Work Hard, Play Harder

Hey Ya’ll!

Que Pasa? Okay, I need to get better at updating these blog posts as I feel that so much happens that I forget about ½ of it when I start writing. Life has slowed down a lil bit since the traveling has stopped…But I still have good stories. No worries there. Boring blog – this will not be! Or at least I’ll try by darn bestest on that promise.

So good news… I got a job! It’s only part-time for now and I have some other opportunities with other schools so we will see, we will see. I teach for a company that specializes in personalized classes – so I do some of my classes in homes and some at businesses. Currently, I am teaching English to the faculty at Barcelona’s University, one ten year-old boy and then a group of four girls – two are six and two are eight and OMG are they freaking hyper or what! It’s really fun – I enjoy the varied ages and levels so it doesn’t make a day dull. I will keep you posted on whatever other job comes my way and/or if I end up making the 2nd job into one for a bakery…I think it would be so great to learn some Spanish desserts so when I return back to the US I just may have to open up my own bakery. Hmm…

Alright, now onto story time…

I have another deaf admirer.

I don’t really know why deaf men are attracted to me – I have never encountered this situation before so maybe it’s because they can’t hear my voice and obnoxious, loud laugh?! I don’t know. Anyways, he was rather older and his friend (who was a MATADOR!!! But, um…gay. No dice for me.) had to keep translating what he was saying. He kept offering me champagne and told me I had a pretty American face because it was long (idkwtf that means)… I decided that if I ever need to boost my self-esteem, I should perhaps walk on the campus of a hearing-impaired school and see what would occur. At least I can sign “Happy Birthday” and “Full of Baloney” – what more would I need to learn?

Anna and I have been exploring our neighborhood a bit – we have already found a few bars that we are starting to frequent and have began the start of the long-lasting bond between a regular and their bartender. My fave bar right now (besides Alfa- that really nifty one that plays 70s/60s R&B, Funk) is this one called Republic. Simple reason why I like it – the bartender is British with glasses. Um, hi! I’m making Anna go back with me this weekend. TBC. We also plan to hit up this absolutely sketchy looking bar that is in crawling distance of our apartment – it’s always blasting music and its dark with black lights everywhere. I sense a good time.

This past weekend Anna’s best friend Lillie and her husband Brad stayed with us and explored the city. I posted pics up on facebook and shutterfly so you can see all of the fun touristy things we did (Montjuic, Park Guell, etc.). We went out Saturday to this bar called Chupitos which means “shot” in Spanish. Basically, it’s a shot bar with a bazillion fun shots you can order for only 2 EUROS! And, for those of you who like to make fun of my shot taking skills (ahem, Loyno gals) I did a GREAT job as these shots were really tasty. The kinds that you think aren’t very strong until you walk out of the bar and realize that you are prettttty trashed. Anyways, the shots we did were the Harry Potter, some kind of green absinthe-minty one that you had to do thru a straw and then breath in fire after (something like that), cherry bomb w/gummy bears, Pop Rocks shot and then we made the guys do the Monica Lewinsky shot. I can’t even post ½ of the pictures regarding that one… But it was quite hilar. Of course we went to Alfa to dance the night away post chupitos. While there, Anna and I made friends with these Catalan boys…

SIDE LESSON: Catalan is actually the “main language” of Barcelona. The Catalans are different than a Spaniard – and they will let you know this fact. Basically, the Catalan people were the ones that formed Barcelona and throughout history – starting with the Roman Empire to Franco’s rule – they have had their rights stripped from them time and time again. These rights included not being able to speak their own language (which is a mix of Spanish, French and Portuguese). Anyways, since freedom of speech was given back to the Catalans just about 30 years ago – they, rightfully so, have a lot of pride and like to differentiate themselves from those that are Spanish. BECAUSE of this (and why I’m pulling an Erin and going off on a history tangent) whenever Anna and I talk to someone who is Spanish, they warn us of the Catalan boys – that these boys will say anything just to get us into bed, that they are mama’s boys, they are rude, etc. And then you have these Catalan boys that just simply sum it up and say that the Spanish are jealous of them. Interesting relations between the two. Okay, so back to meeting these Catalan boys…

So we befriend them, of course (despite Spaniards warnings!) and decide – as the bar shuts down – that we are not done partying – so we head to one of the boy’s terrace. So by this point – Lindsay is pretty smashed. The voice has gone up like 10 octaves, I’m getting all mushy and lovey with everyone I know and I’m trying to do all of this while speaking Spanish. So as we are going along our walk – one of the guys who I was talking with earlier – decided to head off home since the sun was coming up (minor detail). So, to be super impressive – I decide to tell him in Spanish that we need to get together to cook – as he is ½ Italian and was bragging to me that he is a fabulous cook.

