My address

Well since I literally cannot get my address right I am going to try one more time - every time I have typed it on here I have made a mistake. I promise this one will be right. I promise.

Victoria Lubner

%Gloria Arranz

Calle San Rogelio 7, 1*C

Madrid, Spain 28039

(* is a degrees sign) I promise this time it is right.  I should still get all of your letters if you have used the other addresses I have posted on my blog.  Sorry about all the confusion.  Love you all.

Paz y Amor. God Bless.

Interest Creative Title Here.

Well Monday was my second time at the soup kitchen – I still love it.  This experience was a lot different than the first but still the same in some ways.  First the volunteers were different than the volunteers on Wednesday.  There was an older lady that “yelled” at me about five times during the hour and a half I was there – but oh well it happens.  My favorite volunteer though was another older Spanish lady.  She spoke no English and insisted on talking to Jackie and I in Spanish and very fast.  Jackie and I could understand most of what she was saying when we worked together on it – she was just so cute and funny.  She was like a grandma – it was wonderful.  I believe volunteering is more than just the people you are helping – it is about the people you meet while volunteering and the overall experience you have.  I love working with the homeless population – I really can’t explain why at all or why I enjoy working with this population.  I just do. 

Monday night I read a little for my classes, but I was so tired from the weekend I went to bed early to catch up on some sleep.  I am very glad I did that – I was much more productive today since I was well rested.  Today was a wonderful day.  The weather has been absolutely amazing here the past week, which always makes for a happy Toria when the sun is shining.  Anyways my Art History class was once again interesting.  I never thought I would find ancient art interesting, but I really like it and my professor is great which makes the class interesting.  After my Art History class I ran into Elizabeth who was holding a plastic bag for me.  She is like it is a little late, but here is your birthday present.  Background: before my birthday I told Elizabeth one of the only things I wanted was a funfetti cake.  Back to the story: When I opened up the bad there was funfetti frosting and funfetti cupcakes! It was wonderful.  She had her mom bake the cupcakes and then her dad, brother, and sister are in Spain this week so they brought them over from the States for me! It was wonderful! Once again I felt so loved :)

After lunch Elizabeth and I went to book our flight for Spring/Easter break.  We decided we wanted to go to Rome even though it was expensive – it is going to be a once in a life time opurtnity to spend most of Holy Week in Rome.  I can not wait.  We are also hoping to go to Greece for a little bit during Spring Break.  We haven’t looked that closely into it though – we just wanted to book our flight to Rome so we have some where to go!! I am not sure if anyone else will be joining us for this trip, but that is totally fine with me.  I am looking forward to more of a relaxing trip rather than a jammed back tourist trip.  I hope it all works out.

Ethics once again was miserable.  I don’t know why, but I am just not a fan of that class.  I try so hard to understand the readings and answer the reading questions, but it never works for me.  I try to pay attention in class and comprehend what my professor is telling me, but again it doesn’t always work.  I might go in to talk to my professor to see if she has any advice for me.

Tonight I went to dinner with Elizabeth and her family (her dad and younger brother and sister).  It was a lot of fun and the food was wonderful!  I had salmon.  The restaurant we went to was really nice – Posada de la villa – it was close to sol.  Mom and Dad we should go there when you guys come to Madrid.  It is little expensive, but we could go for your birthday Dad! The restaurant even gave all the ladies roses at the end of the meal – I thought it was so cute.  After dinner we went to a famous churros place in sol – Mom and Dad we will also have to go here!! It was really nice to meet part of Elizabeth’s family – thanks again for inviting me to dinner.  Tonight walking back from the metro stop to my apartment I felt very safe - I was walking at about 11:15pm.  It was of the first times I have felt completely safe walking in Madrid at night - I think it is because I am becoming more familiar with the city and it is truly starting to feel like home! It felt great!!

Gloria emailed me some of the photos she has taken since I have been here so I will share those with you tonight! Hope you enjoy :)

Glo (Gloria's daughter) Maya and me working on a puzzle one of the first days I was in Spain.

Elizabeth, Megan, Maya, and me at dinner.  Gloria invited my friends for dinner.  We had a lot of fun :)

Maya and me during my birthday meal - I will never forget this night!

My delicious birthday cake, complete with a trick candle and all!!

Me with the beautiful sweater Gloria got me :)

Mi familia de España - My Spanish family!!

