Back in Barc

<-- Look- I actually AM on this trip!!

This morning, on our way to the airport, we were discussing how strange it is to feel like heading back to the apartment in Barcelona feels like going home after a trip. But it’s true…after a week in southern Spain, going back to Barcelona feels like going home (I mean, not really…but at least we have toys at the apartment!) So here is a rundown of the past week:

Friday: we left fairly early Friday morning to take a cab to the airport. We actually had to take 2 cabs because the amount of luggage necessary for kids is incredible. We made it, checked in and flew to Madrid. We had a short layover there and caught our next plane to Granada. Both flights were under an hour…not too bad. The kids watched an episode of the BackYardigans and when I heard the little theme song come on, I teared up a slight bit…I thought about my nephew Landin (he is a big fan of the show/characters) and how much I miss hanging out with him. We hopped in a couple more cabs to our hotel- the Alhambra Palace- right next to the Alhambra. The hotel was nice- not very kid-friendly, but a nice hotel. I went to my room and took a nap before venturing out into the city. After a short rest, I strolled down into town in search of a grocery store…typical…I got lost. But in the small town, it isn’t such a big deal to get lost…especially when your hotel is next to the only major tourist point of the city. I did find a grocery store and picked up a few things for my room. As much as I enjoy eating at the little tapas places, the week before was exhausting, and all I wanted to do was have some quiet reading time. Which I did…and was in bed, asleep, at 8pm.

Saturday: I met up with the guys over breakfast. They had a tour of the Alhambra scheduled for the morning/afternoon, so I took the kids to a park- a 40 minute walk. Luckily there was a little mall across the street, so we stopped in there for some lunch…there is a sandwich chain in Barcelona…probably like a subway (I’ve seen a few around) that makes grilled cheese that the kids love. The mall also had a kid play area…with a bunch of those little rides that you pay a euro for, like 30 seconds. Once I was out of change, the kids just climbed from toy to toy and were perfectly happy pretending…if only I had done that before running out of money! We went back up to the hotel and met up with Matt. I had a few hours in the afternoon to hang out…had some more “quiet Eryn” time…I didn’t realize that I had been missing that until I had my own hotel room to hide away in! The guys have a friend that came in from Rota to visit, so they went out to dinner and I watched the kids for the evening.

Sunday: I went on the Alhambra tour on Sunday. I didn't know exactly what I was going in to. I knew the Alhambra was the palace for the Moorish monarchs, and that it is one of the top tourist spots in Spain. I thought it was a palace. Not so- it is pretty much its own little city. The gardens inside the grounds are beautiful, the buildings are just...breathtaking. Is that corny to say? I know...but really, you walk through the buildings that were made for kings so long ago...and are still maintained today...crazy. They do several different language tours throughout the day- my guide didn't seem to have a complete grasp on the English language...he kept emphasizing how we were "inside...but we are outside...we are inside the grounds, but outside..." The tour was about four hours long- just to give you a grasp of how big the grounds are. I met a really nice couple from Wales on the tour. They have a 26-yr old daughter, so we chatted for a lot of the tour. They encouraged me to check out a rugby game (match?) when we go to France. Okay...will do. I had the rest of the day off, so I strolled around town some more, and relaxed in my room...finished a book and almost finished a second.

Monday: We left in the morning to pick up our rental car- we had a three and a half hour car trip to Rota. We stayed at a sweet resort...on the beach, nice pool (which I got up and swam laps in both mornings..oh my gosh, it was a cold pool!!), a playground for the kids, pretty good breakfast buffet in the morning. Once we checked in, we played at the playground for a bit, then I walked into town while the guys/kids went to their friend's house. I know it might surprise you, but I got lost walking around town looking for a grocery store. I never actually found the grocery store before I decided I was too hungry to continue the search.

Tuesday: I took the bus into Cadiz- about an hour long ride. Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is the city that Columbus sailed from on his second trip to America. I had mixed feelings about the city. Parts of it were so old, in such a beautiful, historic kind of way...and then other parts were just really rundown. There was a lot of construction going on, which didn't help. The church there was massive...absolutely huge. When I got off the bus, I wandered into town and found the tourist center. They had a few little walking tour maps of the city, so I picked one and went with it. About halfway through the tour, I discovered there were pathways painted on the sidewalks guiding you through the walking tours, so I didn't actually have to stare at my map the whole time to avoid getting lost. Phew! Some random guy started chatting with me (which caused me to grab my bag a little tighter) and when I told him I wasn't lost and was fine, he continued following me. And kept randomly showing up at all the places I was...I finally asked him if he was following me (in a very friendly "eryn" kind of way) and then he left me alone. I got back in the early evening and watched the kids while the parents went out to dinner.

