Can you feel the love tonight...

First of all, I am sorry it's taken this long to write. I wasn't aware that people were tuning in regularly and upset that I haven't posted. I'll try not to be such a slacker  =)

A lot has happened since the last post. I don't even know where to begin...

 oooooo Let's talk about love....... it's all we're
needin'!!! (Sorry Celine Dion moment.)

But seriously, Love has been very present this last week. (And I'm not talking about the PDA level in Spain. That's everyday). We went Sunday to the Prado Museum with some friends and then walked around for awhile. We walked to Plaza Mayor, a place we have visted many times before, but this was the first time I noticed the "love locks".

Surrounding the King Philips III statue were these love locks. Every lock had hearts, dates, names, etc. professing their love. Usually I would wrinkle my nose and snub this ridiculousness. However I really liked these locks (weird I know). Maybe it's because I'm in Spain, but I really like the symbolism behind the padlock and that love can be real.

Monday I decided to shave my legs. I only tell you this because everytime I shave something exciting comes in the mail. Monday I got this...

I looked like a kid on christmas morning. Peanut butter (Crunchy and Creamy), Cheetos, girl scout cookies, reeses, sour patch kids, butterfingers, snickers, twix, crunch, milkyway, M&Ms, Airheads, AHH!! (And I thought the nutella was going to make me gain weight...ptshh.) You girls really know how to pull at my heart strings.

Had to hurry and finish getting ready because Meredith had some friends coming to Madrid. We had a lot of errands to get done before we picked them up. So I ran up stairs and the phone rings, again. Ran downstairs and there is another package for me! Say what?!

Not only do I love singing/talking cards, but I LOVE HUGE singing/talking cards with pictures of my best friends hidden inside.

Who knew a monday could be such a great day. I have been a little stressed out lately or "in the middle of a big stress sandwich", but receiving all of this from the people I love back home felt really good. I also have received numerous messages on facebook, emails, and texts that make my heart smile. God has blessed me with his love and some pretty amazing people. My amazing roommate being one of those people. (Who knew you had to go to Spain to find such a great person) Whatever is headed my way God has a plan and I can't wait. It may not be in graduate school immediately when I return. I might have to wait a little longer but that's ok.

After my Christmas in March we ran some our errands and picked up Merediths friend and his sister. What a great time. I hope they had as much fun as we did. "oh yeah, Madrid, oh yeeeeeahh!", seemed to be the quote for the past few days. I really wish we could of toured the Santiago bernabeu Stadium, but there was a game wednesday. I think Sr. Plemons would of liked it. Meredith has some of the coolest friends. Most of her friendships started in the sixth grade! I think that's so awesome. Listening to all of their stories made me want to contact all of my old friends. Sadly, most of my middle school friendships dissolved after I transferred high schools. But I can't complain, I've got a pretty good wolf pack now. I miss my bii-ahhs and the crew daily.

Upcoming events and things you can look forward to reading about...

• Bullfights
• Toledo
• Barcelona
• Adele Concert
• Brother's wedding
• Peanut butter cookies
• No-bake cookies
• More traveling
• More recipes with peanut butter
• Increase of weight gain
• Roller skating in Retiro
• More Museums
• Istanbul Turkey

So many things coming up. It's going to be good.

Shout out to Bailey, Jordi, Rachel, Paisley, & Danielle! You are all so awesome. Thank you so much. Love you all.

Feeling God's love,

Kimee Paige

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Lately...

Here's the skinny on my weekend.

Friday: I was very discouraged, yes.

I'm taking a new direction on life, but I'm still unsure which direction that is. You see, I recieved my first rejection e-mail from one of the Graduate schools that I applied to. This sucks. I already had to postpone graduate school by a year; due to the fact that one class was not available last spring. However not graduating on time gave me the oppotunity to study abroad this semester. Part of God's plan, I think so.

BUT now... I finished my hours in december, applied to graduate school and was shut down by one already. What if all three turn me down?! Another part of God's plan, I think so. Exactly where is he trying to take me? I don't know. Maybe I'll join operation smile, stay here in Spain and teach english, become the 30 year old that lives at home with mom & dad...who knows!? The possibilities are endless. One thing is for certain, I will not be returning to my old job. Recent advise from family members is to "let God guide my feet." But you "can't ask God to guide your footsteps, if your not willing to move your feet." So which way do you I move my feet?

Saturday: The sun was shining and it was a new day.

