Holiday Fiesta!

During the holidays at ASB, traditionally, each staff member gets a lote - a box filled with wine, cava, and turron. It´s a fantastic gift! However, this year we had a holiday party instead. And it was amazing! There were about 80 people who came, ranging from teachers to administration to kitchen staff to security guards. Pica-pica and an open bar meant everyone was having a good time. :) I was quickly reminded just how much I enjoy the people I work with and how much I love Spanish culture. Everyone is just so affectionate - giving dos besos, putting an arm around your shoulders, etc. I love this - it´s so different than American culture.

The dance party started early - Gangnam style, salsa, and dance-offs were happening everywhere. It was just so fun to see everyone dressed up a bit and having fun together. I´ll take a holiday party over a gift any day!

THE Topic of Conversation

Although I´ve quickly learned that there are many differences between international teaching and teaching in the states, the biggest difference I´ve noticed these days is a very specific topic of conversation -- So, what are you doing next year?

In the states, because (in my opinion) stability is highly valued - owning a home, a consistent job, having a family - people don´t tend to move around too often, unless they have to. So, conversations about changing jobs, especially in teaching, didn´t seem to occur all that often, unless it was for a change in position.

The world of international teaching is completely different! At this time of year, the conversation consistently centers around plans for next year (and it´s only November!). People are constantly asking if you´re staying or going, where you might go, when you´ll decide, etc. It´s crazy! Many people clearly know if they want to stay or if they want to go due to needing a change, more money, or just not enjoying where they are. But many people are in limbo, too.

This topic of conversation has again reminded me of my love/hate relationship with change. I love new experiences and the changes they can bring and I think change is essential and positive most of the time. But I also hate having to think about it! It gives me such an unsettled feeling.

I know I´m staying in Barcelona - at this point in time, I still love the city and have no desire to be anywhere else. (Of course it would be nicer to make a bit more money, live in a country with a strong economy, and feel like I´m living more in Spain than Catalunya, but . . . for the time being, all of that is not enough reason to move - yet. :) As I listen to others discuss what to do, I feel like maybe there´s some change I need to make that I´m not aware of! I start to feel unsettled and unsure - even though I AM really sure about my choice.

As I realized a few weeks ago, I think I need to make some changes so that I can personally feel more settled. Hopefully it´s as simple as finding a new apartment that´s a better fit and buying some things that make me feel more at home. It´s silly, but I think my own set of dishes, a new coffee pot, and the "wall of pictures" I´ve been envisioning might be all it takes to give me that feeling!

I know these conversations will continue to occur - it seems this is just the way things are in the international world of teaching. And sometimes, it makes me miss the stability of "home." Hopefully everyone will start to find their answers soon - for their sake and mine :)

A Year of Travel

It´s hard to believe 2012 is coming to a close - how quickly the year goes! This year has been full of so many amazing moments and memories - it would take ages to list them all! So, I´ve decided to highlight travel.

Without a doubt, this year has included travel to more countries than ever before - England, Ireland, Croatia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Hungary, plus small weekend trips around Spain. Wow! I feel so lucky that I´m living in a place that makes it so easy to hop from one country to another AND that I can afford to do so AND that I have friends who love to travel just as much as I do.

When heading to the airport this weekend for our trip to Budapest, I was again surprised by just how excited I still get about traveling! I love the idea of seeing a new place, experiencing something different,trying new foods, researching, and planning. There´s something about walking off the air plane, knowing I´m about to experience something new that I just can´t get enough of. (However, I would happily skip the waiting and airport lines :)

The excitement I felt yet again this weekend proved to be another reminder that I´m making the right choices for me right now.  2013 promises to be full of even more adventure, including Carnival in Rio and hiking part of the Camino de Santiago with my parents. And my travel wish list just keeps growing . . .

Tessa and I in front of Parliament

Fall Nostalgia

Although it's gotten better in the last week or two, I have to admit that I've been more nostalgic for "home" this fall than ever before. I don't know if it was because the weather in Barcelona took ages to change (and it's still not that cold!) or all the posts I saw on Facebook related to pumpkin-flavored things, football, and cold weather. Either way, I felt myself missing things I haven't really missed the past few years:

• big pots of coffee in the morning
• pumpkin bread
• chai tea lattes
• pumpkin decorations
• tailgating
• frosty air

Such little things, but I loved them so much! Luckily the holiday lights have been put up in Barcelona, just waiting to be lit. The weather is cooler and a friend is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving this weekend - hopefully enjoying stuffing, potatoes, corn bread, and more will kick these last few bits of melancholy :)

Sweden

As usual, when the school year picks up, my blogging slows down! I'd been meaning to share a little about our trip to Stockholm earlier, but better late than never, right?

I'm not entirely sure why, but Scandinavia has been high on my list of places to visit since moving to Europe. Maybe it was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series or the actor Alexander Skarsgard, regardless, I've wanted to see what Sweden was all about for quite awhile. I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint!

