Mmm Valeeeeee... My first look at mountains!

This past weekend was WONDERFUL.

Absolutely TERRIFIC company. Breath-taking countryside. 

Sheep(s?). Nuns. Comida. My own bathroom. 

Squid in their ink...

Oh wait, that was the part of the trip that almost made me vomit.

But aside from that experience, I am EXTREMELY proud to say I ventured out of my digestive system's comfort zone and attempted to eat a squid in su tinta (ink).

Result?... It's not for me.

Due to the fact that I felt pretty terrible for leaving 12 baby squids wallowing in their own ink, I decided that I was going to slip (literally) a few in my napkin so I didn't offend the adorable nuns in the kitchen.

While this usually works in my piso 

(durante noches con conejo (rabbit) y gulas (eels)...and sometimes spinach!)

I came to QUICKLY realize that this would not fly in the retreat center.

Why, might you ask?

Because after each meal, 

we were to safely tuck our napkins into small cubbies to recollect and reuse before each meal. 

Imagine for one minute: The stench that would emanate from that cubby if I had placed numerous inked squid in my napkin for 3 days.

I thought I could maybe just throw my napkin away but those of you who went to Rosary conmigo know that you do NOT disobey a short, confident nun. 

(i.e. Sr. Patricia)

So instead, I sent the poor squidwards back to the kitchen. (Lo siento monjas.)

After many "St. Ignatius" house visits, jumpy pics, and copious amounts of fruit (11 pieces in one day to be exact), the group ended up at a basilica RIGHT next to the retreat center that I had managed to go two full days without even noticing.

God works in mysterious ways.

Here, I witnessed maybe the most breath-taking experience 

I have encounted throughout my two months in Spain.

A nighttime tour of the basilica.

I know you are thinking, "So...That's it?"

And that is what I was thinking too when we first entered! 

However, as we sat in silence, the church was filled with music, and synced to this music, the lights

began to fill the church and illuminate the walls. Words cannot even attempt to describe this experience.

We proceeded to climb up a TINY hole to the tiers of the basilica! (Photos below)

Also, I have met the coolest priest...ever. (Photos below as well).
Fr. Hung, the first night we conversed, explained how we should get a
large group of people together in May to go and see "Hangover 2".
Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.
Tomorrow, I'm going to email him about cards and pizza night. Too excited.

This weekend, staring at the mountains,
feeling as though I had hopped right into The Sound of Music (maybe the HD version),

I realized how completely blessed I am:
I have absolutely irreplaceable friends.
A terrific and supportive family, including parents that visit in LESS THAN ONE MONTH!
And not to mention, I am in Spain.

I would LOVE to continue babbling away,
but I need to upload these delightful pictures, and finish my homework!
(Yes... I have to do homework here, too!)

Buenas noches xox

Jumpy pic!

The Retreat Center

“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.”

Horse-y picture for my little horseback riders!

Phi Bears in X's Castle

...The Sound of Music...Spain-style

"Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown."

The Basilica

"Surround yourself with people you love being yourself with."

"...but lonely is a freedom that breaths easy and weightless and lonely is healing if you make it."

Reenactment of Holy Angels class photos.

"There's nothing like the deep breaths after laughing that hard.
Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons"

Friends will keep you sane

Fr. Hung

The Secret Garden

I wish my twins were here!

Walking up hillside to greet sheep!