I’ve been here in Spain for two months now! Two months! WOW!
I have so much enjoyed my time here and I don’t want it to end, but I’ll admit,
I miss home and I’m ready to be there, but I know I will never have this
opportunity again, so I’m trying not to wish it away.
This past week was my last week of school before our break!
WE DON’T HAVE ANY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK! Woot Woot! This past week was pretty normal
and chill. I didn’t have much homework, thank goodness! Tuesday afternoon I
worked tutoring two little girls in English; very tricky. Wednesday after
classes our school had an early Halloween party and I dressed up as a CRIME
MAKER, AKA “burglar,” but because I’m Michaela and I couldn’t think of the work
for criminal/burglar in English I kept saying Crime Maker! I think I like that
title better anyways :) Wednesday afternoon, I helped lead worship night at
school. Thursday night we went out for Pizza at Domino’s and for ice cream with
our mami. Delicious! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had Domino’s pizza before
coming here to Spain. Ironic huh? Friday: last day of classes! And the day that
practically everyone in my school and even my teachers left to travel other
parts of Europe.
We have this week off and I’ve heard that it’s because our
profs want to give us time to travel the world without having to miss 500 days
of school. I’ll admit I’m completely jealous of all my friends who are
currently traveling in Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and other countries around
Spain. I decided to stay in Sevilla for a few reasons; I’m saving money, I’m
going to Ecuador at the end of this semester, so I couldn’t necessarily justify
going on a $300-$500 trip to Ireland, even though that’s all I wanted to do
here in Spain. I’m also spending the week exploring this beautiful city I live
in, spending more time with my host mom and sister, learning to cook
traditional Spanish meals (like my favorite, Tortilla de Patatas), and spending
time with the four other people who decided to stay here. I know now is the
time to do the world traveling that I want because I’m here and I’m single and
not tied down, but honestly, I have my entire life to travel! I’d love to
travel with my husband and family and friends! I have (hopefully) 80 more years
for traveling! And if not, heaven is 1,000 times better.
I want to talk a little bit about being content where we
are.
My current situation; although I would rather be traveling
Europe, I am happy staying here in Sevilla. This city has so much to offer! And
a lot of it is free thank goodness. Yesterday my friend and I spent the
afternoon exploring parts of Sevilla that we’ve never seen or only seen once or
twice. It was wonderful! We had no agenda (other than to eat ice cream), we had
no time frame, we walked aimlessly throughout the small streets, took the time
to snap pictures of things we walk past every day, we even people watched! (I
was thinking of you mom.) It was nice. I have plans to visit (FREE) museums,
parks, and even go to the zoo one day! I’m excited to know the city I live in
better. I may rather be traveling, but for now, I’m content being where I’m at
right here in Sevilla.
If you would have asked me a year ago if I was glad to be
single I would have laughed in your face. I went through a break-up, and as
much as I played it cool and didn’t care, I cared. A lot. It sucked! It still
sucks! All my friends kept telling me there are many fish left, it was his loss,
you’re going to enjoy being single and I honestly just wanted to tell them all
to shut up and that they didn’t understand what I was going through.
Now if you’d ask me if I’m glad I am still single, I wouldn’t laugh, but I still
wouldn’t say “oh yes, I’m ecstatic”. But being single can be a great thing. I
honestly probably wouldn’t be here in Spain if I was still in that
relationship. I wouldn’t have some of the friends I have today. I probably
wouldn’t be as close to my parents as I am now.
I’m 20, I’m single, two of my friends just got engaged, and all but one of my
friends are dating the people they will most likely marry. That sucks. Don’t
get me wrong, I am so overjoyed for them! Seriously guys I’m so happy for you!
They’ve found their person, the one they love and will marry and that brings me
so much joy.
I’m 20 and I’m single. My mom was married for two years at my age. I feel the
pressure! But over the past year, even the past six months, I’ve learned to be
content with being single. Enjoying my time to be myself, to spend as much time
with my friends and family as I want, to focus on my relationship with God
rather than a guy. Yes, I desire to be married and have kids someday (hopefully
not too far away). But for now, I’m content being where I’m at in this stage of
singleness.
Two years ago I was in my first semester of freshman year at
Grace College; my home away from home. I had never been so happy than I was at
that school. My roommates instantly became my best friends. My friends were my
family. My team was always there for me. The campus was beautiful. The town was
perfect and quaint. However, two years ago, when I went home for fall break I decided
that I was going to change schools and move back home all to save some money. I
hated the decision I made and even today I wish I could go back and decide to
stay at Grace. Leaving my home away from home was the hardest thing I’ve ever
had to do. I miss it so much. I miss my friends, my team, my small town of
Winona lake. Even now it makes me tear up. Miss you cuties :)
But God has a plan, right? He brought me to Cornerstone for a reason. I met
some amazing friends, I live at home with my awesome family, I met a lady who
has changed my life, I had an amazing volleyball team, I learned how to adapt
and step out of my comfort zone, I’m here in Spain! I have resented my time at
Cornerstone, but for now I’m content being where I’m at in a new and different school.
I’m a college student; that almost automatically implies
that money has, is, and will always be an issue. I’m a huge worrier. The “what-ifs”
in life constantly consume my thoughts. What if I can’t pay for college? What
if I don’t graduate? What if I don’t get a stable job? What if I don’t get
married? What if I can’t have kids? What if my parents die? What if…? God has
taught me so much patience and trust in the past six months. I had no idea how I
was going to pay for this semester in Spain, and I still don’t really know how I’m
going to. But I know God does and I know He will help me every step of the way.
I work in a nursing home, I love my job, my coworkers, my residents, but I don’t
like the pay so much. Money, why do you exist? Yeah, I don’t know either. But
for now, I’m content being where I’m at with my financial situation.
Like I said in a blog a few weeks ago, joy is not dependent
on our circumstances it is dependent on our attitude about our circumstances.
Don’t just be content. Be overjoyed.
Thanks for reading my blog! I love you and I’ll see y’all
soon!