Wednesday: We were waiting to make plans depending on the weather...the hotel was so great for the kids that we wanted to hang out and play at the beach or pool for as long as possible, but the day before had been a bit cold and windy. We decided to hold out and wait for the sun, which did make an appearance. We got in the car and made our way to Sevilla (about an hour or so drive). We checked into the hotel and grabbed a cab into town. SOOO cute! We all wished we had left more time to explore Sevilla. We had dinner at a cute little outdoor place, that actually had great food AND was super friendly to the kids (hard to find both). I'll post some pictures of Sevilla at a later time, as I didn't bring my camera with me and have to get some pics from Matt.

Thursday: We woke up SOOOO early to make it to the airport for our flight. We flew from Sevilla to Valencia and then on to Barcelona. I am so so so tired. And a bit dehydrated for some reason...I have that hungover kind of headache...even though I didn't drink at all.

I got to the apartment and went to my favorite reading spot. I'll let you in on my sad little secret. I am a frequent visitor of the Starbucks on our street. I know it is silly to go to Starbucks when I'm in another country, with plenty of other coffee shops. But...it makes me feel better. I can chat with the baristas, they actually know what customer service is, I can drink my normal drink (although they don't have honey drizzle here), and I can sit in a big comfy chair- kick my shoes off and read. I promise I don't go there everyday...but it helps when I'm feeling homesick.

Anyway...I'm excited for the upcoming week- I think we are going to be able to get into a real schedule and routine with the kids...which I think will be so great for everyone. And..I'm going on a winery tour on Sunday. And possibly to the movies to see the new Indiana Jones movie. Yay!

Still missing you all...all the time!

E

I'm really in Barcelona now...

Well, I had a bit of a rough day on Wednesday. The dads, kids and I headed out to Sitges to spend the day at the beach. Beautiful day, Sitges is an adorable little city about a half hour train ride away...it's the beach we went to on my first day here. We picked up some sandwiches to eat for lunch sat on a little bench to eat. Cory ran over to look over the edge of the roof we were on top of...so I went after him, as to prevent any tumbling over the edge...and while that was going on...a random guy started talking to Addy, so while all attention was on the conversation, another fellow grabbed my purse and a third was waiting in a car to drive them all away. Yes, I truly live in Barcelona now...my purse was snatched. I lost my wallet (my super cute alligator wallet that I get compliments on everytime I pull it out...I need a new one Jen!), my camera, my Spain cell phone, apartment keys, my guide book, etc...so I left the family to go find a police station to report the incident- apparently no one in the town actually knows where the police station is. Everyone keeps pointing me in different directions...eventually I make it...it is on the other side of town, up in the hills. I go in, nobody speaks English. After a great game of charades- me- me trying to act out my bag being stolen, they informed me that they were the city police and I needed to go to the community police station. What? So they drove me over to the community police station...one gal there speaks a touch of English. She tells me I can't file a report without my passport...who carries their passport in their pocket? So after a couple hours of searching and explaining...I was never able to file anything. Not that it would do any good...I just felt like it needed to be done. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach...with me feeling skiddish about anyone that approached us. It was a long day. I got a good sunburn from my long walk around town. Apparently it happens to everyone...sigh...

I have more to write about...but I am exhausted and we have an early flight tomorrow morning. We are heading down to southern Spain for the week. I'm sure I'll have some lovely pictures and stories to tell when I get back...but I won't be on my computer for a few days.

Keep emailing...I need em!

A great Weekend

I’m getting the hang of things. I’m almost beginning to feel a bit comfortable…well, maybe that is a bit strong of a word…my stomach has calmed when I'm out anyway. This weekend went well.

Friday night I went out on my own. I put some cute heels on, curled my hair and went in search of…well, somewhere that I could hang out with a drink and make conversation. I walked to Pg. de Gracia…busy street (great for shopping, btw) and walked and walked and walked. It wasn’t that there weren’t places to go…none of them felt right. And then I remembered that might be because I’m not really a bar girl. I don’t go hang out in bars at home- why would it be different here? So I went to a café. I chatted a bit with the waiter and waitress and enjoyed some hot chocolate and a sweet waffle…I know, I’m a crazy girl. More important than what I did though, was that I didn’t bring a bag…meaning, I didn’t bring my map, or my Spanish dictionary. I brought my ID, some money, chapstick, keys and my phone. It’s almost like I live here…no map!

