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I met Lia's host family today. She has been living with them since the beginning of September, and will probably be there until May. Maybe she will come home over Christmas, but nothing is certain. There is the mom, whose actual job is taking care of the students they host. There is the husband, and there are three daughters, I only met the 21yr old, but there is a 33 yr old, and an 11 yr old. I will be posting pix on facebook of their house eventually. It's not very big, but they have space set aside for up to 5 students at a time. Lia has the largest room, and the only private room, although it is small by American standards. They wanted to serve me lunch and they went all out from what I can tell. Lunch consisted of salad, with lettuce, tomato, tuna, olive oil, vinegar, and salt; paella (a traditional spanish rice dish); shrimp (what Lia refers to as sea cockroaches becasue they come whole, faces and all); and little fishes. The little fishes were apparently a very special thing. First of all they are illegal (it's amazing how much Spanish I can make out), they can only fish for them at night, and they only come to the Malaganian shores for about 2 months out of the year in the fall, so you need to buy a year's worth and freeze them. They are tiny! Maybe 2-3 inches long and about the width of sweater yarn. They rinse them, salt them, flour them and deep fry them in the deep fryer that is part of the stove. Now you must understand that I am picky about sea food. They looked awful to me. But I could tell with all the smiling gesturing, and teaching about these little fishes that it would be the greatest insult if I did not try them. I ate the salad with gusto, and the paella, and said many "muy bien's", but then it was time to try the little fishes (I think Lia got away without even tasting one....), They were not terrible. I could eat them like french fries, thank goodness for the four coating, and say more "muy bien's", so that the host mom glowed. She was very proud of the little fishes. They are a Malaganian specialty. People apparently travel from all over Sapin to eat little fishes. She said that what they serve at restaurants is not always the right kind of fish. She also would not let us have water with our meal. I said "me gusta agua" but she insisted on serving something similar to sangria. It was good and homemade, and she kept refilling my glass. She showed me pix of her parents and her grandparents. Her plates and her dining room furniture all came from them. She said they like their children to stay with them as long as they will, whereas American children move out so young. Like every Spanish family, they have a little dog, it's black, with curly fur that shaved a short time ago, and no bigger than a cocker spaniel, but I was not sure of the breed. He was sweet, did not bark at me or act badly in way. I took pictures all around their house and told her I really liked their house, she beamed, but I wasn't just saying that. Before I left, she gave me a present of a very lovely Spanish fan. She explained that ladies carry these all the time in their bag or their pocket. (It reminds me of the one Violante has.) It's green with handpainted flowers on it. I think it's just beautiful! I will always treasure it. I really do like Malaga better... Tags: spain
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So we left the beautiful city of Granada to come back to Lia's home town of Malaga on Sunday evening. I learned a few cultural differences. They scheduled two buses to leave for Malaga at 8pm-bus 1, and bus 2. We had bus 2. The only bus there for Malaga said that it was bus 1, so an entire crowd of us (everyone else Spanish speaking) moved to the side, to wait for bus 2. No one knew where bus 2 was, there was no information desk to ask. Everyone just waited and wondered. There was no one to complain to, nothing to do but hope there really would be a bus 2. Lia says this is normal in Spain. A bus finally came at 8:25, and pulled out at 8:30. They also assign seats on the intercity buses, but at least Lia and I were next to each other this time. Malaga is the birth place of Pablo Picasso. I don't necessarily hate Picasso, but I have never found an appreciation either for his work. Malaga is beach town, and a resort that attracts many British. I am thrilled with my view of the Mediterranean Sea just outside my window. None of the windows have screens here. I can hear the ocean at night. They have a little bar out front that would be a lovely place to eat sometime before I leave. There are many street artists in Spain, some working on and selling actual works of art, some are 'statues' of any variety of things, very cool costuming, always to look like metal. I've seen a Troll, an archer, a lady justice, a statue tolling a bell, etc. Another thing I like about Malaga is that the cars don't drive where they don't fit. In Granada, you were always trying to be small to let taxis and buses go by. Here in the shopping district, the wide paved areas seem to have only pedestrians. There were policia everywhere. And no one seems