Oh one my thing - Gloria has a cold - she probably got it from me so I haven't gotten my kisses all day.  I didn't think I would miss them, but I sure have!! I hope she feels better soon!!  Also I got a birthday card from Thomas Hafner - thanks buddy!! I loved it.  I am still waiting the arrival of Kelsey's and Katie's cards - I hope they both come soon!! Well that is all for tonight!!

Paz y Amor. God Bless.

A Birthday to Remember

Let me start off my saying it was really nice of the Packers to win the Superbowl on my birthday!! I don't know what could have been a better gift than bringing home the trophy to where it belongs! Go Pack Go.  Well let me tell you guys about my night - it was wonderful.  First I got to Skype with my family and they watched me open my present.  I got chocolate - thank the Lord - I have missed chocolate so much since I left Wisconsin - almost as much as I miss cheese.  I also got a map of Europe - Mom got it for me so I can plan where I want to travel next and to keep track of where I have all gone.  However, Dad knows my geography skills are at about a 3 out of 10 so he got the map for me so I would have a better understanding of where I was and where I was planning on going - Thanks Dad. I also got some office supplies! Thanks Mom and Dad - you guys are the best!!  Also thank you to all the people who sent me cards - they are great :) Oh I forgot to mention - Mom put confetti in everything!!! It got everywhere when I opened my gift!!

After Skyping with my parents I went to church at school.  The chapel on campus is very small - there were only 10 chairs and that whas even tight.  I miss 9pm mass at real SLU a lot.  Church here just isn't the same - we didn't even sing one song.  However, I like the atmosphere of this mass because it was small and I knew just about everyone there.  There are positives and negatives to both of the masses.  Well after mass I came home and Skyped with my parents a little so I could finish opening up my gift before dinner. When I went downstairs for dinner - Gloria had the table all set up with the good dishes and everything.  I didn't think my birthday dinner was going to be that special, but I was very very wrong.  Gloria went all out for my birthday.  The food was amazing and the conversation was great.  After we finished the main courses it was time for dessert.  Gloria went to the kitchen to get the dessert and on her way back she shut off all the lights.  At first I thought she accidently hit the light switch, but I was wrong.  She made me a birthday cake with a trick candle and everything.  It was perfect.  If Gloria hadn't done enough already she even got me a present - a sweater from H&M (see picture below).  I legit almost started crying of happiness and joy - I can't believe Gloria did all that just for me.  She really made me feel at home - and my 20th birthday is one I will never ever forget.  :)

After dinner was done I had to the chance to Skype with some more friends for my birthday - I even got to talk to Katie Keyser - First time we have Skyped since I have been in Spain! I was wonderful!! Love you sister.  Thank you to all that skyped my yesterday - you all made this birthday one of the best yet!!

Confetti EVERYWHERE!!!

My desk after opening my present!

Sweater my host mom gave me :)

Card from Mom, Dad, and Steven!

When 10:30 rolled around I left my apartment to go meet some friends at the metro to go to a bar to watch the Packer game.  The first bar we went to wasn't going to stay open for the whole game so we went to Sol to find a bar that was going to stay open for the game - we found one.  It was really crowded and we debating just going home and watching the game on our computers, but then a table opened up and we sat down - the position of the table wasn't the greatest, but it was better than standing for hours.  Watching the Superbowl in a bar in Madrid, Spain is not the same as watching it with my family in Wisconsin or even with friends in Saint Louis.  During the game Jackie (she is from Green Bay) and I talked about how much we miss Wisconsin and we wish we were there! I was getting really tired so at the end of the 3rd quater we headed out - it was about 3:30am.  When I got home people kept me updated on the game so I didn't miss anything - thanks guys!! I really can not believe the Packers legit won the Superbowl - it seems so unreal!! It was for sure a great birthday!!

Jackie and I at the bar - Go Pack Go.

I can not thank God enough for placing me in this host family - I am so lucky.  Everything was perfect yesterday!! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday in Madrid, Spain.

Well I am off to volunteer at the soup kitchen now.  Then I have a break to eat lunch and work on some homework and then classes.  I am going to bed early tonight! Not sure if I will be blogging later!  I will be planning some trips this week so I will keep you all updated on where I am going next :)

My first blog after my teenage years!!

I did it!! I beat teenage pregnancy!! Success!  I had a wonderful birthday night and I am having a very relaxing and chill birthday day.  The other day I forgot to inform you guys about a fear I overcame - beans.  When mom makes chili I always complain how there are too many beans in the soup - well the other night I was served literally bean soup - had to get over that "fear" really quick.  The soup wasn't bad; it was just really beany.

