Twelve Things

I have put together twelve photos to sum up the year 2008 & my time here in Spain. It's cool looking back at everything that I've done/accomplished/experienced in these 12 months.

1.DUBLIN-My first Guinness and my first 30 days consecutively with the boyfriend. Crazy, huh?

2.First New Years with Joan-Having a great night out and meeting all of Joan's best friends.

3. Joan's Family. Without them living abroad would be so much harder. They are my family now I love them so much!

4.The day Joan and I "signed the papers" so that I could work in Spain! That changed our life in so many ways. I could stay here and live and have this incredible experience!

5.My grandmothers first visit to Europe! it was so incredible to show her Spain and for her to experience life on the other side of the world. It's an experience I hope she can have more than once!

6. My first trip to PARIS! This was an experience that left me speechless. To be in a city that I heard about all my life and wished to go to for so long-incredibly amazing. Joan did a great job surprising me with this trip!

7. My 21st Birthday and My friend's visit to Spain! August was a great month, busy, but great. I had a fantastic birthday and it was wonderful having girl time after so many months! 8.Living in Lloret. Joan and I were so fortunate to have a beautiful flat with incredible views. That was our first place together and we will never forget all the great times there.

9.Barney. Our first pet together. We saved him from being Rabbit Stew and eventually we set him free in the wild (Joan's property in Lloret) to live and have little Barney's of his own. He was a good guy.

10.The nights out with Joan and his friends have been some of the best nights I've ever had. So many laughs and great Spanish lessons! Joan is so lucky to have such great people around him. I guess I am lucky now too. :) And a shout out to Kindra,( pictured below) one of the sweetest and funniest girls I met thanks to Spanish classes in Girona.

11.The Cuisine. I've eaten more Lobster this year than ever in my life. Paella, Gambas, Calamaris, Champagne, Cava, Vino. I've dined like a Queen in Spain-love it! I've also learned how to cook many new dishes, from mi suegra and from cooking dinner for Joan and I each night. I can say I've become quite a chef!

12.Barcelona. I'm pictured below with a "King" one of the three for the festivities Jan 6th here in Spain. Barcelona has been such a great place, I have so many memories there. It's brought me together with Alison, my grandmother, my friends, Joan, Maribel, friends here in Spain, and numerous others. I've spent New Years there, my 21st birthday, weekends with the boyfriend, shopping. It's a wonderful city that has been a major part of my life here in Spain.However, I do need to include Girona. Joan and I live here now and it is definetly a place to call home. Pictures is the bridge Joan and I take each day when we go to work. Girona is a small but metropolitan city that we really love.

Any Nou

Instead of making a list of New Years Resolutions I'm going to make a list of good intentions. Because, how many people actually keep their resolutions more than a month or two after the strike of midnight? This year has gone by in a flash. I remember the first day I arrived here and the other hundred and five things that happened in 08 like it were yesterday. And soon it will be over. All the more reason to make my good intentions last until this time next year.

You may be wondering what Any Nou is. It's pronounced, Ann- No more or less, and it's Catalan for New Year. Catalan is part of my list of good intentions.

- I want to focus a little more on Catalan instead of Spanish. Both are important to me in different ways but I feel I can really be successful in this language if I study it a bit more.

-To travel more if the budget allows. I'm off to go a good start by going to Bratislava for two days and then to the states for eleven. I love being in Europe and the places I most want to visit is Italy, Germany, Norway and Greece.

-Get back on track with school. This one is more of a must than an intention but all the same something I need to do. Taking a year off has been what I needed and I've had really great experiences because of it. In the fall of 09 I'd love to be enrolled in school. In the spring I want to get my TEFL certificate online.

-To cook more. I made dinner for thirteen people for Christmas. If I can do that, I can cook more dinners in the evening. Again, if the budget allows, I'd love to experiment with recipes and expand my knowledge of cooking.