to care about dog poop. The dogs are everywhere, and they are off lead, running around anywhere they please. And they leave little nasty gifts behind. :( We went out last night for Sangria and Tapas. It was a great bar, seven stories high, that has been frequented by Antonio Banderas, amongst others. I had a tapa that was white cheese slices with figs on it. It was sweet and good. Today I am supposed to go to lunch at Lia's host family's house for Paella. It will be my first paella. It seems the host mom was disappointed yesterday that I did not go over then. But Lia is just like me and did not want to assume that I was already invited. They speak no English, and I imagine that since they are making a to-do that the family might be home to meet me. I am a little anxious. I might ask Lia to take me to the bullring tomorrow. Malaga was supposed to be relaxing time, but maybe I shouldn't leave Spain without seeing a bullring. :) Tags: spain
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This is somewhere around my third day here (I've lost track of time with the time change), but I know it's Monday Nov 9th. Yesterday Lia and I went to see the Alhambra in Granada in the Andalucian area of Spain. The Alhambra was the center for the Moorish rulers about a millenia ago. There are three major Nasrid palaces at the site, which are amongst the best preserved of ancient palaces in the world. There is also the palace of Carlos V (grandson of Isabella and Ferdinand). It was too cold and I was having too much difficulty walking after days of walking miles over cobblestones, to see everything, so we went to the Nasrid palaces, and to Generalife, which are the gardens attached. This is where Catherine of Aragon grew up before marrying into the Tudor dynasty and becoming 1st princess, then queen of England. Lia pointed out that it must have been hard for her to leave here. Her parents Isabella and Ferdinand are the ones who defeated the last Moorish ruler in Spain, Boabdil, and evicted them from the Alhambra, and Granada. Granada means pomegranate, and there are pomegranate symbols all over the town. Catherine of Aragon's symbol was also a pomegranate. The streets of Granada are very narrow in many places and you have to literally hug the wall when a taxi or bus goes by, and I did get brushed by thier rearview mirrors a couple times. The area that traditionally belonged to the gypsies is Sacromonte, which is a small mountain just north of the Alhambra. The Roma lived in Cuevas, which are still occupied today. We had planned to see a Flamenco show in one of the cuevas, and we walked up the mountain early in the evening to see if we could figure out where to go, went back down the mountain, drank sangria in the hill below the Alhambra, while taking photos of the lit up monument. Later we went back up the mountain, walking on the cobblestone, but did not find a cueva that was not full. :( We also went to Capella Real (Royal Chapel) where the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand, and thier daughter, Juana la Loca, and her husband, are located. We could se the tomb effigies only from the side, because they are built rather tall, but the actual caskets are under the floor in a crypt. There are the four adult caskets and a child's casket, but no sign telling you who's is who's, nor who the child is. We did not go into the cathedral. Lia is a bit tired of cathedrals, and there is one in Malaga. In the Museo de la Capilla Real, there were some interesting textiles, no photos were allowed however. There were royal garments for Isabella and Ferdinand. On his cope, I loved the effect of 3D they created with the spangles tightly sewn together with shaping underneath. It was amazing. There were also a wooden life size bust of Isabella and Ferdinand, with beautiful paint colors, showing them in green gowns with gold embroidery. I will continue in future posts about this journey. There were many other things of interest. Tags: spain
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Firstly, I appreciate the amazing support you all have shown. Thank you, it really does help. Some of the messages made me cry, but they were good tears, the kind one needs to shed when grieving. Secondly, I want to share this poem, which I have always liked, but seems appropriate to post this week: Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
By Mary FryeAnd lastly, it seems I will be taking on a new job, which I am excited for (and a little frightened). The trade-off will happen at Birka. I will serve as Chatelaine for the East Kingdom. (I hope I will serve well....) Received notice on Sunday, so I have not yet responded. Tags: poppop, sca