There is no time to be upset in Spain when there is so much to do, especially on sun days like this. The weather forecast said it was going to snow, but it didn't.

Reminds me of the weathermen  back home. Always wrong but oddly enough you knew how to interpret their forecasts. Slight snow means a blizzard, partly cloudy means recorder breaking heat with not a cloud in the sky. Ahhh, home. <3

We jumped at the weatherman's mistake and went to the Grand Parade with some other students studying abroad in Spain. The parade was fun, but short. It is not a typical parade like back home. With pretty floats and people throwing candy. However there was alot of different and interesting things.

Here's a little video of what I saw.

After the parade we all went out for dinner and a couple of drinks.

Sunday: Woke up and headed to Segovia.

It was B-E-A-utiful! I haven't not painted in a long, long, long time, but looking at the scenery in this town made me want to paint again.

This is my favorite picture from Sunday. Doesn't it look like it belongs on a puzzle or something?

I don't know why, but I like this one too.

The main attractions of Segovia are...

Roman Aqueduct in Segovia.

The Segovia Cathedral was the last Gothic Cathedral built in Spain. It is also known as "The Lady of Cathedrals".

The Alcázar palace.

Segovia trip:

I can't wait for more trips like Segovia! There is so much to do in Spain, it's insanely awesome.

Monday was back to the books. I'm enjoying my grammar short course. Its the only class I feel like I can understand the teacher and follow along.

I know some of you are concerned because an American boy recently went missing in Madrid. I just want you to know I am aware and being very safe. Only travel in packs, never alone.

My prayers go out to his family and for his safe return.

Well I think that's enough for today.

Inspired to paint again,

Kimee paige

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

 - Unknown

Blackout.

My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing, and my vision is getting blurry. I feel like my mind is shutting down. I'm lost, confused, and trying to comprehend what is happening. "Kemburrrly, Kemburrrly.... Entiendes?", calls my professor.

Quick say something, anything! You can do this brain just think. Nothing. I got nothing. Okay breath, calm down, think...I've got it! So I kick back to reality and open my mouth to answer, but the professor has given up and moved on....ugh.

In every class all I do is sit there, listen, and pray that I am invisible. Where is that dang invisibility cloak when you need it, huh?

Classes are so hard, but on the up side my spanish IS, in fact, getting better. Except for the few times I am called on in class, that's when I blackout and my mind draws a blank. Not only do I have trouble thinking of an answer in spanish; I can't even come up with a witty answer in english! I get so nervous. I hate it. All i can think about now is the students that are studying abroad at OSU. I have put myself in their shoes and I now understand how completely vulnerable they are.

This is where I spend all day being utterly lost and confused.

I'm constantly trying to improve though. I study every morning and every night. Listening to one lecture over again twice and scribbling in a notebook vocabulary I don't understand. No one said this was easy...Gosh they were right. Looking back I took all of my classes as OSU for granted. Complaining and whining about things I understood, but was to lazy to comprehend. It was so much easier and all I did was whine because I wanted to be out with my friends instead. Now I'm in this amazing place and all I do is study! haha. Funny how that works.

I'm meeting new people everyday. The number one question here is, "how many languages do you speak?"...my not so impressive answer, "one and a half?!" I'm so jealous of these other students. Most speak at a minimum three languages. Yes, three! For some it's more then that. Why do the American school systems have to be uncultured and cheap!? Could you imagine if our country integrated different languages from the start of kindergarten. Americans think we're powerful, but imagine if only we were a little more well rounded. We could accomplish so much! I hate answering that dreaded question. It makes me feel so small, smaller then I already am, and uneducated. If languages were a sport and Spain was a playground, I definitely would be the last kid picked. The loser, bench warmer, waterboy (girl in my case), the poor kid that's shagging the soccer balls for the team. Yup, that's me.

It's a struggle not to feel incompetent compared to all of these other students. I just have to keep reminding myself I will come out on top, eventually. Patience is a virtue?...I'm still not so sure. haha.

Trying to play along with the big kids in Spain,

Kimee Paige

Here is my attempt at a Vlog. I don't know which is worse, my writing or a vlog haha.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

El Escorial!

8:40 am (early for a saturday) got up and jumped on a bus to San Lorenzo to see El Escorial. San Lorenzo is about an hour bus ride from Madrid. To be honest I had never heard of El Escorial until Meredith mentioned going to visit there. I love that Rick Steves' is her bible because she knows exactly where to visit! I'm much to tired to come up with anything quirky tonight. So instead I'm going to share with you the short video clips and pictures I took from today.

