Hello,
We at the fountain at the Universidad, again. Still no internet at home. I can only blog text - my computer with the pictures already died. I will write in my journal tonight about driving in central Madrid and about hopefully still being married!!!!
Domingo, 24 Augusto 2008
Yesterday, we managed to read the signs and make it to the Universidad Europea de Madrid UEM. This is where Alfonso’s office is. The place was empty. We found the fountain, and the internet. That’s how I was able to post our blog.
As I was looking at our blog, the last entry was after I ran my first triathlon. Well, I got a long-term sub job teaching 3rd grade that lasted 10 weeks. I stopped having time to work out. After that I tried to squeeze all of the observation hours for a class before school was out (2 weeks). By that time, Brent and I found out that we had to apply for our VISAs on our own. I think ASU or UEM was helping our students on their VISAs. Then we started applying for all of the paperwork copies that were needed. We set our VISA appointment in LA for the Spanish Consulate and prayed that we would receive the FBI finger print cards etc in time. We did. We then go to drive over to LA as a family to apply. This basically freaked me out. The web site said 3-4 weeks, the lady at the Consulate said 3-4 months. I had worked so hard getting all of the stuff done. Well, we got Brent’s in exactly 3 weeks, and as of today, Jocelyn, Bryce, and I still don’t have our VISAs. We get to stay for 90 days. I am going to try and get a 30 day extension with the US Embassy’s help.
Housing. Alfonso found us the Apartmento, which was the penthouse dorm room on the UEM campus. Brent and Daniel stayed here when they came their first time. But, the UEM could rent it out for E4000 per month - $6000. So they declined – which I can’t blame them. We then tried to find housing for us, and then for the four students who are coming with us. Well, Alfonso was only able to find housing for one student – leaving 7 of us homeless. So we gave Alfonso the option of finding a house big enough for 8 of us. He succeeded and the place is amazing. I have tons of pictures that Alfonso took. If you are interested in seeing the house in detail, email me at lara.alvar@gmail.com and I will email them to you directly – once we have internet.
After we went to the UEM, we ventured to the other grocery store (the expensive one). This one had most of the products that we have, and I would attribute it to the Spanish version of AJ’s. Bryce and I learned that they don’t say bano here, but aesos – we walked around forever and finally figured it. Thank goodness I had Bryce with me, because I didn’t see the little man picture and walked into the men’s restroom. She was also great on Friday, she saw IKEA out her window.
Food. Did I mention that we haven’t been here a week yet and we are almost out of Nutella. This stuff is the bomb. It doesn’t taste the same in the States. The milk is kind of malty/vanilla-ish. The girls and I can only drink it with chocolate added. Brent doesn’t drink milk at home, but he loves it here. We have had regular meals, just not the spice cabinet, but great fresh food flavors.
Did I mention that Brent and I enjoyed such a relaxing evening Saturday night, that we managed to drink two bottles of wine – basically one a piece. I was trashed and had to talk to the family – so for $1 per minute we talked to everyone or their machines as quickly as possible. This solved my drunken home sickness!! Answer your phone asap – it could be me drinking again.
We really didn’t have jet lag. We took Alfonso’s suggestion and took sleeping medication before we went to bed, and all of us have been fine. The girls have been in the swimming pool every day for as long as they can. The water is pretty cold, but come late afternoon, they are hot enough not to mind it. Brent was in the pool yesterday and today, and I got to play in the pool with them most of the afternoon yesterday.
Today we really had a lazy day. I am trying to get into a routine – which is part of my daily life. Brent and I cleaned the pool out in our jammies. We then got ready for the day. It is Sunday, we didn’t quite know what to expect. We tried for IKEA again (the list grew) but everything is closed. We did get gas and waited in line to get the car washed – unsuccessfully. I did purchase staples for dinner at the gas station store – so at least that is open.
