This past week was a good example. As I mentioned last week things have started to really come to a close, and it has created a major sensation of mixed feelings. But this week it got even more real. You may be asking why. Well, another internship ended. Every afternoon for two months I spent time teaching English to military officials. Well, also every day for two months during the morning I spent time having English conversation hours with the military cadets. That finally came to an end this week as well, so I gained MORE time. It's great and hard at the same time. Honestly, every task that I have had this semester has been an amazing experience. So, half of me is like "yes! More free time!", but the other half of me is like "wow...it's already over." It's so odd, but in ways even the mixed feelings are becoming more of a routine occurrence.
So, apart from the classes I still attend, the only thing I still have to do this semester is soak up all the time I can in the city I have come to call home this last (very rapid) 3 months. After finishing the military academy internship during the week I had more time during the break between classes to get other things done, because I still have projects to finish and papers to write. But along with that I also was FINALLY able to enjoy more time with those people I mentioned in last week's post: my host family.
For the first time in months I was able to actually sit back and enjoy a nice lunch with them and not have to rush, without talking, through my meal. It was nice to be able to enjoy their company again, talk about things, and have a few laughs. Not having to rush out of the house half an hour after getting back from class was definitely nice. And they noticed! Clearly, this whole "never having time to breathe" was something that other people in my life this semester could notice. It was nice to finally be able to do that without having that spontaneous urge to want to cancel class one day just to be able to get a word in edgewise during the course of the sobremesa (conversation during and after the meal). And just for the record, I didn't actually cancel class...I only thought about it.
The free time from traveling during the weekend also gave me some more time to just be around the city and explore all that Segovia has to offer. And even though most people you come across in Segovia will tell you that it's a tiny place, I find it to be quite large. But hey...maybe it's because I walk to get everywhere here instead of hopping in a car and going for a spin. And that's exactly what I did this weekend. Friday, I spent most of the day with my host sister and her daughter, eating lunch with them and just shooting the breeze. Saturday, I was able to enjoy another nice family lunch with all of my host parents' kids. And, just like the second weekend I was here, when you have 11 Spaniards in one room it's absolutely impossible to be endlessly entertained. But Sunday, I got the chance to simply...be. I traveled around the city, found some great sights, and spent some time with the Lord on a hill overlooking almost all of the city. It was great. And I got some great photos!
The view of the city from the section of the city I live in: New Segovia. Quite the sight!
This is a front shot of the entrance to the Segovia Municipal Cemetery. Though it may not sound very positive, it's actually a really nice place. It's well kept.
Oh, this landscape. This is something I'm really going to miss when I'm back in the United States. Indiana has nothing on this. I especially love how the sun splashes everything. It's pretty sweet stuff.
Though this may not seem very far down, it's actually quite a drop and also quite steep. One of my more favorite rocks I've popped a squat on. And it had a great view of the river below!
And because I always enjoy a good landscape selfie, here's another for you!
This city has so much to offer, and this week I was actually able to start capitalizing on all of those things. And in case you didn't notice the trend of all of the photos, the weather these last couple of weeks has been SPECTACULAR. That makes everything even better. Literally, every day we have had sunshine. So great. :)
Even though traveling is something that should be done during a semester abroad, sometimes taking the steps back to really just enjoy the things you have right where you are is important. This week I was able to breathe, enjoy the family I've been extremely blessed to live with this semester, really scope out of the landscape that has been absolutely majestic day in and day out, and I was able to stop to thank God for all that he really has been doing here this semester. Taking the time to look back on all of it has truly reminded me of just how much I have learned here, and how much I will continue to learn here even after I leave. A friend of mine at the English school I work at always like to say, "every day is a school day." He couldn't be more right. :)
To end, I will leave you with a verse that I was reminded of often this week. Along with the free time I've been able to get from the chaos that is work life, I was also able to step back and really see God in a lot of the things that we so easily take for granted: family, landscape, even the sunshine. It's really all Him, and for that I am truly thankful.
"Be still and KNOW that I am God." -Psalm 46:10
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