Fun Fact

Here's something I learned today: Care Bears in Spanish are called Osos Amorosos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DcdedBO_lM

I'm baaack

Question: Does anyone actually read this? I'll admit, I haven't been so motivated to blog because, to be honest, there is not so much exciting going on in my life. Well, Alasdair and I went to the States to visit for 10 days, but that's not very Spanish, is it?

I do have two new classes since I've been back. That tallies up to an additional 32 euros a week, but hey, it's something. While I was home, I applied for a legit job through the Spanish government, but that won't start til the fall if I get it. My first choice of areas? Valencia. Yeah, so I've already been there, but it has a beach and not quite the same big-city chaotic feel of Madrid. My options two and three were the Canary Islands and Austurias, because of their beaches and excellent food and wine, in that order. I still have the option to stay in Madrid, but it is tricky being freelance. Also, being illegal, whether I like to admit it or not, does worry me. I have a friend here who's lived here illegally for almost 5 years and never had any problems, but that doesn't make any difference to my paranoia.

Our trip home was so nice...well, when you're only home a few weeks a year people love to cook for you and make trips to see you...that I had a hard time leaving. If I'd had to get on that plane alone, I'm not sure I would have been able to. We saw so many people, ate TONS of wonderful food, and Alasdair finally got to meet the family and lots of my close friends. We took mini road trips to Chattanooga, Savannah, and Athens. Leaving home again meant not knowing when I'd see everyone again. Returning to Spain alone was worse than leaving the states, because it meant I was completely alone.

Now don't get me wrong, I do actually enjoy my job. One of my most difficult students told me that he'd gotten a 9.5 (out of 10) on his latest English tests. I love my students and actually enjoy classes. It's mainly stress over money and things that makes it hard. I know 2 people in Madrid. Okay, maybe 3. Alasdair's moving out in the summer, but 4 months seems an awfully long time. Plus, coming back home after a lovely vacation is never fun.

My roommate told me yesterday she'd be leaving for 2 months to go work on a movie set...in NEPAL. In addition to being an amazing opportunity, my first thought was, "I GET TO LIVE ALONE AND DO WHATEVER I WANT FOR TWO MONTHS!" (Despite paying rent and half the utilities, it still feels like I'm living in someone else's house.) But then today she told me she wasn't sure because of her boss or something. My Spanish is rusty after only thinking in English for 2 weeks. So...sad that I'll have to continue mopping every other day and keeping the heat on despite the fact it's 60 out...but not so bad because, for all my frustration, she's been very helpful with things and I wouldn't have a clue how to pay utilities in Spain.

On the bright side, spring is almost here (it's not getting dark til 8:30 already!!), I have more work, and I have an XXL bag of M&Ms from Costco.

P.S. I tried to upload pictures but my internet hates me.

Madrilena

I've been in Madrid less than 2 months, but I already feel fairly accustomed to life here. I suppose it's not such the culture shock of living in South Korea, but I also feel like I can accomplish more on my own since I know a little more Spanish than Korean.

A few weeks ago I got a Spanish library card, which has been especially helpful in lesson planning. Funds are low (and I STILL haven't received my replacement credit cards) so I check out books and use them in class.

Today I succeeded in finally getting an Abono, which is an unlimited metro/bus pass renewable every month. It took me three Tobaco shops, or estankeras as my roommate says they're called, to finally find one that sold them. For less than 50 euros a month, I can ride all the subways and buses I won't, hooray! I realize I'm on the metro a lot because I'm starting to recognize people. Two in particular are quite noticeable, so I'm sure there are many more I've overlooked because of their ordinariness. One is a tiny Asian woman who always wears her sunglasses inside and plays some game on her cell phone that involves incessant clicking of buttons. I've learned not to sit next to her. The other is a Spanish man so pale he makes ME look tan...and it's winter. Seriously, I think he might be a ghost. Also, a notable trip on the subway last night led me to find the world's WORST haircut...which is saying a lot in Spain. The man had a buzzcut almost all over, but left the front long, giving the effect of greasy, stringy bangs hanging about halfway down his forehead. I say the effect of bangs, because I'm not sure buzzcut men are able to have bangs. Weird. At least it keeps me entertained during the hours I spend on the metro each day. On the bright side, I'm going through books like mad!

I'll be headed to London a week from tomorrow to fly out to the States! I'm excited because the trip seems a little last minute and the weather there has been gorgeous lately, or so I'm told by my mother and weather.com. I promise once I start being more interesting I'll have more pictures to put up!

Surprise!

So recently I found out I'll be home for a week and a half NEXT MONTH instead of in the summer. Alasdair and I had booked flights for a wedding, but the date changed and I thought we'd just change our dates for a summer trip.

Unfortunately, there is a $300 fee to change the flights, and summer flights cost about double, something I definitely couldn't afford. So looks like we'll be visiting much sooner than expected.

I don't know about the car situation yet, but I'll be trying to visit Kennesaw, Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah. I hope to see some of you people there! Everyone's excited we're going except my boss. Yikes. Sorry senor. But since I have so few hours these days (12 a week, and at least one is cancelled each week), it seemed to be the most economic trip to take.

