Granada -- Agustín Lara

Granada, tierra soñada por mí

Mi cantar se vuelve gitano cuando es para tí

Mi cantar hecho de fantasía

Mi cantar flor de melancolía

Que yo te vengo a dar.

Granada,

Tierra ensangrentada

En tardes de toros.

Mujer que conserva el embrujo

De los ojos moros;

Te sueño rebelde y gitana

Cubierta de flores

Y beso tu boca de grana

Jugosa manzana

Que me habla de amores.

Granada,

Manola cantada en coplas preciosas

No tengo otra cosa que darte

Que un ramo de rosas,

De rosas de suave fragancia

Que le dieran marco a la virgen morena.

Granada,

Tu tierra está llena

De lindas mujeres

De sangre y de sol.

Photo Recap: California Christmas -- Spanish Summer

Ok here are some photos. The way blogger uploads them is totally confusing so try to think of them as reverse chronological order every 5 photos. Sorry but I hope you enjoy!

Christmas dinner with the family: The one picture I have of Taft. My sister took the rest and didn't give them to me:
Family New Year's Eve:
Visiting Matt and Laurel:
New Year's at Sarah Stafford's house with Sari:

With Uncle Mark: Christmas morning!:
Mattie should have gotten coal in her stocking this year but Santa was nice and brought her a giant bone:
Christmas day with our new Tous jewelry from Alicia and Victor:
Sister, mom, grandma, great-grandma and me:

Christmas Eve with the cousins: Spanish treats for everyone:
Family portraits:

Uncle Mark brought us these Russian hats from China:

Adrian dancing with Violeta before his Salsa dancing show I went to: Adrian and his group getting ready to perform:
On a walk with Emilio, Pepa and their friend, Paco (I think):
Inside Carmen de los Mártires, finally:
Rosa, Raquel, Zore and me:

A trip to Guejar Sierra with Emily:
We went out with my roommates and their friends. From right to left, Dani, ??, Maribel, Rosa, Zore, her mom, Raquel, ??, Emily and myself in front. Raquel and Maribel are the 2 sisters I didn't like at all:
Zore and her mom, who were actually both very nice:
Marina being adorable in her favortie place to play. Pepa's kitchen with syran wrap and foil:

Emily and me at a school dinner: Michelle and I who always seem to get preggers ar social dinners:
On a walk with Emilio. I was glad someone else was getting the phone in the face 3 hour tour instead of me:
Exploring Realejo:
My feet on Cuesta de los Chinos:

The big mess at the end of the night: A bigger mess at the end of the night:
Heff and Rachel:
Free Chenoa concert:
My Valentine's roses from Victor:

Hugh Heffener and his Playboy bunnies getting ready for a wild night of Carnaval in Cádiz: Samar and I:
Michelle and me with our 15 year old student who somehow tricked his parents into letting him come on the trip. He couldn't hold his alcohol either as the bus had to stop for him to puke on the way back. Hopefully he learned his lesson:
The bunnies with a guy giving out free mamograms. All you had to do was put your boobies in the box on his head. Thankfully ours were balloons:
Jenny and Juan as Superwoman and Superman:
A weekend in Malaga with Victor:

On the beach photo shoot:

The lights for carnaval:
Eating lunch with Michelle at El Mirador de San Nicolas:

More penetentes: I think its more points with God if you walk barefoot. Keep in mind its cold and takes almost all day:
It takes a lot of people to lift up the heavy christs and virgins:
A little kid in the band:
Me on the bridge going to my house at night:

The Christ for this procession: These guys were dressed up like kings or soemthing for this procession:
Little girls in teh procession:
The Virgin:
Penetent people, not the KKK:

Monsul beach, the famous one where Rambo, Indiana Jones and Goonies was supposedly shot: Raul's house in Mojácar, specifically his cactus garden:
Me standing next to the Indalo, the good luck symbol of Almería:
A lady dressed up and walking in the Semana Santa processions:
Priest incense guys in the procession:
Also in the town of Mojácar:

Driving on our road trip:
Sitting on the beach:
The beach in Mojácar:
More of Raul's house:

These are really out of order but ohe well. The birthday spread of food. The Spainards realized that its cooler to have a party with a lot of food, rather than just alcohol:
The city of Mojácar where Victor and I went for Spring Break:
A picture of us in La Parrilla a weekend that we went to the beach:
My friends from this year, on Brad's last night in June. Jenna, Samar, Brad, Michelle and me:

Jenny crowning me the birthday queen: Nachete, Marina and Pepa coming to inspect the birthday preparations:
Jenna, Juan and Jenny:
Happy surpise birthday party!:
Joker, Dani, Diego, Rafa and Charif:

I loved my visit with Katie: But I think the Spainards loved it even more:
WWE in the bullfighting ring:
Iñaki, me and Michelle:
A whole fried octopus:

