Inspiration

What inspires you?! I got this bug in my head lately about inspiration in life and what makes us break the routine. Routines are good most of the time but as one person said not too long ago, we have to find ways to break them sometimes (sometimes more often).

Different things, people, actions, etc inspire me at this point in my life.

My friends inspire me. Those who are pursuing educational goals; those who are enjoying life to the fullest; those who are embarking on the hardest journey ever -- family and children; those who have stepped firmly on the ground and those who are flying up high.

My family inspires me. In a different way with its family routines and strange relationships; with its dedication; with its constant surprises and good and bad moments.

My students inspire me. The kids with their zest for learning and incredible energy; the teenagers with their amazing ideas and thinking; the adults with their daily life and experiences.

Traveling inspires me. Exploring new countries and cultures; getting lost in cities and wondering around discovering hidden treasures; getting immersed in new cultures and languages; taking pictures.

Volunteering inspires me. Donating your time and/or money to a cause you believe is worth saving; helping someone achieve a dream in their life; simply being there for someone who needs you.

http://www.kiva.org/

Nature inspires me. Standing on the beach listening to the waves and just looking at the endless horizon in the sea; admiring an incredible view from a top in the mountain; simply enjoying nature's amazing creatures and creativity.

Ever day life inspires me. People strolling around; children being children; beautiful art on the street by an unknown artist; flowers blossomed at unusual places.

What insipres you? What makes you move on and live every day as if it is a brad a new day?! When was the last time you thought about it?! :) Ideas in my head..................

Eat, Pray, Love in BCN

I have been slacking off a bit with the blogs -- be patient! Sometimes not too much happens; other times there is a lot but no time to write about it! One thing that I obviously can't do is -- make you guys comment....I know you are reading and as long as you are, I guess, that's enough :). Thanks to the regular folks who comment and thanks to all of you who read but do not bother writing a comment :).

So I finally saw "Eat, Pray, Love" in BCN in an OV (original version) movie theater. Asking what that is?! Well, in Spain the movies on the big screen are dubbed just like the ones on TV. Go figure. I guess people are not used to and completely against subtitles. So those like me, who do not speak Spanish and want to understand not just watch, have the option to go to the three (three!!!) original version theaters in BCN. There you can watch the movie in ENG and read the subtitles if you want -- what better way for a Spanish learning person?! :)

"Come, Reza, Ama" (Spanish translation) does a good job of portraying the main ideas of the book but as a devoted book lover, I recommend the book. Those who haven't read/seen it -- please do so! It is not a girls' only movie and I don't think there is a person out there who can't relate to some of the ideas mentioned in the book/movie. What also makes it genuine and thoughtful is the fact that it is a true story.

I read the book at a point in my life when it seemed like a life savior and I had many discussions with friends about the ideas  (dear, we drank some good wine over it!:). It was very interesting to re-visit the book (by watching the movie) again, almost 2 years later, and look at it with different eyes. It is still a wonderful piece of reality, life, finding oneself, looking for answers, being able to forgive and most importantly giving yourself an opportunity for more and better chances.

Thanks Liz for writing this wonderful book and giving people the strength to find themselves and learn how to be happy!

Mom

My mom is here! :) And brought me fall/winter stuff. I need it! Trust me, it's getting cold here.....Winter is coming again and another year almost over. Damn; it's going so fast!

Anyway, we are enjoying walks around the city, conversations, cosy nights in the apartment :). My brother continues to be the chef in the house even though my mom is beating him to some dishes he doesn't quite know yet. We had a lovely Saturday -- up in a cable car (awesome views of BCN) and then a nice uphill walk to Monjuic Castle. I visited that place one night back in August when somebody suggested we climb up there at midnight and have drinks at a cool bar. That was no walk! It was almost running for me (mind you, I still had heels), uphill, for 45 mins.....Didn't find the bar and of course the castle was closed. View -- too dark but still a great night!

Much less strenuous now and the castle was open. We could see the whole city and the weather was gorgeous! My bro knows how to prepare some amazing mushrooms and meat -- a treat after a whole day of walking.

            

Sunday was a day for a day trip to Montserrat -- mountain and monastery (ten centuries old) built in the rocks high up. After a Saturday night out and 4 hours of sleep, I was determined to get up at 8am on Sunday and catch the train (1 hour from BCN). My mom and I -- yes, my bro -- sleep is better than some monastery.....And it's better that he stayed! A hike in the mountain wouldn't have been good for him anyway.

What can I tell you?! The monastery is amazing, the views are breathtaking, and the hike -- well, 10km (one way), uphill to 1,230m in 1.5hrs -- not bad! :) Do not ask my legs how they feel. But it was worth it. Every part of it. The weather was great and we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

One thing you might notice -- quality of pics is not very good. Reason? I took my camera and realized that the memory card was at home! Mad at myself, I decided to use the iPhone (at least something!) and see if it's worth the money. Verdict?! Anyone? I think they turned OK. Can always be better but come on -- enough perfectionism! :)

OK, enjoy the photos (even though they are from my iPhone...and not that great), have a wonderful week and check back soon!!!

PS Who is going to be the 21st follower?!?!