-Keep in touch with my friends and family better. I did OK given the circumstances but I forgot a lot of birthdays, didn't write or call when I said I would and was just lazy. Part of me doesn't like to call because it's never the same, sometimes there can be akward moments and most of all it makes me incredibly sad that I'm not there. Usually I am very busy and the time difference doesn't help but my good intention is to send more emails and make more calls.

-Achieve. I worked incredibly hard, as did Joan, to get to where we are now. We have a long way to go but I want us to get there sooner. I must work harder, apply for more scholarships, grants, volunteer, teach more English, earn degrees and make more money.

Quite a list of intentions, isn't it? I don't feel pressure though, because they're just that-intentions.

I hope you all have a wonderfully happy any nou and have a list of your own to follow.

Cebado

This morning I had a hair appointment at Cebado. My boss suggested I go to Yatz, the lady that does her hair. I walked in at 10:45, they took my coat, gave me a black silk type robe to put on over me and I waited 10 minutes before Yatz came over to check out my hair. She told me my color was beautiful than the last time she saw it (when I went in for the consulation). She worked wonders with my hair, it's cut to my collar and has layers. My bangs are a bit shorter and well, it's hot. Then she colored my hair. We decided on a shade darker than it was and that turned out great as well. I was told to come back in two months, she would cut my hair again and color it a second time so that I would get the best color for my hair. I agree and I will go back.

I also met a nice girl, Natalia. She is the daughter of one of the hairdressers. She speaks English and was in to get her hair cut today as well. We exchanged numbers and hopefully we'll meet soon.

Overall the experience was great. Three hours of relaxation, scalp massages and a new look. At the end, Yatz had them to my make up. What wonders a little blush, well placed eyeliner and lipgloss can do! I will be ready for New Years thats for sure! A day which we still don't have plans.

Now that I am home, I think I'll make a cup of Hot Cocoa, grab Hemingway's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and keep up this relaxing day.

Christmas Day Part II

Today was Sant Esteve day as I have mentioned before and it went very well! I overslept this morning and we didn't get to the parents house until 11 but the Turkey was already done so I just had to make the rest. Green Bean Casserole, Candied Yams, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce--the works. At 2:30 everyone had arrived and we ate. I was more nervous than I've ever been but after everyone tried everything and everyone liked it, the weight was lifted off my shoulders. It was my first time making any of this stuff and it went so well. Makes me think I could be a chef.

We opened presents, drank cava and around 5 I took an hour nap in Joan's old bedroom. I missed the Caga Tio (the hitting of the log until it poos) oh well, It will happen again next year.

At 9 everyone left and so did we. We're now at home enjoying our presents (our new slippers from Zara Home, the mass amount of Turon we got and the joy of having internet. Tomorrow I go to Cebado to get my "new look". I'll post pics if it's not a disaster.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of the night and the weekend before it's time to go to work again.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was wonderful. Much more relaxed (for me) than last year. Such a 360. Last year I had been in Spain less than a week before I was meeting his entire family. I didn't speak any Spanish or Catalan, the food was strange etc but this time around...I understand Catalan, I speak more Spanish, I love the food and I love his family!

We went to the grandparents around 2:30 after a wonderful morning of baking with Maribel. We made sugar cookies and party mix. It was a lot of fun and Ari even helped out, I love when her and I are able to talk. We opened presents before going over for lunch. I got Ari some earplugs since her boyfriend started learning how to play the guitar...

Joan's grandfather loves to record. Actually, he's a techie. He has three different DVD players that all do different things, top of the line digital cameras, camcorders, CD players; the works. Each Christmas he videotapes everything. It is pretty adorable to be honest and fun to watch during the next years dinner. Joan and I are watching our spending so we made something instead this year. We burned the new Josh Groban CD to give to everyone. Joan's techie grandfather (He's 80 by the way) loves Christmas Music and has more American artists than even I've heard of-he doesn't understand a word of it but loves it all the same. We put on the music and his grandmother started crying, she loved it so much. His grandfather said he liked Groban better than the Sinatra CD. That's saying something. It's incredible to me that something as simple as that can change the atmosphere of Christmas.
Even the sugar cookies gave a good reaction. Joan's family had always seen people eating them in movies but had never tried them. They loved them.

