Accion de Gracias - Thanksgiving in Barcelona

We have a lot to be thankful in our house this year.  We've had an amazing year with an opportunity to experience a different way of life that most people don't ever get to have.  We both have jobs that we love (and in this economy the fact that we have jobs is something to be thankful for as well).  We've been able to travel this year to new places and to give our children the opportunity to experience cultures that they would not have normally seen at home.  And of course we're lucky to have our health as well - something we can't forget to mention (knock on wood). 

However, Thanksgiving was also our first major family holiday this year without our family and friends and it all seemed a bit surreal to me.  If it weren't for all of the Happy Thanksgivings on my facebook I don't think it would have seemed any different from any other day.  Josh had work, the kids had school.  And they don't celebrate it here in Spain.  So it took a conscious effort on our part to make sure that we celebrated - to continue a tradition that we have at home for not just us but also for the kids. 

I was a little anxious about the turkey.  Pavo, as it's called here, is not a very popular meat and so not many stores even carry turkey breast, none that I've seen have ground turkey and you can bet my luck on finding a whole turkey.  Which meant that I had to order a turkey... in Spanish. 

Off I went to my mercat on Monday in search of a chicken vendor that could sell me a turkey.  And needless to say I want to make sure it's a whole turkey and yet, no head and no feathers.  Hmmm... a challenge for sure.  I went up to one of the stalls and saw a turkey on display which was encouraging because it means that they can get them.  I wasn't sure if I could take that one (and then freeze it since it would otherwise sit for a full week in my fridge) but for the life of me couldn't understand what she meant when she kept pointing at the breast and yet said pavo entera (entera is whole).  Turns out it was that this particular turkey was missing a breast that someone else had bought separately.  At least I understood in the long run.  Another woman at the stall approached me and asked me if it was for Thanksgiving which I did understand and told her I'd like a whole turkey for Friday.  She asked me the weight and I'm still not so great with the kilos versus pounds so I just told her 3 adults (our original plan) and two small children.  She suggested 4.5 kilos - about 10 pounds.  Ahhhh mission accomplished!  I had no idea how much my turkey would cost but put down my 5 euro deposit and moved along for the day.

My next mission - cranberry sauce and gravy mix.  I know that the DeliShop, my local American store, carries it.  And thinking Spanish-like I hadn't been in a rush to get it.  However, I wasn't thinking like the American I am and the fact that other ex-pats like myself might want it for their Thanksgivings.  And so they were out of it.  Thankfully their other location (which is an additional 20 minute walk from the first one) had some so I bought two cans!  Josh had brought stuffing from the States when he was home a few weeks ago and all we need now is gravy.

Whew this is like an all week adventure!  On Thursday I headed down to the British store which takes me about 45 mins to get to.  Thankfully they had gravy mix so it was a trip well worth it.  My meal, aside from the salad fixings and potatoes we'd get at the last minute, is complete!!

Josh asked a few friends from work who did not make it home for the holidays to join us so while we celebrate on Sunday, we will be joined by our friend Alefiya and Josh's co-workers - so we're creating a family here where we had none - a really good feeling to know that we are finding ways to make do not with less but with different circumstances and still to make it special.

On Thanksgiving day, I took kids out of school early and went to my friend Brenda's house to watch the Thanksgiving parade - something traditional on our not so traditional day.  However, as somewhat expected, the kids didn't really care much about it but it was still nice to do something "traditional".

On Friday I picked up the turkey!  I was a little anxious getting there, but thankfully there was no head and just a few feathers.  I asked them to clean the inside and outside but not sure they did the inside or else I missed it....

Fast forward to Sunday and it's now Thanksgiving!  Josh put the turkey in a little too early - not counting on the electric oven cooking a bit faster than we anticipated. 

Josh stuffing the turkey

And tying it up in the bag - we think the bag was the culprit in it cooking so fast!

I made a pumpkin pie on Saturday, my first with the graham cracker crust from scratch (see Sue, I can do it when I "need" to) since there is no premade pie crust here (nor are there graham crackers but Josh brought that back with him too).  The morning of our celebration, I made an apple crisp (Sue, your recipe - see how much you contributed to our Thanksgiving???) which will hopefully go over well since I'm not sure how well the pie will taste!  Add a salad and mashed potatoes and we were ready to go!!

