Sometimes...

...I get melancholic.

Okay, so I'm not perfect. And I'm not made out of stone. I remind myself everyday that I should be content with my situation, that I shouldn't complain about what I don't have and be happy with what I have, but... sometimes I can't help it.

I really miss the U.S. of A.

I continually tell myself I should look back at the time I spent there and be grateful for it. Don't get me wrong, I do, and I'm ever so grateful for the time I spent there! But that just makes me ache inside and want to go back so bad I sometimes even end up crying. Homesickness for what I did there, for who I met there, for all I lived there.

Hello! I have an awesome family here that loves me tremendously! I've seen many friends already and they were all so happy to see me again! That made me love them so much, and it made me feel so loved, too. Then... why can't I be happy for the time I'm spending here, and just wait patiently for another opportunity to go there?

This is something I really struggle with. Contentment. Patience. [sighs] Oh well. The Lord will show.

Photoshoot Met Harm En Sonia

While I was in Holland, spending the last week of my four-month-trip, I had the tremendous opportunity of going out with my best friend and her boyfriend for a photoshoot.

Truth be said, I had the time of my life. Camera in hand, best friend with me, and getting to know her incredible boyfriend. What else can I ask for? The couple was so much fun to work with, and so cooperative. I really enjoyed seeing them so happy together. =)

Anyway, want a sneek-peek? ^^

They're so cute together! I'm so happy for Sonia! Want to see some more? Click HERE!

Home Secrets

This video is a family favourite. It's one of my favourite Disney shorts. And...



...you know you're home with your crazy siblings when you start imitating hens and pigs and ducks while clearing the supper table. Check out minute 1:20, 2:18, 4:17 and 6:08. We know the song off by heart!
I love my siblings, by the way. =) ♥

Commitment

As the title may suggest, I have made a commitment! I'm goind to post in both blogs at least once a week. =) I will try to find something to post about on this blog, and I have more than enough pictures to post on my PhotoBlog. So!
Commitment made, commitment kept (hopefully :P).

Washing the Dishes by Mummy

I the model, my mother the artist.

I was very rewarded when my Mummy noticed even the hour of the night in which I washed the dishes for her a couple nights ago. She even included my singing! Isn't she a darling? ♥

Home

Aren't some things ironic? When I'm away from home, I long for a hug from my parents. When I'm here... I long for snowy winter days in flat land.

Home, Sweet Home

And so, my four month trip has come to an end.

I can't believe this is over. It seems like it was yesterday that my parents called me down to the kitchen and told me, "Yes! You can go! You can start making plans." It seems like it was yesterday that I phoned and e-mailed all my friends telling them my exciting news. Whoa, where has time gone? 3rd of May is as fresh in my mind as if I were living it today. *Sighs*

This trip has been incredible. I can't even start to explain how much it has helped me to grow personally and spiritually, and it has been such a huge gift to be able to meet all my pen-friends!

Things haven't really changed here. My bedroom is still a mess [grin, just kidding].

Well, some things have.

No, seriously. My little big brother is a head taller than me, and his voice has changed to a deep, low manly voice that I really like. That is one huge change that I have to get used to. But we're still as close as before... or should I say, we're closer than ever? After my darling Mummy and youngest brother had picked me up from the airport (the latter repeating that I was the best present ever, because it recently was his birthday, although I'm wondering if he really meant it as a hint :P), we went my little big brother from school, and when he saw me he smiled and hugged me in front of all his friends! That was so special to me =)

The other big change that almost broke my heart was the news that Black Jack, my favourite kitten, ran away a couple of months ago. It really made me sad, but Scotty, our other kitten (he's well over two years old now, but I can't stop calling him my kitty) remembered me, and that same night, when I went outside to just think, he came over and plopped himself on my lap.

Let me add something to this post: even though I miss my friends terribly and I wish I were back in Holland, I LOVE BEING HOME!

