Thursday, January 31, 2019

January 31 - Organic Garden

This morning, I spent a few hours doing Spanish.  Then, at 1:30 - I left to attend today's cultural activity.

There was a large group of students for today's activity.  It was my first activity with the new teacher.  I like her a lot, but she spoke really fast - not sure how well everyone else kept up, but for me, I was exhausted after an hour of trying to focus on her every word.  We visited a fun neighborhood organic garden that is tucked in behind a fence between two rows of houses in the old part of the city.  Mostly, it was impressive how out of place the space seemed in the otherwise super-developed part of the city.  They have a community oven where they meet to cook bread on Monday mornings, lots of individual garden plots and some community garden plots (which are mostly tended by children), a community toddler library, lots of benches for reading, and open spaces filled with lots small tricycles.  The neighbors have fought to make sure it stays undeveloped and basically keep it tended and organic.

Between school and the garden is another fun site - the oldest bar in Sevilla - founded in the 1600's.  If I had known then how hard class was going to be, I might have stopped in for a quick beer between the cultural activity and class.

In class, we spent the first few minutes talking about  how it seemed cool today in Sevilla (barely making it to 60 degrees and a little rainy this afternoon) - but then expressing our serious gratitude that we were not in the FRIGID midwest in the USA - the crazy cold temperatures and wind chill have been on the news here and my teacher was appropriately horrified.  She wore a heavy coat and scarf today since it was only in the 50's when she left her house.

In general today, class was really hard for me.  So, I came home and spent a little time trying to figure some things out - hopefully sleeping on it will help.  If not, tomorrow is another day.



Wednesday, January 30, 2019

January 30 - Rainy Wednesday

This morning, we made a regular grocery store run.  Tomorrow, I will actually need to cook again.  It has been nice to have a break, but I am ready to get back in the kitchen for more than heating up leftovers.

On the way to school today, it started to sprinkle a little.  By the time I got out of class the streets were wet.  It was back to only sprinkling, but the restaurants had been cleared out by the earlier rain.  Even the restaurants with umbrellas and heaters were empty.  And the gelato shop that had long lines only a few days ago was completely empty.  Of course, even with a cloudy sky - the well lit cathedral was beautiful.

As I reached the bridge, I noticed that in addition to the advertisement on the Golden Tower, there were movie posters being projected across the river onto the river wall.  I was impressed with the detail and precision of the projection, and when we went to take out the trash, Albert and I walked over and took a closer look.  Except for the one piece of graffiti showing through, it is a very cool display.

Tomorrow - finally, I will try to return to the weekly cultural event.  I haven't been since before Christmas.  





Tuesday, January 29, 2019

January 29 - Amazon Locker

After a couple of hours of morning Spanish, we walked up to the Tower of Sevilla to pick up a package in an Amazon locker.  We tried to have a few things delivered to the house this fall, and if we were home for the first delivery attempt, everything worked out fine - but if we happened to be at school or at the store or something - they just sent the package back and we never could get it delivered.  So - today we experimented with the lockers.  Success!
Albert holding his Amazon package in front of the Tower of Sevilla

When we got home and checked the regular mail, we had received our tax forms from Whitman.  Still need a couple of other forms (and some motivation) and we will be able to file.  

This evening, I went to intercambio after class.  There was a pretty big and lively group.  Many of them headed out to the bars after our normal intercambio for a little extra language practice - but I headed home for dinner.  


We are still working our way through the food that I cooked on Saturday, but we may actually need groceries tomorrow.  


Monday, January 28, 2019

January 28 - Advertising on the Tower

This morning, I did another big push of Spanish.  By the time I left for class, I felt like I was at least back to where I was before I left.  There are basically three groups of students in my classes right now - there are a few students who only attend Monday-Thursday, a couple who only attend Friday, and then one other student and I who attend every day.  The teacher is trying to push through the full week of material from Monday-Thursday and then use Friday as a day to recap so that all of the groups are served well.  Of course there are always students coming and going - so I don't know how long it will last, but I appreciate that the professor is trying.

