Jenn in Spain

Public Apology

2009-10-12T00:54:00.000+03:00

I have so much to share with you -visually- and I am compelled to say a few words. I have a few friends who do photography, and I follow their progress and am severely impressed.
These are people with full time jobs besides what they photograph.
I know they put an amazing amount of work in what they do.
I put a lot of time in the photos that I post, but I must say this:
photography is not my love, painting is.
getting it gorgeous is not my goal, getting posted is.
you remembering me is silly, you remembering the place and wanting to see it for yourself (and maybe take a better photo) IS!
So forgive me in my haste to show you the home that I love.
And I absolutely challenge you to photograph it better (I am sure you can).
So keep that in mind in the following posts.
BTW
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Now I'm YouTubing

2009-07-06T21:58:00.001+03:00

I take video once in a while, but I rarely post it, as they take forever to load onto blogger or photobucket. Finally, I started a YouTube account. It is pretty easy to use, and I started adding videos old and new right away.
To the right is a new button called "videos" and that is the link to my YouTube page.
Does anyone know if it is possible to change their order.
~
These are very casual home-made movies. They are not even edited. In fact, I suggest turning the volume way down, since I seem to be laughing quite prominently in too many of them. The reason I include them, though, is because some things just need video. Like riding through Rota streets, watching Lancelot chase a remote controlled helicopter, clapping along with feria dancers, and seeing a sea dragon swim by--about the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.
~
For your viewing pleasure, here is a moment of zen:
(from the Oceanarium in Lisbon)

Nima

2009-07-05T13:48:00.000+03:00

While Nino was here, very soon after returning from Paris, Enigma passed away.

He went to sleep under the bed one evening and did not wake up.

I feel greatful that we did not have to make the very difficult desicion of when his time came to be put to sleep. I am not sure I would have been able to do it.

He lost a little weight, and we knew then that his time was coming. However, he was never sick. He played and ran and was his happy self. His breathing was often bad with lots of coughing and gagging, but it did not seem to slow him down at all.

I remember his last night, I gave him some bacon, and Nino said it was not good for him. I thought privately that he deserved a lil fun this close to the end. I had no idea he was that close though.

He was 10 years old.

I keep saying that he would be my last dog, and I really feel that way. He was sort of tailor made for me, and I don't think I could love another dog.

Lancelot (Moo) was so very angry at me, and he is just now starting to act more himself. He was hiding a lot and ignoring me completely while being extra needy to John. That did nothing to ease my guilt, let me tell you.

We are going to keep his ashes. I have never done this with a pet before, and I would appreciate any ideas you have with how to keep a pet's ashes tastefuly.

Happy Summer Solstice

2009-06-21T17:07:00.002+03:00

Gibralter

2009-06-21T16:37:00.002+03:00

Nino, my brother-AKA Daniel, spent 3 weeks here in May. We went to Paris, Lisbon, Gibralter, Sevilla, and around Rota. All the pictures are on the picture site (button at right). Here is the album of the last place we went, Gibralter.

I was pretty depressed a few days after he left. We were so busy and had so much fun. John was not able to go anywhere, because he cannot get time off. He has no replacement yet. Soon he will, then I hope to do much more traveling around Southern Spain and Germany.

I have not forgotten about my Rota installments. One coming up soon. Stay posted.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Tired of catherdrals? (I hope not.)

2009-03-08T21:39:00.000+02:00

View from the top of the tower.

This has been an unusually wet winter, keeping us inside most days off.
The first break in the downpour, John and I went to Seville. There is so much to see, but we (of course) began with the Cathedral.

It claims to be the largest Gothic church in Europe and in the the top 6 of all Christian churches. After wandering through the church, then climbing the 30 or so stories of the bell tower, we were exhausted. We braved the cold and had lunch outside, then headed home.

I wonder if they have their own hunchback to ring the bells.

Everyroom was more gorgeous than the last.

Supposedly, this is one of the places that Christopher Columbus's remains is laid to rest. Sevilla is not the only place to claim they have his remains. I have read that DNA tests are being performed. I have not heard of an outcome yet.

Isn't she beautiful?

Rota! It's where I'm at! PART 1

2009-03-06T11:46:00.008+02:00

I get asked a lot, “What is there to do in Rota?”

It may seem it would be obvious what is going on, but it isn’t. The base is a small one and, unless you have a job, quite sleepy. Off-base, Rota can be difficult to navigate (see driving video at bottom of blog), so you may end up in the same places. The locals are friendly enough to Americans, but unless you know Spanish, you won’t get many suggestions from them. Also, the locals and long-timer Americans seem to have the yearly calendar memorized, so there is no need to advertise the big, fun things happening right outside your door. Many times, I have fallen asleep to fireworks, thinking, “Dang it! And I was so bored earlier!” Or I went out one day to find the streets in shambles from the huge town fiesta the night before.

I will explain some starting points, but this is in no way a definitive guide. I am still figuring things out, and the best way to explore Spain, is simply to go outside and, well, explore!

Part 1 - On Base:
The first thing you need to do when you get to Rota is go to the Traveler Section of the MWR website. ITT is the section of MWR that organizes trips close and far. They are very affordable, and John loves them, because he does not have to do the driving, which can be quite boring through all the farmland outside of Rota.

Next, pick up the monthly schedule from Fleet and Family Support. They have 2 fantastic Spanish people working there who organize smaller trips FULL of interesting tidbits about the culture and area, and most of their stuff is free. It is with Rosa and Clemente that I learned how to make Spanish food, learned about jamon and olive oil at the grocery store, and toured the Sherry Bodega. They love what they do, and it shows in their willingness to demystify traditions and ease culture shock.

Because I work there, I must mention the gym. I love it! It is way better than the barn in Patuxent River, and we always have tons of programs always going on. Sports, tournaments, classes (aerobic, spin, water aerobics, yoga, dance, bootcamp, circuit training, etc), races, and more! This weekend is a half marathon, there will be a triathlon in June, and soccer starts next week again for John. We also have a website.

Eating on base is not good and gives you every reason to leave base and try new things. We have Taco Bell (for the 2 of us, it comes to $30 and I always think, “This is the last time.” Oh, and the beans taste like cardboard), Subway (yawn), KFC (do people still eat that crap???), a hamburger place at the airport (plate of grease and a coffee anyone?), and Champions (a sportsbar and café that is dark and depressing, but DO try the Monolo Special, a breakfast sandwich). The Spanish people loooove to come on base for 2 reasons: Baskin Robbins and Pizza Villa, which means these places are usually really crowded. Pizza Villa is boring but decent, and their gigantic calzones are quite good. The only reason we eat so much of it? They deliver.
Update Nov 2009: this is soon to change! We are so excited!! The grill once at Champions is now at the Bowling Alley. They still have the Manolo Special (Thank Heaven!) Champions will soon host an Asian food place that may or may not be run by a local favorite. Update later!

Also on base, we have a small library and small movie theater. They are not exciting but serve their purpose. We have an indoor pool, outdoor pool open in Summer, bowling alley, and small stretch of beach. Go to Expeditions (right by ITT, across the street from the gym) to rent bikes, kayaks, camping gear, or try the rock climbing wall.

The beauty salon is hit and miss.

The commissary (grocery store to the unmilitary) is surpisingly well stocked. I can get most of my favorites, but I do have to import real taco sauce and cayenne pepper. Sugar-free seems to be a bad word here. Thankfully, they have started carrying whole wheat pasta and bison meat (I am on the Clean Eating lifestyle).

The Navy Exchange (department store) is OK. The electronics and kitchen sections are complete and great. Clothes, bathroom decor, make-up, and pet food sections are not. This is my 1st overseas NEX, so I hesitate to judge too harshly. Ijust thank God for the great malls off-base.

Off-base is where the real fun is, so in the next post I will go over what Rota, Puerto, and a couple other close towns have to offer.

Part 3 will be about longer trips to other Spanish cities and beyond Spain-- what is popular and some tips.

I hope this is beginning to answer to some questions. If not, just give me a comment!

Happy Birthday Jess!

2009-03-05T11:36:00.000+02:00

Happy Birthday to my still-under-thirty friend!

Of course, I know it is already a happy one, since she is spending it with her hubby, daughter, AND brand new son, Shane!!!

Putting a spin on my workout.

2009-02-18T22:15:00.003+02:00

Today I took my first spinning AKA indoor-cycling class.

There is a class coming up to teach people to be instructors. My work said they would put me through the class, but I need to take a couple classes to make sure I can do it.

I hate regular bike riding and I never liked the ones at the gym either, but these bikes are different. The class atmosphere is really fun! I loved it.

I am going to take a few more classes.

I have to.

See, the 1st time you spin, your bum HURTS! Apparently, you bruise your pelvic floor, because you do not know how to hold your weight in your legs yet. After the first few classes, the pain goes away. I even bought a gel slip to go over the seat, and it still feels like I sat down...from 6 stories up!

Now the first one is out of the way, I don't want to start all over.

We sort of tease the "spin people," because they are so dedicated (and a lil different). But I may soon be a convert.

Happy Bday Mom & Cara

2009-02-16T16:09:00.001+02:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T21:54:00.005+02:00

John had to work all weekend. However, we ended up having one of our best Valentine's Days! The normally wet weather was gone and it was warm, sunny, and gorgeous!