Saturday morning, I let myself sleep in…generally I try to stay out of the way of the morning routine with the kiddos so as to not disrupt what they have going on. I went over to do the Sagrada Familia (which means Holy Family, by the way). Now I am sure you are tired of hearing about this place…so feel free to skip the next paragraph because I am totally obsessed with it, and learned a lot on my tour.
They have been working on this thing for over 100 yrs…Gaudi spent over half of his life on this project and only got to see a very small portion finished. He left tons of plans for the continued development, but much of his work was destroyed in a vandalism fire…so they pieced together what they could find, combined with help from other architects Gaudi had worked with and trained and went from there. There are 4 corners that, when viewed from above, look like a cross. One is an entrance and the other three are for the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The only part Gaudi saw through was the birth. The death scene is finished now, but was done by another architect…it is a very different style than Gaudi’s, but also is meant to be that way-darker and sad. Earlier I said there will be 12 towers for each of the apostles- there is actually going to be 18 in total. 12 for the apostles, 4 for the evangelists (Mark, Matthew, Luke and John) a taller one for Mary and right in the center, much higher than the rest is Jesus. People asked Gaudi why he was putting so much detail into something so high up- no one will be able to see it. He said the angels will see it and that’s more important. The inside is supposed to look like a “concrete forest” the buttresses are the tree branches and the ceiling looks like leaves. It is so beautiful. There is going to be a lot of natural light coming in through the “leaves” in the ceiling. It isn’t scheduled to be finished for another twenty years…so I guess I’ll have to return for that. It will be the tallest church in the world (the guide thought...wasn't totally sure), which was what Gaudi was going for- closer to Heaven. Someone asked how much money has been spent in building so far and the guide said it's impossible to know (imposible is a very common word here!)...but that in the past few years they have been averaging about 6 million/year! And it is all paid for through private donations and tourists visiting- the government has nothing to do with it.

Okay, okay…thanks for humoring me...moving on. I came back to the apartment and changed into work out clothes, and took the train to the beach. There is this whole outside restaurant/shopping area on the beach. I decided to go see a movie- I know, a little lame...but it sounded nice. This particular theater shows movies in their original language (aka English!) with spanish subtitles...I saw the stupid Cameron Diaz/Ashton Kutcher movie "Algo Pasa en Las Vegas"...not a stellar movie, but totally gave me my America fix. Then I came out and went for a run along the beach...the sun was setting, it was such a nice temperature to run. Such a great night.

I got back home and the fellas were making some rabbit for dinner. They made sure it didn't actually LOOK like the animal (like the last time when they brought a full chicken home...) They made it with a nice red wine, mushrooms, potatoes, etc...delish. We chatted for awhile...had a little competition- who has met the most famous people...you might think I would win with all the bands and NBA people...but they aren't into sports or music, so my meetings weren't impressive. :-)

This morning I woke and went to church...yes, that's right, I actually made it. They are holding services in La Sagrada Familia, in a tiny little portion that is covered. It was in Spanish, but the beauty of Catholic mass is that it is EXACTLY the same every time...so it was easy to follow along.

Then I hopped on a train to Tibidabo. It's this amusement park that is way up on top of a hill above the city. You have to take a tram after the train, and then the "funicular" which is another tram-like car that takes you all the way up to the top. There was a huge church right there (it was kind of random...all these kids yelling, rides going, random clown-like people singing...and this huge church right there.) I walked around the park, but couldn't bring myself to pay the 24 euros to actually ride the dumb rides...they were like county fair rides...a smaller Enchanted Village. I took the funicular back down and had lunch at a restaurant at the bottom. I have to say- customer service does not seem to be much of a priority in Barcelona. You literally have to call out to the waiter/waitress to get them to bring a menu, take your order, bring your bill, get your change, etc...the whole process takes FOREVER! And is especially hard for me, because I'm not overly forward...so I usually end up sitting for quite awhile.

Now I'm home...contemplating dinner options. Mentally preparing for the week ahead. We are going to southern Spain for a week on Thursday...so our schedule will be a bit different.

Hope things are well with you...don't forget to send me emails updating me on your live

It's the weekend!

I don't really know how often I should be posting on this thing...do you really care about my day to day life? My dad says yes- he says I have been slacking on the blogging. I say...where are my lengthy emails to keep me company Padre?