My 2 and 3 year old students. Warning: They only look sweet and innocent: Michelle and me and our older students:
Rafa and me:
My students paying attention:
Sacramento, Carmina, Blanca and me:

At the Mexican party at the feria with Michelle, myself, Brad and Kristen: Jenna, Brad and Michelle at La Herradura:
The Alpujarras with Nick, Kristen and Brad:
The mountain pueblos of La Alpujarra:
Victor and me in front of the main cross: Brad and the cake I baked him for his birthday:
Michelle and me at Isla Mágica field trip:
Alicia and Toni when they came and visited me in Granada:
The body of Christ carrier for the feria:

Marina dressed up in traditional Spanish dress. The main reason I want to have Spanish kids is to dress them up like this ;) : Alicia, Marina and Nachete at Victor's house:
Brad and Kristen at brunch at Michelle's house for Las Cruces celebration:
Spanish horse and people:
A cross:

From the rooftop of random dude's high rise appartment in Madrid Night visit to La Alhambra:
Dani and Wali playing and singing flamenco:
People climbing all over the fountain when Spain won a game:
The celebration in Malaga when Spain won the championships with Victor and Brenda:

Blanca driving us to Segovia: The aqueduct of Segovia:
Touching the magical rocks of the church that supposedly gave us power:
Michelle and I on a rowboat in the Retiro park in Madrid:
Dude we traded English lessons for a boat ride and dinner in Madrid:

Guanche and Magdalena: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:
Volcanic sand:
Sergio, me Mada and Koki:
Some dude, Koki, Mada, Jose, some other dude, and me dressed like peasants:

Baleric lizzard: Me swimming in the blue cave:
Alicia, Rosa and me:
The accident:
Giant paella in Canarias for Mada's birthday:

Tim, Jolene and me: In Father Junipero Serra's hometown:
Pamboli, breakfast of champions:
Toni:
The beaches of Mallorca:

My trip to Guadix and the cave houses there: Mini ice cream cones with Jolene:
Tim and I in Athens in front of the Acropolis:
A pelican and Tim in Mykonos, Greece:
Red Beach in Santorini, Greece:
Try not and throw up in your mouth at this mullet:

Michelle and I all dressed up with somewhere to go:
Enchiladas!!!!:
Probably the best picture I have taken of La Alhambra:
The sunset in Granada from El Mirador de San Miguel:

Welcome flowers:

My sister in her stalker outfit:
Beached dock:
Overpriced buy yummy fish dinner:
The cave houses on my walk with Bea and Antonio:

Fly Little Firefly Fly, Fly Luciérnaga Fly

After security I headed to my gate which was nearly boarding. The flight to Dublin went well, I was shocked when I arrived in my short sleeves and sandals to find that we would not be exiting through a jetway, but right down some stairs into the freezing night! I was hit by a chilling wind, which I never warmed up from. I tried to manuever my way through customs and figuring out where to go, making sure my luggage was safe and that I was doing the right thing. Usually I never see my luggage nor do I have to leave security and go through it again with a connecting flight. This time, my luggage came out and I wanted to make sure I didn't have to pick it up or take it anywhere and I had to leave security. After wandering around a bit I found the main airport where I would have to check in some time in the next 8 hours. Unfortunately all the good sleeping spots were taking but thankfully I looked up and saw a cafe waiting area through a window above me. Determined to get in there I finally did and was wandering by an area with tables and chairs and a tv when I heard a sound that stopped me in my tracks. It was the "Dun-dunh" of an episode of Law and Order. I couldn't believe it! I stopped and found a place to camp in front of the tv and put on some socks. I watched tv for the next couple of hours and tried to sleep. Then I checked in for my flight and used my last 6 euros to buy a muffin and some hot chocolate. I had been freezing to death all night because for some reason, it is 28 degrees below zero in airports at night and I was very much underdressed for Ireland. Thankfully I had the socks and a little sweater with a hood. Otherwise I might not have made it. Then I wandered around some shops and looked and took another nap in front of my gate. From what I saw of the airport, I think I would have really liked Dublin. Finally after 8 eternal, cold hours, I boarded for my flight to San Francisco. I was so lucky and chose a seat where no one sat next to me. So I took my 2 blankets, 2 pillows, raised the arm rest and snuggled in for the rest of the flight. I ate the meals but barely watched the movies because they weren't very good and I was so tired anyway. So I slept my way to San Francisco and woke up there the next day.

Sunday 7 Septermber I made it through customs with no problem and all my suitcases. My parents were there to greet me with hugs, smiles and flowers. I got lots of complements on how blonde my hair was and how tan I was. The benefits of being on vacation in Spain for 3 months. We went upstairs to get somethign to eat and all of a sudden a screaming black blob ambushed me! It was my sister who had flown up from Long Beach to suprise me! It was the best suprise ever and I was so happy to see her since I thought I wasn't going to for a bit more! She even had flowers for me too. It was so nice. We ate and headed back to Newcastle and after a long time I had finally reached my destination.

