but I do want my priorities to stay clearly focused on God. It's hard for me to read Christians' postings on facebook (I "LOVE" my new....(possession)). I like things...but when I do have a job, I pray that I am not in love with my new things!
Last Note:
I was excited when I was studying about God giving manna to the Israelites in the desert. I knew that he was providing for me and I trusted Him and had more peace and seemed to get my work done sooner. A few months later I was reading John 6:
32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
41At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'[d] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."
Wow, there is more than just manna. There are blessings (salvation!) beyond what He equips us for! I cannot wait to see all that He has for me in this last month in Spain. I look forward to what He has for me in Cincinnati. The future is very unclear as to where I'll be after December, but I put my trust in Christ.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Points back
Because you are all so interested in my grades, I am happy to inform you that everyone in my class did poorly on that exam and I got some points back. I still do not know my final grade, but I will pass the class non-the-less.
Dan's parents are visiting today. This will be their last visit and then we'll see them in June when we leave from Lisbon. They are moving to Angola and we do not know when we'll see them again. Those are always hard good-byes.
Life has been good. The weather has been hot (high 80s) and beautiful, the roses are still blooming so much the plants are falling over, and I'm getting my work done. I have a few projects coming up, so I can't take sitting back to lightly anymore (not that I was). I'll enjoy the weekend with my in-laws and then it will be crunch time!
As for this summer, I am doing two clinicals instead of the normal one. My advisor gave me permission so I could graduate in June. I'll have to work three 12 hour shifts a week, plus I have a 3 week class that is Mon, Wed, Fri from 9am-1pm. I have no clue how I'm going to do that! Possibly I'll be able to move some hours to fall quarter.
Well, off to drink my mate, work a bit, and then clean the house.
Dan's parents are visiting today. This will be their last visit and then we'll see them in June when we leave from Lisbon. They are moving to Angola and we do not know when we'll see them again. Those are always hard good-byes.
Life has been good. The weather has been hot (high 80s) and beautiful, the roses are still blooming so much the plants are falling over, and I'm getting my work done. I have a few projects coming up, so I can't take sitting back to lightly anymore (not that I was). I'll enjoy the weekend with my in-laws and then it will be crunch time!
As for this summer, I am doing two clinicals instead of the normal one. My advisor gave me permission so I could graduate in June. I'll have to work three 12 hour shifts a week, plus I have a 3 week class that is Mon, Wed, Fri from 9am-1pm. I have no clue how I'm going to do that! Possibly I'll be able to move some hours to fall quarter.
Well, off to drink my mate, work a bit, and then clean the house.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
That's a joke, right?
So after my parents left, we had to come to Spain so I could take an exam for my critical care class. I did less than desirable with a 74% (though I need an 80% in the class to pass). I was not worried because I blamed it on the fact that I didn't study much because I enjoyed time with my parents.
Today I had a midterm in my CNS role integration class. I studied for it and felt pretty good about the content. I took the exam, and like the other, got a 74%. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it, especially because I didn't know the answer to 4 questions (obviously I didn't for 13).
This is a bummer! I have never even come CLOSE to not passing. I rarely ever got a C on an exam, let alone 2 within a week of each other. I have to get a B in the class to pass (yay for grad school), but I should be okay, right? For now I won't worry about it, but I have to get my head out of the clouds or something.
Today I had a midterm in my CNS role integration class. I studied for it and felt pretty good about the content. I took the exam, and like the other, got a 74%. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it, especially because I didn't know the answer to 4 questions (obviously I didn't for 13).
This is a bummer! I have never even come CLOSE to not passing. I rarely ever got a C on an exam, let alone 2 within a week of each other. I have to get a B in the class to pass (yay for grad school), but I should be okay, right? For now I won't worry about it, but I have to get my head out of the clouds or something.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
health policy
I have to say that I have had a very productive weekend. I am not a procrastinator, but if I'm overwhelmed with something, I do tend to put it off. Because of my parents' visit, I had some work that piled up and I got it all done except my health policy paper. I wrote most of it yesterday and have to finish the draft today to add to it. It is suppose to be 8 pages (not bad, right?), but I only have around 4-5.