Alright so Saturday was rather similar to Friday. A group of us met at the park again and just hung out.  We played silly games, had a picnic, and laughed a lot.  It was a great way to start off my birthday celebration.  It was so nice out too!! I love the sun so much!

Enjoying the sun :)

Friends enjoying the sun - sorry for all you who have snow!!

For our picnic Elizabeth brought clementines, bread, crackers, and cheese - the cheese wasn't Wisconsin cheese - I miss it so much!!! After the park I cam back and got to Skype with some people - Kelsey (as always), Mom, Dad, and even Steven, Steph, and Thomas.  It was a Skyped filled night before

 I went out for my birthday.  I left my house around 10 - Maya didn't come with me because she was sick :(  I was really looking forward to her coming with and it was a bummer that she was sick.  The group all met up in sol and we went to a sangria bar first.  There were ten of us and Adam decided it would be a good idea to order 4 pitchers of sangria - that is a lot of sangria.  

Here is the group at the Sangria bar - the waiter took the 4 pitcher of Sangria already.

We left the sangria bar at about 11:40 - I only had one requirement for the night - to be somewhere at midnight and not be walking around - that didn't happen, but that's okay.  As we were walking around sol, one of the promoters came up to us and told us he would give us free entry to Joy - one of the bigger dance clubs.  We followed him to Joy and had to wait in line because apparently the club wasn't open yet.  So I turned 20 waiting in line to get into a club - everyone still sang happy birthday to me so it was fine.  We were literally the first ones in the club so we hung out for about an hour and awkwardly danced when no one else was dancing.  When more people starting showing up it was a lot of fun!! There was some drama in the group, but I was not letting that get in the way of my birthday celebration.  I just let it happen and I ignored it!!  We basically just danced the entire night, until about 3am and then I left with Elizabeth and Megan.  At the club there was two weird dance performances - Lady Gaga style.  It was very interesting.  Martina and I also let some guys studying abroad in London that were from the States and spending the weekend in Madrid.  Overall I had a wonderful birthday.  Elizabeth and Megan really made the birthday wonderful!! I love you girls.

Elizabeth, Megan, and me :)

I do miss being home on my birthday - I don't get to pick the birthday meal.  But having good friends here and having the ability to Skype everyone - well most everyone - back home has made my 20th birthday amazing.  I am excited to open the package Mom and Dad sent me - I have to wait to Skype them until I can open it.  Well today I played catch up on all the homework I had to do.  It was nice to just relax.  I will be going to church at SLU at 6 for the first time - I am really looking forward to going.  I have missed it!  And then tonight for the Superbowl I am going to a bar with one of my friends and her friends - it is going to be another late night since the Superbowl doesn't start until 12:30 my time - but how many times can you say you watched the Packers win the Superbowl while studying abroad in Madrid?! Well I believe that is all for now! Thank you for all the birthday wishes!  Also I asked Gloria and if you didn't put her name the letters should still get to me!! I will let people know when I receive anything!! :)

Paz y Amor. God Bless.

Actually I thought of something - I have lived two decades of my life now.  It seems weird that I have lived that long already.  There is so much I want to accomplish in my life and I need to take full advantage of everyone year, every moment, every day.  I can not wait to see what my 20th year has in store from me, but I have this feeling it is going to be a very good year.  I finally feel like I sort of know what my purpose is in life - helping people.  Yes, I know that sounds lame, but it is true.  When I volunteer I can not express the happiness I feel and how I always feel like this is what I am suppose to be doing.  I love working with the homeless population.  My 20th year is going to bring me great opportunities and adventures - I just know it!! Well I think that is for real all this time - I love you all!

:)

First let me apologize for not blogging yesterday – but I just needed some good old fashion alone time.  Well let me think back to what happened on Thursday… The day was rather normal, I believe.  I went to classes and hung out at school.  Thursday was really nice so I spent the time between classes outside in the sun! As my facebook status said on Thursday – “The sun is my true love”   I am in such a better mood when it is sunny out and I feel like the majority of the population is.  After ethics on Thursdays there is a group of us that normally goes out to get sangria – well the group was very large yesterday about 12 people and I wasn’t feeling hanging out with that many people.  I decided to my postage – finally and find the park with the track so I could start running.  I successfully found the park and found my way back home – I am starting to understand Madrid a little better and I really like it. 

