La Vuelta a España.

There are two sides to every coin. Every conversation has two sides. Sometimes the glass is half-empty. Sometimes the glass is half-full. These short phrases remind me that there is always another side to consider and another way to view a situation. I must always remember the "other side" - and I'm working on that in Valladolid.

STARTING OVER

After coming to Spain in September 2010 with nothing but an open mind and two full suitcases, I found myself lost in an unknown town in the most rural part of Spain. It was an immediate set back and made me view life in Navalmoral de la Mata with a "the glass is half-empty" mindset. However, after a few hard weeks, I began to change my mentality and embrace my situation; besides, what could I do about it? I wasn't going anywhere else.  But, living in Navalmoral became one of the best experiences of my life. When I look back, I realize that Navalmoral taught me about true Spain - culture, language (ok, Extremadurian Spanish), friendship, Spanish traditions... It's where I learned "it's not what you're doing, it's who you're with". I think this experience is making it harder for me to transition in Valladolid...

This year, I arrived to Valladolid with a perfectly located apartment, more full suitcases, roommates... everything I needed to have a fantastic year. The glass was half-full.  But, after two months, I find myself still adjusting to my new lifestyle in the big city of Valladolid.

Before I came here, I'd heard just two things about Valladolid: 1) The weather is cold. 2) So are the people. Making friends in Valladolid is practically impossible. I've resorted to putting ads on English/Spanish language websites for friends. And, it has worked! I have a small group of friends who go out on the weekends and during the week to tomar algo (have drinks). It's a great group of people and I'm happy to have them in my life. But, I'm still not feeling "at home" yet. Last year I was one of four English speakers in a town of 18,000 people and the only English speaker in a town of 3,100 people.  I miss being famous for just being American. Valladolid has its fair share of international students and there are 20 Americans in my auxiliar/teaching group. So, it's safe to say, I'm just part of the crowd. This is the sole reason I didn't go to a big state school for university - I wanted the feeling of being known for who I was and what I was doing - not to just be a number. Well, in Valladolid, I'm just a number; the glass is half-empty. 

But, as it is said, there are two sides to each story and pros and cons of every situation.

CONS OF VALLADOLID
I miss my friends.
I miss Canterville. 
I miss Irish Rover. 
I don´t miss pig ears, but I miss my friends trying to feed me pig ears. 
I miss short walks. 
I miss ¨long¨ walks of 11 minutes. 
I miss "the pool".

PROS OF VALLADOLID
Living just one hour from Salamanca by car.
Living just one hour from Madrid by train.
Living just three hours from Navalmoral. 
My school is wonderful to me. 
I never need to take the bus.


Ok, so these lists are a bit skewed and clearly don't include every pro and con. But these are the things important to me right now. Because I don't feel "at home" in Valladolid, I'm still focused on past Spanish experiences and people in my life. But, I can't shut down, I must continue on as I always have, making the most of every experience. I am just so grateful for the opportunity to be in Spain again. 

As they say in Spain, "Work to live, not live to work." I work to travel, to explore new places and learn about myself in new situations. Not knowing where I will be next June is scary.  But, I'm not focused on the future. I am focused on here and now and enjoying myself. Sometimes it means taking a siesta. Other times, it means tomar-ing a beer with lemon and a pincho. It means partying all night because everyone knows some of the best bars don't get good until 5am. Little things like this make this experience worth it because my love of Spain is more than just a love of this culture - it's also about the friendships I've made with the people here. Leaving my friends will be worse than just leaving this country....


LIFE IN VALLADOLID
When I arrived in September, the fair was going on - la Feria. I heard there were to be over 100 casetas....but casetas in Valladolid are different than casetas in Extremadura. Here, people eat. There, people dance. Both are exciting! I was happy to have some down time before jumping into another school year.

Tasty pinchos with new friends: Jennifer, Caroline, and my roommate, Katie.

I´m only working at one school instead of two schools this year, located about 15 minutes walking from my house. No more commuting! Another bonus is that I see the same faces every week and not every few weeks. I like this, too. I have all levels in the high school from 7th graders to seniors in high school. The truth is, I think that my school (IES Ramon y Cajal) is the best part about Valladolid right now. I enjoy going to work and I´m happy about that. I work with four wonderful English teachers: Concha, Maribal, David, and Maria Jesus. All of them have been very welcoming and I feel good about what I do in each of their classes.