Video and photography were not allowed inside El Escorial. Sad day....

The history behind El Escorial is impressive. I wish I could of taken photos of everything I saw. Since I couldn't (and wanted to share) I knew who would have everything I didn't....Rick, Rick Steves'! He really is awesome. Here is his video on El Escorial which is much more impressive then mine. However he (Rick) does not sing beauty and the beast, top that RICK! haha

The royal tombs are housed in El Escorial and there is even a rotting room!

Here is another video on the royal tombs, paintings, etc that are housed here.

Okay that is all I have from today.

And to catch you up from the last blog. The milk doesn't taste bad, just different. But if you use the milk for chocolate nutella filled cereal you can't taste a difference at all!

Traveling Spain,

Kimee Paige

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have."

-Unknown

Milk, Peanut butter, Brownie Mix, Laundry, etc, etc.

The weather here reminds me a lot of Oklahoma, except maybe not quite as extreme. 

This is the view from my balcony.

One minute it is warm and the sun is out; the next minute it's cold and rainy. Hey at least there hasn't been any snow! I do miss thunder and lightning....When it rains here it is just rain. I have yet to hear a thunderous crackle from the sky or see an electric beam of light shoot out from a cloud. I miss it.

Amoung other things I miss [slash] trying to get use to....Milk, Peanut Butter, Brownie Mix, PDA, Movie Theaters, Siestas, and laundry. Let me elaborate.

Milk: We had the hardest time finding milk in the supermarket. Naturally you walk to the refrigerated area to search for milk, right? Well that is not the case here, except for in a few stores. Milk is not refrigerated! We were very sceptical to purchase milk that shared a shelf with bread and toilet paper. Our initial thought was milk HAS to be refrigerated! Otherwise wouldn't it spoil? Well I did some research online and apparently their milk is ultra-pasteurized causing it to have a longer shelf life. We "cowboy upped" and bought a liter of milk that was on a shelf today. I'll let you know if it tastes any different. Definitely something I will have to get use to.

Peanut Butter: Soooo hard to find! We have to make a special trip to the one store we have seen that sold it or dig in our pockets and purchase it at the Cake House.

Brownie Mix: We have recently become friends with the philopino women that run the Cake House. Their establishment is the ONLY place we have found a brownie mix box and honey mustard. Both were very expensive. Back home it's what 88 cents for a pillsbury brownie mix box? At the cake house it's 5 euros! I guess it is strategy if you think about. They are the Cake House. Why would they want to sell a box at 88 cents that would make a whole panful of brownies, when you could buy one brownie there for 1 euro.

PDA (Public Display of Affection): Call me conservative, innocent, prude or whatever... I just don't think this is something I will ever get use to! I wonder how many babies are named after the metro stop they were conceived at? Ok, I'm exaggerating. It isn't quite to that extreme. Still why can't people just wait until they get home and then get after it. I don't want to see you slobbering/sucking face all over eachother.

Movie theaters: The ticket stub for your movie tells you where to sit. We have been to the theater twice now and both times I don't think we sat in the right spot. Luckly the movie was not sold out. Otherwise we might of had a few anger spaniards telling us to get out of their seat. Pros to this system: They don't sell more tickets then seats. Ever had that happen to you? I have it was a terrible experience. Cons: Making people get up so that you can get to your seat with your hands full with popcorn and coke...and trying to find your seat in the dark is also a challenge.

Siestas: I think my dad would absolutely love it here for the sole fact that everything shuts down for a few hours at lunch. This is spanish "nap time". If you need to get your errands done around 2 to 4 (sometimes 6 depending on the place) then you can forget about it.

Laundry: Hanging your clothes out to dry is a chore. Mostly because we only brought a limited amount of clothing items for six months. It might not be as bad if I had my whole closet of things to wear, but when you've only have X amont of undies you have to think about the weather and how long things take to hang dry. Especially with the weather as rainy as it has been lately. Our clothes have been strung all throughout the apartment this week trying to get them to dry. I'd also like to add that underwear and jeans just doesn't wear the same when they have been hung out to dry...

Well that's all for now. I'm going to continue to look for classes to enroll in.

