Reflections on an unprecedented week

I really cannot wrap my mind around the fact I've been here one week. One week ago I was sleeping on the floor of the domestic terminal in Madrid. A week ago I was alternately sleep deprived and riding waves of adrenaline with every new experience. One week ago I thought my spanish was shaky at best, but you should hear my roommate butcher everything he tries to say. It's hilarious, but the key is to keep trying to communicate. No matter who you're talking to. I wasn't sure what to expect, but nothing like this. Interesting classes, a fairly easy schedule, opportunities for travel and exploration around every corner. I have class every day at 9, so I'm up at 7 to start the day right with my two P's, Pushups and Prayer. Any new challenge can and will be met by God, and I have never felt out of His touch or reach throughout this week.
There are several people, girls especially, who are struggling with the homesickness. I'm unsympathetic. My school, minus the Ashbrook part, pales in comparison to what I've found here. This week felt like a new life, not just a new chapter or a new leaf, but something else. Something entirely novel. The differences aren't unbearable. I can deal with being hungry as we adjust to eating times, I can deal with being slightly hot, I can deal with a different language. Just smile at everyone and keep exploring and learning, crash hard at night and get up early to do it all again. I'll be honest and say this isn't really outside my comfort zone, especially since after some organizing and research I've got a gym membership at a place that's very close and very nice. I did, however, try to purchase some peanut butter today to eat after workouts because our host family receives enough in stipends to feed us three time a day only. Extra snacking or post-workout consumption is prohibited. Imagine the smallest container of peanut butter you can, the tiniest morsel, which might possibly contain 8-10 scoops of deliciousness. Now imagine that it costs 3 euros and 15 freaking cents. That's upwards of 4$. I know for a fact I can buy a vat of peanut butter at walmart for 3$ or so. Then again, walmart is the epitome of American-ness: they do supersize and cheap very well, neither of which are valued concepts here. I like it. You keep your ridiculously expensive peanut butter. Don't ever let walmart into your country.

In short, I'll never forget this first week. Too many new things, new friends, and experiences you can't just pay for. Add all of that to a beautiful city, alive, vibrant, and passionate, it's history stretching back further than ancient Rome. I hope and pray that each week will seem to take as long, each day be as challenging and educational. December better never come.