Since we didn't go to the store this morning and I didn't really walk at all before walking to class, I took a long way home.  On one street I saw a brother and sister "racing" on skates.  The boy bent over at one point and claimed injury, when the sister stopped to check on him he took off and left her - both were laughing hysterically by the time she caught up. 

In front of the cathedral there were two young women playing violin duets - ah memories.  

When I got to the river, I noticed that there was an advertisement being projected onto the Golden Tower.  I guess the Spanish version of the Oscars (GOYA) are being presented in Sevilla this weekend.

It was getting late, so I stopped off for a couple of things at the grocery store and headed home.  After dinner, I went out for another short walk and to snap a couple of night bridge photos.
Tomorrow - back to intercambio.  





Sunday, January 27, 2019

January 27 - Albert Is Home

This morning, after his all night flight, Albert arrived safely (although a little tired) to Sevilla. 

I spent most of the morning doing Spanish.  My teacher on Friday gave me lots of materials that I missed while I was in the US at the funeral.  Between my hours yesterday and today, I managed to finish them all and do a little prep for tomorrow. 

After lunch,  Albert took a nap and I went for a long walk around the city.  It was a little cooler today, but still beautiful.  There were movie trucks and fencing blocking off one of the plazas  - not sure what they were filming, but it is a beautiful plaza so I am not surprised that someone would want to use it.  The rest of the city was full of people also enjoying the outdoors.

After his nap, Albert and I took another short walk - we noted that the days are getting longer again.  And they will continue to get longer until it is almost time for us to head back to the US - my kind of trend!

After dinner we did a video call with the girls - everyone seems to be back to their normal lives.  

Tomorrow, back to school for me and back to some serious math time for Albert.


Saturday, January 26, 2019

January 26 - Spring is in the Air

This morning, after a little cleaning, I worked for a few hours on Spanish.  I am constantly amazed (not really surprised, just amazed) at how complicated and beautiful languages are. 

After lunch, I realized that it had really gotten beautiful outside - and I had spent way too much time at the desk inside.  So I headed out for a walk.  With beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the low seventies, it is hard to remember that it is still January.  There were lots of people out enjoying the city - without all of the Christmas decorations, there is room along the streets for the artists again.  I am glad to have them back.

There were also long lines at the gelato shops downtown.

I decided to revisit a park on our side of the bridge that I haven't visited in a long time.  It was a hopping place - lots of dogs and families and everything is green.

After the park, I headed over to the grocery store.  The refrigerator was basically empty and the stores are closed tomorrow - and Albert comes home tomorrow.  So, I loaded up!  I spent the next few hours cooking.  No more empty refrigerator.

After cleaning up and taking out the trash.  I was ready to sit down and do a little more Spanish. 

Albert just boarded his plane in New York and is scheduled to be here in about 10 hours.  My guess is that he will be exhausted tomorrow - so probably just a quiet day around the house - but who knows.




Friday, January 25, 2019

January 25 - My Kind of Winter

This morning I woke up a little late, but mostly felt like I was back on Spain time.  After nearly a week without class and not nearly enough studying, I spent quite a few hours today studying and working on exercises to try to be prepared for class this afternoon.

There were only three students, and the class was pretty intense.  The only thing that saved me was that we did a lot of grammar (whew - my one small strength). 

After class, I took a meandering walk home.  It was 68 degrees today and after the COLD this week in the US, I was particularly appreciative.  One of the many stores that I pass regularly when walking home from class is a tailor who makes clothing for priests (vestments, chasubles, stoles, ...) that are very fancy.  Today, he was using a bobbin machine to measure out some beautiful gold thread - I have a feeling that this same machine has probably been used for exactly the same thing for a LONG time.

After dinner, I went to take out the trash and take another short walk.  It was still nice but a little cooler.  That made it easier to avoid the temptation to buy a gelato from the new gelato store down the street and come home and make hot cocoa instead. 

Tonight a little more Spanish.  Tomorrow, I need to get some groceries in before Albert gets home on Sunday (yay!).  And, hopefully another big Spanish day.



Thursday, January 24, 2019

January 24 - Back Home

I am back home with good computer access - so hopefully, I am also back to doing a daily blog entry.

