Here is a direct upload of my home stay tour.
Enjoy.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Calpe Teaser...
Yesterday my friend Drew organized (it's nice when someone else takes charge!) a day trip for some friends to go on a hike in Calpe (2 hour tram ride away). I will write more about it later, along with translations from my radio shows, a brief overview of the USAC hike from January, the cave visit from January, and about a bajillion other things...
but let me leave you this picture as a teaser from yesterday's Calpe hike...
but let me leave you this picture as a teaser from yesterday's Calpe hike...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
First look at DANTE
Yes, that's right, his cuteness has been captured on camera.
The other day he wandered into my room eating the heel of a loaf of bread. I asked if he wanted to take a picture, and he said yes. He was fully prepared for the picture, so I don't know what the deal is with the look of confusion.
Also, you can see his scar on his forehead from the emergency room visit.
And I believe chocolate is what is all over the rest of his face.
The other day he wandered into my room eating the heel of a loaf of bread. I asked if he wanted to take a picture, and he said yes. He was fully prepared for the picture, so I don't know what the deal is with the look of confusion.
Also, you can see his scar on his forehead from the emergency room visit.
And I believe chocolate is what is all over the rest of his face.
The secret guide to men
I found it, yes IT. THE way to strike up conversations with cute boys. IT is mentioning your enjoyment of the band "TV on the Radio." Guaranteed success. I also scored 4 free MP3 albums in the process.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Fifth Radio Broadcast!
This one is about the previous weekend's two big holidays: Carnaval and Valentine's Day.
The song is "Celebration" by Madonna. Of course.
The song is "Celebration" by Madonna. Of course.
Fourth Radio Broadcast!
This one is about fashion, clothing, and style.
Of course, the song is "Fashion" by Lady Gaga. It was very distracting trying to speak over that audio. Very, very difficult.
Of course, the song is "Fashion" by Lady Gaga. It was very distracting trying to speak over that audio. Very, very difficult.
"This would never fly in the United States."--Morgen, regarding the flaming madness
Yesterday was the Entierro de la Sardina (Sardine burial) where they carry a giant paper mache sardine through the city to a plaza, then light it on fire with complete disregard to safety.
I filmed the entire "on fire" part, and it was quite entertaining.
They lit up sparklers and those screaming emergency flares, then lit the sardine on fire with them (of course, after they completely covered it in kerosene). The sparks were flying everywhere, on the crowd and the drag queens (there were lots of them there, I don't know why). There were also lots of people dressed in black, as if it were a mock funeral.
Enjoy this interesting spectacle, courtesy of my video (I made it low quality so it was faster to upload...pardon the blur):
I filmed the entire "on fire" part, and it was quite entertaining.
They lit up sparklers and those screaming emergency flares, then lit the sardine on fire with them (of course, after they completely covered it in kerosene). The sparks were flying everywhere, on the crowd and the drag queens (there were lots of them there, I don't know why). There were also lots of people dressed in black, as if it were a mock funeral.
Enjoy this interesting spectacle, courtesy of my video (I made it low quality so it was faster to upload...pardon the blur):
This is my home.
EDIT: THE HOST FAMILY VIDEO IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK http://melissainspain2010.blogspot.com/2010/02/home-stay-toursecond-attempt.html
If you are wondering how I live it up in Alicante, check out this tour I did of my host family's house.
I will embed the video here, but if you can't view it below, go to this direct link. It is private, so that might be a reason that the video below may not work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=0mSxKUjxtTs&sharing_token=c2MqgKgEHYpNHT8-ZG0IDA
If you are wondering how I live it up in Alicante, check out this tour I did of my host family's house.
I will embed the video here, but if you can't view it below, go to this direct link. It is private, so that might be a reason that the video below may not work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=0mSxKUjxtTs&sharing_token=c2MqgKgEHYpNHT8-ZG0IDA
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
On the radio again, TWO TIMES...and in other news, Dante goes to ER
Today, Wednesday the 17th, I will be live once again in the "generation y" program that is an hour long run by some kids from the university. Today I join them in their discussion about tobacco and smoking, and the new smoking ban.
The whole thing you can hear at 1pm Chicago time at radiosanvicente.com streaming live. Click on the link "escuchanos" at the top of the page.
The discussion part of the segment regarding smoking is around 1:15pm.
And TOMORROW you can hear at 6:40am Chicago time my personal radio segment that I write every week, this one being about this past weekend's celebrations of Carnaval and Valentine's Day.
I will post the audio from the Carnaval/V-day segment, but the other one is part of an hour long segment, so I don't have any copy of that for you to hear.