After picking up my brother from school we went home. The house was still painted yellow. The flowers still invaded the garden/yard, and Skitty was still slumbering in the shade. It almost looked exactly as I had left it four months ago. But...! Surprise! There were two balloons at the gate. And once I had gone into the house, I saw balloons ALL over the place, and hand-made garlands hanging from the lights and the ceilings, and posters with "Welcome Home, Anna!" all over the place. Do you wonder why it's good to be home? It made me feel so good inside. My family had really looked forward to my coming back, and are really making me feel welcome.

They're so awesome. :)

You know, it's also lots of fun to introduce the new treasures I have to the old ones I had. I hope they get along fine when I'm not in the room!

And so, as someone said somewhere, this is the end of my trip... but it's also another beginning. Thank God. ♥

Goodbye America

By the time this post is published, I will most likely be high in the sky watching the stars from a huge aeroplane window.

Yep. I'm flying back to Europe.

I can't believe my four month trip is almost over. I have one week in Holland left, and then I'll be home again. Home! I haven't been there for such a long time! I can't help but being excited about seeing my family again and walking among the vineyards once more, even though I am very sad I have to leave the places I've visited during this time. But... there's a time for everything, right?

I would appreciate your prayers as I will struggle with jet-lag!

By the way... aren't scheduled posts useful? ;)

Wisconsin, Wisconsin

I'm saying goodbye to Wisconsin! But hopefully, not for long. =) I am flying tomorrow so please pray for safety.

But until I come back (for I hope to one day), I will say farewell to all the beauty of this state, and to my favourite horse, Amigo. =) Cantering with him was amazing.

This New Hat Of Mine

I find myself sitting on a huge rocking armchair, with a nice black laptop on my lap (heh. You wouldn't think a laptop would be on my head, would you?), and most of an afternoon before me, without much to do - except writing!

By the way, I still find myself in the U.S. of A, in case you didn't know. I've spent almost two months and a half here, and I still have three weeks (more or less) left in this place people like to call America. But - where to start? I have had "writing on my blog", or "writing a general e-mail to all the people" in my mind for quite a while (a.k.a., a thing called newsletter), but somehow I never got around to do it. Don't ask me why.

Why?

Told you not to ask. But in case you're expecting an answer... whoa, I don't know where to start. The list of reasons is endless. I will tell you I was too busy taking walks with my friend from South Carolina, taking along our cameras, and capturing the beauty of a magnolia flower. I will tell you I was too busy visiting a donkey farm with the said friend, and getting all covered up in dust because of the donkeys' affections. I will tell you I was too busy going to Greenville's Zoo and trying to take a picture of a lion who would fall asleep with its back at us. I will tell you I was too busy visiting Biltmore House (that was exhausting!, but enjoyable, of course!) I will tell you I was too busy playing basketball with my friend's little brother, or too busy attending a puppet show, in Texas. I will tell you I was too busy marching up and down the streets chanting Left! Left! Left, RIGHT, left! with them. I will tell you I was too busy watching a musical called Texas!, and visiting Palo Duro Canyon, staying overnight at a motel during a terrible thunderstorm. I will also tell you I was too busy tubing in the river five minutes away from here in Wisconsin. I will also tell you I was too busy tenting with friends, or playing volley-ball for a whole afternoon, or swimming in a lake for a whole day, or even, jamming around a campfire late at night. I will also tell you I was too busy laughing endlessly (take that literally) with three other girl-friends, scheming and conspiring in the darkness of the parking-lot after a very much enjoyed Wissmann concert. I might also tell you that I was too busy playing with three certain little (and believe me, active!) kiddos, or talking for hours with their mother, back in Nebraska.

What!? I told  you the list was endless! I could go on and on, and I wouldn't be able to finish till tomorrow at sixteen minutes past three o'clock in the morning!

And are you wondering about the title? Yep, I have a new hat. And it's adorable!

A Bird Without Wings

Wet Curls And Pixie Hoods

It was raining outside. The girl watched the tiny drops trickle down the huge windows in the waiting area, and thought about the tears she's seen in her mother's eyes when they had hugged goodbye. They had touched her and had almost made her cry, too. Saying goodbye to one's baby daughter must be hard, she reflected.