I love any place that's full of trees and green space (reminds me of Colorado) and when there's water everywhere, it's even better! Sweden consists of more than 100,000 islands and 300,000 bodies of water - wow! Needless to say, the scenery is stunning. Tessa and I took a boat tour through the archipelago and it was definitely one of the highlights for me. The air was crisp and fresh, the sun shining, and the trees changing. It couldn't have been more beautiful.

The old town was gorgeous - old stone streets, colorful buildings, and lots of people. I loved it! The fact that you walk cross bridges to each part of town was equally great. The people were tall and beautiful, although often serious and dressed in black. (Again, just like what I imagined!)

The only downside of Sweden, as expected, was that it was expensive. Considering a beer in Spain costs an average of 2 euros, Sweden was the other extreme - most beers were 8-10! A few days there was about all our wallets could handle.

It was so great to visit a place that was only 3 hours away, yet so, so different than where I live. This is why I love Europe! I'm headed to Budapest next week - a city I expect to be just as different. Can't wait!

Whew!

As always, the start of a new school year is a bit crazy. New students, setting expectations, creating structures, etc. I knew that transitioning to middle school, while also beginning a new position as technology integrationist, would mean new challenges and lots of new learning this year. However, I didn´t expect the learning curve to be quite so steep! 

I have to say, the past month has been a whirlwind! I´ve gone from feeling excited to overwhelmed to stressed to excited within hours practically every day this week. I´ve been wanting a new challenge for awhile now and I have to say I definitely got what I wished for in this new position! 

Learning how to teach new content in a different setting with different expectations has really challenged me as a teacher so far this year. In addition, taking on so much new technology and new initiatives as a school always means that unexpected issues pop up. We´re basically creating a technology integration program as we go, which is really exciting, but very challenging as well. In many ways, I feel like I actually have two full time jobs instead of two half-time ones! Whew! Although overwhelming and stress-inducing at times, I have been reminded of how much I love learning and figuring out how to tackle systemic issues in a school. And I know that it´s going to feel like a huge accomplishment when everything starts to smooth out. :)

So again, I find myself searching for balance in my life. How quickly exercise and Spanish become lower priorities when spending so much time on work! I hope to become more consistent with both in the upcoming weeks. With trips to Stockholm and Budapest around the corner, blue skies and warm weather, and many fun fall events planned, I suppose being stressed in Barcelona isn´t really that bad . . . :)

Song I´m Loving Today

I know this song probably isn´t new to many of you, but I´ve recently discovered it and am loving it, along with everything related to Mumford and Sons.

Summer Highlights

As always, it's hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. Although I was back at school last week, working half days and having visitors meant that it was pretty relaxed. Monday is the official first day of school, with kids coming on Thursday. As I begin to mentally prepare for a new year - one that includes a brand new position both in and out of the classroom and LOTS to learn - I've also been thinking about what an amazing summer I've had. Ten weeks of vacation means time to do a little bit of everything!


Highlights included my trip to Prague to visit Tessa, my time in the states with family and friends, feeling truly inspired after fantastic conferences in the US, two weeks of Spanish classes, and lots of time to relax and enjoy Barcelona. But, without a doubt, having Lauren and Linsey visit me this summer was the best. Not only did we have an amazing time together, but I got to show two of my best, best friends a bit of my life here in Barcelona. It was so fun to share my favorite restaurants, new friends, and the energy of Barcelona with them. Nothing makes me happier than seeing that my closest friends are happy and having the opportunity to spend time with them. What a wonderful summer it has been!

Lauren and I in Gracia

Linsey, Chris, and I enjoying pinchos 

"Clean"

After three weeks in the US of excessive eating and drinking and basically three years of the same in Spain, I decided something had to be done! I'd been contemplating the idea of some sort of detox/cleanse for awhile, but hadn't decide which one to try. Luckily, Sarah Killion came to the rescue yet again! She'd heard about the book Clean, a current NY Times bestseller. It proved to be perfect reading material for a long flight back to Barcelona.

After just a few chapters, I was sold! SO many of the symptoms listed in the book were ones I've been dealing with. There were lots of connections to Eastern medicine, which I also loved. And most importantly, this was something I felt I could actually do.

Although the ideal time for the cleanse is 21 days, one or two weeks was also supposed to make a difference. For me, ten days was ideal and the most realistic due to upcoming plans and visitors. In a nutshell, this program is all about cleaning the toxins out of your body and resetting your digestive system. The biggest way to do this is to have a liquid meal (shake, juice, or soup) for breakfast and dinner and a solid lunch. This allows your body time to digest these meals more quickly and have extra time to clear out what hasn't been cleaned out before. All of these meals are made from a specific list of foods - basically no wheat, gluten, dairy, acidic fruits or vegetables. Not surprisingly, caffeine and alcohol are not allowed.

In the interest of time, I decided to jump right in! The first two days were rough - particularly due to headaches from lack of caffeine. But, within three days, I began to feel really good! Although hungry at times, I adjusted pretty easily to the meals. Gone were cravings for any sort of unhealthy foods. Instead, I really looked forward to healthy meals with lots of fruits and vegetables (the book said this would be the case, but I didn't really believe it!). Even the no alcohol was a welcome break. The hardest part was adjusting social plans, the majority of which include eating and drinking in Spain.