We put a blanket over our (still dead and damp) grass and had a picnic of fingerfoods: potato skins, chicken fingers, quesadilla bites with black beans, and green muscles in the half shell. We made all of it together around noon, then we ate about 1:30.

We had sparkling cider and different dipping sauces. It was so fun!

I gave John a goodie bag of candy and movies. He had worked the night before and had to work that night, so I did not expect anything that day, but he surprised me with a rose, stuffed elephant, and card later that night when he dropped by to pick up some food.

Today it is back to crazy windy wild weather, so I am so happy we had some fun in the sun for a moment. It was a great prelude to summer-to-come!

I hope everyone had a happy Heart day!

Christmas Comes Early In Spain

2008-12-01T22:24:00.004+02:00

Christmas has come early!

Many a moon, I have been looking for the Disney version of a Christmas Carol. (also HERE) Internet searches left me empty handed; I am not used to being let down by the WWW! The day before Thanksgiving Day, I found it! At the exchange on base! It is in the 3rd story in Classic Holiday Stories.

It is even better than I remember! OLD animation: sketchy, like Dumbo or Jungle Book. And silly like the old Disney shorts. Remember the one where Goofy, Daffy, and Mickey were ghost busters?

The humor follows that line. You almost don't need the dialog.

So many things I had forgotten!

* Jmminy Cricket is the ghost of Christmas Past.

* Scrooge is SCOTTISH! I thought so when he said the word "go". I thought, that sounds like Cho Chang from Harry Potter Movie 4. Then he said "I assure you" and apparently, if you are Scottish and are trying to hide it, NEVER say "I assure you!" Busted!!

Here are some other trivia (thanks to IMDB):

* Made in 1983

* This is the last film where Clarence Nash provides the voice of Donald Duck and the first where Wayne Allwine provides the voice of Mickey Mouse.

* This is also the first time that Alan Young provides the voice of Scrooge Mc. Duck. Bill Thompson, who'd done the voice in SCROOGE MCDUCK AND MONEY (1967), had already passed away, and Alan Young's voice is noticeably softer than Thompson's was, with a stronger Scots accent. (Duh)

* The opening scene is apparently modeled on a Carl Barks painting called "The Season To Be Jolly", which features Uncle Scrooge walking down the street with a bag of money on his back.

Nima Problems

2008-11-18T21:46:00.003+02:00

Enigma had to go to the Dr today.

He started a new medication for his heart, and they wanted to take another listen to his heart. Well, he usually sees the lady vet who is Spanish. But today he saw the American man vet. When he heard we were there, he said, "Is he still ticking?"

I was offended and suprised, but he was really surprised to hear that Enigma was still alive. I am sure of this, because he said it 2 more times!

Maybe he was trying to prepare me for what may be coming later, but Enigma is a happy doggie still! And I was shocked to hear that his time should have been up according to this dude!

I told the Dr that I was surprised to hear that, because I understood lil dogs to live "forever." The Dr said, "well, he is 10, and that is forever to a dog." Excuse me!?!? Maybe if you live on a farm where your dog is always outside or something! I mean my My grandma lives on a ranch and she has had dogs live to be 10 with never having been spayed, vaccinated, or anything!! I always figured Enigma, even with his problems, would live to be about 17.

I was kinda in shock, and as I was waiting to pay, a woman was saying that her cat had feline AIDS and had gotten away and was gone for 3 days. Then she finally found him, and the Dr said, (NO KIDDING), "So you think he just went away to die and get it over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????"

The lady was kinda shocked, but he finally took the cat in to show her how to give him fluids, because he was not eating. He seemed like it just would have been better to have the cat pass away alone and in the elements!!!

I can't wait to go back there and ask where this Dr is from. Since we got home, Enigma has been barking at the neighbor dogs, running around, playing with his toys, eating, and generally being a happy dog.

I was worried, because he had lost a pound, which is a lot (he went from 8lb to 7lb). And the Dr said it may just be water weight and that's harmless. BUT ALSO when these dogs with these probelems get close to the end, they start wasting away. OK, so which is it? Harmless or on last leg?

I am so confused. And sad. And mad. And worried about that poor lady with the cat with Aids.

On a lighter note, this is Nima and Mago cuddling the other night!! It has been pretty chilly at night and Mago didn't see any reason why Nima should keep all that heat he produces to himself. Nima was not all that comfy with it though, as you can imagine. He is too used to Lancelot.

Spanish Cooking 101

2008-11-15T13:21:00.008+02:00

There is a family-owned restaurant in Rota which let's a group from the base invade their kitchen for a day!

I never have worked at a restaurant, so I found it fun just to be in the kitchen! It was a lot smaller than I thought it would have to be.

They taught us to make:

beef in a veggie-wine sauce

mushrooms cooked in wine

Arranque Roteña, which is the dip form of gazpacho and strictly a Rota dish

Spanish tortilla

and a fruit desert

We drank Tinto de Verano (my favorite), and helped with the preparations, a couple of us at a time. I took lots of notes and soon there is a trip to a Spanish grocery store (so we can learn what the unfamiliar stuff is used for) so I feel pretty confident I could make the dishes again.

After a couple hours of cooking, we all sat down to eat everything. It was delicious of course, and people were arguing over who had made the best tortilla. The arrangue is my favorite and full of garlic, so after a while, I didn't feel too comfortable talking anymore! I tasted garlic until the Next Day!

How to make the Arranque Roteña:

equal numbers (not parts) of chopped:

ripe, red, not-refrigerated tomato

big long curly green mild chili pepper (you know the one, not small)

garlic (may need more depending how small)

and

very good quality virgin olive oil (dark green)

2 day old white baguette bread, munched into VERY fine crumbs (regular bread crumbs may be too soft, but you could try it)

salt

Blend the 1st 3 ingredients very well in a blender (or with a balde on a stick thingie).

Add bread crumbs in stages to make it a thick, pastey cookie-dough texture.

Then add oil in stages to make it smooth. It will still be thick and pastey (NOT creamy).

Both of those ingredients are quite a bit!!!

When you think it has enough oil, add some more! Seriously.

Salt that baby up!

Chill for at least an hour to let marry.

Serve with small slices of baguette bread and long, thick, raw slices of that same chili for dipping. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

It should be really thick and garlicky. The chili should be just the occasional lil bite in the bite.

Tortilla

Beef in sauce and patatas (french fries)

Dessert

John Van Gough

2008-11-06T12:12:00.001+02:00

John's Playdough Art:

I will start the bidding at 25,000 euro!

Drive-thru

2008-11-03T12:44:00.000+02:00

In Spain, the word drive-thru leaves something to be desired, so they play with the words.

McDonald's becomes:

MC AUTO

Burger King becomes:

AUTO KING

Honestly, drive-thru is quite the foreign concept here. If you buy a coffee at a coffee STAND, they don't want your money until you have FINISHED it!

And if you go to a tapa bar and order a round of tapas, then some more, then a drink here, then there, then you ask for the bill: It is perfect. Just what your ordered.

It really takes getting used to here.

They don't want your money until you are all done and happy and sat there another 20 minutes. Then MAYBE they will take your money.

Anyway, I have seen a McD, and yes they serve beer but not wine, and I have been to Burger King and it is yummy, but the menu looks funny because they put some side dishes under "tapas". How cute is that??? Srsly?

Proof

2008-11-02T12:14:00.000+02:00

Proof we are still married: a photo of both of us!

These are so rare, I just had to post it.

We were on our way out with friends to dinner at a chinese buffet. It was great food, but I still can't get over having to pay sit down prices for chinese food. I am so spoiled by Panda Express! PS-John hates those boots. Hehe.

Halloween Part 1

2008-11-01T21:10:00.004+02:00

"Dude, who's this guy??"

I hope everyone had a great Halloween.

This year, I just did not seem to have the time to do all that I wanted, so our poor trick-or-treaters were the ones that suffered. I only bought 3 bags of candy, which is woefully inadequate for base housing!

I spent the afternoon at "work" as a pirate, giving out candy to small kids. The I raced home, scarfed down a lil pizza and transformed into a geisha. By that time all the candy was gone! Then John and I met up with friends to tour the 2 Haunted Houses on base. They were pretty good: scream worthy. After that, we went to a party at a guy's house on the beach- and we all talked about how much it sucked that married couples have to live on base, because his place was small, but gorgeous!

After that, most people went bar hopping, but John and I went home. I don't like to go out with a large group of already drunk Americans - it's bound to be embarrassing.

John and I both had to recycle old costumes, because the pickins were pretty poor here. However, we both had a great night.

I spent several evenings in October trying to get good Halloween pictures of the cats, but they were uncharacteristically uncooperative. And I wish I could have had time to carve our pumpkins. There are just not enough hours in the day lately!

Me as a geisha, John as a headless man, Sara as a fashion victim, and Ray as a Sith Lord!

John mixing costumes at the party.

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T21:52:00.002+02:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

I hope it is a great and safe one for everyone. As you can see, we are really WRAPPED UP in it here!

Sanlucar

2008-10-31T12:16:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, I went to Sanlucar with a tour from the base.

Famous for being the place that Magellan set sail from when he went around the tip of South America (only to die in the Philipines), Sanlucar is about 20 minutes from Rota. It is part of the famed Sherry Triangle, which also includes El Puerto de Santa Maria (right next to Rota) and Jerez (obviously, as the word for Sherry in spanish IS Jerez).

