Merry New York Christmas

I was lucky enough this Christmas to make it back to New York again to spend the holiday with my family and friends. I was also lucky enough to have Esteban come with me.

Our week was jam packed with friends, family, and food. I got to play tour guide while also gaining about 5 pounds eating favorites like NY Pizza, bagels, mexican food, peanut butter, pancakes, diner breakfasts, french toast, pretzels, m&ms and anything covered in chocolate.

cinnamon raisin bagel with maple walnut cream cheese

good ol' american breakfast of blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes

God Bless American Diners

Highlights from my trip home included:
*a visit to my favorite restaurant, Meson Ole
*walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (without a jacket!)
*dinner and drinks with friends in Queens
*Ice skating in Bryant park
*seeing my grandma
*watching Esteban and my father fly remote control helicopters for hours on end.
*Christmas In NYC

I always said my favorite time to visit New York is during Christmas time. It is so magical with the lights, the decorations, windows, and those pesky ringing bells throughout the city. I was so excited to share this with a Madrileño

 I had an obsession with teaching Esteban about an American Christmas and all things American. This included lunch from the hot dog truck, breakfast at the diner (eggs for breakfast!!!), trips to the beach, outlet shopping, drive through ATMs,  slurpees, having someone else pump my gas for me, etc.

As for Christmas traditions, we made a gingerbread house, opened our stockings christmas morning, had deli breakfast, drank Brandy Alexanders, and took lots of obnoxious christmas pictures

"prom pose" another american phenomenon

contraband 

Of course the viaje was too good to be true. And the next day after arriving in Madrid, everything seemed like a dream. Epsecially because as soon as we entered Spain, Esteban refused to speak to me in English. (I think after a week in America, his English is better than mine!)

What was odd for me was bringing someone from my Spanish life into my American life. They have never really been combined (except when my parents came to visit) and so it seemed like some sort of Matrix world... especially since I was in charge of driving, speaking, striking up conversation, understanding, and translating. Normally in my Spanish life, it is reversed. I had so much more confidence in my American life and felt more like a functioning member of society instead of just a member of society who is sliding by, and heavily relying on others for help.  It felt nice to fit in, and to feel in control, and to understand.

So of course after such a perfect week, I was extra-super sad to leave my parents. I let a few tears flow (ok, maybe more than a few). Leaving is so much harder when I don't know when I'll be back or see my family again....

Portuguese Pictures

During the December Puente, I traveled out of Spain for the first time this year. Unfortunately I didn't leave the Iberian Peninsula and only made it to Lisbon, Portugal.
Here are some pictures from the long weekend way back when:

Portugal keeps it old school

Tower of Belen

Castle of San Jorge

Sintra

Sintra

Gorgeous

View of Sintra

A Chinese Treasure

A Hidden Gem, and a Diamond in the Rough.

 Hannah and I set out in search of what is said to be "the best Chinese food in Madrid...if you can find it"

This restaurant is said to be IN Plaza de España, when in reality, its UNDER the Plaza. To get there, you must enter through the Parking garage. We weren't really sure where to go, and unfortunately this is off your mobile devices GPS system. So without a map, we used our noses to find the buried treasure.

Once we went down the stairs, we could smell the sweet, decadent smell of chinese take out. My heart fluttered.  I have not eaten chinese food since at LEAST august of 2010. Mainly due to my fear of eating chinese food outside of America. I just had a feeling it wouldn't be good... like Mexican in Spain (that search has also been conquered)

Once we arrived and confirmed that this underground chinese restaurant was the one we were in search of, we joined the line outside of the door. We were handed a menu that was written in English and Spanish. We peeked in through the windows to see what others were eating, portion sizes and if rice was included. All looked promising, except the rice included part.

We chose Chinese Vegetables and Chicken and Vegetables. We waited about 5 minutes outside the restaurant until someone came and took our order while we waited. Once we were seated 10 minutes later, we were handed our food within the next 3 minutes. Perfect.