Tuesday was not quite as cold as Monday - but it was still cold and there was no lingering outside after the short graveside service.  John, Luke, and Katie Jo left straight from the cemetery to catch their flights back to the midwest - they all eventually made it but not without some delayed and diverted flights.  The rest of us went back to the house for lunch - lots of leftovers.  I started the thank you notes while everyone else started other jobs on the seemingly endless list.  After lunch, Ric headed back to DC for work and Keith headed home.

Jo-Anne, Albert, and I went for a walk at the beach bundled up in coats and hats while Kathy and the girls went to the outlet mall to spend some quality indoor time together.
Jamie (Keith's girlfriend) came back to the house with Keith right before dinner where we presented her with a small gift and card for her birthday.  
Then we all went out for a last dinner together.  Sadly Keith and Jamie had to go before we took a group photo.  I took a couple with Kathy enjoying some time off her feet in a wheelchair that is NOT hers.

And then our great waitress was kind enough to get a group photo.
Then some tearful goodbyes and the girls and I headed out toward Baltimore.  We tried twice to stop for Rita's on our way, but both were closed even though Google claimed they would be open - SADNESS.

The drive took a couple of hours and except for the Rita's, there were no problems.  Sadly, the hotel was a bit of a disaster.  They had had pipes break earlier in the day that flooded the entire downstairs.  The room was fine (electricity, hot water, clean, ...) but there were no other services (pool, breakfast, business center, gym...).  Just lines of blowers all the way around the lobby area.
We finally got to sleep around midnight.  Sadly, the first alarm was set for 3:30 to get Rachel to the airport for a 5 am flight.  I dropped her off and came back - then at 4:30 Emily needed to get up to catch her flight.  I dropped her off and came back.  I took a quick nap and then headed out to Philadelphia to catch my first flight.

From then until Thursday afternoon, I was in planes and airports.  I had nearly 5 hours in the New York airport - time to enjoy some art and get in my 5 miles of walking.

It was great to get off the airport bus and walk across the bridge and step into the apartment.

It is sunny and in the low 60's.  I am doing some laundry - and then I plan to go for a short walk to finish off my five miles for the day.  I will start back in class tomorrow after a good night's sleep.  We also made the final car reservation for Albert for the first leg of his trip back on Saturday.  It will be good to have him home.












Monday, January 21, 2019

January 21 - Family and Friends

Yesterday was a day of preparation...

I spent most of the day in the basement of Albert's Mom's house.  The basement had become a storage area for lots of treasures for decades.  Others had done a serious amount of cleaning and sorting over the last year leaving a big but manageable job.  I mostly sorted, boxed, and bagged things for donation, disposal, particular people and then things for further review -while the folks upstairs cleaned and prepared for the Monday after-funeral lunch.  I took a couple of breaks to welcome new folks as they arrived, but I managed to get lots done.  And with the exception of a few bumps and bruises and one terrible incident with an undrained hose to the face (eeewwwww), things went pretty smoothly.


After dinner we decided that Albert would stay on until Saturday - so we cancelled, changed and re-made travel arrangements.  Then, at a little after 9pm, we headed out in separate cars headed to BWI for Albert to return his rental car and to pick up the girls in mine.  Sadly, Rachel's plane was late - so after killing some time in a diner with Emily, getting Rachel, and dropping off the rental car - we finally got back on the road at a little after 1:30 - so at 4am we hit the sack -

This morning we all headed out to the church for visitations and mass.  It was freezing and windy, but at least there was no snow or ice - and as a bonus, parking near the church was empty even though the church is only a block from the beach because nobody in their right mind would be outside at the beach on a day like this.

After church, it was back to the house for some time together with family and friends and a nice lunch.  At some point in the afternoon after everyone who was not staying for another night from out of town had left, Albert hid out - trying to catch at least a small nap.   We stuck around talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company until around 9 pm.  After a long day, it was time to get back to the hotel and start winding down.
Back at the hotel, I used the chance to walk for an hour on the treadmill since the day had been cold and I had not really taken a chance to walk much.   Now the lack of sleep is starting to catch up to all.  

