Caballeros

Hola!

Today was a good day. A break-through day of sorts.

First I woke up and went to get a pedicure. My feet were starting to resemble something like a cave-woman's and apparently it was bad enough for Sra. Carmen to give me her appointment at the nail salon. The whole experience was one big mystery. I had no idea what pedicures cost here, if they even know how to give a proper pedicure here/would they be Vietnamese etc...

So I walked into the salon, situated near the center of downtown Reus, and I was surrounded by pristine white walls and white furniture. Swanky. The employees were dressed in white from head to toe. They spoke in soft, nearly inaudible voices, so as not to wake some imaginary sleeping salon-baby. Everything was meticulously clean and sleek, and did I mention white?

At this point I tried to reconcile myself with the fact that I was about to fork over my 70 Euro earnings as an au pair for the week in order to get the calluses shaved off of my heels. Thirty minutes or so into the pedicure, I was so impressed with the pedicure, I felt totally fine with however much it cost. The lady "Did Work" on my feet. She even waxed the top of them and my big toe as well. I couldn't see any detectable hairs but hey, go ahead yank 'em out if you think they're there. I looked down and the top of my feet were rather inflamed and the esthetician uttered the only two words in English she has said the entire time, "It's normal!" Anyhow, my description of this is getting too lengthy. In a nutshell: got a Spanish pedicure, it rocked, best of my life, she even waxed, 26 Euros. Estoy contenta.

After my pedicure, Carmen, who was running errands around Reus, was supposed to meet me at the post office but she forgot. HAHA! She called her niece who was coming for lunch to come and get me instead. Hilarious. That's the funny thing about being here, nothing seems to bother me. They are spreading manure on the fields (a two-day, annual ritual) and it smells like cow rear. It has invaded my room. It smells good enough to me. Smells like nature.

Lunch was amazing: roast beef, green beans, garbanzo salad, tomatoes and bread. Carmen's niece promised to give me Spanish lessons upon her return from London. We sat outside for hours enjoying the breeze and watching the kids play Cowboys (hence the hats in the pics). They taped together everything, from crayons to playmobil toys, in order to design their pistols.

Now for the breakthrough. I would like to thank Apple Macintosh computers, for opening the avenue of friendship between the kids and myself. All it took was a little photo booth action, a little head distortion and face-twistery, and I am now the coolest au pair ever.

p.s. Click on any pics to make them larger.

SHOUT OUT TO SOPHIE MY HOMIE, MARY MY HOMEGIRL, AND JOY JAMES THE ONE, THE ONLY, THE ORIGINAL .

All Quiet on the Iberian Front.

Sooo the past couple days have been pretty quiet here, with the exception of my overpriced adventure I took with a couple other au pairs to PACHA. Seriously the largest club I have ever been to, there had to be at least 600 people, I kid you not. I realized upon paying 15 euros to get in the door, that I need to meet some more locals immediately. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I despise paying to get into a club. Spoiled when it comes to getting in free? Maybe. Stingy towards cover-charges? Definitely. Not to mention I felt old there.

Other than that O.K. experience, things have been muy tranquilo.

The food here is absolutely delish. Every meal is tasty to me. They serve tons of fresh vegetables, bread and eggs. That said, the snack food here (I'm not talkin' tapas, I'm talkin' chips, etc.) is Terrible. They seem to like it, but I find it incredibly easy to resist. Which is a good thing, considering how much other food I'm eating. Today I actually strolled into a mini-mart and couldn't find one suitable snacking material. That is unheard of. I can always settle for some teriyaki beef jerky and you know I love some cheez-its. For example, their Cheetos here aren't the same shape, recipe, color, or flavor. I find them below par. They probably don't even turn your fingers orange.

Sorry so random in this post..... The pic is of the house I live in!!!

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

Today... where do I begin with today. Let's seeeee.... I woke up and got dressed. At breakfast, I learned that we would be spending the day (and the night) in Port Aventura, the theme part in Tarragona. I wouldn't say I was fired up about being at a theme park with 6 children, but there was no turning back.

