Well, I'm am done with goodbyes for a week. Last night at church we were able to thank the church for being our family here and express our sadness for leaving. People crowded around us after the service to hug and cry and say goodbye. It was so touching.
I was given some presents that they sell at the market. I got a cute Betty Boop shirt that I don't know if I could ever wear, but it was so thoughtful. I hope it will not be too long before we'll see them again. Well, Dan does come back in Sept (I'm jealous), but I'm happy for him.
I now have two finals Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The rest of Wednesday will be packing and cleaning. I hope to eat a bit more regional food and then we're off to Portugal on Thursday.
Our last goodbye in Portugal is not one that I look forward to. Dan's parents are moving to Angola, so we do not know when we'll see them next, so it will be hard to leave.
I am happy about seeing my family and friends again. Thank you for all who have stayed in touch and kept supporting me while I've been so far away. I miss you all dearly and look forward to spending as much time as possible together.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
More goodbyes
Yesterday we went to a pub to say goodbye to some archaeologists who have been good friends. We spent a long time there, but it was a good visit and a nice good-bye. Tonight and tomorrow we have our last services at church. So far our goodbyes have been pleasant (for goodbyes), but I may cry tonight or tomorrow.
I am looking forward to getting the finals done, visiting my in-laws in Portugal, and then seeing my family. I also look forward to getting into the hospital and applying all my knowledge. Nobody likes change, but it can be a good thing too.
I am looking forward to getting the finals done, visiting my in-laws in Portugal, and then seeing my family. I also look forward to getting into the hospital and applying all my knowledge. Nobody likes change, but it can be a good thing too.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Desayuno
Breakfast is a very cultural experience in Spain. Everyone takes a break from their job to get a coffee and munchie. I never go out, but we were talking with our friend and he likes the same breakfast as me. I decided to meet him for breakfast this morning, thinking it would be with all his co-workers. It was just us and everyone in the city passed by and he told them I was the wife of Dan. It was awkward, but ok. I did enjoy my Catalana (toast with tomato paste, jamon, and olive oil) and cafe con leche!
Then I went home and a man in our neighborhood asked if I wanted to get a drink with him. I decided a coke would be nice. This man speaks slowly and is paralyzed on his right side due to a severe stroke. I could understand him well and I practiced my Spanish and I think we both did a good job. I asked him his name and then he decided he wanted to give me kisses. He tried to kiss me on the lips and I had to pull away. Then he started to wink at me and ask me if I understood. I said no and then said I was married and he gave me the "shhh" sign. He continued to wink and I told him that I love my husband and that I didn't like his wink and left.
Uggghhh...two awkward moments. I don't like anything that makes my marriage look bad. I don't enjoy being seen with a man my age, especially in a small town where everyone talks. I also don't like old men hitting on me. I definitely prefer being with Dan. Oh well.
I am studying for finals now. Two left and one group project!
Then I went home and a man in our neighborhood asked if I wanted to get a drink with him. I decided a coke would be nice. This man speaks slowly and is paralyzed on his right side due to a severe stroke. I could understand him well and I practiced my Spanish and I think we both did a good job. I asked him his name and then he decided he wanted to give me kisses. He tried to kiss me on the lips and I had to pull away. Then he started to wink at me and ask me if I understood. I said no and then said I was married and he gave me the "shhh" sign. He continued to wink and I told him that I love my husband and that I didn't like his wink and left.
Uggghhh...two awkward moments. I don't like anything that makes my marriage look bad. I don't enjoy being seen with a man my age, especially in a small town where everyone talks. I also don't like old men hitting on me. I definitely prefer being with Dan. Oh well.
I am studying for finals now. Two left and one group project!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
the rest of the weekend
The fruit tree visit was the start to a wonderful weekend. Sunday we created a taco bar for our long time friends. I made guacamole, salsa, chicken, beef, and chorizo tacos, and Corona (called Coronita here) to drink. It was so good, but it was 95 degrees, so we could barely eat. Thankfully Dan and I bought limón sorbet for dessert which we all ate up.
That evening we met an English archaeologist who has studied Mérida since 1980 and is a university professor in Toronto. We enjoyed a drink on our lovely Plaza de España and then headed to dinner. We enjoyed a great smoked salmon salad, plate of cheeses, and a type of shark in adobo...amazing! I was so full after a full day of eating, but it was so enjoyable.
Last night I finished my work early and Dan and I watched "He's just not that into you", which I thought was kind of cute.
Today I turned in all my projects except the group one that is due next Tuesday. I have 2 exams next week as well, so now I will start studying, though I feel okay about them. I take my last final on June 10th at night or in the morning on June 11th. Dan's Dad is picking us up at noon on the 11th and taking us to Portugal so we'll get to spend some time with them before heading back to the States on the 15th.
