home

I will readily admit that I am still on a search to figure out what the word "home" means. I always make note of passages when I'm reading that try to define "home", or that talk about what "home" means to the writer. And at some point in the future, I think I might like to take a stab at defining it for myself. But more research needs to be done, I think. :)

This quote comes from "Letters to my Daughter", a book by Maya Angelou. I was flirting with the idea of buying it for my kindle... and I am still tempted, but I kind of feel like I want to read a novel. I've been reading too much nonfiction lately (and kind of depressing nonfiction to boot).

Anyway, here's the quote. Let's think about it.

"I believe that one can never leave home. I believe that one carries the shadows, the dreams, the fears and dragons of home under one's skin, at the extreme corners of one's eyes and possibly in the gristle of the earlobe." - Maya Angelou

Here's another quote. It's from a book called "Let the Great World Spin", which I read in January. It was a pretty good novel, in case you were wondering. I'd recommend it. This was one of my favorite quotes from the book.

"We bring home with us when we leave. Sometimes it becomes more acute for the fact of having left." - p59

And finally, this picture is from the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. I liked this quote, as well.

Interesting thoughts, I'd say. But let the research continue. Feel free to add your thoughts and quotes about home in the comment section!

...I think I'll hold it.

Remember how I told you in my last post that I have two favorite cafes now? How one is an old church, converted into an art cafe by day and a nightclub by night? (It's called Circulo de Arte, by the way... lovingly referred to as Circulo.)

Well, tonight I decided to pay a visit to Circulo. It was a nice visit. It's really a great place; awesome architecture, classy decor, soft lighting, peaceful music, nice ambiente. But I do, unfortunately, have to issue one little complaint... and this complaint goes for pretty much the rest of the cafes, bars, and restaurants in Spain as well.

THE BATHROOMS.
The bathrooms in Circulo are quite possibly the worst I've ever seen. I mean, really. It's like a prison toilet. (And I know, because they are the same toilets that the inmates have at the jail in Pittsburgh!) Just steel fixtures. No seats. Nothing. I mean, I know this place is a nightclub by night, (and, let's face it, those can always be rather disgusting)... but the fact that the daytime patrons are also subjected to this prison-style potty is just undignified.

You don't know just how much luck it takes to actually find a bathroom in Spain with all of the following things in it:
1. A toilet seat
2. Toilet paper
3. Soap
4. A reasonable means of drying your hands

These are pretty much the four most essential things that you could think to put in a bathroom, right? (I mean, aside from the toilet and sink themselves, of course.) But here, you might just be asking for a little too much! Rarely do you find a bathroom with all four of these necessities. But you're usually lucky if you get two. (My preferences, by the way, are toilet paper and soap.)

Since arriving to Spain, I've had to master the art of squatting. (TMI? maybe...) I've developed the habit of carrying tissues (aka, emergency TP) at all times. I've had to use my pants as makeshift paper towels more times than I can count. And I really need to start carrying hand sanitizer as well. Just think, though: a whole society that forgoes hand-washing after toilet-using! Scary! Maybe that's where the free health care comes in handy! (Please note: my tongue is firmly plastered to my cheek.)

Maybe Americans are just a little too anal about their bathroom needs (pun only slightly intended). But until the rest of Europe, or Spain in particular, catches up to our standards, we Americans are just going to have to equip our purses with the bare essentials! And in the meantime, if you do come across a public restroom here with all of the aforementioned accoutrements, you might as well make your way to the nearest lottery shop soon after, because you're probably just as likely to hit El Gordo.

Soul Food

So I know I have a lot to catch you up on. And I will, I promise, but not all at once. Poco a poco, as the Spanish would say. While I have the ganas, I'm going to just give you short little snippets into the most recent tonterías that my life is consisting of.

I will start with THE most recent. Because literally, this took place about 10 minutes ago. It's hot off the presses. I just got back from the best cafe in Toledo. I went there for the first time a few weeks ago, when the folks from SIS were visiting. This little gem is an Arabic tea shop, and I'm in love. The decor is gorgeous. The music is rockin' (Sunday Drivers, Michael Buble, Barry White, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Semisonic, etc, etc.). And the tea isn't too shabby either. It's my kind of place. I already have a favorite cafe (an old church, converted into an art cafe by day and a discoteca by night), but now I think I might have to share favorites. Not a bad problem to have.

The second newest thing (as of 3 hours ago): I am going to Germany next weekend! My roommate and I will be flying into Frankfurt, and we are going to be staying with a middle/high school friend of mine. I'm pretty excited for this little excursion! It's spring! And I've got a mad case of cabin fever! And I'm thinking that the German air will be a nice change of pace for the soul.

THIRD newest thing, though arguably the most noteworthy (as of 36 hours ago): I will be living in Andalucía next year! Despite my ever so typical procrastination, I did get my papers in on time (I submitted my renewal application the day before it was due). I am really excited about the change of locale. I have asked to live in Sevilla capital, so hopefully that happens. As much as I have loved living in Toledo, I think that I would have a very different life if I moved back to Sevilla, and I think I need that.

I am not sure what else to update you about. Work today was rather pointless. The first class had an exam, and the second and third classes didn't have their regularly scheduled teacher (she is away for 2 weeks!). I did end up leaving an hour early (NICE!) which made me happy, but sitting around all day makes me feel a little less than great. But I suppose you'll have days like this.

Oh, maybe I should also tell you that I am really into Spanish these days. I forgot about reading my book in Spanish, but I've started again. I'm still not far. But I've also rented a grammar book from the library, and it's awesome. I'm actually studying and learning things for myself. And I suppose a little bit of self-motivation and self-improvement are also good for the soul.

Though I haven't "given up" anything for Lent, I am committed to making positive improvements in my life. I am trying to feed good things to my soul. I learned a word today from the newest edition of Readers Digest, which some kind stranger has secretly subscribed me to. The word is Russian, and it expresses an idea that English has no single word for.

Toska. "At its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels, it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases, it may be the desire for somebody or something specific, nostalgia, lovesickness. At the lowest level, it grades into ennui, boredom."

I'm afraid I find myself with a bit of toska. And I'm not sure why (in keeping with the definition). But I'm trying to do something about it. So this Lent, it's all about the soul food, about finding myself, and most importantly about finding God again.

This was all sort of a ramble... whoops.
But anyway, it's nice to see you again.

seguro estoy que jamas nadie te ha querido como yo

Dear blog and faithful blog readers (all 2 or 3 of you),

I know that I have been neglecting you. I promise you something good.... in the near future.
In the meantime, enjoy this video, and fall in love with Carlos Baute. But don't fall too hard.



This is probably the cutest song ever. And if you like it, youtube "Colgando en tus manos". So good!

AH! I promise an update soon!
Os mando mil besos!!