Diamonds are a girls best friend. ? . . ?

perhaps only in the United States?

There was a time a few years ago when I really wanted to be engaged that I looked at every woman's left hand for a glimpse at a diamond. In the states, a diamond means engagement. If I saw another ring, I knew she was already married. I could not gauge the quality of the diamond, but still a diamond to me signified security and love. For a while, I wanted one and wanted on bad. Eventually, Johnny got me one, a beautiful diamond. A cut not many people have and a unique band. Not big, not small, perfect for me, perfect for John, perfect for us. I wear my diamond with pride, but its not uncommon in the states to see lots of diamonds every day. Not just on fingers, but in ears and around necks.

I have not seen any diamonds here, except on my own hand. It is very odd to me. First, married people wear their rings on their right hand. People do get engaged here, and a ring is involved, sometimes (so I've been told) but it is never a diamond ring. The engagement ring goes on the left hand, and the wedding ring on the right. Do you thing the diamond (well diamonds really b/c my wedding band has sparkley little diamonds too!) labels me as American? Do people even notice it? When I stand in the bus, my left hand grasped around a pole, do people see it? Its a weird feeling. I have not even seen diamond earrings or necklaces.

So many cultural difference. . . so little time. This one I just had to write about because its been on my mind for a few days. I've been hunting for diamonds!

Christmas Season has begun. . .

In the US, it seems that Christmas season really starts just after Thanksgiving. There is no Thanksgiving here. But, I did notice that the stores (El Corte Ingles, for example) has lots of Christmas goodies. Chocolates, cookies, etc. I'll probably buy a few just to be safe! So maybe its November that marks the start?

I'm ready, though, to see what makes me warm and Christmas-y inside, the red starbucks cups and santa on the coke cans (which my sister Gina informed me is available now). I'm ready to drink Gingerbread Lattes (GBLs for short - John and I are nerds, we use acronyms as often as possible!) and hot apple cider. John was nice enough to stock up on cider at Trader Joes yesterday! Maybe I'll even get lucky and be greeted as I get off the plane with a big old mug of hot apple cider. yummy!

Hey, a girl can dream.

The Sun Fired My Dermis!!

And other tales from my weekend. . . .

The title of today's blog is a direct quote from a violin player I met this weekend. On Saturday, I accompanied my roommate Jessica to a show at the Irish pub in Granada. Jessica is a musician, she plays the cello and is trying to get into the conservatory here. Anyway, she met this English singer/songwriter/guitarist at a yoga class, they started talking. He is thinking of adding cello to his music, so they have been practicing together. He was playing a show at Hannigan & Sons, and I went. I really liked the music, kind of like one of my favorite bands back home, Nickel Creek. It was folk type music. The lyrics were great too.

After the show, which ended at 2am, oh how I longed for my bed, we went with the singer, Darren and his violin player to get some tea at a tea house. Darren is from England but has lived in Spain for about ten years, so he speaks Spanish. Darren asked his violin player (can't remember his name) to talk in English since I don't speak a word of Spanish. He obliged, although his English was not the best, but better than my Spanish. It is fun for me to listen to people translate Spanish into English. Sometimes they make up words or use the literal translation, which does not always work, although I usually get the point. Anyway, the violin player was trying to explain, I think, that he got a sun-burn. But, instead he said that the sun fired his dermis. Really. It was amusing, and luckily I was not the only one laughing. We corrected him, but I liked it. I'm sure if I try to translate what I think in English into Spanish, it will be equally as amusing.

Also at the show, the percussion player smoked a joint while playing. Yes, in a bar you can smoke, and apparently you can smoke marijuana. Ugh, how I long for CB Hennegans in Los Gatos or Katie Blooms in Campbell or Streets of London in Sac-town where I can get one of twenty different beers and not worry about smelling like smoke at the end of the night.

Here is the crazy percussionist smoking is joing while playing:

This is me and Jessica in the bus on the way to the concert. Her hands are orange because she died Andrea's hair (the hair of Andrea) with henna earlier in the day. Never heard of that, but its popular here.

A few comforts from home

Last night, I made quesadillas and black beans. For some reason, my roomates loved them. They had never seen black beans. They certainly had never eaten quesadillas. They were good, I was sorry I had to share. Oh well.

Today, while shopping, I am ashamed to say that I stopped and got french fries at Burger King. The number one reason I wanted to go into Burger King was because I suspected they had soda from a fountain. They did!! This made me oh so happy. In my opinion, soda tastes best from a fountain. Even if it was "Coca-Cola Light" and not "Diet Coke", it was good. The fries were OK, almost as good as home.

Then, just a few minutes later, I passed a place that sells Ben & Jerrys, and, they had my favorite, Phish Food. So, of course, I got some. Its truly amazing how something as simple as soda from a fountain or chocolate ice cream with chocolate fish can make me so happy.

I still wish I had someone to share these moments with. The happy moments are a bit subdued without someone who understands that Diet Coke from a fountain kicks butt or that Phish Food ice cream makes me dance with glee. I think if John or anybody I know well was here with me, I would have done a little dance when I discovered the Phish Food Ice Cream, but alone, I think that would just make me look crazy.

Shopping and fashion in Granada.

I attempted to go shopping last night, and again this morning. I am empty handed. But, I have some observations on shopping and the fashions that are "in" right now in Spain.

