No matter what I write here, I can tell you, I'm never going to be happy with where I stand when it comes to my linguistic capabilities in Spanish...not til I'm fluent and I'm a long way off from that. However, that being said, I'm making progress and I have to take that for what it is, improvement.
When I look back to 2 years ago when we first arrived in Barcelona, I had high school level Spanish that I hadn't used in more than 15 years (I don't know how that's possible when I'm only 25 ;)). It was rustic but a base to start with. Before we arrived I had been using Rosetta Stone to try to at least refresh what was somewhere lost in my head. And surprisingly, there was a decent amount still there. Since Liam was home with me full time, I didn't really have tme to take class... ok, let me rephrase that, I didn't take the time and used him as an excuse. I could have hired a sitter during the time he was home, but I just wasn't ready to make the jump yet.
In September 2010, Liam started school and so I was free to start taking classes, however, I didn't. Why? Well, for the most part, I was really just enjoying the freedom that comes with having both kids in school full time for the first time in over 6 years. The idea of going out to lunch with friends, doing work without interruption, shopping... all took precedent over taking Spanish class. My Spanish was improving just by living here and having to function in Spanish on a daily basis, but the learning curve was definitely harder and slower than I anticipated.
But then in January 2011, my friend Jodi asked me to take a class with her. I think this is what I needed to give me a kick in the pants, a Spanish class buddy. I was happily surprised when in Aula 1 (book 1), I knew probably about 90% of the content. It was a confidence booster for sure. However, I still dreaded the idea of going to class and having to focus 100% in Spanish for those 2 hours rather than just here and there throughout the day. My enthusiasm wasn't there even though I was seeing improvements and getting compliments on how far I was coming.
I speak in Spanish everyday...most definitely not thru the entire day, but sporadically. When I go into a store, book an appointment, buy groceries, eat in restaurants, etc - I function just fine on a daily basis. But it's functioning not full out chatting or conversation. Everyday I have an intercambio (a conversation where one person is fluent and one is not) in Spanish with my friend Jose. I see huge changes in our conversations over the last two years and one of the things I love about Jose is that he has no problem teaching me and has the utmost patience with me. I look forward to our daily chats.
Jodi left this summer and I was at a crossroads, do I take a class in the fall or do I go back to my Rosetta Stone and just "functioning"? Thankfully my friend Gina picked up where Jodi left off and in October we started Aula 2. And again, a good chunk of the book I already knew...up til about the last 1/3 of the book where suddenly the 80% of information I knew each day became the 80% of NEW information that I didn't know. Talk about an eye opener. Suddenly the class had become a challenge and required a focus that I hadn't put into it before in order to keep up with everyone. This was a good thing for me, I think. Motivating for sure because I didn't want to fall behind but I'm also super competitive and didn't like the idea that others might do better than me in class.
And again, I started seeing progress. A few weeks ago, I was waiting for Liam to finish an afterschool class. As I was waiting one of the parents from Aidan's class sat down next to me. Now the boys go to an international school where the primary language is English. But that doesn't mean that all the parents speak English fluently and Pablo's mom is an example of that. She, like me, takes classes (but in English obviously) but doesn't speak fluently. So we talked in Spanish. We didn't talk about anything super complex, but we chatted about our plans for Semana Blanca (Feb vacation), the activities our kids were doing after school, even the fact that the kids chew on their sleeves til their t-shirts are destroyed. Like I said, nothing complex, but it was a fluid conversation FOR 45 MINUTES! Seriously, a 45 minute conversation all in Spanish. I have no doubt that I didn't do it perfectly and messed up verbs, tenses, etc, but Pablo's mom got the picture. When it came time to pick up Liam and I walked away, I will admit, I did a little fist pump of victory. It was a turning point for me to know that I can do this, but that I need to set my mind to it.
As we were completing Aula 2, Gina announced that they were leaving Barcelona at the end of this school year. Motivation gone... the idea of going to Spanish class on my own was not something I was interested in and started to consider other options such as refocusing on my job or getting my drivers license here. We've started Aula 3 which is intermediate, a huge leap in my mind, but I figured I'd start it again in the fall...but now I'm rethinking if that's the wisest choice or to continue on as is.
Something happened over the weekend that made me rethink where I'm going with this. Aidan and Liam take tennis lessons every Saturday. When Aidan first started at this court last year a mom approached me that heard me speaking English to him and befriended me. Delphine is the nicest woman and we would chat every Saturday that I would be there (Josh would alternate weekends with me). However, this season, she put her kids in an earlier class which meant that I would have no one to talk to...that's fine, I was there to watch the boys anyways. I had also met another nice parent, Jordi, who's youngest son played with Aidan. I chatted with him a time or two but not much.
Fast forward to this season and Josh would take the boys more often than I would (after all I handle sports, etc during the week, he can take the weekends), but occassionally I would take them. And a few times I was approached by some of the dads who speak English, just to chat about living here and living in the States. I think they just wanted to speak in English and to me, that was a completely different perspective - wanting to voluntarily speak another language rather than having to speak it. Hmmm, interesting...
I didn't think a whole lot of it til this weekend though. I was sitting with Liam who was sick and a dad approached me and in broken, non-fluent English, asked if the seat next to me was taken. It wasn't. But then he continued in his broken English trying to start up a conversation to which I was happy to participate, for him this was an English intercambio, for me, it was the opportunity to bond with another local person and in the end, learn from him. He told me that he takes a course once a week in English but that he also listens to an English teaching radio station daily as he's doing chores in his house, etc. But that's not what fascinated me or what caught my attention. This man (who's name escapes me), who's English was about the same level as my Spanish, had a book in his hand, something I may not have really cared that much about if it weren't for the fact that I couldn't help but notice, the title was in English. So I asked him about it and he said that he was trying to read the book in English as it was another way to try to learn the language. He said, you have to not just want to learn but you have to PUT THE EFFORT IN.
