On My Way!

Yes, I am finally on my way!
Ladies and Gentlemen... after a loooong countdown of about two months, I'm finally in day 0... and when this post gets published, I'll be on the plane, too! ON MY WAY TO HOLLAND!
I would cherish your prayers for safety, again.
I make a solemn promise (because otherwise I know I won't get around to it) of publishing a couple of posts about Holland when I get back, and stay tuned on my Photo Blog, because there'll be lots of pictures over there! (Hopefully)
Ta-da,

Flying MoonShaw!

Hello...?

Dear everyone,

As you may know, I leave for Holland next Tuesday. For at least two weeks, I don't think I'll be blogging, other than by a scheduled post... or checking blogs.
I know I haven't been able to check blogs for some time, but I have a good reason. I've been getting ready for my trip to Holland, and that has taken up an enormous ammount of my time each day.
I've almost finished sewing my winter Dutch skirt, too, and if I can I'll post a pitcure of it tomorrow.
Please know that I am sorry that I haven't been around, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers!!
I would like you all to pray for me on Tuesday, for a safe trip to Holland. I really enjoyed traveling by plane when I was small, but that was a long time ago. So I don't know how I'll see it this time. I'm looking forward to it, but you know... just pray. ;)
Love,

MoonShaw

 P.S.: How do you like this picture?

There You'll Be - Pearl Harbor

When I think back on these times,
And the dreams we left behind,
I'll be glad cause I was blessed to get,
To have you in my life,
When I look back on these days,
I look and see your face,
You were right there for me.

In my dreams I've always seen you soar above the sky,
In my heart there'll always be a place for you,
For all my life,
I'll keep a part of you with me,
And everywhere I am there you'll be,
and everywhere I am there you'll be,

Well you showed me how it feels,
To feel the sky within my reach,
And I always will remember all,
The strength you gave to me,
Your love made me make it through,
Ohh I owe so much to you,
You were right there for me.

In my dreams I've always seen you soar above the sky,
In my heart there'll always be a place for you,
For all my life,
I'll keep a part of you with me,
And everywhere I am there you'll be,

Cause I always saw you in my life, my strength,
And I wanna thank you now for all the ways,
You were right there for me, you were right there for me
Always!!

In my dreams I've always seen you soar above the sky,
In my heart there'll always be a place for you,
For all my life,
I'll keep a part of you with me,
And everywhere I am there you'll be,
And everywhere I am there you'll be,
There You'll Be.

*********************************************

Ending song of the film Pearl Harbor. I enjoyed every minute of the film.

Whole Peek?

Want to see the rest of the pictures on this post?
Click HERE!

Small Peek...

...to what's coming!


Baby Lara and Baby Paul... =) Aren't they sweet! ♥

Feelin' Bad

Hello, everyone!
Listen, listen, listen! I feel SO bad because I haven't been on Blogger for such a long time, and I haven't commented or talked to any of you guys! Please forgive me, but I've been so busy. The happy week with my cousin turned out to be three weeks of helping and houseworking, and I'm only half through the second week! So I hope you understand, and I let you know that you are all on my mind and that I've often wished I could visit your blogs. I miss reading them so much!
But it's fun. I'm having the time of my life helping my cousin and cleaning, and it's fun to sing the babies to sleep! And play with Baby Lara. And read to both Lara and Baby Paul.
I hope I can post pictures of them soon, I've been able to take lots of cute photos of both of them, and my cousin tells me I can post them on my blog.
(Five minute interruption because Cousins Eli and Danny had to put Baby Lara to bed and I had to tend to Baby Paul. He's only a month and a half old, and he already knows how to smile!! He's spent the whole day smiling at me! My heart melts, really. He's the sweetest baby in the whole world, and such a good boy. He likes me to sing to him, and to dance with him, and he also likes me to caress his right cheek. That makes him smile a lot!! ^^)
So please know that you're all on my mind, and I pray for you all a lot! I miss you lots and lots, and I hope you understand!

Short Post, Anyone?

Because I've noticed that for the last few posts, they were quick scribbles done in a rush while I happened to be online. So, while I originally got online to update my Photo Blog (which I'll do as soon as I publish this post) and answer a very colourful e-mail (:P) (which I will before updating my Photo Blog), I will for a little bit put that aside and write an update on this blog... because more'n one have been askin' for it. ;)
As many of you may know, I had my first flute lesson yesterday in I-don't-know-how-long! Actually, I think I finally decided to drop it about February-March last school year, about nine months ago. I found myself so busy with school and studies I just didn't find time to practice, so I dropped lessons. A little bit later I kind of regretted it, because it was the only time in my busy week in which I could forget my studies, relax, and have a fun-hour with my awesome flute teacher.
But it worked out OK.
Then I dropped school this year because of my illness. In case you didn't know, here in Spain you finish High School at age 15, when you're a ninth grader in USA, I think, and you choose if you want to continue your education or not. I had chosen I wanted to, but after some happenings and my illness I decided that God didn't want me to study further for now, and I dropped it in middle October. I recovered, and when I started to get out of bed during the day, my mummy suggested I should take flute lessons again. I obviously said YESSSS! :D
My first lesson was yesterday. We had such a great time with my teacher! She is a dear and we have a lot of fun together. She makes music something enchanting, and even scales are interesting when I follow her indications. As you can see, I am very pleased to have the awesome teacher I have.
I will also be spending a great week with my beloved cousin and her babies. You HAFTA check out her blog, and see the beautiful family I'm going to visit next week! I am ever so excited at the prospect of spending such a long time with them! I've already met the new baby, Paul, once, and Baby Lara (Baby Lala, as she calls herself) a couple of times, but it was only for a day, and Baby Lara is already two years old! You can imagine my excitement.
Tomorrow is going to be a great day, too. I'm going to my oldest friend's birthday party with my brother. When I say my oldest friend's, I mean, my oldest friend. We know each other since I was born, even before! Let's say our families have been friends almost forever!
And okay, don't laugh at me. But ever since I bought the plane tickets to Holland I've been counting down the days, and since it's already Saturday (early in the morning :P), I only have to wait 38 DAYS!!! A month and a little bit more... and I'll tell you what... this month is going to fly by! I can't tell you how excited I am, and how impatient for the 29th of December to arrive! I know I'm going to be patient and I'll wait and get ready and blah, blah, blah... but you all know deep inside I'm so, SO impatient! I'm still a little girl in many ways. =P
And okay, I'll repeat, don't laugh at me. But since the day I bought the plane tickets to Holland I've started the preparations. Many lists of what-to-take-to-Holland and what-to-do-once-there (ex.: buy postcards ;]) have been written down. I bought new material for my new winter skirt last week, and I'm hurrying up with my Mamma's winter scarf so I can start mine to take to Holland. In case you haven't been able to see... I-AM-SO-EXCITED-ABOUT-GOING-TO-HOLLAND! By the way... Sonia has a blog! Sonia's the actual why of why I'm going there... my best friend. ;) And although it's in Spanish and hasn't been updated for years, and you can take that literally, maybe you'd like to take a loot. Click HERE! :D
But normal life goes on, usually. I've taught an English lesson today... a Math lesson last Wednesday. I may be getting more pupils. Please pray that I may, because if I am ever going to visit USA or Africa or whatever other place I might be called to, it will be thanks to the money I earn with my teaching!
I think I've already written a lot. =P I hope I haven't bored you. =P=P And I hope you won't throw the poor computer out of the window because of me. =P=P=P I know there's something I'm forgetting to write about. =P=P=P=P But if I remember, I'll tell you whenever I remember, basically. =P=P=P=P=P.
Okay, enough of that. ;) Toodles for now! :D

P.S.: I am desperate for a little cold spell! It gets up to 20º C during the day, that's more or less 70ºF. Aaaaaaaagh!

