Happy Three Kings Day!

 With some milk and snacks laid out under the Christmas tree, the children of Spain go to sleep early on January 5th. Letters to the kings have been sent, parades in the street have ended, and epiphany day, El Día de los Reyes, is finally here. The day of the 6th is a day similar to our Christmas morning. Children wake up and open their presents from the Three Kings, Nacho and I included. I awoke in Nacho's family's house to a living room full of presents. The day was filled with giving, hugging, and the usual chaos that ensues in large family getogethers.

Posing amidst mountains of presents are Nacho,
his dad and his sister, Bea

My favorite gift! Oh, the things I can now create in the kitchen! Thanks, Bea!

Three Kings Day Parade in Majadahonda

Someone got ahold of my phone at the parade

The day ended with me flopping down on the couch, with an immobility that arises from a mixture of too much food, conversation and playing with over-excited kids. The holidays are now officially over, and it's back to reality. Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar were very good to me. In addition to my new culinary appliances I now have a new backpack, gloves, scarves, a new purse, perfume, socks, a necklace and ring (and Nachy's present still on its way!). And my present to myself- a new gym membership!! With Nachy's help I found a great gym 5 minutes walking from my apartment. It's reasonably priced and today I went to my first Spanish spin class. For once I felt in a familiar place. I am beyond happy with my new gym and can't wait to try other classes!

Back to work tomorrow! Renewed and ready! I leave you with a little street music I ran into..

dos mil catorce

You know, as I told you all, 2013 was pretty damn good to me. I did lots of exploring, lots of learning, lots of growing, and had lots of fun. Tengo muchas ganas por 2014. I am anticipating a year of writing. I am calling for more introspection and self-progress. I am expecting much more laughter, exploration, and saying yes to new things. Beyond that, I can tell you no more. And that's exactly how I want it.

So here's to a good year for all. Cheers!

Some pictures for you

A LOT has been going on these days. Lots of celebrations, attempts at Spanish-speaking, dinners and lunches with friends, eating, laughing, exploring. And most of all, being completely hypnotized by the beautiful Christmas lights all over the city. The winding streets feel even more quaint, warm, and inviting when lined with lights and filled with happy families. Sigh. :)

.Here are some random pictures from the last week or two for you all back home

I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams.

During this time of giving and loving and counting your blessings, I feel the need to articulate how grateful I am. Christmas this year is different. Yes, I'm spending it away from my family, thousands of miles from the comfort of home. But I am not alone here. And these days I am just really happy. There is no better way to put it. I'm happy.

I don´t know what´s in store for me, for Nacho and I, in the next year or two. Sometimes that scares me, but most times I prefer it. The unpredictability of my life seems to fuel me. The blooming quality life seems to have, as though every experience and hurdle and bout of laughter is opening up my heart and head like a flower, blows me away. I feel so lucky. I am amazed at the ability I, and all people, have to learn and to grow, and at how much one can change in a lifetime, in a year, in a day. All my experiences and friendships have shaped me to be who I am today, and I know I have much more shaping to do and am happy for that. Never in my life have I felt so lucky to love and be loved by such a special person. I am grateful to have his love and the love of his family this holiday season. I am grateful for this adventure and the fearlessness I command in myself to follow my instincts. And I am so thankful for those who support me and believe in me back home.

So although I am far away from those reading, I hope this post brings me a little closer to home this Christmas. Loving and knowing people in more than one place is a blessing. Sending happiness, joy, love and hope, all of which have no boundaries, across the ocean to those I love. Merry Christmas.

Christmas Vacation...kind of

This week is my last week of school at the two institutes before a Christmas break of two weeks. (WHOO HOO) But it won´t be a complete break for me, and unfortunately I won´t have an opportunity for travel- which is what just about EVERY other auxilar is doing now. During the next two weeks, I will be working at an English academy for children, called Kids & Us, about 5 minutes walking distance from my house. The academy is one which I went to earlier in September when I was still looking for afternoon work. They had told me then that they did not need any more teachers for the regular semester, but they were going to have a Christmas Camp during the break and they need English speakers for that. So I happily agreed to help with the camp.

The camp is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-1pm for the two weeks of December 23rd-27th and December 30th to January 3rd. I will be in charge of a group of 10, 3-4 year olds (EEKK). With them I will be doing crafts, reading stories, singing songs and playing games. I´m looking forward to working there, it is a nice, new academy, full of colorful decorations for the children and happy workers. If the Christmas camp goes well, I am hoping to be able to work there in the Spring should they need me. The location is great because it´s so close to my home. As for the group of 10 kiddies.. here goes nothing!

Besides the Christmas camp in the mornings, I have no other plans for my two weeks. This is my first Christmas away from my family, and it has already been difficult. Coming home to an empty studio is quite a change from my fully decorated home in Salem. I miss my fireplace, the Christmas trees, and fresh wreaths and candles and winter comfort foods. Most of all I am missing the snow!! I know all of you back home are probably cursing the cold, snowy weather, but I feel as though something is missing. While the mild temperatures and sun are so nice for walking around the city- I would take colder temps and snow over that for Christmastime.

So after feeling sorry for myself for about a week, I decided to do something about it. I have a wonderful tiny tree (although fake, it is the perfect size for my tiny place!) and I even sprang for some Christmas lights (although I did not read the label well and bought blinking lights- annoying at first but I´m getting used to them). I am finally able to listen to Christmas songs without feeling sad and tearing up, and I have even started to embrace the ´villancicos´(Spanish Christmas songs) and am getting excited for the Spanish Christmas I will have. This year I will be spending Christmas, New Year´s and Three Kings Day with Nacho´s family. Also, of course, I will be skyping home to have Christmas with my family. I received from the mailman today my package of gifts!! Most things are wrapped and I must wait for Christmas, but there were a few which I opened early. American candy and Kraft mac and cheese! Also, my favorite gift of all- measuring spoons!! No longer will I spend the time trying to guestimate the amount of baking powder for my culinary creations! Best gift ever!

One thing I am so impressed with is the way the city of Madrid has transformed for the Christmas season. There are lights hanging over every major street and on buildings. Food carts and small tents are set up in every square, selling wreaths and dried fruit, turrón and churros con chocolate. People are everywhere- shopping, walking, out and about with their family buying gifts and Christmas food and candies. It is a nice time to be living in the city.

Merry Christmas to everyone back home! Christmas pics to come! MUA