My new project

28 tacos as they say here in España!!

My Spanish family got me a fish tank for my birthday. I had unofficially retired from owning fish but it looks like I'm back im the game.  Thank you Familia Romero!

Happy birthday to myself!!

I got a new phone yesterday and today they installed our internet. Slowly, but surely,  making technological improvements in my life. This is my first blog post from the new phone using the house's wi-fi.

Here is a good article about a guy I went to elementary school with and played baseball with who is now the catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/pirates-mckenry-still-working-to-prove-critics-wrong-680666/?fb_action_ids=10151570562040236&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151570562040236%22%3A622434694439554%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151570562040236%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Prayers for all those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing.

http://www.petapixel.com/2013/04/02/us-soldier-documents-his-deployment-in-afghanistan-using-his-dslr/

Thank you mom and dad! Between my samoas and the pulled pork and cherry coke last week, I feel like I'm back in Tennessee!

Between the time change and my siesta today, I don't think I'm ever gonna go to sleep tonight.  I hope everyone had a great Easter!

Back in Murcia and it only took 5 1/2 hrs.

Our last night was spent in the Bacardi museum. The man who created the Bacardi rum, Facundo Bacardi, was from Sitges but went to Cuba and created the rum there. So in his honor, thereis a museum in Sitges. During the tour we learned about the history and the process of how it is made. They then gave us a tutorial on how to make a mojito and cuba libre. The end of the tour was to prepare on own mojito. We then went to dinner and for ice cream. We headed out around 10:30 this morning and now we are about two hours away from Murcia.

Nuria and her burger in Big Al's.

Me and my pulled pork and cherry coke.

Our time in Barcelona was spent walking around and looking in stores. We had good weather so that made everything better. We came back to Sitges to walk around and visit more stores. One of the store visist was for. We came across the Nike Store in La Rambla. We also found an American restaurant which was really good. Not only did it have cherry coke, but they also had pulled pork. This was by far the best dinner I've had in a while. The owner, Big Al, is from Seattle and has actually been to Knoxville. One last day in Sitges tomorrow.

Inside the Arabian Baths

Nuria and I on the wall.

Here I am on one one of the towers.

The city has wall, similar to the Great Wall of China but not so great, running along one side of the city. Here is a pic of the wall from one of it's four towers.

Day three was spent in Girona, a city about 30 mins away from the border with France. We spent the day exploring the city and some of it's attractions. It was a nice little day trip and was madw without any difficulties.  Well, the was a minor mishap in our return but nothing that the GPS couldn't correct. Tomorrow we are spending the first half of the day here in Sitges and then going to Barcelona.

Wine and sushi with the Nebrija Book Club!

Day two was much better. The majority of the day was spent walking around the town and in different stores. Tomorrow we are driving to Girona, a city about an hour north of Barcelona.

Well our first complete day here has also been quite interesting. We are in a beach town called Sitges, which is about 45mins south of Barcelona. One of Nuria's best friends lives in Barcelona so her and her boyfriend came down yesterday to spend the weekend here with us. Well we out for dinner and Nuria got sick. She spent last night and today either in bed or vomiting. Needless to say, we didn't do anything today. She finally started feeling better and we we went walking around in the cool, night air. More of the same tomorrow I suppose.

So after a quite eventful morning, we missed our flight. Here you have to print out your boarding passes and bring them to the airport and we did not do that. While having breakfast at the airport, instead of in Barcelona, we decided to get the car and drive up. Five hours later we made it here. A slight change in plans but everything turned out well. Something we will be able to laugh about later but right now it is still a fresh wound.

I hate packing. Especially when all you can take is a mini suitcase and one pair of shoes takes up 60% of it. Packing for a week is gonna be difficult.

Today is our first day of Spring Break. Kind of a bittersweet moment because if Easter was two weeks later, like it normally is, we would have come in for my friend's wedding. Oh well, flight to Barcelona early tomorrow morning.

Tried sushu for the first time tonight at our book club meeting even though I didn't read the book. I didn't read the previous book either or finish the first one. I did however propose the book for our next meeting, Joseph Conrad's The Heart of Darkness. A novel we read in high school that I wanted to read again. Oh yeah, the sushi wasn't that bad but I prefer my food cooked.