I type this entry at the end of day 10 and I have to say I recommend this program to anyone who's thought about doing some sort of cleanse before. My body truly feels different - my skin is firmer, the whites of my eyes are whiter, puffiness is gone, and I've lost 2.5 kilos. More importantly, my thoughts about eating and drinking have shifted a bit. No part of me wants to eat or drink excessively. I want to continue having one liquid meal a day and only eating when I'm truly hungry.

The true test will come this weekend and when Linsey and Chris arrive - hopefully I can remember how I feel now and have the self-control necessary when faced with all of the amazing food Barcelona has to offer. I think I can! But regardless, I'm really going to enjoy my cortado tomorrow - it's well deserved. :)

Home

As expected, my trip to the states this summer was fantastic! Barbecue chicken wraps from Gov's Park, Chipotle,  air conditioning, Target, driving, amazing professional development, English - just a few of the things I loved experiencing again. But without a doubt, the best part was spending quality time with family and friends. Whether it was time at home with Mom and Dad, family dinners, walks with Indy, lunches and dinners with best friends, or drinks with friends I hadn't seen in awhile, it's the people that make the trips home wonderful. As always, once I'm with great friends, it's almost like I never left - I love it. (With that said, the changes in little ones is making that aspect a bit more difficult!)

However, on this trip, it became more clear than ever before how much I feel like I don't fit in in the states anymore. It's a really weird sensation! It's been three years now since I left and although the people still feel so right, the place so doesn't. I found myself constantly freezing in air conditioning and bundling up, just like the Spanish do (yikes!). By the end of the trip, I was longing for smaller portions and meals that included sitting and relaxing, not being eaten in a rush. The feeling of over consumption seemed to be coming from all directions! I couldn't take the thought of spending another penny on transportation or food or tipping. And I missed the sound of Spanish desperately.

I know some extenuating circumstances, such as attending conferences in expensive cities like Boston and New York, contributed to this. Like I said, seeing everyone could not have made me happier! But by the end of three weeks, all I wanted was to be back in Barcelona.

Arriving back in my city felt so right! After unpacking, visiting my favorite coffee shop and corner store, and speaking Spanish to my neighborhood guys, I started to feel at home again. Once I walked by the La Seu cathedral and went for a run by the beach, I couldn't have been happier. I was again reminded how something about this city just suits me.

I vividly remember the post I wrote about "home" the first time I returned to the states two years ago after my year in Seville. I still feel that Indianapolis is my home, as well as Denver. Yet, it's becoming clearer and clearer that Barcelona is where I feel most at home these days.

And the roller coaster begins . . .

Well, having Lauren visit was just as great as expected! We had SO much fun - exploring the city, enjoying tapas and drinks, going to the beach, and sightseeing. However, the best part for me was definitely just being together. Not since we lived together in Denver (circa 2005) have we had that much time to just hang out and talk. Although we cover a lot over the phone, it's the big details we share, not the small ones. It was so wonderful to just be together and have many meaningful, and pointless, conversations. Without a doubt, this trip confirmed that we really are "best friends forever." :)

At the nighttime tour of Gaudi's La Pedrera - we loved it!

Whenever I have visitors, I always seem to feel a little off balance.  At times I have to remind myself that I really am still in Barcelona, not at home. It's amazing how quickly we can pick up where we left off. I had a feeling I might be a bit sad when Lauren left this morning . . . and I was right. Getting to spend so much time together and having so much fun, followed by honestly not knowing the next time we will see each other causes a mix of emotions. Of course it's more than worth it, but it doesn't make it any easier in the moment.


I haven't been home in over a year, so the fact that I leave tomorrow for the US is pretty crazy, too! I've been packing up and trying to wrap my head around the fact I'll be gone for three weeks while visiting four different cities. I'm also trying to prepare myself for the emotional roller coaster that has just begun. I'm SO excited to see my family and friends, spend time catching up, enjoy favorite foods, and visit particular places. However, if this visit is anything like my previous ones, I know leaving is going to be equally difficult. Knowing I chose to live so far away and the fact that my choices make other people sad causes me to feel so much guilt (even though I know my friends and family support my decisions - thank you!). I can kind of ignore this when we're apart, but it's so not so easy in person. 


The older I get (or the longer I'm gone?) the harder these hellos and goodbyes seem to be - saying goodbye to Liz, Indy, and Michael last summer about did me in! So as I pack my bags and double-check that I have everything I need, I'm doing my best to concentrate on the positive feelings and excitement and just accept that some sadness has to go along with them. My roller coaster ride continues tomorrow morning and I know it's going to be a lot of fun before I reach the end :)

Two More Days!!!

