The new year is coming!

Right, 2007 is almost here.
still cant believe how time has flew by.
Thinking back abt 2006,
it´s been a great, fulfilling year.
Ive done way more than expected
and had more love than imagined
n more laughter than anticipated.

We visited more than 10 cities in 2006
fulfilled my dream to travel to Greece
had more holidays than anyone cld
saw my frens n family back home
learned a new language
n met some amazing pple this yr.

Last year this time..NewYrs eve´05
As I lay in his arms n
watched the amazing fireworks
dancin in the dark skies of London
I knew it was gonna be a great year
with him ;)

So Ive never been one to lay resolutions
but seems like a good idea nw
just to see wat ive done with my life..

New Yr Resolutions 2007:
1. Earn enough to pay student loan, n travel
2. Morocco & Istanbul
3. SouthAmerica (yes backpacking!) - end of 2007
4. Perfect my Spanish
5. Go back home in Dec 07 n spend Xmas with my family
6. Start workg as an Engineer for fucks sake!!

Xmas was superb here in Granada
been pigging, lazying n drinking
in the warmth of his cosy family.
Lotsa pics to come..

A great way to end 2006

So Life´s picking up for me
There I was, all depressed abt the theft incident
the next minute, good things happened
all at once.

Bad and good things happen alternately.
just wait for your chance.
Anyway i have so much to say,
so pls read on (esp Jol who only looks at pics!)...

We had a fucking good time with Alberto´s colleagues
they had a Christmas dinner-party thingy n i tagged along
it was a hilarious night
as we laughed n joked (yes I was high)
in my Spanglish (Spanish+English)
it was one of the unforgettable parties we had in Madrid

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So now my schedule is pretty fulll
from start of the morning till night.
I managed to get the job to teach English in companies,
I´ll be teaching in the Ministry of Defense come Jan!
Nervous yet excited, for the new year to start.
Looks like Life really has sth great in store for everyone.

Spanish classes have been going real well
it feels to good to learn sth new incessantly
classmates are wayyy different from those back in Granada
My class in Granada was filled with rich, spoilt students
who cannot be bothered to try speaking the language.
while this class in the govt-funded school is filled with lively,
not too well-to-do adults, n pple from South America, Central Europe

I met a Philipino girl in class
who was all frenly n nice,
n she thot I was philipino too ( Bing, do NOT laugh)
I might just have a new fren oredi :)

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So, XMAS is here again
its my third Xmas away from home
it feels sad, cos Xmas is always about being with your family.
I miss the times we have turkey, honey-baked ham
and lotsa food...
I miss the christmas parties we had when I was a kid
I would puke from eating too much rocher..

Anyhow, Xmas in Granada would be a big festive season
it snowed on our way from Madrid to Granada
so I hope to have a white Xmas..

MERRY XMAS to all my beloved dear frens
next year, I´ll be back home!

Driving along the coast of Portugal 6-10Dec

it was a long wkend in Spain, yet again
so off we went,
on a budget roadtrip to Spain's neighbour
PORTUGAL!!!!
it was a 5 hr drive along the coast of Algarve
(beautiful region of Southern Portugal)
to our 1st destination Lagos.
I've always read about the beautiful cliff rocks along Portugal coast
n now was my chance, to discover its beauty.

Greeted by lil cliffs along the sea
as we arrived in the small beachtown of Lagos.
its a pity we came in winter
i could imagine the heat, n crowd in summer

we stayed in Pension Mar Azul (blue sea)
was realli nice n small,
we had a small balcony overlooking the main street
of the small beachtown
small souvenir shops o restaurants lines the st
there were not many tourists in Lagos
considering the winter season
bt it was just right for me & Alberto ;)

Marina of Lagos
the yachts always made me feel calm n tranquil.

Off we drove to Praia Dona Ana (Praia=beach)
nice views of the coast
it was just so peaceful n calming
I felt so at peace with myself, n the world.

this is how it looks in summer -Im going back!!

this pic is kinda dark
but it reminds me of tt feeling in the caves
as we watched the waves coming in
dipping into our feet..

Marvellous Portugese dinner
in a quaint authentic restaurant.
Portugese food is full of meat- carnivorous me adored it.
Alberto's beef stew in red wine, was simply exquisite.
my lamb chops were juicy n saboroso...

LISBON!!!
CAPITAL OF PORTUGAL
U've nvr seen the real portugal
without seeing Lisbon!

that's wat Alberto said thou
so off we went, 3 hrs drive to Lisboa.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a big statue of Jesus Christ
it resembled the one in Sao Paulo, Brazil
bt this was far smaller than tt.
since we were stepping on Portugese ground
& Brazil was a Portugese colony
we assumed it was the Portugese sacred symbol,
that God is watching over everyone.

we were then greeted by a huge red bridge
'Puente de 25 de Abril'
it was magnificent, the grandeur of it all
just amazed me.
it's a truly beautiful sight when u enter the city.
the bridge n Jesus figure at one end..

Torre de Belem
historical tower built as a small fort centuries ago
beautifully medieval building nxt to the sea..

wooo traditional Portugese grilled chicken with 'Peri-Peri' sauce
I can still taste the bbq savour now...

