Exploring the cities!

Here are a few pictures of my first week.

Denise, Erin and I in Alcala de Henares, the city near our little town of Los Hueros.

Vino, Erin and I waiting for the metro.

Plaza Mayor in Madrid!

The memorial for the March 11, 2004 terrorist bomb attacks on the

Madrid commuter trains. 

More to come soon.

Some pictures of my living in Espana!

This is my house. Well, it's the IMM ministry center. Production studios, admin offices and living. I'm a little sheltered in there, but it's still great!

My room.

View from my front terrace.

My neighbors, co-workers and friends, Vino and Erin. They are great people. Vino doesn't like smiling in pictures. I think I have eaten at their place almost everyday since I've  been here.

Bienvenidos a Espana!!

I made it to Spain! I missed my connection to Madrid in Frankfurt, Germany because of a weather delay in the windy city of Chicago. Let's just say I sweated and got a lot of exercise briskly walking through the Frankfurt airport, first to my original terminal, finding out I missed my flight. Then back to the main part to a customer service desk. Then to the Lufthansa ticket counter, then to get my boarding pass somewhere else. All sorts of fun. Once I found my terminal I used a phone to call to Spain to those picking me up know of my delay. My flight to Madrid was my favorite because I had 3 seats to myself, lots of leg room and a window seat! And, my body decided it could actually sleep on this flight, since my 8 hours to Germany didn't allow me much. 

It's HOT here! I sweat everyday. My tank tops are always a bit sweaty at the end of the day. I really like all my friends and co-workers at IMM! They are treating me great! I love my house mates. Actually, we share the top floor of the massive mansion! Yes, IMM's new building is awesome and beautiful and a mansion. Not really, but I love it! 

Tomorrow I start my first day of work. Should be fun!! I'll post pics this week of my new home and views of the terrace!!

Adios/arrivederci/Goodbye/Auf Wiedersehen/αντίο

Some photos from my farewell gatherings

I already miss them...

I just thought I'd let everyone know the 2 people I'm going to miss the most in MN! Being Auntie Crystal (or Tia, the Spanish word for Aunt, and that's what Samuel calls me now-most of the time) is super fun! I love this nino and bebe, and am going to miss giving them smooches! It makes me sad to think about not hugging and kissing them for 2 years (but hopefully I'll be back sometime in those 2 years!)

2 WEEKS!!!!!!

I AM LEAVING FOR ESPANA IN 2 WEEKS! Actually, I will be in the air, probably over the Atlantic Ocean, flying from Chicago to Frankfurt!! yeah, I get to go to Germany, the land of my ancestors, before I head on over to Spain! I hope all of my luggage follows me! Tomorrow, my family and I go up north MN for a week vacation at Causeway! I can't wait to lay by the pool and relax! I'll also be bringing some things to look over and organize for Spain. It's a never ending time of fun when you have to move to a different side of the ocean.

less than 3 weeks!

I leave in less than 3 weeks! and 3 weeks from today, will be my first weekend in Spain! I look forward to unpacking when I'm there, but I'm not looking forward to packing a bunch of huge suitcases that are going to cost me a lot of $ in extra baggage fees at the airport. oh well. that's life.