But wait- I don’t really say this.

Instead of saying “Yo necesito tu vas cocina en mi casa con mi” (I need you to come COOK at my house with me) I say – “Yo necesito tu vas cachondo en mi casa con mi”… Okay, this translates into “I need you to come HORNY with me at my house.” Okay – so all of the guys burst out laughing and I’m like – “Oh dear…No. I said something…OMG, what did I SAY?!” Seriously – I just need to practice my Spanish when sober. I mean, how does one mix up cooking and horny?!

I do.

Besides the job search, partying and exploring I have been busy with one other thing: True Blood. OmiGod! Am I obsessed or what? I was very doubtful that I would enjoy a TV show set in Louisiana with vampires and lots of sex but who am I kidding – what about this formula doesn’t make for great TV? I have not been so into a show like this since Sex in the City – and YOU KNOW how I feel about Carrie Bradshaw and friends. So Anna (who is the reason for my addiction) and I killed the two seasons of True Blood in less than 2 weeks. We weren’t set out to beat any world records; we were just in it for the sport. Please, if you have not seen this show, consider watching it… It’s sooo good and I can’t stress that enough. So now that we have finished True Blood and I can only take so much of Dawson’s Creek in Spanish (um, yes – that is a huge hit over here) Anna decided to get me obsessed with another show…Weeds. Oh so good! We just started Season I but I’m sure we’ll kill all seasons by next month. I have faith in us.

Now I haven’t been rotting my brain out with HBO/Showtime fabulousness this entire time we have been cultured chicas as well! I’m purchasing this special art pass that allows you to go to majority of the museums in Barcelona for 6 months for as many times as you want – just 20 Euros. Pretty nice. Also, there are so many musicals, ballets and other shows going on here so we have been trying to do a show once a month. This month we went to see Rock the Ballet. LOVED it! Rasta Thomas is a ridiculously talented young dancer who created this troupe – The Bad Boys of Dance. So what they do is mix modern, hip-hop and classical ballet into fun dances (think CENTER STAGE!) and use Michael Jackson, Prince, U2 and Coldplay songs to dance to. It’s fabulous. Plus, all of the guys, I don’t care if they are more flaming than a bonfire, are so freakin hot! Aaah! Anna and I were screaming and dancing in our seats (something we have perfected on our long road trips) the entire show. Thank GOD that we weren’t the only ones going nuts. It’s great watching a live show in Spain as the audience is so attentive, respectful and they LOVE to clap along to whatever music is playing. It makes the entire experience that more enjoyable. So here are two links I found showing some of what we saw. Rock the Ballet – this one shows clips of some of the dances we saw – really poor quality but you get the idea. Man in the Mirror – this is Mr. Rasta himself doing his thing. So freaking talented. And hot.
So I think that’s it for now… Anna and I plan to practice some of our new moves we have copied from Rock the Ballet tonight at the club. It will be fabulous. Maybe a little interpretative solo from me… I’m sure I’ll find my inner-ballerina.

Missss you allllll sooooo muuuuch!

Searching for a Matador that likes to dance,
Linds

Song Suggestions:
- With or Without You – U2 (best performance of RTB)
- Too Young – Phoenix (best part of Lost in Translation – see below)
- While You Wait for the Others – Grizzly Bear
- Bad Things – Jace Everette (in tribute to my obsession with True Blood)

Movie Suggestion:
- Lost in Translation – I forgot how great this movie is. Just watched it and fell back in love with Bill Murray and Scarlett’s relationship.

Book Suggestion:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – if you like mystery thrillers – read it. Good twist. Pretty intense.