Typical days in the classroom include me yelling (countless times) at the students to be quiet or to ask if they understand what I've just said. I threaten to kick them out of class if they continue to speak in Spanish. I threaten to cut their hair if they don't stop eating in class. We talk about cultural differences...high school differences, traditions, holidays.... they ask me "Is it true, you can't drink in the USA until you are 21?" 

Halloween was scary fun with the 7th graders!

I have private lessons too... 15 to be exact. I call these my ¨travel fund¨.  I have seven teachers in the mornings at school; we talk about anything and everything. I learn just as much from them as they do from me. In the evenings, I have four families who all live in the center - which is a blessing - because I don´t need to get the bus EVER! Time is money and I´m not paid to ride the bus. I help with homework, give conversation classes, and my favorite (yet stressful) classes are play classes. But, I do learn a lot in the play classes, as little kids (4 and 6 yrs old) have limited vocabulary. So, I speak in English and they either repeat what I say or they speak in Spanish... we color, we sing, they make me dance... we play with balloons, we count, we play Bingo. 


In my free time, I meet with Spaniards to do intercambios - language exchanges - to practice my Spanish. I wanted to take a course in the language school here but that will have to wait until the Spring semester. So, until then, I'll keep watching Spanish TV and meeting new people. I try to travel quite often - usually to Navalmoral or Salamanca... to pass the weekend with my friends! When I stay in Valladolid, I go out here too - always with a few Americans and then other times with my Spanish friends. I rarely go out to dinner which is really frustrating (again, thinking of last year's Thursday night dinners makes me see this as a glass half-empty.) I'm getting sick of the food I can make myself - which I guess is normal after a year, as Mercadona only has 7 microwavable meals. In my free time I stray away from cooking and cleaning - just like in the USA. :)

FINAL NOTES...
I will continue to do as a I please and enjoy the little things (and big things) Valladolid offers me. Up until now, that has meant nights out, good students, and wonderful transportation to Madrid/Salamanca/Navalmoral to visit important people in my life. 

New apartment. New views, Valladolid.

First charanga experience, Jarandilla de la Vera.

El Cristo, Jarandilla de la Vera.

Random friend encounters, Jarandilla de la Vera.

Partying with old students, Jarandilla de la Vera.

Barefoot and alone in the Plaza Mayor around 6am, Valladolid.

Typical pictures with Rachel and Mamen, Navalmoral de la Mata.

San Miguel, Navalmoral de la Mata.

Picture for my favorite Scottish person, Navalmoral de la Mata.

Flat Stanley visit, Valladolid. :)

New amigos, Valladolid.

Divina made a visit to Valladolid!

Theta Reunion with Erica, Salamanca.

Day trip with fellow teacher Antonio, Penafiel.

Incredible view, Penafiel.

Day with Edna (and cousin Taysa), Madrid.

Exploring, El Gordo.

Lighting candles for Edna's cake, El Gordo.

Out with old friends, Navalmoral de la Mata.

Seminci Film Festival (Wuthering Heights = horrible film), Valladolid.

* * *  * ** * *  * ** ** **  * * * * * * *** 
Cheers to Valladolid and this experience of keeping my glass half-full.  

ABCs of Traveling.

A B C D E F G H.....I can't count the number of times I've sung the ABCs over the last year (ok, nor the last week.) I play ABC bingo several times a day. Hangman is always a hit, "Please, guess a letter." Here is my own version of the ABCs which is much more fun than any ABC game in the classroom. This version allows me to relive my favorite memories and share them with you.

A: Age you went on your first international trip: If Epcot in Disneyworld doesn't count, then my first international experience was when I was 10 (or so) I went to Michigan to visit some family (I know that is not international...) and we went on a day trip to Canada. While it's still in North America, it's still a foreign country with Canadian pennies and the coolest McDonald's I can remember.

B: Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where: The best beer I've EVER had was in Amsterdam, Holland. It was OLM brand & it was PINK. It was a cherry beer I think... as it was not normal. I've yet to find it again...but the search continues!

Yummmmy! Amsterdam, September 2009, with my friend Missy Brown!

