Rediscovering Barcelona

As I mentioned a few posts ago, Tessa and I recently moved to Poble Sec and I have been loving how a new neighborhood means discovering a whole new side of Barcelona. 

I've become addicted to runs in Montjuic - the stairs and hills make it much more challenging, the greenery and hidden trails make me feel like I'm more in Colorado than in Spain, and the views are spectacular.

sunset run

In addition, there are constantly new bars and restaurants to discover! Tarannà is my new favorite place to order breakfast and work away on the weekends. Cafe Federal consistently delivers amazing brunches and great evening drinks. And c/ Blai is the perfect place to discover a new tapas or pinchos place each week.

And being in a new area means walking in new directions, discovering new streets, and enjoying new plazas. What started as a Saturday menu del dia for Tessa and I turned into a bit of a plaza and bar hopping day as we discovered areas we rarely saw before, just because we were coming from a different direction.

The night ended with this AMAZING band - one of the best, and
most unusual, instrument mixes I've heard in awhile

a new plaza and delicious white wine

I can't wait to continue exploring Poble Sec and all of the new discoveries we'll continue to find!

A new year, a new role

This past week, I started my 12th year of teaching - wow! I can look back at old class photos and still vividly remember my very first group of students (many of whom are now in college!), my nervousness on the first day, and all of the ups and downs of that first year. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago! But it was.

This year, for the first time ever, I don't have my own class. And it's been rough! Although it was nice to not have to prepare a classroom and worry about supplies, student lists, and first day of school activities, a part of me missed every one of those things. I LOVE being a teacher and I love working with kids every day.

Luckily,  I will be doing just that again very soon, even if in a different capacity. It's hard to believe, but after a four year hiatus, I'm back in the role of a literacy coach! Many hours were spent this summer on preparing for this role and essentially creating it for ASB, something I've never done before. And it's so exciting to be part of this transition! I am learning SO much everyday as I prepare to work with students and teachers from kindergarten through grade 5.

So although it's a bittersweet time for me at the moment, caught between missing my own class and the excitement of my new role, I couldn't be happier. And as Scott Robison told me this summer, this new position means I have the potential to effect twelve classes of students, not just one. And that's pretty awesome to think about.

Best Trip Yet

In July and August, I went home for the fourth summer in a row since moving to Spain. Although every trip back is fantastic, this one, for a number of reasons, was the best one yet! I was able to spend time in Indianapolis, Denver, and Nashville and saw SO many wonderful people!

This trip was one of those where I just felt so lucky the entire time. Lucky that I have so many great friends who take time from their busy lives to see me. Lucky that even when I haven't talked to someone in year, the friendship picks back up like it's just been a day or two. Lucky that my best friends are still my best friends for so many reasons. Lucky that my family is absolutely amazing and will do anything for me. Lucky that my dog still remembers me. And lucky that my friends and family are so happy and healthy.

Things are a bit different now - gone are the days of summer pool parties and big nights out (at least for the time being!) - instead many days were spent with babies and kids and learning about what becoming a mother really means. And although it was different, it was great! It was fun to see my friends experiencing something so new, yet continue to be exactly who they have always been. I just felt so happy to be a part of it, even if only for a few days.

Although by the time I boarded the plane to Barcelona, I was ready to be "home," I felt like I had spent the perfect amount of time with the people who mean the world to me, and it couldn't have been better. And I'm already looking forward to my next visit . . .

Great times with the best older brother ever!

How did my nephews get so big?!

Best friends forever - really. I love these girls!

Great hike and camping trip with the best little brother ever!

Just like the postcards . . .

Earlier this summer, Tessa and I ventured to a new country that's been at the top of my travel list for a long time - Greece. I had heard tales of Santorini sunsets, Greek yogurt, and gorgeous beaches from many friends, as well as seen photos and postcards of blue and white buildings and turquoise seas. Yet, I was still shocked by the fact that sunsets, and beaches, and buildings were even more beautiful than the postcards!

Over our ten days in Greece, we spent time in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Naxos. It was the perfect combination of history, tourism, and relaxation.

Highlights included seeing the acropolis in Athens . . .

Santorini sunsets . . .

 

cruising around on ATVs . . .

enjoying amazing Greek yogurt (wrapped in crepes!) and Greek salads daily . . .

and relaxing on gorgeous beaches . . .

Usually when the end of a trip nears, I feel ready to leave and be back home. In Greece, this was exactly the opposite! I could have easily spent 10 more days in Greece. Needless to say, I will definitely be finding my way back there in the future.

It's been awhile!

Wow, I can't believe how little I've posted in the past few months! Although I've had lots of posts in my mind, none have actually made it onto the page - I guess that proves just how busy the past few months have been! I plan to post updates about Greece, a visit to the USA, the start of a new job, and the beginning of a new "year" as soon as possible - hope you can take a moment to see what this broad's been up to in and out of Barcelona!