Tomorrow morning we have a short service graveside and then another wave of folks head out.  In the evening, the girls and I will head back to BWI to start our travels home.  Then, just "the kids" will be left for a few days to try to get things to a stable place before heading their separate ways.

Saturday, January 19, 2019

January 19 - Back in the USA

This week, Albert's mom died.  Luckily, he was in the US for a conference and was able to get there quickly to support his sisters but sadly not in time to visit with his mom.  The girls and I decided to make the trip to Deleware to be with the family and attend the funeral functions.

Yesterday was a blur of planning, cleaning, and packing.  It was also Tae's last day of class - so we had a few treats and said some sad goodbyes before I rushed home to do a last load of laundry, clean out the refrigerator, take out the trash and finish packing.  It started raining (our first rain in weeks) just in time for my trash run.

My late night of preparation was followed by an early morning trek to the bus station to catch the airport bus.  Then three flights (Sevilla, Madrid, JFK, Philadelphia).  Then a rental car from Philadelphia to Deleware.  Then a quick visit with the family.  And now, only 25 short hours after waking up, I am writing this blog and preparing for sleep. 

Albert and his siblings have mostly taken care of all of the funeral related events, but there are still lots of details to attend to tomorrow.  I should probably get some sleep so that I can be more use than useless.  The girls come in late tomorrow night.

I will head back to Sevilla on Wednesday and Thursday in a reverse (and sadly longer) version of today's travel. 


Thursday, January 17, 2019

January 17 - Mini Apple Pies

It is nearly 2 am, the day has more than gotten away from me - so this is going to be short and "sweet".  I made miniature apple pies today.  I was surprised at how well they turned out - especially those tiny lattice tops!  I took them to class - and they are all gone now.
One of the students from my school has been here studying from Korea for the last ten months - tomorrow is her last day.  Another student (from Italy) will be absent tomorrow - so they said their goodbyes today.

After class today, I went for a short walk.  On the way home, the road next to our side of the bridge was closed and their were police cars as far as the eye could see - I think the new president of southern Spain was in the area and this was security - but I am not sure and I didn't get close enough to really figure it out.

Tomorrow maybe sleep in... 



Wednesday, January 16, 2019

January 16 - All Quiet

Today was a quiet day around the house.  I did a lot of studying and reading this morning before heading out to the store.  On my way there, I stopped to watch some guys collecting oranges from one of the thousands of orange trees in the city.

A hard day in class, the topics are getting more technical and more subtle.  Luckily, everyone was at about the same level - so we got a lot of homework and we will continue to practice tomorrow.

On my way home from school, I stopped for a short time to check out the TV set that is set up just on the other side of the river.  There is a lot of "big" equipment (cameras, lights, etc.) but clearly they were just doing checks while I watched.  I came home and checked out the schedule, it looks like the show aired at 10:30 tonight, but I didn't go back out to watch.  
After school, I made a small lasagna today (even though it is small, there will be leftovers for a few days). 

Tonight, a little more Spanish and into bed.  I decided to skip the tour today - I have been on all of the "versions" of the tour and it is hard to get motivated to go to school two and a half hours early for a repeat tour, but I am definitely going on the cultural activity tomorrow.  I talked to the teacher today - she is very nice.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

January 15 - Investiture

After the elections in southern Spain this fall, there was no one party that held a majority - so in order to choose a president for Andalucia, there had to be agreements between some of the smaller parties (investitures) to come up with a single candidate.  I am not exactly sure what happens next, but the investiture of a candidate happened today.   One of the local television programs will be airing live from Sevilla tomorrow with interviews of people around this event.

They were setting up the stage near the river on my way to school...
And it was all set up and ready to go by the time I came home from intercambio tonight...

For possibly the first time, I used the bathrooms at the hostel where the intercambio is held.  There is a sign painted on one wall in reverse that shows up in the mirror opposite in forward letters.  It is a very interesting illusion - "Things are not always as they seem."
The Wall
The Mirror
Today was pretty much Spanish from beginning to end... reading, studying, watching a movie, class, intercambio, more studying.  My blog is my English break.  My plan is to go on the walking tour tomorrow before class, but I am not sure since I also need to go to the grocery store.  I guess we will see how much energy I have... and how cold it is.