Wow! I cannot believe time is flying! At least I got to experience my 100 degree Mérida before leaving!
That evening we met an English archaeologist who has studied Mérida since 1980 and is a university professor in Toronto. We enjoyed a drink on our lovely Plaza de España and then headed to dinner. We enjoyed a great smoked salmon salad, plate of cheeses, and a type of shark in adobo...amazing! I was so full after a full day of eating, but it was so enjoyable.
Last night I finished my work early and Dan and I watched "He's just not that into you", which I thought was kind of cute.
Today I turned in all my projects except the group one that is due next Tuesday. I have 2 exams next week as well, so now I will start studying, though I feel okay about them. I take my last final on June 10th at night or in the morning on June 11th. Dan's Dad is picking us up at noon on the 11th and taking us to Portugal so we'll get to spend some time with them before heading back to the States on the 15th.
Wow! I cannot believe time is flying! At least I got to experience my 100 degree Mérida before leaving!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Fruit Trees
For Spring Break '09, I wrote about our trip around Spain. It started out taking a train from Mérida to Madrid. We sat next to an elderly man who Dan began to talk with. The man lives about 30 mins from Mérida and is a retired fruit farmer. He was on his way to Madrid as well and then Egypt for vacation. He travels everywhere! He invited us to call him sometime and visit.
Dan called last week and we visited today. It cost 5.60 to take the train and Emilio met us at the train station after our 20 min ride to Montijo. He showed us many of his farms that his sons now run and we ate peaches, nectarines, and pears off the trees. He took us to his hacienda that is now not lived in, but it is full of his hunting trophies, photos, and has a huge swimming pool in the back. He had a cold bowl of cherries that we munched on until we were sick. He showed us some of his bronze age axes and Roman cooking ware that were found on the property. We found that he had not lived there since his wife passed away in 2005.
Emilio also took us to his fruit warehouse and showed us how they store, package, and ship the fruit. Then he took us into town to show us around the big church and have a beer with great fried potato chips. Yum! He decided to give us a ride back to Mérida to top off his kindness. I am so thankful for this little day trip. He is too kind and I don't know if I'll ever see him again. I sure hope so!
To end that trip, we had him drop us off at CarreFour (our big grocery store) and we carried groceries home for a mile in the 95 degree sun. Uff dah! The Mérida summers are back!
Dan called last week and we visited today. It cost 5.60 to take the train and Emilio met us at the train station after our 20 min ride to Montijo. He showed us many of his farms that his sons now run and we ate peaches, nectarines, and pears off the trees. He took us to his hacienda that is now not lived in, but it is full of his hunting trophies, photos, and has a huge swimming pool in the back. He had a cold bowl of cherries that we munched on until we were sick. He showed us some of his bronze age axes and Roman cooking ware that were found on the property. We found that he had not lived there since his wife passed away in 2005.
Emilio also took us to his fruit warehouse and showed us how they store, package, and ship the fruit. Then he took us into town to show us around the big church and have a beer with great fried potato chips. Yum! He decided to give us a ride back to Mérida to top off his kindness. I am so thankful for this little day trip. He is too kind and I don't know if I'll ever see him again. I sure hope so!
To end that trip, we had him drop us off at CarreFour (our big grocery store) and we carried groceries home for a mile in the 95 degree sun. Uff dah! The Mérida summers are back!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Week 9 of 10
Yes, I am already on week 9. For those of you who did not know, Cincinnati insists on staying on the quarter system, so we only have 10 weeks of school and a week of finals. My last final is on June 11, and we will go to Portugal then and fly back to the States on June 15th.
As for now, things have been going well (Thank you God!). I have seemed to have gotten a great start on my projects and only have a few odds and ends that must be done. Unfortunately, all those odds and ends will pile up because professors tend to post things late. No worries though!
We only have two more weekend services at church. We will be sad to say good-bye. Our really good friend just got a promotion, so I don't think we'll be able to see him before we go. There are lots of good-byes to say because I do not know when I'll return. Dan is at least coming back in September for a conference!
Well, I'm off to start my day!
As for now, things have been going well (Thank you God!). I have seemed to have gotten a great start on my projects and only have a few odds and ends that must be done. Unfortunately, all those odds and ends will pile up because professors tend to post things late. No worries though!
We only have two more weekend services at church. We will be sad to say good-bye. Our really good friend just got a promotion, so I don't think we'll be able to see him before we go. There are lots of good-byes to say because I do not know when I'll return. Dan is at least coming back in September for a conference!
Well, I'm off to start my day!
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