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Go check it out! It's very pretty. =)

Mr. Owl

(O,O)
((__))
^^

P.S.: I'm going to my first flute lesson this year in about a couple of hours! Yay!!

Love. A Blessing

"Isn't it wonderful that God gives us hearts big enough to hold so much love?"

Elsie Dinsmore

Wooohoooo!!

I've had milk for my breakfast today!!

Note: for all of those who don't know what is so exciting about drinking milk, please check this post.^^

The Real Reason Of Why We Have Names

Characters:
L*: oldest sister, 20 years old and bright-eyed.
M!: youngest brother, 8 years old and with a wide grin.

Scene:
M! is proudly showing L* his new toys, thirty-six dinasours gathered in a circle on the floor of his bedroom.

L*: Oh, my! Aren't they cool! What are their names?
M!: Huh... I don't know. They don't have a name... *puzzled look*
L*: They don't have a name?! But then how can people call them to lunch? *Worried look*
M!: *Even more puzzled face*
L*: But you don't want them to starve...! Poor things. Imagine, thirty-six dinasours starved to death...!

Half-whispered note: this is based on reality... exactly my sister-and-brother's conversation five minutes ago.

Blastocystis Hominis

The Blastocystis Hominis is a single-celled parasite that attacks human's intestinal tract. The symptoms can be many, and varied, including fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea...
Eleven years ago, about two years after my brother was born, my Mother started having serious dygestion problems. She felt very ill whenever she ate certain things, and after a while, the doctors decided the problem was that she had a "lazy digestion".
She also noticed that whenever she ate milk or eggs, it made her feel even more worse, so she cut it out from her diet. After that, it seemed like she was getting better.
Five years ago, the symptoms came back and she started feeling ill again. Also, my sister appeared to have the same problem, and she, too, started to follow my Mother's diet.
At that time the doctors decided to try with Mamma a gastroscopy; they found an inflamation in her stomach, but said it was "nothing". A little later, she had a barium meal test, and nothing new was found.
By that time, they decided to cut out meat from their diet too. Then, three years ago, after severe ear infections, our uncle and her brother advised her to "give up calcium". That meant, besides milk and eggs and all that contained them, some vegetables, various meats (because of their many additives), all dried fruit, as well as some fresh fruit, citrics, and many, many other things. Mamma also started drinking special calcium-free water.
Till then, she'd visited 7 different digestion specialists, who all came to the conclusion that she needed a psychiatrist.
Then, it happened. A little more than two years ago, I started having stomach problems also, when I ate some things. I either doubled up with a terrible pain in my tummy, or I threw up what I had eaten. At first we were a little lost, but after some time, my Mother realised that I was having the same symptoms as she had. So it was decided that I was to follow the same diet, and eventually, I felt better.
This event also drove us to think that it might be something hereditary, because my Granny had, apparently, had the same problems we were having.
After cutting out the calcium in our diet, we started feeling better, but after a while, we got our problems again and got worse. Not even calcium free food felt better, and even drinking water hurt me.
At the beggining of last September, my Mummy made an apointment with a new digestion specialist from Argentina, who after a talk, decided to do a test for a parasite. He was specialised in tropical infections, and his very words were, "This sounds so much like a parasite!" So once the tests were done, we had to wait a month for the results. To me, it felt like an endless wait.
But the day came, and after a very bad day at school, I went home to a hurrying Mummy, who said, "Hurry up and eat your lunch, dear. I have to go to the hospital for the test results!"
Mamma went on her own, and I went to my homework. But when she came back, you can believe me when I say I rushed down the stairs and almost shouted, "So what did he say?¿?"
Mamma hugged me and said, "We're going to get better! We have a parasite!"
And we started to cry. What a great answer to our prayers! Yes, I can say that this illness was hard for me, because I enjoyed eating all the things I couldn't. And I also enjoyed staying up late, and I couldn't. I enjoyed being crazy and running, and swimming, and I couldn't. At first I had rebelled and was stubbornly determined that I wouldn't let this... problem, condition my life, and I had a hard time accepting it as part of God's plan for me... but...
Right now, and after the treatement, my Mummy and I are starting to eat normally, and gaining all the weight we had lost, as well as our strength. I am enjoying every bite of whatever I eat, and many friends say that they'll invite me to a drink such as horchata or milk&chocolate.
I am so grateful to God for answering my prayers on this matter, and for all the strength and help He gave me these past two years.
And I am sure, my friends, that God sent this illness my way so I would learn patience... and I'm not jokin.

Mr. Bunny & Mr. Swine

()_()
(._.)
(")_(")

Mr. Bunny. =)


<(0(oo)0)>

Mr. Swine. =)

Canto Della Terra

Sung by Sarah Brightman and Alessandro Safina. My sister shared this video with me today, and I just can't stop singing it!

Awed Writer

That's what I am right now! I'm so awed! I can't believe this has come true. But, friends, it has! I can say that it's a dream come true.
But I will explain myself. I will not let you discover it on your own, for it is my belief that it would be mighty difficult for you to do so, excepting a couple of close friends who already know the news. ;)
So the smashing news are that, Lord willing, I'll be going to Holland during my Christmas holidays! I'll be able to see my best friend!!! And I'll be able to have such a good time with her and her family!
I am so looking forward to it. I can't wait, I am so impatient already. I bought the plane tickets yesterday with my Papa's help, and was I excited last night!
I can't explain further. I'm too excited to put two words together so that they make sense. I don't know where to start explaining.
So I'll leave you till my head is cleared enough to be able to explain things. =)
Ta-ta!

My Choice

Getting up early, yet being able to cuddle under the warm blankets for five minutes before getting out of bed and dressing.
Dressing however I like, without having to think if this looks nice together or if that is going to be comfortable for today's doings.
Working along with my parents, tidying up the house and taking care of having it clean and shiny.
Helping my little homeschooling brother in his maths, explaining everything to him so that he'll be able to understand, and spending time with him.
Being able to cook, sew, knit, write, read, blog!, whenever the work is done and I feel like it.
Playing my flute for hours and hours, or practising my songs on the piano, enjoying it and feeling that it's OK to do it.
Being able to help around the house.
And most important, being able to read my Bible whenever I please to, and learn from Him who inspired it.
All this is what I've chosen for the present.

Like It^^

When I'm not studying or writing an e-mail to a friend, I try to create. =) This is my photo blog's header... just experimenting.^^
How are you all doing?

On Rage And Inner Strength

"As to answering, though," said Sara, trying to console herself, "I don't answer very often. I never answer when I can help it. When people are insulting you, there is nothing so good for them as not to say a word - just to look at them and [b]think[/b]. Miss Minchin turns pale with rage when I do it, Miss Amelia looks frightened, and so do the girls. When you willl not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage, and they are not, and they say stupid things they wish they hadn't said afterward. There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in - that's stronger. It's a good thing not to answer your enemies. I scarcely ever do. Perhaps Emily is more like me than I am like myself. Perhaps she would rather not answer her friends, even. She keeps it all in her heart."