We came home and I started the home schooling. The girls went to school on Tuesday. They don’t start Spanish School until September 5th. I would like for them to do something on the evenings and weekends, so there isn’t as much of a transition when they get back to the states – we’ll see how well that thought is. Jocelyn’s teacher is fabulous. She got a journal all ready for Jocelyn to write in, with a letter from Mrs. Terrell at the beginning!!! She also had all of the students write her a letter to wish her good luck. She found out that one of her fellow classmates’ Dad had sabbatical last year. Mrs. Terrell copied all of the standards that were going to be covered for the semester – so easy for me to work with. She also made a folder for each subject. We took all of her books, as well as all of Bryce’s books. Bryce’s teacher is going to email me all of the weekly lesson plans (which is basically the same thing). A dear friend/neighbor (Carolyn Hale who has a 2nd grader as well) is scanning and emailing me all of the 2nd grade homework. This is an exact replica of what the students do during the day. I got a lot of attitude from the girls, but we worked through it. It will be better tomorrow.
Brent managed to work out today. He had a great run. This is amazing, because his knee has been bothering him for a few months. He took some time off and it was as good as new. He reminded me that there is elevation (I don’t know what it is) and we live in a hilly region. It was very challenging. He then stretched out on the beautiful landscape and swam a few laps. Did I say that this is like resort style living? My day is tomorrow, I’m very excited about being active again.
Brent and I have almost been bored. We don’t quite know what to do. He is almost finished with his first book. I’m about 3/4 done. I have been trying to blog/journal each day. We are also trying to figure stuff out. Today, Brent found this huge supply of Italian dishes, serving pieces, and bowls. We don’t have to buy dishes at IKEA now. These dishes are amazing – I might have to leave some of my 50 pound books for 50 pounds of dishes.
Currently Brent has his feet in the pool. The girls are watching their first movie on the DVD player in their room, and I’m on the veranda enjoying this remarkable weather and more vino. Come visit and let me share this experience.
Wednesday, 27 Augusto 2008
I plan on camping out in the cafeteria at the UEM to get this posted, so I’m staying up late tonight to work on it. I also have to pay my month end bills. It is insane not having internet. We did open up our account at Barclay’s bank and deposit money (Brent did this on his own!!!), so the company can charge us for the installation and begin internet service. Hopefully not much longer. I’m tired of not having any communication and being dependent on Brent’s Blackberry – which I was against in the first place, but am sooo glad he has now.
I forgot to mention on our Saturday adventures, we ate at the only place that was open. Everything closes down for August. People are slowly trickling back into the cities to get ready for school etc. They only had shell fish (Jim King would love this – he’s allergic). We managed to get dos cervasas, coca cola regular, y limon sin gas (lemonade without carbonation – Bryce can ask for this by herself!!!), y gamba (prawns). They came with the heads still on. We showed the girls how to peel and eat, and how to “suck their brains out” per Ana. Jocelyn tried it!!!! I don’t like it either – pero cuando en Espana – but when in Spain!!!
I have been keeping notes in my calendar. I haven’t been writing every night, I think because of internet depression!!! I finished my first book. I have since been balancing my statements. I didn’t have time at home – so I literally bagged everything up and flew it here. I have other books and projects to work on after. I have been washing all of the dishes. I think they were all recently purchased from IKEA and in need of sanitation. Can I say that I don’t have a dishwasher or a dryer that works. I finished the last glasses this evening. I have to wash the girls’ sheets tomorrow – it takes ALL day for those things to dry.
I did also run Monday. We have this fabulous loop through the neighborhood. It is 2 miles and had hills every corner – great for the calves. We are at a high Colorado/Pine Top elevation – so lots of heavy breathing!!! The girls walked part of it with us today.
Monday we went to have the afternoon at a friend’s of Alfonso’s. He is a gentleman from Argentina, received his MBA from Harvard, and is a businessman negotiating sports lifestyle stuff to corporations and Municipalities – I think. Ricardo was solo. His wife had to go to Madrid to rescue her sister – work and babysitter issue. So Ricardo had to “reheat” dinner and serve us. He did a great job.