Miss you

So a dear friend had a birthday yesterday, another has one today (Oct 13)  (Mimi and Tanche -- Happy Birthday! :), a few more coming at the end of the week (Dobby) and next (Alex); others are having a baby now (thinking of you, Moncadas!) and so on. The list goes on. These moments especially (and not only) make me want to be there with all my friends and it sucks so freaking much to be away! I knew it'd suck but maybe didn't have a clear idea of how hard it'd be. 

    

This period now reminds of a time about 2 years ago when things didn't seem very rosy. It's a very different feeling now but it's worse in a way. BCN is a lot of fun, met some great new people, love the job and the life here. But this still doesn't minimize the feeling of losing my friends. Or, if not losing, at least the fact that I can't even talk to you regularly, see you, go for drinks, dinners, etc. 

 

It's days like this that make me want to get on a plane and come see you all! Trust me I'd do it if I had a little more money than the basic survival stuff....Not thinking about it much helps sometimes but there are other times when it just comes over me like a hurricane and I can't stop it...So especially in moments like these I want to tell you all (and this is the reason for this blog) how much I miss you!!!  


 I am committed to use all kinds of technology to stay in touch and as hard as it can be to communicate sporadically and over the internet, I plan to keep my connections with you.

I've always believed in a few but really good friends and think I have some that I can call exactly this. So to put an end to this sad but very true and open (a little too open for me...) blog I will just say that no matter where I am, I will think of you and stay in touch! Enjoy life!!!! :)

Salsa/Jazz/Clubbing

Heated salsa

So I told you about meetup".com in BCN. On Sunday night decided to go with a few people from the cava fest to a salsa place. Completely out of my comfort zone -- went by myself, knew just 1 person (from the day before), can't really dance salsa but the bottom line is that I had a great time! :) The place is Mojito Bar and the name is very misleading because the mojitos weren't good at all! I decided to have one and the price was outrageous (at least for my finances now). 

Anyway, the place didn't have many people at first but slowly started packing. I met a few new people and danced some salsa. Most of the people there either took salsa lessons or were teachers themselves so the crowd was pretty good st it.As the night progressed I got better and lost the feeling of "poor-guys-who-have-to-dance-with-a-beginner". :) As one guy said: "I'd rather dance with a beginner". It turned out he liked to teach people like me who barely have any idea of what's going on.....

Sorry for the bad picture but this is what iphone does....My great salsa teacher in DC should be very proud of my moves! (Tanche, was almost like Havana!) :):):)

Jamboree live jazz

Last night was a live jazz night which turned later into club dancing. Discovered this very cool and apparently very good jazz place in BCN which is literally 2 mins from my flat! They had a tribute night and there were all kinds of musicians jamming together. Was really cool! Met my American and British friends there and what a night it was. After the jazz was over it turned into a regular dancing night club and then we finished off at another very cool place located on the same plaza. It is an apartment-made-a-lounge (think 18th St Lounge but not so glamorous and big). It is a very cool place for people to finish the nights. Drinks, sit down, chat...Turned the night into a day again and was in bed at 4:30am....(pic is again iphone..)

Today is a national day for Spain and we are off. Love these holidays! We have one in November too and then December comes with many many days off....:):):). Going to see a movie now and hang out with some more people from another meetup.  As you can see I really can't get bored here and there are tons of things to see and do. Mom is coming tomorrow! :) With a whole suitcase full of my clothes, shoes and goodies! 

Cava Festival

There is a big bottle of cava...

It's official -- Spain is the country of festivals! For the 2.5 months that I've been here I've seen more festivals than during my whole stay in the USA (and 9 years is not a short time). Every town and neighborhood has festivals. And they are not just 1 day -- at least 3, ideally a week.....:) You might think that I'm tired of crowds, festivities, drinking and eating but...NO! :) I'm a little afraid now that with winter approaching (we are not seeing fall here yet but...) there might not be fests...But will not worry about it yet and just leave it to the party people who I'm sure will come up with something.

So I've joined the local meetup website and have started meeting some more people in BCN (locals and internationals). Yesterday decided to go to a local town (45 mins by train) for a cava festival. Cava is sparkling wine but is different than champagne. Or it seems that way. Do not ever tell locals that cava is like champagne -- deadly sin! This town, San Sarduni d'Anoia, is the most famous and biggest producer of cava in Catalunya. And of course there is a cava festival! 

A tasting of cavas produced in the region, sampling of food and of course a nice glass for the memories :). We met some nice people, drank some cava, saw the queen of cava and basically spent the whole day there. Caught the last train at 10pm and got home exhausted. What better way to spend a Saturday?! It seems that the festivals and crowds in BCN are not enough and now we venture outside the city. On Tuesday, there is apparently a free tour and tastings in different cava cellars with a special cava train from BCN. Since Tuesday is a national holiday in Spain (there is one every month...) and we are not working here I might do another trip. Heard that some of the cellars actually have underground tunnels that go on for kilometers and you can have a nice tour.

Party people

A glass of cava and....a balloon :)

So Tuesday is still open and will see what happens. Weather has been great here so far! Still hot during the day so wearing tank tops and sandals :). Last night we had a big storm and was raining when I got up but maybe it will clear later so we can enjoy the Sunday outside. OK, off to eat some crepes (homemade!!!:) with chocolate!!!!! :)

End of night -- 1,2,3 glasses....

COETUS "El gallo rojo"