Sara Crewe, "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Quick Update

For those who, even though I don't check blogs anymore, are still here with me and my blog, commenting and even awarding! Yes, thank you Gwyniver and Lib! :D
My life has been pretty busy till today, and it's getting busier by the minute. Just at this moment I'm writing an update for you, I should be studying Catalan, re-looking the Chemistry paper and doing a couple of Biology things! So appreciate it. :P
The big news, and I mean, BIG NEWS, is that I finally have my camera! My new camera. The camera my parents promised me for my birthday. It's a Canon EOS 1000D. I got it on Friday night, and I already think it's the best camera in the whole world! I've been experimenting and studying and looking and stuff, you know, and I'm having such a great time with it.
Plus, there are second bin news, which are big news too! A smashing new computer came along with the smashing new camera! And I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it for the first time!! I was so astounded, believe me.
As for school, the first week hadn't finished we already had our first exam lined up. Nice. :) Math exam, at that. But I like Maths, so I'm not worrying a lot.
Another big wow in my life lately has been Black Jack's appearance! Yes, yes, that cute little kitten Nuba had. He's home! He's ours! He's cute and sweet! I have such a grand time playing with him, though Scotty is terribly jealous of him. Oh well, he'll get over it.
So I'm hoping to post some more pictures now that I have this smashing new computer (I didn't do it that often before because the old laptop was soooo slow), and well, that's about it! I think about you all a lot and I often wonder what my bloggie friend are doing, so even though I don't post that much, I haven't forgotten you!

Madrinistic Experiences Part Three

Wednesday was lazy and slow (by the way, I forgot to mention that I saw Tío D. on Thursday! I was so happy to see him, he is such a cool guy!), and in the afternoon I went to see how my little brother was doing at Mr. and Mrs. H.'s. We had a good time with the kids and their new kitten, but other than that, Wednesday wasn't a very busy day. I was thankful for the rest, though. Going to bed late and waking up early isn't something I like to do - much, and it does tire a body down, I admit. And I needed it, because next day...
Oh, Thursday was an awesome day that I did really and truly enjoy. We went to the Madrid Amusement Park, and it was a blast! I was able to ride on all the attractions I hadn't been able to ride two years ago because no one wanted to go with me.
Meaning, of course, the really wow attractions.
I rode the Tornado, the Lanzadera, the Abismo, the Tarantula, the Top Spin, the Fiords, the Rapidos, the Vertigo, the Skybacks, and two others; no, three others, I don't remember their names. And we repeated twice or three times each of them, so it was really A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

This is the Tornado. It was painted black and if you look closely - click on the image if necessary - you can see that in the big curve on the left the people are upside down!

Andy and I on the Tornado, where the attraction came pretty close to the public walks and the boys were able to take the picture. We are on the second couple of seats from the right.

We stayed there the whole day, and I got soaked in a couple of water attractions. But, oh, it was worth it! Dennis won a plush-toy bee in a game and later gave it to me as a souvenir from them all. His name is Taxi.
I can't believe it yet, though, that the boys convinced Andy and I to go with them to "La Casa del Terror", or, literally translated, Terror's House! We screamed so much in there! It was very scary! Andy and I hadn't voice afterwards. It was truly scary, you never knew when a skeleton armed with an ax would sprang up from behind you screaming! I really felt scared in there.
Thursday was with no doubt my favourite day of the week.
Friday was a day of packing because we left for home that same afternoon. I bought myself some white high heels when we went to a mall for some last-minute shopping, and Mrs. M. bought (again!) Andy and I the same pair of shoes. Little red slipper-like shoes, very elegant and comfortable. She had done the same two years ago, but then they were small blue ballerina shoes.
We both wore the red shoes on our trip back home. Andy came with me to stay for a week too, so I didn't have the usual post-vacation "depression".
All in all, my week in Madrid was smashing, awesome and altogether unforgettable. I hope the story didn't bore you too much! :P

Madrinistic Experiences Part Two

I do remember what we did after the Sunday meeting the next day. The service had been very inspiring, based on Psalm 119:105, and I enjoyed the meeting. It ended quite late, though, and we went to lunch directly after that, and did the same thing that we did two years ago... another family tradition: we had lunch in the Chinese restaurant in M40! I hadn't eaten Chinese food for such a long time, and I enjoyed the fun time with my friends at the end of the table. We even scribbled on the paper mats, shared drinks and teased each other. Such fun!
Then I left for the C.'s house, another family living two hours away from Madrid. Marylinn is another friend I have living around there, and I wanted to see her and her brother Joel now that I was there. I spent Sunday afternoon, night and Monday with them. We spent most of our time outside walking. Marylinn introduced me to her friends too, and we had good fun. One thing I do remember with a laugh is that Marylinn was addicted to ice-lollies and we continually were going to a shop to buy one, and the generous girl bought one for me too each time she bought one for herself! I ended up having a dozen lollies in one day!
There was a disturbing fact, though, and that was that her friends smoked - a lot, and kept inviting me to a cigar. I, of course, refused, but it bothered me because I was tempted to accept once because I don't like to refuse
offerings. Thank God, though, He gave me strength to fight the temptation and I didn't smoke at all.
When I was there I was able to visit Sigüenza's castle again. Such a beautiful, huge, majestic castle! It's a marvel it's still on foot, but there it is, proud and strong. I wonder how many sieges it survived.
Actually, I toured the whole little village again, (again because I'd been there almost two years ago), and it was fun because there were lots of people because of the local celebrations.

This is a view of the castle. Of a part of the castle. It's not a very good picture, but when I get around to post the good pictures on my photo blog, then you'll be able to see it properly.

Marylinn took lots of pictures of us together, too, and would have taken plenty more if I wouldn't have left on Monday evening to return to Andy's house. The time spent in Sigüenza with Mary and Joel was precious, but I had, after all, gone to Madrid to see Andy.
So I was back at Andy's house and the first thing she tells me is "We have to do something special tomorrow with you because Jhona leaves for Valencia on Wednesday." I was kind of stunned at first, but grasped the situation in no time. It was soon agreed that we five teens would spend the day in the swimming pool. Then we would be joined by Dennis and would go out to supper and then to the cinema. And that's what we did!
That day was great. First, at the swimming pool we played at diving and finding a small orange stone, but we soon lost it and spent a lot of time looking for it. We didn't find it and finally gave up, but Jhona decided to use his huge, masculine ring to dice for and we lost it too. [chuckles] The situation was so funny! In the end I ended finding both things! Hahaha.
I got really tanned that day, and it was very funny too because I ended paying only 0'35 € for the entrance ticket instead of the 4'50€ price. What a wonderful idea a large family is. Oh, and to be "Just like a man", as Miss Cordelia from Anne's House of Dreams would put it, I must add that that day my sandwich was delicious (lettuce, tomato, egg...)
The film we watched that night was hilarious, too. Plus I was invited to Pringles, which are of my favourite crisps, but way too expensive to my income. Therefore, I hardly ever eat them, and so that night I got to eat Pringles and Lay's Vinaigrette crisps. My favourite!
That day was great. And that's it. End of Madrinistic Experiences Part Two!

First Day Of College

Wow, it was sure special.
So yeah, some of you may be wondering, she's in college? And I'll answer, yep, I am. Note that college here isn't considered the same as University in USA. It's something post-obligatory, you do it if you choose to, and they are two years of studying before University. It's like they prepare you for your career, sort of like.
Anyway, today was my first day in my first year of college, and it was great. I have wonderful teachers; some of them I had last year or already knew them, and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy this year, though all the teachers made it clear it's nothing like High School, and absolutely not like its relaxed study. I'm somewhat intimidated by the hard study and I have in front of me, but I'm sure I'll adapt quickly and I'll be able to put up with it. My teachers are great teachers and I'm sure I'll learn a lot with them.
So, I woke up at 6.30 a.m., and read my Bible and prayer till 7.00 a.m., when I started getting ready, dressing, washing my hair, having breakfast, etc.
At about eight o'clock we left for school, and school started at 8.30. It was fun to see all of my school friends ten minutes before the bell rang, locating my class and, hey, for the first time in my life, in in Class B instead of A! *Freaks out* Oh well. I have plenty of new friends; well, people I've met. We're not friends yet, but I'm sure we will, in time. During the first three hours we had the usual getting to know the schedule, the teachers, the classrooms, etc. Then we had morning break, and after that we had like three speeches from the school director, the village's mayor, etc., and then we had free time 'till three p.m., when we college students leave.
So more or less, my schedule this year will be, getting up at 6.30, starting school at 8.30, morning break at 11.30, continue lessons at 12.00 and finishing at 15.00. Whew!
And I was also able to witness to a friend today! I was so happy to be able to share God with him, it felt like a blessing. On my first day of college, too!
How are you people doing with your own school work?