C: Cuisine (favorite): Seriously, there aren't many things I don't like. For this reason, I have favorites in all the places I've visited... In Spain, paella and tortilla. In Morocco, couscous. In Bulgaria, shopska salad.

Just the right mix of cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers! (goes perfect with Fanta!)

D: Destinations, favorite, least favorite and why: Like food, I have so many favorite places. I have been to many places with different people (friends, family, study abroad groups, long weekend trips, several week trips...) and each trip had its good points and bad points. Rila Monastery in Rila, Bulgaria, is my favorite site in Bulgaria - just look at it! As for least favorite, when in Navalmoral de la Mata, Spain, stay away from pig ears. That would be my least favorite thing about Navalmoral/Extremadura/Spain. "Yuck! Cartilage!" - Maria Green

Rila, Bulgaria. One of the prettiest places I've ever stepped foot.

Just looking at our expressions tells you you're not missing too much. With Rachel, the new American in Navalmoral.

E: Event you experienced abroad that made you say “wow”: Pueblo Parties in Extremadura: In Winter, Los Escobazos is celebrated in Jarandilla de la Vera - they light branches on fire and hit people with them. We are taught to NOT play with fire in the USA, and here in Jrandilla, they are taught TO play with fire and hit everyone around them. But, don't worry, most people (I say most, because I had none) wear protective overalls. (Warning: if you are the only native English speaker in town/ a teacher, beware, you will be a main target overalls or no overalls.) >>In the fall, they celebrate El Cristo with bulls in the Plaza Mayor - basically, it's a week long festival to drink all day and night - which I joined in on for a weekend. :)

Fuegoooo!!!! Plaza Mayor, Jarandilla de la Vera, November 2010.

Toros in Jarandilla, October 2011. This is the same Plaza Mayor as above, but this time it was full of make-shift seating and bulls were running around chasing people. These crazy people would run behind these gates for protection. It was such a site to see!

F: Favorite mode of transportation: Not my legs, which I use most of all. I like elevators - and I use them whenever possible. As for getting around from city to city, Spain has wonderful trains (with movies!) - but I usually take the bus because it's cheaper! I love you, Avanzabus, but I wish you gave free drink tokens like Alsa bus.

G: Greatest feeling while traveling: When I leave one country and arrive in another, it's exhilarating! When I rely on myself, and I succeed (overcoming language/cultural barriers), that is the greatest feeling.

H: Hottest place you’ve traveled to: You'd think it'd be the Sahara Desert, but it's not; at night, I was always freezing! Navalmoral de la Mata in the summertime is a killer with no air-condition. Southern Spain, in general, was an inferno...so, Spain is my answer!

I: Incredible service you’ve experienced and where: I'm really picky to impress with service; there was only one time I remember saying to a waitress that she was great - and I can't remember where that was! It was definitely in the United States, as Spain has NO customer service whatsoever. And, don't get me started about Bulgaria - I got accused for eating someone's food when the waitress made a mistake. I continued eating and gave her dirty looks. European countries need to adapt "tips" to their services - it makes people try harder and care about the customer.

J: Journey that took the longest: Getting home this past summer. I was in Italy visiting my friend Gina... I had to fly back to Spain then to London...Chicago...STL. I had one day in STL before I got in a car for 9 hours with my parents and drove to Michigan for my cousin Michelle's wedding. I had no idea what day it was nor what time zone I was in. A second close call would be the 4 trips I made to Chicago to get my visa for Spain...6 hours each way by train and we went and returned in the same day. That's what I call a long day.

K: Keepsake from your travels: FANTA. I love trying the different flavors of Fanta in the countries I visit. (Did you know there are over 90 different flavors throughout the world??!) My favorite so far has been grapefruit Fanta in Holland. Also, I like to buy something typical from each country I visit. Every country is different, so all of my souvenirs are unique too. One of my favorite keepsakes is my traditional slippers from Bulgaria! They remind me of Bulgaria, yet they are useful every day! 

Albert-Cuyp Market, Amsterdam, Holland, where I fell in love with Pomelo Fanta.

L: Let-down sight, why and where: Before I went to main land Greece, I always imagined Greece with blue doors, white towns and donkeys! But, this vision is the Greek Islands - so, if you imagine Greece as I did, don't go to the main land, it's not what you are envisioning.

