My Birthday Weekend

Saturday afternoon Krista, Madi, Brett and I met for a picnic in Parc de la Ciutadella. I told everyone a different place to met thinking it was they were all the same place. I am not good with directions. We've now decided that I will no longer be in charge of directions. After 45 minutes of trying to find each other, we found a shady spot to have our picnic. Brett brought bread, meat, and cheese. Madi brought muffins and I brought carrots, lettuce, and oranges. Krista packed her own separate lunch as she has Celiac Disease. It was slightly windy but good weather non the less. A few dogs came up to us while we were eating. They were so cute!

Didn't time the photo with the fountain spouts

After eating we explored the park. We started at the fountain designed by Josep Fontserè. The spouts of the fountain are only on in 15 second increments so it took awhile for us each to get a photo with the fountain fully on. We all got our individual photos and even got one all together.

I want one of these in my backyard

 My favorite place we visited in the park was the life-size statue of a woolly mammoth. It was so cool! There was a line to take a photo with it but it was worth the wait! I got a nice smiling photo and a silly photo. The silly photo is my personal favorite.

After the woolly mammoth we walked down to the Arc de Triomf. It was built as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. There was street fair for children behind it and we walked through it to the front of the arc. There were booths selling games, books, and toys for children. A stand was also selling Catalan independence souvenirs. The Arc de Triomf is beautiful. Madi photo bombed most of the pictures I took of it. But that's okay because I did that to her at the fountain.

We all headed home after the arc to relax before our plans for the night. As my birthday was today (Sunday) we didn't want to go out tonight because we all have school in the morning. So we went out last night to a bar called Espit Chupitos after we watched FC Barcelona kick Real Madrid's butt! If you didn't know El Clasico was last night (a fancy name for when FC Barcelona and Real Madrid play each other) and Barca beat Madrid 4 - 0!

Birthday treat on the house

Espit Chupitos was so much fun. Though it is a popular Spanish bar the music was all American top 40's. The atmosphere there was lively and loud but I loved it. I celebrated my birthday with such a great group of people who I am so blessed to have met on this wonderful adventure. Kaila, Devon, Krista, Brett, and Madi were all there. A few people I wish were there couldn't be because they were traveling and got back tonight but I had a super fun time anyway.

We didn't get home until 4:30 am so I slept in until about 12:30 pm. Sleeping in was a great way to start my birthday. I relaxed on the couch for a few hours before going out for a birthday lunch with Kaila and Tori. We went to a create your own pasta dish restaurant and it was delicious!! I had a cheese sauce with mushrooms on my pasta.

After lunch Tori treated me to a birthday brownie and cafe con leche. The brownie was so rich but boy was it good. It had crushed peanut M & M's on top which made me think of my Dad. He loves peanut M & M's.

To end my birthday I went to church with my friend Jillian. The music was so uplifting. There was a guest speaker and his message was just what I needed to hear. It was about excepting being hurt and feeling pain but to know God is there to build you back up to live your life for Him and the plan he has for your life.

Now I'm cuddled up on my couch again in my pjs with my comforter. It has been hard not being my family on my birthday. This trip has been the first time I've been away from them all for longer than a week. I miss them so much but in one month we'll be reunited. I'm so excited for that moment but sad that I'll be leaving this wonderful place which I have fallen completely in love with.