They live in Guadarrana – just on the edge of the Madrid Community – almost to the Community or County of Segovia. It is about 30 minutes to Alfonso’s from our house, and then another 30 minutes to Ricardo’s. The village was so quaint – I would like to go back and explore. He lives in an old chapel that they relocated and renovated on his property. The living room, upstairs master bedroom, and a 3rd story loft are in the old chapel part. The Kitchen, powder room, and another bedroom/bath were added from there. Inside the house, he made sure that you could still see the original outside walls of the old chapel. The side doors are the original, but where the altar etc was, he put the fire place. His property was huge. He had this huge dirt round-about in the center. He laughed, because most Europeans call it a baseball diamond. It is eventually going to be a fountain. He also had this huge 1/2 tennis court out of concrete – and 30ft high. Then his son races BMX bikes – so they had a BMX track gated behind the yard.
We sat out and ate and drank and visited. This is Spanish custom – we are getting used to it. We were there about 5 hours, our American vibe was wanting to leave after 2. The kids played with Alfonso’s kids and bikes. They played with the rackets. Bryce helped Ricardo whenever possible. We sat outside under these enormous pine trees and enjoyed the breezes etc.
A hilarious note, they have a reject seeing eye dog as their pet – Surgo. Ricardo and his wife sponsored him and walked him around to socialize him when he was a puppy. He passed the training, but Surgo couldn’t handle the loud “bangs” of the city. They asked Ricardo if he would like Surgo back. Surgo is back and doesn’t listen to anything. In Bryce’s words, Surgo liked to dance with her – it isn’t dancing if you know what I mean, but I’m not going to tell her.
It was neat to tell Ricardo what we have done so far. He said that he always gets lost going to IKEA!!! Yeah – We aren’t alone, we don’t necessarily get lost, we just keep getting stuck on the wrong freeway or going through round-abouts multiple times.
Tuesday - We made up Kelly and Chelsea’s rooms. They are our undergrads who arrive Friday night. We got two twin beds from Ana and Alfonso. We also got our bus passes – major ordeal. Brent and I got ours right away, I have to go back in two weeks to get my girls’. This is crazy, because school starts in two weeks. We are borrowing Ana’s car until her school starts – which is next week. I need the bus passes to take the girls to school – so I have to pay in the meantime.
We also went to IKEA to get the remaining necessities that we need to survive. I’m thinking that IKEA is Europe’s Walmart. I think I’m set except for door stoppers. Everything else I’ve given up on, or emailed Tia Jen via Brent’s Blackberry.
We did find a cervesaria to eat at. We managed anchovies, tortilla, bread, olives, beer, coke, and limon sin gas – all by ourselves. It was great to have the girls try everything that we loved at all of the tappas restaurants. They liked the olives, tasted the anchovies, and loved the tortilla.
Wednesday - Today was fabulous. Today was Tomas’ birthday party. They have wrapping paper in the front of every specialty store for you wrap your gifts as soon as you buy them!!!! So we had Tomas’ wrapped gift from ToysRUs – near IKEA. Ana’s cousin and her family were there. Isabel has two boys, the exact age as Tomas (6) Guillermo and Santiago (4) Daniel. Bryce immediately started to play with Guillermo. Her first official Spanish friend. They were hilarious, both of them were talking, he in Spanish and she in English and getting along marvelously.
The birthday club was at their community club house. This is the same place where Tomas’ birthday was last year – that Ana sent all of the pictures to me. It was surreal this evening downloading today’s pictures and that my kids were some of the children in the photos at a European birthday party.
They got their faces painted, ate nutella and meat sandwiches, and all of the same birthday stuff. Jocelyn met her first friend – and I am happy. Jimena was playing with Bryce first and I made Jocelyn go and play. I told her “don’t think, don’t talk, just play.” She did and I was rewarded watching Jimena (9 and Ana’s neighbor) and Jocelyn pointing to things and translating. It was priceless. The girls even got to go and play at her house for a little bit.
Well, it is past midnight and I’m tired. Besos (kisses) until next time – Larita (what Ana and Alfonso call me).