Nevaeh took a deep breath. She was leaving home for four months. No turning back now, for it was too late. They'd already opened the gate, and people had started to step out in the rain. Ugh!, she thought, the rain will probably ruin my hair! She pulled her hood over her head and tried to hide as much hair as possible inside the thick jacket.

The dancers behind her started to push, but Nevaeh couldn't move forward without bumping on the person in front of her, so she turned around and raised an eyebrow at the Dutch dancers, asking for patience with her look. Everyone would board the plane eventually, she thought to herself. No need to worry about that.

The flight attendant started indicating that the way was open, and people ran towards the boarding stairs that went up to the plane. It was still pitch dark, although the hour was near seven in the morning; the flight attendants wore orange reflective vests that could be seen a mile away. Nevaeh wished she had one... she had always liked them. She liked them better than the yellow ones Spanish people usually used.

The stairs were were wet, and slipped under her feet. Nevaeh grabbed at the rail and tried to wait patiently under the rain as the slowly climbed up the stairs into the back of the plane. She didn't succeed in that, so Nevaeh decided to wait impatiently under the rain instead.

This was the second time she flew with that company, the second time she flew on her own, the second time she flew to Holland! Nevaeh felt a thrill at that thought, and for a moment didn't mind the rain spoiling her hair.

After what had seemed like five minutes but had really been... five minutes, Nevaeh was able to show her boarding pass to the flight attendant and step into the security of a roof over her head. Forgetting that she still had her hood on and must look like a ridiculous tiny pixie, Nevaeh anxiously looked down the aisle to spot an empty seat on the right side, and by the window, and not too close to the wing so her view wouldn't be spoiled.

And she found it! Nevaeh barely found time to walk to her seat. Suppose someone in front of her stole it? She squeezed between the line of people in the aisle and the row of seat, and let herself plop on the prized seat with a triumphant air, thumping her bag under the seat opposite her. There, she was ready for the flight.

The engines started and the plane got taxied to the taking off area. Excitement bubbled up inside of her once again as the engines roared and the plane started to run powerfully. Nevaeh watched breathlessly as all of a sudden the plane took off and bit by bit the ground looked more and more distant.

She couldn't take her eyes off of the view outside. Such a thrill rushed inside of her every time she realized that this was real! She was flying, and she was going to Holland. With eyes full of tears Nevaeh gave thanks to God for this dream come true. She did not know what awaited her over there, but she was sure it would all be wonderful.

Nevaeh settled as comfortably as possible in her seat. A two hour flight stretched before her, and she considered the possibility of sleeping a little bit. She'd only slept three hours that night; but sleep avoided her and soon she came to the conclusion that she was too excited to shut her eyes, so out came her MP3. She would listen to music and stare out of the window instead.

The flight proved to be a boring success. Her excitement wouldn't let her concentrate in her reading, nor would let her write. The view outside was an endless prairie of white, shapeless clouds, so she wasn't able to enjoy that, either.

She didn't find her friends either. Nevaeh had hoped that a flight assistant whom she had coincided with and who had complimented her on her English would be there, but obviously wasn't. Plus a fly she had met last winter and had named Tapio wasn't there. Nevertheless, she did meet a friendly ant running on the seat opposite her. Was it a Spanish ant flying to Holland, for free, or was it a Dutch ant returning to its home after a brief visit to its relatives?

The ant, which she decided to name Hilda, wasn't the most interesting conversationalist she had met, so after a few unsuccessful attempts to chat, she gave up altogether and resigned to her fate: her flight would be boring, no matter what.

Two hours of flying that wouldn't fly by. To her, the time seemed to drag by, and Nevaeh became more and more impatient the more she thought about her best friend waiting for her at the airport and the amazing month they would spend together. If only the flight would end...

