'I'll Be Home For Christmas'

Navidad en Jaen a...

Yes, I am coming home to spend Christmas with all the ones I love! I am extremely excited to spend this special time with my family and friends. Although my time in the states will be short, I am grateful for the time I will have to spread my love.

Jaen to Madrid: December 16
Madrid to London: December 18
London to LAX: December 18
Orange County to Las Vegas: December 19-21 (with my wonderful college girlfriends :)
LAX to Madrid: December 29-30
Madrid to Paris: December 30- January 4 (New Years in Paris with Amanda and her sisters!)
Madrid to Jaen: January 5

I am looking forward to this holiday season!!


...Christmas in California <3

Fiesta Fiesta

Typical Spanish Tapas


I know I am living in the right country when Spain has a fiesta for every holiday. I was recently invited to join in on one of my school’s afterschool luncheons. The lunch happened to be on Thursday at 2:00pm, a day I do not work (shocker), but I would never miss out on an opportunity to eat nor socialize with the staff. As I entered into our staff room, I took notice of the large amount of tapas all ready for us to grub on. Tapas are little bites of food to enjoy while engaging in conversations with friends. Typical Spanish tapas consist of: ham, cheese, olive oil, bread, tortilla Espanola with potatoes, green olives, peanuts, shrimp and potato chips. Don’t forget the Cruzcampo and wine to wash it all down!

As about 25 of us sat down at the T-shaped table, I made the mistake of sitting, I guess in the place where the bride and groom would sit during their reception. Needless to say Javier, a student teacher, and I were the brunt of many jokes as we consumed our lunch! Sorry Javier for choosing to sit in the spot where I would have full range of all food! Luis played a great host, making sure my drinks were constantly above the half-full mark and that I did not leave the table hungry. Little does he know I have no problem neither filling my belly with yummy food nor asking to pass the bottle of wine my direction.

After we finished eating lunch and what I thought was dessert, we all began cleaning up. I thought to myself, ‘Hmmm ok, looks like we are all getting ready to go.’ As I walked over to put on my jacket, what do I see? I see Antonio bringing out bottles of champagne, bottles of rum and more dessert! Uh…I guess the fiesta is to continue!I was handed a bottle of champagne to pop and then we all toasted once again. ‘Izquierda, derecha, el centro, adentro.' The mood of course turned sillier and we all jumped into the Christmas spirit. We sat in a circle and sang Christmas carols. They began with some classic Spanish tunes and then turned to me to lead ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ Oh ya…great idea. (For those of you who know how talented I am at remembering lyrics. I usually just end up making up my own songs…!) Some teachers stood up and danced, while others picked up empty champagne bottles and played them as instruments. As jokes were told and laughs her heard, the clock turned to 5:15pm. It was now time to really clean up and depart.

As I spent my day off bonding with fellow co-workers, drenched in typical Spanish life and culture, I would say the luncheon was a great success! Much love to my amigos at Serrano de Haro.


The Tortilla Espanola con patatas, I cooked!

The Shake in a Dam

Throw some needles in my face or turn on grey’s anatomy while they are performing surgery and you will see me in rare form. Those are about the two staple things that will always make me squirm in my seat or plug my ears and hum a little tune, while I pretend I never heard the word ‘needle’. I did however discover something else that gave my mind a good ‘shaken up,’ from my recent travels to the infamous, red light district in Amsterdam.

As Dustin, Sarah and I stumbled across our hostel, which happened to be in the heart of the red light district; I opened the door and was warmly welcomed into the city, by a huge puff of smoke. As we stepped up to the registration desk to check in, I laughed to myself and said, ‘I think we are here!’ We were given our keys and went upstairs to put our stuff in our 12 person, co-ed rooms. Let’s just say Sarah and I thankfully shared a bunk amongst the other 10 BOYS! Needless to say, we did not shower while we stayed in Amsterdam…! haha After discovering the sleeping arrangements and realizing there weren’t too many girls chillin’ in Amsterdam that weekend, we all headed to go see what the red light district had to offer... coffee shops, lots of women dancing in windows con 'poca ropa,' kebab shops and lots of people crusin' feeling oh so mighty-highly fine.

Long story short, I think everyone should experience that part of the city, just to see how you feel while you are in it. I think it is healthy to challenge everything you know and to see how you would react in a different or uncomfortable situation. It is during those times when you discover new emotions and thoughts that allows and promotes self-growth.‘What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.’ right...?!

- Am I alive; check.
- Did I have a grandeous time; check.
- Feel uncomfortable at times; check.
- Laugh like a little school girl; check.
- Experience things, thoughts, emotions for the first time; check.
- Go to the red light district again; check.

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city and has a million and one canals running through the middle of all their streets. I was also able to tour the Anne Frank house. What a very moving experience to enter the place where her and her family hid for so many years. Due to my love for beer, I of course also had to tour the Heineken factory! Mmm mmm good!

My first travels outside of Spain were extremely successful. I saw more of the world, put myself in peculiar situations, laughed with friends, learned how to take naps on buses and planes and more importantly enjoyed myself thoroughly. I can now add the red light district to a list, a small list of things that can really challenge my mind…