He's not the first person I've heard this from lately but for some reason it really hit home. Maybe it's because I saw him on a level playing field with me - he's at the same English level as I am with Spanish. And he wanted to learn. I'm seeing a lot of that here, the desire to learn a new language. Not because they have to, but they WANT to learn. My mindset is that I have to learn this language. I know I don't have to in the sense that I could get by, but I have to because I feel it's the right thing to do, after all, I live in Spain and therefore should speak the language. But my mindset is wrong, I shouldn't have to learn it, I should want to learn instead. My friend Nasi is the same way as this parent - he's always saying he WANTS to speak in English and watches TV in English and has encouraged me to do the same in Spanish and yet, I've been resistant to this idea of watching TV in Spanish or having a conversation in Spanish unless I need to. Why? I have no idea... especially because in a matter of months, I've seen huge improvements in his English, why wouldn't I want to do the same for my Spanish?
He's so right. Sure, I'm taking a class. I do a daily intercambio. But am I putting all the effort in that I can in order to learn? I hear people who are fluent by 2 years (I know it supposedly takes closer to 7 for most though) and yet, I've just started an intermediate course. I'm behind the 8 ball as far as I'm concerned and now I'm feeling the motivation and ambition to rectify this. It's this realization that we have to go out of our comfort zone in order to learn that really got to me.
And so after I complete the book I'm currently reading, my plan is to pick a book from my reading list and instead of reading it in English, I'm going to read it in Spanish. I have absolutely no doubt it's going to be hard and that it's going to take me significantly longer to read than if I were reading it in English. But my hope is that as I continue to read the book, the language will feel more natural and there won't be a constant need to interpret in my mind into English what is being said. I'm going to commit to watching at least one 1/2 hr tv show a day in Spanish as well, a show that I would normally watch in English so I'm familiar with the plot lines and characters. Or maybe something as simple as watching one of the kids' movies in Spanish since the language in a child's film tends to be much simpler.
Regardless, the moral of this story is that none of this is going to happen thru osmosis. I need to put in genuine effort on various levels, not just taking classes twice a week. My kids have Spanish class daily and have more fluency than I do. I'd hate to move back to the States and not be able to claim that I can have a decent conversation in Spanish after all my time here, it would feel like a waste of time lived in Barcelona. It's another way for me to embrace the culture here (though you will NOT see me studying Catalan, one thing at a time) and to truly feel like I'm living this life to the fullest. Wish me luck!!!
Besos,
Julie
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Semana Blanca 2012
It's here... again... February vacation. Last year Josh was gone for a chunk of it travelling to the US. This year, he's around, however, it means that he's got some travel to do next week. So the kids are all mine ALL DAY LONG and then for an extra 4 days next week. The plus of Josh at least being in town this week is that I can hit the gym at 7 before I start my 12 hour day with the boys.
Regardless, as with last year, we've chosen the month of February to be travel free. Last year we travelled at least every 6 weeks if not more frequently. And while this year we haven't planned such an aggressive itinerary, I still like the idea of taking a month to do not much of anything. However, Aidan, who is always asking us to not go on "another vacation" (this poor kid right???) is suddenly realizing that all his friends go away for Semana Blanca and perhaps he wouldn't be so lonely if we'd gone somewhere else at least.
We kept this week pretty low key overall. The boys had tennis as usual on Saturday which Josh took them to. Then Liam had his friend Logan over for the afternoon. Sunday was a day of absolutely nothing and it was just nice to lay low and not do much of anything - I still like that nothing is open here on Sunday, it really forces you to just chill out. We took Aidan out to skateboard, but it was still chilly here so we didn't stay out long - I will say, he's getting good at it!
On Monday Liam had a playdate up in Sant Cugat while Aidan and I had a Mommy/son day. We went in search of Batman legos that he'd seen at El Corte Ingles a few weeks ago. Of course, they didn't have them on Monday so we ended up having to go down to Diagonal Mar (shopping mall) to hunt them down. We finally found the one and only set at a random toy shop. Then it was off to Hard Rock for my special date with the most handsome guy....
On Tuesday I still had Spanish class so Gina's son Adam watched the boys for a few hours. Both kids really enjoyed having a guy to hang out with and after he left they said they couldn't wait til Thurs when he was coming back again. The afternoon was still mellow since I had to get some work done. These are the days where I feel torn between work and home life - I want to spend more time with these guys but I'm not ready to give up my career yet either.
Regardless, as with last year, we've chosen the month of February to be travel free. Last year we travelled at least every 6 weeks if not more frequently. And while this year we haven't planned such an aggressive itinerary, I still like the idea of taking a month to do not much of anything. However, Aidan, who is always asking us to not go on "another vacation" (this poor kid right???) is suddenly realizing that all his friends go away for Semana Blanca and perhaps he wouldn't be so lonely if we'd gone somewhere else at least.
We kept this week pretty low key overall. The boys had tennis as usual on Saturday which Josh took them to. Then Liam had his friend Logan over for the afternoon. Sunday was a day of absolutely nothing and it was just nice to lay low and not do much of anything - I still like that nothing is open here on Sunday, it really forces you to just chill out. We took Aidan out to skateboard, but it was still chilly here so we didn't stay out long - I will say, he's getting good at it!
On Monday Liam had a playdate up in Sant Cugat while Aidan and I had a Mommy/son day. We went in search of Batman legos that he'd seen at El Corte Ingles a few weeks ago. Of course, they didn't have them on Monday so we ended up having to go down to Diagonal Mar (shopping mall) to hunt them down. We finally found the one and only set at a random toy shop. Then it was off to Hard Rock for my special date with the most handsome guy....