M: Moment where you fell in love with travel: Summer 2008 in Salamanca, Spain. Before this study abroad experience, I'd always traveled for vacation. But, finally traveling and living in a foreign country was a dream come true... I learned so much about daily life (ok, in Salamanca, I learned about student life in Spain) and I wasn't a tourist. Salamanca changed the way I lived life and viewed life. 

Novios espanoles. Sombras para siempre. 2008.

Spain's best Plaza Mayor - Salamanca.

N: Nicest hostel you’ve stayed in: The best hostel I've stayed in was Hostel L'Imbarcadero in Venice, Italy. It was right off the Grand Canal near the train station. Mimo, the Hostel manager, gave us a private tour of Venice by night and we partied in a disco/pizzeria! 

O: Obsession—what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling?: Taking pictures of my feet. I think it shows "Whitney was here." My new favorite place to take pictures of my feet is on top of sewer drains - sounds weird, but they are unique to each city, as they have the city name on them. You can't take a picture of "Navalmoral de la Mata" in "Jarandilla de la Vera".

I miss calling this place "home".

P: Passport stamps, how many and from where? If you count my passport stamps, it appears as if I've never been anywhere. When traveling from one EU country to the next, you don't get stamps. It's like traveling from Missouri to Kansas - you just cross the border and you're there. For that reason, I've got countless stamps in and out of Spain and the USA. I also have stamps from Bulgaria, England, Morocco, Holland, and Italy for a total of 28 stamps.

Q: Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where: A Urinal Museum in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain. It hosts a collection of 1,300 pee-pots from 27 countries. Seriously strange, but very interesting to see, as most of these potties were really crafty - some were even for special birthdays. Could you imagine, getting a new toilet, engraved with "Happy 14th!" WOW.

Pottys.

R: Recommended sight, event or experience: Sleeping and riding camels in the Sahara Desert. Enough said.

It's a nice day to ride a camel, Morocco.

S: Splurge; something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling: Once in a lifetime experiences. For example, I went to Tenerife, Canary Islands. We visited El Teide, Spain's largest peak, which is actually a volcano. It was about 25 euro ($34) to go to the top on the Teleferico (tram), but I figured I'd never be back to see El Teide, so I paid and went to see the top. I later learned that the Teleferico is usually closed due to dangerous winds. So, it was my lucky day that it was open. I'm happy to know that I've gone up to the top of El Teide because I splurged a little bit.

T: Touristy thing you’ve done: I've done the touristy "hop-on hop-off" red bus tour in many cities. It's very cost efficient and a good use of transport around big cities. It takes you to the main sites but if you want to walk around and explore the nearby areas, you can, because you have no time limit to get off and explore. Thank you, trusty red bus.

U: Unforgettable travel memory: Attending the MTV European Music Awards in Madrid in November 2010. We only wanted to go to the free concerts (David Bisbal, Fangoria, El Efecto Mariposa, Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, Katy Perry) at Puerta Alcala, but ended up getting free entrances to the last 20 minutes of the actual show! We arrived just in time to see Lady Gaga accept an award from the Jackass Crew and see Bon Jovi perform. We also saw Katy Perry about two feet in front of us as she was exiting an elevator and we walked on the red carpet! What an unforgettable night! (We got home around 4am and went to work the next day!) The end.

Johnny Knoxville crowd surfing at Puerta Alcala, Madrid.

V: Visas, how many and for where? I have 2, both from Spain. One from studying abroad in 2009 and the other one being a teaching assistant in Extremadura. I'm still trying to get my residency renewed for this year in Valladolid - which is a big pain. I think it would have been less hassle going back to the USA and getting a whole new visa.

W: Wine, best glass of wine while traveling and where? The BEST sangria I've ever had was at Outback Steakhouse at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Hands down. But, while traveling - I would have to say Luz, a delicious white wine that I often drank at Boulevard Cafe in Navalmoral de la Mata, with my friend Edna.

X: eXcellent view and from where?: I like the view of Prague from Prague Castle. You can see countless steeples! I went on a trip with my grandparents and mom; we had a fantastic time!

Beautiful Prague, September 2009. Czech it out!

Y: Years spent traveling?: I've had Europe at my fingertips on and off since 2008.