View of Sanlucar from the bodega, which is on a *pant huge pant* hill.

The highlight of the short trip was the Museo de Barbadillo (or Barbadillo Museum). Barbadillo is the brand name of the bodega (bodega is what they call a winery). Still with me? OK.

I went to a wine museum. It was very interesting how they have different shaped rooms and buildings for different wines, because the architecture affects the temperature of the wine. This place makes a base wine that is made into different Sherries.

Bodega Patio

Between buildings and rooms are large gardens and patios and open corridors, which bring the all-important sea air in to keep the wine humid. In the gardens were many rose bushes, so the whole place smelled of sherry and roses.

Sherry is an acquired taste- one I have YET to acquire. I keep trying, because I live in THE SHERRY TRIANGLE of the world! But so far no go, and all I bought there was a bottle of vinegar. (All about Sherry.)

The inside of a Sherry Barrel. Notice the yeast at the top.

The most interesting part of the bodega was the Bodega Catedral. No, they did not have an actual cathedral in the winery. It is their largest room for storing wine barrels. It is 40 feet high, has 100 pillars, and houses 4800 barrels! And it does look something like a catedral. Underneath the barrels was special soil from the Sevilla area. When wet, it keeps the wine at the right humidity.

Photos from the Bodega Catedral.

After the bodega, we went to the Farmer's Market! NOW this was my kind of market! The ones in Rota are pretty sad. This place was huge, both indoor and outdoor, and had a variety of veggies, fruits, nuts, seafood, meats, spices, and of course sunglasses, purses, and belts (they are at every market).

I finally got some Spanish Paprika! My favorite cookbook keeps saying to use Spanish Paprika and now I know why! It comes in 2 kinds: spicy and sweet. Of course, I bought spicy. And it smells like very strong chili powder with a lil Cayenne. Nothing like that red stuff you put on deviled eggs just for color!!

Then we had lunch! Ahhhhhhh, lunch! We went to a place famous for its seafood tortilla (not a Mexican tortilla remember!), which was pretty much fried tiny shrimp pancakes. That's a horrible description, but they were very delicious and seriously salty- yes even to me!- and greasy. We also had some octopus in olive oil with that spicy Spanish Paprika- mmmmm! It was so tender, not chewy at all. Then we had small sweet red peppers stuffed with shrimp, tuna, and crumbled egg. About 6 of us shared these tapas. It was a very fun afternoon!

Seafood tortilla. All those lil black dots are shrimp eyes! Mmmmmm, I love shrimp eyes!

Octopus- I forget the spanish name for it.

John did not go, because he had to work that night, and he would not have been able to sleep had he gone.

(See all photos from this trip HERE.)

Spoils from Sanlucar:

Chimichurri sauce for meat. I have only had my own chimichurri, so I am looking forward to trying this one, which has grapefruit in it! Sherry vinegar from the bodega. Pistaccio nuts for the bus ride back. Spanish Paprika, can't wait to use it. Someone told me she uses it mostly in stews and rice. And that it gives it that Spanish Rice yellow color. I thought that was the saffron, oh well. And hazlenuts. Forr cookies I promised John's work.

Working Woman

2008-10-30T17:59:00.008+02:00

Hehe. Love this movie!

Update on the job:

For 3 years in Maryland, I answered phones, "MWR vet services". Suddenly, I have to answer it "MWR Fitness Center." The answer to your question? At least 4. That's how many times I have answered the gym phone as the vet! Every time the phone rings, I have to stop for 1 whole second and say Fitness Center in my head before I can pick it up. Other than that, things are going great.

I have not heard anything yet about the position I applied for: my job but full time (GS instead of NAF).

Following is the logo on my snazzy white polo shirt I get to wear to work. There are a couple problems with it. #1, it is white. I can't keep white, well, white! I have turned it blue, then stained it yellow, then red, then bleached most of it out, but now it has black marks that won't come off. I just can't keep white! #2, it is an extra large. I shrunk it some, but I look like a little kid in Grandpa's clothes. #3, I only have one, so I often end up wearing something else to work, because I just can't find enough things to wash with it that often. They say they will get more in different sizes and colors, but I am still waiting.

We are very into Halloween at the gym. Our theme is "Pirates of the Andalucian" and we are all decked out in pirate stuff. I have a pirate costume I wore last week to an event and I am wearing it again tomorrow. We have a booth where we will be giving out candy. It is more than a booth, but you will see, if I remember my camera tomorrow! (BTW, this is NOT my pirate costume.)

Must See!

2008-10-29T12:57:00.005+02:00

Tinkerbell has her own movie coming out on DVD "this Fall"!!!!

Check out the PREVIEW.

I have heard of this movie, but I thought it was going to be the story of the Disney Fairies BOOKS, of which there are many. However, it looks to be the story of just Tinkerbell!

I Do Believe in Fairies, I Do, I Do!

Malaga Trip: Part 4: Picasso Museum

2008-10-27T12:56:00.003+02:00

Who was born in Malaga, you ask?

Well, I happen to have the answer:

Pablo Picasso, artist
Antonio Banderas, actor
José Puyet, artist
Amparo Muñoz, Miss Universe 1974
Juan García Postigo, Mister World 2007
Jesus Pedro Diaz-Sarabia Cramazou, Malaga's ambassador all around the world
Miguel Ángel Jiménez, professional golfer

Although Antonio Banderas is enough reason to visit a place (was I drooling?), Pablo Picasso makes for an interesting dude as well! ;0)

1st Malaga has the house he was born in. It can be visited, but I was not all that interested, considering the time we had.

Then , there is the Pablo Picasso Museum!!! This place is well worth the small line out front. There are several salons featuring works from Picasso at MANY different stages and eras. Most are donated from his daughter-in-law, some on loan from his grandson.

Entrance

The paintings are beautiful, of course.

But the small hand sketches will make you stare in amazement. You can see every small important stroke. You can think of later, famous paintings that these sketches helped him build. A couple pieces left me dumbstruck.

ALSO, did you know Picasso did sculpture? Well, you are better than I! I had no idea!

Some looked like ancient goddess worship dolls, but it was the vases that I loved. They were playful and taunting and fun.

I read reviews of the museum that were not particularly flattering, but I would recommend it to any art lover.

It is intimate and fun.

AND...

Underneath the museum are ruins from Phoenician, Moorish, and Renaissance times. Surprise surprise!

There is cafe, but it was empty and a bookshop which had books in many different languages.

Unfortunately but predictably, we were not allowed pictures in the museum.

Following are pictures of postcards of actual pieces that we saw in the museum. I imagine this is not all that legal, but I must tell you that this is only a smidgen (my favorites), and you MUST visit the museum to see for yourself!

Picasso Museum Site

(click on English)

Pictures of entire Malaga Trip

His Son

His wife. And yes, that IS a tablecloth on her head.

His mistress, or one of them anyway.

I asked John if we could have this awesome vase, and he said Mago would just break it. :0(

I don't know who this is, but it looks like Napoleon to me. Sorta mixed with Davey Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. No?

Malaga Trip: Part 3, Alcazaba The Hanging Gardens

2008-10-26T12:07:00.001+02:00

Seeing the lush gardens high over the city and the irrigation system built into the fortress floors themselves made me feel like I was seeing The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the original 7 wonders of the world.

Building this place, they obviously had a plan for every inch of its gardens, so that every lil plant was watered by its irrigation system run by nothing other than rain and gravity! It is so simple, it is brilliant, but it proves my original impression that the plan for the Alcazaba was random was wrong!

See how high up we are? And you can see it goes up even higher behind me.

Irrigation crevices in the floor of the entire place bring the rain water down, down...

...And spreads it around...

...Even down steps...

...To water beautiful gardens...

...Trees...

...And reflection pools...

...To curve around John...

...And, er, fill bathtubs (?)...

...then flow through Pan's Labyrinth...

...to the Secret Garden! This was behind a giant gate we could not get past. It looks much wilder than the rest, eh?

We both just loved this place; it is so beautiful. We were only able to spend an hour here, and we had to literally run through it to make the bus home. Hopefully, one of our visitors from the States will give us an excuse to go back!

(hint hint)

End of Daylight Savings Time

2008-10-25T12:01:00.000+03:00

This Saturday night, Europe ends Dalight Savings Time!!!

This happens a full week before the U.S. changes its clocks back, so we will only be off the usual schedule for that week.

However, I never can remember what time it is anywhere else anyway.

Malaga Trip: Part 2, Alcazaba The Fortress

2008-10-23T21:55:00.007+03:00

Alcazaba means fortress in Arabic, and that is what this place is!

It is a giant palace/fortress high up on a hill overlooking the entire city. It is somewhat of a hike to wander through the walking roads, gardens, patios, and outdoor rooms. The inside has been gutted over the years, and it is off limits to the public, but you don't feel that you miss anything at all by staying outside.

John said it is the most interesting thing he has seen yet in Spain!

It was built by the Moores in the 8th century, but most of it was built in the 11th century. According to Wikipedia, it is the best preserved alcazaba in Spain.

Remember Bishop's Castle in CO (HERE and HERE) ? I was reminded of Bishop's castle by the Alcazaba's meandering, sort of random architecture and by the way it will lead you to a place and suddenly you will be on a ledge with a giant drop down. You have to keep your eyes OPEN here! Of course, Alcazaba is a million times bigger and STURDIER than Bishop's castle.