We chowed down happily fulfilling our craving for comida china. But then there was a problem.... it was ALL GONE! And it was TOO GOOD! We looked over at our neighbors on all sides of us, eating dumplings.... or empanadillas chinas.... and we looked at each other with that look that says 'are you thinking what im thinking?' and 'if you're in, im in'.... and we ordered a plate.

The Holy Grail of Chinese Food

Within  3 minutes we were handed a plate of about 8 dumplings a la plancha.... we each dipped one into the sauce and popped it into our mouths... at first a taste of sweet tanginess... then the savory beef flavor with the dumpling noodle.... Pure Bliss.

Hoping to eat these for breakfast.... too bad we ate them all!

The best idea we had all week.

A Playground of Languages

As an au pair, I take my two little slugs to the park every day. Some days just to sit and have our merienda, and some days to play. On Mondays and Wednesdays we can spend an hour and a half there, until it gets dark! The park is situated in between about 3 different elementary schools. I know this because there are about 3 different types of uniforms frolicking around on the swings, slides and sand.

My favorite thing about the park, is that every day, I can hear at least 4 different languages being spoken, sometimes more!

Of course there is Spanish spoken by all, but then I can also hear English spoken by moi, and by a wonderful family I met from Miami who now lives here in Madrid and the twins go to Vio's school. Some days I catch some people speaking German, but they never stick around too long. Around 5:15 everyday two little girls come running to the park speaking French with their mother. And recently, there has been a new little spaniard showing up with her au pair... from CHINA!

So on any given day, these children playing at the park are exposed to their mother tongue, English, French, Chinese and maybe even a hint of German! What lucky kids!

Im Thankful for Thanksgiving

Let me begin by saying that Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday However, trying to celebrate thanksgiving here in Spain has become something thats half a challenge, somewhat like a scavenger hunt, and tends to be painful at times. But in the end, its always worth it.

The challenge begins for me about the monday before Thanksgiving. It is the day I go and attempt to order a turkey.  Whenever I enter a poultry shop (polleria) and request un pavo entero (whole turkey), it seems that an extra three heads grow out of my neck... because the person behind the counter looks at me in such awe and confusion, like why is this 4 headed blonde girl ordering an entire turkey???? After trying about 2-3 pollerias, someone finally agrees to hunt down a 4 kilo turkey for me and have it ready by thursday for me to pick up.

Then its time to ingredient shop. I must have gone into 5 supermarkets, and 8 frutarias looking for certain root vegetables or spices. You can never find everything you need at one place, its like a game looking for all your ingredients (parsnips where are you!?!?!)

Heres the fun part: Teaching Thanksgiving.

I started out my lesson two my 6 and 7 year olds by showing them a cute picture of a turkey in a pilgrim hat. As soon as the picture goes up everyone starts shouting "POLLO!!!!!" (chicken) no no no, children, this is NOT a chicken. By my last lesson I even started with "Who knows what this animal is? And heres a hint: its NOT a chicken!!!" Well that really stumped them.

I probably then will say the word TURKEY 17 more times at least throughout my thanksgiving presentation. and at the end when I ask "what do we eat on thanksgiving" everyone STILL shouts "CHICKEN!" or sometimes even "KITCHEN!!" (fair enough)

Then I have to explain the history of thanksgiving. This was difficult for me. Do I share the story I learned when I was in elementary school? Or do I share the true story I spent a month learning about in college, learning how to teach it to students?? Well, I did a little of both. And its ok, Im sure they wont remember it anyway....

Then I taught about why thanksgiving is important: its about giving thanks. I got the usual thankfulnesses: family, mom, dad, teacher, house, friends, brother, food.... I got somethings like "parrot, horse, banana, apple, money" and things a little more complex like "loving".

From Violeta, I got "eating in the dining room!" Whatever makes you happy!!!

But my biggest hurdle, besides cooking a turkey... was when a 7 year old asked me (rough translation) "But teacher, if you are thankful for your family and friends, and they are important to you... why are you here and so far away form them if they are so important?"

Good Question.... you got me there, kid.