My "date" at Hard Rock on Monday
Wednesday was really our only spontaneous day of the week with nothing specifically planned. I had my training session at 7 and then the kids and I went to the Aquarium. We haven't been in ages so it was a nice treat. We almost didn't make it since Aidan flipped off a school group on our way there. Yes, he did. And he lost all electronics for the rest of the day for it (and in the end, I'm the one who suffered because I heard "I'm so bored, this is the worst day of my life, and if I were in the US, I wouldn't be so bored" over and over and over again). But once we got to the aquarium he brightened up. Aidan gets more and more into it every time we go and has so much more patience than Liam, not surprising there. The best part was the divers that were feeding all the fish and sharks - we just sat and watched them for a good 20 minutes. After the aquarium was lunch at my fave - Creps a Barcelona... yum!! And in typical Aidan fashion, there was no chocolate crepe or something sweet - the kid gets exactly what I got - spinich and goat cheese. Who's kid is this??? Liam on the other hand went right for strawberries with sugar, like he needed a sugar boost!!! By the end of the day on Wednesday though I was ready to call it a week. Since Aidan lost all his electronics (which we apparently rely too much on), he was sooooo bored and it was the worst day ever!!!! At least according to him. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough.
In Barceloneta on the way to the Aquarium
Liam can't wait to see all the fish!!!
He's too cute for words, isn't he?
There's actually a sign that says not to take pictures here, but who am I to pay attention to the rules???
OMG, I can't take any more learning...
Drawing fish in his journal
Fascinating...
Sleepytime...
We spent a good 1/2 hr on the bench just watching the divers feeding the sharks and fish
Look at me!!!
Navigating the sub
Everything should be climbed...
Aidan taking pictures. Liam wants nothing to do with it...
Outside the sub
Thursday brought Spanish class and Adam over again. The kids were psyched to see him and we're finally getting a break from the super cold weather (by super cold I mean it's been in the early 40s which might as well be well below freezing as far as I'm concerned these days... oh and this super cold weather lasted less than 3 weeks. I know... you probably want to punch me right now for complaining about this) and it's starting to feel like spring as it should, after all it's Feb in Barcelona :)
Friday I had another Mommy/son day with Aidan which was nice. We ran some errands including a trip to the American store where he filled up on lots of (unhealthy) goodies from home. After stopping at the gym to make some changes to my membership, we came home for lunch. However, as promised before to him, we also hit Starbucks for a coffee frappuchino. Yes, this kid had his fill of Americana despite being in Spain this week - Hard Rock, the American store and Starbucks. What a week!!! On our way home from Starbucks we ran into a Carnaval parade, two actually, that were from some of the local schools - it was fun to watch on our way back home...
Josh and I had a much needed date night on Friday night at our fave restaurant, Specchio Magico. We were saddened by the news that once again, we have friends leaving. Two of the owners (the only two we really know of the 4 that own it) are moving north towards Bilbao at the end of April. They are not only some of the nicest people we know, but they aren't sure what's going to happen to the restaurant. So chalk that up to a major bummer on Friday night.
While out on date night, we talked about our long term plans here. Josh needs to let work know a year in advance what his plan is for our return to the US. Our contract technically ends in June/July 2013, next summer. But as I've mentioned before, we've been toying with the idea of staying longer. So being at Specchio was the perfect place to chat about what we are doing going forward - after all, it's the place where on our first date night (6 weeks into our time in BCN) that he asked me if we could extend, much to my tears that night. It was the place where we made the decision to extend by a year and a half to the 2013 mark. And so it felt like the right place to have the conversation about our future. However, I'm not going to share that decision with you since nothing is official at this point about what we are doing... you'll just have to wait. Sorry!!!
The weekend was uneventful as well though nice having Josh home to help manage the boys. After tennis lessons on Saturday we hit Hard Rock...again. I am tired of Hard Rock. Again, talk about your super American week this week!! And with a low key Saturday afternoon and evening planned, we just chilled out at home. Sunday was much the same but with a friend over for Aidan (finally).
This morning it was back to work and back to school for us all. Whew, what a relief! But we made it thru yet another school vacation week and everyone seems to be no worse for the wear. Looking forward to going away for our next school vacation in April - to the Amalfi Coast in Italy!!!!
Besos,
Julie
Saturday, February 11, 2012
BFIS Carnaval 2012
Yes, it's that time of year again... Carnaval. It's hard to believe it's our third one here (and I have yet to make it to an actual Carnaval parade beyond the school). Each of the elementary school grades tends to keep the same theme year to year so as I watched the parade on Friday, I couldn't help but think back to when Aidan was just starting out at BFIS, dressed up as Franklin the Turtle with the other kindergarten kids. And next year, that will be Liam. Time flies!
Also a tradition at BFIS for the Carnaval parade is the Batucada, a samba style band that comes down from Girona year after year. It's honestly one of my favorite parts of the parade. As you know, I love those drums!! To be honest, as cute as this parade is, it's not my favorite of the festivals the school puts on. Watching the kids make two laps of the patio is far from exciting or even entertaining. So it's nice that they add in the batucada to spice things up a little bit. For video of the Batucada and the opening ceremony, click here: http://youtu.be/3VD3dQ2sBL4
Liam's class dressed up as lions and they were absolutely adorable as they did their rounds of the patio. Liam was a social butterfly as expected and waved to the crowd and to all of Aidan's class. But then, this kid is meant for the stage as we learned this past summer.
For Liam's click here: http://youtu.be/kwc9-lN9EdA
Aidan's 2nd grade class dressed up as characters from books who go on a journey. Aidan chose to go as Jack from the Magic Tree House book. I was thrilled because I'm not the most creative person and I was a bit daunted by the idea that I might have to (gulp) make a costume. Whew, saved on that one!! However, trying to find a pair of red rimmed glasses was a challenge in and of itself and it took me a good 4 days to find them. But 13 euros later, we are the proud owners of some slightly large reading glasses that did the job.
For Aidan's, click here: http://youtu.be/FR70OdEstHg
The highlight of the parade was the 4th grade. They did a performance instead of just walking around the patio. They danced to LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem. I didn't take any video, though I should have, but if you don't know the song, check it out on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8&ob=av2e. The kids were dancing and even break dancing just like in the video, complete with someone wearing a paper box on their head. It was absolutely awesome!!
The parade ended with one more batucada performance and all in all, I have to say, it was the best Carnaval I've seen the school put on thus far. Aidan is now considering staying thru 4th grade so he can be a part of the dancing group (though I've told him it will be a different song by then since he said he won't be the one doing a split). We shall see!!!