(The next post will also be on the Alcazaba, but you can see all the pictures from Malaga HERE.)

There were tiny treasures all over the place if you kept your eye out for them. Inticate carvings, unique doorways, and symbols in walls and floors.

John looking cool. All doors in old buildings make you feel like a giant! Notice the no slip sign..they mean it! Over that lil ledge is a big drop!

Scary lil stairway that reminds me of Bishop's Castle.

No John, Obama wants bigger collumns for his next speech! ;0)

Morrocan/Indian store that John had to drag me out of kicking and screaming! I will be back soon to buy EVERYTHING!!!

One of the views of Malaga from the Alcazaba. That is the harbor in the far background with the cruise ship.

Enjoying another beautiful view of the city.

Beautiful floor mosiac

Beautiful Moorish Doorways

1 Year Blogaversary

2008-10-20T15:33:00.002+03:00

Today is my One Year Blogaversary!
I know I have not been super-zealous in posting all the time, but thinking of all the info I have put here in the last year is quite dizzying!
I hope you have had as much fun as I have!

Malaga Trip: Part 1 Catedral de Malaga

2008-10-20T14:35:00.007+03:00

This last Saturday, John and I went to Malaga.

It is 3 hours away located on the Costa del Sol, which is the resort coast. Every single inch of the coast is covered in massive hotels, world cuisine restaurants, and signs in English. It was a rainy day and this photo was taken from the bus, so it is not great, but it shows how busy and crowded the Costa del Sol is. We live on the much more laid back Costa de la Luz!

Malaga is a beautiful city. We only had 5 hours there, and we could have spent so much more time. It is a great place to go for the weekend.

We started with the usual: The Cathedral!

I personally cannot get enough of these...yet. I am sure you can see that the cathedral pictures are VERY similar, and one could possibly say that if you see one, you have essentially seen them all.

Catedral Ceiling 120 feet up

But I love the atmosphere, smell, hushed quiet, striking difference between dark and light areas, and especially the small chapels that extend from the walls. Each one has its own focus with paintings, sculpture, and sometimes a tomb. They can be so dramatically different from one another!

Here is a small chapel that consisted of only this sculpture.

Look at the dramatic lighting. That is the Baroque style, like theater.

This chapel was much larger and had a tomb.

This chapel is massive! It is the chapel of the patron saints of Malaga.

It is even more fun when they have a crypt you can visit like the one in Cadiz. The acoustics are so scary there!

This catedral has a small museum upstairs with relics and art. The whole thing was lit a warm red. That is not the picture that makes it look that way.

As usual, this catedral was built on Mosque ruins, although there is not much to show it. Started in the 1500's, it was also never really finished. It only has one bell tower! This gave it the local nickname, the one armed lady. This glass rendition of the Catedral shows the one bell tower. Also as usual for Spain's catedrals, because it took so long to build, it was started in Gothic, but has Renaissance and Baroque mixed in.

Just as each Catedral we have seen so far has a belltower, high alter, and chapels, this one also has that gigantic choir of saints with massive organs on each side.

I want to hear one these babies the next time we go.

This choir came with a guide naming each saint lined up here. They are all each a different character with telling features that reveal to Good Catholics which Saint they are.

(See all the photos from the trip HERE.)

John contemplates a career change.

Welcome Candian Friends!

2008-10-18T07:54:00.000+03:00

I must give a shout out!

My reader, er, um, reader at the end of the blog tells me that I have a few Candian hits.

I love it! And I just want to say welcome. How or why you found me interests me, if you feel like sharing.

Otherwise, I just wanna say, "HI!" And Happy Candian Thanksgiving!

Bambi

2008-10-17T00:43:00.000+03:00

This is what happens when you have a sleek, black kitty who walks a lil too close while you are powdering yourself after a shower.

Behold!

Bambi!

Nails, nails, nails!

2008-10-16T11:27:00.001+03:00

The salon on base charges $60 for a full set of acrylic nails!!!! And I have not heard anything good about the place either. I am sure the salons off base are even more, as the euro-dollar exchange rate is killing us! It is about $1.65 to a Euro now.

For these nails, I went to a girl who lives just a couple houses down from me. She learned her nail "art" in Japan. She was showing me some of the designs they do there. The more stylized ones taking around SEVEN HOURS to do! Check it OUT HERE!

Mine took 2 and 1/2 hours. Partailly because she is still new at it, but mostly because they are gel nails (remember those????), which means she puts on a layer, lets it cook, and repeats the steps several times.

They feel strong. The color is actually IN the gel, so it is not going ANYwhere! I love that! However, it is smooth and protected, so I can paint over them and take it off and still have the pink design there - untouched! Rockin'!

She was so embarrassed that it took a while that she did want me to pay her at all!!! But I left her her some money anyway, because I know the stuff she used was not cheap.

She said she did not want to ruin my naturally strong nals, so the gel is a "soft gel" that is supposed to soak off without damaging your nail like acrylics or old gels. I only put tips on a couple fingers that were short from breaking, the rest are just my nail with the gel over it.

She has TONS of different colors and design doo-dads! I cannot wait do them again.

So what do YOU think???

Photo woes

2008-10-15T00:46:00.002+03:00

As you know, I use Shutterfly for my online photo albums. I used to use Yahoo, but they sorta went kapoot. I chose shutterfly.

Until they went and got all cool.

Now I cannot properly name, sort, or otherwise play with photos. I know there is a way, but it aludes me, and I HATE TO LEARN NEW TRICKS! Also, it seems that OLD photo links have become defunct. Well, ain't that convenient!?!

Anyway, there are my gripes. Now here is my news. Most likeley the photos will arrive in the site before the blog entry, but I cannot really figure out how to best name them, so you just gotta wait for the blog to know what you are looking at. Sad. For you. And me.

But we will get through this together. ;0)

Ronda Trip

2008-10-14T01:20:00.001+03:00

John and I took a trip to Ronda! It is about 45 minutes from home. Set in the mountains, there is a natural gorge that separated the new (nuevo) part of the city from the old (viejo) part of the city. There are 3 bridges that cross the gorge. The Nuevo Bridge is still at least 200 years old!

Ronda means round. It was a round city protected by the natural surroundings. Making it a very popular destination for criminals at the time. You could say that it was comparable to the U.S. version of the Wild West.

It is a small, charming, touristy city. The gorge is REALLY amazing to see and of which to understand the history.

They boast of having the oldest still-used Bull ring. Plaza del toros!

Unfortunately, that part of the tour I could not appreciate. Being an animal lover, this part of Spanish culture is not my favorite. The Spanish are soooooo much more than the Bull Fights, but as always it is the unsavory aspects of things that are commercialized.

Most Spanish feel the way I do, by the way.

See all photos HERE ! Be sure to click slideshow on the right.
You really should see them, as most of the pictures of the gorge and bridge are there and not in this post.

Know what this says?

HEHEHEHEHE

It says Cheese and Ham Boutique

Oh yes!

Now THAT is some yummy culture.

Jenn checking out the view over the gorge.

I am standing on the "new" bridge.

Famous Spanish Tiles

Honestly, the picture does not do it justice.

Various Spanish Painting of a Religious Monk Housing

Who is this guy? I don't know. But he reminded me of Walt Disney. Is it just me?

On to the Main Church...

Like most (all???) large, famous churches in Spain, this one was once an Islamic temple. Here we can see the ancient Islamic text in the architecture of the building.

The church was begun in the Gothic times. Hence the pointed arch in the foreground. However there was so much great damage from the reconquest of the Christians, that the rest was done in the renaissance rounded arched in the background.

In the Church- A painting that includes the 4 horsemen. This is only part of the painting. It is gorgeous!!!

A Bas Relief sculpture of Mary behind the Choir.

Near the end of the church there were a many BEAUTIFUL illustrated books.

This is only one.

Among the books there were a sculpture or 2. This one I felt was so beautiful and emotional. Just loooook at her (him???)!

This is the front of the choir. It is a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE piece put in the very MIDDLE of the church. The word at the time was that it was needed there for acoustics. However, now it is believed that those that were of monetary influence sat in front of the choir and able to see the mass. Those who were "peasants" sat in the back and could only HEAR the mass.

Even now, in Spanish, you say that you will go hear mass. Supposedly, that is from the times that normal people could only HEAR mass, not SEE it.

The Bull Ring

Where we had lunch. It was an "Italian" place. The pizza was awful, tasted frozen. I had swordfish. It was great. The Jamon y melon was tasty!!!!! TRY IT! Sweet and salty!

The new bridge. The window you see under it was once the town prison. Sweet view!!!

Scooter Shopping

2008-10-13T14:38:00.000+03:00

John and I went a scooter shopping! Finalllllly! Eh?

This is the beauty that I picked out. Check out her site HERE!

I love it. It looks fast standing still, no?

Anyway, we will buy it next week, then it will take a week to get the registration from Cadiz, then we can take it home!

Then I have to take a moto-scooter class in order to legaly drive this baby on base.

After that, I will RARELY get behind the wheel again. I cannot wait!!! You know how I feel about cars. BTW, we still cannot go any further than Rota without sputting out black smoke, and we had a flat tire the other day. Cars need to be REPLACED. Horrrible investments if you ask me! And no one does. *sigh*

;0)

Lightening and Thunder, Oh My!

