Time keeps on slippin'

I haven't written a post in a very long time. Sorry? Oops? Well, I only have one month left here in good ole España. That is so crazy to think about. I honestly do not know how I feel about going home. Home=the twilight zone. Or maybe this is the twilight zone? For me, it's as if time has stopped in America, and I'm living. Or maybe they are light years ahead?

I recently had my spring break trip with friends. We went to Salamanca in the narth. Beautiful city. Although it rained and was freezing the entire trip, it was well worth the trouble. Some of us saw 5 processions. They have processions during Semana Santa of the end and resurrection of Jesus. To them it is tradition, and most of them don't give a hoot. However, for it me it had such an impact. Though completely pagan, the things these pasos represent is the story that I believe. Whether you believe Jesus is the son of God or not, the processions are something to see for sure.

I feel like this blog should be a tops moments blog. I may have to add to it because I'm very forgetful. Okay top Spain moments in no order:


1. My first night in Alcázar when José and David picked me up to go out.
2.. Being instantly accepted into the group.
3. Any time my students sang "Bailey bailey bailey ooooo" to the Justin Beiber tune.
4. Salamanca and surrounding cities
5. The trip to the mountains and the surrounding cities
6. Ham
7. Wine
8. Cheese cheese cheese
9. My family and boyfriend's visit.
10. Barcelona
11. Trip to Scotland(okay so not a Spain moment exactly, but it was definitely awesome to see my Old World Girls again)
12. Finding out there was another American girl in my town and then proceeding to hang out
13. Shopping? yeah shopping
14. Becoming a runner whilst abroad.
15. Biking or walking to work every day instead of driving.
16. The windmills.
17. Being where true castellano is spoken.
18. Living with a family instead of living alone
19. Anything Trini cooked (minus the octopus soup)
20. Drying my clothes on a clothes line hahaha
21. Feeling adopted
22. Conversations with el abuelo about the war.
23. When my Spanish abuelo and my Pappy Skyped and said hello to each other.
24. The fact my grandparents skyped.
25.  Seeing real, deep snow for the first time.
26. Being in a climate opposite of mine
27. Learning the traditions of Spain
28. Siesta time. every day.
29. Accessible train
30. Any time I saw a castle or palace
31. Any weekend I was with José and Fran in Madrid.
32. Becoming somewhat of a cooke
33. Making and perfecting biscuits
34. José's red velvet cake that I made
35. My first day in Alcázar, riding a bike for the first time in 8 years, and almost wrecking but coming to a complete stop between two moving trucks.
36. Conversations with Laura about random things like how whales get up the momentum to jump so high out of the ocean, sharks, spiders, snakes, etc.
37. Dancing with Laura and Trini in the Kitchen
38. "REALLY?!"
39. The molins
40. Siempro, calcitones, palomitos, para tú, patato
41. Having a best friend
42. Challenge of being away from home.
43. Teaching the Spanish American phrases (or southern phrases...)





That's all I can think of for now. In other news MY SISTER IS PREGGERS WITH A BABY BOY! My first time being an aunt. I can't wait to get home and help her out. I miss getting up at 7am just to watch the West Wing with her and drink coffee. Things I'm going to do when I get home:

1. Hug my mommy really big
2. Demand Chinese food. The only Chinesey food I've had here was in Barcelona FIVE MONTHS AGO! You know how we Americans are about our Chinese take out now.
3. Engorge myself with sushi.
4. Start planning a baby shower
5. buy a car
6. buy health and car insurance
7. mourn the death of my Volvo, Toby
8. Create a work out schedule for myself 
9. Go to Jeff Perry's wedding
10. Listen to my sister's belly and talk to the belly in Spanish
11. Go on a date with my boyfriend
12. Drink something other than rum (for the love of all that is good in the world give me something other than rum or beer with the quality of sludge) aka a martini
13. Go to a proper yoga class
14. Have a party with my friends?
15. Play with Lucille and Tuff
16. Go to the Square and just be thankful to be there
17. Appreciate the humidity.
18. Find a pool. Become a mermaid.
19. Eat a sandwich with normal bread, not french bread
20. Drive



That's all she wrote (for now), folks.


please excuse typos. I don't have the energy to change them. siiiiiick.

