Spring Break Spain Style

When we were preparing for the program, we were told that around mid-March we were going to be able to have a "travel week" where we would be able to go anywhere (within reason) for 4 days. The rule was you had to go in groups of 3 or more. When the list of places we could choose from were read you could tell most of the girls were going to pick Rome, Italy. And why wouldn't they?? It's an absolutely amazing place and I loved it...but I had already been. Luckily there were a couple other girls who were in the same boat as I was. We didn't decide where we wanted to go till after the program started but we all agreed on going to....LISBON, PORTUGAL!! When am I ever going to have the opportunity to go to Portugal? We decided it would be the perfect place....funny thing is we didn't even know just how "perfect" perfect meant.We didn't really plan very much for our trip, the plane tickets and our hostel were way cheap so we booked those and just planned on laying out at the beach all day everyday. It was a very relaxing trip to plan compared to the Rome trip. I was so worried those girls were gonna be way to stressed to even have fun, but they did so that's good!

Anyways, my friends Alyssa Smith and Derek Allen have both been to Lisbon so I asked them about things to do and such. They gave me great lists and Alyssa recommended the hostel we stayed in, but even with this information, none of our little group really knew anything about Portugal, so we were just gonna wing it. AND IT WAS PERFECT! It turns out, there is actually A TON to do in Lisbon...we needed another whole week. But even with knowing that, I don't regret any decision made on that trip.

Our group of six (Chelsey, Anna Solomon, Alyson Astle, Elizabeth Dalton, Janeen Jensen and I) made it to Lisbon and checked into what would turn out to be the greatest hostel on this earth! I'm actually not kidding...they've gotten awards for best hostel. Seriously. Amazing. I don't know how else to describe it. It's called Yes! Hostel. YES FOR YES! HOSTEL! Thank you so much Alyssa! This hostel has the nicest workers and they all know you and recognize you and remember you and they are just so helpful, they feed you a 3 course meal with 3 drinks and dinner every night for 8 euros (and the food is handmade by the owner Isabel and DIVINE. DIVINE I tell you.) they give you tips on things to do, and for the party going visitors they take you on a guided pub crawl every night and free shots at 1130...oh and they can all speak like 5 languages...ugh just....perfect! I don't know anyone who is or will be visiting Lisbon, but if you or anyone you know is....STAY HERE!

....Anyways, once we were settled in the six of us took a stroll around our part of Lisbon. The city is right on the coast and very hilly. Nothing like Madrid. Now don't get me wrong, Madrid is great but Lisbon is just beautiful! We ended up just wandering all over for awhile then eating at a cute little restaurant overlooking the water. (the food wasn't very good but the place was cute).

The next morning we got up and headed to a town about 45 minutes outside of Lisbon called Cascais. This is another thing that Alyssa (and the hostel) recommended. Actually, when we got to the hostel we found that, on their blackboard thingy, they had posted what they recommend you do as "day trips". Cascais was one of them so I just took a picture of their recommended layout and we just planned to follow that. The trip consisted of visiting the furthest western point on the European Continent, Hell's Mouth and several different beaches. Sadly, we didn't make it everything, but again, I don't regret a single thing I did or didn't do on this trip.

We went to Boca de Inferno, which means Hell's mouth in Portugese....OH YEAH! did you know they speak Portugese in Portugal? yeah so did I....did you know that almost everyone speaks real good English as well? yeah neither did I. Freaking America. Why don't you make us a learn billion languages in school?

Anyways, Boca de Inferno is basically a large grotto right on the coast in middle of beautiful cliffs. Pictures don't do it justice. We got there right as the tide was coming in so the waves were extra large and loud, which made the experience all the more cool.

After that we walked up and down the coastline for awhile trying to figure out how to get the free bikes they have so we could ride around town. We ended up not being able to find six all together but as we made it back into the actual town of Cascais I discovered something I think is better than bikes.

SEGWAYS! I've always wanted to ride a segway...and after I saw the price I figured "why not in Portugal?" Luckily, Chelsey was down to join me. Best decision of the day! After we ate some Indian food, we rented segways for an hour and rode around town. The weather was just so perfect all day and we laughed the entire time. I think that will be a memory I cherish for a long while. We then chilled at the beach for a couple hours till it was time to meet up with the other girls and head back for dinner (our first night eating the famous Isabel Hostel meal....sooooooo good!)

The next morning we went to a town a little closer than Cascais called Belem. We walked around for a bit and saw some of the sights and got a Pasteis de Belem...Heaven in a pastry, no joke. In fact, after we finished eating them with the girls and split up, Chels and I went back and got more. Don't judge.