FINALLY!, and as all other things, the flight found its end. Nevaeh was beside herself with excitement. Even though Holland welcomed her with overcast skies once she stepped outside the cabin door onto the stairs, she was happy to be there. Happiness meant being there, hugging Amice and hopping into the car with her family at that moment. ^^

Nevaeh

  Nevaeh had the thought of picking up her pen for the umpteenth time that day, but somehow something finally made her decide against it. After all, she was trying to sleep, and it was past midnight.

   Why on earth wouldn't she write, she wondered to herself. She had so much to write about, so much worth penning down. Nevaeh thought about that for a while... pick up a pen to pen something down. Interesting.

   But after all, what was the use of spending four months away from home if she didn't write about it? All the experiences and adventures lived would be only known to herself and her memory, but...

   Were they really worth the effort? Were they worth sharing with, say, the closest acquaintances? She thought, suddenly, of the thrill someday, if it happened, her daughters would feel when reading a certain small, red book of hers...

   So she picked up her pen, after all.

Remembering A Forgotten Blog

A month has come and gone in Holland. In two days I catch a fligh to the United States of America! I am very excited about that flight. I enjoy flying in general, but whoa... flying to the States! o.O

I am a bit at loss at how to write this post. I don't know where to start, nor what to write about. Time in Holland has been a very busy one, full of outings and meetings with friends I met last time I was here. I admit I should have written on this blog before, but I lacked time and motivation. When I though, Oh, I have to write on my blog! the computer wasn't available, and if, by any chance, it was, I procastinated and told myself I would write whenver I felt like it.

Well, to be honest with you all, this is not the time. I am quite lost; I have what most people like to call writer's block, or should I call it blogger's block? Whatever its name, I do NOT feel like writing right now, but I feel I must write. So here I am, sitting on a chair and facing the screen, with my fingers on the black keyboard.

And a blank mind.

Nevertheless, I want you all to know that I am flying in two days, so I would appreciate your prayers for safety! Pray especially for my sense of direction... I have this feeling I will get lost in the layover airport. :P

And so, beloved readers, here I leave you, until I have a little bit more of inspiration.

Countdown

The title doesn't really have much to do with the real subject of this post, but it explains the reason.
Long, long ago (76 days ago) my best friend and I started the countdown. Today, we're down to 8 days for my summer trip to start! I've started calling it my Summer Tour...
Anyway, as the day gets nearer, the usual dummy-funny-noisy-crazy me turns in to reallydummy-reallyfunny-reallynoisy-reallycrazy me. I can't help it. If I didn't go wild, I would completely burst inside.
Therefore, I have more fun than usual with my little (taller-than-me) brother. I mean, we laugh at anything, even the most stupidest, nonsensical thing. This afternoon, while having our afternoon break, I had some of my delicious Bio Soya and Chocolate Milk. My bro and I were laughing at something so while I poured some of my milk I spilt it a little over the table. What did I say?

"Woops! I missed!" *looks awkwardly at the table* "And I messed!

Whoa, my brother and I just started laughing so hard!
Five minutes later, I started talking about my trip *brother rolls eyes and sighs thinking, again!* and I suddenly exclaim,

"Wow, I'm gonna miss you so much!"

What does brother say?

"I'm gonna mess you so much!"

*Laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs*

Sorry for this weird piece of my life! I wanted to write it down. (= Don't give me up! :D

*Sighs*

This session has been somewhat melancholic. It's my last session. It finishes today, and they have been three days of sighing and thinking "This is the last time I do..." such and such.

It twelve days I leave Spain, and start a whole new year. The day after I leave I will turn 17 years old. And my first four months will be spend abroad, without my family, but with my friends, friends I haven't seen in a long time, or friends I haven't met at all. It's going to be such a great experience, such an opportunity! I thank God for this.

I would appreciate your prayers for this trip.

And for now... this is the last time I get on a computer at work. ='(

Weapon of Prayer

This is a song I really like. Everytime I listen to it, I get chills up and down my spine, and goose-pimples. The message is so true! I just hope I will never have to sing it.