Besos,
Julie
Also a tradition at BFIS for the Carnaval parade is the Batucada, a samba style band that comes down from Girona year after year. It's honestly one of my favorite parts of the parade. As you know, I love those drums!! To be honest, as cute as this parade is, it's not my favorite of the festivals the school puts on. Watching the kids make two laps of the patio is far from exciting or even entertaining. So it's nice that they add in the batucada to spice things up a little bit. For video of the Batucada and the opening ceremony, click here: http://youtu.be/3VD3dQ2sBL4
Liam's class dressed up as lions and they were absolutely adorable as they did their rounds of the patio. Liam was a social butterfly as expected and waved to the crowd and to all of Aidan's class. But then, this kid is meant for the stage as we learned this past summer.
For Liam's click here: http://youtu.be/kwc9-lN9EdA
Liam is in the back on the right in the orange jacket
Liam's class getting ready to make their rounds
Aidan's 2nd grade class dressed up as characters from books who go on a journey. Aidan chose to go as Jack from the Magic Tree House book. I was thrilled because I'm not the most creative person and I was a bit daunted by the idea that I might have to (gulp) make a costume. Whew, saved on that one!! However, trying to find a pair of red rimmed glasses was a challenge in and of itself and it took me a good 4 days to find them. But 13 euros later, we are the proud owners of some slightly large reading glasses that did the job.
Aidan in his "costume" - Jack from the Magic Treehouse books
Some of the boys from 2nd grade
2nd grade boys
For Aidan's, click here: http://youtu.be/FR70OdEstHg
Aidan waving to me...
Aidan's class getting ready to make their rounds
The highlight of the parade was the 4th grade. They did a performance instead of just walking around the patio. They danced to LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem. I didn't take any video, though I should have, but if you don't know the song, check it out on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8&ob=av2e. The kids were dancing and even break dancing just like in the video, complete with someone wearing a paper box on their head. It was absolutely awesome!!
Some 4th grade breakdancing
Dancing to LMFAO
The parade ended with one more batucada performance and all in all, I have to say, it was the best Carnaval I've seen the school put on thus far. Aidan is now considering staying thru 4th grade so he can be a part of the dancing group (though I've told him it will be a different song by then since he said he won't be the one doing a split). We shall see!!!
More of the batucada
And one last shot...
Besos,
Julie
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Another Visit from Ratoncito Perez
I always find it interesting when I reflect back on the things that the kids have experienced here more than they have in the US. For instance, Aidan has actually been in the school system here longer than he was at home. And Liam is close to the point where he will have lived here longer than he has lived in the US. Another, more minor item, I guess you could say, is that all of the baby teeth Aidan has lost so far has happened here in Barcelona (I had to confirm this with him as I thought at least one happened at home, but I guess not).
As we've learned from our time here in Barcelona, some traditions are similar to those we have at home... with a little twist. Take the Tooth Fairy. I imagine her looking similar to Tinkerbell and she very stealthily (is that even a word?) grabs the tooth from under your pillow replacing it with some money, in Aidan's case 2€. She's cute and harmless as far as the kids are concerned.
However, there is a slight twist here in Barcelona which I suppose is to be expected, Tooth Fairy's cousin, Ratoncito Perez. Since the late 1800s, the children are not visited by the Tooth Fairy, but by Ratoncito Perez, a friendly little mouse who, like the tooth fairy, plucks the fallen tooth out from under the pillow. However, unlike the Tooth Fairy, Ratoncito Perez is supposed to leave a small present.
Not long after the tale of Ratoncito Perez began to make its way into Spanish culture, writer Luis Coloma used the character of Ratoncito Perez and wrote a story for future King Alfonso XIII when he lost a tooth at age 8. The tale states that Ratoncito Perez lived in with his family in a box of cookies in Madrid. Apparently he was not fond of home and ran away quite often thru the pipes in the city where he would end up in the bedrooms of children who had just lost their teeth. And behold, a tradition is born.
Aidan's not so hot on a mouse anywhere near his bed, so we've assured him that the Tooth Fairy is aware that he lives in Spain and she makes a special visit to him here whenever he loses a tooth. However, I thought it was a cute, different, tradition that I would share with all of you since once again, we'll be leaving a note and a tooth out for the Tooth Fairy tonight!
Besos,
Julie
As we've learned from our time here in Barcelona, some traditions are similar to those we have at home... with a little twist. Take the Tooth Fairy. I imagine her looking similar to Tinkerbell and she very stealthily (is that even a word?) grabs the tooth from under your pillow replacing it with some money, in Aidan's case 2€. She's cute and harmless as far as the kids are concerned.
However, there is a slight twist here in Barcelona which I suppose is to be expected, Tooth Fairy's cousin, Ratoncito Perez. Since the late 1800s, the children are not visited by the Tooth Fairy, but by Ratoncito Perez, a friendly little mouse who, like the tooth fairy, plucks the fallen tooth out from under the pillow. However, unlike the Tooth Fairy, Ratoncito Perez is supposed to leave a small present.
Picture courtesy of Wikipedia
Not long after the tale of Ratoncito Perez began to make its way into Spanish culture, writer Luis Coloma used the character of Ratoncito Perez and wrote a story for future King Alfonso XIII when he lost a tooth at age 8. The tale states that Ratoncito Perez lived in with his family in a box of cookies in Madrid. Apparently he was not fond of home and ran away quite often thru the pipes in the city where he would end up in the bedrooms of children who had just lost their teeth. And behold, a tradition is born.
Aidan's not so hot on a mouse anywhere near his bed, so we've assured him that the Tooth Fairy is aware that he lives in Spain and she makes a special visit to him here whenever he loses a tooth. However, I thought it was a cute, different, tradition that I would share with all of you since once again, we'll be leaving a note and a tooth out for the Tooth Fairy tonight!
Besos,
Julie
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Connections
I've come to recognize over the last two years that ex-pat life like a revolving door. People are constantly rotating in and out of my life and sometimes with such a frenzy that you get dizzy. That's how I feel this week. When I look to the future and how much time I plan to spend in Barcelona, I look back on the relationships and connections I have made here in the last 2 years.