Later Gator,

Kimee Paige

Oh I almost forgot! The italian girl we couldn't find the first time we went to see a movie, went with us the second time. However this time instead of trying to meet at a certain point we met her at her metro stop and then went to the movie together.

Proof

Proof we also roller skated in the park!

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."

-Elbert Hubbard

Upset....

What do you do when you're upset? Eat? Cry? Yell? Vent to a friend/family member? etc...

There are many different outlets to releave stress and frustrations. For me, I like to go shopping and buy myself something pretty.

Yup, We bought Roller Skates! I have been so frustrated this week with trying to enroll that me and Meredith thought that roller skates were a good idea. We have seen numerous amounts of people roller blading/ skating in Retiro Park, so why can't we?

I felt like I had made progress by the end of this week trying to find classes. BUT! and there is always a but...

OSU has told me that I have to enroll in only classes within the spanish department here at UCM to receive finacial aid. (If you take class that are not needed for your degree they do not want to give you money, which is understandable. It helps prevent people from taking a bunch of silly classes). But I'm not trying to take classes I don't need! Example: I need spanish civilization credits for my major, I cannot go take a class in the History department about the history of spain for my civilization credits! Ahhh! Just when I thought I was getting things figured out. The hardest part is the Spanish department here consists of all literature courses. You might be wondering, Why not just enroll in all literature courses? You can do it!...Wrong. Every spanish literature class, here at least, want you to read 10 to 12 spanish books per class. I can't even read that much for one class in ENGLISH, let alone spanish. Plus, I swear, all of the professors in the spanish department talked like they had a mouthful of peanut butter. Very very very hard to understand them.

Failing is not in my vocabulary, it's not something I am very accepting of, nor is it what I want to do. But I have to keep reminding myself that all I can do is try. I'm going to record my lectures so hopefully that will help. So, do I go ahead and enroll in classes that I feel like will be challenging but I can pass and not receive finacial aid for? Or do I enroll in the classes I need for my major that require A LOT of reading and receive finacial aid from OSU but I will more then likely fail?

Either way I need to not worry. School is only but a small fraction of my study abroad experience.

Roller skating machine,

Kimee Paige

"Sometimes by being brave we can even surprise ourselves." -My Mom

Connected with the World.

We finally bought a go phone today. You'd think by now, with the rapid growth of technology, that a go phone would be the first generation iPhone. I mean those things are soooo out dated that they should be a go phone by now, right?! ha ha. But it's okay I'm not complaining, nor do I need/care about how "cool" my phone is or anything of that sort. Anybody want to make a bet on how many of these phones I go through? You know me, I drop them, misplace them with a dead battery which means I will never retrieve it again, or manage to throw it into the only puddle around. My bet for a 5 months stay... 3 phones. Hopefully not but who knows.

Classes...how are they going? Long, confusing, depressing, frightening...scratch that...terrifying...pick one that you desire. They all apply.

However, Today we went to a shakespeare lit. course. I know at first glance it seems like we're cheating BUT the professor teaches it IN spanish. Plus this particular professor was intelligible! This is a huge positive for me because so far the professors have sounded like an auctioneer speaking at about 300-400 wpm, and in a language that I am still trying to learn.Terrifying, I know. When we went to class there was a debate going on within a group of girls sitting a row in front of us. One girl thought that native english speakers, like me and meredith, should not be allowed in these types of classes, but another girl pointed out that it isn't any different then one of them attending a spanish literature course. Thank you! At least someone understands. If anything I think they still have the advantage because it's all being taught in their native tongue, no matter what class you take....even something as english as Shakespeare...it's still taught in Spanish. Which is a good thing because that's what I came here to do, to improve my spanish. I honestly don't care at this point what the topic of the class is, so long as the professor is intelligible and teaching the matter in spanish... then that's all I need.

Agenda for tomorrow. Attend as many classes as possible, again. A few on the list...a class on Velazquez, Picasso, Geography of Spain, Museology, and a few others.

Keeping you posted,

Kimee Paige

P.s.- Hangout was a failure. The weather has been terribly rainy and we hadn't bought cell phones yet, and had no idea where the meet up was....needless to say we didn't make it. But now that we have our fancy phones, I'm sure meeting up with people will be easier. How did anyone ever have friends before cell phones?

P.p.s- I sent out some post cards today! YAY! If you would like to recieve a post card/letter/drawing or any other random assorted things I can think of sending, then please facebook or e-mail me your address.

"Learn a new language and get a new soul"  ~Czech Proverb