Tapantoni

During the month of May, the Sant Antoni neighborhood has been offering "Tapantoni" - a tapas tour where 20 bars and restaurants offer a set tapa and a drink (usually a caña or vermouth) for 2€! I LOVE this idea because everything is decided for you - where to go and when, as well as what to order. It also provides a reason to check out bars and restaurants you may not have normally visited. I'm happy to say that I was able to visit 13 of the participating bars with a variety of friends. Every place was good, but I definitely had some favorites. Looking for a place to eat in Sant Antoni? Check these out!

Bar Calders - located on c/ Parlament (one of my new favorite streets) and always full of people.

Bar Merquén - excellent bravas! Definitely a place I want to visit again - the menu looks delicious!

Fabrica Moritz - who doesn't love visiting a brewery? This place has great food, a great ambiance, and great beer on tap.

Nostalgic - a teeny, tiny bar - loved it!

Rekons - so many empanadas, too little time

A New Barrio, A New City

This past week, Tessa and I left the neighborhood that's been our home for the past 2+ years and moved to Poble Sec. We were getting desperate to move away from the tourists and madness that is the center of Barcelona, especially as tourist season is now in full swing! We also wanted a place with more space and light, in addition to a few other specifics.

Although it was a stressful process, we finally found our new home and wow, do we love it! We now have a lovely, bright and spacious duplex. It's amazing how moving just 5-10 minutes away can also mean a completely different feel. Poble Sec has a much more local vibe - it's been rare to hear English on the streets, which is very different than the Gotico! The streets are also much wider and filled with many more trees. Within a 5 minute walk, we can step into Montjuic and feel like we're in a completely different city. It's amazing! And of course, a new neighborhood means a whole new range of bars, cafes, and restaurants to explore.

Below are some photos of our new place. We still have a few more things to do, but it already feels like "home." And we still have a spare bedroom, so feel free to visit and rediscover Barcelona with me!

Come upstairs to my room!

my bedroom

my dressing room?

my ridiculously-sized bathroom

dining room/living room

drink anyone?

kitchen

extra bedroom waiting for visitors!

evening views from our balcony

A Weekend in Belgium

Just a few weeks ago, Tessa and I went to Belgium to meet Anna there for a quick weekend trip. This was the first time my two "Spanish" best friends would meet and this weekend followed my 33rd birthday, so the timing couldn't have been better!

love these ladies!

As expected, Belgium didn't disappoint! We spent Friday evening in Brussels, then left bright and early for Bruges the next day. Having watched "In Bruges" the week before, we had a few ideas of what to expect. This little town quickly became one of my most favorites in Europe. The size, the quaint homes, the amazing bars and plazas on every corner with delicious beers - wow. I loved it!

Belgian canals

a delicious sampler

so many beers, so little time

If you haven't been to Belgium, I highly recommend it. With just a few days, you could see the majority of this small, lovely country. I hope to get a chance to return and see more.

As expected, these two hit it off! :)

Good night, Bruges . . .

Buen Camino

For about the past year, my parents have talked about hiking the Camino de Santiago. This is a journey I've always heard about and been interested in since moving to Spain. So, when my dad decided to visit during Semana Santa to begin the walk, I was happy to join.

My parents had done all of the research about what to bring and where to stay, so I was lucky enough to enjoy the benefits of their preparedness! My dad arrived with the backpack, blister treatments, collapsible water bottles, and much, much more - we were definitely prepared for the journey!

We started in Cizur Mayor, a few kilometers outside of Pamplona. (Due to limited time and pretty bad weather, we opted not to start in Roncevalles.) Our hope was to make it somewhere close to Burgos in the seven days I would be with my dad, because this is where I had a flight back to Barcelona. My dad's plan was to continue on to Leon and return to Barcelona after a total of 21 days on the Camino.

 We quickly realized that the reality of walking 22+ kilometers a day is pretty tough! By the third day, my legs ached in a way I had never experienced before. The terrain at the start was more difficult than expected, but this also made for some spectacular views. 

Navarra 

My most favorite part of the camino was the people you meet along the way. We spent a few of our days walking with a father and son from Scotland, an American man, and a girl from Belgium. We also met people from Spain, New Zealand, Germany, France, and more -- it's amazing to hear the stories of people who have come from all over the world to have this experience.

some of our walking friend

I also loved the encouragement we received from the Spaniards in small towns along the way. One of my most favorite moments occurred in a tiny town (population 40) called Azqueta. When we walked into this town, a little old man greeted us and asked if we wanted a stamp for our pilgrim passports. After receiving one, he noticed that I didn't have a scallop shell, the symbol of the camino. He led me around to his backyard where he allowed me to pick my shell from the hundreds he had. He measured the string and made my necklace. He then grabbed my shoulders, gave me dos besos, and wished me a "Buen Camino." It's a moment that still gives me chills just thinking about it!

my scallop shell

It was moments like these, combined with the simplicity of literally waking up each day just to walk, that made me love the camino. By the fifth day, my legs felt good and I actually looked forward to walking - it is amazing how quickly your body adjusts and no longer wants to be still.

