Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be SUN

I bet you didn’t know that Madrid, Spain enjoys more cloudless days than almost any other city in Europe. During my time there, I definitely got to experience that wonderment. It was beautiful for 95% of my 12 days in Spain. I give you Exhibit A:

It does get hot midday (hence the wonderful invention of the siesta—I definitely took part in that as well. There’s nothing like having your largest meal at lunch with a glass of wine/sangria/beer and then taking a nap and staying out of the heat. Then you are refreshed and ready to go for the rest of the day.

Why don’t we have this in the U.S.? All those in favor of instating it, say I! I’ve been saying for months that there should be a nap room and sangria at my office. Why does no one listen…

SPAIN

Everyone should know by now that I love learning new things. Recently, I went on an adventure to Spain to visit a fabulous friend. And I learned tons. I will now take this opportunity to impart some of my Spanish wisdom through a series that I will call “FUN FACTS ABOUT SPAIN!”

I started out my trip in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. Upon first glance, it appears to be your average large city: hectic streets, busy-looking people, and constant noise. Like so:

But Madrid has a very rich history… leading me to my first FUN FACT ABOUT SPAIN!

The official symbol of Madrid is a bear on its hind legs, munching on berries from a tree. This is a metaphor for Madrid’s rapid growth and represents the possession and importance of wood, which is essential to build a strong country.

You can definitely feel the vibrancy of this city… I don’t really know where the berries fit in though. Maybe that represents the awesome Sangria that they drink. Is that a stretch? I think not.

Adios

Later today, I’m leaving to go on an adventure in Spain. My bff is currently living there, so it’s obviously necessary that I go and visit her. I will be gone for 12 days!!!!!! I’m sure I will have lots of magical tales to tell upon my return.

But this is the end of the Little things, Big Differences experi-month. It’s been real, y'all. I've really enjoyed this one.

So I guess this coming month will be about broadening my horizons through international travel. It just worked out that way. But experiencing other cultures is a fabulous thing to do and is quite crucial to my happiness. Let journey begin!!

Hey you!

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” --Frederick Keonig

What did I do today? I called someone just to say hi.

Sometimes my life gets so busy that the only time I call other people is to ask them for something or to plan to get together. The second reason is not so bad... but I can do better than that.

Today I called several people that I’m close to... just to say hi and tell them that I appreciate their friendship. All of them were really surprised and probably a little weirded out. But they all said that it made their day.

We so often forget to appreciate the people that are most important in our lives. BUT we also forget how much we are appreciated. So tell those that you love that you love them... don’t just assume it goes without saying. It will probably be awkward if you never tell your friends that. As my friend Molly says, “Move some furniture so there is room for the awkwardness.” You’ve got to start somewhere.

If a snail can do it...

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” --Mother Teresa

What did I do today? Sent some mail.

I don’t know about you, but getting a tangible note is always really exciting. There’s something about the extra little effort that someone went through to communicate with you. It’s also especially appealing to get a personal note amongst the other mail, consisting of advertisements and credit card applications (does everyone else get like 500 of those a day? Or am I just lucky like that?).

So if I like getting mail, I thought other people might like it too.

Today I sent a co-worker a card to his home address. He recently had surgery and I wanted him to know that I had been thinking/praying about him. I think my parents’ generation is really good about sending cards of support and congratulations, but I frequently forget. I usually just tell someone the next time I see them... but I’m trying to be better about actually sending them a card. I’m trying to take a few minutes out of my day and let someone else know that I thought of them.

I’ve also discovered that I really like hand making my own cards. This has become an added bonus. I get to be creative and crafty, while at the same time making someone else smile?!?! I love it when two positive worlds merge into a giant blob of awesomeness. It’s superb!

What's your problem?

“Live simply that others might simply live.” --Elizabeth Ann Seton

What did I do today? Listened to someone.

It sounds lame, I know. But it makes a really big impact and puts my own life into perspective.

Have you ever really wanted to vent, but had no one to vent to? Have you ever just wanted someone to talk to? It's a simple thing to want, but makes the biggest difference. I always feel so much better when I talk about something that is bothering me with someone who really cares. It's always great to know that you matter to someone and that you are not the first person in the world to have that problem. Others have walked your path and stood where you stand.

So really listen to someone today. Or find someone who will listen to you. We all need each other more than we like to think. But isn't that kind of strangely awesome? Yes. Yes, it is.

Give a little (not just a surprisingly great Hanson song)

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” --Martin Luther King, Jr.

What did I do today? Chilled with some cool kids.

Today I went to an after school program for underprivileged teens. I'm a part of a small group at church and we decided that it would be a great way to use our time. It was great fun. We played Taboo and basically just hung out with them. Eventually we will be tutoring them as well, but we wanted to get to know them first.

It's not a big time commitment... only about 2 hours a week. If you don't have a spare 2 hours a week, then you need to prioritize some things, because that's ridiculous. No offense. Prioritize, people. Watch one less episode of American Idol. The world will not end. Ok, thanks. Go change the world 2 hours at a time.