It was a crazy few days, my return and having lots of visitors coming up to see me, my sister going back, so much going on. It really sunk in a few days later when everyone had gone back to work and I was home alone. I have been going running with my dog every day and one morning after our run, I got some breakfast and turned on Sesame Street. They had this song about fireflys that they sung in Engilsh and then in Spanish. I had this moment watching Luis Rodriguez, who has been a character on Sesame Street since I was little, sing just like he always did. I learned a new word in Spanish I had never heard before, here in Newcastle. Tele and Baby Bear were cathing fireflies in a jar but then they let them go because they wern't happy when they wern't free. It has been crazy since I've been back. I had to rest and recover from jet lag. I finished up my paper journal and met up with some friends in the area. I made a trip down to South to visit my grandma and friends in Long Beach. It has been great to spend more time with my family who I love so much and enjoy Newcastle. I love nature and my hometown is a very special place for me. I've seen it turn from summer to fall and hint at winter. I've been looking for work and relaxing and figuring out what to do next.

I ended my last blog with "I'll probably write one more entry of closing thoughts sometime later..." I never did. I tried, I really did. But it never really came to a close for me. This is my best attempt at closing thoughts now, but I know it will fall short. I cannot close because Spain has become a part of who I am. I don't know if that will ever be able to close. I don't know what's next, what's right, what I'm supposed to be doing, what God wants or what His will is. All I know is that I love speaking Spanish. I love Spain and Granada. I love Victor and his family. I love God. I was very sad to leave and I feel a longing in my heart for what I left behind. Only time and God will tell if I will ever volver a volver.

My Favorite Place In The World

Friday 5 September I woke up. Well I tried. I don't know at what time I finally woke up but it seemed really early. Then I got into my running clothes and took a garbage bag of clothes down to donate. I saw Adrian leaving and we said goodbye again. Then somehow I managed to go for my last run through Fuente de La Bicha. I showered and got all ready and packed and then went to visit Emilio again. Raul had forgotten his wallet yesterday and I had to get it to take it to him at the beach. I got the wallet from Emilio and said goodbye again. I was hoping he would volunteer to take me to the bus station but he didn't. He was going walking. Then I went to the store and bought my favorite breakfast snack, sobaos. They are like little sponge cakes and really delicious dipped in chocolate milk. Then I ran into Emilio again on my way back in as he was going out for a walk, and said goodbye again. Then back at home I loaded everything up, a backpack, suitcase, purse and my poster and headed down the road to the bus stop. On my way I saw Adrian coming back, since it would be our upteenth goodbye I just told him that he couldn't say goodbye to me even if he wanted to. Then I took the bus to the bus station and bought a ticket to La Herradura. I had some problems with the automatic machine and I was really afraid that the 2 or so tickets left were going to be sold out by the time I waited in the long line. Praise the Lord they weren't and I got my ticket and took the bus to my favortie place in the world, to be with my favorite person. I got there and let myself in and opened up the house and turned on the water. Then I went to the store and bought water and chocolate milk. Then Victor got there. He had arrived from Rome early that morning and after a few work errands headed to the beach. It was the strangest day and so strange seeing eachother. We barely spoke but just gave eachother a hug. Then we went to El Chambao de Joaquín for lunch. We didn't really know what we wanted but ordered a few sides and a main dish to split. We got barbequed octopus, fried baby squid and a fish I don't know what its called in English. We knew it wasn't the cheapest resturant in the pueblo, but we didn not expect the 83 euro bill they slammed us with at the end. Except for that, and the overhanging sadness, it was a pretty nice lunch on the beach. Then back at the house we rested and I cried because we were both really tired. Later Raul came by for his wallet. After he left Victor and I headed down to the beach. It was really windy weather and the waves were enormus. So much so that the floating dock with the slide and diving boards on it had broken loose and was being washed up on shore. We laid out and looked around and took pictures. Then we walked to the video rental place and got "Night at the Museum" and "Stranger Than Fiction." We went back and watched "Stranger Than Ficton." Then we went out for a walk and some tapas. Our favorite tapas place was really full so we walked around some more, but it never let up. So we ended up getting some pretty yummy tapas and an avocado salad at another place I had never tried before. It was yummy. Then we walked down to La Cochera where the greatest rock group from before was going to have a concert. It was of course way too early and there was no one in there and the band was just barely setting up. We sat on the beach for a while and then walked back home.

