Segovia - a great place to visit for amazing architecture and . . . baby pigs!

Segovia is a fantastic day trip to make from Madrid - only 30 minutes and 20 euros round trip on Renfe! Segovia is known for it's amazing Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st century. Its considered to be one of the most well-preserved in Europe. It constantly amazes me to see structures that have lasted so long.

In addition to the aqueduct, beautiful cathedral, and alcazar, Segovia is also known for it's cochinillo - roasted suckling pig. Although I knew we were going to be eating this, the reality of seeing a whole baby pig on a platter was still a little shocking to me! The preparation and cutting of the pig are a very traditional part of Segovia. They actually use plates to chop it up - it's that tender! We went to Restaurante Jose Maria, one recommended by some Madrileños . It was fantastic - amazing food and some of the best red wine I have had in awhile.

Yum!?

If you're looking for a day trip from Madrid, Segovia is definitely worth a visit!

Menu del Dia

Menu del Dia is a Spanish tradition that I was introduced to after first moving to Sevilla - many of my male friends loved it because it's usually tons of food for just a few euros. In general, I didn't go too often because the quality of the food wasn't the best, and I always ate too much of food I didn't even like that much.

However, after enjoying an amazing menu del dia with Anne today, I think I might have to start enjoying this tradition again! Usually, menu del dia includes a drink, an appetizer, a main course, dessert, and coffee. There are often three to four choices for the appetizer and main course. The price varies, but is usually 8-15 euros.

Today, we went to Habaluc and it was delicious. Tinto de verano, rollitos with spinach and cheese, grilled vegetables and garbanzos, Greek yogurt with fresh jam, and a cortado all for 12 euros -- wow! The best part is that we sat outside and enjoyed a true Spanish lunch -- it was about 1.5 hours long! In addition, it was light, yet filling, so you don't really even need dinner. A leisurely walk home through the sun-filled streets of Barcelona made for a wonderful end to the afternoon.

After getting back from Madrid, I think I might need to consider a menu del dia tour of Barcelona . . . what a great way to enjoy summer days!

Who am I?

I recently listened to a piece on NPR titled: "Memoir Project Gives Tips for Telling Your Story." It was recommended to me by an old teammate, Clara Hernandez, who knows me well. (Thanks, Clara!)

As a teacher, teaching writing to kids is my most favorite thing to do. I love the way students can develop their writing throughout a unit into amazing pieces that show so much about who they are. I also particularly love the unit I have taught on memoir writing. Although I didn't teach it this past year at ASB, I hope to do so in the future. In addition to loving to teach writing to kids, I also really enjoy writing myself (as you have probably noticed). I find that it's a great way to play with language, express myself, share stories and thoughts, and figure out what it is that's really on my mind. It's such a simple thing to do, yet can be so complex at the same time.

One thing that really struck me about this piece on NPR was the idea of figuring out who we are in order to angle a memoir in a particular direction. This will help a memoir to stay focused, as well as appeal to a certain audience. One of the things I say to my students more than any other is, "What is this really about? What are you really trying to say?"

So, of course, this has prompted me to really think about who I am. Here's what I've got so far! Who knows what I'll decide to do with it next.

a daughter

a sister

a friend

a teacher

an educator

a learner

an American

an ex-pat

a reader

a hard worker

a writer

a traveler

a lover

an adventure-seeker

a lover of good food, wine, and beer

a thinker

a person who loves to laugh

someone who enjoys the unexpected

a person full of passion for beliefs and people I care about

How would you describe yourself?

Hmmmm . . .

I did a little searching for wise words about love. I couldn't resist these, for myself and anyone else who might identify. Enjoy!

- There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go. - Tennessee Williams

- Moving on is simple, it’s what you leave behind that makes it so difficult.

- Never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it was once yours.

- Sometimes we tend to be in despair when the person we love leaves us, but the truth is, it's not our loss, but theirs, for they left the only person who couldn't give up on them.

- If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't like you. If I hadn't liked you, I wouldn't love you. If I hadn't loved you, I wouldn't miss you. But I did, I do and I will.

- Every happy couple has at least one breakup behind them.

And my personal favorite, "If your love does not work with that person, it just means that someone else loves you more."

clases de espanol = super bien!

As I was thinking about my summer plans one weekend, I was reminded of the fact that I have a truly difficult time not being busy. The ability to sleep late, lay on the couch watching TV, and do basically nothing is something near impossible for me. (Only particular factors like a hangover, terrible weather, or extreme tiredness seem to make days like this a possibility.)

After one weekend day of doing basically nothing, I decided that signing up for intensive Spanish classes might be a wise decision. And they were! After five days last week, and another four this week for 3.5 hours a day in a class with only 1-2 other students, my Spanish has grown wonders! It's amazing how a great teacher, fun classmates, and the chance to just converse in Spanish for hours makes a world of a difference.