2008-10-12T11:10:00.000+03:00

We had one heck of a storm. People have been saying it was the worst they have seen for this area in a while. I would have thought we would have lots of storms like this being right on the coast, but apparently it is unusual.

Our houses whistle when the wind is high, and this wind was HIGH! It was at its peak around 2:30AM. The sound was unbelieveable, and I hardly slept. Of course that had more to do with some unhappy pets! The dog was a mess as expected, but even the cats were getting a lil extra snuggly and jumpy when the lightening started.

The wierd thing about this one was that the storm was both hard AND long. The lightening continued until I was at work the next morning. Parts of the base are flooded thanks to the clay soil, and a couple traffic lights are out.

And wouldn't you know it? It was a night I actually remembered to turn on the sprinklers for the lawn!

Well, better go and mop up some more puddles in our lovely 50 year-old gym building.

Hola Una Vez

2008-10-11T10:49:00.003+03:00

Sorry I have been away. It seems that when I am bored, I have plenty of time to blog, and when but when I am busy doing things blog-worthy, well, I am too busy to blog it!

I think that is the usual here in the blog-world though.

When I am not working, cleaning, running errands, or signing up for stuff to busy myself on my days off, then I am SLEEPING! As I thought, this job has helped my insomnia a lot, but because it is such different hours, I really don't have a sleep schedule yet.

John and I have every other weekend off together, and I am trying to plan a trip for each one. Also, although it seems I am working a lot, I will soon be working even more. Next week, I am applying for the same position but full-time.

I have lots of great news, but I will try to spread it out ;0)

Stay tuned.

Looking For A New Recipe?

2008-10-04T12:48:00.000+03:00

This is The Best cookbook I have bought in ages!

I have never been a reader of Food&Wine Magazine, but this cookbook has great recipe after great recipe! It is organized by seasons, then each season has a starter, main course, side dish, and desert section.

I make 1 or 2 things out of it every week!

They are mostly healthy, mostly simple, and mostly all food I actually eat and can buy at a normal grocery store.

And although John and I rarely have wine at dinner, every single recipe has a wine pairing! Never look lost again at a dinner party, eh?

~~~

I highly recomend:

Indian Pulled-Chicken Sandwiches p. 228

Crispy Pork Milanese p.247

Lemony Rice Parsley Salad p. 262

And the 3 different chicken marinaides (Vietnamese, Peruvian, and Greek) p. 240

Search for Enigma's Halloween Costume 2008

2008-10-03T12:57:00.000+03:00

Arg!

The one costume I LOVE and it is only in one size (too big) and out of stock to boot!

Well, Enigma has been a bee, elf, king, and tuxedo-ed gentleman.

I have to make sure they come in Xtra Small, and they cannot be the kind that relies to much on the hat, because most hats just fall off.

The bee one was made very well though, and stayed on great.

FYI: when you don't have kids, this is where your time and money goes.

Happy Birthday Baby Bear!

2008-10-02T10:19:00.001+03:00

COLE TURNS 2 TODAY!!!!!!

Unbelieveable!

Cole and Nessa a couple months ago.

Me and Cole...just before I moved here.

Regional Goodness

2008-10-01T10:04:00.001+03:00

Some places just have the best of a certain fruit, and once you have it from there, you never want it from another place.

Hawaii has pineapples!

Have a sweet Hawaiian pineapple and you won't open a can of it ever again. At the Dole plantation, they had pineapple chili. I was skeptical, but it was To Die For! Yummmmmm.

We have cantaloupes.

I never really liked them much from CA or MD. They always seemed like the tasteless filler fruit they stick in something, so they don't have to put more strawberries. But not the cantaloupe from here- No Way!

This stuff is so sweet and juicy, it makes those from home seem more related to toast than fruit!

I have heard that Rota's tomatoes are a long the same caliber, but it is difficult to find ones grown here.

What other places have you been and had a fruit or veggie so yummy, that it can't compare to those found in other regions?

John The Liberator!

2008-09-30T11:57:00.000+03:00

The other day John came home from work early in the morning and came through the side door. It is a tricky door, and he didn't close it all the way.

So come 10:30, when I got up, I couldn't understand why it was so QUIET!

I went into the laundryroom to feed the kitties and the laundry door was wide open!

I almost hyperventilated, but when I peaked out the door, both cats were walking up the driveway, apparently ready to come back in. I am guessing they were out for a while if they were happy to just walk back into the house.

Thanks goodness they have collars on!

Now Mago keeps asking if he can go out that door!

~~~~

One thing they did while out and about was roll all over my Catnip seedlings, squishing them into the patio. *sigh*

Happy Birthday Maggiekins

2008-09-29T10:06:00.000+03:00

SHE IS TURNING 2 TODAY!!!

Time goes SO fast!

I know Jess can't believe it either, but look at what Maggie looked like last time I saw her:

Rain, Rain, Sweet!!!

2008-09-28T14:38:00.004+03:00

It looks like it is going to rain all day! YES!

Not only does it cool us all off and make it feel more like Fall, but I love gray, rainy days! The smell, the breeze, the sound. I throw open all the windows and relax. I should have been born in London or Seattle.

And both kitties love the water, so they still go outside and play on their leashes, which amazes me!

~~~~

I had the weekend off. It looks like after working almost 10 days straight, I will be finally settling down into my Part-Time schedule. I still work most days, but it looks like mostly 1/2 days.

The job is easy...REALLY easy. But the people have been fun and I love that everyone, absolutely everyone, goes to the gym, so I see all kinds of people on a regular basis, easier to keep up on the gossip that way. Hehe.

~~~~

Just a note:

Ducks won 1-3 last night and now they are playing Vancouver tonight. I wish I could see it. Vancouver USED to be fun to watch.

Lancelot comes in from the rain finally. "Oh, I'm wet!?!" Hehe.

Prez Debate #1

2008-09-27T18:50:00.003+03:00

Ooooooh, what fun! I love, love, love debates!

Going into this debate, I expected to be rather bored as Obama looked inanimate and disorganized next to Hillary, and I expected McCain to look old and slow next to Obama.

Thankfully, I was wrong on both accounts.

I was so surprised at some of the arguments.

And I must say the best thing about this debate, was that they were different on almost every issue, and I that's good!

**************************************************

If you care, as I watched the debate on cnn.com, I wrote a couple impressions down. Nothing revolutionary. Feel free to add something with actual meaning in the comments ;0) But here it goes:

My bracelet is better than your bracelet. Not the best debate topic.

I am surprised at how strong MCain sounds. He comes across really knowledgeable.

McCain makes Obama sound like a lil boy.
Oh, well, when I was in Pakistan and Afghanistan and in war and lost and was under Regan...blah blah.
Makes Obama sound like he just fell off the turnip truck
OH wait- He did (in senate years that is)

This is the 1st time I have seen Obama look good and sound good. I never saw the "charisma" of Obama's speaking everyone talks about.
I think he will only get better.
Youth wins.

I wish McCain did not have such a left-field VP. I don't get her. I just don't.

It started boring, but got better.
They were both very John Kerry on the 1st couple questions.

I don't think sitting at the table means you love what they do or legitimize them.
Their power legitimizes them already.

Obama does sound like change next to McCain.
McCain sounds a lil stale in his ideas.

Very different dudes. I like it. Good debates a comin.
VP debate should be a slaughter though.
McCain cries on that day- I bet you

Obama: Kissinger said THIS.
McCain: Well when we were disco hoppin in the 70's, he told me THAT.
Obama: Nuh-uh!

McCain: I saw 3 letters in Putin's eyes: KGB
hahahaha

He says no cold war, but it sounds pretty cold to me.

We are in a financial crisis and we are supposed to "rebuild Georgia's economy"?
Srsly?

We NEEEED to all drive non oil cars like NOW.

No YOU don't walk your talk
NO YOU don't walk your talk
Duh- they're politicians.

Do you think we really "are a long way from safe?" (re: 9/11)

EITHER McCain is built weird or his suit doesn't fit.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! McCain just called Obama a Bush-like-stubborn-idiot!!! OMG!!!!
The balls on this one!!!!!

McCain sounds great but looks SOOO old next to Obama.

And he kinda sounds like Bush when he talks.
OMG, what if that VP lady became prez- eeeeeeek!

It took me like forever to stop focusing on Obama's ears.

I miss Hill-Dog!

PreSeason Has Begun

2008-09-27T18:45:00.005+03:00

Sorry that you have to trudge through another several months of my cheering and crying, but hey, what's a blog for?

Anaheim plays Phoenix tonight. Watch it. Tell me how it goes.

If I get the games at all, I get them at 3AM.

Follow the ducks!

Know their schedule!

And preseason schedule!

WATCH THE GAMES!!!!

Still the best: JS Giguere!

A Day Well Spent

2008-09-13T19:04:00.002+03:00

CPR

AED

First Aid

Today I was trained and tested in them all. I had to be certified by Red Cross for my new job. I have never done this before. For some reason, I thought it would be hard, but it was easy.

And Fun!

It really is stuff that we should all know.

I just hope that I never have to use it!!!

Post Interview

2008-09-09T22:28:00.002+03:00

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

It helps! And, Cara, it ia a front desk job and I will probably never need those shoes again, but I love 'em.