My Finished School Bag!

It is such a wonder that I am able to post this before starting school! I had my school bag on the to-do list during summer, but I kept putting it off telling myself that I had so much time ahead because I didn't need it till the 14th of September. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I didn't need it till the 14th of September, but I repeat, it's a wonder I am able to post these pictures before the said day! Because I've finished re-decorating it just today. It's a lesson against procrastinating, people!
Anyway, without further delay...

The school bag! I really like how it turned out.

A closer look to the upper part. In case you were wondering, I like hearts and dots and dribbly bits, as I call them.

A closer look to the bottom part. In case you haven't noticed, this bag is totally mine, you can't mistake it. It has so many things to do with me...

For instance, the nicknames painted on them: Nitah and Anjie on the purple side, and C.A., Finis Mens and Bonnie Lass on the golden side. As well as the tinkerbell (or jingle bell, as some other people know it), and many other things. See how many of the ones I've mentioned you find! :D
Oh, and in case you were wondering, it has copyright. See if you find that one too!
How do you like it?

Madrinistic Experiences Part One

Wow, finally! I'm able to write down a little about my experiences as a girl who travelled to Madrid alone. Hehehehe. I will write them in parts, so a couple of posts will be scheduled.^^
Let me start from the beginning.

************************************

I arrived at Madrid - Puerta de Atocha on Thursday the 13th at a quarter past seven p.m., five minutes ahead of schedule. Andy was nowhere to be seen, but there were Heinz & Co. May I add that I served as a companion to my little brother on the trip. I had to leave him safely with one of his young friend's family and then continue on my own.
Well, his friends were there, but Andy and her family weren't. Oh well, I just had to wait for a while, because after some minutes they did appear, and Andy and I ran to each other and hugged like two little girls. In the middle of the station. In front of everybody. Oh well.
And so, I arrived at Madrid safely and went directly home. Well, at Andy's house, anyway. A delicious supper was ready and we had only to was our hands and sit down at the table. That is exactly what we did, and after finishing a delicious soup (but without bread... *sniff*) Andy's father, Mr. G., suggested we all went to the park outside, and so we did. It was a huge park, full of small hills, paths, a play park, a lake, and lots of space with grass. It's the perfect place to dream. A place with scope for imagination. I actually stood by the lake, opened my arms and started singing "My Heart Will Go On". It was dark, and a couple of stars were shining, and the lights of the city far away were reflected on the lake's surface. It was lovely.
But there is where the true me appeared. I lost my cell phone! Andy and I started playing on the grass, jumping and summer-salting and running and all these kind of grass games, and suddenly I didn't have my cell phone in my pocket. I started to despair, because on top of everything, it was on vibration mode, so it wouldn't sound if we called it. We even went back home to get lanterns.
Andy found it in the end, but only after about a half an hour or more of searching for it. Yikes! Welcome to Madrid, girl.

On Friday I met Andy's school friends! We had a great time together at Diana's apartment. We stayed outside on the garden, lying down on towels and playing at cards. We played so many different games with just one kind of card. I met Tatiana, who's Russian, Diana, Leo and Irene, and Patricia. We also ate ice lollies, and walked and took pictures of each other. We spent fun time together!

Tatiana with her cool-looking sun-glasses. Hahahaha.

Of course, sometimes it was awkward because they aren't Christian people, and their language was appalling, but besides that, we really had a lot of fun.
And I repeat, we had lots of ice-lollies.
Saturday was a full, busy day. We went to bed very late on Friday, and had to get up at 7 a.m. on Saturday, so for the first couple of hours I was kind of zombie-like, much like a ghost. We had to go to the sports-centre. Actually, it was a long tradition in Andy's family. Every Saturday they go early to the sports-centre to play football and basketball, and later they spend the rest of the day in the swimming-pool before leaving for prayer meeting. They had done that the last time I went, two years ago, and it seemed like we would do it again!
So at seven a.m., a very hated alarm clock went off. At least it was a melody that was soothing, and I didn't throw the cell phone out of the window. I quickly arranged myself because Andy had told me that her uncle didn't like to wait, and was ready after about half an hour, shower, breakfast and all. Wow. I didn't know I could do that!
In the end it turned out we had to wait for him for something I don't remember, and after more than half an hour's delay, Mrs. M., Andy's mother, ended up taking us to the place. We arrived there at about 8.30 a.m., and it was lovely. The sun shone but it was fresh, as if it had rained before. We didn't suffer much heat for a couple of hours, and we were all very thankful for that.
I got to meet Santi that morning! He is Tío G. and Tía O.'s first son! (I call all of Andy's uncles and aunties as if they were mine. They all like it). The baby was barely eight months old, and was already walking. He is the sweetest baby, and he had such chubby cheeks! He wasn't scared of me - wow! -, actually he is a very loving baby. I was able to take many pictures of him playing with his ball and crawling around, and when I picked him up because he asked for it hugging my legs, he grabbed at my half-heart necklace my best friend gave to me. He liked it a lot.
Let's just say that I didn't play football and just messed around with the basketball ball. I'm not a very sporty girl. In fact I only enjoy playing volleyball - though I'm no good at it - and swimming. And of course, messing around and laughing at each other's attempts at playing basketball. Ahem.

{Most of} The Saturday Gang. Man, did we have fun!

At about half past eleven we all left to get ready for the swimming pool. Andy, Christian, Sergio and I went to Jhona's house, and I was able to see Tía S. there. Oh, I like them all so much! And we did finally go to the swimming pool! All in all, we were eighteen people there. And what fun did we have! We even had lunch there, and it was delish.
At first, we were in the normal swimming pool, where there was a place for the kids. It had a half-moon shape. But then we teens went to the olympic swimming pool and played games and raced and were silly. I won the competition of who swam farthest without breathing! I actually swam three quarters of the olympic pool, and the boys wouldn't admit it, but Andy was so proud of me. Hahaha.
When it was time to get ready for prayer meeting, I was sure thankful for the showers! I was able to make myself respectable and ready for the meeting.
I don't remember clearly what we did after the meeting. We went home and had supper, I suppose.
And this, my friends, is the end of my Madrinistic Experiences Part One! Hopefully, Part Two will come along soon enough! Just enjoy this one as long as you can [wink].

Those Two Reviews

I mentioned before two reviews I had written on some books I had read, and said that I would post them here. So here you go!