Two years ago I moved here with absolute apprehension about how I would go about building relationships and honestly, did I even want any? That's not meant to sound egotistical like I had too many friends and why would I want more, but over the course of a lifetime, we all have our core group of friends. Those are the people who have made it thru over the years, through the good, the bad and the ugly. So why would I want to start from scratch again when those I had at home were really all that I needed... right? I didn't want to invest my time or my heart into new relationships because in the end, I knew we were all moving on, so why cause myself undue heartache?
How wrong could I be? In that time, I've realized that I not only need friends here but I want them. And as I tell Aidan, it's ok to have friends on both sides of the pond, in fact, it's healthy. And so the guilt that I've had about expanding beyond my US friends has also dissipated. I need connections here as well as home - they are the key to my survival both here and at home, as well as often, my sanity.
Making connections is beyond important but my new challenge is how to handle the loss of these new friends as they move on to new destinations. I know that eventually, someday, this person moving on will be me and someone else will be going thru this, but for the time being I'm going with the woe is me philosophy and contemplating how all of these people leaving has affected my life, not theirs. Selfish sure, but hey, it's my blog...
In last two years I've been really lucky, very few of what I would call close (as in, I'd like to stay in touch beyond our time in Barcelona) friends have left, but now I feel like the floodgates have opened and suddenly I'm at a loss as to how to go on from here. And questioning do I even want to stay longer than we anticipated if I can't do it without them?
My two closest friends in Barcelona are leaving this year - one that I knew and one that is unexpected. I'm thrilled for them both, truly I am. They are about to embark on the new adventure of repatriotizing back to the US which I have no doubt, will challenge them in all new ways, ways that I don't really envy and in all honesty, scare the shit out of me. It's one of the reasons that I contemplate staying longer than our next year and a half. Funny how far I've come right?
And while I don't know how I will survive without these two in my daily life, they will still be in my life because that's just how it works with true friends which is what they've become over time. We've shared some amazing experiences living abroad and we've seen each other at our best and most definitely at our worst. So how do I "replace" them? I don't think I can and that's what now scares me. I have other wonderful friends here as well, don't get me wrong, but to have two of my closest leaving with in a 6 month period is just devastating when your closest circle of friends consists of about 7 people.
I can absolutely build more relationships but these happened so organically and that was the best part of them - they just happened and they worked and not only did they work, but worked beautifully. And to replace them doesn't feel right.
However, without realizing it, in a way I've begun to do just that. Not replace them, but add on to the core group that I've started here for myself. New people that have just moved or are in the process of
moving here, local friends (finally!) who I hope are not going anywhere, and trying to develop my other connections to a new level of friendship that maybe I wasn't as motivated to develop before but now have more reason to do so.
So the moral of the story? I'm not 100% sure there is one. But I can tell you this. Two years ago I was wrong - making connections when you live abroad is absolutely essential. But be prepared to have your heart broken over and over again. Be ready to cry at countless goodbye parties. Know that there will be a lot of "this is the last time we'll do xyz" before you leave moments. But also know that you are in a unique situation that the majority of people will never experience and that you get to share in this experience with these very special people. And that these people have made an impact on your life as you know it and will remain in your hearts no matter what the future holds for all of us. Know that around the corner, there is hope and there is another person in the same situation looking for new connections and friendships. That part of life is learning to be flexible. These friends who are going - if I hadn't had this experience here, I would never have met them, and so for that I'm thankful, sad but thankful. And so I try to look upon this as an opportunity to expand my horizons beyond my front yard (though I have no front yard here, but you get the point) and realize that it's not really good bye, but see you soon.
Besos,
Julie
Two years ago I moved here with absolute apprehension about how I would go about building relationships and honestly, did I even want any? That's not meant to sound egotistical like I had too many friends and why would I want more, but over the course of a lifetime, we all have our core group of friends. Those are the people who have made it thru over the years, through the good, the bad and the ugly. So why would I want to start from scratch again when those I had at home were really all that I needed... right? I didn't want to invest my time or my heart into new relationships because in the end, I knew we were all moving on, so why cause myself undue heartache?
How wrong could I be? In that time, I've realized that I not only need friends here but I want them. And as I tell Aidan, it's ok to have friends on both sides of the pond, in fact, it's healthy. And so the guilt that I've had about expanding beyond my US friends has also dissipated. I need connections here as well as home - they are the key to my survival both here and at home, as well as often, my sanity.
Making connections is beyond important but my new challenge is how to handle the loss of these new friends as they move on to new destinations. I know that eventually, someday, this person moving on will be me and someone else will be going thru this, but for the time being I'm going with the woe is me philosophy and contemplating how all of these people leaving has affected my life, not theirs. Selfish sure, but hey, it's my blog...
In last two years I've been really lucky, very few of what I would call close (as in, I'd like to stay in touch beyond our time in Barcelona) friends have left, but now I feel like the floodgates have opened and suddenly I'm at a loss as to how to go on from here. And questioning do I even want to stay longer than we anticipated if I can't do it without them?
My two closest friends in Barcelona are leaving this year - one that I knew and one that is unexpected. I'm thrilled for them both, truly I am. They are about to embark on the new adventure of repatriotizing back to the US which I have no doubt, will challenge them in all new ways, ways that I don't really envy and in all honesty, scare the shit out of me. It's one of the reasons that I contemplate staying longer than our next year and a half. Funny how far I've come right?
And while I don't know how I will survive without these two in my daily life, they will still be in my life because that's just how it works with true friends which is what they've become over time. We've shared some amazing experiences living abroad and we've seen each other at our best and most definitely at our worst. So how do I "replace" them? I don't think I can and that's what now scares me. I have other wonderful friends here as well, don't get me wrong, but to have two of my closest leaving with in a 6 month period is just devastating when your closest circle of friends consists of about 7 people.