The weather has been good all week- there have been 2 types of days- either the sky is grey with foreboding (that's for Tanner) rain clouds...only to get pushed out by the sunshine in the afternoon...or the other way around. Either way, the rain has not fallen (the draught remains) and the temperature is comfortable.

The kids and I play for a bit in the morning...they are a big fan of playing airplane...I am the pilot/flight attendant/ticket taker/security passport checker. When I ask where they are going- Cory says the Eiffel Tower and Addy says the purple Eiffle Tower (everything is purple!!). Then we head out to a park...there are several around, but they love the one that is super close...they dig, we play soccer, tag, hide and seek, etc. Then we head back to the apartment for lunch (we had been meeting the guys for lunch out, but decided it turns a bit chaotic in a restaurant when the kids are hungry). Then one of the dads comes out with us for a park/adventure a bit further away (aka subway ride...I don't feel comfortable taking two kids by myself on the subway yet...if ever..) We surprised the dads with some brownies we made one day (my special way of winning over kids...let them bake!)

I found a great place to run by the Universitat...it is a bit far away on the metro, but it is flat and all through gardens and there are pathways...I really enjoyed the run. I need to find something closer and easier to get to...but at least it is something. I can't run in my neighborhood, because I would literally go 10 seconds before hitting a light...no bueno.

Yesterday evening I headed out for a stroll (in grown up clothes...curled my hair for the first time since I have been here...sad!) and found a nice outside tapas bar near La Sagrada Familia...drank some wine and ate some kind of seafood- not sure what it was...the name was not in my spanish dictionary...but it was some kind of squid or octopus...definitely had multiple tentacles. I read more about some of the architecture and places to visit. It was my first time out that I felt fairly comfortable- I didn't need to pull my map out to find where I was going- or my way home...and I ordered my food/drink in Spanish without any problems...I even asked the waitress what her favorite tapa was (hence the interesting octopus thing I ended up with).

La Sagrada Familia is amazing...it has been under construction for 100 years, and is only like, 40% completed...but is still such a sight. Reading about it- there was so much detail that went into designing it...right now there are 8 towers on top, but there will be 12, for each of the apostles...and each room inside is there for a reason- everything about it has symbolism...it is like a Catholic heaven! I usually don't do the paid tours, but I think I am going to do the tour there this weekend.

Also going to make another effort at mass...need to email my grandma...she seems to have the ability to find a Catholic church everywhere she goes...I might just spend some time at the beach this weekend...relax some. Although I think this is the last weekend before the major tourist season starts...so I really should get the tourist-y stuff in now...hmmm. Don't know.

I want to give a big thanks to my friends that have sent me reassuring emails in the last few days. I have been feeling a bit homesick...not because I miss you (sike, of course I miss you)...but because I miss feeling comfortable in my surroundings. I have moved around a bit and take many-a-trip on my own...but it's so different in another country with a different language, different food, different customs, etc. I know I'll get the hang of it soon and just need to hold out until I get there.

Until next time....(soon Dad, I promise).

EP

I'm tired!

Okay, so it has been a few days…not because my life had been overly busy…but because I want to keep you all in suspense! J/k, j/k.

So when I last left you, I had just spent my first day out on my own…it wasn’t so great…but saw some loveliness. Sunday, my second day on my own, started out, sadly, very similar to my Saturday. I got up early to go to Mass- I had a hard time finding schedules online…darn Spanish websites…so I found an English-speaking service…that was a bit far away…but I figured out the metro and walking…got on the metro and found out that the train I was taking is under construction. SO after only one stop, I had to get off and take a bus a little ways. Luckily a nice man saw me looking at a map, and explained the construction/bus thing to me…very slowly. Well, turns out the bus only goes a little bit of the way- so I had to get BACK on the metro…everything was going well- I was running a tad bit late, but figured I could catch communion and coffee and donuts afterward….and the train totally skipped my stop. So I got off, and went back the other direction…skipped right over it. No idea. So I got off and started walking, realizing it was much too far to the church-coffee and donuts would be long over- and I just needed to make it back to a familiar train stop.

I found it and decided I needed to spend some good ol time in the tourist-y spots. So I went to Las Ramblas…very pretty- tons of street performers (apparently just about everyone gets pickpocketed here because they are so busy watching the performers in big crowds…I was very careful- not to worry). I wandered…had lunch…got a pastry…walked along the waterfront…strolled for a good 5 hours again. It was nice.

