A trip.

So I would like to insert here some statistic about how most Americans do not like to take time to read, but I dont have any statistic and lets be honest, do we really need a statistic to prove this? Anyways, I hope that is a sufficient enough excuse for quick writing with little details beyond the whole "and then i did this and then this and then this" I am doing either a service or disservice to all those who are too lazy to read. Still follow me? Baaahhhhh welll lets move on....

So there were 6 days in between Christmas and New Years. Good block of time for a trip, huh?Well, this will come as a shocker to most of you- I was tired of climbing. So what did we do? Searched ALLthe climbing meccas in Spain for the one that had the best weather (Yeah- I know, i did just say i was sick of climbing.... but just in case i changed my mind) Welll the forecast for all of spain...... rain rain rain, CATS AND DOGS STYLE.

A shot in the dark, we decided to head south looking for some sun or something and went to El chorro....... Here are the results:

So there's been a lack of writing because I have been BUSY.

I have been on the run-around again. It is now the morning of the Reyes Magos. I suppose I would say that it is the more important holiday in Spain as far as gifts etc. It is now 11am and because this is a spanish household, not everyone is awake. We are waiting until the kids are all awake to open presents from the Reyes and have breakfast. I dont remember what we are having, but it is a special tradition. I will get back to you on what it is later today.

Holidays.

The second round of Christmas and New Years in Spain proved to be just as wonderful as the first. Here is a picture from Daniela's Christmas program (she is top and center). Her english song this year was "Oh Christmas Tree." Absolutely adorable little Anne Geddes babies.

Papa Noel has since come and visited us, now the kids are still waiting for the Reyes Magos to come on the 6th. Then everyone goes back to school.

On Christmas Eve we had the same big dinner here at the house as last year. Nothing new, still 100% spanish: lots of food, champagne and a late night.

CHRISTMAS DAY:
On christmas day we go to the houses of both sets of abuelos. We get the presents that Papa Noel has left at each house for the children. At the home of the parents of Victoria we eat a big afternoon meal of cuchinillo again..... That is the baby pig. (in the picture below)

Above is a picture of Diego and I. Diego is the baby of Victoria's sister (maybe 6 monthish now). He is absolutely ADORABLE. He doesnt really cry. He is like a little doll that we all pass around and play with at every family gathering.

Below is Victoria and Diego's older brother, Josete. He is probably about 2 years old now. He is a little terror. He throws everything.... and normally spills at least one glass of something. But is a loooot of fun because he loves to run and play, like all little boys and is as light as a feather so you can't resist picking him up and running around with him or throwing him or something. He is pretty shy with me, but always seems to be keeping an eye on me from across the room. He just stares and stares at me.

I decided to put in a different picture of the cuchinillo this year. This is what was put on the table in front of me. Appetizing, huh? Don'tworry- we dont really eat the head...... But the skin is crsipy delicious.

NEW YEARS EVE:

New year's eve was spent in Madrid at the home of Manolo's sister. We went over there until midnight and then the young ones (me included) normally go out afterwards.... but we were tired and that did not really happen. I went home with the kids and made it into bed by about 3 am.
Of course the jamon is ever important during the holidays.......

And the grapes. I told the tradition last year..... a brief review: Eat one with everyone gong of the clock at midnight. It began as part of a great marketing scheme 100 years ago and continues today. Everyone does it and its super fun. 12 grapes.... but its actually one every 3 seconds.
Below are pablo "my cousin". His mom, Manolo's sister. Javier "my other cousin." Abuela Paloma (grandmother of Pablo and Javier). Pablo is around my age and javier is probably about 1 or 2 years younger. Everyone has thier grapes ready to eat and of course tons of that new years streamer crap that we throw in the air.

Making progress daily

So i finally figured out magic eye. I will elaborate on this later. BUT WOW. I really have been missing out during the past 25 years.

We won the lottery. 6 of us bought a total of 3 tickets at 20/ticket. Winnings = 100. You do the math!

Yesterday I went to climb and it was soo hot that i thought i was going to get sunburnt. We all climbed shirtlessly. Maybe like 80 degrees? I dont know, but definately unexpected. The temperature dropped immediately once the sun went down.

3 more days till christmas and 4 more days till i go on a climbing trip to the south.

Last night i watched Cheaper by the Dozen with the kids. We laughed and I cried. I cried like 3 times! I cry every time i see that movie. It always reminds of a certain country and certain someones.... You know who you are.

Anyways, I miss everyone and America. Hopefully I will be on that side of the ocean this summer......

MMMM the weekends.

13 days till Christmas!

Okay did everyone in the world know that pointsettas are not really flowers, just a bunch of leaves. I feel like I must have at least known this sometime in my past, but forgotten it. Well, I thought I would refresh you all on that fact as well.

So here is one random thing that I found funny and have been meaning to share for some time now. Okay sooooooo have you ever driven with your foot out the window? You know like on a reallly loooooooooong drive. When its summer and the windows are down and you are tired and can't find the right position? Okay, I definately have done this numerous times driving between Texas and WI. Listening to the music... cruise control on..... its not that wierd is it? I would think that MANY of you have done this. I remember Cori Smith telling me she used to do it.


SO here's the kicker- Javi told me that a while back someone somewhere in Spain was driving like that and got a ticket for something or other. And it came out HUGE on the national news. Everyone was freaking out about it. Okay maybe not that big - everyone probably just noted it. My first thought was 'Wow that is noteworthy- I CANT BELIEVE they gave him a ticket for that! whats the big deal?'....... But then i stopped and a wave of dumbness came across me. I realized I am in Spain -everyone was more shocked by the fact that someone was driving like that. That was what merited the national attention.




Last weekend Javi and I went Donkey shopping in a little town outside of Madrid. The town is called Chinchon. The donkey is called Margharita. Now that Javi has a van we can bring a donkey along to carry our bags, equipment, and selves from the van to the mountain.

And this weekend????? well, despite the Unbearable COLD and my frailty as a creature of temperature, we are headed back to Albarracin. Santi (not the one i care for) will be heading to the states for one year and it is a farewell trip.

I know that all my family and friends will probably be distraught with concern for my well-being. Well don;t you worry yourselves. I learn; and so plan to climb wearing 3 pairs of pants, at least 4 shirts, a fleece, a hoody, a softshell jacket, a winter hat and scarf and a down sleeping bag.

Hooray for weekends.

Overdue and Uninspired

Once I give up writing for a while, it gets more and more difficult to write... the whole "Now where do I start" thing. So I am forcing this one:


I feel like i have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the past week. My room is a mess of clothes strewn about. My desk is decorated with everything from foot cream to orange peels so that i can not see its top. But what have I been up to? Not quite sure.......

Oh I finally did the interview with Mr. Greg Collins. It went well, but I have thinking to do. Teaching is really not my first choice. I am going to hold off on the decision for a little bit. He is going to see where I would fit in schedulewise and I do not want to start training or anything of the sort until I know more. The only appeal to teaching english is that it MIGHT be easy and it can be rather lucrative. The specific school which I applied to uses many new age techniques... such as opening classes with breathing exercises and listening to classical music in the background so that students are at an optimal mental state for learning.

Anyways here is a picture from one of my typical saturday nights..... I really do enjoy them. It is our special time together.

Lately it has been reallly reallly reallly cold. I am waiting for snow. It would be out of the ordinary here and i dont want it, but i feel it coming.

Also on my agenda: Renewing my student visa. PAIN in the BUTT.

Oh i started to drive some too. Sometimes i pick up the kids from school in the car, but not much other than that.....

Okay There. I did it. I'm sure i will be inspired again soon.