We at the fountain at the Universidad, again. Still no internet at home. I can only blog text - my computer with the pictures already died. I will write in my journal tonight about driving in central Madrid and about hopefully still being married!!!!
Domingo, 24 Augusto 2008
Yesterday, we managed to read the signs and make it to the Universidad Europea de Madrid UEM. This is where Alfonso’s office is. The place was empty. We found the fountain, and the internet. That’s how I was able to post our blog.
As I was looking at our blog, the last entry was after I ran my first triathlon. Well, I got a long-term sub job teaching 3rd grade that lasted 10 weeks. I stopped having time to work out. After that I tried to squeeze all of the observation hours for a class before school was out (2 weeks). By that time, Brent and I found out that we had to apply for our VISAs on our own. I think ASU or UEM was helping our students on their VISAs. Then we started applying for all of the paperwork copies that were needed. We set our VISA appointment in LA for the Spanish Consulate and prayed that we would receive the FBI finger print cards etc in time. We did. We then go to drive over to LA as a family to apply. This basically freaked me out. The web site said 3-4 weeks, the lady at the Consulate said 3-4 months. I had worked so hard getting all of the stuff done. Well, we got Brent’s in exactly 3 weeks, and as of today, Jocelyn, Bryce, and I still don’t have our VISAs. We get to stay for 90 days. I am going to try and get a 30 day extension with the US Embassy’s help.
Housing. Alfonso found us the Apartmento, which was the penthouse dorm room on the UEM campus. Brent and Daniel stayed here when they came their first time. But, the UEM could rent it out for E4000 per month - $6000. So they declined – which I can’t blame them. We then tried to find housing for us, and then for the four students who are coming with us. Well, Alfonso was only able to find housing for one student – leaving 7 of us homeless. So we gave Alfonso the option of finding a house big enough for 8 of us. He succeeded and the place is amazing. I have tons of pictures that Alfonso took. If you are interested in seeing the house in detail, email me at lara.alvar@gmail.com and I will email them to you directly – once we have internet.
After we went to the UEM, we ventured to the other grocery store (the expensive one). This one had most of the products that we have, and I would attribute it to the Spanish version of AJ’s. Bryce and I learned that they don’t say bano here, but aesos – we walked around forever and finally figured it. Thank goodness I had Bryce with me, because I didn’t see the little man picture and walked into the men’s restroom. She was also great on Friday, she saw IKEA out her window.
Food. Did I mention that we haven’t been here a week yet and we are almost out of Nutella. This stuff is the bomb. It doesn’t taste the same in the States. The milk is kind of malty/vanilla-ish. The girls and I can only drink it with chocolate added. Brent doesn’t drink milk at home, but he loves it here. We have had regular meals, just not the spice cabinet, but great fresh food flavors.
Did I mention that Brent and I enjoyed such a relaxing evening Saturday night, that we managed to drink two bottles of wine – basically one a piece. I was trashed and had to talk to the family – so for $1 per minute we talked to everyone or their machines as quickly as possible. This solved my drunken home sickness!! Answer your phone asap – it could be me drinking again.
We really didn’t have jet lag. We took Alfonso’s suggestion and took sleeping medication before we went to bed, and all of us have been fine. The girls have been in the swimming pool every day for as long as they can. The water is pretty cold, but come late afternoon, they are hot enough not to mind it. Brent was in the pool yesterday and today, and I got to play in the pool with them most of the afternoon yesterday.
Today we really had a lazy day. I am trying to get into a routine – which is part of my daily life. Brent and I cleaned the pool out in our jammies. We then got ready for the day. It is Sunday, we didn’t quite know what to expect. We tried for IKEA again (the list grew) but everything is closed. We did get gas and waited in line to get the car washed – unsuccessfully. I did purchase staples for dinner at the gas station store – so at least that is open.