Nuria and I went to her parent's house today before the Father's Day lunch with the family. We went to see the dogs and take them for a short walk since the weather was nice today. Nuria took No-No, the 11 or 12 year old german shepherd and I had Cooper, the 18 month puppy that weighs around 80 pounds. We had a nice walk but it was quite obvious that I need to see a few more episodes of the Dog Whisperer.

Today is San Jose, father's day, in Spain. So Happy Spanish Father's Day to all the padres!! It's also a holiday, so no school today!!

I received my niece's eight grade pictures today and needless to say I have had a huge smile all day and showing her picture to everyone. Proud uncle here!!

This is what it's like at Nuria's parent's house. Well, minus the little tiny dog.

I am extremely happy to be back home but between kids crying outside and dogs barking I miss the tranquility of the mountains. When the kids from the camp were quiet, all you could hear was the wind.

Back in Murcia and the sun is shining. I had a fun time at the camp and the kids were a good group. We finally had good weather this morning for the last couple of activities.

I was asked by a friend to help with his English Immersion camp. These are very common in Spain and when.I was in Aguilas I always went my students to a camp 30 mins outside of Valencia. These camps are good, in the Spring. My friend didn't tell me that the camp was going to be in the mountains and it is definitely not Spring here. Matter of fact, it snowed quite a bit this morning. Much more than it did in Tennessee when we there this past Christmas.

I'm glad it finally decided to warm up here. Walking to school last week in thirty-degree weather wasn't much fun. This week's almost fifty-degree weather has been much better.

Let the countdown begin! Two-week long spring break begins in less than three weeks.

I didn't have class this morning so I got to sleep in until 9:30 instead of getting up at 6:30. What a difference those three hours had on my day.

Those two weeks of driving while I was at home for Christmas did me well but it has worn off. The itch has returned already.

Big congrats to Bill and Zora Beth on their engagement!! Our group of friends have been dropping left and right over the past few months. Only a few of us are left...

Went to the Murcia- Barcelona game yeaterday. We put up a good fight but Barça is just too talented. Props to the three Americans who start for Murcia.

Yesterday in my class of nine year olds:
Student: Teacher, teacher, teacher.
Me: What?!?!
Student: Will you give me five euros?
Me: No!

And then at the end of class another student asked if she could have my cell phone. Crazy little kids

Carnaval 2013

Proof I'm at the gym. The pic is blurry because I am obviously moving

At the gym for the first time in a week so I'm pretty sure the rest of the day I won't be worth much. Good thing I'm going to spend the next few hours watching the Super Bowl after this and then off to Aguilas this evening.

Tickets for Barcelona: Check!

Go Niners!!!

Even though I spent the first two weeks of 2013 sick, it hasn't been that bad so far. I obviously started the New Year out wonderfully at home with the family and friends. I've seen a lot of movies that were good, everything from Argo to Zero Dark Thirty. I was also introduced to Duck Dynasty, started reading a couple books and joined a gym. I didn't have to work on Monday so that was also another good thing. Looking forward to February!

A co-worker and friend of my brother was killed in an accident yesterday. Here is the story.
NWF Daily News

Keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as well

One of my students, a nine yr old girl, mother had a heart attack and died last night. Keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

The wind has been bad here the past two days but today has been the worst day by far. I've seen numerous senior citizens holding on to trees, light poles and signs for dear life. Small dogs have not been spared either.

Just finished the last episode of season two of Duck Dynasty today. I've had a lot of good laughs watching the two seasons of the show since I got back to Spain.

Congrats Knoxville!
The Happiest And Unhappiest Cities To Work In Right Now - Forbes

Day number two of waking up at 4:30 am. At least King of the Hill is on afterwards, A Christmas Story. Merry Christmas everyone!!

After 24 hours of traveling, we have finally made it to Knoxville. Looking forward to family, friends, food and football!

Just when you think that the story couldn't get any worse, it does. He killed his father at home before going to the school to kill his mother im front of her class and open fire on them. Unbelievable

Prayers for all those involved in the Connecticut elementary school tragedy. There are some terrible things happening in the world these days.