I'm pretty proud of this picture BTW.

We then went to Carcevelos, which according to Derek and the hostel was the most popular beach around. It was perfect for the relaxing afternoon in the sun that Chelsey and I were looking for. I mentioned earlier that the tide had been coming in when we visiting Hell's Mouth....turns out it was this freak event where the water was crazy high and the waves were insane! There were so many surfers out and we had to keep moving our spot because the water kept reaching us. We even saw a movie being filmed while we were there.

We ate lunch at a little restaurant on the beach and had burgers and shakes...now we aren't really sure if they were really as great as we thought or if the state of pure happiness we were in had clouded our judgement...but the food, to us, was delicious. After spending the rest of the perfect day on the beach, we returned back to the hostel and ate our final dinner in Portugal, prepared by Isabel.

The next morning, after we checked out of our hostel, we went to a little flea market not very far away. When I say little, I mean HUGE! We were there for hours and we didn't even make a dent in it. We all bought some cool trinkets and such and then headed to the airport.

All in all, this trip could not have come at a more perfect time. I was starting to really feel my SAD coming on, even though we had just been to Barcelona. I know my life is just so hard living in Spain, it's not. But it was nice having a break where we could do whatever we felt like doing and enjoy ourselves with no pressure. Definitely the spring break I needed.

Thank you Portugal, I hope to see you again one day.

~till next time

Chloe

Busy Busy

Gosh I have so much to write about I don't even know where to begin...

The last couple weeks have been filled with a lot of traveling and planning. In the last month I have been to Portugal, most of Northern Spain including a beach in southern France, Valencia for Las Fallas, went to a REAL Madrid game and the Madrid Temple. And in the midst of all this I have studied for finals. Yes everyone, I was attending school whilst living in Spain. Let's just say a plethora of posts will be making an appearance very shortly.

Chels and I have been doing a pretty good job keeping up with out Conference Challenge. It's been so great listening to talks from last Conference. There are very precious truths within these carefully prepared talks and I am so grateful for the time and energy each speaker puts into it. I am so grateful for my testimony of ALL the leaders in our Church. I hope that one day I can be as righteous and faithful as them. Our scripture reading is a litte behind, but we are working to catch up. Man I love the Book of Mormon! Have you read it? If not you are missing out on the greatest gift. I'm grateful for the missionaries that leave their homes and families for 1.5 - 2 years to share this gift and other truths with the people of the world. People need it.

This week is my last week in Spain. Holy Poop! I've been here for 3 months? It's insane! Sometimes I feel like I've only been here two weeks....other times I feel like it's been 5 years. I am so very grateful that I was blessed with this opportunity. I seriously have the most amazing parents. I don't know if I'll ever be able to properly thank them for making this possible but I'm sure gonna try. I love you both so much!

To be honest, I think I'm ready to go home. I love Spain and the memories that have been created here, but I'm ready to get back to life in America and continue down the path the Lord has created for me, wherever that may lead. I'm ready for more adventures with my new friends and to continue the friendships with my amazing friends at home, whom I cannot wait to see! I have a feeling that this summer is going to be a great one :)

Before I head home though, I think I may just travel Europe for a bit...yeah sounds good. France, Scotland, Ireland and London? Here I come!

Now, I'm just going to rant about how absolutely adorable my cousins are. Everyone on my program is so sick of hearing about them, especially Soren....BUT I CAN'T HELP IT!!! They are the cutest children on this earth and I am obsessed.

I mean look at them!!! Are you looking? Cause they are the cutest little people in the world! I cannot wait to see them....I'm probably going to cry...no lie. I don't have a picture of Lydia but she got baptized while I have been away...she's getting so big...and to my dismay Soren decided to walk while I've been gone...you couldn't wait just a couple more weeks bud? Otto and Olin sound pretty much the same which is totally fine with me :)

Luckily, I've had the opportunity to Skype with them which has been a great blessing. Last time I talked to Otto (while he was at my parents house) he asked if I was on the other side of the world and then asked if I would just come home already....my heart broke into a million pieces. Don't worry buddy... Less than 20 days till I hug you and never let go!

~till next time

Chloe

No Sleep.

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS NOT ME COMPLAINING.

I haven't been sleeping very well the last couple of nights. Why you may ask? Well it has nothing to do with my health. Nope it's because I have an addiction. To Sports. Seriously, I love sports with all of my soul. When I first decided to go on a Study Abroad program and I was trying to decide which semester I would rather "miss" I knew I couldn't miss fall...I can't miss football season hello? Sadly, when choosing winter semester, I chose to miss the season of my all time favorite sport. Rugby. I can't begin to describe how sad this makes me at times. I know, I know. It's just a sport right? I'm living in Spain it's fine. You know what? Sometimes it's just not fine okay? Just accept that. I am missing Shaun Davies, Mikey Su'a and so many others play their last season for BYU. Just let me be sad about it.