They were VERY impressed with my 9+ years customer service and basically said beside the paperwork, background check, and such, I have it.

YAY!!!!

I was so happy.

I think this will be very fun. And they promised that they would be cool with travel plans later, because everyone does it here.

PS- Marina, You bet!

Now I have to learn CPR and how to use a defibulater. Cool!

All Dressed Up With Somewhere To Go

2008-09-08T23:04:00.006+03:00

This is one of a pair of my cutest shoes. Arn't they adorable? I am hoping they are also lucky! Tomorrow, I am wearing them to an interview for a job at the gym here on base. Jobs are thin on the ground for spouses looking for work here, so I am pretty excited to get this far. Hopefully, it will let us be able to better afford some travels. Most people here also visit England, Portugal, Germany, and Italy. Of course Italy is highest on my list. Right now I am also excited to have something to keep me busier!

Wish Me Luck!

Sacrifice

2008-09-04T04:46:00.000+03:00

I went to light my candle by my bed the other night like always (OK-call it what it really is: a nightlight for grown ups!) and I saw this:

Reallllly freakkkkky to see something JUST under the wax.

Especially so detailed. It looks like the last time I lit my Partylight Summer Tyme Candle, I was not the only one entertained.

Guapo

2008-09-03T12:42:00.000+03:00

It means good-looking or handsome.

