the results are in...

Well, it is official- I did not get my work permit. I will be going back to the US in July- the 9th to be exact. I have a great peace about this, although I am still disappointed. I just believe whole heartedly that everything happens for a reason. Who knows why I am supposed to go home, or where God is leading me. Ah... the great mystery of life, of faith, of trust! ah! I feel like I have been taking a crash course on all of the above, thankfully, being filled with enough grace to stay hopeful and positive.

There was one really great thing that came out of the present circumstances- I had to go to Barcelona! Because I officially didn't get my visa, that meant that I was definitely only on a tourist's visa, which means you have to leave the country every 3 months. Well, the last time I left Switzerland was in March, when I went to Paris, and when you travel by train they don't stamp passports. The time before that was February, when I went to Spain for the first time. It just so happened that the weekend we found out that my permit was a "no go" was the anniversary of 3 months, meaning I had to have a new stamp. Barcelona happened to be the cheapest ticket, which was perfect because I have friends there. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever been forced into.

I arrived in Barcelona on Saturday night. It was pouring, POURING rain there. Sheets of wet drenching me from head to toe. I showed up at Miguelangel's apartment soaked and tired but happy to find he and his room mates dancing around to the CD I had burned them as a welcoming. It was so sweet! Miguelangel let all of the friends that I had made during my first visit, know that I was going to be in town and so they all came over Sunday night and we had a little party. The Spanish girls made Tortillas (Carla is amazing at these by the way) and Alessandro and Luigi, the Italians, made delicious pizzas. We had wine and chocolate and dancing (well I danced, with the occasional partner of my choice) and then, at 4:30a on Monday morning, my cab came to pick me up.

It was sort of silly because my flight home was not direct, I had to stop in Zurich. And the only reason I am mentioning this is because of something funny that I saw in the airport. I was walking to my gate, past the little cafes that airports have, you know the kind with the really expensive food that you buy any way because you are hungry and you have no other options? Any way, at about 8:30 in the morning, there sat two older men drinking a pint of beer each! I was surprised, but also kind of pleased to see this. Just thought I would let you in on the little amusement that made my day :)

I suppose it won't be long at all until I am home and we can have real conversations about everything that has happened, both here and there. I truly do miss everyone, and the knowledge that I will soon be with all of you make me happy. Talk to you!