Z: Zealous sports fans and where?: Every day I have a Spanish student who asks me, "Who is your favorite team?" And, they assume I understand they want me to pick Madrid or Barcelona. Having lived in Castilla y Leon and Extremadura, two regions near Madrid, I usually say "Barcelona!!!" And they get upset. So, all of Spain is a zealous sports fan, and they have good reason to be...European Cup Champions, World Cup Champions, Rafael Nadal with tennis... the list continues. 

I hope you've enjoyed my ABCs. I hope next time you'll sing with me. Come join me in my experiences! 

Here's to you, July.

July was a few months ago. But, what I did in July is definitely worth writing about (now that I have some down time). I like to think of July as "siempre viajandooo" because I was doing just that: always traveling. No, I'm not complaining. While it was a bit tiring as I moved out of my flat in Navalmoral, went piso hunting in Valladolid, acted like a tour guide in 7 Spanish cities, spent a week in Italy, flew home to Missouri, attended my cousin's wedding in Michigan, and turned 24.... I'm happy to have had all the experiences and to have experienced them with wonderful friends. 

Let's Start. July 4th.

Yes, I'm American. But, when you're living in Spain, July 4th is just another day... this year it was a Monday. I was probably packing my life into suitcases, at the garganta, watching online TV, or something equally as fun and non-patriotic. Anyway, that was my holiday.

House Hunters International: Valladolid

I moved out of my apartment in Navalmoral on July 12th. I packed my life into Divina's car and moved my belongings to Jarandilla for the summer. We met up with Toni and her husband Emilliano and we spent the evening at the garganta and having one last dinner together. It was a bittersweet moment, as I knew I wouldn't be going back to live in Navalmoral/Jarandilla when I returned to Spain after 40 days in the USA. I wasn't super sad though, as I knew I wasn't leaving Spain/Europe at that time - but I just knew that things wouldn't ever be the same. I was excited to know that I was going be to traveling for the next few weeks though...so it's safe to say my thoughts were all over the place.

July 13th, I officially said goodbye to Navalmoral as my home. As I rode away in the train toward Plasencia, I saw a sign as we passed over the highway that read "Navalmoral 55km" and I knew it meant I was leaving. It was really difficult to see that, as I really felt at home. (I'm getting really shook up about it as I write this... and I'm not sure why. ughhh) 

Anyway, I finally got to Valladolid and I began looking for my new flat. I visted 5 places - all of them had their pros and cons. Some were in prime locations, others closer to my school. Some had Spanish roommates, others did not. In the end, I picked the one that was 15 minutes walking distance from my school, 15 minutes walking distance to the center, Spanish roommate, andddd it was the cutest (and had the best view.) I think I made a wonderful decision, as I am writing this from my living room, relaxing on the orange couch.

Being a "Guia".

I never though I would have the opportunity to be an "official" tour guide in Spain. While I've acted as a guide in Salamanca to fellow friends and throughout Spain to my family, I never thought a dream would come true: get paid for traveling. When my high school Spanish teacher, Kris Arthur, emailed me and told me to consider being a tour guide for her friend and MO Supreme Court Judge Mary Russell and her husband, Jim, I wasn't really sure what to think. First off, I had to made sure I could stay busy between May 31 (when my job ended) and July 15 (when I would travel with the Russells).  I decided it could work; I knew it was a cool opportunity that wouldn't come around too often.

We worked together over the next month to make our itinerary perfect, yet open for whatever we wanted to do and see. We spent one week traveling by car, train and foot to visit and explore Valladolid, La Alberca, Salamanca, Segovia, Madrid, Toledo, and Sevilla. I'll let pictures do some explaining of what we did in each city. 

Enjoying drinks in the Plaza Mayor, Valladolid.

Plaza Mayor, Al Alberca. La Alberca is a traditional village near Salamanca. Peopl come to see traditional architecture, as seen in the above picture with wood and rocks for the walls. It's also known for having a pig roam the streets. The people feed the pig and have a big celebration each spring to eat the pig and introduce a new pig to the streets. We didn't see the pig while we were there, as they said it was visiting a farm just outside town. But, the food was wonderful.... just ask Jim!

Out for drinks in Salamanca's Plaza Mayor with my friend, Jorge. Jorge came for drinks, we got tapas, and then walked around the city with us for several hours. It was such a fun night! :)

The view from across the old Roman Bridge: Salamanca! The golden City is so pretty by night!