And here are some old pictures of me being touristy in January.

The Prado Museum

Inside the Botanical Gardens...the indoor part was the only thing with anything blooming in January, duh.

The main post office in Madrid

Along the Retiro, a street full of museums and parks.

El Dia de San Valentin

Last weekend Alasdair came back to Madrid for a short visit. It was simultaneously exciting and disappointing. Exciting to spend time together, but disappointing because I was sick the whole time. Wah wah waaaaah.

He arrived late Wednesday night and waking up Thursday morning feeling horrible, he set off to try to set up a bank account for me. I had trouble sleeping (turns out living directly above a Peugeot repair shop makes it a tad tricky to nap) and he had trouble finding an office that spoke any English. The bank account has been put on hold until we have considerable more time (and Spanish skills) to spend on it. Thursday's a "long" day for me, meaning I had a whole 3 hours of class to suffer through, sniffling and aching. It was kind of a bust of a day to be honest, but when I crawled back home, we made a nice dinner and had an early night. I know, we lead thrilling lives.

Friday I'd planned on taking him to a great park near my house, Casa del Campo, which was formerly the Royal hunting grounds. However, he received an email from a company I'd found out about a few days earlier, which was looking for people to write articles about travel in Spain. A perfect fit for his future career as a travel journalist. We headed to La Latina, a beautiful area in the center of Madrid and had overpriced milkshakes in the sun. It was a beautiful day, and having procured some flu meds from a Spanish pharmacy the previous day, I was feeling half-human. (Note to self, avoid any and all establishments with English on the menu. The waiters are as rude as the prices are high.) After meeting with Carlos, who runs a small travel business called Letango Tours, we headed off to the area where I had class. While I was busy teaching some sort of hodgepodge of business English and Spanglish conversation, Alasdair was busy shopping for a surprise...LIMES! These are surprisingly difficult to find in Madrid, but given our love of Mexican food, a necessary staple.

Walking to the metro from class, we accidentally stumbled upon an awesome NYC pizzeria. The guy who ran it was American and had worked in Florida and New York. You know a restaurant is good when they make the food out in the open. The best part (besides the food)? The name of the restaurant is En Guay Si (say it out loud). I didn't appreciate it til Alasdair pronounced it. We had another night in, watching Family Guy in Spanish. Boring, maybe. But free, yes. I see a lot of this in my future.

Needless to say, the only pictures we took were when I felt less zombie-like. Here we are in the Teleferica.

Saturday we made it to the park after a laaaazy morning. Casa del Campo features a lake with rentable boats (and some sort of water polo looking setup), tons of outdoor restaurants, tennis courts, a zoo, an amusement park, and three metro stops running through it. We played some frisbee and found the Teleferica, a cable car from the 70s that rolls down from Casa del Campo to Park Oeste. There was some commentary in Spanish which we ignored, mainly because it had interrupted some Phil Collins, but you can see the Royal Palace and much of downtown Madrid from that high up.

The view!

Despite being a sweaty bum, we walked from the park to downtown Madrid for some Sangria at one of our favorite bars and later churros y chocolate from another overpriced, rude vendor. Hey, look, we did something cultural! Alasdair was eager to get home because we'd decided Saturday night was Nachos/Movie night! One of our favorites. Plus, he'd brought a really nice bottle of wine (meaning it came in a bottle and cost more than $3), which I'd previously been too sick to drink. We watched Clue and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I'd wanted to have at least one night out of the house, but money, weather and health really prevented that from happening. Fortunately, we're both content to just spend time together since it doesn't happen much.

Sunday was rainy and cold, which matched my mood, as his departure that evening seemed to be looming. We both tried to ignore the fact and distract ourselves with TV, music and making flyers for English lessons. It didn't work. The trip to the airport always seems much faster than the one home. The weekend flew by as always, but I've already got my flights booked to London for March. I'll be there to see him post-knee surgery and for his birthday, which is nice. But that's 3 loooong weeks away. At least we're dealing in weeks instead of months now!

The Toucan Thief Part 2

For Linnea

Mi apartamento

Okay, here are some pics of the new place!

Bienvenidos a mi casa! All the books, movies and CDs are obviously my roommate's, but she has pretty good taste. Lots of books on art, design, and fashion and some great old movies.

Our little living room, featuring two tiny couches you get to sleep on when you come visit!

The patio we share with our 80-year-old neighbor Carmen. It's shady, so not so good for sunbathing or laundry, but then again...I HAVE A PATIO!

The most exciting thing about my kitchen: a freezer, a microwave, AND an oven! Definitely trumps my Korean kitchen!

The rest of the kitchen. I do miss my Korean dryer though...

Down the hall to my bedroom...

But first, let's make a stop in my bathroom, featuring the worlds smallest tub and a bidet that never gets used...by me at least.

And finally, mi habitacion! It's not huge, but I've got all the necessary stuff. It's pretty nice moving in to a fully furnished place. I just added a few things like a bedside lamp and some organizational stuff (from IKEA, of course!) and clothes. I didn't even have to get bedding!

Now you know where I live. The next step is seeing it in person!