Eva's friends and their kids (Guillermo, Isabel y Laura) are in town from Madrid and they are staying at Eva and Francesc's house in town for five days. We ate lunch together (Canejo - aka buggs bunny) today and they all joined us on our adventure to the theme park. It was nice having them there because it meant that everyone spoke Spanish the entire day.

At the theme park we saw a show with a ton of exotic birds, a show completely centered around bubbles, and I rode a ride that accelerates from 0 to 135 km in 3 seconds (I did the math, it's about 84mph). It was the scariest ride of life. Other than that we moved at a turtle's pace around the park.

We ate in the "Mexico" of the theme park and I had a couple empanadas which they mistakenly dubbed "quesadillas." If that doesn't prove how little Spain and Mexico have in common, I don't know what does. There is a distinct difference. I hear they kill in Downey over those type of mistakes.

I had fun today... Eva's friends were really nice people and great with the kids as well, but it was about 3 hours too long for me. Not gonna lie. My feet hurt, I swear it was the hottest day of the year, and the empanadas gave me indigestion. TMI?

It proved to be too long for the kids too. We left at about 12:30am or so. Jordina and Isabel were fast asleep in the twin stroller. We stayed that late to see the fireworks. Let's just say there were five fireworks. Total. The DBAP (Durham Bulls Athletic Park) puts Port Aventura's firework display to shame. I decided instead to describe them as "try-erworks" aloud, but no one got the joke.

All I could think was how I could use a beverage... a strong adult beverage. But all of these glitches in the day actually kept me laughing. The kids were adorable, the rides were fun, and we checked another thing off of the to-do list (it was right behind 'try rabbit').

The tooth fairy flies all of the way to Spain.

Today I had the kids all day. After lunch, I gave an English lesson to Jordi (16), the older cousin of the kids I keep. His sister, Carolina (19) is in Statesville, NC right now, staying with my cousin David and his family.

I went on two bike rides with the kids today... one was an attempt to track down a wandering herd of sheep and its shepherd. The kids are particularly fond of this man, I think they're fascinated that someone's actual profession really is following sheep around the countryside. What a whimsical profession that seems to be in this day and age.

All was going as usual today.... untilllll

A neighbor and his daughter came over to visit and a we were all sitting outside and sampling the olives he had grown and preserved in olive oil himself. As we were munching, Jordina (5) started weaving her mini scooter in and out of the chairs and tables on the terrace. The next thing I knew, she screamed and held her mouth with her hand. I figured she just hit her lip, but when she pulled her hand away, inside it there was a miniscule baby tooth. I thought she would really lose it when she saw her tooth in her hand, but in some odd way it made the situation better because she was so excited she had now lost 2 teeth. I mean the least you can get when you fall and hit your mouth at age 5 is a knocked out baby tooth right!!!??

A Listerine rinse and a popsicle later, we were back in business.

Just put the kids to bed. I swear one day in Spain feels as long as two at home. Jordina's tooth is under her pillow!

23.... where do I go from here

AHHH my birthday night of course! I can't believe I am 23, does that make me old? It was so nice, we went to "my parent's" restaurant, Quim Quima, one of the best restaurants in Tarragona, if not THE BEST. "My parents'" friends heard it was my birthday and they decided to come as well. One thing led to another an the restaurant was full tonight! I sat at a table with the grandparents (Carmen and Jordi, and Baba) and the kids. We were all supposed to sit at one long table, the family and the friends, but it started raining so the terrace was out of the question. Unusual, because we all know where the rain in Spain usually falls.

One of Eva's friends that I have only met once, the night I first arrived, came to eat at the restaurant tonight and brought me a present. It was a gold colored cuff bracelet that I loved. And it also fit perfectly with the jewelry I wore tonight. Honestly, when she gave it to me I couldn't believe it. It was the only present I received ON my birthday and it was from someone I barely knew... honestly I almost cried. So thoughtful.