The Stonwycke Trilogy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella (The Heather Hills of Stonewycke, Flight From Stonwycke and The Lady of Stonewycke)
As a started, I must say that it's a good thing that I had the whole trilogy to read instead of only one book, or even two. The three books are so attached it would be near to impossible to read only one of them. Except for the last book (obviously), all books finish abruptly, leaving you in a terribly intriguing way with the ended book in your hands.
On the other hand, you wouldn't even have to finish the book to be intrigued. Chapters would often finish leaving you to wonder what was going to happen, and when you continued with the next chapter, this one would start with a totally different subject that kept you reading till the end to know what happened after the last chapter.
Let's say that these books were written to be read from start to end.
I have enjoyed reading these books, but I noticed a couple of things that weren't to my taste: one was that the author made the hero/heroine go through every trouble, disgrace and problem that could be dreamed up. It wasn't like that something happened and the he/she had to face and solve it. No, everything bad happened; it was even exaggerated, and it drove me up the wall the way all the nasty things piled on them.
Truth be said, though, that I really live books and spent half the time crying, so maybe it's just my way of seeing things.
Another thing I didn't altogether like was the speed with which everything gets solved. Meaning, there have been all these problems and disgraces that are actually the whole content of the three books, and then in the third and last one everything gets solved in just a few pages. No development of what happens when they actually solve everything. Only one scene is properly described to my taste on this subject.
There are many things in the books that I did enjoy, though. One thing that really caught my attention was the way forgiveness was pictured in the Trilogy. In all three books there is a part where one main character turns to God for forgiveness, and after some time learns to forgive those who have caused his/her grief, and even has to learn to forgive himself. It really made me ponder about the play forgiveness took on these books, and I did finally see that once we are forgiven, we are saved, but if we also learn to forgive we find His peace. With hate and bitterness against someone in our hearts we aren't capable to enjoy His love in its full measure.
A beautiful lesson can be learnt from these books.
And of course... I couldn't miss it... I find that I must mention the love story that takes part in the plot... a story of unconditional love, a patient love, a love that waits for ever. A love that protects and believes. (Spoiler) Even after nearly thirty years of believing each other dead, they still cling to their love for each other, and when they finally find out that both are alive, they have their reward for their patience and trust in God.
I can say nothing more that wouldn't spoil the story for those who want to read it... but all in all, I recommend the read of these books. Out of five starts, I'd give three and a half.

Dana's Valley by Janette Oke
This book was extremely emotional. My parents gave me permission to stay up late one night, and I settled down with the book at about half past ten p.m. At about half past one or quarter to two a.m. I had finished reading it, and had cried all through the book. Really, it was a very challenging book to keep on reading, and heart-breaking.
Dana was a young teenager who was suddenly diagnosed with leukaemia (I say suddenly because they had told her first that she had lupus, a common yet dangerous illness in teenage girls). She was one of four in a Christian family, but even in a book, it was ripping to read about the kids' struggles and pains as the family battles along with Dana during her illness.
Dana's patience and growing faith was astonishing, but also a big contrast to Erin (the main character) and her wavering and weakening faith as her world and dreams crumple around her because of her sister's illness, and to Brett's own situation as he struggles along his late teen years without his parents' attention; consequently, both turn away from God's ways and refuse to believe Him in control of the situation.
Corey was the only one who somewhat kept everyone going on with his childlike view of the situation and six-year-old faith, diligently praying every day.
Janette Oke's writing really is to my pleasing. I really like the way in which this book finished, and the way she developed the end. How Erin talked to her Mother and Father, how she thought about her relationship with her Christian friends, especially Graham's, the pastor's son, and how Dana served to her as an example to turn again to God for help and comfort and starts praying again; how Brett considered his situation and his friends (he had gotten into skateboarding and had not very good friends from the skate-park), how he had gone to live on his own after leaving High School, how he thought about his role as the older brother of a dying girl; the end of this book really pleased me, though I cried all the more when it ended because of Dana's death.
When I closed the book after finishing it, I couldn't help but close my eyes and pray. This book was a challenge, but yet it was beautiful to read. The way God mends souls! He is far so much greater than what we can imagine Him to be.
I also recommend this book!

Thanks To Eruanna... :P

Because 80% of these tags are from her. Thanks! :D

From Eruanna (hehe)
I have to think of ten book names that have never been thought of before!
1. Duct Tape That Fixes Broken Hearts (To Libby!)
2. Because You Told Me To Write
3. A Night Under Water
4. Running Like A Sloth
5. Red Crystal Forest
6. The Mended Patchwork Quilt
7. Yay At Crawling
8. Silver Scribbles on Snow
9. Just Like A Man
10. Unike Brunette
I really liked doing this one! And all titles are under copyright, I may use them in the future. So beware. ¬¬


From Eruanna! (Mwahaha)
I love: cranberry and apple crumble.
I loathe: being first while climbing up the stairs of a tall building.


From Eruanna, Marissa and Gwyniver.
In all of these questions say which book each character is in!
Who is you favorite male fictional character and what book is he in? (Only One)
I think I like Kip Parvati best, from Las Aventuras de Kip Parvati i La Sombra del Cazador.

Who is you favorite female fictional character and what book is she in? (Only One)
She would be Lucy Pevensie, from the Narnia books. She is so sweet!

Who is you favorite author and what is your favorite book/series by him?
I think he would be Simon Scarrow and his books about Macro and Cato.

If you are writing a book, answer this question: Who is your favorite character in the book/series you are writing?
Raelene of the Many Names.

If you are not writing a book answer this question: Who is you favorite character in a book you know someone else is writing?
Sorry, I am writing a book.

Any other favorites you want to mention?
Maggie Duncan from The Stonewycke Triology.
Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings.
William Brown from the William Books.
(and many more)

Least favorite character from a book you read?
I don't remember her name, but she's a teacher in the book VIRUS, written by I don't-know-who.

Tag from Eruanna and Marissa.
I have to write thirty facts about me. So here we go!
1. Although half English, I am (physically) totally Spanish: dark hair and eyes and very tanned skin.
2. I don't consider myself shy at all, even when talking in person with a stranger.
3. The only sports I enjoy are swimming, volleyball and tennis.
4. I don't mind spiders nor mice. In fact, we've had pet mice twice.
5. I am a person with a lot of interests and very varied opinions. I hardly ever disagree with a person when discussing normal topics.
6. I love climbing trees barefoot.
7. One of my most wanted dreams is to see the Northern Lights.
8. I have seen the whole Spanish Royal Family in person!
9. I've never been a bride's maid nor a flower girl. Sniff.
10. I am a chocolate addict. Seriously. I didn't have chocolate today and I got an awful headache. Actually, I didn't know chocolate could be addictive. :S
11. I have friends from all over the world, and my best friend is living in Holland at the moment.
12. I don't think I will ever tire from writing or reading. I've done it so many times, yet I always want to do it more and more.
13. I know how to play the piano, the flute, the recorder and the Irish tin whistle.
14. I have been to five different countries, though never to the nearest one.
15. I like to have long hair. I usually have it from below halfway down my back or down to my waist, depending on how long was it that I cut my hair last.^^
16. I have always wanted to be tall, but I am quite short.
17. I am good at listening but not at counselling. But I try. =)
18. I've only used make-up three times in my life, and yet I always get asked if I use eye-liner. LOL.
19. When I was little I had the straightest hair, and now I couldn't have it curlier.
20. This is very weird, but I am having no trouble at all in finding facts about me this time. It used to take me a lot of time.
21. I have been called a very independent girl. I travelled alone to Madrid for my first time when I was fourteen. This summer I've gone again, and I'm planning on visiting my best friend for Christmas this year. Still praying about it, though.
22. I'm not afraid of the sea, even when it's violent. I usually swim till it's quite deep.
23. I sing all the time. I even sing in front of people at school. Hahaha!
24. I can move my ears, together and separately. It's lots of fun!
25. My favourite wild animals are the killer whale and the eagle. Beautiful animals, really.
26. I would have rather been born in the 1880's. Ever since I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder collection, that is.
27. I have been only once on a play, and I was Tinkerbell in Peter Pan. Didn't talk, hahaha! But it was cute.^^
28. I have a very unusual, old-fashioned handwriting.
29. I have had a variety of pets over the years... hamsters, fish, mice, canaries, parakeets/budgies, cats, lizards...
30. I enjoy studying. My Little Corner, as I call my study, is very cosy and warm and homey. It makes it very agreeable.