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So I haven't been on here in a few days (internet was down, had phone browser access only). Today I had my six month dental check up, and got some bad news for the first time in years: a crown chipped and needs to be replaced, and I have two small cavities. bleh!! Did some Yule shopping, I am beginning to feel like I am more organized, and I am almost done shopping. (Yay!!) Decorated the tree last Sunday, just a tabletop tree this year, but with my favorite glass ornaments. It's very pretty. :) Chatted with my lawyer while I was Barnes and Noble. We will be going to court for the flipping divorce settlement. But she said I do not have to pay utilities since I am not currently living there. Talked with my dad's doc today, they have been trying to convince me to allow them to place PICC line, which is an IV line that goes in the arm but has a very long 'catheter' which ends just outside the heart. It is a cnetral line, which carries more risk factors. He is so dehydrated, because they are keeping him in bed, and not keeping water within reach. So, reluctantly, I agreed. Got more Yule shopping done online after I got home. Filled my gas tank for $1.69/gallon. Never thought I would see these prices again. :) Heard from Lia today that her "tooth fell out". So I promptly called her to find out what exactly happened. Sounds like it chipped, or lost part of a filling. She is not in any pain however. Followed up on an email from the Prinz about a newcomer contact (in my role as Southern Region Deputy). The woman I reached, all I can say is wow! She wants a man, said that many times, doesn't want to dress differently, and never touches a computer. . . Have off tomorrow and Friday off, need to get some chores (that have been on hold far too long) done, like seeing an eye doctor, and packing up some things. finishing some work on gifts, sending invites to a 12th night party, etc. Tags: life
Current Mood:  accomplished
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*Shaking head* at how this last week has gone. So not only has my dad been in the hospital since Friday 11/14, but I must have (in my sub-conscious) thought it was a good idea to join him, not sure what on earth was good about that. Monday at work, I began having pain, which I thought was a pinched nerve. It started on the left side of my chest, went down my left arm, and occasionally into the left side of my jaw. This went on for over an hour, but I stayed to finish my shift. Now, remember, I work with a bunch of nurse's. . . You can't spend an hour clutching your chest without them coercing you to go to the ER. One of them said, "when I had chest pain, they saw me, ruled out anything serious, and sent me home in an hour." She convinced me, I thought, I'll just make sure it really is a pinched nerve, and be on my way. Yeah, right, what was I thinking? Well they did an EKG (note: sticky things) right away, no problem. They gave me aspirin, and drew blood, everything good so far. They did a chest X-ray, which again was clear. So why did I get admitted? Because apparently, my story was too good. :( They gave me nitro, and morphine, which, along with the aspirin, are the whole cardiac med regime, and sent me to a monitored floor (note: more sticky things). Brendan stayed with me, didn't leave my side. I was scheduled for a stress test next morning at 10:00. Went downstairs and found out that this was no simple stress test, oh no, it wasn't. They injected radio-isotopes, and then I had to wait for those to circulate a bit, then pictures of my heart. Then wait for the stress test. Did I mention that I had a brain splitting headache and was not allowed anything to take for it, and I had to wait in hallway with flourescent lights. . . And while I was waiting I was on the phone with my dad's nurse, and the social worker about his discharge, and I had not been able to go see him that day, and the nurse called the nursing home to say that I had complaints about them (why did she think she should do this?!) So I had had enough by the time I got to my stress test. They tore off the multiple stickies on chest from all monitoring already happening, and scrubbed my chest with an abrasive and alcohol before putting 12 leads back on (note: really sticky things). Had to get my heart up to 149, and the treadmill goes higher and faster until you do. I did it pretty quickly, and then they injected more radio-isotopes. Brendan was laughing at me at this point. I don't want to know what all this looked like, not to mention the techs having an argument and the doc trying to shut them up. Went back to my room to eat, and got another EKG (note: more sticky things on my chest). Shared my salad with Brendan, went back down for more pictures of my heart, with more sticky things because these pictures were timed with my heart rhythm. Everything was of course just fine, I have a great heart, very healthy!! Finally got the awful IV out my right elbow, and since my doc was also my dad's doc, I finally got straightened out the plan on my dad. That doc had had been to my room no less than 5 times while I was downstairs for the test, and had tried to call my cell multiple times about my dad, not realizing we were the same person. OY! All done, and ready for Thanksgiving!! Just got to figure out how to get the all the adhesive off my chest, suggestions welcome, have already tried many things though. I am absolutley fine, so no sympathy please, comedy is welcome however. :) Tags: amh, health, poppop
Current Mood:  good
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