2011: The year of the....

I haven't decided what sort of "year" it will be, but I feel lots of changes coming on.

Note: I was informed by a Spanish friend, after having read my blog, that I should be careful with the topic of gypsies. Some things could be offensive. I understand that, since even in Spain, Southern American stereotypes still hold. LIKE I said, I have yet to meet a gypsy, and therefore I have a blank opinion.

Moving on. IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO MONTHS! December flew by with a trip to the mountains with friends, Christmas, New Year's, etc. My friends and I took a trip to the narth country, and I saw real snow for the first time. Not the dinky snow we have in Mississippi every January. I mean snow angel-makin', ice on your jeans-stickin', make you want to visit the Inferno type of snow. Four bedroom house for 11 people, one bathroom, one tiny kitchen and living room made for a very cozy trip.  The old couple who owned the place could not have been sweeter. Upon arrival they insisted on taking at least two shots with us. Hey hey. The snow was beautiful, the company lovely, and the atmosphere all-around jolly. The only strange part, besides wearing hiking boots from the 90's that aren't mine and two sizes too big, was not being able to keep up with the Spanish comedy hour. All my buds told lots of jokes, none of which I could follow. Anywho, we took trips two other towns including: Albarracin(stunning), Teruel(neato capital of Aragon), and Cuenca(also beautiful).

Also, I attended the annual Christmas lunch with all the professors. I was surprised when I walked into the gym to find  wine and beer on to your hearts' content. This just wouldn't go down in Mississippi, I'm here to tell you. I was stuffed to the brim with all kinds of yummy goodness including paella and gachas.

Finally Christmas break came, and I got to see my sister and brother-in-law in Barcelona where we had a rip, roarin' good time. We came to my "hometown" for a few days, where we enjoyed the basically Halloween of Spain: Carnaval. My town has this festival during December instead of February (think Mardi Gras subdued). Next, on to Madrid where Jayce joined us from the good ole U. S. of A. We rang in the new year with locals, Italians, a family from Texas, and whoever else was at our restaurant. Sidenote: I have either broken all of my fillings or I instantly got six cavities that night. Oh, and I had a sinus infection for 3 weeks. Anyway, we tried to eat the 12 grapes when the clock struck twelve, but it's not very easy....at all. After saying goodbye to my family in Madrid, they went home, and Jayce and I went back to Alcazar. After a day and a half we decided to go on a "day trip"....which turned into a surprise trip (and Jayce's Christmas present) to Scotland! to see our lovely friends Rebecca and Emily. They screamed when we called and said "uh hey, we're going to be in town......tomorrow....sooooo yeaaah).
Scotland is absolutely breath-taking. From the accents to the cobbled stone streets, the castle, the pubs, the tea rooms, the everything is just amazing. Jayce and I really want to go back.......for a year. We had afternoon drinks at Canny Man's, which is the BEST pub you will ever see. The decorations alone are enough to make you want to be a frequent customer. Needless to say, I'd like to visit once more before heading back across the Atlantic.

For Jayce's last week in town, we returned to Alcazar, holed up, and enjoyed each others' company. My birthday was celebrated low key style but enjoyably so. Even though I had to work, we had a great time. I dropped him off at the airport today....I bought The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I've started planning this last semester.

It's January. The home stretch is here. My last 5 months in Spain. I would be dishonest if I didn't see half of me really wouldn't mind packing up and going home now. It's hard to be with your family for almost a month after not having seen them for 4 months. My time will be filled with novels(Spanish and English), studying Spanish, cooking(hopefully), studying for the GRE now that I have a study book, and teaching of course.

Until next time, Happy New Year and be safe.