Monday was my first day “on” with the kids. We got up…had breakfast, got dressed…then we went to a park. It was great Weather was if-y…it was supposed to rain but the morning was nice. We met the dads for lunch and then went to another playground. I think that is what most of our days are going to look like. We did that again today. The weather was beautiful today…sunny and warm, but not too hot.

I finally got a cell phone today. I did my best with the Spanish, and the lady was helpful. You can’t get a short term contract, so have to do a pre paid phone…but they don’t charge a certain amount by minute, because it all depends on the time of day you call and where you are calling…so I don’t really know how many minutes I have…and it seems muy expensivo to me. So don’t be expecting any lengthy phone conversation. But I do have a Barcelona phone number…which is exciting.

I had my first social outing tonight. Went to an “intercambios” which is a group that meets fairly often to socialize for an hour in English and an hour in Spanish. Turns out that I was the only English as first language speaker tonight- and they are all super excited to practice their English (oh, you are from Seattle- Meg Ryan movie is so romantic)…so it was pretty much an all English conversation. But it was nice to meet new people and chat! I’ll definitely go again. Tomorrow I am going to start taking a language class (hopefully, if I can get to the school in time…and my bank will finally let me take money out from over here…grrr)

I had a sad, homesick moment last night. I had the realization that I can keep up with some of my tv shows online…Lost, Greys Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, etc…so I thought I would watch an episode…got online and this popped up “only viewers in the United States can watch full-length episodes” Darn other countries. Jeez.

Anyway…I’m tired, I need to go to sleep. I’ll write more soon…and add some new pics. I figured out how to format it the way I want the pictures, I just haven’t had time. Miss you mucho!! Seriously, mucho!!

First day on my own...

Well, I have been in Barcelona for a few days now...and I can't even begin to tell you the wide range of emotions I have felt...it is completely overwhelming.

First of all, the family I am with is fantastic. They have made me feel so welcome...they introduce me as Saint Eryn to everyone they meet (I think they were pretty ready for a bit of time to themselves!). I felt totally comfortable since the moment we met at the airport. The kids are adorable...definitely active...they keep us all on our toes! They are very respectful of my room and walk past slowly, look in, and giggle and run when they see me. They asked me if they could come in the other day and they sat on my bed and looked at pictures of my family and friends. Then they wanted to listen to music on my ipod...I found my "Bingo Kids" album and they knew the words to all the Beatles songs...very cute.

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday (since I totally forgot on the 8th!)..we made a special trip to get xocolata calenta...this crazy hot chocolate that is more the consistency of pudding...oh the kids had fun with that. They also got me a cake and candles and sang to me. The kiddos are quite the singers (the dads also, for that matter)...they have a song for just about every occasion.

Today was my first day on my own. I had 3 things I needed to do. Get shampoo and conditioner, find/get a prepaid cell phone, and find a store with electric converters. In the 6 hours I was out...I managed to get shampoo and conditioner. It was rough. Before I left the apartment, I made sure to write down my address and walked completely around the block so I knew which streets are around us...I decided to go wandering for a bit. Went to the La Sagrada Familia...which is this amazing cathedral- it was Gaudi's last big hurrah. Side note- I love the Gaudi stuff...I had no idea. There is a building near our apartment (can't think of the name off the top of my head) but it looks like it belongs in the Little Mermaid...I think King Triton and Ariel's sisters live inside. Anyway...I went walking through a ton of side streets- knowing I was going to be all turned around when I got out, but not even caring because they are SO cute. Little markets and pretty balconies with flowers...so cute. Everything you would picture.

Decided it was time to get to business and found a phone store. Had to my make my Spanish-speaking debut...yeah, didn't go over well. We both got our points across, but I don't know that she answered what I was looking for. So I left. Feeling unbelievably frustrated and upset...Found another phone store and it went much better. I was all ready for the purchase, when she told me she needed my pasaporte...which I didn't have on me (I really don't want to carry that around and lose it!!) So I told her I would come back. All the while, it has been Seattle sprinkling...Barcelona has been in a huge draught, by the way. So I have my coat on, a little wet, but perfectly fine. I start my way back to the apartment. It took a little while for me to find my way back to a familiar street, but I made it...found our metro station and our local grocery store...knew I was in the right area. Found our street. Went to the address...not my apartment building. It was AN apartment building...so I thought, hmmm...maybe this is another entrance that I've never noticed before. Put my key in the door, it turns and lets me in. Definitely not our lobby. I get in the elevator and go up to the 4th floor...nope, not the right building. I'm at the right address, my key worked...at this point, I am sure I have entered an alternate universe. I walked up and down the street...nothing. I don't know how to explain my problem in spanish "I found my address, but it isn't actually my apartment...". So I finally went into a hotel, knowing they would speak English, explained...he let me use the internet, I looked up our address...I wrote the number down wrong...back out the door and on my way to the correct address. Sigh.