So that's it, once again, folks! Hope I didn't bore you too much!!

Deep Breath

Am I really over? I've finished looking at all your blogs! It has taken me such a looong while; I actually started on Friday night, and have finished now. Wow.
But not all is over. I have several tags to do. I have to update my award page (thank you, friends!). I have to post Madrid pictures and write a little about it. I have two book reviews to post that I wrote down on my Diary Scrapbook. I have to update my photo blog. I have to post about yesterday's evening out. I have to do so many things! I'm stressed.
I will, though, tell you that most of the pictures I took in Madrid are fancy ones, so they will be posted on Through the Eyes of His Creation. Whatever.
Plus, this announcement should have been posted loooong ago, but I always do that, start something and wait forever to say so. I don't know why I do it. Oh well.
Anyway, a couple of friends and I decided to join and form a group of writers. Because we all liked to write. And we have a blog where we share our writings, but it's private. So, if any of you dear bloggie friends is interested in reading our stories, please write an e-mail to rainofideasblog@gmail.com, and we will send you the invitation to it!
I also am meeting with some school friends tomorrow before we start school, and hopefully with my lovely pianist next week. I have to finish decorating my school bag, and write at least two letters. I would also like to have a cross-stitch thing I started before school starts.
Plus, I'm thinking about starting a Spanish blog for my Spanish readers (esp. for LocaChica!) but I'm not sure yet about it. And I'm wondering why on earth am I telling you all this if you're all English. Oh well.
So yeah, I'm busy.
I think this is all for now, folks! Toodles!^^

First Things First

Before starting to get updated on your blogs and start commenting, I would like to share with you all some verses I read this morning in our family Bible Study on Proverbs. Thinking too about Lauren Ann...

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If though seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:1-6

This passage helped me in two ways: one way was in the upcoming start of school. I know it is not meant for worldly wisdom, it says so in the passage, "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.", but it helped me all the same because it proved to me that God can help me and give me strength in my struggles to understand Physics and Chemistry, and furthermore, that He will help me.
The second way was that it gave me hunger to know more of this awesome God I follow. It encouraged me to read more my Bible, to study more intently His word, to pray more and talk to Him continually. It gives me peace. HE gives me peace. And in this peace I pray for Him to bless you all daily. Your welcome warmed my heart and I am so thankful to all of you for making blogging worth it!

Best Invention Man Has Ever Thought Of

The sales, for sure.
Okay, that was just a title I thought to make this post sound interesting, while it's only a post to say, Hello! I'm back to normal life!
Actually, I went shopping with my friend from Madrid a couple of days ago, and I was able to buy so many clothes at such good prices! Yay for sales! Thus this title.
But yes, I'm back to normal life and house duties and chores. But actually, it's something good because that means I will also be able to read and write and of course, blog. Haha.
I've missed you all so much! Thanks for your prayers and for your happy words! I will soon start to update myself on all your blogs. I'm sure I have plenty of work ahead of me after two weeks of not checking blogs, but I'm looking forward to it! Prepare for loads and loads of comments!
So this was just a short post to announce my safe arrival home and the awesome time I've had. I will soon update you all in a more, let's say, detailed way, about my holidays, and am sure I'll post pictures, though *eeek* I didn't take many because I was always so busy! Whatever.
I have 114 new e-mails to check on, so I'll leave you for now!! Ta-ta!

In Rambo's Memory

We named this little guy Rambo...
Because he fought a good fight for his life... before dying.




I really don't know what attacked him. I had no sooner finished an e-mail and my last post on the blog that my parents called me because we had to leave for Tarragona. I closed everything and while I waited for everyone I went downstairs to watch the kittens play and feed.
I found Rambo lying on the floor, supposedly sleeping. I didn't like them to be on the bare floor because the tiles can be very cold and they can catch a cold, so I picked little Rambo up and indeed found him dead cold! I was somewhat alarmed, but thought that maybe he'd caught cold from the floor, so I kepts him in my hands to warm him up, and when it was time to leave, I left him among the other kittens so they would be all warm and together. But then I noticed he started vomiting and having convulsions, and he could hardly breathe. I went to tell my Mama, really scared now, and after she saw him she agreed that he didn't look well at all. The dilemma now was what to do, and after pondering about all, they decided to leave me home to take care of him. I was to keep him wrapped up in a towel, rub him often to make his body warm, and feed him every twenty minutes.
Once he was in my care, I started doing as I had been told, and thankfully observed how he came to life a little bit. He opened his tiny eyes and mewed feebly. Something curious though, happened. His head and upper body warmed up, but his bottom and back legs were freezing cold. His stomach was swelled, too.
And I continued rubbing him and feeding him warm cat-milk, and in desperation got online to search for kitten disease, their symptoms and what is supposed to do, but my search was in vain. I didn't find anything related to what was happening to little Rambo.
Oh, I felt so awful! I felt so useless! This tiny, sweet furry ball of a kitten was lying in my hands for warmth, struggling for breath and continually vomiting amid convulsions, and I couldn't help him!
After a while, I noticed his mouth was dry and blue. I warmed up some water and gently let some drops of water trickle down my fingers to his tiny mouth, and then, he stopped moving. That had happened before, so I waited for some time for him to have another convulsion, but he didn't move again. I then realised that the tiny kitten was dead.
And yes, I cried.
So this post goes for him. Because he fought to live until he couldn't go on.
Little Rambo.

Second Announcement

Dear, most loved blog friends,

I am announcing that either tomorrow or Friday I'll be off to Madrid! I'm happy because at last I'll be able to say that I've been on holidays this summer, and on top of everything, on my own! That makes me feel so grown up (because Madrid is quite far away from where we live... like a whole day's drive, say over 600 kilometers).
I'll be going by AVE, which is Alta Velocidad Española and in English, Spanish High Speed. It's a High Speed Train. It's going to be very exciting. I already went there when I was fourteen, but because I was fourteen I wasn't able to do all the stuff I'll be able to do now at sixteen.
I'll be staying at my friend Andrea's house. We have been friends for over so long, and we hardly see each other. It's been two years since we last saw each other, and so we are both looking much forward to this event!
I'd appreaciate prayers for safety on the trip and I hope we are able to enjoy our time together! It's going to be so much fun. I will most likely be back with tons of pictures and stories, so stay tuned! Although I don't really know how many days I'll be staying there... perhaps a week, maybe more. So I am also going to say bye-bye to computer and online life for a while too! I hope you don't miss me too much.^^
Anyway, that is all the news about Madrid. I'll let you know more when I come back! :D

On Catses And Kittisses

So, this is maybe a wee bit late, but it is, after all! This post is for all those who have asked for kitty pictures!
The kittens are growing fast. They already have their eyes open (such beautiful blue eyes!!) and they can hear too. They are eleven days old today.
The pictures aren't entirely good because Nuba had again this wonderful occurence of moving "house", and this time it was a little bit more complicated, but it's still in the porch, so it wasn't as difficult to access as before.

These are the kittens when they were on their second home... the most easy place. They were all the time sleeping, the lazy things. 'Cept for Black Jack!

This is Black Jack Piticli. He's black with little tones of white on his legs. He is the sweetest little kitten in the world, and we are all hoping we can keep him. It all depends on my Papa's decision. He's the most active in the lot and doesn't mind me cuddling him!

