Mi casa es su casa

Suddenly it feels like everyone is house hunting! The topic keeps coming up...first with my bestest across the ocean, then with some of my friends here, and finally yesterday at a family meal when the parents started asking me if Diego and I were thinking of buying now that it's a buyers market...que estres! No home shopping for us yet. But if we did a little place in Santiago, another in the US (Chicago/Detroit areas), and maybe another little spot in Margarita and another in Paris would be perfect. Better really start saving.

Honk.

I was on my way to a class today, when I heard a car honking it's horn...I looked to see what the problem was -here in Santiago you usually hear honking only if there is a problem or you are mad and in a hurry-and what to my wondering eyes did appear...but a regular car honking at the police car in front of him because the traffic light had turned green. Is this normal?! What a different reaction from what we would see in the US.

How my garden grows!

I've been aquiring quite a few plants this summer- picking up a cheapy plant here and there to add to the succulents D's mom gave me in the fall. Today the mom of one of my students gave me an aloe plant! One window is filled...working on window two and three!

Miss Universo

I'm going to miss Miss Universe tonight,they don't show it in Spain. I know it's not the most PC entertainment, but come on, I'm Venezuelan, and we always win...and I have some very special childhood memories attached to Miss Universe-I learned quite a bit about geography, culture, and language as a result. Anyway, I was looking through preview shots of the national costumes-my favorite part of the competition-here are a few that caught my eye. (I'll include Spain and a shot of miss Venezuela-yes, she's beautiful. Hope she wins!!) See more pics here. Miss Panama-winner of the best national costume.

Miss China

Miss Bolivia-how did they get that hat to the Bahamas?

Miss Spain-she's Galician!

Miss Venezuela-La perla del Caribe

Pincho party

We celebrated my birthday this year with a little dinner party, Spanish pinchos to begin and Venezuelan style lasagna as a main course. The table looked lovely with the flowers D sent me, and the food:tortilla, olives, jamon serrano and manchego cheese, bruschetta with goat cheese roasted red peppers and anchovies, and bruschetta with camembert cheese and granny smith apples. I love to snack and pinchos are perfect and delicious.

One year!!

Wow...I didn't realize it when I blogged yesterday, but yesterday marked one year since I moved to Spain! How quickly the time has gone by! And it has been filled with so much happiness! I came to be closer to my man and take advantage of the chance to live in Spain with no real plans...and God has blessed me with marraige and an incredible husband, wonderful family and friends, and no lack of job opportunities. I can't wait to see what the future holds!