Gamedays.

Last day in Bryant Denny.

Ahh gameday. This past Saturday I went into a momentary lapse of depression at the thought of the first home game of the season.  I became envious of my little brother and all my friends reuniting in Tuscaloosa.  My babies starting their senior year... I liked every picture on Instagram, Facebook, twitter, and any other thing I could find.  I lived vicariously through all of you.  I read every article I could find highlighting what to expect... and then I started looking through my pictures....  

I began to feel like I was there and was immediately filled with happy happy thoughts... I could smell whiskey on everyone's breath filling the student section as we started chanting "Roll Tide" and singing "Yea Alabama", I began humming "Dixie Land Delight" without even noticing, I could taste the sweet flavor of a Denny dog during the 3rd quarter, I could feel the breeze of the shakers going crazy and the remnants of coke misting my face, I became energized and so excited for the game I wasn't even going to watch, haha.  Then I took a deep breath and went on with my day. When I got in bed that night, I watched the highlights and read more articles, liked more photos, felt overwhelmed with jealousy!!! I was so lucky to be a part of the festivities in New Orleans last year, but nothing beats Gameday at Bryant Denny.  

These photos are from my last day to enter that beautiful stadium... The day ended tragically as we lost to Auburn in the second half after dominating the first.  When the game came to a close, I didn't just cry, I wept. I was one of those people everyone laughs at on the Jumbotron for ugly-crying over a football game. I was unconsolable...we were so close, but at the end of the day it wasn't our year.  Part of me cried because we lost to Auburn, of course, but I went to Pasadena the year before and I had a lot of friends graduating from Auburn that year so I was happy for them to experience the same feelings (even if that meant Auburn won the National Championship.....) but the main reason I sobbed was because I knew my time in the stadium was taking a year long break... little did I know one year would become two... and my favorite part of being a student at Alabama was officially over.  I can't wait to experience the game as an alumni when you can't take any second for granted because you don't walk past the stadium everyday or go to Gallettes every night...and most of all it is a reunion with all of your friends.  :)

Life Update

Okay, okay.  I know you all have asked yourself the same question at least once... "What exactly is Audrey doing over there?" Am I babysitting? Yes. Am I teaching English? Yes. What the heck am I doing in Poland?! See below. I thought there were only 3 kids?!! In 2010, yes. 2012 = 5. Am I shooting an advertisement for Polo family collection? No, but I should submit some photos. Can you see more pictures of the little girl in glasses? ABSOLUTELY!! Do I get paid at the elementary school? Believe it or not, yes. My 15 hour work week, pays.. and it's enough to survive. Is that a real job or did you make it up? It's real. Look it up:Auxiliar de Conversacion  Am I volunteering? No, but I plan to find someway to help out this year. Am I ever coming home? Eventually! Where will I be next? I wish I knew.

The truth and my journey with the spanish language.

 Fall 2007: When I started University I heard during rush alllll about people studying abroad (which was already in my mind).  I knew it was something my little traveler's heart would absolutely HAVE to do.  I liked the little Spanish I had taken in high school and it had been easy for me (HAHAHAHHA... if only I knew the inevitable struggles I would soon have with the language and most specifically how the language would DESPISE my southern draaaawl) so I decided I would minor in Spanish. As simple as that.

Summer 2009: Unfortunately, I am impatient. I am also a little spoiled and I usually want what I want when I want it... and I do whatever it takes to get it.  If I have my heart set on something I will go at it with full-force.  (Let's reminisce to that time I wanted to be a marine biologist so I HAD to go that summer to San Diego to Camp Sea World at the ripe age of 16... embarrassing.  What happened to that dream? to that extreme passion? Well... that's Audrey.) I'm sure you are shocked to hear this, especially my daddy.  I decided I needed to study abroad ASAP because I was ready to go to Europe.  So I went the summer after my sophomore year with the ABSOLUTE bare-minimum knowledge of the spanish language... I had not even taken the conversation class yet.  I learned nothing.  I travelled.  I went to a *few* fiestas. I put 2 more spanish classes under my belt. I had to come back.

Summer 2010:  I wanted to come back without asking my parents to fund the trip.  I heard of this job - AuPair (fancy word for foreign nanny). I logged onto a website AuPairworld.net and typed I like kids. I like Europe. I speak English. I want to learn Spanish. Call me. I threw in a few pictures of me loving kids and that was that.  I waited and I received a call.  This mom was pregnant in Madrid and already had 3 children.  Super important that they learned English.  I received a lot of offers, but this family looked like they should be in a magazine based on the picture in their profile andddd bonus - they were going to Scotland for 2 weeks at the end of the summer.  Sold. I packed my bag and not only had a wonderful experience, but found a family in Spain that I loved and they loved me.

Summer 2011-Now:  I graduated college and accepted a job with the Spanish government teaching English in an elementary school.  Three days a week in the south of Spain. It was supposed to be just a gap-year before I started back my Master's.  One year turned to two and here I am still avoiding reality and growing up.

The polish question: So that same family that I was introduced to back in the summer of 2010 through a website (scary, not sure I recommend it even though it worked out for me) became family to me.  They moved to Poland in September of 2011 for Marcelo's job and also found out they were pregnant with baby Veronica so I came before my job started to help them move in and get adjusted.  Then I came back for my Spring Break in April and am here again now before my job starts.  We were in Madrid for August and Warsaw for September. I return to SEvilla in October.  

