This past month has held nothing than leisurely trips to the beach and spending time with friends.
A few weeks ago I had a nice visit from an old friend. Jon and I went to school together through the years and he messaged me saying that he was stationed in Rota, Spain. What a small world! He and his girlfriend, Ruth, came to visit for the day. Jen and I took them out for lunch and coffee then headed to Palos to see where Christopher Columbus left when he discovered America.
Palos is a small town on the coast that harbored the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. There are now replicas that you can walk on and investigate. They were so small!! I expected grand ships but we learned that the Niña only held 30 sailors. We watched a video that described the journey (the translation was oh so bad...)
It was great to see an old friend and familiar face so far from home. I loved meeting his girlfriend Ruth, she cracked me up. I wish him luck as he makes his first tour to Afghanistan this month.
In the past month the girls, Ale, and I have frequented Punta Umbria and Mazagon. I have gotten a lot of sun and no tourists are out yet so we basically have the beach to ourselves!
For St. Paddy's Day Jen and I spent the day in Seville. We walked further into the city away from tourist areas and found a cafe to have a few beers. There was supposed to be a party next to the river in the afternoon, but after not seeing too many people there yet, we went into The Pheonix Pub in the Plaza de Cuba. A rugby game drew in travelers that were visiting Seville so we were in good English company. We bought a few pints of Guinness and shots of Jameson as we kept gaining "prizes" of hats, glasses, wigs, etc for the holiday. We ended the trip a the Terrace de Cuba on the river then headed back to Huelva for some Kebab. St. Paddy's was a great success!!
This past Saturday we got up early for the beach to discover that it was raining!! It never rains here. Ever. And the one time it does it's on a Saturday. For cryin out loud!
I came up with the brilliant plan to start drinking at 2pm. We were going to have a few beers on the beach, why not do it at home? After a few beers I had an even better plan. "LET'S BUILD A FORT!" Sarah and I when to work collecting sheets and grouping chairs together for the tunnel into our fort. I remember being so much better at fort building when I was younger... what happened!? I don't think the Bloody Mary's helped...
We ate dinner under our fort and played a game of cards until it was time to go out on the town... but not before I Skyped my family.
Everyone was gathered at Adam and Lindsay's for the Third Annual Chili Cook-off. I was really upset that I could not be there but it was nice to talk to everyone. I may have looked completely ridiculous sitting in my fort half way across the world but I was having fun. I tried to coach Jason on his chili but no luck, we didn't get any votes. At least he made it this time compared to bringing his mom's the first time and Wendy's fast-food chili the second. I even ate chili for dinner all last week as a celebration for the cook-off. I'm disappointed I missed it but I know that next year I'll be taking home the prize. Watch out Mark!!
My students are really improving on their English skills and can't wait to show me when I walk into the classroom. I've grown attached to a few of them and my teachers. I know it will be a hard time leaving them. One of the administrators at my school complimented me on my Spanish. He was impressed which made me really happy! Ale also told me my Spanish had improved. Whew, for a second there I thought I was just losing my English!!
The orange trees are blooming and they smell so nice! I am enjoying running every day. I am up to six miles comfortably! On the 22nd I am gonna rock this 10K in Madrid!!
Only 31 days until Jason and I meet for our trip. I am so anxious it's all I can think and talk about! I can't believe I have gone this long without him and I know I will never have to do it again. I am so happy just thinking about seeing him!
Today's Monday so that means I'm running stairs today. Bring on the guilt from breaking our diets over the weekend. Four weeks until our race!
Happy Spring Everyone!
A few weeks ago I had a nice visit from an old friend. Jon and I went to school together through the years and he messaged me saying that he was stationed in Rota, Spain. What a small world! He and his girlfriend, Ruth, came to visit for the day. Jen and I took them out for lunch and coffee then headed to Palos to see where Christopher Columbus left when he discovered America.
Palos is a small town on the coast that harbored the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. There are now replicas that you can walk on and investigate. They were so small!! I expected grand ships but we learned that the Niña only held 30 sailors. We watched a video that described the journey (the translation was oh so bad...)
It was great to see an old friend and familiar face so far from home. I loved meeting his girlfriend Ruth, she cracked me up. I wish him luck as he makes his first tour to Afghanistan this month.
In the past month the girls, Ale, and I have frequented Punta Umbria and Mazagon. I have gotten a lot of sun and no tourists are out yet so we basically have the beach to ourselves!
For St. Paddy's Day Jen and I spent the day in Seville. We walked further into the city away from tourist areas and found a cafe to have a few beers. There was supposed to be a party next to the river in the afternoon, but after not seeing too many people there yet, we went into The Pheonix Pub in the Plaza de Cuba. A rugby game drew in travelers that were visiting Seville so we were in good English company. We bought a few pints of Guinness and shots of Jameson as we kept gaining "prizes" of hats, glasses, wigs, etc for the holiday. We ended the trip a the Terrace de Cuba on the river then headed back to Huelva for some Kebab. St. Paddy's was a great success!!
This past Saturday we got up early for the beach to discover that it was raining!! It never rains here. Ever. And the one time it does it's on a Saturday. For cryin out loud!
I came up with the brilliant plan to start drinking at 2pm. We were going to have a few beers on the beach, why not do it at home? After a few beers I had an even better plan. "LET'S BUILD A FORT!" Sarah and I when to work collecting sheets and grouping chairs together for the tunnel into our fort. I remember being so much better at fort building when I was younger... what happened!? I don't think the Bloody Mary's helped...
We ate dinner under our fort and played a game of cards until it was time to go out on the town... but not before I Skyped my family.
Everyone was gathered at Adam and Lindsay's for the Third Annual Chili Cook-off. I was really upset that I could not be there but it was nice to talk to everyone. I may have looked completely ridiculous sitting in my fort half way across the world but I was having fun. I tried to coach Jason on his chili but no luck, we didn't get any votes. At least he made it this time compared to bringing his mom's the first time and Wendy's fast-food chili the second. I even ate chili for dinner all last week as a celebration for the cook-off. I'm disappointed I missed it but I know that next year I'll be taking home the prize. Watch out Mark!!
My students are really improving on their English skills and can't wait to show me when I walk into the classroom. I've grown attached to a few of them and my teachers. I know it will be a hard time leaving them. One of the administrators at my school complimented me on my Spanish. He was impressed which made me really happy! Ale also told me my Spanish had improved. Whew, for a second there I thought I was just losing my English!!
The orange trees are blooming and they smell so nice! I am enjoying running every day. I am up to six miles comfortably! On the 22nd I am gonna rock this 10K in Madrid!!
Only 31 days until Jason and I meet for our trip. I am so anxious it's all I can think and talk about! I can't believe I have gone this long without him and I know I will never have to do it again. I am so happy just thinking about seeing him!
Today's Monday so that means I'm running stairs today. Bring on the guilt from breaking our diets over the weekend. Four weeks until our race!
Happy Spring Everyone!
