Two and a half months later, here I am.

It's safe to say that this has been the fastest semester of my life. The best semester? Probably. As many of you have seen from my photos, I've been doing lots and lots of travelling in Greece and around Europe.

For my 22nd birthday, Mads and I took our first trip to London and saw the Phantom of the Opera and explored the city for the weekend. Our flight left at 6am, so we decided it was an awesome idea to not sleep the night before. We were going strong until after a full day of travel, exploring, and shopping. At around 5 that night, we were walking miles across London to find our theater and hadn't eaten since that morning. I was what one might call hangry, and at several points almost burst into tears and sat down on the sidewalk to cry about how hungry and tired I was. Like actually, I almost did that. We finally found a Pret a Manger (a popular cafe in London), changed in the world's tiniest bathroom, and did our hair and makeup in the theater's bathroom before the show started (super classy, we know:). The opera was AMAZING -it met all my hopes and expectations, excepting that Christine was a blonds and Meg was a brunette -I couldn't wrap my mind around it! We sat next to some wonderful Frenchmen and some super annoying high school boys who snickered every time a high note was sung. But hey, it was still a grand experience.

The rest of London was filled with interesting and hilarious experiences. On the way home from the theater I almost got hit by a car, so I lunged forward, stepped on a metal grate in my heels, and epically slid/fell to the ground and ripped my tights. Super fun. We found the way to our hotel, which was miles outside the city, but were sure we were going to get murdered as we defenselessly walked the dark streets at midnight on a Friday night. We finally reached our hotel, though, which happily was the sketchiest ever! During such times, we have decided that our motto should be, if one must die, it would be way cooler to die in Europe while adventuring than to die for no good reason in Wisconsin.

Exploring the rest of London was incredibly enjoyable despite the typical rainfall that smeared the sky with grey throughout our weekend. Seeing monuments such as Big Ben, parliament, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London was invigorating. I also enjoyed the culture of London, as the people were generally friendly, the layout of the city was aesthetically pleasing, and the buildings were constructed in classic European fashion. Most of all, it was fun to dream about living there and running through the gorgeous St. James Park or riding a bike along the river. 

Our study abroad program takes us on the most wonderful trips -we traveled to Delphi (the ancient center of civilization) and saw the mountainous regions surrounding the Oracle and ancient ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Along with this, we wandered through the nearby village and eat a delectable traditional Greek meal.

Our first island experience was to Aegina during Valentine's Day weekend. Ageina is only a short ferry ride from the Athens port. Ten of us girls stayed at a local hotel where our host lady told us to call her mama and provided tea and cake for us upon our arrival. Each group of us had our own precious room that was decorated with charm and somewhat cheesy-tourist-Paris adornments. We rented four-wheelers and explored the contents of the island for the afternoon, finding a monastery and an abandoned beach surrounding crystal clear water.

That night our host mama insisted on taking us out for drinks at her son's bar, and little did we know, she is quite the business lady. She strategically brings her guests to her son's bar in order to attract other college kids to the bar and generate business for her son. She was adorable and we loved her.

Only a few weeks later, a group of us set off for Rome for our five-day-weekend. This city had its own very unique charm and beauty. The constant appearance of the loveliest fountains and richly constructed buildings added a particularly pleasant feel to the city. The group consisted of Maddie, myself, and our friends Maria, Luis, and Michel. Michel provided most of the entertainment for the trip with his constant comparisons to his home country of Egypt and comments on Italian culture.

Lacoon and His Sons

The Vatican

Our favorite Michel quotes:

#1

Michel: I found Subee! (our Korean friend)

Maddie: Michel, no, that's an Asian girl!

 #2

Michel: The angel is holding a selfie stick 

#3

Michel: Habibi, I am Egyptian, I am never late!

*arrives 20 minutes late*

Michel: In Egypt we never take directions from the women!

Michel: In Egypt we don't have to check into our flights!

Michel: In Egypt you would live like queens!

Michel: Why are we always talking about Egypt??

#4

Michel: Look, twins! 

Maddie: No, Michel, those are just two Asian girls.

Luis: Michel, stop being so racist!

#5

*Rain falling*

Michel: Don't cry, Rome, I will come back!

#6

*Looks at gelaterie worker*

Michel: CIAO!!!

Oh Michel. He is such a treat!

The Vatican left me breathless for the entirety of our time in the museums. I was in constant shock at I stared at the intricate, endless beauty of the artistic works created by infinitely famous men and women. There was so much to see in Rome with the endless squares, fountains, and cathedrals. It's in those moments, staring at the Sistine Chapel or standing in St. Peter's Square, that you aren't sure if it's really you living your life, or if you're really where you are in that moment. Seeing the world has that incredible effect on a person, I think, and it takes a while to sink it. 

The commonly spoken quote of "travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer" is actually completely accurate. As my bank account drains over the course of the semester, I am gaining vast amounts of insight, knowledge, experience, and memories -those which could be gained only through adventure and travel. And I am continually grateful for that.

