"we won't break, we won't die. It's just a moment of change"

So since my last post much has changed. I moved into my very own piso(apartment) last sunday. I love it so far. It is very spacious and home-y. I went to church again on Sunday with some of the students in my program. I, along with those who came with me, are very grateful to Pastor Larry for having found this church for us. We are blessed to have found a place we hope to call home very soon:)

So on saturday my friend Andrea and I joined a friend to the Sierra Nevada's for what I though was going to be a nice stroll... apparently very few people know that the spanish word for "hike" is NOT "caminar" it is actually referred to as "senderismo"... that said when I was asked "quieres ir a caminar a la Sierra?" I was like YEAH! Unfortunately as soon as I showed up with nothing but a small cardigan, toms, jeans, and a small purse the guys just laughed assuming I thought I was too good for hiking gear. Sadly, my lack of preparation served as a set back when we got to the top and realized it was far too cold for me and the other girls there to continue any higher(apparently I wasn't the only ill-informed one). WELL, the bus only goes up there at 10am, 5pm, and 11pm so us girls had to wait for 5pm to roll around to catch the next bus down. Seeing there was very little to do on top of a freezing cold mountain, we decided to walk down to the nearest city which was about an hour walk. When we got to the down, I felt we were in a tacky horror film like Wax Museum or something. It was a rather large town that is normally heavily transited during the snow season, however, seeing we were there during the summer it was completely desolate. FORTUNATELY, there were a few places open for business despite the lack of customers but seeing we would be there for several hours, we tried to visit every single open one. Long day short, we waited there for our friend to meet up with us once he was done hiking but he was able to hitch a ride back to granada completely leaving us girls in the mountain waiting for the bus that we weren't even sure would pass by where we were. Not a happy experience. SO I hope to be able to go back to the Sierra Nevada's well equipped and fully aware that I will be going for "senderismo" and NOT a "caminada".

That experience behind me I would like to go back to church on sunday and how wonderful it was. It really reminded me of the church I grew up at. The way they ran the services and the music made me feel like I was at church with my family 10 years ago. Such a beautiful feeling knowing that no matter how far I am from my family and my church family we are all praising God from where we are. The friends that went with me really enjoyed it and I was very grateful for the message preached. Considering the church is in need of a pastor, a guest preacher gave the message and it was a very different take on the story of the prodigal son, or as he renamed the parable of the father that ran. Such a beautiful message<3 He focused on the fact that the younger son wanted freedom so he asked for his share of inheritance(this being before his father had eve kicked the bucket, rude!) after using up all his  money the son returns home in hopes to work for his father, but his father standing, waiting for him sees him coming from a distance and runs to him. The fact that he ran to him means a ton considering that this man had to lift up his long dress-like clothes(which men of high status did NOT do) in order to run to him. Moreover, it was custom for people that had denounced their family to have to publicly plea themselves back in and usually it entailed that person walking through a bunch of people throwing stones at them. However, the father waited for him to return so he could save him from that. The father was the first to see him of all the people in the city. The thing about the parables found in the bible is that they all serve to illustrate the love God, the father has for us. The fact that he saw our sin and still ran to us, meeting us exactly where we were to save us from the judgement we deserve not asking questions simply happy that we have returned to him, is the most lovely thought. God has seen me, loved me, saved me, held me, lead me, cared for me despite my short comings. I have hope in the things God has in store for me wherever I am. Thank God for that sermon that served as a reminder of the love of the Father<3
After church we went out to eat with a group of the younger members and that was a blast! The food was both yummy and cheap which is a great thing for hose of us on tight budgets:-D
Sunday night I took the liberty to move my stuff from the hotel to my piso with the help of my dearest friend Vicky:) It was quite a walk and I had so much stuff. Thankfully, the main street we live off of is very smooth compared to the cobblestone roads that make up the majority of the streets here in Granada.
While I have saved this for last, it is rather important. I started class on FRIDAY! Last friday. So far I only have 1 class up until October when we start the official term. As of right now I am in a summer program that serves as language preparatory. The two professors I have are wonderful:)
At this point it has been about 2 weeks and I have learned SO MUCH!!!!
So I get to my favorite part of my blog, things I have learned:)
41. If you go to the same place enough times, the owners learn your name:) it is the only way to become a regular anywhere. That said, I love Jamel and Carmen, the owners of mil y una noche<3
42. while 8 centimos a text may not sound like much it translates to a ton of money if you continue to text.
43. Peanut butter is a God send
44. You don't realize how much you love hot sauce until you are in a place that doesn't have any
45. Like I mentioned the word for hike is "senderismo" NOT "caminar" I would like you ALL to remember that. thank you
46. It may be warm in the city, but not so much in the mountains.
47. Learn to always be prepared.
48. There are a ton of asians in Spain and a ton of stores that spaniards refer to as "la tienda de chino". Apparently no matter where you are, people that speak spanish always assume asians are chinese!
49. NOT all asians are chinese.
50. Grocery stores close at 9ish
51. Don Simón es muy awesome:)
52. These Spaniards make ham flavored EVERYTHING, it's so gross!!!
53. You are not allowed to procrastinate doing laundry in a country that doesn't use dryers:(
54. Just cus your piso came with an oven does not mean it is functional:(
55. A good reputation is difficult to maintain, easy to destroy.
56. The best thing to do is surround yourself with good friends that always have your back
57. I still miss my bestie Nat:(
58. I know this blog is technically a "year without starbucks" but I really don't miss it anymore as long as I have my café con leche. Who would have known I would love espresso as much as do.
59. I love espresso
60. It is legal to smoke pot in Spain, but totally illegal to pass the joint over to someone else. That is considered "trafficking"... Ridiculous.
61. I miss YOADS
62. Worship night will still go on without me and I take joy in knowing that while I sleep, there will be beautiful music playing in Brea, CA that praises the very same God that made it possible for me to be here in Granada.
63. Germany does not have attendance policies with consequences. So if you get to class late they don't care much... DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY DETENTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME?!?( then again Germans are known for their punctuality but still!)
64. I may leave home but music follows me wherever I go:)
65.Water is good for you...

until later friends!
PS some of you have asked for my address, please make sure to put ATTN. Felicia Melara on it and send it to:
Centro de Lenguas Modernas
Placeta del Hospicio Viejo s/n
18009 Granada
ESPAÑA