I can hardly believe it, but in less than 48 hours, Lauren will be here! My excitement is palpable! I've been trying to figure out just why I'm SO excited about this special visitor. I think it's a combination of the fact that I haven't seen Lauren in two years, yet have spoken with her in the past year more than anyone else, we get to spend 4.5 days together (more than we have in probably six years), I get to show off the amazing city of Barcelona, and I get to share my real life with one of my best, best friends in the world.

Although Emily has been here a number of times, none of my other closest B.S. (before Spain :) friends have visited Barcelona since I moved here. I feel like I'm living this life that I share with my friends here and can talk about on the phone or write about in a blog, but no one actually gets to see it. And because I love it so much, I want everyone that is closest to me to have the chance to experience life in Barcelona. Even though it will only be for a few days, I feel confident that Lauren will really get to see what my life is like here in that time.

I feel SO lucky knowing that Linsey and Chris will be here in just a few weeks AND the whole Killion family will be here over the holidays -- I'll definitely get to share my life a number of times in 2012!! (Liz and Kevin - do you think you can arrange another trip to Barcelona?! :)

And so, the countdown to Lauren's visit continues! The days are (loosely) planned, restaurants and bars have been chosen, and the guest room set up. Even though it's been two years, I have no doubt it will seem like only a day or two has gone by when I meet her at the airport Saturday. I'm anticipating the laughter already! :)

Fitness in Barcelona - finally!

I knew it was bound to happen at some point, but it was about four months ago that living in Spain seemed to visibly catch up with my body (I imagine turning a year older didn't help, either!). Apparently one can't drink more often, consume more bread, cheese, and olive oil, and exercise less frequently without there being some negative consequences. 

One of the main things I love about living in Spain is the focus on social life - enjoying food and drinks with friends, staying up late, and basically just living life to the fullest. Unfortunately, this takes its toll! And when commuting almost two hours a day to work, one of the first things to go was consistent exercise.

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, one of my favorite things about summer is having the time and the motivation to re-prioritize. With a very open schedule for the past week and a half, I've been determined to make exercise and healthiness one of my top priorities. There is truly NO excuse not to do something every day.

My favorite new discovery has been Beach Fit Barcelona. I had heard about this through a few different people and decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did! It's basically boot camp on the beach. It brought back memories of high school volleyball practice, as well as Half Hour Power with Howard. Imagine lots of sprinting, running in the sand, push-ups, and core training, all taking place from 7-8am. After last Friday's class, I was the most sore from exercise that I've been in three years!  It was physically difficult to get out of my bed on Saturday, but it was such a good feeling. 

This reminded me of just how hard I use to work out at home and how much better my body felt because of it. Although I really appreciate that the Spanish value curves and a more balanced  life than the USA, sometimes I miss the American obsession with weight and exercise. In the Mediterranean, people are generally healthy due to their diet (small meals made of fresh, fresh food) and all of the walking they do as part of daily life. But for someone like myself, exercise is necessary for me to feel good about my body, particularly as I get older. This is a balance I have to personally find.

I look forward to continuing these classes before and after my trip to the states. Not only is the exercise fantastic, it's also a really nice, fun group of people. The trick will be continuing to make exercise a priority when those school hours begin . . .

Travel and Optimism

My parents, knowing me oh so well, recently sent me Paul Theroux's The Tao of Travel. Theroux shares thoughts about travel through the published pieces of many others. It's been so interesting to read about different perspectives and ideas about travel, particularly based on when and where the author was traveling.

As a lover of travel and an eternal optimist, these two quotations below struck me the most so far. I look forward to reading more!

"Travel, its very motion, ought to suggest hope. Despair is the armchair; it is indifference and glazed, incurious eyes. I think travelers are essentially optimists, or else they would never go anywhere." - from Fresh Air Fiend

"Travel is at its most rewarding when it ceases to be about your reaching a destination and becomes indistinguishable from living your life." - from Ghost Train to the Eastern Star

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Every year since I first began teaching, I've been surprised by just how amazing summer vacation is. One would think teachers get used to this, but somehow I think many of us don't. Each summer seems to arrive after an inevitable end-of-year countdown and when it does, it's like we can finally exhale.

Over the past ten years, each summer has been a bit different. However, they all seem to include a bit of travel, time with friends, a visit to Indianapolis, lots of time outdoors, and relaxing. For me, summer is the time when I can finally decompress and find what I often seem to lose during the school year - my personal priorities. Although I believe my social life and work life have become much more balanced since moving to Spain, summer vacation is still much needed!

Although I don't believe it's why any teacher chooses this career, I do believe we would all agree it's a great perk. I hope to enjoy more reading, exercise, beach time, sleeping, friends, and relaxing in the upcoming weeks!

Out of my Comfort Zone

Last week, I was lucky enough to take a short trip to the Czech Republic and Slovakia -- my first time to Eastern Europe. As expected, it was quite different than Barcelona! 

Prague is an absolutely gorgeous city - the buildings, the rivers and canals, the spires everywhere - wow. Bratislava, although not quite as picturesque, was a beautiful place to visit as well. In both countries, I spent a fair amount of time outside of the main cities, particularly on transportation - trains, a bus, and a bike. What a different experience!