Arch of 25 April, in the main Plaza of city centre..

Castilo de Llorge
the castle was built right on the top of the city
the walk up there had beautiful views

trams of Lisbon..
i always have a thing for trams
esp the old ones..

Christmas lightings along the streets

A last goodbye to Lagos.

On our way back,
we drove to FAROS,
Capital of Algarve
another beachtown along the coast.

Mexican house party

Night before our trip to Portugal,
we popped by Una's Mexicano fren Federico's for a houseparty
woo it was one of its kind
the drinks just kept coming
undoubtedly i had an hangover on our way to Portugal
(yes imagine me puking all the way)

Me, Melinda n Una
us 3 now, without Paulina..

the birthday girl
she made real good cocktails
Sheena's teaching English
most of the people in the party were English teachers

the couple we met in the party
Julio and Kelly
nice frenly people
Spanish guy with an American

Ah, the guy who reminded us so much of Ivar
both weirdly humourous in their own ways hehh..

I just got fucking robbed

Grrr.. fuck the bastard
who stole my handbag
Argh...

I got robbed in a cafeteria this afternoon
was having lunch with Melinda
n I placed my handbag right infronta me, on the table
under my direct view
Suddenly this Mexican guy came outta nowhere
mumbled some stuff to Melinda,
he was all dressed in a checked suit n all,
so we didnt think anyth more than that.
5 minutes later, then did I realise my bag was gone

I was so devastated
its the first time ive lost my wallet
all my stuff are in there, luckily nt my ID, or credit card
ive cancelled my debit card, n reported to the useless police
he told me apparently 90% of stolen stuff are found
Ya rite, fucking liar

theres nothing i can do now..
i lost my favourite Motorola supercool pebble phone
the only 20euros that i had,
n the keys.
my flatmates were so nice, to help me call the landlord n all
sigh..

Paulina and Una both got their wallets stolen as well
in Madrid.
it is scary wat this society has become
u cant let ur guard down at all..

Lost in a big city

Somehow it feels so easy to be lost
mentally lost,
in a big big city
like Madrid.

the other day,
like everyother Madrilenos,
I took the Metro to school
it was crowded as usual
people pushing n shoving their way

Until I heard this heavenly music
the sound of windpipes
soo soothing, so calming
i almost felt like i was at peace again
I looked ard at the pple ard me
and realised everyone seemed to be ignoring it
they looked as if they couldnt hear the music

For a moment there
I thot i was imagining it
i thot i was going schizo...
then i realised the cruelty of the society
how it has gotten into everyone
how everyone has almost forgotten the warmth
n how life should be like.

Instead of dashing here n there
rushing to work at 7 in the morning
Life shld be relaxed n easy
most importantly, happy.

Sigh.

Last few parties...

Paulina´s gone now,
she´s left Madrid.
Pictures of the last few parties

Friday nite - lil House Party at Fofi´s place
we met up with Alberto´s fren Nono,
n our old frens from Miami
n Una and Paulina came along.

Me and Paulina highº
Paulina high on weed...

the 4 of us
me, Alberto, Paulina n Fofi
hee

Saturday Nite - met up with Amaia n Damien
havent seen them since 2 yrs ago in Miami
how time flies..
they´r exactly the same!

FIESTA @ CHUECA (gay zone)
cool bar with free flow of sangria n beer for 10euros
hmm not that cheap.
but we had a great time!

Me, Melinda and Llorgo
Llorgo (George in Greek) is that obnoxious greek guy in my class!
he´s the not-hot-but-Paulina-thinks-he´s-so-hot guy!
lol

Best picture of the nite
all of us laughing to our hearts´content
drinkin n partying away

Now that Paulina´s gone
n Una gone in a week
our parties are over --sob--
well Im all geared to work hard n earn some lil bucks
life ahead for me..
is such a blur..

P.S. Good news! I´ve got a job!
I´ll be teaching English to a new student nxt week!
n I found a school who gives free Spanish classes!
starts nxt week too! yippeyay!

P.S.S. It´s the long wkend in Spain again
we´r heading off to Portugal on a roadtrip!
I still prefer to go to Morocco..we´ll see..
Adious amigos!

Job hunting

YODELLEHOO! I JUST WENT FOR A JOB INTERVIEW!
Ahhh yes!! was so happy to get one,
althou at first i doubted if i could get the job.
But it was gooood!

JOB: To teach English muahahahha..
not to individuals but to companies!

sigh my intensive job-hunting has been thoroughly tiring n unfruitful
but I will never give up!
oh and we moved to a new apartment!
yeh this place's much better, modern n nice
althou Im the only girl around the apartment,
n we'r sharing with 6 other people!
it's like a dorm, with a corridor separating the rooms.
I like it already ;)

Life wise,
Paulina has left Madrid! aww so sad
last weekend was great fun,
like 2 consecutive mad nites out with them
hooked Paulina up with our Fofi yeyhoo!
n Una's leaving this week too! boohoo
at least Melinda's staying for a year..
Im just glad I get along real well with Melinda ;)

Realli hope to get a job soon
life can continue like it used to be
travelling ard Mediterranean again hee..