Overall I'd say the day was a success.  The kids were a bit on the crazy side but everyone was in good spirits (perhaps a lot of wine will do that to us all) and it was nice having a day where we all came together when we were all far away from our families. 

The boys eating some appetizers while they wait for company to arrive

We couldn't fit everyone around our little IKEA 4 person table so in came the patio table and chairs!

 

Group shot # 2

And this is what it's like when the tryptophan kicks in...

I hope everyone at home had a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Julie

Lost in Translation

As we approach the completion of our first year here in Barcelona, I've been thinking of what has been my biggest challenge in the last 11 months.  Many things come to mind, however, I have to say that the language has been my biggest obstacle.  When I look back at past blog entries I find that it is a reoccuring theme and with good reason. 

And still, 11 months into our 3 1/2 years here I am still struggling though not nearly like I was when we first arrived.  I can communicate the majority of my needs - some with words, some with pantomime, some with my iphone translator.  But regardless, the point gets across.  However, that doesn't mean that my inability to communicate "well" doesn't frustrate me, because it does.  Josh and I have differing opinions on this - he believes that as long as I can get my point across then I've accomplished something, but I'm of the belief that not only do I need to be able to say the things I want to say, I need to say them well. 

I know that I have no one to blame but myself on my lack of knowledge.  I told myself when Liam started school in September that I would have more free time to focus on studying and would commit a minimum of 1-2 hours a day studying.  Honestly, it lasted one day.  Because while I have difficulty, I'm also in a comfort zone these days.  I run my errands, I meet up with friends and I work.  So now I need to schedule it in.

Because as much as there are days when I say I'm getting along just fine, there are other days where I remember the fact that the language stil finds ways to intimidate me.  The good thing is, it no longer terrifies me.  There was a point where I was literally afraid and almost to the point of hyperventilating, if I needed to ask a question or approach someone about something.  While I'm no longer scared to do this, it doesn't mean I don't dread having to do it because I've got to put my Spanish cap on and quite honestly it can be exhausting at times. 

The guy at the DeliShop - my American store, always tries to have a conversation with me and it frustrates me not to be able to say much back to him though I always manage bits and pieces but not all that I want to say and there are times I just avoid going there in order to not have to speak to him.  This makes me sad because despite the fact that I don't speak Castellano fluently, this guy always makes an effort which is so kind.

What also makes me sad is that I have let the language prevent me from doing things the kids and I enjoy because I just don't want to have to deal with again, the effort of having to think thru every single word and trying to get my point across.  For example, sports.  When at home in the States, Aidan played 3 sports the fall before we left.  Three.  Here he plays none.  Now given this is in part because his school day is longer - he doesn't even get off the bus til 4:55 each afternoon.  However, it is also because for once I'm letting what he says designate what I do.  He LOVES tennis and took lessons for more than 2 years at home.  Here we play on a fairly regular basis however when I asked him if he wanted to take lessons here, he said no.  Now there are two paths here - the first would be to let him decide, he is 6 after all.  The second path is to sign him up because I know who he is and I know that once he starts he'll fall in love all over again (and no, I'm not that kind of a pushy sport parent).  But because I'm letting the language get in the way, I'm going the first route which I actually consider lazy on my part.  And ok, it was nice that tennis was a 10 minute drive for me at home and here it takes a good 45 mins to an hour to get there PLUS the hour it takes me to get to school.  But let's be honest it's the language that I'm letting get in my way of actually signing him up because I need to communicate various pieces of information to the tennis club and I also need them to give me information that I need to comprehend.

However, on the flip side, I'm making progress - poco a poco as they say here (little by little).  When I went to order my turkey for our belated Thanksgiving (we'll celebrate Sunday) I realized how far I have come because I didn't let fear lead the way but at the same time, my sense of accomplishment in my mind was more than it should have been after just about a year.  This is something, again, in my mind, that I should have been able to do months ago without fear of vomiting before I ask a question.  As I've told Aidan when he is afraid to raise his hand in school, what's the worst that can happen if I get the answer wrong?  Maybe I'm just expecting too much of myself.  I should take a lesson from myself I guess - no one is going to beat me up if I don't say something just right. 

