Prickles in my Panties, All day Long (Almost)

Some days, you wake up super grumpy.

And you don't want to talk to anyone.

And you struggle with your prayers because all you want to say is how grumpy you are.

And you realize you are being silly but still, what is happening in your life is upsetting.

Some days you walk to school with more of a stomp in your step than a spring.

And you talk about going barefoot as a child and how it never killed you.

And you explain in a voice of thunder than using a towel for your face and hands has never given you any diseases.

And you wish that you weren't sick anymore.

Some days, you show up at school an almost fall asleep in class.

You find out the real meaning behind Little Red Riding Hood, and why she dresses so scandalously in "Once Upon A Time" (SEASON 2, ANYONE?!)

And you start to perk up when you finally fix a doctor's appointment for your mysterious illness

And you calm your temper when you realize how kind your friends are being for supporting and helping you (not just trying to butt into your business. Remember, I woke up really grumpy. I had to talk myself out of some pretty irrational stinky thoughts).

And you are so blessed to have been able to get a same day appointment with an English speaking doctor who knows a good family friend that lived in the area for 3 years.

Some days, you go home to a delicious and early lunch of squash soup and fish and Spanish bread.

Your mamita tries again and again to make sure your health is in order, and sends you off to the doctor early enough so you are on time.

And you arrive to the correct metro station with relatively few problems

And you even meet an adorable German family along the way (wouldn't mind speaking that beautiful language one day).

Some days, you go to the place where you are told to go by Google maps

And you are 15 minutes early

And you realize there is no doctor's office in sight.

And when you ask around, nobody knows.

Some days, you end up walking up and down foreign streets looking for a McDonald's or some source of wifi in order to research where you actually should be.

And you find the McDonalds after 45 minutes of walking, and asking

And you even asked in a hospital if it was possible to make an appointment, while the lady with the orange hair and worn face stared despondently at you, and you felt like you were interrupting her life, while all you wanted to do was cry.

And you even have a good enough roommate to stick it out with you, even though that stinky hurricane cloud from the morning time seemed to destroy any hope of a good mood.

Sometimes, you continue to try and try and you are finally led to the right spot

And people on the Spanish streets continue to guide you and be patient with you, always lending a smile and saying a simple but necessary, "No pasa nada."

And you enter the building, give your name, and sit down.

And then a beautiful little girl begins to bat her eyes and smile and play with you.

Sometimes you catch the doctor, 1 hour later than you should have been but right before he leaves the clinic.

And you are so grateful to the Lord for blessing you to be able to converse with him in English.

And you are lucky enough to catch the blood specialist right before she leaves too.

Sometimes you realize how blessed you are that you are able to pay the doctor even though you may be classified as a 'starving student'

And you take the new prescriptions and the instructions

And you set up an appointment for next week, same time, same place, to which you promise your promptness so that the kind man doesn't have to wait any more.

And you even have the opportunity to simply walk yourself to the nearest metro and ride a couple of trains with a couple of handsome men (no interaction DUH) to the train

Sometimes you are so relieved that you see only a 2 minute wait that you get on the train without checking which line it was

Sometimes it's already 7 and you left the house at 2:45 when you get on the train.

And then you ride the train into an unfamiliar darkness, with completely foreign station names and an unknown route.

And then you realize an hour and a half later that you went all the way out to the outer suburb, past where you live, on the wrong train, and you are now back to the station where you started.

And then you are grateful to just be able to sit and know you are on the right track.

Sometimes you spend another half hour on the train

And then you get off and march your way to the nearest McDonalds

and you open up your homework, realizing you have at least 2 hours worth

And you are able to talk to your mom, but briefly.

And suddenly, after a salad, a large fry, a coca cola, and a McFlurry, it's midnight and you have to walk home.

You get yourself into the house after laughing and almost crying and singing some Children's hymns so you aren't afraid (yes, I do that so I'm not afraid of the dark).

And you wash your face and brush your teeth and you sit down on that bed that didn't seem so comfy until you were really tired...

And then you write about that day in which you realized it's okay not be Mrs Happy Face all the time, and people still love you even if you cry and snap and grump and groan.

And you read some scriptures, promising yourself to do that FIRST tomorrow morning...

And you lay down your head, and you fall asleep without any effort.

At least I've got my fingers crossed for that last part.

Love you all, your prayers are so appreciated. You are in mine. Thank goodness for the Lord's guidance and mercy. Talk to you soon. If you see my momma or daddy, give them a BIG FAT SPANISH CHOCOLATE FILLED hug from me. Okay. Night Night.