Anyways, also during this time...March Madness everybody. I have been up the last three nights, watching/re-watching games and highlights, listening and reading analyst opinions and pre-planning out my bracket for the Madness. Oh...and BYU is playing in the WCC Tournament right now and. of course, they play at 11pm...Vegas time. No sleep for this girl.

But the thing is I'm not complaining. At all. I love it! I love everything about it. Yes, I'm bummed I'm not in the States enjoying all of it (it really does make me sad sometimes), but that's what the internet is for.

Also on a side note, just found out that the National Rugby Championships are on the weekend of my 21st birthday...in Sandy, Utah. BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! :) don't judge.

till next time

~Chloe

Spiritual Growth.

I know I have mentioned this quite few times since I've been in Spain, but I am so glad that Chelsey is my roommate. We are so alike so it's way easy for us to communicate. About a month ago, her and I decided that we wanted to read the Book of Mormon together and finish it before the end of our program. That left us 60 days. Luckily, there are reading schedules that fit perfectly for our plan. We have missed days and had to catch up a couple times, but on the whole we have successful read the Book of Mormon together everyday. Actually, yesterday marked the half way point. So Bravo to us. I so enjoy reading the Book of Mormon with another person. We ask each other questions and discuss the things we read. It's awesome! It's definitely on the list of something I would like to do with my spouse if I ever get married.

Well to add to the great spiritual growth the Book of Mormon reading is providing, Chelsey and I have decided to do the Conference Countdown from the LDS General Conference facebook page. We are, unfortunately, not going to be able to watch Conference like we do normally. Of course we will make time to watch it on the internet (if we have it) but Chels and I will be in Paris during Conference. So, to make up for the fact that we will be "missing" it, we are participating in the 30 day prep reading. Everyday you read a certain talk or two from last Conference. Yesterday was our first day and let me tell you, it's been the greatest idea ever! We just listen to them on the internet and just let the spirit fill our hearts. Or at least I do ha. I can't speak for Chelsey but I'm assuming it's the same experience.

I had multiple people tell me that when I would go on Study Abroad that I would learn more about myself and would grow in more ways than one. At first I just kinda took it as some advice and didn't really think much about it. But the last couple of weeks I've realized just how true that is. I can tell that I've grown more spiritually. I have a stronger testimony of the Gospel being the same wherever you are in the world. And that it is true. Also that the Book of Mormon is true. There is no way it isn't. To be honest, for most of my life I've lived off of others testimonies. It wasn't until I went through some pretty hard things that I realized I couldn't do that anymore. Only my testimony was going to pull me through. It had to be my decision to make changes and get myself on the right track, though I know there were people wishing that their testimony could be enough. And their prays were so very helpful. But during that time I began to develop my own testimony. And it's been an ongoing project ever since. These last couple months have increased it so much it's hard for me to believe sometimes. It's true that when you surround yourself with the right people, they can have the greatest influence on you. The Lord puts people in your life for a reason. I believe Ashley, Bryndee, Melissa and Jamie in my life because of their great examples and testimonies. (I know that there are more people and I just don't have room to name them all, but these four girls have literally saved my life). I know that the Lord made it possible for me to come on this Study Abroad so that I could be surrounded by all of these amazing, strong girls so that I could see just how great the Gospel really is. My testimony of the Lord and His plan for us has never been stronger, and what is amazing to me is that I know that it is going to grow so much more.

Visiting the Temple, attending Church, reading scriptures and listening to talks are all things that at one point in my life, I didn't think were important. I just didn't care. I was so wrong. I cannot imagine my life without the Church. Without knowing that Heavenly Father is there for me always. How could I have gone through the things I have and not know that? He has always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it, and always will. And I am so very grateful for that. My mom shared a scripture with me one time. I don't think she will ever understand just how much this scripture has helped me. Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. The Lord is with you. Always. No matter what. He wants you to return to Him. Trust me, I know.

This program has added to this testimony. If it makes my parents feel any better, what I have learned and experienced has been worth way more than the cost of coming here :) I think everyone should make it a goal to finish the Book of Mormon this year, and if anyone would like to join Chelsey and I in our Conference Countdown the readings are posted on the LDS General Conference facebook page. I highly recommend it.

Remember, Be strong and of a good courage. He is with thee.

till next time

~Chloe