For a moment during the dinner, when Ave Maria was playing in the background, I took a moment to just watch everyone. Ariandna and Sergi were laughing and joking together. Joan was enjoying his Christmas soup, Maribel and Tony were laughing about something Montse had said. Joan's grandfather was recording his wife bringing out the next course and it was just such a wonderful sight. I was sad I wasn't with my family for Christmas but these people ARE my family. I have two and they are both so wonderful. I am very lucky.

Tomorrow is round II of the festivities. Maribel's brothers and sisters are coming over-everyone on her side that is and I am preparing the American Meal. Candied Yams, Stuffing, Mashed Potatos with Gravy, Cranberries, Brownies, Chex Mix, Lemon and Thyme Roasted Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Hot Chocolate, Cheesecake and Christmas Punch. I am nervous and excited at the same time. An American Christmas like they have always seen on t.v. LIVE in their home.

It is midnight here and Christmas Day is officially over. Joan and I are in our new robes we got from his Aunt, he is making a "midnight snack" and then we should be tucking in for a goodnights sleep. Tomorrow is sure to be a very fun and long day.

I hope your Christmas was everything you wanted it to be and more.

And So It Continues

I suppose I'm just a junkie that needs more than one fix.
I have started another blog. The other is about anything other than my life. Thoughts, articles, current events, food, fashion-anything under the sun.

Please read and enjoy at:

www.thedailycafe.wordpress.com

Bon Nadal

Happy Holidays Everyone.

With Love-

Time with the Girls

Sunday, during the lunch, Ariana was especially late. This is normal, she tends to always be late but Sunday we were already eating dessert by the time she arrived. Turns out she didn't get much sleep the night before because she and her girlfriends had a sleepover. I guess one can never be told old for those. It sounded like she had a lot of fun, I got to reminicing about nights in the chapter room, sleepovers in Roberta Hall and even sleepovers from birthday parties years ago. I miss those. a lot. I'm thinking that when I go to KC, my friends and I should have one.

" Heather Rose darling, what do you think?"

My time there is short, I only have saturday, but perhaps since the space is limited and everyone goes to bed early it would probably be OK for me to stay over with a friend. Perhaps we could then go to church the next morning and then I will go back to my family's home. Yes, good solid plan. Because one day with my friends just isn't enough at all.

I only have 3 weeks left until the big departure, although it feels like I have months. I think I will get more excited when the day arrives. I feel I have so much to do before then. This Saturday I'm going to the salon to update the hairdo, I need to get a few gifties for the aunties and I really need to get everything at work accomplished and organized before I leave, luckily Joan should have my email set up by then so I will be able to check up on things from my home in the states.

What's everyones plan for New Years? I still don't have one. Last year was amazing and this year Joan and I aren't even going to try to top it. I'm sure we will end up having dinner at home, renting a classic and then we will probably meet up with friends before midnight to ring in the new year. Where? No idea. There ia great cocktail bar near our home, maybe we can go there if it isn't to packed. There is always so much emphasis on this night, all I care about is being with Joan, our close friends and having fun. Besides, my party will start the 15th of of the New Year and that's perfectly fine with me!

