i'm back in tulsa. actually i got back monday night - or tuesday morning depending on which time zone you're in. it definitely felt like tuesday morning. every time i travel i have this attitude about jetlag that it is really no big deal. but, i'm learning that you must respect the jetlag. right now i'm not exactly tired, but i'm definitely spaced out. i guess it will pass in a couple of days.

yesterday was my first day back in the office and i managed to avoid blogging all day. i'm really dreading trying to describe my trip. i can't even seem to manage a quick 5 minute version when people ask me how it was. but, i guess i'll give it a shot.

i had an incredible trip with an amazing group of people in an unbelievable part of the world. i stayed at a place called montserrat. it is a mountain outside of barcelona. the hotel i stayed in is on the side of the mountain along with a monastery, a basilica, museums, restaurants and shops. it was an amazing place to be and the scenery was breath-taking. we had a few free days at montserrat and the other days we travelled to different parts of catalonia. we visited art museums, cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and a cave. maybe eventually i can give details about each of the places i visited. the days i stayed at montserrat i tried out some of the trails around the mountain.

i was blessed to be with an incredible group of people on my trip. i had a hunch that the group would be a little bit older than me, but i had no idea how much older they would be. there was about a 30 year gap between me and the next youngest person. but, this proved to be such a blessing. most of the people i was with have done extensive travelling and they have seen and experienced so many things. i hope i will have done half the things they have when i'm their age. they were always laughing and enjoying learning new things and seeing new things. they were so enthusiastic about the places we went and they were totally welcoming to me and my crazy american ways. for the last year or so i've been seeking after what it means and what it looks like to live and to live well. these people were great examples of what it looks like to live well. they are very beautiful people. am so thankful for the time i was able to spend with them and i already miss them.

one of the biggest thoughts i had as i was taking everything in is how "new" i felt. it seems like the things i'm a part of are so new in the big scheme of things. my country is so young and the buildings and landmarks we have here are so new compared to the places i saw in spain. i learned a lot about the catholic church in spain and compared to their history, the church i'm a part of is so young. and then you have me. i am new, age-wise of course, but more than that, i'm young in experience and knowledge. being in this situation is bringing me an awareness of the reality that the world is much bigger and older than me and the things i'm directly involved in. it brings me to a deeper respect for and understanding of history. i realize that i would not be who i am and the things i'm attached to would not be what they are without these older things. i'm not exactly sure what all that means yet, i'm just aware of it. i'm also aware that there is a lot i don't know.

after my time in spain, i spent a few days in london. saturday morning i got up and went to get tea for barbara at fortnum and mason. while i was walking down the street, i spotted a starbucks and my heart leapt for joy. i have to admit this reaction caught me a little off-guard. i guess i didn't realize how much i was looking forward to seeing something familiar. so i opened the door and i could almost hear angels singing the hallelujah chorus (but once i listened closely i realized it was just the latest starbucks sampler cd). it was almost as if "my" starbucks in tulsa had been magically transplanted to picadilly street in london. there was the same furniture, lighting, art, and drink selection. i guess some people would say that it was a shame to go somewhere that i could go to here in the states and usually i would be the person saying that, but it was so nice to be somewhere so familiar even if it was just for a quick chai. i knew exactly what i was ordering and how to order it and i could speak english. it was beautiful. don't get me wrong - i think i was involving myself in the culture in a lot of ways - i just needed a little break and starbucks definitely provided that. i'll write more later as it gets sorted out in my brain! peace.