Memories...

For those that know me, you know that I have the worst memory in the world.  Well, short-term memory that is.  Most of the time I start to say something and quickly forget what I was going to say.  Or run downstairs to get something and lose all track of what I meant to do and start on a completely different task.  But since being in Spain I have been able to remember a lot...I guess being away from home can make that happen, huh?  I actually became really interested in the topic of memories when my anthropology mentioned it one day in class and now I will be writing my final paper on the topic of memories. 

Anyway, back on track.  Being in Spain makes me constantly remember small stuff about home.  Most of the time the things that I remember are actually things really small stuff that I don't normally take the time to appreciate when I'm able to experience them at home.  Take for instance memories of smells.  To me, seasons each have a different smell.  There is a particular smell for fall and due to the fact that Sevilla does not feel like it's anywhere close to fall, I have missed the smell of North Carolina's fall.  Of course, the trees are gorgeous during the fall, but there's something about going out of your way to step on a crunchy leaf.  There's something about the smell of crisp and cool fall mornings.  Amanda, what about those pumpkin-flavored coffees that we always enjoy at B&N?  I miss the smell of sweet potato pie and warm muffins fresh out of the oven. 

The other day I went to the library (after going to my 8:30am class only to have someone come and tell us the professor wouldn't be coming to lecture) with Ashley.  As an avid reader, the library is a very exciting place.  And there is nothing like the smell of a library and the smell of books.  What can I say?  I am my mother's daughter.  I spent most of the morning looking at different books and immersing myself in the feeling of being in the library.  Yes, it's quite nerdy, but it reminded me of home and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. 

Foods.  Obviously one of the things that we think about the most in terms of smell is food.  Granted, there are a lot of things that my senora cooks that are nothing like what I would eat if I were at home.  But there are a lot of things that are similar enough that the smell of them brings back memories of home.  For instance, this morning my senora was making chickpeas with chicken.  It's similar to chicken soup and reminded me so much of mom's famous "chicken and noodles" that she loves to cook so much.  The smell of it is also very similar to chicken pastry.  :)  Last night we had croquetas (aka see here).  The easiest way to describe them is that they are similar to hushpuppies but instead of bread on the inside there can be a variety of things (like veggies, meats, sauces, etc.).  The ones that we had last night had bechamel on the inside.  They were delicious but I think the thing that made them even more so for me was the fact that the smell of them cooking reminded me of cornbread. 

So enough rambling about memories.  Jessica sent me the link to my (now) favorite song.  Here's the link in case you're interested: Lead Me.  Here are the lyrics:

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Let me know what you think!