That is that. Hope that clears up some of your confusion!

Bottom line: I'm most likely considered clinically crazy, but I'm super happy!!!

My life via Instagram

Veronica (4 months) & Casilda (2 YEARS!! Vero was pregnant with Cas my first summer!)

Marcelo (about to be NINE!)

Veronica: the newest addition AKA #5

For Mencia's Birthday party we were twins.  She dressed like me and I "wore glasses" like her and of course wore my hair like her.

Mencia is FIVE YEARS OLD!!!!!

Gonzalo is six, he will be seven in March.  He lost his 2 front teeth last month... He's currently adjusting to the life of eating with your molars and trying harder to pronounce sounds correctly :)

Giving Back

Well dudes & dudettes... it's been a super long time since I've blogged, but I'm back from the dead with a whole lot better outlook on life.  All the remnants of negativity are finally out of my system and I'm just putting the chaos that was the year 2011 in a little bottle on my shelf :)

As I packed up my belongings, ate my favorite AMERICAN foods, gave hugs a little longer than necessary and said my tearful goodbyes for a year, I received the same question a lot.  Well, more of a statement.  "Let me know when you get settled and send me your address so I can send you a package."  People discussing Christmas, birthdays, random occasions. Every year for Christmas I tell my mom that I do not want ANYTHING.  "Give the money you would spend on me to a needy family..." usually I say this is October.  In November it becomes "Give the money you would spend on me to a needy family, butttt because I know YOU want to get me something, I wouldn't mind having (insert random item)."  Then December rolls around and it becomes, "That's great if you bought something for someone else, but maybe we could also get me these adorable boots I saw, ohh and there is this book I want and did you know this movie came out on video finally.." and in the end I have a pretty full Christmas list... but what happened to those original good intentions?  Well this year, I am super far away obviously so wrapping presents under the tree will be difficult soooo here are some things you can do from far away that would mean more to me than any gift.  While Christmas is still far away, I'm going to show my list a little early... If you want to do something for me this year or just want check out a few organizations that are on my heart right now... Here are some ideas. 

1. I found out about PEOPLE WATER from my sick obsession with the Bachelor Franchise... the only good thing to come out of this addiction. At first I was truly in love with Jef with one f from Utah...then Emily picked him so that love was lost for me, but I am still HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE with his company. You can find out about the company and what they stand for at peoplewater.com/. My wish is for you to buy a case of water and take it to either a homeless shelter or to someone sitting on the side of the road anywhere you may be. 
People Water slogan: Drop for Drop

2. I've been obsessed with TOMS since I first heard of the company and have been known to sport the shoes a lot of the time.  I even rock the TOMS logo on my computer. Fancy, huh? You can find the website at http://www.toms.com/ to learn move about the company. My request on this topic is to buy a pair of TOMS and donate them to a homeless person or someone in need.  Then you are getting two gifts instead of one.  You can donate one as well as "Tom". 
TOMS slogan: ONE for ONE

3. Renovation Ministries. I've been on a mission trip every year since I was 12 years old.  Every youth minister/camp pastor/spiritual leader says that we must keep this FIRE FOR GOD alive when we get home.  That we need to take this desire to make a difference, to change the world, to impact these communities, to share God's love into our hometowns.  Ministry starts at home.  Well I'm very proud to say that my youth minister did that.  He created a mission field in the inner-city of Anniston, AL.  My request? Buy a t-shirt at RenovationMinistryStore and you know the drill, donate it :) ---   Super worthy cause. I know first-hand, because I had the luxury of visiting the site one day :)  Mission Statement: We exist to see hearts, lives, and communities restored in Jesus through local and global church partnerships.

4. I attended a non-demoninational church during my last 3 years at UA.  I kept nursery and attended when I wasn't out of town for various reasons... I wasn't a member and I didn't go every Sunday, but I have never felt more at home or more moved by the power of God than I did every time I entered that building.  Tuscaloosa Vineyard is doing big things.  We have a service called the Food Pantry and it is as simple as that.  My wish for this bullet-point is if you head to Tuscaloosa to watch the Tide dominate this season, stop by our church and drop off some non-perishable goods for the Tuscaloosa community. To read more about this ministry and others the church offers and how you can help go to: Ministry to the Poor It would be greatly appreciated :)
Church slogan: A PRETTY GOOD CHURCH ... I know better than that though, it's truly amazing.  If you find the time, stick around for a service. You won't regret it.

5. My friend is doing Teach For America in inner-city New Orleans.  He is having a blast, but also making such a difference on these kids' lives.  I am so incredibly proud of him!  I donated a book to his classroom earlier this year (Hunger Games whoop whoop!) But there is a website you can find all the teachers that need classroom collections and donate copies : donorschoose.org ... what is better than the gift of literacy?  If you get on and his class needs something it is Mr. Collins in New Orleans, and his class for sure is at the top of my list although all will be grateful :)

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As with all Christmas wish lists, I do not expect you to do all or any for that matter, it is just informative :)
If you made it to the end of this post, thank you :)  
I will actually post about my life tomorrow or something this week, but this was just on my heart tonight. 

Love yall!!!!