This Is Why I Can't Be Allowed at Historical Sites...

I have always had a problem; I'm sure things like this don't just show up out of nowhere. You don't just turn 23 and all-of-a-sudden you have urges this strong. Sure, I may be wrong, I never studied science at Carleton and based on my history with relationships I can't have much knowledge of psychology, but I think I have had this problem forever.


Let me give you some backstory... when I was 5 I stole something from a store that I have never told anyone about and didn't sleep for the months that followed. I was devastated and thought the worst would happen to me. I couldn't look at the trash can where I threw the product away, so I moved it to the kitchen trash and couldn't go in the kitchen. Eventually I moved on, but realized kleptomaniacy was probably not in my cards. 


Fast-forward to the end of 2011, Venice, Italy, accompanied by my Italian sister and real sister in the rooms of the former politicians of Venezia. We come upon a room whose centerpiece is meant to be the great work of art on the wall. I don't think I noticed it. Instead I was drawn to a dark, wooden bench along one side, a bench obviously far too heavy to get out of the building with ample machinery... but I was determined...
Me: Genny, you think we could get this outta here?
Genny: ....
Me: Would you help me?
Genny: Are you talking about that bench? I don't think you would get very far...
Me: Why? We could take these guards they put around here. Plus, they would never expect it or know to be watching for that.
Genny: Someone stealing a bench? I think they would see that.


Fast-forward to my solo-trip and my stop in Burgos two weeks ago. I stop in at the cathedral and find myself missing all things unique to the chapel because I am taking the following pictures:

How can you not fall in love with these things? I know it's a problem, but I figure someday I will marry well enough that we can afford antiques that have formerly been housed in famous palaces and cathedrals. 

I don't remember the cathedral, so don't ask any questions, but I will post something about the general solo-trip soon, now that the photos are uploaded. 

Los cambios de mente

I have had a lot of thought changes as to "the next step" and "my time in Spain" lately and wanted to give everyone the most complete update of what's been going on.


I have struggled with the situation at my school. I can't precisely pin it to one person or event, but this spring has brought the English department demanding more of me, talking about me behind my back in department meetings (on Fridays, when I don't work), and basically just seeming to not like the way I view the position or the work I put in. The problem is, there is no definition of the job and we never had a conversation about what the expectations were from the beginning. They also have never used things I prepared before and when I ask if I can improve things they tell me I am doing great and just to "prepare a bit more" without telling me WHAT to prepare and if I am doing a good job or not... It's been frustrating to say the least.


I love Spain. A lot. I want nothing more than to continue to integrate myself into the lifestyle, improve my Spanish, and keep making new Spanish friends. I have just recently been invited to two BBQs with the economics teacher from my school and her friends and have made some new pals there, but I want more of that and don't want to lose those friendships already.


I also know that if I want to do what I am 95% positive I want to do with my life, I have to go back to the states. Unfortunately work visas are difficult for any country and since it doesn't look like my chances of marrying someone over here are very good, I will have to go home to pursue it. I am excited about that next phase, but I also know that once I take that step, this one is over.


I will keep you updated. As of right now I just know that I have an auxiliar job until the end of the school year in June and then I want to do some traveling this summer in case I decide not to be here in the fall. I have accepted my job for 2012-2013, but they will replace me as necessary should it come to that. I will travel a bit, make sure I am plopped in front of a TV from July 27-August 12 (Olympics), and be home to celebrate the love of Amanda and Eric at the beginning of September. After that, who knows! We may vacation in Europe (Maggie is studying in Spain next year) and I may be back in the job, riding out a bit more time before I commit to Real Life, or maybe not. It won't be an easy decision, but I'll hopefully have more answers soon.

Findes fuera de la ciudad

As my job has become more taxing and given me a harder time, I have made sure to take the time on the weekends to get out of the city a bit. Not huge trips, but at least to take advantage of the fact that I don't work Fridays (I know, hate me all you want!). Here are the two I've tackled since making this decision to travel whenever possible...


Aranjuez - 
The site of the spring palace of the Catholic kings, I went here on the train one Friday, my first alone trip of any type. I saw the palace and its grounds, the Plaza de Toros from the outside, and wandered the streets. GREAT little town, I wish I worked there! I'd still be close enough to Madrid to see all my friends, but wouldn't have to deal with the city and the ugliness that is starting to make itself clearer to me...

Walking into Aranjuez from the train station

Beautiful Palace!

Looking back at the palace across the gardens 

The bullfighting stadium - closed when I was there, but I liked the old look.

Cute streets!

Talked to the ducks in this river for a bit... then realized when you're traveling alone that makes you look crazy...

Chinchón - 
The home of anise liquor and apparently really good suckling pig? I headed there with Juliet, one of the lovely neighbors upstairs (from Connecticut) and we wandered the city, known for it's amazing main square, and I decided I could pretty much live there happily. We also caught a menú del día lunch special in which I had the heaviest bean dish ever, salmon (I know, I love to eat fish in landlocked small towns), and flan. Great day out and about, despite her incredible bout of bus sickness.

Kinda too bad the main square also happens to double as a parking lot, but if we were in China it would be a lot worse... Demolished historical site re-created.

Semana Santa

It has been such a very long time and I have so many things to update y'all on, so I will try to keep each post to the most important...


Semana Santa (Holy Week) we spent in Gran Canaria. Not my favorite place in the world, as many of you could guess if you knew how many northern European tourists were gracing the beaches with their presence. Very touristy in type of people, type of accommodation, and prices, all things I don't love, but we did have some nice sun time (in between the spurts of rain and cold), a day on a boat, and a trip in a rented car to the interior, northern towns (much nicer in my opinion than where we were staying in Playa del Inglés). Here are some key pictures, taken by Rachel, my Canadian, because my camera was stolen on the beach mid-week:

Our apartment

One of the views from the boat of a neighboring town

A shot of the dunes

Interior, mountain area, VERRRY COLD.

In the northern mountain town of Teror

Our strange boat

The beach and dunes near our apartment

Typical Canarian house in Teror

Street in the capital city of Las Palmas

A typical Canarian food - papas arrugadas with mojo picante - little potatoes with the skin on and a spicy sauce.

The sky pretty much looked like this the whole week, but this was the beach right in front of our apartment.

The pool in our apartment!

At a traditional bar in Las Palmas

Just a boat full of northern Europeans, a few Canadians, and Kelsey...