ITALIA!!

I couldn't believe it...I just received an email from RitzCamera and they always have mystery postcards at the end of the emails...this weeks is no mystery to me because I'm leaving for VENICE on Wednesday! Yep yep! All of the AGWM missionaries Portugal, Spain and Italy have a retreat in Bellaria, Italy! I'm flying into Venice and out of Florence (with 2 days of vacay in Florence!) I'll be traveling with my house mates, Vino and Erin, as well as my new bosses, Jerry and Gwen. Should be fun as long as Vino doesn't pick on me too much! If he does...oh well...I'll just eat more gelato! Ciao!

New Beautiful Walls!!

As I promised a month or so ago when I blogged about my new art in my bedroom, here is what Erin and I did to make the living area/dining room wall more like home. It all started with a trip to Ikea, which is how all of my "making home more homey" projects start. After picking out 3 frame shelves and various frames, I had Erin help me decide how and where to put everything (and she did most of the grunt work-she's great and so good at this!). We started, or I should say she, by laying out the design on the wall with masking tape. We needed to know what it would all look like and these were great guides as we put holes in the wall! {I'll admit, I laughed at Erin as she went tape crazy!}

Her is the lovely lady using a power tool! She's an expert at this!

More of Erin measuring, lining up, etc. It's already looking so great!!

And the finished master pieces!! I've always wanted to frame my own photographs as art for my home, but thought I'd have to wait until I got my own apartment or home. But, our new director said "make this place look creative!" So we did!

I just LOVE IT! This wall finally makes me so happy! All of these pictures have been taken in Europe over the last 8 months! A lot from my Christmas travels to Sweden, Finland and Germany. Of course I didn't leave my country of residence out...a few images of Spain also grace my wall! Ahhh...I do love it! And seriously, it makes me happy! It's much better than the mintish green walls in this commons area, and the art will look even better when we get to paint the walls a new color!

Weather....

the last couple of weeks in Madrid have not been too nice. Look for yourself...it's way nicer in MN this week! The dark, rainy days aren't very nice and don't get me outside exercising, but this weekend I think the sun may pop through!

I won't complain too much because in 2 weeks I'll be walking the streets of Venice, Italy! All of the southern europe missionaries have a retreat in Bellaria, Italy. So, me and some co-workers/friends/housemates of mine are flying into Venice and out of Florence! I've always wanted to see Italia...and now I get the chance too! Being away from family and friends is sad at times...but traveling within Europe because it's close and cheaper is great!!!!

I have a photo album from my spring break with my girlfriends here! Enjoy!!

A little taste of Andalucia!

Last week I had three good friends (Emily, Angela and Amanda) come over to visit and travel with me in southern Spain (Andalucia). It was such a great week! I am so happy and blessed that they were able to come over for the week. This makes me miss them even more! They were with me on my 8th month of being in Spain. Wow...time has flown by! I took lots of pics, of course, and will upload them to a Picassa web album sometime, but not all of them (sorry Alicia). I recorded some not so high quality video with my phone, but am glad I captured some good moments of life, not just with still images. Here is the story of "Emily and Crystal in the Orange Tree." This takes place in Málaga at Alcazar.

Enjoy!!

More fun pics and videos to come!!