Crock-Pot Entry

I keep trying to write blog posts. Not because I feel like I have to (my blog philosophy is to only blog when I want to) but because I want to say like twenty different things and everything keeps coming out jumbled.

So now you get what you get, which is me posting a bunch of random things in one entry that may or may not have anything to do with each other. I’m throwing the contents of my mental fridge in a crock-pot, so to speak.

*Which brings me to random thought number 1: I really like metaphors. Apparently. Recently, I’ve noticed that I think of strange and often dumb metaphors comparing my life to things as I walk around town/do the dishes/take a shower/etc. I know they’re really dumb and so although I usually think “ooo! I could blog about this!” I immediately remind myself “No, Kate, that metaphor is actually really stupid.” Well, it’s more like I realize it’s stupid twenty minutes later and am a little let down. That’s ok, they still make me feel good in the moment of their conception. So I guess what I’m telling you is 1.) I enjoy a cheesy metaphor and 2.) You do not have to hear about my metaphors comparing the struggles and joys in my life to: the tops of pretty old buildings, my broken DVD player, a really good cup of tea, and the meat counter at the supermarket.

*I bought a European Coffee pot last week. Today I tried to see if I could figure out how to make it work without any instructions and guess what? I had total success! After buying the coffee pot I also felt it was a symbolic moment in my life here….so I guess I like metaphors and symbolism. Things have been getting slowly but surely a little better here for me. Or at least, I’ve been feeling less depressed. I know that nothing has changed but my own attitude. One of the things that’s helping me is the semblance of routine and normal life I’m establishing here. And so buying the coffee pot, for me, was a symbolic move forward towards living a normal and happy life here. At home, I like to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or with a good book or when writing. Deciding to invest (I mean, it was only 10 euros, but whatever) in a coffee pot here felt very positive and symbolic to me. And very European.

*I’m at 22,000 words for NaNoWriMo! I’m going to do this, guys. I’M GOING TO DO THIS. (If I say it in caps, I have to. That’s a rule somewhere, right?)

In reality, though, I think it’s interesting that as soon as I said “heck, my life is empty and lame and filled with free-time here, there’s no better time to do NaNo,” my life began to take a turn for the busier. That’s one of those laws, but I can’t remember which one. Anyway, life has indeed gotten busier, but I’m not complaining. I’ve been arranging private lessons by word of mouth and along with doing a conversation class with a 17 year old girl, I will also now be working with an entire family—kind of nervous but excited for that one. The parents speak English and just want to practice with a native and have me correct them, and the kids are 1 and 4. On top of the private lessons, I am beginning, albeit slowly, to know more people and I am trying to push myself to build relationships. I have a couple different plans in the works for meeting up with different teachers from my school. And finally, on top of that, after almost two months my lovely roommate and I are really in a comfortable place with one another. I still make mistakes all the time, but I feel more at ease talking with her and less like I need to sit still and think out what I’m going to say in my head first. So, we spend more time together conversing while hanging out in the sala.

*Things I am grateful for lately: Skype working perfectly for the first time ever since I’ve arrived so that I could have a really long call with my friend, Shannon. After two weeks of my DVD player on my computer being broken (like, not even listed under “device manager” anymore—it disappeared from existence on my computer!), it inexplicably worked last night! A busy and delicious-food-filled visit with my friend Emily who came all the way from CO to see me…more on this later. A really beautiful Saturday, perfect for walking along the Matallana, tapas, and coffee & a book.

+1,000 other things. I have a lot to be grateful for.

This is a long post, so let’s call it a day for now. More rambles later. I hope your weekend is bright and cheery wherever you are! And if it's not bright outside, then I suggest making it bright inside with a good book or movie and your favorite hot beverage. That's what I like to do. :)