Saturday 6 September we got up really early because Victor had to go back to Malaga for a meeting. We ate breakfast on the balcony as the sun was rising and then headed to Malaga. I got dropped off at Victor's house and he went to his meeting. I organized the last few things into my suitcases, straightened up the room and gathered up some things for Pepa. Then I headed to the post office to try and mail my poster home. I didn't want it to get bent in my suitcase but the post office didn't have any mailing tubes and neither did the paper store. It was really frustrating but I went home and caught up on my daily notes (otherwise I NEVER would have been able to remember all this!) and fell asleep for a little nap. When I woke up, the sad feeling I had had since yesterday was gone and I was in a really peaceful mood. Victor got home and we headed back to La Herradura. We went and ate at another special resturant for us, La Parrilla and got the special menu. It was really yummy and had all the Spanish favorites. Ham, paté, olive oil, shrip, deliciousness. I also love the blue glass water bottles they have and took the one they gave us. Then we headed back home and watched "Night at the Museum." Well, I watched it, Victor fell asleep. Then we headed down to the secret beach, my favorite part of the beach, which we don't go to very often. The waves were still huge but I wanted to go swimming anyway. After getting smashed by the waves, we got out and laid on the beach for a while. Someone had drug the big floating dock to the secret beach and tied it down there. I also brought the snorkel but it was impossible. We just talked and watched a parachuter come in for landing a ways down the beach and spent all afternoon on the secret beach. Then we went back and I showered and got all ready. Then we drove back to Malaga and to Victor's house. We were pretty much running short on time, as usual. At Victor's house we loaded up all the suitcases and headed to the airport. Everyone else had already checked in so there was no line, but they wanted to charge me domestic extra baggage fees (almost 300 eruos) instead of international (85 euros.) They thought I didn't know what I was talking about, but finally realized I was right and I was thankful that had all worked out. Then I gave Victor his card and pictures. He gave me a Chambao cd, a group he always gives me the cds of. It was really sad, but for some reason I still had an overwhelming sense of peace that everything would be ok. We said a very tearful goodbye and when I just couldn't wait any longer I walked through security.

La Última

Monday 1 September I woke up early and went downstairs to make sure Victor was getting up to go to work. It's a good thing I did because his alarm didn't go off and he was almost late. He once again had to drive to Malaga, park his car, drop off my two huge suitcases, get a taxi to the airport and get there in time to catch his flight. After he went on his way, I went back to sleep for a while. Then I went for a run and showered and Michelle came over. We went and bought packing tape and then went to Emilio's to package up my box. We got everything ready and put the huge box on Pepa's shopping cart and rolled it to the post office. When we got there, it was a mess. There were huge lines and it was taking forever because their computers had crashed or soemthing. People started leaving so I wanted to see if i could stay, in case they started working again. They never did, but the people were nice enough to let me leave the box there and come back and pay for it when the compters were running so I didn't have to lug it back home, and then back again! On our way home we stopped at a grocery store to get stuff to make a huge salad. We loaded up all the leftovers I had, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, olives, pasta, eggs, avocado, lentils, the works and had a huge salad with bread and cheese and some ranch dressing I made. It was really yummy and I had been wanting to do that for some time. Then we rested and Michelle had to go get the keys to her new place and I wanted to return my guitar to Antonio and go back to the post office. I went back to Antonio's and gave him the Bonet de San Pedro cd I had found in Canarias and returned the guitar and got my deposit back. It was sad saying goodbye to him. Then I went to the post office and got ripped off as they charged me a ton to mail the box back. Then I went to Michelle's house and helped her pack up the rest of her stuff. She was almost done but we forced it all into 1 trip. Then we hauled it all downstairs in several trips, and to the street in another few. Then we called for a taxi. He came and loaded her 3 suitcases, 4 XL bags, backpack, computer and a few smaller bags and a beach umbrella into the taxi. At least we got it all in 1 trip and only paid for 1 taxi ride. Then we went to her new house and unloaded everything, and started setting stuff up so she could sleep there that night. When she had things semi-under control, we went back to my place for more salad dinner or leftover enchiladas and watched TV. Michelle was pooped from such a crazy move and later she went home. Then I had to change rooms officially and finally. The next day Sara, the girl who was moving in was coming. So I took everything out and moved into Rosa's old room and Jenna's new room. I felt like a guest in what used to be my own house.

Tuesday 2 September I woke up and went for a run. Then I showered and got ready to go to the beach. Michelle and I were going to Salobreña for the day. I ate the leftover salad as and early breakfast lunch and picked up some empanadas on the way to take the bus to the bus station. I finally got to the bus station and met Michelle there. We got our tickets and got right on. Salobreña is the closest beach town to Granada, but I had never been to it because I had always had the privilidge of being shuttled to better beaches, but I had always wanted to go. We got there and set up camp. We spent all day on the beach and in the water. After a bit we moved spots because a big daycare group left and we went into the now empty space. Also Michelle ran into a friend she knew and we chatted with them a bit. It was a good day, nice weather, nice water, nice beach. We also saw some crazy dude with a really impressive mullett bury himself right in front of us. That was hilarious. Then later in the evening we went and I bought a magnet and we got an ice cream. Then we caught the bus back home. I went home and showered and met Sara, the new roommate who had moved in. Michelle also came over and we made tacos and the 3 of us had dinner. It was a nice dinner and we watched a little tv and went to bed.