Monday, January 14, 2019

Janurary 14 - Goodbyes

Another early morning - Albert and Rachel left before dawn to catch the airport bus for their long trip back to Miami.  I said goodbye in the apartment....
Albert and Rachel Walking Down Our Street


At noon, I headed out to meet a group of students and my old teacher Lucia who leaves tomorrow for her new adventure in Australia.  It was nice to spend some time with her and she is really excited about the move, but I was also sad to be saying goodbye.  
Lucia- Making Sure She Has Everyone's Contact Info


After the goodbye lunch, I headed in to school and did a little more Spanish before class started.  Then a short walk around the city after class.  Now I am home in our very quiet apartment.  I did a little cleaning this evening and watched a little Spanish TV.  Albert and Rachel made it back safely -I am sure they are tired.

No big plans for tomorrow....shopping, Spanish, class, and intercambio.

Sunday, January 13, 2019

January 13 - Fastest Month Ever

Our first Christmas guests arrived just over a month ago when Rachel and Taylor flew in...tomorrow morning, Rachel and Albert head back to the US and that will be the end of our company for a while.  Time always flies - but whew, that seemed like the fastest month ever.

This morning I finished my most recent Spanish book - luckily the library has lots more....and so I was able to find a new one and download it to my Kindle.  I'm still pretty slow, but I can tell that I am getting faster - not having to stop and look up quite so many words.

We went out to a Thai restaurant for lunch...

And then I took advantage of the beautiful day to take a walk around the city - it is starting to look more like it did when we arrived - all of the squares have been scrubbed of nativities, Christmas markets, and decorations.

This afternoon, I spent a little time doing some Spanish practice while Albert went for his run.  Then, we went out to dinner.  I am ready to start eating at home again - of course by tomorrow, I could be over it.  We took the tram from one end to the next - it was our first time on the tram - to get to dinner. 

This evening everyone made sure they had everything packed and ready for an early morning departure.


Saturday, January 12, 2019

January 12 - Family Call

Today we headed over to the mall for Rachel to get a couple of things and we stopped at a restaurant for lunch - it was far from traditional Spanish fare - salads and nachos but it was tasty.

Then a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up travel snacks for Albert and Rachel and then a final stop at the gelato shop.

We spent the rest of the day at home.... finishing up laundry, doing a video call with Emily (and bunny Benjamin),
and LOTS of work.  Rachel made use of some things she learned at the conference.  And, I did Spanish, Spanish, and more Spanish.
Tomorrow will be the last day with Rachel - no big plans, just making sure everyone is ready to travel.  

One year ago today, Albert and I were in San Diego getting our fingerprints taken for our visas to Spain - it has been an eventful year!


Friday, January 11, 2019

January 11 - TGIF

This morning, I did a LOT of Spanish.  Language learning for me is a bit chaotic in nature.  Every time I start to feel like I am getting better, a whole new area opens up that I know nothing about and I feel like I am back to being a very beginner.  It is both overwhelming and fantastic.

On the way to school this afternoon, there was a HUGE traffic jam.  I am not sure what happened, but there was a line of cars as far as the eye could see, and it didn't move the whole time I walked along beside it.  On days like this, I am happy to be car-free.

Class was good, but intense.  I will need to do another big chunk of work to be ready for class on Monday.

After class, I walked around a bit.  Class gets out at 7:30, and we had a dinner reservation for 8:30 (the restaurant doesn't open until 8:30).  So, I used the time to get in a few steps... and enjoy the city.
We had a nice dinner with one of Albert's old classmates.  It was a great chance to unwind and start the weekend.  I may read a little Spanish Beverly Cleary tonight - but no studying.  As I was walking and we were eating, Rachel was making her way from Malaga to Sevilla via train.

She made it back to the flat at around 11:30.  She enjoyed her conference but is exhausted.  We will spend a little time this weekend hitting the last couple of places that she wants to see before she and Albert head out early Monday morning for Miami.