"Hola guapa!" is a popular way for Spanish men to greet lady friends. It is the equivilant of saying, "Hey good-lookin'!"

~~~

Speaking of good looking:

Idealist

2008-09-01T12:56:00.001+03:00

But I don't wanna be the idealist!!!

It doesn't sound ideal to me!

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPS - The Idealist

Nature (as opposed to Humanity), Background (as opposed to foreground), Big Picture (as opposed to details), and Shape (as opposed to color)-never would've guessed this one BTW.

Also, I was pretty average on everything. I don't see the average person as an idealist. AND- is it just me, or is that cloud a total whale- like the one from Pinoccio, right?

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Catnip Garden

2008-08-29T19:20:00.001+03:00

Before I could stop him, my gardner planted all new flowers in the front and back yard. I am fine with flowers in the front, but I prefer herbs in the back yard.

#1) I just like herbs better than flowers.
#2) Less bees where I sit.
#3) Less problems with the animals eating them.

I wanted to plant all catnip in the back flower garden. I have been looking for planta de gatos as it is known here, but can't find it. So I decided to start it from seed. I have never grown anything from seed in my life, but thought I would give it a try. I have some good luck here.

Well, now I have these tiny lil Catnip sprouts coming up! I love them!!! It is so rewarding to see plants thrive. They are in a place the cats do not go, so they are safe for now. I am hoping by the time these guys are ready to be planted, the flowers in the back will "mysteriously" die.

45 Years Ago Today

2008-08-29T00:37:00.002+03:00

Kitty Beds!

2008-08-27T15:27:00.004+03:00

Have you shopped Etsy? It is all handmade items. Great for the person who has everything. There is some beautiful artwork there too.

I am especially happy to say that fellow blogger, Laura, has her own store there! She makes adorable kitty and doggie beds! They are very cute, and she assures me she is looking for Harry Potter fabric (YES!).

So far, the one at top is my favorite. It's called That 70's Bed!

So check out her store HERE and think about buying one. She does have six cats to feed ;0)

Good Luck Laura!!

New Flowers and New Car

2008-08-26T19:29:00.000+03:00

Sorry for the long absense. Internet troubles continue. No end in sight, so I am braving that as I type and upload pictures that it will not toss me off.

As you know we finally got a new car. Well, it is broken now. No go.
The alternator needs to be replaced.
Horse and buggy- here I come!!

Our gardner likes to plant flowers and things without letting us know at all what his plans are. Suddenly, we will go outside and notice something new. When he planted these babies in the front, I had no idea they were there, and they were so small, I did not notice them for a couple days and so I did not water them! Ooops! Well, they came back, so no harm done.

Mago Waves "Hi"

2008-08-25T19:15:00.002+03:00

Check out his claws! He has gotten me bad in the last few days, but it has not been fault. I was trying to steal his lil fuzzy mice at the time.

He has huge claws and huge teeth, but he is so gentle.

This morning he slept in my hair. He is getting to be more relaxed and personable.

OH!

And I taught him to sit for treats! Hehe. It can be done!

Sorry this is blurry. All my pics seem to come out blurry now. It is very frustrating. I have been trying to be more patient and let the camera focus before snapping the picture, but it seems the cats are always blurry.

:0(

Estrellas

2008-08-11T01:23:00.005+03:00

It means stars.

Tonight, Johna and I went stargazing.

We saw Jupiter, Cassiopeia, and some others.

We also found the different seas on the bright side of the moon.

Our binoculars showed the moon fantastically.

Lyra, the biggest constellation, was right over head. And it contains one of the brightest stars, Vega (which of course just reminds me of Pulp Fiction). It is supposed to be the Greek musical instument, but I found the other mythological interpretations of Lrya more interesting.

In Australian Aboriginal Astronomy, Lyra is known by the Boorong people as the Malleefowl constellation. A Malleefowel is a bird related to a chicken.

And Lyra was known as Urcuchillay by the Incas and was worshipped as an animal deity. Uruchillay was worshipped by herders and believed to be a multicolored llama who watched over animals.

Helado

2008-08-09T03:24:00.004+03:00

It means Ice Cream. The Spaniards love to come on base for 2 things: Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and Pizzaria Pizza. They say it is better than the stuff out in town, but I liked my strawberry cone. It was very creamy and more milk-tasting than BR31 (as they are known now).

I love/hate to go out on weekend nights. IF we find parking, it is great, but there have been a couple nights, we have given up and went home. It is that difficult.

What I love about going out is all the people out in the streets. It is super crowded. And I don't mean crowded like Main Street in HB with teens and hoochie-mamas. Although there are some of those too, it is mostly whole families. And it is great how all the kids and babies are up and walking around with ice cream cones at midnight! People watching is the best here.

Something old, something new, and lots of blue

2008-08-07T16:05:00.008+03:00

John and I spent some time on Monday at the beautiful port in Rota. Many Spaniards were on their boats with their families, sailing, laughing, swimming.

On our way back walking up the pier, we could see our favorite lil section of Rota (the largest picture at very top of this blog) behind all the sailing masts. And behind the 1st wave of buildings, the tops of the Castillo de Luna and old Church can be seen.

~
We went walking around some of the winding streets looking at more places where you can see Rota's ancient history along side its present day activities.

The pink building at the end of the street is the Old Church.

John and I feel so lucky to be living here!

(see all pictures from that day HERE)

Nene X-ing

2008-08-01T17:16:00.003+03:00

While Jess and I were visiting the main island of Hawaii, we saw these signs all over. Watch out for the Nene Bird!! Apparently, they are killed by cars very often.

And just in case you are thinking you are too busy to watch out for the Nene, they even put a picture of lil Nene gosling just to pull at the right heartstring to make you wanna keep you eyes peeled.

I wanted to see one so bad! I was sure we would, as there were signs everywhere, but no. No Nene.

I just had to see this thing. I mean all the beautiful, rare, tropical birds of Hawaii, and they choose A GOOSE as their state bird!! That must be one majestic goose!

Jess in case you don't know has moved her lil self and Maggie back to the East Coast. They will be settling down in Virginia for the next leg of their adventures. One kid born in Hawaii and one in Viginia. Hmmmm. I smell a rivalry coming on.

Happy Birthday Enigma!!!

2008-08-01T15:20:00.003+03:00

Happy Birthday Enigma!!

He is 10 years-old today.

He has been breathing a little better. And he has not been on his pee pill. It sounds like he will need the x-rays. At night, he still has a lot of problems.

Carne Guisada y Arroz

2008-07-31T12:15:00.000+03:00

Yesterday, I made Carne Guisada for the first time.

And I have to tell you, it was GOOD!

I put a little too much flour in at the end and had to adjust the spices, but it came out tasting seriously similar to Grandma's. Of course my rice still needs a lot of work.

It looks like her rice, but the taste is not right. I will keep trying though.

Wish you were all here to try this!

Grilling Highs and Lows

2008-07-30T17:07:00.004+03:00

Happier Grill Times in Maryland

John and I have always grilled out very often. It is healthier and yummier and I only have to make the side dishes. Finally, John decided that the grill we had-which was about as big a large skillet, had to be very dangerously proped up for the gas to work, and always burned everything on one side-should be replaced.

We found the one we liked, read: big and shiny, outside the Navy Exchange. It was already put together, and it was beautiful. Problem! There was no way that it was going to fit in our 2 door Cavalier.

We could have come back for it when we had a chance to call a friend with a truck, but John had already decided it was a part of the family, and leaving it there was not an option. So I drove home.

And John walked the new baby the two blocks from the store to the house. He just lifted the one side, so it sat back on its 2 wheels, and he pulled it behind him. Proud Parent he was! What a better way to tell the neighborhood that you have ARRIVED in large grill territory than to parade it in front of everyone...literaly!

Now, it is a sad, negelcted child. They use different gas here in Spain. So we bought the converter. Although you can refill your tank at any gas station, you have to buy the 1st one from a certain place where you sign a contract. It has a been a real pain to find out all the info on this, because most people here get their tanks from someone who is leaving.

It doesn't matter anyway. I know that the day we actually know where to go, have all our paperwork in hand, take the right amount of Euro, actually find parking in Rota, on that day: the place will be closed!

Tuesday Twist

2008-07-29T16:53:00.003+03:00

Unscramble the following movie title:

acd eeghlm noopsst

Put your answer in the comments below.

Answer next Tueday.

Last week's movie was:

Star Wars

A Walk in the Park

2008-07-28T16:11:00.003+03:00

Yesterday, John and I saw a park that looked nice and cool, as it was covered by trees. The trails were wooden planks. It smelled like pine. So we decided to stop and take a walk. We had no idea that one of the trails led right to the beach. And as always, it was a crowded day. (Click HERE to see all the photos.)

Another trail led to a botanical garden that is behind a big iron fence. It was closed! On a Sunday afternoon?? We will never figure out Spanish working hours. I swear it.

These lil white flowers were growing in the sand off the trails all over the park. I don't know what they are, but I thought they were pretty and looked out of place really.

Nima Update

2008-07-26T16:46:00.002+03:00

The vet said that Enigma might have fluid in his lungs since his heart cannot pump it out properly. At least that is how I understood it. John understood even less. So Nima got a shot that makes him pee all the time.

If this works, he will be on a pee pill along with his heart pills. If it does not work, then he needs x-rays. Last night, he was breathing great -whew-. But right now he is napping and is having a lil trouble. It sounds like he is growling in his sleep, but it is his poor lil lungs.

The vet said we will know by Monday if this medication is helping or not.

PS: We have a car!!!! Thanks God Almighty, we have a car!

Feminist Friday

2008-07-25T18:06:00.001+03:00

The Man Show shows us ignorance is not bliss by starting a poll to end Women's Suffrage.

Push the >> arrow to see the video and then push play.

This is the only way I am able to embed YouTube. Sorry.

Dog-fish out of water

2008-07-25T14:58:00.003+03:00

Last night, Enigma did not sleep at all. He has been breathing laborously again. His heart medication had been working so well. Now, today he is making gasping sounds just sitting still. But he is playing and barking and eating.

I called the vet and he said either he just needs to up his medication or he has fluid in his lungs. So we are going in at 3:15 to find out what is up.

Problem: Still no car.

I don't know how we are getting there yet, but we are. Especially with the weekend coming up, I don't want have to go to an emergency vet tonight. The doctor said to just keep an eye on his gums to see if they start turning blue. I said NO WAY- we are coming in.

Of course, since I hung up with the vet, Enigma has stopped gasping, but we are still going. Here that lil dog? So you better gasp for the nice vet!

Wish us luck. Hopefully he just needs more mg of his heart medication.

Hating Cars and Loving Cats

2008-07-24T17:35:00.005+03:00

Peek a boo

Still no car. Now they say Friday. Friday night! Arg!

John and I have plans to go back to Cadiz this weekend. That is what is keeping me sane for now. Last time we went, my camera ran out of juice, so I hope to get some better pictures. I love that city--the prettiest I have seen so far.

I only hope we have this car thing situated by then. Still no definate word on my scooter yet. We keep having to call people to call people to get the registration figured out. Spain's office hours are a funny, funny thing.

At least I have these guys to play with. They just got a big package from their Catster friends (Boogers and family) for their birthdays. It has been a Gato Fiesta all day.

Tuesday Twist

2008-07-22T23:17:00.000+03:00

Unscramble the movie title:

aarr sstw

Put your answer in the comments below.
Answer next week.

Last week's twist was:

Fried Green Tomatoes

Hydrangea

2008-07-22T23:12:00.000+03:00

I bought this plant when we first got here, and it had big gorgeous blooms on it. When they had died, I figured I had killed the plant. I am not very good with flowers, but I cut all the dead stuff off and found a tiny new bloom!!!

LA Story

2008-07-21T01:57:00.006+03:00

When was the last time you saw this movie?

L.A. Story

With Steve Martin

It is HI-larious:

The Freeway Sign

and sooo romantic:

The walk through the garden when they become young again

I love every scene:

The interpretation of the painting in the LACMA

and every line:

"Why is it that we don't alway recognize the moment love begins, but we always know when it ends?"

"A kiss may not be the truth but it IS what we wish were true."

And Rick Maranis as the gravedigger with a sense of humor and Sarah Jessica Parker so young and silly.

AND every Star Trek Next Gen fan must see Patrick Stewart as the evil Maitre De.

Don't forget LA is where Sheakspeare was burried and he said once: "Hey, life is pretty stupid with lots of hubub to keep you busy but really not amounting to much." Oh, but that's a paraphrase ;0)

Watch it!

And if it is 1 am and you are feeling quite hormonal, try not to cry when the plane can't take off.

Sunday Seven

2008-07-20T16:02:00.003+03:00

Feeling Green? Wanna chemically free clean? My crunchy friend, Jess, probably already knows all these, but I just found out some of them in our base newspaper.

The Sunday Seven Uses for Lemons

All Purpose Cleaner

Equal amounts lemon juice to water in a spray bottle is a disinfectant and removes scuff marks from walls.

Toilets

Pour some lemon juice in the bowl and sprinkle with baking soda. Then scrub with a brush to clean the bowl without chemicals.

Degreaser