Mummy Nuba with her litter. She is the best mummy cat I've ever seen! She tends so well to her babies and is very loving and careful.

This is their current home... not so easy to access but I can, anyway, and Nuba doesn't mind at all. I can't stop saying that they're so sweet!!

Little Black Jack again... with open, blu eyes! So cute! I really like him^^

The lazy lot... Jack is the only one who wasn't sleeping!

This is my favourite pic!! Jack is stretching and has such a sweet look in his face! Aw!!

Ah... Mummy. They keep rubbing againt her. You can see Nuba's paw right besides Jack's head.

Hopefully, they'll be more pictures soon! But I fear that Mr. D. will soon come to pick them up. They're back from USA and I'm afraid our cat-sitting is over. =(

Announcements

I am going to dedicate this post to announce various... happenings, that have... happened (hm, that's curious...)

First things firts. I would like to say to all of those who are expecting kitten pictures that Nuba decided to move house this morning and has her family inside the porch! And in such a great place to take pictures, too. So expect kitten pictures any time soon!
I... checked the kitten's gender this morning, and it turns out that there are four males and two females. There was one which is black with very little white on it (who we are thinking of naming Jack Pitiqli) which we thought was black-ginger-white, a coat only female cats have. But since we are now able to cuddle and play with them (as long as Nuba doesn't get uneasy), we have been also able to actually see the kittens, and realise our mistake.

The second announcement is about this: I have followed my fellow bloggers' example and have added a gadget under the title with a menu. The reason is quite simple, actually. I felt that my sidebar was starting to get a wee bit too crouded and that half (or more) of its content was lost. So there you are, you have a perfectly cool menu to help you around.

And the third announcement... I guess I should have announced it some time ago, but I felt like it wouldn't be appropiate. Anyway, I made my Photo Blog public! I actually changed everything, even the URL, and now it is there for all of you to see. Click HERE if you have a sudden urge to visit it or you're bitten by the curiosity bug and therefore want to visit it. Please, if you have any questions, e-mail me/comment so I can know. This way I will be able to make a good use of my FAQ page.^^

Have a lovely day, all of you! :D

Secret Garden's Sleepsong

I remember perfectly the first time I listened to this song. My sister had just purchased Secret Garden's last CD, Earthsongs (I think they have another one now, though), and as we drove to visit my Uncle, Auntie and their family, she suggested we listened to her CD. And we did. I enjoyed the five previous tracks, and then number six came along.
I knew that as I listened to it I'd love to learn it off by heart and sing it to my children, and I plan to do it still. Here it is!

***************************************************

Sleepsong

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go

May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet

May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

May you bring love and may you bring happiness
Be loved in return to the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay

May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay...

Cat Updates

Finally... some cat pictures! I'm sad to say that the friends that own Nuba and Aluya are coming back tomorrow and they'll drop by to pick them up some time soon... and there will be no more Nuba nor Aluya for me. Oh well, it will be nice to see them again.
[Hear impatient taps on the table] Okay, okay, I'll stop babbling.
Anyway, here you are...

Big, fat Nuba, a couple of days before giving birth.

She is so sweet... this picture is of my very favourites.

And, ta-da! Finally! The two-day-old kittens. Actually, they are five days old today, but this pic was taken on Sunday. As you can see, it's a dreadful picture, but I could do no better due to the place where Nuba had the wonderful ocurrence of having her babies in.
No comment.

So I kept my promise. Six beautiful kittens!

Excitement! Surprise! Yay!

Dear blog friend and readers, Nuba has had her kittens!!! I'm so excited. She's had at least five kittens, if not six.
I went outside this morning, as I usually do, and called the cats. Scotty and Aluya came but Nuba was nowhere to be seen. Mummy was outside too, and we started talking about how curious it was that she hadn't come, because I think she likes me a lot and is usually the first to appear. Then Mama suggested she may have had her kittens already and was in her hiding place with them. She also advised me not to look for them because she doubted I'd find them.
But I'm stubborn. And yes, I started searching for her. I thought of all the places where Nuba could have found a suitable hiding place to have her babies, and started looking for her. Not behind this thick bush... not behind this pile of wood... not under the garden sink (which is very crouded)...
I finally came to my last place, the shed. When I went in and called her name softly, nothing could be heard, and I couldn't see her. I didn't want to give up the search, but it looked like I wouldn't find her there, so I turner around.
And, just as I did, I heard the faintest, tiny mew coming from inside. I stood paralised, wondering if I had imagined it. It had been so faint I may have confused it with some other garden noise. But no, I didn't hear it again. I looked around the shed and saw this huuuuge pile of cardboard Papa uses when he paints. They were very big, and leaning on the wall in an upright position, but slightly tilted, so there was still space between the wall and the bottom of the cardboards. Perfect place for a cat to hide.
So I called out her name again with a soft, inviting voice. But nothing happened. I pulled the cardboards a little, but I saw nothing. So I retreated a little.
And then I heard it. This faint rustle, as if something was moving behind the cardboards. This time it was clear and I hadn't imagined it. So I pulled the cardboards carefully from the wall again, and peeped down. And sure enough, there was my sweet Nuba there, with the sweetest, softest, furriest and altogether loveliest little kittens you are going to find on this earth! I was so excited! But I talked softly to Nuba so she wouldn't be alarmed, and then went to tell the rest of the family. My Papa counted five kittnes, and he wasn't sure if there was another one there!
Friends, I'm SO excited!! They are so sweet! Already we've been searching for names, and we have a couple chosen. Such as Nika, if there is a female! :D
Yay! I'm so excited! I love kittens! And it was such a grand surprise!

Keeping Tradition

This is the third summer my blog lives... and as I've already done in the previous two, I am writing a garden update.

This summer my Mummy tried to grow lettuce. And grow they did! We had the most delicious salads. Don't they look lovely, green, and altogether yummyish?

Once a courgette planter, always a courgette planter...
Ahem, not quite! But this is the third time we plant courgettes, and the third time we get such huge, beautiful fruits.

We have rows of lovely, green courgette plants. =)

Once again, for the second time, we are trying to grow beans! They are much taller now, but they were growing wonderfully in that picture!

Courgettes and beans... :P

Wooops! This isn't a part of our vegetable garden... must have gotten uploaded by mistake... Hmmm... ^^

This year, as the new experiment, we are trying to grow pumpkins! This small yellow flower was the first to appear. =)

And so far, so good! Our garden is growing splendidly!

And You Know...

You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle

You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things. You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks. You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach... Of all the types, you love summer the most.

...Mr. Quiz here is right!

Thank You, Hannah, For The Blog Button!

A quick post to say that my wonderful blog buddy Hanna has made me an awesome Blog Button! Thank you so much, I appreciate the effort and I really like it!
People can link to me now with it... feel free to take it if you wish!

I Am Impatient...

...for the birth to come!
You can see her big tummy better in this picture... she is due anytime now!

Keeping My Promise

If you remember, I promised you I would post pics and what I had done with some friends two weeks ago in this post. Now I'm keeping my promise! I had to promise it, otherwise I knew I wouldn't post it in two months! [grin] I wrote a diary while I was there, so I'll post some bits and pieces of it. We had a lot of fun! The girls are coming here tomorrow to spend a couple of days, actually...

"Satisfaction. That's what I feel as I listen to music, sitting in the car on my way to Christine's house. I'm going to spend five days with her, her family and Julietta. Christine is a cheerful, teasing fifteen-year-old and Julietta is a chatty, happy young lady who is always smiling. I like them a lot, and now, as I'm watching the scenery going by us quickly, I feel so blessed and happy. Five days with wonderful people... what more can I want?
"Christine's parents always had fun activities and ideas, such as visiting historical places and bathig in the swimming pool at night. I'm sure I won't be bored because, on top of everything, their house has a fantastic library. There are hundreds of books in each room and I still haven't had a chance to read them all. They also have a wonderful, green garden, so the combination of company and people is perfect."