Some of my friends are in the dance class here and their teacher was took them to a Salsa club Thursday night and they could invite other people to come.  It seemed like everyone was going to pregame at this girls apartment and then go to the Salsa club – I was just not feeling going out.  Side note I did go out Wednesday night.  It was an alright time except I came up the wrong exit on my metro stop and had to walk about 7 extra minutes to my house alone at about 130 in the morning so that wasn’t too fun – don’t really want to do that again.  Anyways I decided to have a low key night and do nothing besides watch a movie on my computer and fall asleep at 11 – it was wonderful and everyone that I have told that I did that they were super jealous.  Well that was my Thursday.

Friday was overall wonderful.  I started by going for my first run in Spain.  The track I run on is a 1km track and I ran 3 laps so 3km aka 1.8miles – I was feeling pretty good.  At this park there are benches and like work out machine but it looks like a playground – it is hard to describe.  However, I decided to do an ab workout on one of the benches made for doing abs, but I got a lot of weird looks – maybe it was because I was wearing a shirt that had a huge Billiken on the front of it. Oh well – it felt great to actually work out again, but I am already feeling it.

After my run and getting ready I met up with Elizabeth to find the hotel her dad and siblings are staying at when they arrive on Monday – the hotel is in sol.  Oh on the way to walk to meet Elizabeth I was wearing my plaid dress (see picture below) and I got hit on my creeping old Spanish men – it was not fun, but I had my ipod in and just kept on walking.  After we found the hotel we started to walk to Retiro Park – a pretty famous park in Madrid.  We didn’t really know where it was, but it was a gorgeous day so we just kept on walking until we found where we wanted to be – at the park by this lake with row boats you can rent.  We probably walked about 2-3 miles more today after I ran about 2 miles.  But I am still feeling good – just a little sore.  Anyways we just hung out in the park and had a picnic and then when the people who had classes on Fridays came and joined us for a while. 

Megan and Elizabeth came home with me and my Senora made us a wonderful meal!! After we just had a chill night and hung out at my house and watched She’s the Man.  It was nice to just stay in hang out with some people without worrying about transportation and meeting up and if things are going to be free and all that jazz.

 Just hanging out with people at home or in my apartment is something I really miss about home.  So I am very thank fun that my senora allows me to have people over and that she offered to cook them dinner!! I have to say I am really blessed with the senora I got – I have heard some awful stories!!

 

Also if you are going to send my anything here is my address again:

Victoria Lubner

%Gloria Arranz

Calle San Rogelio 7 *1 

Madrid, Spain 28039

Remember the * sign is actually a degrees sign!! Hopefully this works!! 

Paz y Amor. God Bless.

Well the plan for tomorrow is to run in the morning and then accomplish some homework and the met up with people at the park since it is suppose to be almost 60 tomorrow and then we are going out for my birthday tomorrow night! I can not believe I am almost 20 years old that is just so crazy!! Then Sunday is my real birthday and the Superbowl! It should be a great weekend.  Well I am off to bed now.  Sorry I don’t have a challenge or something I have been thinking about – I might post one tomorrow morning!! Love you all!!

Soup Kitchen

The sun was shinning today and life was good :)  I got to school a little earlier tonight to accomplish some homework in the library.  Well it was all going well until two people decided it would be a great idea to talk LOUDLY in the library as I was trying to studying.  Anyways after the library Jackie and I went over to student life to ask where the soup kitchen was since Jackie got out of class later and we couldn't meet with the group that was going.  Well the person that was suppose to take us to the soup kitchen was sick so a student that went last semester showed us where the soup kitchen was.  She literally showed us the door and said have fun!  Well it was an adventure to say the least - but it was amazing! I have missed volunteering soo much!!

The soup kitchen was different from the ones in the States - the ones in the States are more cafeteria style where this one the people sit down and we give them the food.  It was crazy!!  Juan - one of the people in charge spoke a little English and was very kind.  When I answered him in Spanish he got really excited and told me I spoke well - not sure if it is true.  I will try to explain the process as best as I can, but I don't know if you will be able to understand without being present at the soup kitchen.  We walk into the place and there 8 tables of 3 to 4 people per table eating soup.  The first thing Juan tells us is just to watch and follow... So I grab a basket of bread and start walking around saying "quieres pan?" do you want bread?  After everyone finished we QUICKLY cleaned the tables and set up for the next round of people.  We wiped down the tables, put new glasses, spoons, and napkins on the table, and placed a bowl of soup on each table.  Then we will walk around with bread for a while and then comes the oranges and coffee.  Then the process starts all over again.  We did this about 6 times in the hour and half we were there - I loved it.  I felt right at home.  I cannot wait until Monday until Jackie and I go again.

