Busiest I've Ever Been!!

So...I know it's been a while since my last post, but as the title "suggests," I've never been this busy before in my life! Here's a brief recap of the past month or so:

I went to Mexico for a week for a mission trip, and it was incredible! I've applied for an internship there this summer, and I'm really praying that I'll get it. I love being able to use my Spanish in those types of situations. Most of the time I feel really inadequate when I speak Spanish, but when people can't understand each other without me, it makes me feel like maybe I can speak Spanish better than I thought.

I turned 22...yeah, I'm getting old. I know in the grand scheme of life I'm pretty young, but I just can't believe that I'm 22. The decisions I have to make in the next year are pretty big ones and pretty scary ones. I just hope I have the discernment to make the right decisions. Hopefully everything works out alright.

I'll be leaving for Spain in less than a month! I'm really excited about this because I've never been to Europe. It's going to be a very busy 9 days there, but I can't wait for the break from school!

Speaking of school...I pretty much hate it right now. I'm only taking 13 hours, so I thought it wouldn't be that bad. Boy, was I wrong. German is killing me because I can't remember any of the German I took over a year ago, and the history class I have, in which I have to write a 20-page paper, requires me to read several books. The one I'm currently reading deals with the views of ancient Jews in relation to Black people. ???? Is that seriously going to have anything to do with my life in the future? I seriously doubt it. So...I'm just trying to make it through this semester. Hopefully I'll be somewhat sane at the end of it.

School, studying, and work are basically my life. I have taken up yoga two times a week in an effort to destress, but thus far, I've just been really sore.

Hope all is well for everyone else out there! I'll try to blog again after I get back from Spain.

Besos y abrazos,
Amelia

The Stuff of Life

Well, I finished out the semester with pretty decent grades and a sane mind, although it was questionable towards the end. I've officially finished my first semester back from Costa Rica, and let me tell you, I really was on vacation while I was down there. It was incredibly difficult to get back into the swing of a university in the United States. Hopefully I'm prepared for next semester now.

I'm currently doing a lot of relaxing, working, sleeping, music playing, and more relaxing...yep, that's the stuff of life. I've played two gigs during this Christmas season and paying gigs at that! It was pretty exciting. I have a band again that consists of me on guitar/piano/singing, a bassist, and a drummer. Our name at the moment is The Monotones, but who knows when that'll change, lol. When I'm not playing music, I'm a-working. I got a job at a local coffee shop about 5 minutes from my apartment, and it's pretty awesome. It should be a good one for a while.

I'm also preparing for the mission trip I'll be leaving for in about 2 weeks or so. I'm really excited, and a little scared at the same time. I've never been on a mission trip, so I'm not 100% sure what to expect. Say a prayer that all goes well if you think about it. I think it will go well, and I'm excited to be able to use Spanish again. I miss hearing those native speakers...

Well, that's just a little update for all of you out there still reading, lol! Hope all is well, and that everyone has an amazing Christmas! I'm still working on buying presents, lol...

Amor y paz,
Amelia

Planning...Traveling...

So, this has been a hectic week of even more decision-making. I had to register yesterday for my last Spring semester in my undergraduate career...yeah, a little scary. What's even scarier is that I'm fishing for classes to take, lol. I'm pretty much done with everything, but I don't feel like I'm ready to give my Senior Capstone for Spanish. (Basically just a huge presentation that takes the entire semester and is given completely in Spanish.) So, I'm waiting until next fall to graduate so I can study abroad again next summer.

Some exciting things happening next semester...

I've been accepted to go on a mission trip to Mexico the first week in January! We're going to be going to Reynosa, Mexico everyday and spending the night in Alamo, TX because it's too dangerous to stay in Mexico. I'm extremely excited to have been given this opportunity to help people and use my Spanish. I just know it's going to be awesome!

Over spring break, I will be traveling to Spain with one of the classes I'm taking! I am extremely excited about this also because I've never been to Europe! :-) The class is going to be difficult, to say the least, though. It's a senior seminar class in History focusing on the three major religions that had an influence on Spain: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. I will have to write a 20+ page paper over the course of the semester and read several books. I know, I know...it's ridiculous for me to take such a class when I'm only a History minor, but...all of my transportation, including airfare and trainfare, will be paid for! How can I pass up the chance to go to Spain for free! I think I can make myself write that paper...lol...

My tentative plan for next summer is to study abroad in Puebla, Mexico for 5 weeks in May and June, and then work. I may try to squeeze in the GRE somewhere in there, too...we'll just have to see. It's going to be a crazy semester, but I'm excited to do some traveling and take some fun classes.

Hope all is well for everyone out there! Happy early Thanksgiving! :-)

Paz,
Amelia