How to pretend you are a Spaniard.: January 2012

It's January 29th isn't it...

As you may have noticed from my extreme lack of blogage many things have been going on, and since my bittersweet return to Madrid the first week of January, I have been very busy. But first, let's talk about the wonderful holiday I spent in Southern California. Man-oh-man was it beautiful! And sunny and warm and full of love. I had the greatest time with Donny and my family. We spent some much needed quality time together. I made sure that I saw, and ate, all of the important things I had missed. You know, all the essentials: Target, sushi, Red Robin, the mall, Mexican food, and In-n-Out...lots and lots of In-n-Out. To say the least, my heart and belly were very happy.

Our First Christmas

Family Love

The Cousins

Finally got to meet Liam, my friend Beth's baby, he was born in October.

Rollerblading on Christmas day with my Sissy.

Appetizer we made for the Christmas party. PENGUINS!

My Dad's side of the Family, look at all those Peruvians!

Downtown San Diego on New Years Eve.

Beautiful view in San Pedro on Donny's last day in Southern California.

Of course, leaving to come back to Madrid was tough. I'll be happy when I'm a little less familiar with those infamous airport goodbyes. I made it back safe and sound, and then I was introduced to a little thing called jetlag. Before this trip, I never believed in jetlag. I thought it was an urban legend, a myth, you know, just something people had made up. Well, let's just say now I'm a believer. It hit me hard, and was the perfect excuse to spend my first few days back relaxing in bed, all the while thinking about my family, missing home.

After a couple days, the jetlag had worn off and I began to get back into my routine. I also began to notice how surprisingly un-sad I was. No, in fact I was actually really happy to be back in Spain. I hadn't even noticed that it was happening, but somehow over the past few months Madrid had become my home. I didn't come back to nothing, instead I came back to a routine, an apartment, familiar faces, people and places I enjoy. Since I have been back in Spain, I have been really enjoying myself, more so than I have this entire time. All of the anxieties of getting settled are behind me, and the next 6 months can simply be spent enjoying. So I will!

What has been occupying so much of my time you ask? Well, many things, but mostly this...

These are the girls that I have casted to take part in a production of The Vagina Monologues. A few months back, I was looking for an opportunity to participate in the monologues here in Madrid. After finding that none were scheduled in my area, I decided that I wanted to organize a production myself. I saw this play for the first time in 2009 and it really hit home for me. The play's overall intention is to raise awareness and funding for women who have been victims of abuse. It also aims to remove the shame associated with being a victim of abuse, whether that abuse was physical, mental, or sexual. In 2010, I had the opportunity to participate in my university's production of The Vagina Monologues, this experience was also very powerful. I am excited to have the opportunity to create a moving experience for my cast, and for the audience that will come to see us. Hence, the majority of my free time has been spent meeting with the cast, rehearsing, planning, and venue hunting. There is still a ton of work to be done, but I believe in the end it will all be worth it. I am also happy to have a productive way to spend my time, and have been meeting really cool girls along the way.

Here's some pictures of the other things I have been doing here and there. The last two were done by five year olds at my school, it was Alberto's birthday so everyone in his class drew him a picture.