Old Town Prague

For the first time in awhile, I really felt outside of my comfort zone. Stopping at a train stop and having no idea if we were where we needed to be, with no signs and no one who seemed to speak English (after attempting to sleep upright for 6 hours) made for a somewhat stressful entrance to Bratislava! Boarding a bus in the middle of nowhere (AKA, Tessa's school) in hopes of making it to Prague, when the bus driver wouldn't accept my money, I couldn't understand a single word that I saw, and I kept waiting to be dropped off in the middle of a field, created a bit of anxiety, too! 

Yet, as uncomfortable as these moments were, I loved them! One of my favorite things about traveling and exploring new places is that small sense of anxiety; having to figure things out on your own. Because when you do, it's such a great feeling! 

I always look forward to my next adventures, especially the ones that will take me outside of my comfort zone yet again . . . 

Summer Plans

It's amazing how quickly ten weeks of summer can fill up with plans! For me, this summer is full of professional development, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing in Barcelona. Here's what I'm up to:

*Writer's Workshop at ASB
*Visiting Tessa in Prague with a stop in Slovakia
*Lauren visiting in July
*Spending time in Indy and Denver with friends and family
*Technology PD in Boston
*Reader's Workshop in NYC
*Spanish classes in Barcelona
*Linsey and Chris visiting in late August
*Back to School!

I have no doubt that time will pass quickly. I can't wait for all this summer has in store! :)

Ten Years of Teaching - wow!

It's hard to believe, but I just wrapped up my 10th year of teaching! Where has the time gone?! Every year has been a bit different - the kids, the teachers, the content. Some things get easier, some get more difficult, but at the end of each year I feel so lucky that I truly love my job as much now as I did ten years ago.


For me, the end of a school year is always a time for reflection. Thinking about what went well, what didn't, and why. I always love to hear what students have to say, too. These are some of my favorites- how reflective kids can be! 


"Another thing that I worked on throughout the year is writing good stories. At the beginning of the year I wrote awful stories, but now that Ms. Jenny told me some strategies to make my stories better I also improved by writing more at home."


"In fifth grade this year I learned how to write really good stories. In the past years I wrote simple and boring stories, but with the help of Ms.Jenny and with all her good tricks and strategies I learned to write great stories and I improved a lot (in my point of view)."


"One of the things I have learned this year in fifth grade is: writing good stories. Thanks to all those lessons we have reviewed, now I know how to write good stories."


"I learned many more ways to be nice to people. In fifth grade there are usually many problems with friends, teachers and maybe even family. I have learned how to solve these problems. I have also learned so much about science, math, and LA. Ms.Jenny has a special way of teaching where she makes everything fun and listens to all the suggestions. She also has a very good way of teaching LA."


"What I learned in 5th grade is Fractions, Geometry, Poems, Water Cycle, Heredity and lots more. But what I really learned socially is most important: Treat people the way you want to be treated.I already learned that in 1st grade but in 5th grade I learned the true meaning of it."


Hearing that kids came to see themselves as writers and learned how to treat one another makes me happier than I can say. Although there is so much we hope kids learn in a year, I feel that I've done my job when I read responses like this.


This class was definitely more challenging than my first ASB group of kiddos. However, it's their craziness and energy that I came to love the most! I was exhausted at the end of almost every day, yet exhilarated, too. I feel like I built some strong relationships with these kids and I know I'm actually going to miss them over the next few months - crazy, right?! Luckily, I'll be able to spend my 11th year of teaching with them as well. :)

Such a beautiful message (and rose)!

Each student and I drew a name and had to write a letter to that person (a great idea borrowed from Anne!) . The letter was supposed to be full of memories and positive experiences from the year. We read these aloud on the last day and had to guess who each letter was written to - they were amazing! 
This is the one a student wrote to me - so thoughtful!
It was a great way to end the year.

Ruta de Tapas

Last night Tessa and I joined Hayley, Carlos, and lots of others on the Barcelona Ruta de Tapas. I wish I had known about this sooner - I have no doubt I would have been checking it out all week if I had!

There were than 40 bars/restaurants around the city participating. Each bar offers a set tapa and a caña for 2.40 euros! Such a great price! This is such a great way to visit new places and see what they have to offer. We stopped in a number of places I've walked by hundreds of times, yet never visited for a variety of reasons.

Although we didn't get to enjoy as many places as I would have liked (too many people!), it was great to get a new taste of Barcelona! I will be sure to look for more opportunities like this one :)

Amsterdam

In the span of a week, I was able to visit two completely different, yet equally amazing, European cities. (I love my life. :) After visiting Rome with Tessa, Emily, and Shannon, I headed to Amsterdam to meet up with Anna, Emily, Amy, and Kelly. What a city!

