25th Birthday

Yesterday I turned 25. Halfway to 50. Or so I'm sure Jenny, my college roommate, would have told me if she were here. I was hankering the most delicious cake that my mom ever made (coffee, apples, yummmy), or perhaps to just be at home with my family. But, my friends gave me a very good birthday celebration here as well, and made me feel very loved. It also worked out that Colin's birthday card arrived just on my birthday and that a friend's recently published book arrived Monday as well, in both English and Spanish. And, though it's perhaps not in good taste to talk about presents, I got the coolest pen ever. You know how in the novels and in the "olden days" they wrote with ink and quill pens? Well, apparently some places still do (Germany) and now in my house I will too. Thanks Isma!

A Year Older

This seems to be the week of birthdays. From last Saturday until the present, everyone seems to be getting older. Although we age gradually every day, every minute, and perhaps even every fleeting second, time only stops once a year to remind us that we are now officially 365 days older.

This year the powers that be have broken the sacred tradition of only aging on one's birthday to remind me two weeks early. Last night some friends got together to play arcade games, celebrating the twins' birthdays with food, silliness, and presents.

Presents is the important part now, since it is in this tradition that my birthday intersects with theirs. Laura opened her gift first. Tamy squirmed and tried to help her open it a bit faster, which only succeeded in causing Laura to tear the paper exaggeratedly and agonizingly slowly. It was a hard drive, though the look on her face said, "What in the world is this?" Next, Ester opened her gift, a large heavy rectangular package. Once the gift was unwrapped, she looked up at us with surprise. A Spanish cookbook? "Do I really cook that bad?" she asked. Isma turned red. Guille started laughing. Apologies began to flow. I looked confused. Wrong gift? Isma took the book out of her hands and gave it to me. "Happy Birthday!" he said abashedly. I just had to laugh. Poor Ester! I suppose she'll get her gift Sunday, whereas I've received my own two weeks early. I think that Isma will survive the humiliation and shame. I hope.

My Little Room

Like the view from my little room? It's a subway clinic (whatever that is). Well, stop looking out the window and look around inside!

This is the view I normally have when we start class.

"Good morning class! How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you, and you?"
"Our weather person today is..."

One of my favorite parts of the classroom is the computers. I love them because:

1. They allow the kids to listen to phonics and practice reading.
2. They are very motivating.
3. They give me an even smaller class size.
4. I can show videos in class.

Come stop by the next time you're in Madrid!
.

Thievery

I figure out at the end of last week why it seemed that I hadn't been paid this month yet. Good news: I'd been paid. Bad news: some sneaky bugger was siphoning funds out of my bank account. I'm not certain who or how, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a trip to the kitchen with my card at a well known American restaurant (but here in Madrid) allowed some waitress or waiter to copy my card number, plus the security numbers on the back.

I blocked the card Friday, went to the police station the same day with Isma and Tamy, and went back myself Saturday morning since I was missing some documentation. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the bank to file my claim. In a few month I should have my savings back, so I'm not too stressed out anymore. Though you know, I didn't actually get angry. People at work wondered at me, how I could tell the story with a smile on my face. Hmmm. Strange American (or strange me) I suppose.

Don't worry, they took quite a bit, but I had withdrawn from the bank just before blocking my card, so I have money and they didn't empty the account (though they probably would have if I hadn't caught it). So all will be well soon.

And it fits!

A couple of weeks ago I got my engagement ring back from the jewelers (after two size changes it finally fits my tiny finger). Did you know that I have pretty much the same size fingers as my Grandma Vance did? And, I begged Isma to take out his nifty super camera and take some pictures. Here they are:

Weekend in Castellón

Back in September, Isma's family, plus two extra girls, went to Valencia for a weekend to bid farewell to summer at the beach. I suppose that those extra girls, myself and Laura, would more formerly be called girlfriends. We all had a great time...so much so that we didn't touch the camera at the beach. Ah, that explains the lack of photos! We were much too busy swimming, throwing each other in the air, burying each other in the sand, and visiting with their old friends.

For me the highlights were the "women" times in the kitchen with Elena and Laura, tasting Paco's sangria and eating cheese and toasted bread soaked with tomato and ham on top, visiting Regina's orange grove, sketching in the mornings and at the beach, playing padel, and playing in the waves.

Here's some pictures of the trip.

Castellón: Torre Nostra

New Most Delicious Things Ever

No joke. It was like the most delicious thing ever.

Ok, I'm done channeling my cousin Shannon now. :P

Saturday night Isma and I went out to eat and for dessert we shared a cup of panna cotta with wild berries. It's light custard/yogurt-like goodness. Wonderfully amazing. You should try it!

Greek yoghurt panna cotta in blackberry sauce. Photo courtesy of Stu Spivack

Source: http://flickr.com/photos/stuart_spivack/84610490/