Wednesday 3 September I woke up and called my dad. I woke up in a really sad mood because of all that was happening but I was trying to ignore. We talked for a long time and I finally went for a run. Then I went to Maria's office to say goodbye to her and return a book to her. It was nice visiting, but also sad. Then I wandered around El Corte Inglés looking for some card or gift or something I could give to Victor and his family. Dissapointed I left and went to the tourist office for some free posters. I also made some copies of some recipies and print off my ticket, which was a hassel becasue I had to go to several different places. Then I met Michelle and we finally went to Buen Gusto, the Chinese resturante I always ate at with my girls the last time I studied abroad. I had been watning to go back since I got back, but never had the opportunity. The food was exactly the same. Then we went back to my place and I dropped off my posters and stuff. Then Michelle and I took the bus to her house and carted a bunch of stuff of mine that she was adopting. Michelle was still setteling in and organizing so I helped her by falling asleep on her bed. Then she was really tired too so she took a nap and I left to go visit and go on a walk with Antonio and Bea. I took the bus there and walked all the way up to their house. When I got there Santi was there too. We visited a bit and had tea. Then Santi left and the three of us went to explor the old city wall and the caves where people lived. There were some really nice caves, that looked like luxury houses and some really crappy caves that looked like hovel dumps. It was all so neat and something I had been wanting to do a long time, but had never known how to get up there. After a bit, Floren called us and came too. We looked all around and could see Sacromonte and just had a nice time. It got sad though because Floren didn't know I was leaving and I had to try and explain when he found out. I almost started crying becuase I was so sad. It is impossible to explain why, when I don't understand either. We hung out inside for a while and had chorizo and bread and visited. Then I left with Floren and walked down to Michelle's house. She got her stuff together and came over and spent the night. We had dinner and watched tv.

Thursday 4 September I woke up early to go to the bank and close out my account. It was closed for some reason so I came back. Michelle had left early to get her residency card and paperwork taken care of (The reason she spent the night, I live much closer to the police station.) I used the internet a bit and while doing so, she came back. Then I went back down to the bank and closed my account. Then I went for a run while Michelle did internet stuff. Then I took a shower and Michelle went with me to drop off some pictures I wanted developed. I had the idea to write nice cards to everyone and print off cute pictures of the kids for them. Michelle had helped me pick them out the night before. So we went and dropped off the pictures to be printed and then I went to the Corte Inglés and bought nice cards. Then Michelle went back to her house and I went back to the tourist office for a better poster of the Alhambra. I found out mine from the day before was ripped when I got home. Good thing they are free. Then I found a covered doorway where I could sit and not bother anyone and write my cards. I had to write Emilio and Pepa's, Nacho and Alicia's and Raul and Patricia's all before lunch time. So I camped out and there was a mini, freak rainstorm, so I was glad I was under an awning. I wrote the cards until it was time to pick up the pictures, which I was really thankfull would be ready before lunch. Then I went back to my building, but I couldn't go to my house because the landlord was supposedly coming that day. I went straight to Emilio's and put the pictures in their respective envelopes, went down and brought bread for Emilio and then went to Los Ogíjares for my last, big family lunch and to say goodbye. Raul and Patricia had come up for the day just to say goodbye to me. Nacho and Alicia were there too with the kids. It was a sad, strange day. I hung out with everyone and helped feed the kids. Nacho wasn't going to be able to make it for lunch and Raul was late. While we were waiting they had some presents for me. Nachete and Marina and Marcelo, their cousin, had drawn me pictures and written me notes. Nacho and Alicia bought me a cute purse. Their note said, "This isn't goodbye, this is a see you later. Know that you are leaving behind a big family who loves you very much." For some reason I didn't start crying, (which I have everytime since, then that I read their note, including now when I type it.) Raul and Patrica bought me a nice necklace. I gave them their cards, which they really liked and like the pictures. Pepa was crying and sniffly all day and so I just set her card aside and told her she could open it when she wanted to. Then after a long wait, us ladies ate with Emilio. Then Raul came home and he ate. Pepa and I visited as Emilio and the kids had gone down for their naps. I spent all day there. It was nice but awkward. I wanted to leave because it was so uncomfortable, but I never wanted to leave because it would be the last time. I took care of the kids, Pepa finally took her nap and we just spent all day there. I told Pepa that she should open her card to look at her pictures, that she didn't have to read it, but she read it anyway. She of course started bawling. Emilio went back to Granada, but he was rushing my goodbyes so I stayed. Then Raul and Patricia left, but they were stopping some place before going back and couldn't take me back. Then finally Nacho came home, and I got to see him. After a while, I said my final goodbyes, and forced Pepa to say goodbye to me. She went and hid upstairs but I found her. It was so sad and tearful. I didn't cry at all, probably because Wednesday was my crying day. Then Nacho took me home. It was really sweet of him and he gave me a huge hug. We talked on the way home and had one more listen to Rock And Goal, the best rock/soccer radio station in the world. I stopped by Emilio's really fast and said goodbye too. Then I was back and had said goodbye. I started writing and finishing up my cards for Michelle and Victor. Michelle was on her way over and I gave her her card. After finishing Victor's I got ready and we went to Michelle's place and dropped off the last of my stuff she was adopting and then out for a last walk and tapas around Granada. We got three rounds of tapas at La Bodega and then went to Hannigans. Adrian came and met us there. We talked and hung out with this one girl who leeched onto our group. Then we went to Granero, a different bar. It was really fun because they played really great music and all these wierdos kept talking to us. I just thought it was really funny because they were mostly talking to Michelle and I was just laughing my head off. There was one guy who looked like a vampire and another whose pants fell off they were so baggy. Finally Adrian, who was visiting some friends in a bar next door came back and saved us from the vultures. We got free passed to go to Metro and later I said goodbye to Adrian and he went home. I made Michelle go with me but we were so early (around 3 AM) that no one was there! We got our passes back and started the walk home. I had to say goodbye to Michelle which was really sad. Then I said goodbye to the pomegranete tree in front of the post office like Emilio told me to. Then I had one last night time walk thought the city center, past my favorite walkway in Granada, my favorite park, the monkey bridge and river and home to my house. It was really emotional. Then back at home Adrian was still awake. I still had a lot of stuff to do, like getting everything ready for tomorrow, packed and on its way. I said goodbye to Adrian again when he went to bed and then stayed up finishing "The Davinci Code" so I could give it back to him. I finally fell asleep just 2 hours before I wanted to get up. Like I always say, "You can sleep when you are dead, or don't live in Granada."