The first night was a blast... we had so much fun!

"Christine slumped six fat pillows on my arms and I had to climb down the stairs carefully, watching every step. Then, Christine, Julietta and I snekaed inside the kitchen and stole ice creams and juice (not really :P), and after going back to the living room, where we slept, we sat down with the cat on our beds and talked, crunching on the ice creams while we teased each other.
"Christine had also brought down books and magazines (we had fun criticising the models in them...), and my camera was sitting on a table, waiting for the right moment to come to action.
"They had an interesting conversation about how annoying open doors were when you were doing something inside the room."

This is one of our many funny teasings:

"We sometimes had whispered conversations, but it soon got late and we decided to turn off the lights and go to sleep, although it was so warm they found it hard to sleep. 'Oh, I'm so HOT!' I complained, moving around my bed to find a better position. Julietta leaned over and whispered, 'STOP bragging, girl!', and we burst out laughing."

OK, this one the second day...

"Late in the afternoon Christine's mother decided to take us to a nearby mall to spend the evening in. We walked around talking, looking at clothes and shoes. I found a lovel navy blue, long skirt, but I didn't have any money on me, and we also visited a jewlery shop.
"The shop was packed with beautiful glass shelves full of jewlery, all of different colours. There were necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, even toe-rings!, each of them having tons of different styles to choose from. All the others bought something but me; I didn't fins anything that I really liked. Maybe I am too picky, after all..."

Later in the night...

"While I rambled outside the garden munching on my peach, Christine's mother came out and showed me how they'd trained Gerd, their huge watch-dog, to do a couple of tricks. It was interesting, although the dog was far more interested in my peach and actually got her front paws on my shoulder to try and steal it.
"So I went down the stone steps into the swimming pool, barely up to my skirt, and the dog stayed at the edge, waiting for me to come back and try luck again. In the end I had to run inside and ask for help because Gerd was all the time on me. I got some scratches out of the experience..."

Another interesting conversation...

"As I went back to the living-room, where Christine and Julietta were eating an ice-cream, I smiled. 'Oh goodie. Can I have one of mine?'
"Christine looked at me and started giggling uncontrolably, making the bed move. I shook my head in faked despair, and murmured, 'I think I'll five you up...'
"Christine sat up with a surprised face. 'For adoption?' Her eyes were big, her mouth open and her voice innocent. I tilted my head, and looked at the ceiling, considering it. 'Why, thank you for the idea, I'll think about it'
"At this point, Julietta turned around and said, 'Yours are in the freezer, two bottom drawers', at which I answered, 'Thank you, Julietta,' and as an afterthought, I added, 'Good to know someone takes me seriously...'
"After some minutes us three girls were lying down on our beds, eating ice-cream and reading books."

On Wednesday we went to Barcelona.

"We also packed three small water bottles along with the lunch sandwiches. We marked them so we wouldn't get confused with which was which one's: Christine's had a red band, mine had a green band, and Julietta's had a blue band on hers."

This is the first picture I took in Barcelona.

"I like Barcelona. As a matter of fact, I like big cities, at that. There are so many sensations in a city. So many colours, so many sounds, so many smells, so many different people. From the colourful flowers and trees growing to the adorned shop windows and different styles of clothes people wore; from the shouts of a man trying to sell his goods to the noise people did when they walked and the joyful and delighted squeals of a child on his dad's shoulders; from the delicious aroma coming from an open restaurant to the perfumed ladies that walked past by us and the clean scent coming from tidy shops; from foreners that come from the North, fair and blue eyed, to the dark Spanish people tanned by the sun.
"Cities are so full of everything. Even the floor has patters!"

An example of it...

Happy Christine!

This reads: "In Barcelona, 1 of every 3 dead people dead in traffic accidents was walking by foot. Attention: we are all pedestrians."

Talking about colours... I couldn't resist taking a picture of this advertisement... "Life in Pink!"

This seat is made of broken tiles. I really like them!

Souvenir shops... they are so picturesque!

One thing I really love about Barcelona is its architecture. Casa Batlló, part of the Façana de la Discordia (Batlló House, part of the Discord Facade. It is called like that because three very different houses constitute de facade)

Casa Amatller's ceiling. Very impressive!

We visited the Perfume Museum. It was awesome!

"A tall man led us to a big room full of shelves. After paying the entrance, us three girls were left alone.
"I found the place very interesting. There were all kinds of examples of perfume vases, from ancient ages all through the years till the present. There were also pictures and information about people who worked with perfumes, such as Cocó Chanel.
"The different vases were beautiful. There were chrystal containers from Greece, ceramic vases from ancient Egypt, golden ones from Turkey, and so on. The shapes, sizes and colours were so varied!"

Samples of Chanel perfume... ahhh!

The golden sample from Turkey. It was beautiful! I also have pictures of the Greek chrystal vases, but since I couldn't use flash, and they were inside glass cabinets, they are blurry. This one has reflections of the glass, as well.

Tiny samples. There hundreds of them! It was incredible, really.

Some more of Barcelona's varied architecture...

...more... =)

Barcelona's city hall. Notice the clock in the centre of the building? I love it!

A lamp... :P

My favourite picture of the whole lot! One side of the famous Barcelona Cathedral... it was in construction when we went, but I was still able to snap this picture.

This is a pond which we visited. It was full of cents! People believe it gives good luck to throw cents in the water. There must be a fortune in there!

Something that happened to us in Barcelona...

"I noticed how people inside cafés and restaurants laughed, waved and smiled at us when we passed the place where they were, and I was somewhat confused by that. I wondered how come they were so friendly, so I asked the other two girls if they had noticed it. They just laughed, and when we went by another public place I understood why.
"As we passed the glass windows, Christine and Julietta smiled wildly and waved like crazy at the people inside the room. Some of them reacted looking the other way, or frowning, but some good sports would smile back and laugh at us. I didn't know what to do, if feel embarrassed and walk a little far beihind, or join the fun and tease the guys inside the shops"

Thursday was spent lazily. We didn't do anything at all. We just read and talked. Nothing special.
Ah... but Friday! That is something different...

"I have no idea why in the world did the alarm clock in the cell go off so early. I guess because I had told it to. But it was way too early for me, because I'd gone to sleep very late the last few nights.
"We were going to a water fight that day!! I was so excited."

"It was a game of guys against girls. They would stay together, and we would scatter and attack at the same time, breaking their line. But if one of us was caught by herself... well...
"We all had bottles and water balloons. We had gotten together at a public park which had many fountains, but because it was a public place we played with our clothes on. That was fun! What I'll remember for the rest of my life...
"Yes, I was caught off guard and on my own. I ran, and although I can proudly say I ran a lot and gave the boys a good chase, they finally caught me. One of them grabbed my arm and made me crouch on the cement floor, while the others made a thick circle around me from which I wouldn't be able to escape. And it happened. All of them emptied their two litres and six litres of water bottles on me, teasing me and laughing. How humiliating!, (not really, I was laughing all the time!). When they finished they all ran away, and left me on my poor own.
"When I got up I was dripping, soaked, wet, full of water, and more than you can imagine! My clothes were soaked. My, that made me laugh so much!"

So these are my adventures from two weeks ago. I had an awesome week there, and was sad to say goodbye. I hope you enjoyed reading the post, and hope that I didn't bore you a lot! [smile]