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

In that land across the sea
There's a job for you and me
Though our presence there may not be found
We must stay standing there
On the battle lines and pray
We must never lay our weapons down

We don't have to be a soldier in a uniform
To be of service over there
While the boys so bravely stand
With the weapons made by hand
Let us trust and use the weapon of prayer.

Many thousands miles away
Someone shed their blood today
With a heart so true and brave they're gone
To a war that's yours and mine
Let us join the battle line
With a weapon that will save our home

We don't have to be a soldier in a uniform
To be of service over there
While the boys so bravely stand
With the weapons made by hand
Let us trust and use the weapon of prayer

And when the planes and tanks and guns
Have done all that they can do
And the mighty bombs have rained and failed
Still the helpful Hand above, on the weapon made of love
And against Him none on earth prevail

We don't have to be a soldier in a uniform
To be of service over there
While the boys so bravely stand
With the weapons made by hand
Let us trust and use the weapon of prayer.

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

I just listened to it, and had to share it with all of you.

Untitled

My life is a happy life.

That said, I am alive. Otherwise, my life wouldn't exist because it wouldn't be a life, because a life exists when you live. So, I repeat, I am alive.

Unfortunately for my blog, I am incredibly busy these days. Besides the fact that work fills my days from six thirty a.m. to eleven p.m., something else (which I may add, is VERY exciting, and coming up really fast!) is also taking up a lot of my time every day.

WHAT! You haven't guessed what that something else is?? You don't know already?? Goodness, child, where have you been hiding? But I'll tell you.

I have to wait 25 days till my four month summer trip starts.

I have said(written) that in a very calm kind of way... no "!!", no italics, no CAPITAL LETTERS, etc. BUT! You will never guess how excited I am. You'll never guess how my insides move when I think about the trip; when my Mummy and I start discussing which skirt I should sew first, or what shoes I should buy; when I receive an e-mail from a friend confirming something for me; when I receive an e-mail from some airline confirming my flight purchase. It is really very exciting!

I will be going to Holland, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and Iowa, Lord willing. I am amazed at how smoothly everything is going on, and I am very grateful for everybody's help and collaboration.

As for my current life... well, it couldn't be better. They have me taking pictures of people smiling and having fun while they attend a workshop; they have me designing and printing posters to hang all over the walls, and that is so much fun!; they have me taking pictures of white boards and editing them on Photoshop so they have a white backround; I am learning so many new things! I will quote one of the movies they play: "My job, which isn't really a job, because I enjoy it so much... (...)"

Tomorrow is going to be an awesome day!! My old class mates organized a fashion show to collect enough money for their end-of-year trip. I attended last year's fashion show, and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! To me it was like a professional event. They go around the local clothes shops (formal, wedding, casual, etc) and ask for them to collaborate with the show. They even get professional hair-dressers! I am so excited about it. They asked me to be the "photographer". I'm not sure I'll do OK (I will just go there to practice), but if the pictures turn out fine, I will be sure to post some!

This is it for now! Have a blessed weekend, all of you!

Mr. March

Ladies and gentlemen!
I would like to introduce all of you to...

Mr. March!

Ain't he cute? ^^

Snow!!

I can't believe I'm writing this: it's snowed!!

In Spain. In March. How ironic is that?

I woke up to my Mamma opening the blinds up and excitedly exclaiming, "Get up, girl! It's snowing like crazy!" And sure enough, once I'd jumped off my bed and peeked out of the window I saw that it was snowing!! Yay!! Big, fat snowflakes, falling down as thick as anything! I was able to take a couple of pictures:

Morning! Just about nine a.m.

The mountains, in the morning. Same time.

Ditto...

This were how our windows looked in mid-afternoon. Already a car with loudspeakers had gone around advising for all of us to stay at home unless strictly necessary, and providing emergency phone numbers.

I don't know if it's seen on the pictures, but I'm tellin' you, it was snowing thick! I had the time of my life watching during different times of the day. It first snowed lazyly, the big, plump snowflakes floating in the air. Then it started to snow more fierecely and thicker. Finally, a strong wind started to blow hard, and it was almost like being in a blizzard!

SNOW!