I finally saw the inside of the University of Salamanca!!! This is where Christopher Columbus studied before he left to discover America! La Universidad de Salamanca is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest in Spain!

The Roman Acqueduct in Segovia. We had lunch just to the left of the wall to really take time to look it over! There is no mortar between the blocks, it's all been cut by precision! (See the people at the bottom? It's huge!!!!)

The castle in Segovia. It's where Walt Disney got the idea for his Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland. It's all alone at the end of town, totally worth the walk through Segovia's tiny streets. While we were in Segovia, we stayed in a B&B in the countryside. It was a nice get-a-way from in-town hotels.

Overlooking Toledo with Mary and Jim. We went on a day trip from Madrid to visit the town where the Jews, Moors, and Christians all lived together in harmony in Spain's history.

Inside Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue, Toledo.

Flamenco Show live at Las Tablas, Madrid. We had front row seating!

Plaza Espana, Sevilla. This beautiful plaza was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. There are sections for each region in Spain and also buildings for other North/South/Latin American countries on the grounds nearby.

In Sevilla, we went on a walking tour of the center and a bus tour to explore the outskirts of town.

I am happy to say I have met friends for life; Mary and Jim will always be on my "list of people to tell when something important happens in my life."  Thank you for this experience! I will never forget all our fun times together! (I'll even remember the times Wendy was around...)

Fontechiari, Italy: The Adventures on Mute Street.

I spent two weeks in Fontechiari with my friend Gina and her family in 2009. I never really thought I'd have the opportunity to go back (ok, I did.) but I didn't really know it was going to be in July. I booked a ticket just a few weeks before I showed up, which made it even more fun! I hadn't seen Gina since March 2010, when she came to Missouri. It was time for another reunion. 

We went out late. Woke up to eating pasta. I lost to Anthony (Gina's brother) in video games. We watched Disney movies. We rocked out to Papette Beach Compilation in the car. Drove on tiny streets. Attended White Nights. Visited the Island. Nancy (Gina's sister), Gina and I took a new "notebook" photo in the middle of the street. I attended a soap-box derby. And, I had an Italian boyfriend again (ok, that's kind of a joke...but not really.) It was a repeat of July 2009. 

"Brooklyn Bridge" - Gina and I went walking to town one afternoon. It's not as scary going through this tiny space walking, but in car, it's a bit scary - good thing the cars are tiny!

Afternoon visit to a church on top of a hill. The view was incredible!

Visiting an old castle with Gina.

Gina, Cristian, Me, Enrico - enjoying Notte Bianca in a nearby town. Way too many vodka/limons later...

Soap box derby. Gina's cousin was riding in it. It was a fun, yet long afternoon. But, seriously, a very cool opportunity to see this in a small town in Italy. :)

The Italy gang! Gina, Nancy, Marco, Alessandra, Mirco, Me, Enrico, Cristian.

My second family! Saying goodbye...until the next visit! :) Love you!

Wedding Bells.

My cousin Michelle got married in Ann Arbor, Michigan! I'm sure my family was happy she picked July 30th for the date, as it ensured I would be back in the States in time to celebrate my birthday with them (July 29th!) I had just arrived to Missouri on July 28th, which meant my birthday was spent in the car. I wasn't sure what time it was or even what day it was; I was so jet-lagged. I was happy to spend the weekend with my family though.  My cousin looked beautiful and we got to meet her new husband, Matt, for the first time. 

Cutting the cake! Michelle and Matt - July 30th, 2011!

We had a little downtime between the ceremony and reception so a big group of us went to a bar to spend our time. Well. I guess you know you've been out of the USA for too long when you put "all of the important things you'll need today" in your purse... and forget your ID. Yeah -- that happened again. I'm use to not needing an ID; as long as you look 16, you are never carded in Spain/Europe. I ordered a summer shandy (still on the beer/lemon kick) and was then asked for ID. Wellllll, I didn't even open my purse, I just stared at him and laughed at myself...then had the hard time of convincing him that I was actually 24 and my birthday was the day before. He still didn't want to serve me (I was with my parents, aunt, cousins, and grandparents....) so my parents went to the hotel to get my ID. Ok, hopefully next July when I get back, I'll remember that you need your ID to drink alcohol and that the USA has tax. Again, in Europe, I'm use to paying the price that is shown, not having to worry about tax being added. (I forgot about this when I got back in 2009.)