We have arrived.

So, we're here! It's been a whirlwind, and sometimes it doesn't feel real -that we're actually living in Europe! It's amazing and an incredible blessing to be here. So far our days have consisted of travel, moving in/getting settled, exploring the city, and starting classes. 

The 16 hours of travelling passed by very quickly, and we were pumped to get to our residence hall! We are living in a small apartment with six girls total -with two per room, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a two lovely balconies. That's something I love about Europe -that even though space may be tight, they still make room for fresh air, and well as green space through all the trees and shrubbery lining the apartments and streets. Another wonderful aspect of Grecian life is the two-hour siesta time they have during every day where businesses close and people rest. See, Maddie loves it. 

Our adventure to downtown Athens on Saturday was filled with many historical sightings and beautiful views. We saw the Acropolis with the Parthenon standing tall from the 5th century B.C.. Eating our first gyro -or souvlaki as the Greeks call it- was incredibly delicious! I will be eating about 5,000 more this semester! 

Hadrian's Arch (131 A.D.) stands at the entrance of an ancient temple of Zeus, the remnants of which are pictured below.

We also got to explore a portion of Athens that is majorly influenced by Greek people that moved to the mainland from the island of Cyclades. This Greek island is famous for the blue and white houses on a hill next to the sea. Because the Greeks missed their island, they constructed homes on a hill below the acropolis that resemble those of their home -the color and construction was absolutely breathtaking!

Reflections on Africa.

Well, it's been a long time in coming, but I am finally blogging about Africa. It really did take me a while to let the summer sink in and process through my thoughts about it. As many of you have seen from my photos, the Ivory Coast was a whole other world filled with the expected poverty and crazy different culture. However, I think that when you travel to another country and experience another's world for a time, you can't help but to come back changed.

What I saw in the vastly difference world of Cote d'Ivoire, Africa was an outlook of hope and a passion for change in the presence of difficulty that cannot be easily missed. It's easy to come into a third world country as an American and think you have all the answers. We think because we have resources that we are somehow superior in all areas. Obviously we weren't going around saying this, but I speak from experience -I sort of knew going into the trip that I carry around this sense pride in being American and middle class, but I didn't fully realize these inward flaws until I was face to face with a completely different way of life.

Africans have spirit. They have spirit when they greet you, talk to you, when they dance, sing, play games, and interact. There is a joy and freedom of expression unique to these beautiful people, and it is unlike that the rigid culture we live in. What I didn't realize is that God is Lord over every culture -He is Father to all, and we are united in Him. I quickly saw that worship and style of ministry is not relevant in measuring superiority, because there is no need to measure at all. There are no divisions between us, because we all have a common Father who adores us and died to make us His.

One of the most significant parts of my journey was realizing the incredible amount of blessings I enjoy. I know I don't need to feel guilty for what I have, but being in Africa was a huge reminder of the importance of thankfulness. I have been amazingly blessed by God with an absolutely lovely family. I have supportive and crazy awesome friends who are in it with me for the long-run. I have a car, more clothes than I could ever need, my own room, I never miss a day of eating, and I have infinite opportunity to pursue my goals. I don't think it really gets much better than this. The Ivorians really taught me to be practicing that attitude of thankfulness; they thank the Lord for everything, and they pray for each other constantly. While in Africa, I remember finding myself trecking through the mud and pouring rain with nearly broken shoes for a mile just to get to dinner, but feeling full of joy as I remembered the ways I have been blessed. Thankfulness really is transforming.

This past week in church some short-term missionaries were sharing about their recent trip to Malaysia. They spoke about the African children who had been adopted and brought into the culture and school system in Malaysia, but were rejected and bullied because of their skin color. Even though these children had been rescued from poverty and loneliness, they were being mistreated for what makes them beautiful.
This broke my heart as I thought back to my experience at the orphanage in Abidjan. There was a little boy named Prince who I connected with particularly. We had simple conversations in French and he told me about his five other siblings who had recently come to the orphanage with him.
It tore me up to think about how the 30-some children living in the orphanage hardly have a chance -there isn't even a way for them to be adopted by people from outside countries as the process has never been set up. I was so overwhelmed by my desire to rescue all of them and just love them. I want them to know that someone genuinely, wholeheartedly cares for them and wants to help them in life.

Prince

It's so difficult to understand this world. How we, as Americans, have this unfathomable amount of opportunity and odds totally in our favor toward success. The American way is not the only way by any means, but I believe that every child deserves the chance to grow up with parents, to be healthy and strong, and to understand that they are loved beyond measure. This is what I have received-not only from my earthly dad, but also from my heavenly Father who calls me his precious daughter. His heart is 100% for adoption, and I hope mine will also be someday so I can extend some of the same grace that I have been so beautifully shown.

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adoption you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory." -Romans 8:15-17