And I still have my daily intercambio with Jose - and our conversations have come a very long way.  He's been trying to teach me Spanish sayings (none of which I remember unfortunately but I'm trying) and we talk about things above and beyond where are you from, how old are you, etc etc.  We talk about the weather (there are a lot of descriptive words to describe weather so no judging me on this), about people that walk by us on a regular basis, about the holidays, about what we did over the weekend (just learned that this is called fin de semana which totally makes sense now that I know it), what we are doing for the holidays and so much more. 

So while I know that it is early to be making New Years resolutions, I have one already that I'm hoping I can keep - get on the ball with my Rosetta Stone.  I know I've learned from it - I apply things I've learned every day from it.  I just need to get back into learning mode.  By the time 3 1/2 years is up I may not be fluent but I damn well better be able to have a conversation!!!

Julie

Tis the Season!

Knowing how the holidays are starting earlier and earlier these days in the States, I figured it wasn't too early to do a holiday blog entry because it's starting to look a lot like Christmas here too!  While Josh was here in Barcelona for most of December last year, coming home for Christmas and New Years, this will be the first time we will be here for the holidays.  We opted to not come home this year since in reality, and not to be blunt, but it's one holiday season out of what will hopefully be many many more surrounded by our friends and family at home.  We wanted to see what the holidays are like here - the Christmas markets, the lights, the events. 

Since it's the holiday quickly approaching, let's talk turkey...Thanksgiving that is.  They don't have it here - probably has something to do with the fact that the Pilgrims didn't land here ;).  So while Josh has something like 15 public holidays each year, Thanksgiving is not one of them.  And the kids have school as well on November 25th.  The only thing for me will be that I won't need to work since all my clients will be off!!  Yeah for me!

However, since we have children, it's important to us that we continue with American traditions even though we are far from home.  It's a part of OUR culture.  I'm always talking about how the kids are learning about other cultures but this is an opportunity for them to learn more about our own and from a different perspective.  So while pavo (spanish for turkey) is not easily found I've heard you can get them.  When Josh returns from his visit in the States we'll see how we go about doing that.  Most likely we'll celebrate it that weekend instead of Thursday since as I said, Josh and the kids won't be home during the day.  And as of right now it's just the 4 of us which is just fine - if it changes and we end up joining others or they join us, that's fine too.  But for now we will play it by ear, but we will celebrate it in some way.  I'm sure I'll post pics and an entry of whatever it is that we end up doing.

On to Christmas.  Let's start off by saying that while the commercialism here is significantly less than it is back at home, they still have it here.  Workers have been stringing the lights since right around Halloween though it is my understanding that they will not be turned out til around December 1 which at least gives me the peace of mind that it's not tooooo early.  And I have to say I was surprised when I went into El Corte Ingles (our Macys) the other day to find not just one section of toys but that they expand the toy section to another floor where they put their "seasonal" items.  Apparently toys are now seasonal ;) 

But as far as the season itself, it just doesn't feel like the holidays yet.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's because it's not that cold here yet and I'm used to a New England fall/winter still.  There won't be any snow and I know it doesn't always snow on Christmas at home but there is always a chance and most likely sometime before December 25th it has snowed which at least gets you in the holiday mood.  The lights twinkling underneath freshly fallen snow.  There is nothing more festive if you ask me! 

We had debated going to Switzerland for Christmas so we could enjoy some of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe, however, our kids still believe in Santa (which I love!) and I can't imagine hauling their stash of gifts to Switzerland or any other country for that matter so that Santa can deliver them wherever we are.  So we will stay here in Barcelona and then head off to a vacation in the Canary Islands (I know, sad pathetic life right) after Christmas and will ring in the New Year there instead of home with our friends and kids. 

I've purchased a fake tree as a backup as I've heard that you can get real ones down at the big Christmas markets here as well but not having a car and not wanting to necessarily haul it thru the city by foot, I want to be prepared, again we have kids and I have no idea what the supply / demand situation is here and Christmas isn't Christmas without a tree. 