The Sunday Blues

I don't know about you all but sometimes I get the blues on Sunday. Not right away in the morning of course. Not when I'm snuggled under the covers, the sunlight peeking through the window and Joan in some crazy position next to me-I like that. Not in the afternoons when we're walking in Girona, having a café on the river or at his parents for lunch. I like that a lot too. Not when we are lazy and decide not to cook so we order take out or McDonalds instead, that's my favorite. It's probably when I get home, it's dark out and I start preparing things for Monday. Ugh Mondays. In my life I learned that it's better to have something special planned for Mondays because it's a hard day, at lesat for me. Especially when Joan has to go out of town and doesn't come back until late.
Tomorrow (the dreaded Monday) I've been given the task to take the girls from the School of Hostesses to the pool outside of town. They have to practice and beat 2:30 in order to get their TCP certificate. The girls are fun and all but it's a bit crazy. Not to mention that I'm supposed to teach Pablo and Carlos and I don't know how I'll do both. Oh Mondays. The good thing is though, is that Tuesday night is the Company Dinner, Wednesday is Christmas Eve, Thursday is Christmas Day and Friday is Sant Esteva Day here, St.Stephen in English and Saint Etienne in France. The bible says that Stephen was tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and speaking against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14) and was stoned to death by an angry mob that was encouraged by Saul of Tarsus, the future Saint Paul. Stephen's final speech is presentred as making an accusation against the Jews of continuing to persecute prophets who spoke out against their sins. (Thanks Wikipedia for the 411)

So there you have it, and on Saint Stephen's Day I will be in charge of cooking the turkey, the casserole, the stuffing, the salads, the desserts and the beverages. Joan's abuela told me she wanted "An Ameican Christmas like in the movies." I'll do whatever it takes to give her one.

Happy Holidays and I hope you don't have a case of the Sunday Blues.

The Year of A Life Time

Fa la la la la la la one year!

Yesterday marked ONE YEAR that I've been living abroad in Spain. This time last year I was in Dublin, Ireland with Joan and about to board a plane to meet his family for the first time. I'll never forget the first moments in the city of Dublin, my first cocktail in Hard Rock Cafe and certainly not the first words my new family said to me, "Welcome to your home".

The first days with Joan's family were difficult. I'm sure any girlfriend meeting the parents is an experience but not speaking the same language and in a whole new country, well it makes the stakes a little higher.

Since living here, I've learned so much. Someone asked me the other day, how I would describe my experience here. All I could think to say was "across the board" Any emotion you can think of, I've probably felt it and then some. Overall-it has been incredible. I see people that have now become my friends and think that if I never would have met Joan or even decided to come here, I wouldn't have ever known about these people and their lives. I look at Joan's friends who have treated me with nothing but kindness and I wonder how I could have gone my life without meeting them. Not to disregard the wonderful people I met at Northwest. I know when I go to visit them next month I will feel that same way all over again. I see Joan's mother, how she has treated me like her own daughter, she and Joan's dad have learned English for me! They have progressed so much in fact I'm embarassed my Spanish isn't any better by now! And Joan's sister, a year ago, even two months ago we were still strangers. Ever since our trip to Granada she has become like a sister-n-law and I hope we can continue to grow closer as the months continue.
I've also learned so much about culture, for obvious reasons. Traveling to many new countries, not only for pleasure but for business as well. Learning firsthand about International Relations and Business has been more beneficial than anything in a classroom would. My job has given me a chance to stay here with Joan. If it wasn't for this job, I wouldn't be able to use my English and I'm not sure if I even would have found a real job to begin with. Teaching English has been a great experience as well. I've met wonderfully amazing people and have learned so much about the English language along the way. When I began I taught Rosa, the Public Relations professor and her husband Jordi. I met a wonderful family through teaching Pablo and Carlos, I've met a talented surgeon through Antoni and wonderful girls who are aspiring flight attendants through the Hostess School. Wonderful people who in small ways have changed my life. Even my boss, who I taught Business English lessons to today. She is an extraordinary woman who took a chance on hiring me just because of where I was from and didn't care that I hadn't finished my studies yet. Now I'm working on my own courses, doing a great job I might add and Joan has been promoted to Managing Director. We've come so far in a year.

Not only career wise but financially as well. We still aren't rolling in dough, but we're far better off than when I arrived and we're still improving. We're living in a gorgeous flat in the historic and posh neighborhood in Girona. We have a warm home to come to at the end of each day, food to eat each night and clothes to wear, most of all we have each other; something we didn't have for almost two years.