La Penúltima

Monday 25 August Victor got up really early to go to work. His vacation had officially ended and he had to drive all the way back to Malaga, to catch a plane to Dublin. Pepa was up making him coffee and after Victor left I just waited around for Emilio to take us all back to Granada. Back at home I went to the other side of town to pay a parking ticket Victor had gotten that weekend. It was funny because as I paid it, the banker said, "Don't do it again." I looked at him perplexed because the paper clearly said Ignacio Bullejos (Victor bought the car from Nacho) and I obviously wasn't him. He lauged and said "I know, but still..." Then back at home I played on the internet until Michelle got to my house from her tutoring job. She was tutoring my old student Pablo everyday in English and would stop by on her way home. We made ourselves a yummy little brunch of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, juice and milk and ate it on the balcony. Then we just hung out and did nothing, napped, watched tv, etc. and in the afternoon went and looked for more appartments for Michelle. We did that all afternoon and evening and then I came home and went to bed.

Tuesday 26 August I woke up, went for a run and Michelle came over after her class. She hung out in my room with me while I took all the things down from my walls and started getting things in order. Then she went home for lunch and I made lunch too. I had leftover chicken and yummy sauce from Sunday. I also made mashed potatoes. Then I washed up and kept going through stuff in my room and deciding what was staying, going, being donated or thrown out. I made several trips down to Victor's, brought stuff up, went through it and then took what I was taking back, back down to Victor's and started again. It was quite the process. Then I went with Michelle to visit a piso that only cost 120 euro! We went with Sergio, her special friend, and saw a ton of our students in Triunfo, which was rather embarassing. It was her dream piso, but the girls said they would call her to see if she could have the room, but she really, really wanted it. Afterwards, they went to get some tapas, but I went home and watched tv and went to bed. I was going to continue packing but just couldn't.

Wednesday 27 August I woke up and went for a run, showered and cleaned out my room. It was really strange because someone rang the doorbell but only once and I didn't answer it. I had been slightly nervous about the landlord just stopping by and finding me there again. Adrian had said that he didn't stop by once during the 3 weeks I was gone and didn't even come by the day I left to check and see that I had moved out. He only called Adrian who told him I had left. So I had cleaned out my room and moved a lot of my stuff into what would be Jenna's room. (Brad and Jenna were still planning on moving in.) She got the stuff that was still usable but I wasn't going to bring it back to California with me. The rest of the stuff had gone downstairs. When Michelle came over we both went downstairs and I started the actual packing process. We bought down my laptop and Michelle was playing funny comedian videos and stuff online the whole time. That was the only thing that got me through the packing process, I was completely distracted. We also had Emilio there all day. He had gone to buy bread and bought us a loaf. He left to go for lunch and finally we got hungry enough to stop. Just as we were about to go up, I got a text message from Adrian saying that the landlord was there! The mystery doorbell ringing had been him. We waited till Adri sent me a message that he was gone, which was a long time, an then went up. We had been waiting so long that we ate th entire loaf of bread while waiting. That ruined our appetites but I made a little salad for Michelle and I and we watched tv with Adri. He said the landlord looked a little puzzled about the 2 rooms looking slightly inhabited, but didn't say anything. I had successfully dogded the bullet. Then we went back downstairs and finished packing. We were watching America's Funniest Home Videos and afterwards went upstairs and continued for a while. Then we headed to Michelle's so she could get ready to go out with Sergio. On the way there, Alicia called me to see if I wanted to come over and make pancakes for them. Pepa and them had been working finally moving houses. They had been cleaning the old house and doing a ton of work. They had to get ready for the renters to move into their old house, and move themselves into Los Ogijares, untill their new house would be ready. I said yes and bought some oj, grabbed my stuff and went over there with Emilio. I made pancakes, with syrup, scrambled eggs and bacon, with milk and juice. I was pretty nervous to be cooking for them, but Alicia helped and Pepa set the table. It turned out to be a huge success! I was so happy and proud (and lucky!) I told them that now I only owed them 574,328 more meal and we would be even. The best part was that Pepa had seconds... wait for it... and THIRDS!! I was so happy to be able to do something nice for the people who have done so much for me. After cleaning up, we were all so pooped we went to bed.