It will be just the 4 of us - strange to me because this is a holiday that like Thanksgiving we are used to sharing with a group and continuing on our traditions of the past.  With all our friends at home - putting together the luminaries, making cookies with all the kids and then having Chinese food on Christmas eve - and after dinner going outside to spread out the reindeer food in the snow for Santa's reindeer to find their way to our houses and then taking a walk to see all the luminaries lit up in the 'hood.  To having my dad come over on Christmas morning to help the kids open their presents at the crack of dawn.  Then heading to the Cape where we have our potato pancakes before opening even more gifts and then later, Christmas dinner and most years, trivia.  And somewhere in between Christmas and New Years, getting together with my family for more of that yummy "holiday" Chinese food and yup, more presents.  But it's not about the presents (ok, maybe for the kids it is) but about spending quality time with each other - we don't get together as groups often enough these days.  Sadly, life gets in the way.  And this time of year for me especially is a chance to take the time to spend quality time with those that I love.  And it's what makes being away from home especially hard this year.

While I'm going to miss our traditions, I will admit, I'm looking forward to making a few new ones this year and I'll be honest it took me a while to come not only to terms with this idea but to also embrace it. Like I mentioned, this isn't forever, it's temporary.  And a chance for us to do something new during a time of year where we usually do the same year in and year out (and don't get me wrong, I LOVE that).  One of the traditions I have to thank Lisa F for while I was home in October.  We're going to make our own ornaments this year for our tree.  We left all our decorations at home in the States since we have no storage here (don't ask me where the fake tree will live once the season is over) and this will be a chance to spend quality family time together which I'm looking forward to.  And even though it's not my family's tradition it actually was a tradition I had in my family growing up and I look forward to putting new life into an old, essentially forgotten tradition.  As far as other new traditions we will be starting, other than one specific one, the rest only time will tell - the Christmas markets open up in early December and I'm hoping to get some ideas.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with one hint to the other one - his name is Caga Tio and a rough translation into English is the pooping log.  Let's just say the boys are super excited about the idea of a Christmas pooping log and we'll leave it at that - you'll have to come back later to learn more about this Catalan Christmas tradition!

 

 

 

To those at home, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving this coming week.  We have a lot to be thankful for this year, not the least in which is our opportunity to live here in Barcelona.  I will miss you all this week but we will be thinking of you!  I look forward to sharing our "new" holiday season with you over the coming weeks!

 

Julie



3rd Time's the Charm, Isn't It??

People always say that things come in threes... good luck, bad luck, doesn't matter.  Well, apparently for me, that is how it goes for robberies.  I wasn't planning on putting this blog entry up but the whole point of keeping this blog is to not only keep my "audience" up to date, but also to keep a record for myself, Josh and the kids about our adventures here in Barcelona.  So bear with this not so happy entry...

Last Thursday, once again, I got robbed.  Now I'm sure when I say robbed a man at gunpoint comes to mind.  NO, so not the case.  We're talking a pickpocket, non violent, non confrontational.  And this is my third time in 10 months that it has happened.  A few months back my wallet was stolen right out of my zippered pocketbook on the metro.  In August the day before we were leaving to come home to the States, my stroller was stolen from the entry of my locked apartment building.  And on Thursday, the victim...my brand new iphone that I'd had for less than 3 weeks.  Yes, that iphone - the one I waiting for over a month for.

So we'll keep this entry short - I was pissed, beyond pissed.  A few not so pleasant words may have escaped my mouth once I realized what had happened.  However, thanks to some great new friends, the day was salvaged and we cancelled my "old" phone so that the robber couldn't use it (still hoping this is the case as I don't totally trust Vodafone on this one) and I went out to the outskirts of the city to then purchase (full price mind you - whereas my "old" one cost me 29 euros with a contract) a new iphone.  However a week later I still can't get my new one to work (my mission yet again today as it has been for the last several days).  So it just adds insult to injury that not only did this guy get my very nice, very expensive phone, but he has now inconvenienced me considerably.

Lesson learned... when you've been robbed twice, you need to realize you CANNOT put anything in your pocket during rush hour on the metro.  How stupid of me, I know.  And I know better which makes this very costly mistake all the more frustrating.  Just goes to show when you think you've become more city saavy, someone kicks you in the ass and tells you that you can never really be city saavy enough.  You can bet this new phone will never ever leave my sight (once I get it to work that is). 

My hope going forward - that I've paid my dues to Barcelona and that most people get robbed here at least once.  I know very few people that have not been pickpocketed here.  Now that it's happened to me three times, I'm hoping we can move forward to much happier things!!!

Julie