I can absolutely build more relationships but these happened so organically and that was the best part of them - they just happened and they worked and not only did they work, but worked beautifully. And to replace them doesn't feel right.
However, without realizing it, in a way I've begun to do just that. Not replace them, but add on to the core group that I've started here for myself. New people that have just moved or are in the process of
moving here, local friends (finally!) who I hope are not going anywhere, and trying to develop my other connections to a new level of friendship that maybe I wasn't as motivated to develop before but now have more reason to do so.
So the moral of the story? I'm not 100% sure there is one. But I can tell you this. Two years ago I was wrong - making connections when you live abroad is absolutely essential. But be prepared to have your heart broken over and over again. Be ready to cry at countless goodbye parties. Know that there will be a lot of "this is the last time we'll do xyz" before you leave moments. But also know that you are in a unique situation that the majority of people will never experience and that you get to share in this experience with these very special people. And that these people have made an impact on your life as you know it and will remain in your hearts no matter what the future holds for all of us. Know that around the corner, there is hope and there is another person in the same situation looking for new connections and friendships. That part of life is learning to be flexible. These friends who are going - if I hadn't had this experience here, I would never have met them, and so for that I'm thankful, sad but thankful. And so I try to look upon this as an opportunity to expand my horizons beyond my front yard (though I have no front yard here, but you get the point) and realize that it's not really good bye, but see you soon.
Besos,
Julie
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Let it Snow!
Normally the words snow and Barcelona don't mix. Or at least I don't like it when they do. But at the same time, it's a "pleasant" reminder of home and I guess the weather can't be 60 and sunny all winter long right? I think that might be asking a little too much of Mother Nature.
And it has been a super mild winter, especially in comparison to the year we moved here. When we arrived in January 2010, it was rainy and raw with temps usually in the lower 40s. Yes, significantly better than winter in Boston, but not by a whole lot. The only thing really missing was the snow. And we got that in March 2010 to the tune of 2" and a complete and total shutdown of the ENTIRE city. It was a mess and if you were a reader back then you'll remember my 5 hour trek home from the kids school. As a refresher, here is the entry: http://www.megustatuzapatos.blogspot.com/2010/03/barcelona-blizzard-of-2010.html.
Anyways, we've been really lucky the last 2 winters - I think Aidan wore his winter coat twice in 2011 it was just that mild. And Liam only wore his because his teacher kept trying to tell me that he was cold. No way, this kid has hearty New England blood going thru his veins! Temps in the 50s in the winter is like a spring or fall day in New England. This winter has been even nicer. With the exception of a month of rain between October and November, the temps have been around 60 most days, dipping down perhaps to the early 50s occassionally. I still find it amusing when I see people bundled up in the winter gear to brave the outdoors here! And I will admit to when the temps fell to around 50 last week that I was tempted (but didn't) to get my gloves out. Maybe my blood has thinned just a tiny bit....
This week has been mighty chilly by Barcelona standards and as many of you have probably seen on my Facebook, I feel like we've had a bit of a role reversal with Boston. With temps in the 50s at home, we've been hovering around the 40 degree mark with a bit of rain thrown in. And the ultimate insult was the possibility of snow today. Ugh!
While at the gym this morning Ignaci said it was snowing out and all I could think was "fuck not again". And so today, sadly, I'm better prepared than I was 2 years ago. Better prepared as if it were a blizzard at home and not a flurry here. Seriously, I don't think I've ever spent so much time prepping to get the kids from school at home when it would snow. Snow is second nature to us New Englanders. Not so in Barcelona where it is a once in 25 year phenomenon. But wait, it's only been 2 years!!!!!!! It wasn't supposed to snow again in the time I live here.
Regardless, the kids went to school this morning for the second time this year (the first being yesterday) in their winter jackets, much to their chagrin. And I packed a hat and gloves in their bags in preparation for what I expected to be an early release today and not wanting to go thru what we went thru 2 years ago, I've learned from experience. No joke, I also have their winter boots ready to go. But no accumulation you say, so why the boots?? Because the last time it started as a rain/snow mix and then became what felt like a full blown blizzard (that only lasted til there was 2" of snow on the ground, but it was intense snow for those 2 hours). Our feet were frozen as were our hands and we spent 5 hours trying to get home. So I'm older and wiser...boots are packed.
At 10:40 AM an email went out to parents letting them know that due to inclement weather (it's no longer raining or flurries here but then I'm at a lower elevation than the school) it is up to the parents if they want to collect their children early and that the school will continue to keep everyone up to date. Seriously? There is nothing on the ground! I continue to check with my friends up "north" by the school to see what's going on there since I know there can be significant enough differences in the weather between the two locations. I don't think that we would get an email like that at home unless it were a blizzard. Never has school gotten out early because of the threat of impending snow. And so I sit here and wait...and skip Spanish class (a major burden for me, I know) in order to be ready to go at a moment's notice. And I write to you... and I laugh because this feels like a joke that I'm preparing for what is really a non-existent snow storm.
What it really comes down to is just that, preparation. And as a friend of mine just mentioned, it's all about prevention and preparation. At home, there would have been sanders and salters out all morning to ensure the roads don't freeze up. I don't even think those kind of trucks exist here. But regardless at 11:30 came the call from Aidan's teacher asking me to help call the parents because the school was closing at 2PM with buses leaving at 1:30PM. I looked outside...nothing.
As I headed to pick up the kids, I couldn't help but laugh at the insanity of life in a place where snow is just not the norm and the reaction to it. The reaction is one of panic, pure and simple.
And it has been a super mild winter, especially in comparison to the year we moved here. When we arrived in January 2010, it was rainy and raw with temps usually in the lower 40s. Yes, significantly better than winter in Boston, but not by a whole lot. The only thing really missing was the snow. And we got that in March 2010 to the tune of 2" and a complete and total shutdown of the ENTIRE city. It was a mess and if you were a reader back then you'll remember my 5 hour trek home from the kids school. As a refresher, here is the entry: http://www.megustatuzapatos.blogspot.com/2010/03/barcelona-blizzard-of-2010.html.