Anyway... I enjoyed sharing thanksgiving in school, including clips from Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade, and of course, the "Can't Stuff this" music video

The next few hours/days were pretty messy. They included a turkey dilemma, crying over facetime while talking to my entire extended family, cooking all day and not eating, then eating a lot, then not being able to eat for about 16 hours... but then like all Thanksgivings... my thanksgiving also included Football.... just the Spanish kind!

Here's a brief list of things I'm thankful for:
1) The obvis like my family and friends
2) Technology to keep in touch with those important people
3) The families I have gained here in Spain
4) Fulbright, because without them I don't know if I ever would have made it here
5) The opportunities I have by being here (career wise and life wise)
6) The ability to travel
7) That I have someone special here who helps me immensely and makes me super happy =)
8) Chocolate
9) Wine
10) Good Health
11) Happiness

Weekend Escape

After 2 months of non-stop hustle and bustle, moving, unpacking, adjusting, partying, working and LIVING... it was time for a bit of descansa, or in other words, some R&R.

I packed my big bag, not really knowing what was in store for me, nor where I was going. But I packed a bag like a good ex girl scout, keeping the motto "always be prepared" in my head. (yes i know its really the boy scout motto but we borrowed it in desperate times of cookie sales.. and anyway my idea of being prepared consisted of carrying my cupcake tray, maple syrup, chocolate chips, bbq sauce, recipes in my ipad, a hair dryer, 3 pairs of shoes including my uggs, and most of my hair products) I put all of my faith into my newly appointed Spanish tour guide, and we trekked off to Albacete, which is really in the middle of nowhere. From there, we continued one hour into MORE nothingness of the province of Albacete to Esteban's families' getaway house.

We arrived late after sunset on friday evening. We hung out around space heaters, waiting for the heat to kick in. To make the time pass quicker, we opened a bottle of red, sliced up some cheese and spread some pate.  We enjoyed these simple delicacies in front of the fireplace.

The next morning I awoke to an amazing sight.... the view of the mountains! It was absolutely breathtaking. 

I treated my host to some traditional made-from-scratch-all-American-chocolate chip pancakes, which I thoroughly enjoyed while fixing my view upon the lovely paisaje.

After we went for a walk to further enjoy the lovely landscape. Then we encountered something I've only read about in books... a spanish shepherd and his herd of sheep and goats!! How exciting!!!!!!

After all the excitement of domestic animals in the mountains, we headed inside for a lunch consisting of a goatcheese/apple/walnut salad, and partridge... and lots of wine and crema de orujo.

Before finishing the bottle of the ever-so-delectable creme de orujo, I rembered I needed some of it for my most anticipated recipe of the weekend: Irish Car bomb cupcakes!

Even though I was a little tipsy after our long spanish lunch, the cupcakes were a HUGE success. I thought I died and went to heaven for a moment, but then came back to earth for another bite!

Later that evening while getting into the Real Madrid-Valencia futbol match, we also made some BBQ chicken pizza. It sure did feel good to get back into the kitchen!

The next morning after sleeping until noon and being lazy until 130, it was time to get the show in the road: eating the remainder of all the food we bought, and cleaning and locking up the house.



I was a little despondent to leave such a good weekend behind; but reminding myself that I was headed back to my favorite city made it a little easier on the soul. Also, I have a feeling I'll get to go back again! =)

Post #100: Short and Sweet sobre Salamanca

A few weeks ago I took a wonderful trip to the enchanting, yet college party city, Salamanca


There we saw what is said to be the most beautiful Plaza Mayor throughout all of Spain.

We explored the Casa de la Concha

Had failed attempts at visiting the Cathedral (but finally caught a glimpse inside on our last day)

Crossed the Puente Romano

Dined in the famous Meson Cervantes

Searched for the Rana de Suerte (Lucky Frog) But again, fail...

Ended the weekend with Tapas in Chilly Avila

Salamanca is famous for their university since it is the oldest in spain. The city was bursting with international life. There were students from all over the world. (Americans were the easiest to spot with their Uggs and coffees in hand)

I highly recommend a trip to Salamanca. The city is gorgeous, uniform, and most importantly... classy (however the classiness level went down a few points at night)