Lemon juice is a natural degreaser. Use a few drops in a pan and you will not need as much soap to clean it. Also, add some to your dishwasher detergent.

Scrubber

Cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed side in salt. Rub it on stainless steal, pots, pans, and granite. It will be shiny and smell great!

Wood Polish

The newspaper says use 1 cup of olive oil (I prefer almond oil) to 1/2 cup lemon juice. Use sparingly and rub with a dry cloth. Works WAY better than pledge.

Hand Sanitizer

Add a few drops of lemon juice to Aloe Vera gel to disinfect and remove fish and garlic smells from hands (so it says, nothing ever removes garlic from my hands)

Clean Smelling Fridge and Microwave

Dampen a sponge in lemon juice and let sit in the fridge for a few hours to soak up yucky smells. Or add lemon juice to a bowl of water and microwave it for 30 seconds, then wipe out.

Makes me wish I had a tree. Have you tried any of these?

Lemon is also one of the BEST aromatherapy scents, because it cheers you up. (Unfortuantely for me, it also increases my appetite.)

Just another note on Green. This is a great blog for it:

Crunchy Chicken

Our 1st (Spanish) Car

2008-07-18T15:06:00.004+03:00

Wow, I went from Tuesday until Friday without a post. What a bad blogger I am!

And here I am STUCK at the house, between cars.

We get the new car on Monday (finally!!!!!), after 6 months of renting and borrowing. This car thing has been a huge disaster (John's car is still in Bahrain and may not be shipped now that we are outside the 6 month window. If so, then he will sell it).

I am so happy that at least part of this is finally over.

Now if I can just get my scooter! There is a problem with the registration. The old owners canceled it before they knew we wanted it, so it can't just be transferred.

*sigh*

I vote we go back to horse and buggie.

Feminist Friday

2008-07-18T13:57:00.000+03:00

Summer Reading List
Check it out HERE.
~
Reviews? Do you have a suggestion?

Tuesday Twist

2008-07-15T03:12:00.003+03:00

Unscramble the movie title:

adeee efgim noorrstt

Put your answer in the comments below.

Answer next week.

Last week's answer was:

American Beauty

La Playa

2008-07-14T13:52:00.000+03:00

John and I want to the Beach on base the other day. They have umbrellas already up, and we got the last one. It was very crowded with Spaniards. I love sitting and listening to them talk...still only picking up a word here or there.

I took a walk in the surf looking for shells thinking how lazy John was for not coming with me, and how he did not seem to ever enjoy himself outside. That is until I got back to our umbrella and found him digging a hole in the sand like a 5 year-old! He dug it deep enuogh, so he could sit in it and lean back onto a little, sand pillow.

I love it when he surprises me :0)
~
~

Doesn't this look like some kind of Alien Language??

Sunday Seven

2008-07-13T06:04:00.003+03:00

I have stayed up all night. It is now 5 AM. Why do I do this to myself?
Anyway,
I started making Harry Potter Graphics on Photobucket.
From HERE
you can get the image, html code, or direct link! Easy, no?
(Granted, this is for the true HP nerds. The page will grow, I am sure, as these are so fun to make.)

Sunday Seven Best of My HP Graphics

PLUS 2 more, because I cannot help myself!

Shoo fly...

2008-07-12T20:45:00.003+03:00

Attack of the flies!

The weather has finally cooled a bit, and it feels great outside. I would love to be sitting in my little lawn chair watching the kitties play on their leashes. However, the flies have chased me inside! And why do they always go straight for my mouth!?!

A Different Kind of Garden

2008-07-11T19:57:00.005+03:00

One of the new blogs I have been checking out, Crafty Green Poet, has a post today with pictures from a Green-grown garden in Edinburgh.

Look HERE to see photos. I thought the greenhouse made from recycled bottles was cool, but the last photo (with a computer monitor used as a planter) is the best!

The imaginations of people are amazing to me sometimes.

Feminist Friday

2008-07-11T12:20:00.001+03:00

Quote from Melissa McEwan:

(Her Blog)

Women don't lose their minds when they have period-related irritability. It doesn't lower their ability to reason; it lowers their patience and, hence, tolerance for bullshit. If an issue comes up a lot during "that time of the month," that doesn't mean she only cares about it once a month; it means she's bothered by it all the time and lacks the capacity, once a month, to shove it down and bury it beneath six gulps of willful silence.

Never thought of it that way.

Garden Kitties

2008-07-10T14:57:00.000+03:00

The kitties have a great time outside with eachother. They attack eachother's leashes, eat weeds, and chase bugs.

Even Enigma gets to play!

Panther Kitty stalks his prey.

Both of them love to roll on the patio, but Mago is the one who picks up all the dirt!

See all the photos HERE.

Waste Your Wednesday

2008-07-09T03:16:00.000+03:00

Tottally hilarious video:

(Click >> arrow button to see video, then push play)

Our Doorman

2008-07-08T22:52:00.001+03:00

This lil gecko hangs out on the ceiling of the carport just outside the front door. I like to think he is getting all those nast bugs before they find a way into our house. But like any bouncer, I think he is bribed by a few to be let in. Good help is hard to find.

Tuesday Twist

2008-07-08T19:40:00.003+03:00

Unscramble the movie title:

aaabceei mnrtuy

Put your answers in the comments below.

Answer next Tuesday.

Last week's twist was:

Patriot Games

New Feature

2008-07-08T01:54:00.003+03:00

I added a new photoslide on the right hand side of a few pictures John or I have taken here.

Don't forget to check our photo site to see them all.

My Last Lily

2008-07-07T12:21:00.000+03:00

From what I understand, I am supposed to seperate the bulbs? Does anyone have any info or a site for dummies they can share with me? These are the first flowers I have ever grown, and now they are just stalks.

Moo loves smelling flowers. He is like me. He heads straight for the herb garden and munches on some basil and sits and sniffs the lavender. It has been a trick or two keeping the herbs and lawn and front flower garden well watered. The heat is getting to us all!

History of Flamenco

2008-07-07T09:08:00.000+03:00

(The following info is from this site)

Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact an genuine Southern Spanish art. It exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing. Gypsies are very often named as its fathers, and at least it can be taken for certain that they played an important part in its creation. But also the popular songs and dances of Andalucia have influenced early Flamenco considerably.Certainly there were other influences, too, as it will not surprise in a country that has been dominated by most diverse cultures and civilizations during its different historical epochs.

Its cradle most probably was where, between 1765 and 1860, the first Flamenco-schools were created: Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville).In this epoch Flamenco dance started to have its firm position in the ballrooms. Early Flamenco seems to have been purely vocal, accompanied only by rhythmical clapping of hands, toque de palmas. It was left to dedicated composers, as Julián Arcas, to introduce guitar playing.

During its Golden Age (1869-1910) Flamenco was developed in the epoch's numerous music cafés (cafés cantantes) to its definitive form. Also the more serious forms expressing deep feelings (cante jondo) dates from then.Flamenco dance arrived to its climax, being the major attraction for the public of those cafés cantantes. Guitar players featuring the dancers increasingly gained a reputation.The time from 1910 to 1955 Flamenco singing is marked by the ópera flamenca, with an easier kind of music such as fandangos and cantes de ida y vuelta. The latter clearly showed South American influences.

Outstanding dancers and soloists soon made their way out of the small tablaos, successors to the early cafés cantantes, to the great theaters and concert houses. It was now that guitar players acquired a great protagonism, and their playing arrived to masterity.Actual Flamenco frequently shows influences of other kinds of music, as Jazz, Salsa, Bossa Nova, etc. Also Flamenco dance has changed, specially female dancers try to rather showcase their temperament than artistry. The Flamenco guitar that formerly was just featuring the dancers arrived to be a soloistical art form, great virtuoso Paco de Lucia being the pioneer of that development.

Mass medias have brought Flamenco to the world stage, but deeply it has always been and will remain an intimate kind of music. You have not listened authentical Flamenco if not in a juerga with a small group of friends, at midnight somewhere in the South of Spain, when there is nothing around but the voice, the guitar and the body of a dancer moving in the moonlight.

(HERE is a previous post with some video of professional dancers)

John and I still have not made it to an actual Flamenco show. They are pretty expensive. But at any major festival, they have informal flamenco dancing. It is fun because it is all ages that participate. And the audience is part of the show with all the clapping to keep time.

(HERE is a pevious post with video of dancers we saw at Feria)

Sunday Seven

2008-07-06T17:11:00.002+03:00

Sunday Seven Reasons To Hate The Internet

1. I should be doing yoga right now.

2. Wikipedia information overload (worse than an icecream headache)

3. Now I think I need these handmade pottery cups that you wear on a ring made by this Ukranian trained in Japan living in Italy.

4. SPAM

5. The forwardly insane (You know who you are, Alison)

6. Medical information for the bored hypochondriac

7. WHEN IT GOES OUT!!!!

Limerick & Haiku

2008-07-05T13:42:00.002+03:00

Food is good but hot sauce is king.

I like the tears and I love the sting.

My husband says, "Look,

you're a really good cook.

How about you try TASTING something!"

I am following a blog with limerick and Haiku prompts. There is a new one everyweek. That is my kind of poetry! So count on more to come. This one was about food or drink. To participate check it out HERE. Then you may add your link to her blog.

Happy 4th of July & Happy Birthday Lancelot

2008-07-04T17:06:00.005+03:00

Happy 4th of July!!!!

All our festivities were yesterday. The fireworks were at midnight. We saw them from the park by our house from accross the water. It was fun to see all our neighbors in one place. I hope everyone has a safe one!

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCELOT!

He turns 4 today! He still looks like a baby to me.

This morning I finally saw Mago and Moo on top of the cabinets above the refrigerator. During the day at least one is up there at all times, but this is the 1st time I have seen them up there together. They are really getting along now! They have even started going outside together, which is funny, because Lancelot keeps grabbling Mago's leash and keeping him from going anywhere!!!

Feminist Friday

2008-07-04T12:02:00.001+03:00

Start them young.

Shop HERE.

Mago's Birthday

2008-07-02T19:54:00.001+03:00

I am still amazed this kitty did not have a home until now. He is so funny and sweet. It so nice to have a cat that doesn't make me flinch. He had a great birthday and got his first collar! I made him a hat, but he flat out refused to wear it! Hehe.

Waste Your Wednesday

2008-07-02T11:36:00.000+03:00

How did this baby escape my attention all this time???

Wasting a Wednesday is hard work, so this Wednesday, elist help from other bored Wednesday Wasters

HERE!

They steal your letters, you steal theirs. They make faces out of letters, and you make notes, and before you know it...Wednesday's Gone!

It might even be me on there!

Happy Birthday Mago!

2008-07-01T12:04:00.000+03:00

Mago turns 2 years old today!

Tuesday Twist

2008-07-01T08:06:00.002+03:00

Unscramble the movie title below:

aaegimo prstt

Put your answer in the comments below.
Answer next week.

Last week's twist was:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Sunday Seven

2008-06-29T17:13:00.004+03:00

Sunday Seven Dates I am Looking Forward To:

(1) July 4
I can't wait to see how they do the fireworks show here. John has to work that day, but he will be off to see the show. He heard the one last year was great!

(2) September 29
Maggie turns 2.

(3) October 2
Cole turns 2.

(4) October 31
My favorite Holiday

(5) November 21
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Movie comes out!

(6) January 1
A new year in our new country.

(7) Last Week of February
Maggie gets a sibling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vet Day

2008-06-27T20:38:00.006+03:00

Today was Mago's first trip to the vet. He screamed bloody murder in the car. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it the whole 5 minutes to the vet.

He got 3 shots and a nail trim. He did great. He didn't even jump! The doctor kept saying how pretty he is.

Enigma had his heart listened to again. She said the murmer is still there, but as long as he is breathing better (because the enlarged heart presses on his trachea), then we will stick with the medication he is on. He does a lot better at night, but if he gets excited, he has his coughing/gagging fits. She said not to let him excited. (??????) And now he only needs to be seen every six months.

She said there are stronger pills he can go on in the future when his heart gets to big for these meds to work. Not looking forward to that. He is only 10!!

But for now, everybody is fat, dumb, and happy (as Grandma would say)!

Feminist Friday

2008-06-27T00:09:00.001+03:00

Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definition of Feminist:

fem·i·nism
Pronunciation:
\ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm\
Function: noun, Date: 1895
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

((It is still just a theory, mind you.))

"Why can't all decent men and women call themselves feminists?" -Ani Difranco

Are you a feminist?

Duck, Duck, Book

2008-06-26T11:55:00.000+03:00

A boy came running up to his mother in the backyard. "Mama, Mama, there is someone at the door with a bill!" "Don't worry dear," she said, "it's probably just a duck."

Cheesey, yes. But I heard that joke ages ago and it has never left me. I can still be sitting by myself, think of it, and say, "Hehe...duck..."

Ever since then, I noticed jokes with ducks in them are just funnier! Why? Because they usually just go for the funny value of the duck and make very little sense otherwise.

For years, I cannot get the idea out of my mind that I have always wanted to write a Duck Joke Book. A small one, clean jokes, with illustrations. I still think of it to this day, but I have a hard time building a good duck joke bank to pick from.

So if you know any, send them to me, and if I use it, I promise to thank you in my book!