I'd felt like I'd hit a plateau for awhile and am finally starting to get over it. I can feel my brain working differently when I see, hear, and speak Spanish and I love it! It's reminded me of just how much I LOVE learning and being in class - yep, I'm a total nerd. :) I hope to take intensive classes again, whenever possible.

The key will be keeping this up after class - I think I'm going to buy a book to practice the grammar and I might actually study. (It amazes me that I have such bad study skills as a teacher!) Hopefully taking some private classes in the fall will make a difference, too. Most importantly, I have to make more Spanish friends - I MUST speak as much as possible. In the meantime, I'll just keep speaking Spanish to anyone who will listen (old men are my favorite), even if they keep speaking in English to me. :)

Red Flag Alert!

This past year in Barcelona has really made me realize both the fantastic and the difficult aspects of living abroad. Luckily, the good parts heavily outweigh the bad, but that definitely doesn't make them any easier!

This past week, Matias and I broke up. For those of you that I saw at home, you can guess how unexpected this was! While in Indianapolis, I had a long-awaited talk with my SBFF, Anna. During this conversation, I told her about how in love Matias and I were, how amazing things had been, and how excited I was to see him in less than two weeks. I vividly remember telling her how I thought he was "the one" for me and was pretty positive we'd be together for a long, long time. I then said that I knew the only thing that would stop this from happening would be if he was unable to deal with the issues from his past, because they were directly related to our future. And how, if we didn't work out because of these things, it would be SO disappointing, but I would be okay.

Well, apparently I had a premonition of things to come, because that's exactly what happened. As wonderful as the past six months with him have been, it's clear that the red flags I noticed were red flags for a reason - it was just easier to not see them because the rest of the view was so amazing.

The strangest part of all of this is that since I hadn't seen him for three weeks, we broke up so quickly after my return, and I've received zero communication from him since (Is he alive? Is he still in Barcelona? What on earth is he thinking?! I literally have no idea!), it almost feels like the whole relationship never happened -- which is such a surreal feeling! I suppose it's making getting over things easier, but I don't want to just forget that it happened - it was such a happy time for me and for him! ("WTF?!" is a phrase that has definitely been running through my mind a lot these days! :)

Something that's been difficult about this has been the fact that I've been back in Barcelona on my own. I just left my friends and family, Tessa is in Madrid for the month, and most of my other friends from work are traveling. Needless to say, this is one of the difficult aspects of living abroad. Luckily, I've been taking Spanish classes, meeting some new people, getting tons of exercise, and managing to keep myself pretty busy.

At this point, I've accepted that there are a lot of questions I just won't get answered, which is very difficult for me. But regardless, I'll never regret the past six months - they were such a happy and fun time and I learned so much in regards to what I need, want, and deserve in a relationship, as well as what I will continue to look for in the next person I am with. And until I find him, I hope to enjoy summer in Barcelona, one of the best cities ever to live life as a single, thirty-something girl . . . and as Jeff Pickett said so well, I'll just keep throwing a line into the sea that is Barcelona, or a harpoon - whatever works! :) However, I'll remember to keep an eye out for those red flags and pay a little closer attention to them next time.

Spanish Sunbathing - a little different than the US!

(Warning: dad and brothers - you probably don't want to read this post! :)

There are so many ways I've adapted to European life, but one of the most unexpected would have to be my new-found love of topless sunbathing!

When moving to Spain two years ago, I was instantly surprised by the number of naked breasts I would see on the beach. I'd always heard that Europeans were much less concerned with nudity than Americans, but it was still a shock to see! I mean, they were everywhere at any beach I went to! I was constantly amazed by the self-confidence of women to be topless, whether they were laying down, walking around, or just hanging out.

Tessa and I visited a hammam in Istanbul in November and it was quite an experience for both us! If you happen to have any self-esteem issues with your body (as most women do), I highly suggest going to a hammam! There's nothing like being 100% naked, surrounded by other naked women, including your friends, and being quite literally scrubbed down, spread-eagle, by large Turkish women. Wow - talk about liberating! After this experience, Tessa and I both felt much more comfortable in our own (glowing :) skin.

After going to the hammam and being on Spanish beaches, I truly realized just how different everyone's body is - when they are exposed everywhere, you can't help but notice it! And I love how women of literally all shapes and sizes are comfortable enough to lay out without their top - it's fascinating and somewhat empowering as well!

So over the past few months, I've definitely converted to the European way of sunbathing. As someone who has always been extra self-conscious about how little I have, this is a huge step for me! And frankly, it's wonderful -- so much more comfortable, natural, and easier when it comes to tanning. I don't think I'll be one to walk around, or swim, or play volleyball topless, but when it comes to laying on a beach towel and soaking up the sun, it's the best. Hey - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em - right?! :)