I barely have any VALUABLE resources for this paper and it is so boring and uninteresting that it is hard to make it good. I am very interested in the shortage of nursing faculty, but the political details behind it are not so interesting to me. We are suppose to guess when it will be voted on in the house and senate (and committee), but how am I to even make an educated guess on that? Yes, my paper sucks...but I will pass the class, no?
Good news: I cannot stress enough that I caught up on all my other work! Thank you God! It is in the 80s, so our apt is warming up a tad. I still wear sweaters and my jacket. Dan's parents are going to visit next week. We'll see them then and in June and then who knows when...maybe in Angola.
I barely have any VALUABLE resources for this paper and it is so boring and uninteresting that it is hard to make it good. I am very interested in the shortage of nursing faculty, but the political details behind it are not so interesting to me. We are suppose to guess when it will be voted on in the house and senate (and committee), but how am I to even make an educated guess on that? Yes, my paper sucks...but I will pass the class, no?
Good news: I cannot stress enough that I caught up on all my other work! Thank you God! It is in the 80s, so our apt is warming up a tad. I still wear sweaters and my jacket. Dan's parents are going to visit next week. We'll see them then and in June and then who knows when...maybe in Angola.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Recap
I only have a few minutes to write because I am of course behind in my school work from my parents' visit.
Dan and I picked up the car on April 18th and drove to Portugal. My parents were to leave on Sunday the 19th, but got sent home due to weather in Chicago. I will not complain, but I am very unhappy with United Airlines for not rerouting my parents. They came back to Wausau airport on Monday they 20 and got to O'Hare in Chicago. There flight was delayed for 6 hours upon their already 6 hour lay over. They made it to Newark, but missed their Portugal flight. They had to pay for their own hotel...annoying.
They arrived on the 22nd, two days late, but after that...everything went well!
We enjoyed breakfast in Portugal, took our time getting to Spain...seeing a castle and drinking more coffee. My parents were so tired! We got to Spain and showed them a couple sites. They slept till 1 the next morning.
We saw Merida in 2 days and headed back to Lisbon on Friday night for some good Portuguese food! We enjoyed the beach (though it was freezing), saw all of Lisbon and Belem, ate lots of seafood and fish, and enjoyed our time together.
My parents left on the 29th and it overlapped with Dan's parents arriving from the States, so we all had coffee together. We spent the day with Dan's parents and then took them to the airport at 6 am yesterday so they could catch a flight to a conference. We were so tired that we came back and slept, drank our last Portuguese coffee, then headed to Spain.
Dan showed me the warehouse that he works in, but I had to get back for an exam. I took the exam and finished another assignment and we headed to eat Mexican food. It was actually good! I cannot wait to eat Chipotle or El Mezcal when we get back!!!
I now have 3 papers, a discussion board, and a midterm all due by Wed or Thur this week, so I will stop writing now.
Dan and I picked up the car on April 18th and drove to Portugal. My parents were to leave on Sunday the 19th, but got sent home due to weather in Chicago. I will not complain, but I am very unhappy with United Airlines for not rerouting my parents. They came back to Wausau airport on Monday they 20 and got to O'Hare in Chicago. There flight was delayed for 6 hours upon their already 6 hour lay over. They made it to Newark, but missed their Portugal flight. They had to pay for their own hotel...annoying.
They arrived on the 22nd, two days late, but after that...everything went well!
We enjoyed breakfast in Portugal, took our time getting to Spain...seeing a castle and drinking more coffee. My parents were so tired! We got to Spain and showed them a couple sites. They slept till 1 the next morning.
We saw Merida in 2 days and headed back to Lisbon on Friday night for some good Portuguese food! We enjoyed the beach (though it was freezing), saw all of Lisbon and Belem, ate lots of seafood and fish, and enjoyed our time together.
My parents left on the 29th and it overlapped with Dan's parents arriving from the States, so we all had coffee together. We spent the day with Dan's parents and then took them to the airport at 6 am yesterday so they could catch a flight to a conference. We were so tired that we came back and slept, drank our last Portuguese coffee, then headed to Spain.
Dan showed me the warehouse that he works in, but I had to get back for an exam. I took the exam and finished another assignment and we headed to eat Mexican food. It was actually good! I cannot wait to eat Chipotle or El Mezcal when we get back!!!
I now have 3 papers, a discussion board, and a midterm all due by Wed or Thur this week, so I will stop writing now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