I didn't know much about Amsterdam, other than the common stereotypes - the Red Light District, accessibility of drugs, beautiful Dutch people, and the idea that just about anything goes! All of these stereotypes proved to be true, but I was also impressed by what a beautiful city Amsterdam is. We had gorgeous weather for three straight days, which always makes a place seem even better. Because it was so sunny and warm, people were out on their boats, cruising up and down the Amsterdam canal system, as well as out enjoying drinks in every possible plaza. It was fantastic!

The art and museum scene was equally wonderful, as well as the variety of food - Indonesian food is quite popular there and it was so nice to have truly spicy dishes! Overall, it was a great weekend with great friends. I hope to make it back someday soon!

Red Light District

Such beautiful homes!

In Museum Park

Gorgeous Canals

Rome

I fell in love with Italy the instant Anna and I arrived in Venice two and half years ago. I've been lucky enough to visit Florence, Milan, Sardinia, and Cinque Terre since then and have consistently been amazed by just how different,yet wonderful, each city is. A recent weekend trip to Rome confirmed this yet again.

The history in Rome has always fascinated me - movies/shows like Gladiator, Spartacus, and Rome make life at that time seem so violent, intense, and interesting. Watching those scenes is one thing, but actually seeing the ruins in reality was jaw-dropping! Walking through the Coliseum is easily one of the most memorable moments I've had in Europe so far. It's easy to imagine the battles taking place inside, the people shouting, the much-anticipated thumbs-up or thumbs-down. It was amazing to see how a building built in 69 A.D. is actually still recognizable and so well-preserved.

The Coliseum

In addition to the Coliseum and Roman ruins (everywhere!), the religious importance of Rome was equally amazing to experience. It's so interesting to me how such different, yet pivotal, events in world history happened in this one city! Visiting Vatican City, admiring Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and actually seeing the Pope are events I won't easily forget.

Wow

The Pope!

In 40 hours, we packed in a lot of sight-seeing. Although I saw all of the main places I hoped to visit, I have no doubt a return trip to Rome is in my future. It was incredible!

Rediscovering Barcelona . . .

I'm happy to say that after my post last Sunday, I've already started to rediscover Barcelona! Our friend Brendan reminded us that the first Sunday of every month means free admission to all museums. So, he, Tessa, and I visited Caixa Forum, near Montjuic, to see a few art exhibits (perfect timing with our current Meet the Artist project in 5th grade!). After that, we wandered around some neighborhoods I'd never been in, discovering new streets and delicious empanadas and gelato flavors. It was a fantastic "cultural" Sunday!

On Thursday, we had a field trip to  Poble Españyol - a little village created to showcase the different styles of architecture, foods, and crafts from each of the regions of Spain. I loved visiting this place last year, but learned even more this time. For example, cities in each of the regions of Spain were built for specific reasons. In Aragon, the buildings, particularly the doors, were built to represent the different religions living there - Jewish, Muslim, and Christian. In Andalucia, cities were constructed to stay cool - white buildings, narrow streets for air flow, arches to provide shade. What I didn't know was that Catalonia, especially Barcelona, was constructed for the artisans and tradespeople. The streets were named based on what was sold on them - Carrer de Pescadores (fish), Carrer d'Argenteria (silver), Carrer Rubi (rubies), etc. I had no idea! Learning this has made me pay even more attention to street names. (And it makes so many details from The Cathedral of the Sea even clearer!)

Learning about Aragon

Trying to stay cool in Andalucia

Learning about Catalonia

Yesterday, I went on a bit of a climb up Montjuic. Tessa and I went on a big walk here last week and I was shocked to see just how much is there! I decided to explore a bit more and came across so many beautiful gardens, statues, and fountains. The views from the top are incredible as well.

Old City Wall

Statue near Hotel Miramar

Fountains in the Botanic Gardens

I love this! Also near the Botanic Gardens.

View of BCN - you can see Sagrada Familia in the distance

I have a feeling rediscovering Barcelona is going to be great both for me and upcoming visitors. I'm already starting to plan visits to a few places off the beaten path. I can't wait to keep finding the hidden treasures of Barcelona!

Sweet Disposition

A song I'm loving at the moment!

Hoping to become a tourist again . . .

It's hard to believe that once August arrives, I will have been living in Barcelona for two years - how quickly the time goes! When I first arrived, I made it a point to explore the city whenever I had the chance. However, in the past few months, I feel like that has changed. I don't know if it's been due to the number of visitors we've had, the weekends away, or just the need to relax, but when I've had nothing planned for the weekend, the first thing I've wanted to do is absolutely nothing at all! For those of you that have known me a long time, this is pretty surprising! Relaxing and doing nothing has never been one of my strengths, yet I've found it much easier to do here, especially after a late night out.

I was reading some FB posts by ASB new teachers this morning and it was fantastic to see all that they are discovering in this city. It made me think that although a weekend of relaxing is much needed at times, I want to be careful not to get too lazy. So, I've decided to think about being a "tourist" again in my city. Although I've seen all of the major sites in BCN, there are plenty of smaller ones I haven't. In the upcoming months, I hope to check out the following, either on my own, with friends, or with upcoming visitors. Let me know if you're interested in joining me! :)

*Fundacio de Joan Miro

*History of Catalonia Museum

*Pedrables

*Tibidabo

*Concert at Palau de la Musica

*More of Montjuic - gardens, museum, etc.