Anyways, we've been really lucky the last 2 winters - I think Aidan wore his winter coat twice in 2011 it was just that mild. And Liam only wore his because his teacher kept trying to tell me that he was cold. No way, this kid has hearty New England blood going thru his veins! Temps in the 50s in the winter is like a spring or fall day in New England. This winter has been even nicer. With the exception of a month of rain between October and November, the temps have been around 60 most days, dipping down perhaps to the early 50s occassionally. I still find it amusing when I see people bundled up in the winter gear to brave the outdoors here! And I will admit to when the temps fell to around 50 last week that I was tempted (but didn't) to get my gloves out. Maybe my blood has thinned just a tiny bit....
This week has been mighty chilly by Barcelona standards and as many of you have probably seen on my Facebook, I feel like we've had a bit of a role reversal with Boston. With temps in the 50s at home, we've been hovering around the 40 degree mark with a bit of rain thrown in. And the ultimate insult was the possibility of snow today. Ugh!
While at the gym this morning Ignaci said it was snowing out and all I could think was "fuck not again". And so today, sadly, I'm better prepared than I was 2 years ago. Better prepared as if it were a blizzard at home and not a flurry here. Seriously, I don't think I've ever spent so much time prepping to get the kids from school at home when it would snow. Snow is second nature to us New Englanders. Not so in Barcelona where it is a once in 25 year phenomenon. But wait, it's only been 2 years!!!!!!! It wasn't supposed to snow again in the time I live here.
Regardless, the kids went to school this morning for the second time this year (the first being yesterday) in their winter jackets, much to their chagrin. And I packed a hat and gloves in their bags in preparation for what I expected to be an early release today and not wanting to go thru what we went thru 2 years ago, I've learned from experience. No joke, I also have their winter boots ready to go. But no accumulation you say, so why the boots?? Because the last time it started as a rain/snow mix and then became what felt like a full blown blizzard (that only lasted til there was 2" of snow on the ground, but it was intense snow for those 2 hours). Our feet were frozen as were our hands and we spent 5 hours trying to get home. So I'm older and wiser...boots are packed.
At 10:40 AM an email went out to parents letting them know that due to inclement weather (it's no longer raining or flurries here but then I'm at a lower elevation than the school) it is up to the parents if they want to collect their children early and that the school will continue to keep everyone up to date. Seriously? There is nothing on the ground! I continue to check with my friends up "north" by the school to see what's going on there since I know there can be significant enough differences in the weather between the two locations. I don't think that we would get an email like that at home unless it were a blizzard. Never has school gotten out early because of the threat of impending snow. And so I sit here and wait...and skip Spanish class (a major burden for me, I know) in order to be ready to go at a moment's notice. And I write to you... and I laugh because this feels like a joke that I'm preparing for what is really a non-existent snow storm.
What it really comes down to is just that, preparation. And as a friend of mine just mentioned, it's all about prevention and preparation. At home, there would have been sanders and salters out all morning to ensure the roads don't freeze up. I don't even think those kind of trucks exist here. But regardless at 11:30 came the call from Aidan's teacher asking me to help call the parents because the school was closing at 2PM with buses leaving at 1:30PM. I looked outside...nothing.
As I headed to pick up the kids, I couldn't help but laugh at the insanity of life in a place where snow is just not the norm and the reaction to it. The reaction is one of panic, pure and simple.
As I walk thru Gracia I don't see a single snowflake and in fact, the streets are starting to dry.
During my walk, a second email came thru on my phone, this one with even more sense of urgency. I'll copy it here for your enjoyment:
Dear Parents, Faculty and Staff,
The Ajuntamiento of Barcelona is strongly recommending that all schools in northern Barcelona (la zona alta) send their students home early today, as they expect heavy snowfall to begin by 4pm this afternoon. Classes at BFIS will therefore end at 2pm today. Please feel free to pick up your child(ren), at your convenience, between now and 2pm, making sure you sign them out with either Caroline Rockett, ES assistant, or Martha Correa, MS/HS assistant if you arrive prior to 2pm. All children remaining at school after 2pm will wait for their parents in the MS/HS Library Commons.
The Ajuntamiento of Barcelona is strongly recommending that all schools in northern Barcelona (la zona alta) send their students home early today, as they expect heavy snowfall to begin by 4pm this afternoon. Classes at BFIS will therefore end at 2pm today. Please feel free to pick up your child(ren), at your convenience, between now and 2pm, making sure you sign them out with either Caroline Rockett, ES assistant, or Martha Correa, MS/HS assistant if you arrive prior to 2pm. All children remaining at school after 2pm will wait for their parents in the MS/HS Library Commons.
It's really hard for me not to laugh about this (mainly because it took me a 10 minute cab ride to get back home and not a 5 hour ordeal). My hope is that in 2 hours, at 4PM (as noted above when the snow will start again), a massive blizzard hits the city because otherwise tomorrow, everyone is going to be feeling pretty silly.
The boys school from a distance..notice no snow up here on the "mountain" either.
And please note the DRY sidewalks...don't see any snow!
It's now 2PM and the kids are home safe should any of you at home be concerned ;) So should we suddenly get hit with a blizzard I will gladly recant my statements above but until then, all I have to say is... Ahhhh Barcelona!!!!
Besos,
Julie
Fiesta Traditions - Els Foguerons
I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for a good fiesta... any fiesta really. And here in Barcelona we have a lot of them. And with a mentality of "go big, or go home" where nothing is done half way, you can always expect to have a good time. In my neighborhood of Gracia, it feels like there is a celebration going on just about every weekend. Ok, it's probably not every weekend, but at least once a month there is something happening.
This past weekend it was the Els Foguerons de Sant Antoni de Sa Pobla, a festival in Gracia that has from what I understand, both Mallorcan and Catalan traditions. I had plans with friends to go to dinner so it was the perfect opportunity to check out this festival since it's one that in the last two years I haven't attended (Josh went our first year but neither of us made it last year). With gigantes, music, dragons and diablos holding their pitchforks of fire just like in correfoc, you know it's going to be fun and something we absolutely wouldn't see in the States.