The Lion King, or El Rey Leon as it's called here, just came on!

Go Dawgs!

Bus tickets to and fro Madrid are purchased. All is prepared for Navidad in Tennessee!

Go Dawgs!!

Congrats to the alma mater, Webb Spartans, on winning another state championship!

I didn't even celebrate Thanksgiving yesterday but it was one of the best Thanksgivings I've had. I received an email from my brother saying that he and the family will be in town for Christmas as well. It's going to be the first Christmas with all the family together in Tennessee in quite a few years.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Veterans Day to all the vets!!

One of the proudest moments of my life was having the opportunity to place the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Time changed here last night. I think I am only five hours ahead now.

Tickets are finally purchased for coming home this Christmas. I had to pay more than I expected and arrive on Sunday instead of Saturday. This means that I won't be able to go to Chick-fil-a upon arrival in the U.S.A. It will have to wait until Monday.

Happy birthday to my wonderful mother!!!

I had to break out a jacket this morning. It was time to man up and accept the fact that at 7am it is cold and as much as I hate having to carry a jacket around the school, I need a jacket.

Go Dawgs!

Well my first full week of work is complete and this year is going to be long and a challenge. I have a group a nine year olds, a group of 13 year olds, another of 16 year olds and three groups of adults. I am in the process of adding a couple private classes as well for a little extra money. I don't have to work on Fridays so I thoroughly enjoyed my Friday and Saturday with nothing school related. Now that it is Sunday, it is time to get back in the teacher mindset and prepare my things for this week.

Here is the latest creation from mi amigo Cal

Watch this! The drummer kills it and the lady singing is pretty good as well.

Good thing I didn't have to go to work yesterday! This is the tram that I use to go to my school.

And with the rain comes the inability of Spanish people to drive in the rain. I have not stopped hearing police and ambulance sirens since it started raining this morning.

It is finally raining here. First real rain in probably at least seven months. Looks like we might even have a little storm brewing up here!

A very sad day for me today because my glasses broke. Well they have been broken for several months but today they received the final blow.

Here is an article from the New York Times about what is currently happening here in Spain.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/world/europe/hunger-on-the-rise-in-spain.html?_r=0

Here is a slideshow that goes along with the article from above

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/09/24/world/europe/20120925-SPAIN.html?smid=fb-share#1

This is how I feel everyday

I just realized that two days ago was my one-year anniversary of my arrival to Spain. First time in a while that I have spent an entire year in only one country.

Welcome to the world Lara!!! My new Spanish niece.

I passed a kidney stone yesterday. How was your Monday?

Missing my football but thanks to the ESPN app I'm not completely missing out

First time that I've missed opening weekend of college football and the NFL. Speaking of that, welcome to the SEC Missouri. Go Dawgs!

Another video from the Paralympics. 4x100 sprinters talking about the race and their lives.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/48923966/#48923966

So sad

NJ.com : In wake of horrific Camden killings, investigators test strains of PCP

I'm back in Murcia now and I start working again on Thursday. I enjoyed my time at the beach but I was ready to get back and start working again.

Sweet dreams!

http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/31/13596377-finding-the-ability-in-his-disability?lite

This is a link to an article about the brother of a friend of mine who is competing in London in the Paralympics Games.

I want to wish a happy 34th anniversary to my parents!!!

My favorite vehicle has made its way to Spain! I prefer a different color though.

Here are some pics from here at the beach!

I just lost a lot of respect for a couple of France's basketball players. No need to be sore losers, especially in The Olympics.

On a different note, I went and took a bunch of pictures the other night here at the beach and I'm going to see if I can get one published in the newspaper here. Everyday the publish two photos so I think I might have a chance.

Happy birthday to the one and only, MLM II! Happy birthday pops!

One of my best friends dad passed away last week and it has been difficult for me since I'm not there in Tennessee to be with him and my friends. It has even been a little bit more difficult because I had originally planned on being home this month. Thoughts and prayers for the Sproles family. Don reached out to many people over the years and will be missed by all of them. R.I.P. Don

I just saw my old classmate Davis Tarwater walking out at the Olympics. Good luck!

The best thing about the next five weeks is no alarm clock!