We came home and I started the home schooling. The girls went to school on Tuesday. They don’t start Spanish School until September 5th. I would like for them to do something on the evenings and weekends, so there isn’t as much of a transition when they get back to the states – we’ll see how well that thought is. Jocelyn’s teacher is fabulous. She got a journal all ready for Jocelyn to write in, with a letter from Mrs. Terrell at the beginning!!! She also had all of the students write her a letter to wish her good luck. She found out that one of her fellow classmates’ Dad had sabbatical last year. Mrs. Terrell copied all of the standards that were going to be covered for the semester – so easy for me to work with. She also made a folder for each subject. We took all of her books, as well as all of Bryce’s books. Bryce’s teacher is going to email me all of the weekly lesson plans (which is basically the same thing). A dear friend/neighbor (Carolyn Hale who has a 2nd grader as well) is scanning and emailing me all of the 2nd grade homework. This is an exact replica of what the students do during the day. I got a lot of attitude from the girls, but we worked through it. It will be better tomorrow.
Brent managed to work out today. He had a great run. This is amazing, because his knee has been bothering him for a few months. He took some time off and it was as good as new. He reminded me that there is elevation (I don’t know what it is) and we live in a hilly region. It was very challenging. He then stretched out on the beautiful landscape and swam a few laps. Did I say that this is like resort style living? My day is tomorrow, I’m very excited about being active again.
Brent and I have almost been bored. We don’t quite know what to do. He is almost finished with his first book. I’m about 3/4 done. I have been trying to blog/journal each day. We are also trying to figure stuff out. Today, Brent found this huge supply of Italian dishes, serving pieces, and bowls. We don’t have to buy dishes at IKEA now. These dishes are amazing – I might have to leave some of my 50 pound books for 50 pounds of dishes.
Currently Brent has his feet in the pool. The girls are watching their first movie on the DVD player in their room, and I’m on the veranda enjoying this remarkable weather and more vino. Come visit and let me share this experience.
Wednesday, 27 Augusto 2008
I plan on camping out in the cafeteria at the UEM to get this posted, so I’m staying up late tonight to work on it. I also have to pay my month end bills. It is insane not having internet. We did open up our account at Barclay’s bank and deposit money (Brent did this on his own!!!), so the company can charge us for the installation and begin internet service. Hopefully not much longer. I’m tired of not having any communication and being dependent on Brent’s Blackberry – which I was against in the first place, but am sooo glad he has now.
I forgot to mention on our Saturday adventures, we ate at the only place that was open. Everything closes down for August. People are slowly trickling back into the cities to get ready for school etc. They only had shell fish (Jim King would love this – he’s allergic). We managed to get dos cervasas, coca cola regular, y limon sin gas (lemonade without carbonation – Bryce can ask for this by herself!!!), y gamba (prawns). They came with the heads still on. We showed the girls how to peel and eat, and how to “suck their brains out” per Ana. Jocelyn tried it!!!! I don’t like it either – pero cuando en Espana – but when in Spain!!!
I have been keeping notes in my calendar. I haven’t been writing every night, I think because of internet depression!!! I finished my first book. I have since been balancing my statements. I didn’t have time at home – so I literally bagged everything up and flew it here. I have other books and projects to work on after. I have been washing all of the dishes. I think they were all recently purchased from IKEA and in need of sanitation. Can I say that I don’t have a dishwasher or a dryer that works. I finished the last glasses this evening. I have to wash the girls’ sheets tomorrow – it takes ALL day for those things to dry.
I did also run Monday. We have this fabulous loop through the neighborhood. It is 2 miles and had hills every corner – great for the calves. We are at a high Colorado/Pine Top elevation – so lots of heavy breathing!!! The girls walked part of it with us today.
Monday we went to have the afternoon at a friend’s of Alfonso’s. He is a gentleman from Argentina, received his MBA from Harvard, and is a businessman negotiating sports lifestyle stuff to corporations and Municipalities – I think. Ricardo was solo. His wife had to go to Madrid to rescue her sister – work and babysitter issue. So Ricardo had to “reheat” dinner and serve us. He did a great job.