*Drink at El Quatre Gats

*Show at L'Auditori

*MACBA

Menorca

Tessa, Marybeth, and I just got back from three fabulous days in Menorca - what a tropical paradise! We had a long weekend due to May Day (how is it already the first of May?!) and thought it was time to check out another of the Balearic Islands. I'm so glad we did - three full days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, and relaxation is just what we needed.

Tessa and I visited Mallorca in September of 2010 and loved it - beautiful coasts and beaches, great food, and lots to see. However, we both enjoyed Menorca even more. For me, the size, lack of people, and tranquility made it an even better vacation destination. You can drive across Menorca in about an hour, which is pretty fantastic. The highway was great, but we really loved driving along the narrow, windy roads, surrounded by stone walls. It was so picturesque!

Although there are sights to see, the main thing to do is drive from cala to cala, enjoying each beach for hours.  As far as relaxing goes, it doesn't get much better than that for me. We stopped and had lunch at a tiny restaurant, sitting at a table that overlooked the Meditterranean. We enjoyed lunch and three beers, but could have easily stayed so much longer! It's just so easy to sit and relax there. As the Spanish man we were talking to confirmed, it's just so quiet in Menorca, even when it's full of tourists.

For all of these reasons, I look forward to visiting Menorca again - as soon as possible!

Cañas - always delicious!

So beautiful!

A little piece of heaven!

A Great Birthday!

This year confirmed for me yet again, that birthdays are one of my favorite days of the year! After a fantastic fiesta on Saturday to celebrate Emily and Greta here, I wasn't really expecting or needing much for my actual birthday a few days later.

Flip Cup! (It seems I'm actually regressing in age!)

However, turning 32 on a Wednesday proved to be really fantastic! Tessa and I went out with Greta and Hakan on Tuesday for their last night in BCN, along with Alex and Anne. Hakan snuck out for a few minutes while we were having drinks - little did I know he (the only one of us who doesn't speak any Spanish) went on a mission to find a little birthday cake! Having "Happy Birthday" sung to me in the elephant stirrer bar was pretty great.

Thanks, Hakan!

Although I knew my kids had something planned, they managed to throw a fantastic surprise party for me! It was so funny to watch them try and hide what they were doing (ex: "It's such a boring day today, nothing important is happening.") and stressing out when there were changes to their schedule - thanks to Tessa and Anne for attempting to calm them down! :) Like last year, I'm just so impressed, and touched, by the thoughtfulness and effort that my kids showed - although I'm sure parents helped a bit, I know it was really them that did this - so, so sweet!

preparing . . .

Singing Happy Birthday in all possible languages!

A delicious cake made my Maya

And an amazing one made by Joon Ho, too!

My favorite card - so diplomatic and so cute!

Anna sent these beautiful flowers to me - what an amazing surprise! Flowers at work are the best :) After work we went to Cup and Cake to enjoy a cupcake or two - so delicious!

Such a beautiful bouquet!

Delicious!

Finally, the thoughtful cards, FB messages, emails, etc. that I received from friends and family all over the world were so appreciated. It's so nice to hear such kind words - what a lucky girl I am! Heather sent me this  message and I love it: "May the most you wish for be the least you receive." If this proves to be the case, this next year is going to be pretty amazing!

ASB Website

ASB recently updated their website for the 50th anniversary of the school and it looks SO much better! Many of my students and I happen to be in photographs that were published on the site. Check it out!

http://www.a-s-b.com/

In Your Light

Loving this song at the moment - unfortunately, no official video yet!

Nostalgia

• Nostalgia: a bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.

For a number of reasons, I've been feeling quite nostalgic lately. It all started with an email from someone that brought up many memories from about a decade ago - great memories! Emily and I also spent a lot of time reminiscing about the past ten years while in Croatia - our first few years in Denver, music connected to memories, our travel adventures, making the huge decision to move abroad. Last night Tessa and I watched the video Matias made after my birthday last year, which was such an unexpected and fantastic day. (If you haven't seen it, it can be found under April 2011 posts and is quite entertaining!)

I love how the definition of nostalgia includes the word bittersweet. When I think back over the past ten years of my life, there are definitely some things, people, and places that I miss and at times long for. But overall, I feel so happy when I think back to everyone I've known, the places I've been, and the experiences I've had -- it's truly been so sweet.

As the birthday that will take me "off the calendar" quickly approaches (yikes!), I imagine I'll continue to feel a bit nostalgic. Here's to the bittersweetness of it!:)

Spring Break 2012 - Croatia!

I just got back from Croatia and it was unlike any place I've been so far! As I'd been told, Croatia is a stunningly beautiful country, full of gorgeous islands, crystal-clear waters, and lots of interesting history.