I have been asked numerous times how I am keeping track of the hours I volunteer.  I was so taken back by this question at first - they made it seem as though I needed a reason to volunteer - for an organization or a class.  I was like I am not keeping track of my hours; I am just volunteering because that is what I truly love to do.  I could not imagine my life without volunteering.  Attending a Jesuit university is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I love how them put a huge emphasize on serving others - it is a perfect fit for me :)

Another challenge... Do something out of your comfort zone.  Go up to someone and introduce yourself to them.  Go to a party that your normally wouldn't.  Raise your hand in class instead of sitting in the corner not saying the correct answer.  Try a new food.  Just to something different!! I will if you will!!

That is all for tonight! I am going to a new bar with some of my friends tonight I believe - but I am not staying out late since I am still sick and I have class tomorrow morning!! It will be a more low key thing and just more hanging out!  Hope everyone is handling the snow okay!!

Paz y Amor. God Bless.

New bonds.

Well today was the day of my ethics class. Oh the joy I get from attending ethics.  Let me tell you about my day before ethics.  I had ancient art history which I honestly have really been liking.  The information in the class is interesting and I can actually understand the art we are looking  at.  Then I went and hung out with some friends in the lounge.  While in the lounge I ate my left over soy hamburger and wrote some postcards (which Ie was not able to send today because the Tabaco shop ran out of postage - LAME) I will try again tomorrow. Anyways while in the lounge I was talking to my new friend Colin who told me about the Loyola Prilgrimge/Retreat he is going on with SLU-Madrid in March.  As he talked about the more I got interested - so I went over to the finance office and signed myself up for that puppy!!

After this I had to meet with Colin, Mary Kate, and Anna to discuss over ethics homework.  Every person in the class had to sign up to make commentaries on a philosopher and we all picked the same one so we could all worked together - we had Plato.  It wasn't that difficult, I just really do not enjoy the class and I find the readings to be confusing and somewhat outdated, but I will muscle through it!!

After ethics me and some of my friends went to get sangria at a local place by school.  I believe I have formed many new bonds over sangria.  It is not like we are all getting drunk - well at least I am not - you should all know me better than that.  I just have about two glasses.  It is just a nice time to unwind after the day and talk to new friends - that will turn into life long friends - well at least some of them.

Something that has been on my mind today.  I hope you all take into account what I am about to say.  Being blunt and honest I believe is the best way to be.  At some times in your life it might be hard to tell someone how you feel or express emotions, but in the long wrong it will make things worse.  If you truly miss someone you should go ahead and say it - even if they don't feel the same way.  If you want to tell someone that you love them - then just say it.  Holding emotions in is never a good idea.  I know I am guilty of holding my emotions in numerous times, but I want to become more open and honest and express how I feel.  This might turn around and bite me in the butt, but I think the rewards will outweigh the negatives in this situation.  I want to challenge all you who read my blog to tell one person who you feel about them - and I think it is best to tell someone who you normally don't tell.  Pick someone that you haven't shared your feelings with in a while or if you don't feel comfortable doing that - just pick anyone that holds a special place in your heart, even if that is God - I am sure he likes to hear how much He means to us too :)

I hope you all enjoyed what was on my mind today! I just needed to share it with someone.  I don't think my brother, Steven, reads my blog, but I haven't told him how much he means to me lately.  Steven - you are my big brother and that alone makes you my hero.  Yes, you have made mistakes in your life, but haven't we all.  Seeing you strive to work through them shows me how lucky I am to be your little sister.  I know you will always be there for me no matter what I need! I seriously cannot express enough the love I have for you - you are the best big brother anyone could ask for.  I miss you a whole lot over here in Spain - I wish you were able to come for a visit - It would be amazing! But you need to focus on school, and I know you will do great! Thanks for just being my big brother!! I miss playing volley-hand-ball with you - or whatever we call it!! Can't wait to see you!!! Love you brother :)

Well that is all for tonight. 5 days until I will have beaten teenage pregnancy and celebrating my 20th birthday in España. Hope all is well for everyone!!

Paz y Amor.  God Bless.