Before driving back to Missouri, so I could finally go home home, my grandparents, my aunt, and I drove to visit a friend of mine in Michigan, Rachel. Rachel and I met in Salamanca in 2009, and we've been able to keep up with each other via Facebook. It only made sense to visit her, as Ann Arbor was only a few hours drive to her house. She and I spent the afternoon catching up, swapping stories from Spain, etc. It was such a nice visit, I wish it could have lasted longer, but I'm happy for the time we spent together! 

Rachel and I!

Home Sweet Home. 

I finally got to my house on August 1. It was nice to sleep in my own bed, walk on carpet, eat my mom's and grandma's food, watch TV, play with my cat, drive my car, going to the cinema... all the little things I had been missing. I went out for countless lunches and dinners with friends and family to eat all the cultural foods I had been missing - buffalo wings, sushi, endless salad bar, free refills, Mexican food... I think we counted that I ate at over 20 restaurants (some of them multiple times!) in my 40 days in the USA.  But, everyone has to eat - so catching up with friends/family over a meal was the easiest way to catch up on lost time.

Ok, so this isn't a meal I can't get in Spain - but these are my birthday churros! To celebrate with my family, we went to dinner at Modesto's on the Hill in St. Louis. We had a very Spanish meal - tapas! It was nice to be at home with my family, but still be reminded of Spain!

I spent a weekend in Kansas City visiting friends from grade school, high school, and college. It was such a fun weekend get-a-way! 

Out for drinks: AJ, Jesse, Brian, Ciara, Me, Kristi at KC Power and Light!

I had a girl's weekend at the lake to celebrate my birthday. Also, it was more than just celebrating my birthday. It was a time to catch up with my good friends from Westminster, as we are all at different stages of our lives. When I go back at Christmas, Markie will be married and in January, Whitney will have a baby girl! I'm excited for both of them! I'm happy to have spent the night with all of my friends - out in style - at the Lake. We spent the day lounging at my Uncle's house, out on the boat, in the pool... by night, we were out in the limo to go to dinner, play 10cent skee-ball on The Strip, and dance (and drink!) the night away at Topsider. The next morning, we all piled onto the bed talking and recapping the night by looking at pictures. It was such a fun weekend. I think it's always important to make time for friends, and I'm happy my friends made time for me during my short time back. :) 

My friends and I before going out! Kasie, Lydia, Brittney, Heather, Me, Whitney, Markie

Woooo! Skee-ball! :)

We started the dance party at Topsider... we brought out the "basketball dance".

I had the cool opportunity to visit Mary at the Supreme Court, twice. Once with my mom and Congressman Luetkemeyer, another time with my whole family. We received a private tour, got to act like the judges, and my grandma actually put on the robe! :)

Visiting Mary!

My family of judges! Grandma looks like she is taking the role a little too serious... haha

Mom and I went to the State Fair to watch my dad compete with the horse.  It had been a few years since we had gone, so I'm happy to have had the time to go this year.  While we watched my dad ride, we also found our way to the beer stand and wine tastings! We tried out massage chairs, bought smelly candles, and a new lent roller! Seriously, the fair has some awesome things. (But it doesn't have El Toro Loco Ride...)

Hanging with my dad at the fair!

Missouri State Fair - sunset!

A few other things that were worth mentioning in my time home in the USA... my mom and I went to St. Louis to visit my aunt and uncle. We went to the Festival of Nations - and wow! it was so cool! There was food, shops, and music from all over the world. We had a wonderful day! We also went to the Zoo and had lunch at the Boat House - where we later rented a paddle boat. I relaxed while my mom and aunt paddled me around. :)

Henna tattoo! Loved it!

Scottish Meal! Thinking of Maria!!!! Mince & Taties and an Iron Bru!

Visiting the elephants at the zoooo!

Relaxing on the paddle boat - the Boat House in the back!

View from the back of the boat, near the Art Museum!

I feel like I'm always ending my blogs with a thank you or a goodbye to some group of people in my life, well, this one is for all my friends and family in the USA.  I am thankful for all of your support while I am back working in Spain. I love and miss all of you. I cannot wait to see you at Christmas! Thank you for making my 40 days fantastic! Hasta prontooooo.... see you soon!