In many ways, Croatia is one of the most untouched places I've been. The old town of Dubrovnik is amazingly clean - the stone streets literally seemed to shine! The buildings are all made of similar stone and the shutters are all painted the same shade of green. This, combined with the red brick roofs, create a very magical appearance. At times, Emily and I felt like we were in the backdrop to an old Shakespearean play! The jagged coastlines, 1,000+ islands, and rolling hills just added to this feeling.

Old Town of Dubrovnik, as seen from the city walls

On our way to the Elaphiti Islands

As picturesque as the city and landscape was, it was equally clear that the people and country have had some rough times. Huge battles centuries ago, a devastating earthquake in the 1600s, and the very recent war that led to Croatian independence clearly had an impact that is still felt today. It was fascinating to me to be in place that had a type of history I'd never experienced before.

We also took a day road trip to Montenegro, which was fantastic. Crossing a border by car was a first-time experience for both of us - one which we loved! Being asked if we were transporting anything, having our passports checked, all while playing "Born in the USA" was pretty amazing! We stopped in a few small towns and were definitely the only tourists there. The people, as our Croatian driver said, are a bit "wild." When you're a country of only 300,000 inhabitants, I guess that's to be expected. The huge mountains, clear waters, and old stone churches and buildings were so beautiful - without a doubt, Montenegro is one of the most naturally beautiful places I've ever been.

From the top of Perast, a small town in the Bay of Kotor

It was the last big European adventure for Emily and I, for a little while at least, as she heads off to Brazil this summer. Although this trip was quite different than our time in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Argentina/Chile, it was as memorable as ever. Great conversation, lots of reflecting on the past 10 years, and many, many laughs. I've again been reminded of how lucky I am to be living in Europe and able to travel so easily to so many different places. And to do so with such great friends as well!

Huelga General

As most know, Spain is one of many countries facing economic struggles these days. On March 29, there was a nation-wide general strike. A number of us from school participated. I took part to show support and also because I was concerned about getting to and from school safely after last year's strike. Although I stayed away from the heart of the action, we did take a walk around to check things out. Did it make a difference? I'm not so sure. But, it was interesting to see.

People were standing at intersections in order to stop traffic from moving.

Police guarding El Corte Ingles while people were protesting the fact it was open.

Protesters everywhere!

Thoughts of the Day

"And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course." - Khalil Gibran

which is why sometimes . . .

'The road to finding "the one" is paved with a bit of promiscuity." - Ryan Erickson

Let's see what happens . . .

My older brother, Mark, forwarded this blog post to me today, thinking that I might like it (he knows me so well! :). I couldn't agree more with this philosophy! Here's to "seeing what happens" - in travels, love, adventure, and more . . .

March 20, 2012 See what happens Example A. Picture this: You’re on a four day trip to Barcelona, by yourself. You’ve mapped out every sight you want to see, restaurant you want to visit, and person you want to meet. You’ve created a jam-packed day-by-day itinerary because success to you is seeing as much of the city as quickly as possible. By day two, you’re a bit cranky due to jet lag, long lines outside La Sagrada Família, and a general feeling of being rushed. You keep pushing yourself, ignoring your discomfort, so you can see and do everything on your list. By day four, you’re completely exhausted, carrying a completed check-list, and experiencing a feeling that something is missing. You’ve crossed off your to-do’s but don’t have any memorable stories to accompany your travels. Example B. Picture this: You’re on a four day trip to Barcelona, with your best friend. Each of you has picked a few must-see places to visit, keeping in mind that the motto of your trip is to “see what happens.” This is an adventure, you have an idea of where you want to go, and you feel open to where the journey takes you. By day two, you’re feeling energized by your half-day at the beach, 360-degree hotel rooftop wine-tasting, and photo excursion in El Born district. You randomly stumble upon a delicious tapas bar and interesting group of locals who convince you to go dancing with them late into the night. It turns out your new friend owns a vineyard estate fourty-five minutes outside the city, and they invite you to their second home for an authentic Spanish meal and wine-tasting experience. After four days, you leave the city inspired and invigorated, with new friends, a dozen stories, and a feeling that you got so much more than you were expecting. Which trip would you rather be on, A or B? B? Good choice. Know why? B experienced the four days to the fullest by embracing a “see what happens” spirit. Since A ignored what they really wanted to do before they set foot off the plane, they exhausted themselves, misread their flight departure time, and are currently cursing at the airport, trying to figure out another flight out of BCN. How about the B best friends? They’re enjoying a champagne toast as they reach 30,000 feet. These two stories are a lot like life. You can either take it really seriously and when one thing goes wrong, think the world is ending. Or, you can look at life like a grand adventure and opportunity to “see what happens.” My favorite times in life often start with a “see what happens” way of thinking. Let’s see what happens when I launch this project idea to the world. Let’s see what happens when I fly to Austin without a place to sleep. Let’s see what happens when I let this amazing guy know how I feel. Let’s see what happens when I ask that famous author out for tea. Try anything. We’re always ready and we can never fail when our only aim is to “see what happens.” Copyright © 2012 Hey Amber Rae, All rights reserved.