They live in Guadarrana – just on the edge of the Madrid Community – almost to the Community or County of Segovia. It is about 30 minutes to Alfonso’s from our house, and then another 30 minutes to Ricardo’s. The village was so quaint – I would like to go back and explore. He lives in an old chapel that they relocated and renovated on his property. The living room, upstairs master bedroom, and a 3rd story loft are in the old chapel part. The Kitchen, powder room, and another bedroom/bath were added from there. Inside the house, he made sure that you could still see the original outside walls of the old chapel. The side doors are the original, but where the altar etc was, he put the fire place. His property was huge. He had this huge dirt round-about in the center. He laughed, because most Europeans call it a baseball diamond. It is eventually going to be a fountain. He also had this huge 1/2 tennis court out of concrete – and 30ft high. Then his son races BMX bikes – so they had a BMX track gated behind the yard.
We sat out and ate and drank and visited. This is Spanish custom – we are getting used to it. We were there about 5 hours, our American vibe was wanting to leave after 2. The kids played with Alfonso’s kids and bikes. They played with the rackets. Bryce helped Ricardo whenever possible. We sat outside under these enormous pine trees and enjoyed the breezes etc.
A hilarious note, they have a reject seeing eye dog as their pet – Surgo. Ricardo and his wife sponsored him and walked him around to socialize him when he was a puppy. He passed the training, but Surgo couldn’t handle the loud “bangs” of the city. They asked Ricardo if he would like Surgo back. Surgo is back and doesn’t listen to anything. In Bryce’s words, Surgo liked to dance with her – it isn’t dancing if you know what I mean, but I’m not going to tell her.
It was neat to tell Ricardo what we have done so far. He said that he always gets lost going to IKEA!!! Yeah – We aren’t alone, we don’t necessarily get lost, we just keep getting stuck on the wrong freeway or going through round-abouts multiple times.
Tuesday - We made up Kelly and Chelsea’s rooms. They are our undergrads who arrive Friday night. We got two twin beds from Ana and Alfonso. We also got our bus passes – major ordeal. Brent and I got ours right away, I have to go back in two weeks to get my girls’. This is crazy, because school starts in two weeks. We are borrowing Ana’s car until her school starts – which is next week. I need the bus passes to take the girls to school – so I have to pay in the meantime.
We also went to IKEA to get the remaining necessities that we need to survive. I’m thinking that IKEA is Europe’s Walmart. I think I’m set except for door stoppers. Everything else I’ve given up on, or emailed Tia Jen via Brent’s Blackberry.
We did find a cervesaria to eat at. We managed anchovies, tortilla, bread, olives, beer, coke, and limon sin gas – all by ourselves. It was great to have the girls try everything that we loved at all of the tappas restaurants. They liked the olives, tasted the anchovies, and loved the tortilla.
Wednesday - Today was fabulous. Today was Tomas’ birthday party. They have wrapping paper in the front of every specialty store for you wrap your gifts as soon as you buy them!!!! So we had Tomas’ wrapped gift from ToysRUs – near IKEA. Ana’s cousin and her family were there. Isabel has two boys, the exact age as Tomas (6) Guillermo and Santiago (4) Daniel. Bryce immediately started to play with Guillermo. Her first official Spanish friend. They were hilarious, both of them were talking, he in Spanish and she in English and getting along marvelously.
The birthday club was at their community club house. This is the same place where Tomas’ birthday was last year – that Ana sent all of the pictures to me. It was surreal this evening downloading today’s pictures and that my kids were some of the children in the photos at a European birthday party.
They got their faces painted, ate nutella and meat sandwiches, and all of the same birthday stuff. Jocelyn met her first friend – and I am happy. Jimena was playing with Bryce first and I made Jocelyn go and play. I told her “don’t think, don’t talk, just play.” She did and I was rewarded watching Jimena (9 and Ana’s neighbor) and Jocelyn pointing to things and translating. It was priceless. The girls even got to go and play at her house for a little bit.
Well, it is past midnight and I’m tired. Besos (kisses) until next time – Larita (what Ana and Alfonso call me).
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