I was sitting at the table tonight and everyone was speaking Catalan. In my head I was so frustrated... it is isolating honestly. Catalan is nothing like the Spanish I know. It is a completely different language. It kinda sucked for lack of a better word. But I am the only one here to speak for myself so unless I request otherwise (Castillano) I can't expect them to speak the Spanish I know.

That said, I am so lucky to be with the family I am working for. I have now met many of the other au pairs (which are friends of my "mom" Eva) and their mothers are not so nice... some of them actually scare me.

Sooooo after dinner, I met up with a fellow traveler Uriah. An Australian I met in Greece, who currently lives/works in London. We had a blast in Santorini with my sisters and his friends a couple summers ago. He is now backpacking Europe solo... how brave... I felt bad that I couldn't offer him a place to stay tonight, he is going to camp tonight instead. Either way it was good to see a familiar face... and it was only familiar still thanks to Facebook. The most amazing tool for vagrants ever invented.

I miss you family! I love it here... trying to have patience in learning the language and making local friends. The weather isssss perfect, despite a quick shower tonight. And P.S. my mom wrote me the coolest email ever, which I will now include in my blog whether she likes it or not, because it made me cry. I Looooooooove herrrrr.

I can hardly believe that 23 years ago it was one of hottest summers on record, I had just finished reading Chesapeake, meg and Robbie were spending the night, we had all just watched the rocky with living in America, dad and i were watering the yard to a full moon, and we finally got in the bed only to awaken to the alarming fact that my water had broken and becoming parents was an immediate reality. Whew! It was really time to go to the hospital to have our first child. By the way it didn’t go quickly. 17 hours later our beautiful kate was here. Dad almost fainted at the sight of you he was so over come. I thought you were the most perfect thing I had ever seen. Papa always said your first impression is the best and he was right you do continue to be perfect in my eyes. I have been blessed to have 3 most precious daughters. Thank the Lord and you for that. Have a wonderful birthday. I am sorry I am not there to celebrate it with you. Be safe and know that I am giving many hugs to you on this side of the Atlantic. I love you. Happy birthday. mama

Ten Days Late and a Euro Short

Ok so sorry I haven't posted in 10 days... I'm terrible. But I will now give you an update as to what I have been doing for the past week while not blogging.

I had strep throat for three days, went to the doctor and got medicine which was unbelievably inexpensive.

I have been to the beach a ton of times and I am brown as a berry.

I have given a bunch of hours worth of English lessons with the kids.

I met a few other au pairs that work for my "Mother" here (Eva's) friends.

Jenny got really tired of not hearing updates so she sent me this email that I found hilarious so I decided to post!

Kate… your freaking bday is tomorrow and I am not there to celebrate with you, so sad =(

Seriously though, you have been there for a few weeks and I know nothing about how you are doing… so now you must answer the following questionnaire to the best of your knowledge. Let’s just play a game called 20 questions.

1) How is the family you are living with?

They are great. The mom work for is a part of a huge family. She is one of 5 sisters and a brother. 4 of them are married, one is still single, and the other one is a lesbian. During the summer, they are all constantly back and forth between their homes and the huge hacienda of a house on a farm where the grandparents live. So it is a madhouse.

2) How is your nannying job doing?

It is going well,I teach an hour or so of English a day to the kids and watch them/bathe/feed dinner to them at night while their parents are running the restaurant.

3) How are the kids you nanny?

They are good, there is a girl Jordina (5), and 2 boys Joan (9), and Oriol (12). They speak virtually no English.

4) How is the place you are staying at?

It is awesome other than the fact that they don't use air conditioning and my room is right off of the kitchen so I get woken up non-stop. I have ear plugs though... so no worries.

5) Have you made any friends yet?

The only friends I have made so far are the au pairs of my "Mother's" friends. There are a few girls here from England, and couple from the US. Other than not not really. They are really nice, one of them creeps me out but hey, I don't have a car or a cell phone so lets just say people are easy to avoid.

6) Have you made out?