My grandmother told me the other day a great truth, she said, "You are doing what you've always wanted to do, travel Europe!" She is absolutley right. I always dreamed of this and now it's happening. It's true God doesn't always answer your prayers in the way you might expect. I always wanted to be rich and travel the world, I'm not rich yet and I haven't conquered the world but-I'm so much closer than before and I'm working hard for it too which says something.

Next month I'm going to Bratislava for work with Joan. We'll be staying over two nights. Slovakia has a bad rep but we're booked in a very nice hotel in the city center so while we will be very busy, we will also have time to see the sights. We're also going to have a layover in Milan for six hours so who knows, I may get to see a little bit of Italy too!

All in all, Spain has changed me; for the better. I'm working in a successfull company at 21, full time and starting school in the fall, I'm independent and also learning two new languages. I never would have thought I'd be at this point, this early. But I'm glad for it. If you want to be successfull in life you have to work for it and there's no better way than starting early.

I don't know what 2009 has in store for me or Joan but I can only hope it will be as fun and exciting as this year has been. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends and family next month-something that is long overdue. I miss you all very much.

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season

-Love Always-

All Sorts Of Calling Going On

I started off with a phone similar to this one; nothing special at all. A basic phone so I could call Joan and feel safe when I walked around the strange new town I now lived in.

Then I had this one, the Prada touch screen. Very feminine yet as I told Joan, acceptable for a metro male to carry around, especially for business purposes which he later did when I bought me the next phone instead:

All my life I wanted a Blackberry, something about it screams business woman, doesn't it? I'm very happy with it so far and wouldn't trade it for anything-except maybe the phone Joan is supposed to recieve in the mail today: This one:

The new and very popular Blackberry Bold, I don't know if the same exists in America, under a different name but I can tell you Joan couldn't be more excited. Since he recieved a promotion he also is recieving this nice little gift. So he'll have this and this:

I've had Sprint, Verizon, Nextel and now I have Vodafone and Joan will have Orange. Eh, phone companies. I don't know why the kick on phones today but it's all I've been hearing about from Joan lately, who can blame him? He hasn't been this excited since he got this in August: Yes, an IPOD Touch, and he says he never gets anything good. He got me didn't he?

Anyway, for those of you with Blackberry's we can email each other anytime and it's free Blackberry to Blackberry! So let me know!

European Wines

In the states I never drank wine, unless it came from a box and was hidden in Heather Rose's purse as we walked around the AG parties. Now, being in Europe I have become an aficionado of wines, at first, against my will. It started out with Lambrusco. This is a sparkling wine,quite inexpensive and at one point was very successful in the U.S.

The next was Marenco Scrapona Moscato D'Asti Marenco Scrapona Moscato D' Asti. This is a very aromatic white wine with fruit flovers, including melonand honeyed overtones. This is best served with dessert, in my opinion.

The love affair with wine continued and while I cannot remember all the names of the wines I've tasted, I do know that I will never go back to boxed wine. Joan has really opened me up to the world of wine which is quite easy here. Across from my home is a wine bar, down the street is a winery with a cellar, stone walls and a very informative genteman who is willing to tell you anything from the history of the wine to how to pour it and in which glass.

On Sundays, we often have a glass of wine with lunch, during the week, Joan may pick up a bottle after work and we enjoy a glass with dinner. When a friend comes over to visit-they are rarely without a bottle of wine. It's the way of life here and I've grown accustomed to reading the wine menu before deciding what to have for dinner. I'm learning which cheeses go with which wines and which ones definetly don't. I'm far from being knowledgeable about the subject but I have learned that a glass a day will keep the doctor away. Wine is heart healthy and I promote it highly.

Another beverage that I've grown fond of is Moet & Chandon, a Champagne, a delicious champagne that I will continue to drink the rest of my life. It's a pity it's so darn expensive! But, as I say, you get what you pay for in these circumstances.

Europe is indeed a class apart in these categories, Italy is known for the Chianti, the Marsala, the Soave and the Valpolicella. The Marsala for example, is quite popular and is normally served after dinner with postres because of it's sweet taste. Asti Spumante is a sparkling wine and the world's choice after champagne of course.