Thursday 28 August I woke up early and had breakfast with Pepa and Alicia. Then I went with Alicia to her old house to pick some stuff up and take it to their new house, which I hadn't seen yet. It was sad to say goodbye to their old house, (also my old house when I lived with them) but it was nice to see them finally moving into their new house, because they had been through a horrific house buying ordeal. Then back at home I waited for Michelle to come by, but she didn't because of a miscommunication. So I went to the post office and bought a huge box to ship stuff home with. I saw a really cute puppy on the way home too. He was just a little bit bigger than a Beanie Baby and I wanted to take him home. Since Michelle was doing other things that day, I went with Emilio back to Los Ogíjares for lunch. I took a nap there and came back with Emilio after he was done with his nap. Then I went and met Michelle who was out looking for more pisos in the blistering sun. We walked back to her place and watched "Knocked Up." After hanging out some more and maybe going for a walk, I went home and went to bed.

Friday 29 August I woke up and went for a run. Then I went to the store and made sure I had all the stuff to make enchiladas for Michelle and Adrian and stew for Pepa and family that weekend. I started with the preperations for the enchiladas and made guacamole and the sauce. I cooked all morning and made a really impressive lunch for us. It was really fun and I wanted to have a special meal for 2 of my closest friends in Granada. And I made some freaking awesome enchiladas and I was so proud of myself. So I washed up and Michelle and I went out looking for and at more pisos. She was so frustrated because she hadn't heard from the 120 eruo one and it was almost the end of the month. We stopped to rest in Triunfo and just then the 120 place people called her to say that she could move in! She was estatic and we both screamed and hugged like big freaks in the middle of the park while everyone stared. Then we headed back home to get ready and celebrate. On the way I bought a University of Granada sweatshirt which I had been wanting to buy since I studied there. We got dressed up really pretty and walked to an outdoor theatre in Zaidin to see a movie. When we got there, we didn't want to see antyhing that was playing and walked back and got some tapas on Alhamar. It was nice and we talked the night away. Then after 3 rounds of tapas, we headed to Hannigan's where her old roommate worked. We hung out there for a while and I said to her in English, "I wish some guys would talk to us, I'm bored." Usually in a Spanish bar, 2 American girls wouldn't have a chance, but this evening everyone was ignoring us. Right after I opened my big mouth these two, ugly, annoying guys started chatting us up. They spoke perfect English and I'm pretty sure they heard me, so I brought it upon myself. They were ok at first, but then got annoying, asking me if in life I was a pirate or a sailor. I was in no mood to discuss my life that evening with an ugly stranger, so I told him he was a hippy. Then he got upset and asked Michelle if she had had plastic surgery for some reason and we left. Thankfully Victor had called me and we went to meet him where he was. He had arrived to Malaga from Dublin around 10 and drove to Granada. He was going to meet us at Hannigains, but went to the wrong one, (since there are 2.) On his way to the one we were at, he ran into Santi who was on his way to hang out with most of the people from the beach who were botellóning nearby. Victor called me and we headed that way. It was fun to see eveybody all together and we had a really nice time. Michelle went home early, and then Victor and I did. He was a little tired since he woke up in Ireland that morning.

Saturday 30 August I despite going to bed late, I woke up early and started prepping everything for the stew. I peeled and chopped veggies and made biscuits, and made sure I had everything I needed. Then I made Victor take me to Los Ogíjares and I started cooking everything. Pepa was freaking out, and wanted to help me and I gave her a few things to do but otherwise told her to relax and leave me alone. That was impossible but oh well. It took a long time, but I finally prepared a big yummy salad, biscuits, stew and dumplings for 6 adults, 2 kids and 1 grandma. They said they all really liked it and I tried to tell them thank you for all they had done for me. A stew dinner doesn't even come close to sufficing the debt of grattitue I owe Victor's family, but I tried my best. Then we cleaned up and of course, had a siesta. Then Victor and I went to Bea and Antonio's house where the group from last night had been having a bbq. They live in a neat part of Granada that I hadn't really explored before. They invited us to the bbq the night before, but I already had stew plans. They had been hanging out all day and when we got there we hung out too, went swimming, hung out some more, ordered pizza and told jokes till 2 AM or so. Then we all parted ways and went home.