Unfortunately no. But I'm not worried.

7) Have you grinded on any hot dudes?

HAHAHAHAHA negative.

8) Have you gotten drunk?

Now that's something I can actually say I've done.

9) Do you know your way around yet?

I think I know my way to the beach and back, and I definitely know my way to the refrigerator.

10) Do you miss me as much as I miss you?

Holy guacamole do I.

11) What’s the weather like?

The weather is absolute perfection seriously. Nice breeze constantly, blue skies, low humidity.

12) What is your favorite thing to eat there?

Bocadillas. Sandwiches. With all kinds of yumminess on it. I have had crazy fish dishes too that are so yummy. And I had a steak one night with foi gras on top. The food overall is fantastic. I love it. Fresh, lots of veggies.

13) Can you speak Spanish like you’re a straight up Mexican out of Downey?

Um not yet, I've only been here a week. But blending in in Downey is my first and foremost goal.

14) Have you met a lot of Rudy’s?

Dosk is that you!!!!!??? Everywhere I turn.

15) Are you tan as a mofo?

Hell yes!

16) Is it possible to live without a cell phone?

Um well so far. I happen to be breathing still.

17) Have you found a job in NY yet so you can move here after?

No, I need your help on this one. A bit out of the loop. Still interested though. And by interested I mean NYC is next so let's figure this out.

18) Do they play vball in Spain?

I hear they do but I haven't found one person yet who plays... With all this beach, there's bound to be some volleyball.

19) Can you post and effing pic already?

Hahaha I have to charge my camera. Bad huh? That reminds me. Thank you!

20) Feliz Cumpleanos a ti! What are you going to do?

Going to Barcelona for the day. Mess around... pretend like I know where I am going. Shop.

Miss you Kate dog!

Birthday tomorrow. The big 23. Wow. I'm old. I think I am riding with Carmen to Barcelona on the train. She is getting her hair done and I am going to look around a bit. Tomorrow night I believe I am headed to my "parents'" restaurant Quim Quima for a birthday dinner and then who knows. That's probably it considering I haven't been here long enough to really know anyone!!!! Having a blast though. Everyone is so great. Miss you all!

Ok so finally I figured out how to get on the internet here. Today was a long one... it is exhauuuusting not being able to fully communicate with the little ones I am watching. I can't tell my usual jokes or persuade the minds of youths quite as powerfully as I normally can.

We went to Llarga beach all day today and went on a long walk down the water. Jordina (5) fell asleep while riding piggy back on my back and snoozed for another hour on her towel when we finally returned. I met Francesc's mother in Tarragona, saw the restaurant, and rode a bike they say they bought just for me. Tonight we made dinner and I babysat Victor (4) and Jordina while Eva and Francesc were working at the restaurant. Victor is in for a big surprise when his mother (Carlota) gives birth to twin boys (gemelos) in mid-August!

Senora Roca only speaks in Spanish to me, which is exactly what I need, but it's not by choice. She can't speak English at all.

The food is wonderful. I am jet-lagged. I will write again once I get the converter plug to actually charge my computer.

Ciao.

Sooo Hello All!

My first blog post takes place during the longest layover of all time. I am/have been in the Philly airport for 2.5 hours with about 2 more to go until take off time. Luckily they have wireless. I know Jenny would be encouraging me to have some margaritas right about now. Mary has been texting me asking if I have seen any attractive airport dwellers. No such luck. Currently I am sitting in a far corner of the international terminal, trying to refrain from buying Cheez-its, beef jerky, or my last Double Cheeseburger from the Dollar Menu (I know there is McDonald's in Spain but I refuse to eat there... out of principle).

I am still not positive if my trip jibber jabber will ever evolve into an interesting blog or not. Never have I been successful at consistently keeping a journal. I wrote on about the first 3 pages of every diary I've ever kept. But I'm going to give it the old college try.... even though I graduated. Sooooo, excuse any future typos, bad jokes, or lapses in post judgment, for I know not what I blog.