A fountain of wine always makes walking easier!

Unfortunately, our trip was cut a bit short due to an old injury flaring up for my dad. However, this allowed us a chance to visit Bilbao and Burgos, two towns I had always wanted to see. Without a doubt, I will be returning to the camino. I don't plan to walk all of it, but I know I will walk into Compostella de Santiago one day soon. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors, walking, and Spain, I can't encourage you enough to try the Camino de Santiago.

This is Brazil!

Once Emily decided to move to Brazil from Switzerland last year, I knew I would be going to visit her. And this past February, I was lucky enough to journey to Rio to experience the original Carnaval - and wow, what a party it was!

Although there are many similarities between Spain and Brazil, the Brazilian culture definitely has a style and flavor all its' own. From the samba music being played in every bar, to the dancing in the streets, from the diversity of the people to the freshness of the fruit and juices, Brazil was like no place I've ever been.

Delicious agua de coco while strolling the beaches of Ipanema

We spent our first 4 nights in Rio to experience the craziness of Carnaval. We were able to go to the Sambodromo to watch the samba school competitions. I had NO idea that this was on such a grand scale - huge floats, thousands of dancers, and an hour performance per school - so impressive! 



In addition to this, we happened upon many street parades in different neighborhoods, which I really loved. Seeing the locals in their element was fantastic. We also spent time on the beaches of Ipanema and saw Copacabana - places I'd only heard about in songs. We visited the Christ the Redeemer statue, something I've always wanted to see.

an amazing street parade!

Finally, we spent three nights in the lazy beach town of Buzios, a wonderful break from the craziness of Rio. The views, weather, and water were spectacular.















Overall, it was a trip to be remembered! I hope to have the opportunity to explore a bit more of Brazil in the future . . .

Put me in, coach!

I feel like the conversation began during my first interview with ASB . . . and now, almost three years later, it has come to fruition. Beginning next year, I will be the half-time K-5 Instructional Coach at ASB! I can´t even express how excited I am to be back in this type of role. Working with students and teachers in all grade levels, planning and facilitating professional development, and helping in the implementation of new language arts standards, curriculum, and resources - it´s kind of a dream job for me!

With it being a brand new position, I know there will be lots of challenges and stress that come with it. However, it´s a challenge I feel ready for. Working as a half-time tech integrator this year has given me a lot of insight into ASB that has definitely prepared me for next year. And although it´s super-nerdy to say, I just can't wait to dig into literacy instruction and coaching techniques again. :)

I´m not sure what I'll be teaching during the other half of my time, but there are a number of possibilities. (Without a doubt, I'm nowhere near ready to be out of the classroom.) There´s still a lot left to be decided. One thing I know for sure is that I will be in Barcelona for at least the next two years because this position required signing a two-year contract. I had no plans on leaving, but it's actually really nice to be able to know for certain where I'll be for the next few years. (Tessa has also decided to stay, so we've just started the search for a new apartment - yea!)

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited to see what the next few years hold for me in Barcelona!

Oh, the Places You´ll Go . . .

In order to get a visa for my upcoming trip to Brazil, I had to renew my passport a few months earlier than planned. As I glanced back through my passport, I was reminded of how much traveling we have done together in the past 10 years!

It all started with a return trip to New Zealand with Lauren and Liz ten years ago. Without a doubt, it was studying abroad there that made me want to see more of the world. And what amazing memories the three of us made in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Australia that summer!

It was the trip Emily and I took to Chile and Argentina that led me to move to Spain. I fell in love with the Latin/Spanish lifestyle on that trip and knew I had to live it, not just enjoy it on vacation.

And since moving to Spain, it´s been one amazing travel experience after another! I can hardly believe all the places I´ve been able to go . . .

I´ll be keeping this passport in a safe place, flipping through it from time to time I´m sure. And I can´t wait to see the places my new one will take me!

Food!

As I look back at photos from my family´s visit, I love seeing how many of them include food! One of my most favorite things about living in Spain has been the food - from tapas to pinchos to fresh produce, it´s amazing! Although many dishes include similar ingredients, they are still so different. Here are some of my favorites from the past few weeks . . .

Calçots - so much fun to eat and so delicious! The prime season for them is December-February. I recommend Llar de Foc in Gracia for these.

Patrick was a fan of the calçots!

Prawns - can´t eat them, but wish I could!


Mom, Mark, Heather, Mike, and I took a class with Papa Serra. He took us to some great vendors in the Boqueria, then helped us prepare a great Spanish lunch.
These were some of favorite dishes of that meal:

Cheese, jamon, tomatoes, and bread - a perfect breakfast or snack!

Olives - so many different varieties and flavors!

Romesco Sauce - so delicious, whether it´s with calçots or chicken and potatoes!

And last, but not least, pinchos. Such a nice change from tapas at times, especially because you can pick your own and try lots of different types. Love them!

Pinchos