Sunday 31 August I woke up and went to church. Then Victor and I went to the pueblo for migas. Migas are a typical Spanish dish that is like cooked bread crumbs served with fruit, ham, fish, sasuage and all sorts of other things. They are really good, but the first weekend I got to Spain, I got sick after eating them and haven't felt the same about them since. Victor's uncle and aunt came for lunch too, so we had a huge group for my last Sunday meal. Soon after eating, Victor and I headed into town to see "Una Palabra Tuya." It was the movie we were going to see the week before. It starred 2 really funny actresses from our favorite shows, "Camera Cafe" and "Aqui No Hay Quien Viva." The previews made it look like a sweet, light-hearted movie, but it was far from it. It was a good movie if you were mentally prepared for a depressing, serious, twisted, drama. But if you were expecting a comedy to make you happy on your last day with Victor in Granada, you were going to be sorely dissapointed. After that we drove around a bit, talking and went back home and loaded up my suitcases. It was really difficult for us both. Then we drove up to the Mirador de San Miguel. This is a new mirador I had never been to. It was by Antonio and Bea's house and really cool. We watched the sun set over Granada, soaked up La Alhambra and took pictures to try and hang onto the memories. After that we drove around a bit more and tried to get tapas at this one place, but it was closed. Then back at Los Ogíjares we ate dinner, Victor packed his suitcase and did some things online for his trip to Rome the next day. Because all the rooms were filled up in the pueblo because of Nacho and Company, we went back to Granada and slept there. You couldn't help but notice the bittersweetness that permeated everything.

Back in Granada

Friday 22 August, back in Granada we stopped by the pueblo for a late lunch. Then we went back to my appartment and Victor had to do some stuff. I caught up with Adrian and went on the internet, since it had been a while. Then I went with Michelle and we looked at several appartments she was looking at moving into. We walked all over looking at the signs in the area she was looking for. Then we went back to her place and made dinner and watched "A Knight's Tale." After a while we went out to walk around and enjoy the finally cool weather. It was so hot during the day and only cools off around 10 or 11 PM. Finally around 2 or so I went home and went to Victors house to get my sheets since I had moved everything out of my room. I talked with Victor for a bit and then went upstairs, made my bed and talked on the phone to my dad before going to bed.

Saturday 23 August I woke up and played on the internet some more and then went for a run. Then I showered and Victor picked me up to go to Los Ogijares for lunch. After lunch and cleaning up, Pepa said she wanted to show me something. I started getting nervous for some reason. She pulled out these towels that had this handmade, crocheted fringe on it. I recognized it as what Pepa is always working on in her free time. I said, "Oh how cool," and she said, "Do you like it?" I said "No! Did you make them for me?" because I knew she would give them to me, even if she didn't make them for me. She replied, "No, I didn't make them for you." "Oh good, well I like them then they are very pretty." "I tricked you, they were for you! I wanted you to have something to remember me by." I burst into tears like I never had before. Pepa wanted to get them embroidered with my initials but didn't know if I wanted R or RG. Somehow between my tears we decided on R and I gave her a big hug. I kept crying for a while and Pepa went to take a nap. Victor and I kept talking for a while and went back to Granada to take advantage of the air conditioning and cable tv for a late Spanish siesta. Then we went to El Corte Inglés so Victor could get his haircut and shopped around and found some stuff to make for dinner. We ended up getting stuff for salad and chicken with a sauce that tasted exactly like gravy. It was so delicious, I wanted to eat the sauce like a soup! After watching tv for a while I went upstairs and went to bed.

Sunday 24 August I woke up and went to church. It had been a while since I had been and at the end I made sure to talk to the pastor and his wife and thanked them and said goodbye since I didn't know if I would come next week. They are very nice people. Then Victor and I went to Los Ogijares and went for a swim. Victor had told his mom that we were going to eat out on Sunday, but since we ended up buying a dinner to eat in the night before, we both felt like swimming and Sunday paella. So when we showed up, Pepa almost killed Victor, because she had only made lunch for her and Emilio, and it wasn't paella. Of course, Pepa being a Spanish mommy, only had to take the paella mix she had already prepared and defrost it. So we had my last Sunday paella afterall. Then we all fell asleep there for another glorious siesta. We were going to go to the movies, but slept too long and so we went back to Granada for Victor to pack up his suitcase for Malaga. Then back at the pueblo, we ate dinner, chatted and all went to bed.