24 years old

We had a great weekend. My birthday was on Saturday, as well as the ward Christmas party. I got all dolled up, and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate with me ;)
Jorge bought me some pretty flowers while he took care of Miriam and I got relaxed getting my hair done. Then we went to my mom-in-law's house where she had made lunch (the midday meal in Spain is big) with my favorite dishes that she makes- pure solferino and empanada tri-color, and I made my favorite dessert- apple crisp. It was all delicious, but I ate so much (and it was later than usual) that I couldn't eat anything at the Christmas party! The party only started 2 and a half hours after we started eating, so I guess that makes sense... but I felt kinda silly just the same.
The next day at lunch we had a real cake, so that's when we put a candle on it and they sang to me again. It was neat that for once my birthday was important twice, instead of hardly noticed in the Christmas rush. We'll be sure to take some good photos this Christmas, now that Miriam realizes more what's going on. Hugs to everyone,
Happy Holidays

Babies

Make a Smilebox photobook

This video on YouTube is soooo cool.

Although it makes me sleepy.... yaaawn... ;)

Colgando en tus manos - Holding me in your hands

Colgando en tus manos

This is a great duet, in Spanish, but you can look up the lyrics and translate them if your interested.

It's just a great song. Enjoy

PitterPatter of Little Feet

Well, you can tell from the title that we have big news...

Miriam has taken her first steps!

You can see lots of photos in our Picasa albums.

Enjoy the blog!

UpLate Update

Well, my little list has come to some use.

I did find out that it really just takes a loooong time for the Universities here to send you your diploma.  I'm going to start calling regularly though, just so they don't forget.

I found out about studying Early Childhood Ed. at home, but the course I looked at doesn't start until December.

I found plane tickets and train tickets for all our trips, but hopefully we won't need to rent a car (one less expense). Everything is falling into place for our summer plans, though the rest of the year is still hazy.

I finally got my sewing projects started again.  I have three of them 80% finished, and another two cut out, and another three or four short mending or adorning projects in the planning stage.

I've gotten better at keeping the house cleaner.  Funny how children are so messy, requiring their parents to become neat freaks, so that you know (more or less) what the baby is getting into when she gets quiet.

We went to Asturias the end of May.  A beautiful, but very fast trip.  Check out the picasa site for photos. 

Weekend Trip to Asturias

Last week was the family reunion for Jorge's Mother's relatives - los Garcia-Zarco. (Check picasa for photos coming soon)

The reunion luncheon was in Quismondo, Toledo, Spain.  A nice, small (a little bit hick), wind-beaten town about an hour from Alcala, going around Madrid on the south side.  We had good food provided by all and shared with all, especially the Empanada and Rosquillas made by Jorge's abuela Andrea.  The Rosquillas were what everyone was really looking forward to, because nobody makes them like Andrea - she has the magic touch, and years of experience.  Someday I'll try to make them, to keep the tradition going.

It's gotten all cold and rainy here in Alcala this week.  You gotta be careful and cover your neck, or you could catch a cold for the rest of June - no fun at all. 

As the Spaniards say   

"No te quites el sayo hasta 40 de mayo"  Don't take off your shawl until the 40th of May falls (I tried to make it rhyme somewhat)

Wish me luck with the job search

Last weekend

Some photos from Aranjuez. You can check out more on Rachel's Picasa Albums.

NewBuddies in Aranjuez

This past weekend we took a little trip to Aranjuez.  There is a very nice castle there with an Island Garden.  It was a great Saturday morning getaway for our little family and a few good friends.  

Angel Matesanz and his wife Janeen gave us the idea, and the ride there and back.  We also have good times playing cards or Catan with them on occasion.

The weather was just right.  A little breezy and little warm - just enough to appreciate how cool it was inside the castle's stone walls.  All the walls were covered with paper or huge tapestries, or padded with velvet.  It felt very royal.  The only thing I didn't like was that in most of the rooms the ceiling was painted too.  With all the already ostentatious decoration, having the ceiling painted(or tiled or gilded) made me feel almost imprisoned in the art-I wanted to open a window.  I was relieved when we came to rooms without decorated ceilings.

The most interesting room in the castle, to me at least, was the showcase of the royal wedding gowns.  These are "modern" gowns, worn by the present queen and the two princesses of Spain, along with the dress of the Crown Princess - my personal favorite.

After a quick tour of the castle (it was already past 2p.m. when we entered) we headed out to look for lunch.  Miriam and the two little boys who came with us were getting antsy for some food, so we found a place quickly, got them their lunches and ate tasty sandwiches.  After that we headed back to Alcalá, and Jorge and Miriam and I fell asleep in the backseat.  

Lots of walking+good food+continuous vibrations+concierto de Aranjuez= zzzzZZZzzzzZZzzzz

That afternoon we went out with Beatriz and her daughter Samira.  It was really windy at the park, with a lot of dust in the wind too, so we decided to go to a sanwicherie with an indoor play yard.  Miriam was the youngest baby there, but she had a great time crawling and pulling up on everything and everyone.  I even sat her on a little rocking horse/teeter totter and she held on real tight (I made sure she stayed on straight) and had a great time going up and down.  It seems crazy that someday soon she'll be doing that all by herself!

NewBeginning

Well, 

It's been ten months since I've finished my University studies and had an adorable baby girl.

There are lots of things on my to do list at this point, and I thought I'd post them, so that they become more official (although not totally binding).

1) I need to get my diploma from the University of Alcala.  They make you jump through hoops, especially if you try to do something in a way other than what they tell you.  Hopefully I'll get it soon.

2) I need to revise my CV/Resume and start looking for part-time jobs.

3) I'd like to keep studying 

a) French

b) Early Childhood Education

c) Translation or Interpretation

4)  We want to visit a lot of folks this summer, so I need to look for good prices on plane tickets and car rentals.

5) I have lots of sewing projects planned and thought about... though only a few are started.

Well,  hopefully I'll get the most important/most urgent things done soon...  like lunch for example!