• Shopping here is INSANE! Granted, I picked Friday night and Saturday to go shopping, two of the busiest times. This morning was not bad. But, last night, wow. I'm happy shopping in the US is not the same. First, the stores are smaller with less space and more stuff. Second, if somebody looks at a sweater or a shirt that was folded nicely on a table, they don't bother to attempt to refold it. There were tables just filled with piles of sweaters/shirts. Also, if somebody took a jacket or sweater off a hanger to try it on and did not like it, they threw it on the table or just back on the rack, without re-hanging it. This is absurd to me. You took it off the hanger, put it back on! You un-folded the sweater, attempt to re-fold it! Ridiculous. So, last night, I got discouraged, and started getting hungry (just ask John, this is NOT a good combo for Laura) I went home empty-handed. The first hour or so this morning was much better, and I tried a few things on, but did not buy anything. Oh well.
• Jackets are hot right now. I will probably purchase a coat or two before I come home. They are nice, and pretty cheap.
• Sweaters are everywhere, especially long sweaters and sweater dresses. I kind of like them.
• Boots are popular, all types of boots. Mostly they are worn on the outside of the shoe, many go up to the knee. Also, lots of rain boots, I'll try to buy some, but shoe shopping is even more foreign than clothes shopping. Here's why: stores have huge window displays. So, I see shoes in the window displays that I think are cute. Problem is, those shoes are only displayed in window. Different shoes are displayed inside. I have not figured out how I will communicate which shoes I like and would like to try on. hmmm.....
• Everyone wears tights. Well, all the women at least. So, the short shorts and bermuda length shorts and mini-skirts that they wore all summer, they continue to wear, with stripped or solid colored tights. I kinda like it. Maybe its also popular back home?
• Color is everywhere. I was told I should plan to wear lots of black and neutral colors. This is a safe bet, but is no longer the fashion here. The stores have bright colors, on the streets there are bright colors. The crazy thing is people don't just wear one brightly colored item. Lets say I wanted to wear red today. In Spain, i would wear red shoes, red belt, wear red jacket and carry my red purse. Red over-load. Back home, I think just one, maybe two of the red items would be worn at the same time.
  
• Girls wear baggy pants and their underwear shows. Not thongs, though, underwear. Odd.
• I have seen more than a handful of "genie" pants on girls. These genie pants remind me a bit of hammer pants, but capri length instead of long. The genie pants have a crotch that goes past the knee, and they come in many fabrics, including denim. Yes, denim genie pants, hot!

I want my kitchen back!

I have been married for almost three months. For our wedding, and just after our wedding, we got loads of fabulous gifts, most of them were for the kitchen. I bought a new, fabulous set of pots and pans, plus some Le Crueset pieces, plus amazing bake ware. And, of course, a KitchenAid, new towels, new plates and silverware and glasses and everything fabulous a foodie/chef could want.

For almost three weeks now, those amazing pieces, I suspect, have gone un-touched. John basically admittted to me he has been eating mostly frozen meals. I don't blame him, I'm a fabulous cook, any attempt he might have would fail in comparison. Actually, John's a good cook too, but without a dishwasher, cooking and cleaning for one is a pain. John will be much more appreciative of my cooking when I return, I'm sure. I'm already dreaming of all the things I will make when I get back: soups and stews and risottos and butternut squashes and muffins and breads and cookies.

I've cooked here a few times, including last night. But its just not the same. The ingredients are different, which makes me stick to the basics. For example, I was brave and bought some ground poultry last week. It was gross, not what I'm used to. I ate it, but I'll save meats until I get home. I bought some eggs this week, but I'm nervous to try them. Last night, my dinner was pretty good, basic, but good. Something I would make for John on a weeknight. I even took some pictures to prove that I cooked. And, yes, then I had to clean. I was thankful that the roommates took the holiday and went to the mountains. I had the house to myself for a few hours. The only thing missing on this Thursday night (in order of occurence at home, NOT importance!): my cat, Grey's Anatomy and Johnny.

Sigh, I am in countdown mode know. I only have to wake up on one more Friday in Spain. . . .

And now, pics from the kitchen:
cooking pasta with a tomato and zucchini sauce:


My ingredients and tools. I HAD to buy some red pepper. food here is blllaaaaannnnnnddddd


A self-portrait of me in the kitchen


Have I told you how amazing the olive oil is here?

A holiday in Spain

Yesterday, November 1st, was a holiday here in Spain. Holidays are like Sundays, which are eerie and deserted here in Spain. On a Sunday, in say, San Francisco or Los Angeles, or even *gasp* Sacramento, people are out. People go to malls and parks and wineries and grocery stores, we run errands, get our cars washed, go to movies, eat at our favorite restaurants, hit up farmer's markets, etc. Sundays are my favorite day (esp. in the fall when football is on!).

Sundays in Spain are a whole different story. Nothing is open on Sundays. No clothing shops, no grocery stores, no pharmacies, limited restaurants and cafes are even open. On Sundays, the streets and buses are empty, even parks are empty. The only place I can find open stuff and peopls on Sundays is in the city center, where all the tourists hang out. Yesterday felt like a Sunday, but it was Thursday, and a holiday. I have yet to find out where all the locals go on Sundays. Maybe they are just in their homes cooking and eating?

I celebrated the holiday by sleeping in. (I've been getting on the first bus at 7am to come talk to my husband each morning.) Then, I took an empty bus the city center and walked around a bit. I found some great stuff to buy and bring home. But I'll let you all be surprised. I found an open cafe and had not one, but two cups of coffee and a tostada. I read a book. I window shopped in anticipation of actual shopping that I hope to do today and tomorrow (before the shops are closed again on Sunday). I ended the afternoon with a little work.

Today, most people have extended their holiday, and the office is empty again, but at least shops are open! I'll keep you posted on my clothing and shoe purchases. .