I expected we wouldn't see much of anything until after dinner so I was rather surprised to see the parade going by us, on their way to light the bonfires, as we walked towards the restaurant. We didn't have a time to watch everything, but we did get to check it out for about 15 minutes. We were just in time to see much of the parade go by which included the gigantes, some of which were familiar from the La Merce festival in September but others that were new to me. Surprisingly one of my local friends had never seen them - just goes to show when you live somewhere your whole life, often many traditions are over looked - I know I do that at home too... of course none of the traditions at home include fire and guns so maybe they just aren't as exciting at home...
Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures as I'm sure my local friends would have been fairly mortified if I whipped out my camera ;) I'll have to go again next year (twist my arm). So I'll just have to entertain you with my descriptions. The gigantes are literally giants, I'm going to go with about 15-20 feet tall with a person hidden underneath that holds them up and walks them along the parade route - I'm sure quite the balancing act. For pictures you'd have to go back to my La Merce pics in September of 2010 as I didn't see them in 2011. After the gigantes passed us by it was time for some guys with guns, yes guns..shooting what I would hope are blanks into the air. I've no doubt they have traditional names but I don't know what they are - any one who knows can feel free to inform me for future gun related entries. They would stop every so many feet, bend at the knee and then take a shot in the air. Within minutes between the guns and the devils with their pitchforks the air was filled with smoke.
As we watched the guys with the guns go by, we saw further down the road that the devils were prepping their pitchforks of fire. Seriously, does it get any better than devils running towards you with fire? I've no doubt at home you are shaking your head thinking I have gone crazy. But I think it's the fact that we would never do something like this at home that makes it all the more enjoyable to me here. Now when we go to Correfoc during La Merce and the devils are out with their pitchforks terrorizing the crowds, we are on a wide, 4 lane street. This particular festival was on a street the equivilant size to an alley, not a whole lot of room to escape from the sparks that flew from their pitchforks. Up close and personal...
We watched for a little longer while the musical portion of the parade went by - percussion in various forms. Drummers and Ball de Bastons. I have no idea what the drummers are called either, but the beat is definitely catchy and you can't help but shake your grove thing a little bit as they walk by. Ball de Bastons do a stick dance where they stand in 2 rows facing each other and clash their sticks together in rhythm. I love watching this and if it were me, I'd be the one messing up everyone's rhythm on a regular basis because this is something that definitely requires some timing and coordination of which I tend to have neither.
After the parade it's my understanding that several bonfires are lit, meals are cooked as a community on both the fires and on grills. However, we never made it to that part and by the time we headed back home at 3AM, I would imagine even the bonfires would have been out. But regardless, it's one more reminder of why Barcelona continues to enchant me on a daily (if not at least on a weekly festival) basis.
Besos,
Julie
This past weekend it was the Els Foguerons de Sant Antoni de Sa Pobla, a festival in Gracia that has from what I understand, both Mallorcan and Catalan traditions. I had plans with friends to go to dinner so it was the perfect opportunity to check out this festival since it's one that in the last two years I haven't attended (Josh went our first year but neither of us made it last year). With gigantes, music, dragons and diablos holding their pitchforks of fire just like in correfoc, you know it's going to be fun and something we absolutely wouldn't see in the States.
I expected we wouldn't see much of anything until after dinner so I was rather surprised to see the parade going by us, on their way to light the bonfires, as we walked towards the restaurant. We didn't have a time to watch everything, but we did get to check it out for about 15 minutes. We were just in time to see much of the parade go by which included the gigantes, some of which were familiar from the La Merce festival in September but others that were new to me. Surprisingly one of my local friends had never seen them - just goes to show when you live somewhere your whole life, often many traditions are over looked - I know I do that at home too... of course none of the traditions at home include fire and guns so maybe they just aren't as exciting at home...
Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures as I'm sure my local friends would have been fairly mortified if I whipped out my camera ;) I'll have to go again next year (twist my arm). So I'll just have to entertain you with my descriptions. The gigantes are literally giants, I'm going to go with about 15-20 feet tall with a person hidden underneath that holds them up and walks them along the parade route - I'm sure quite the balancing act. For pictures you'd have to go back to my La Merce pics in September of 2010 as I didn't see them in 2011. After the gigantes passed us by it was time for some guys with guns, yes guns..shooting what I would hope are blanks into the air. I've no doubt they have traditional names but I don't know what they are - any one who knows can feel free to inform me for future gun related entries. They would stop every so many feet, bend at the knee and then take a shot in the air. Within minutes between the guns and the devils with their pitchforks the air was filled with smoke.
As we watched the guys with the guns go by, we saw further down the road that the devils were prepping their pitchforks of fire. Seriously, does it get any better than devils running towards you with fire? I've no doubt at home you are shaking your head thinking I have gone crazy. But I think it's the fact that we would never do something like this at home that makes it all the more enjoyable to me here. Now when we go to Correfoc during La Merce and the devils are out with their pitchforks terrorizing the crowds, we are on a wide, 4 lane street. This particular festival was on a street the equivilant size to an alley, not a whole lot of room to escape from the sparks that flew from their pitchforks. Up close and personal...
We watched for a little longer while the musical portion of the parade went by - percussion in various forms. Drummers and Ball de Bastons. I have no idea what the drummers are called either, but the beat is definitely catchy and you can't help but shake your grove thing a little bit as they walk by. Ball de Bastons do a stick dance where they stand in 2 rows facing each other and clash their sticks together in rhythm. I love watching this and if it were me, I'd be the one messing up everyone's rhythm on a regular basis because this is something that definitely requires some timing and coordination of which I tend to have neither.
After the parade it's my understanding that several bonfires are lit, meals are cooked as a community on both the fires and on grills. However, we never made it to that part and by the time we headed back home at 3AM, I would imagine even the bonfires would have been out. But regardless, it's one more reminder of why Barcelona continues to enchant me on a daily (if not at least on a weekly festival) basis.
Besos,
Julie
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