When living here, even for as short a time as I have, wine becomes entwined in daily life and even in special circumstances. People cook with wine,drink wine, bathe in wine and even have wine massages. There are wine academies and schools in which one can learn about European wines. Joan and I plan to have a wine cellar in our future home because he loves it so much.

So tonight, if you are able, have a glass of wine tonight with dinner or dessert. Kick back and relax and enjoy a bit of the European way of life!

By the way HRF, we are going to hit up Better Cheddar and pick up a bottle ;) for old times.

Back In The Swing

Yesterday a good time was had by all as Ariana, Maribel and I went to La Roca Village. For Christmas, Maribel bought me a glamourous black coat from Bimba & Lola, a shop I never heard of before but it's Montse's favorite. It's a pretty fun website if you take a look. Anyway, I love it but was told to forget about it until Christmas Eve. Ari and I continued to bond and we have come a long way from a year ago. Sunday evening after lunch, Joan and I rented The Dark Knight-finally. I really missed renting movies so we did it for old times, I'm going to encourage that more.

This week is a little bit crazy as Christmas is approaching, I am teaching Pablo and Carlos tonight, the Doctor tomorrow and Norma and Cristina Wednesday. I'm giving exams so I still have to make those.

It's a fairly calm day at the office, Joan and I are the only ones here aside from Pilar. I like it-I'm getting so much more work done without all the interuptions.

Speaking of which....hope your day is going well.

Ciao

It's Sinking In...

I found out yesterday I would be coming home to visit and I am still beyond excited. However, the reality of the situation has set in. First, I have a lot to plan. Seeing family and friends spread out over two states won't be an easy task. Especially when the first full day in the states will be spent driving to Orlando and then flying to Kansas City, possibly with a layover in between. I will be there for three days, one day devoted to friends-an event that is already being planned. The other two days will be spent with family, Aunt Missy, Aunt Kelli and the uncles. Grandma will be there as well in the mix and it will be so hard to devote quality time with everyone! Woe is me.

The following week I am soaking up everything in America, other than the people and the English. I'm talking about Taco Bell, Wendys, Target, Chilis, Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Delicious! And oh the stores! American Eagle, Express, J.Crew and Victorias Secret! I think Joan will start worrying as soon as he reads this....How much damage can I do in 10 days?

Anyway, I'm excited,nervous,scared....it has been one year exactly since I've been home. So many things happen in one year...but that's a whole other post.

Today we're in Lloret, Joan slept in after our dinner with the boss. We didn't get home until 2 a.m! A 5 hour business dinner! It was fun, informative and we are both feeling very positive about the future, I'll leave it at that for now. I'll just say I absolutley love my boss and I can safely say she feels the same about me. If I just do my job well-good things will happen!

Tomorrow I'm going to La Roca Shopping Village with Maribel and Ariana. I'm thinking some new pieces for my work wardrobe, black is always safe, right? Tonight Joan wants to go to Shabir's to watch the futbol match, I'm not so inclined. I would love to rent some movies and watch them with mi suegra but I'm not sure of her plans either.

Hope your weekend is splendid as mine has been so far!

A Great Suprise

Joan and I were leaving work to go home for lunch, as usual we were leaving late; 1:10, 1:15, then he comes into my office and tells me we have to drop off an envelope somewhere. This is a common occurance so I think nothing of it and we go.

We stop in front of a parking garage and he tells me this is the place and hands me the envelope. I'm confused. I look down into the dark alley of the parking garage and ask, "Here?" He looks at me, eyebrows raised and tells me to open the envelope. I pull out the contents and the first thing I see is Delta and my name.

Thursday, Jan 15th 2009 I leave for the states! I am beyond thrilled! Only a month away! I'm sad Joan can't go with me but he wants to come for Thanksgiving next November so that's super great news! The boss already gave us the OK for vacation time so even better!