It is now downpouring...the rain has soaked through my coat, my jeans have soaked water up to my knees. I make it in, grab my passport, run back out to find the phone store....SURPRISE...apparently everything closes between 2 and 4pm. What?! So...I went back to the apartment, took a hot shower and decided to study my map a bit. :)

So that is where I am now. The guys went out to dinner, the kids are in bed...and I have some free time for email. yay! Tomorrow will be better. I am going to try to go to Mass...I think it is all in Latin, which will be cool. Depending on the weather, I might just go to a movie or something...my coat is still soaked through...and this rain is supposed to continue for a few more days. Draught...right!

That's all for now...more to come.

My first full day

Wow, today was fantastic. I slept well...so woke up at normal time- really didn't have any jet lag or anything...probably since I am such a head case and can convince my body that it is a different time...lucky for me! We left the apartment around 10am (I think...my watch is still set on Seattle time...I can't bring myself to change it yet) and stopped to get a cafe con leche and croissant at a little place downstairs...there is a Starbucks near us, but I'm refusing to go for at least a little while. Then we hopped on a train and went to the beach in a little city outside of Barcelona- Sitges. It was beautiful....the buildings were amazing...I'll put pictures up once I get the right kind of electricity converter for my computer...the kids were great, playing in the water, rolling in the sand, building castles. They had sand EVERYWHERE!! We stopped for lunch and had yummy food..I ordered some kind of sandwich, that came without any sort of bread...just meat. And then we met up with a play group the guys found on a website. It was awesome...the kids had a blast...we will def be doing that again. Then Matt, the kids and I headed back to the apartment for some dinner and ROb went to the airport for their missing luggage. It wa at about 8pm tonight that it occurred to me that today is May 8th...and it's my birthday- I totally forgot! Sad, I'm old now. I'm exhausted, so going to head to bed...more adventured tomorrow.

I made it here!

I made it all the way to barcelona! The plane ride was long- but not as long as I imagined, so I must have slept some. I had to switch planes in Copenhagen, so I got my first passport stamp there- very exciting! They had smoking rooms in the airport...they looked like glass phone booths and people were waiting in lines to go into these little booths and smoke...it was bizarre. I got to Barcelona- my luggage were the first 2 bags out, awesome. And the family was right there waiting for me. The kids are so cute! We rode the train back to the apartment and they took turns sitting on my lap. Addy kept telling em that she dropped Cory's sunglasses in the water and then telling him she was sorry...apparently the incident stuck with her. We arrived at the apartment, and they had a big welcome sign on my door with flowers and some yummy treats from a nearby bakery...the kids were very excited to show me the treats...and then eat them. I unpacked while the guys got the kids in bed...I'm about to go to sleep myself...I'll write more once we go do something...I thik we are going to the beach tomorrow...the weather is amazing...warm with a nice breeze.

Later!

Two days to go...

Welcome to my Europe blog...I've never been a big fan of the blogging thing- I mean, really, why would anyone else care about what I'm up to...but I had fun writing while I was out on tour with the band. It was a good way for me to keep up and record everything we did...and my family and friends could keep up on the antical stories without hours spent sending out emails. That's not to say that you shouldn't email me or that I won't gladly reply! So here is a rundown on what it is I'm doing in Europe:

I will be working as a nanny (or an Au Pair, as the family likes to say) for a family from the east coast for 6 months in Europe. We will be spending three months in Barcelona and three months in Paris- with a few side trips thrown in there. I'll be working 40-50 hours a week, watching a 2 and 3 yr old....such fun ages- I'm sure they will keep me busy! The parents seem unbelieveably nice-they have made the whole planning and moving process as easy as possible. And they are already making fun of me for working at Disney World (p.s...we will be going to Disneyland Paris!)

I have about a day and half left to finish up my packing (how do you pack for 6 months in two suitcases?!) and tie up all the loose ends that have been my Seattle life.

Please email me often...I'm heading over there with two toddlers as my best friends...I def want to hear from you all as often as possible!

I'll write when I get there.....wowza....