Finally in Spain

Well I apologize for the lack of posts the last few weeks. I got a bit sidetracked and haven’t had time to catch up…until now. And I have to good news…I’ve finally arrived to Spain! I just got in yesterday and man oh man have I been busy. I got in at 8am and it was go, go, go from there. My friend was way nice and met me at the airport. We dropped off my luggage and got right back out into the sun. Oh, and the weather- amazing! I can wear a t-shirt here…while it’s been snowing in Seattle. How great was my timing?

So after walking around for hours we came back and got a bite to eat and then…took a LONG nap. It was only 1:30 and we were both already exhausted. But of course right when we woke up, back out to walking around. All that walking was fantastic minus the sensation this morning that I was going to just topple over because my legs we tired…But alas, I hung in there and stayed upright :) finishing the repacking of my suitcase.

And since my feet just LOVED all that walking yesterday I decided to following that up with…a foot massage? No…I wish! Actually my friend and I did some more walking, much less though because we had an actual destination this time. We headed to a movie! Or rather a documentary…what a great way to test my Spanish. And boy did it. But overall the documentary was really interesting (about the non-acceptance of gays about 15-20 yrs ago in Spain) and I can’t wait to see some more movies while I’m the country.

documentary from tonight

And the plans for tomorrow? Going to see a band. Oh yes, I just hit the ground running! And I’m not about to stop there…this weekend is the BIG finale…of this week. My friend and I are headed to Valencia (on the eastern coast of Spain) for a big festival called “Las Fallas.” I haven’t looked into what the translation would be but let me give you a run down on what happens:

All year different groups of people have been working on these huge effigies that to me look like works of art. There are lots of fireworks for the whole weekend (weekend meaning about 5 days straight) and they parade the effigies around on the final day/night and then…they set them on fire!!! Now I’m not totally sure all the reasoning behind the festival but I’ll bring back more info after we go. As of right now, I’m just excited for big things to be set on fire.
Here's a video to tide you over until I myself get some photos/videos:
http://youtu.be/FS65iD1q0A0

I’ll also start w/ the photos. I keep forgetting my camera so I’ll get on that.

Also- have you guessed destination #2 on the “guess where I’m going” post?
Well here it is… Czech Republic. I’ll be stopping in Prague, Vienna and Brno with my Spanish brother as my tour guide (he’s there for studying abroad). I have NO idea what to expect and can’t wait. I’ve only heard amazing reviews on visiting there.

While you wait for the next post why don’t you try to figure out my last (but actually first trip that I’m taking) destination…

What's today?

It's National Margarita Day! Go out and celebrate with some margaritas!!!!

LOVE is in the air

Happy BELATED Valentine's day! I don't know about you but I typically dread this holiday. Not because I feel bad when I'm single or pressured about gifts when I'm in a relationship, its just a stupid holiday that I feel has no grounds for existing. If you're in a relationship, you have an anniversary. Isn't that enough? And if you're single, do you really need to a day to feel sad that you didn't get flowers?

Every year I feel this way but I try to turn it around and stay positive. In recent years I've learned this is a great day to spread the love to your friends! To show those close to you that you love them and appreciate them. It also puts me in a way better mood and excited to hang out with people I truly enjoy. This year my Vday was quite busy with a haircut, coffee with a friend to catch up and THEN dinner with my sister and our friend. I guess it was actually the day before that was so chaotic since I had to prep!

I really wanted to make some awesome gifts for my friends that I was to see on the 14th AND I found some great inspirations online. My friends and I decided to do a gift exchange and I went way overboard...and loved it.

I hope that you all had a great Valentine's day because I really did. And the $3 margaritas at the end of the night made it even better :) Oh and if you live in the Seattle area definitely check out "Pecado Bueno" in Fremont. They have SUPER good tacos and $3 MARGARITAS! One of my new favorite places!

Ok so I really wanted to show you all what I made for my friends. I'm hoping to give YOU ALL some ideas and spread the love since I found my ideas from awesome DIY-craft-mom-blogs. Also all of these crafts I put instructions for or website links in their captions (in the album "US trips)

mustache & lip lollipops

 

handmade card

bath soak

pear cupcake

homemade truffles

peach soda turned into love potion

LOVE glasses!

These were all SO fun to make. And pretty easy too.

So while we're on the topic of love...I should tell you I'm soon destined to the most romantic city on earth- PARIS! Yes people- that's my first on my list of places I will be going. I know the clue was pretty easy but we'll see if you guessed the others right...stay tuned.

Guess where IM going....

As you've probably already read I'll be going back to Spain for a couple of months. I don't leave until March but I've already been planning trips that I'll be making once I'm there. I wanted to clue you guys in on a few trips that I'll be making outside of Spain...now try to guess from my clues:

1. Parlez-vous anglais? will be my "catch phrase" when I visit this city which is home to the Mona Lisa.
2. I will most likely eat some knedlíky when I visit this country that long ago was called "Bohemia."
3. Getting to ride on a camel will be one of my many adventures while visiting this country that's just a ferry ride away (from Spain that is).

OK hopefully those clues aren't too easy or hard. Now if you aren't able to guess where I'll be just stay posted since I'll be reveling them as I get close and closer to being in Spain.