This will be a very busy trip, I'm even flying to KC for three days to see my friends and family and then it's back to FL. When I used to visit FL from KC I tried so hard to see everyone and go everywhere. This time however, I won't have time. I'll have my grandmothers car but I definetly don't want to be driving all over the state. So, if anyone wants to see me they can come to my town.

There are so many things I want to do, so much food I want to eat and shopping! Also I am more than ready to see my little brother.

Tonight is the big dinner with the boss and her husband! I think it will be very good, informative and fun! I'll let you know...

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Tis the season for madness, isn't that right? Things are crazy in the office right now. I'm trying to get references sent before the holidays approach and it's proving to be quite difficult. Tonight I will be dealing with the students when they come to the office after their class ends at 6:00. I just want all the paperwork to be perfect!

In other news I recieved the package from my grandmother yesterday. The box smelled like my home in Florida Joan said; A mixture of vanilla,cinnamon and detergent. I started to cry when I sprayed the Cinnamon Home Scent from Bath and Body Works-my family uses that at home and it just made me so homesick. She sent me lotions and creams, scented oils and the Josh Groban Christmas CD. She also sent me a lot of boxes for baking, brownies and bluberry muffins, marshmellows,Stuffing Mix and so much more. It made my week! It's beginning to feel like Christmas.

This weekend I am going to La Roca Village with Maribel and Ariana, Joan might come along as well. A good dose of shopping at the Mango store and Burberry is greatly needed. I still want to get things for Maribel and Arianna as well. Oh the holidays.

Seasons Greetings!

Blog Blogger Blogging Blogged

I wish my friends would blog. Or blog more. I know one other person that keeps one and frankly that isn't enough to feed my hunger. I scour the internet for blogs that are interesting and fun and while I do find many; I would much rather read about the lives of my friends. It does take time, not that much, depending on how long your post is of course. It's a fantastic way to keep in touch and really is very thearaputic. I don't care if strangers read it-I'm not spilling any secrets. Besides, I doubt very many people are interested in my thoughts as this blog really isn't that riveting. So, friends and family, if you're reading this and have ever put any thought into creating a blog-just do it. It's easy and a great way to document life if you hate taking pictures and have a bad memory. I love that I can look back at any post and have a great story about all my adventures I've had here in Europe. I love that five or ten years from now I can look back and remember how I felt on the first day I arrived here.
Anyway, I'm all for blogs and if you check out "Blogs of Note" on the Blogger Dashboard you're sure to find some good ones.

Take A Breather

I just arrived back at the office from collecting paperwork from the students of the course all morning. I have a TON of work but writing helps me relax and it is something I definetly need to do.
Yesterday was insane as well, I spent the work day preparing everything for today; I taught Carlos and Pablo and after I did a favor for Xavi. He came over to the house and interviewed me about the U.S. Elections for his Journalism class. After the first 25 minutes he found out it never recorded so we did it again. At 10:00 I was finally eating dinner and then managed to stay up for a bit of CSI and head to bed. At 7:30 this morning Joan realized he forgot to give the keys to the Ryanair Interviewer, ( at 10 last night he was supposed to come by the office and drop of the keys to Lazlo and he forgot) so this morning he was a wreck, we dropped by the hotel we supposed Lazlo would go to and the company paid, then went straight to set up, give the presentation and collect paperwork. Now I am the only one here as Joan is still with the students at the Uniform Fitting and everyone else went to lunch. I still have to prepare my two hour english lesson for the doctor tonight while filing and recording the four binders of documents and I only have three days to get it all done.

I'm not complaining mind you, I really do like this job and I'm so thankful to even have one! Joan and I both said that by 10:00 tonight we will be sleeping and hopefully tomorrow will be a bit less stressful. For those of you that read the blog (Iknow who you are. I think) I want to write you/call you but today is not the day. I have a million things to do and not enough time to do them and I still don't have internet at home nor a calling card.

I hope the holidays were wonderful and I will be getting in touch with you all soon, (KT, Heather, Aunt Missy etc) ok? Love you guys.

Ciao