But I can tell you this: the first time it was my turn to speak, I start talking about something completely different but have to ramble on towards a point b/c I can't rely on trailing off like I normally do when it's recorded live. The question was regarding kids buying tobacco, and I start off my response with the idea that tobacco should be illegal period, along with some awkward dialogue, and then smacking the microphone stand to make awkward noises all while the spanish university students stare at me intently.
And in other news:
Last night I met with my "under the table" intercambio Carlos, who I met at the English school I teach at. So I invited him to come to my friend's place to watch SKINS with us (a british TV show that I happen to have on my computer, with spanish subtitles) and he loved it. We had a nice chat afterward in spanish, but we spoke english mostly before that.
Tomorrow I meet with my "real" intercambio (number two) that I was pretty much forced to take b/c the USAC office had an abundance of spaniards who signed up. So this one is a girl, and I will meet her tomorrow. Since I never met her before, she told me she will be wearing a black coat, jeans, and she has brown hair and brown eyes. Gee, thanks, Ana Maria, you and EVERY OTHER SPANIARD HERE. So this should be fun picking her out. What is she gonna say next? That she will be wearing boots and smoking? That could SURELY pick her out of a crowd.
Also, my host dad Carlos (confusing, with the two carlos', I know) just told me that Dante fell today at school and had to go to the ER to get stitches. He said it was minor, but he somehow just hit his head when he fell. He'll be fine. I mean, I am surprised this hasn't happened already the way he wobbles around on steady ground, let alone stairs. Or when he takes plastic chair and tries to sit on it on the sofa. He is lucky that this only happened once.
The whole thing you can hear at 1pm Chicago time at radiosanvicente.com streaming live. Click on the link "escuchanos" at the top of the page.
The discussion part of the segment regarding smoking is around 1:15pm.
And TOMORROW you can hear at 6:40am Chicago time my personal radio segment that I write every week, this one being about this past weekend's celebrations of Carnaval and Valentine's Day.
I will post the audio from the Carnaval/V-day segment, but the other one is part of an hour long segment, so I don't have any copy of that for you to hear.
But I can tell you this: the first time it was my turn to speak, I start talking about something completely different but have to ramble on towards a point b/c I can't rely on trailing off like I normally do when it's recorded live. The question was regarding kids buying tobacco, and I start off my response with the idea that tobacco should be illegal period, along with some awkward dialogue, and then smacking the microphone stand to make awkward noises all while the spanish university students stare at me intently.
And in other news:
Last night I met with my "under the table" intercambio Carlos, who I met at the English school I teach at. So I invited him to come to my friend's place to watch SKINS with us (a british TV show that I happen to have on my computer, with spanish subtitles) and he loved it. We had a nice chat afterward in spanish, but we spoke english mostly before that.
Tomorrow I meet with my "real" intercambio (number two) that I was pretty much forced to take b/c the USAC office had an abundance of spaniards who signed up. So this one is a girl, and I will meet her tomorrow. Since I never met her before, she told me she will be wearing a black coat, jeans, and she has brown hair and brown eyes. Gee, thanks, Ana Maria, you and EVERY OTHER SPANIARD HERE. So this should be fun picking her out. What is she gonna say next? That she will be wearing boots and smoking? That could SURELY pick her out of a crowd.
Also, my host dad Carlos (confusing, with the two carlos', I know) just told me that Dante fell today at school and had to go to the ER to get stitches. He said it was minor, but he somehow just hit his head when he fell. He'll be fine. I mean, I am surprised this hasn't happened already the way he wobbles around on steady ground, let alone stairs. Or when he takes plastic chair and tries to sit on it on the sofa. He is lucky that this only happened once.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Chaos that was Carnaval 2010
Brief overview: Carnaval is a huge holiday here where people dress up, hear live music, wander the streets late a night, and get drunk. Apparently drinking in the streets is legal for this and only this day (although youths carrying around 40s on other days would make you think otherwise). The people of Alicante take full advantage of this, even stealing shopping carts to carry their massive amounts of booze. Rocio told me that the supermarkets then spend monday (sundays they are closed) looking for the missing shopping carts, which are by then abandoned in random parts of the city.
First we got together at Sarah P's at 9:30, where I did Carly and Sarah R's makeup. 2 Euro makeup isn't high quality. I strategically placed my phone, cash and ID in my blazer under my suit, kleenex in the suit pockets, and keys and chapstick in the pockets of my jeans under the suit. I also clipped my camera to a lanyard that I wore around my neck under my suit. I loved the practicality of this costume.
We met up with Steve at 11, walked to the Barrio, and saw Drew and his friends. We also saw several AVATARs, many many pirates, and a group of 14 yr olds dressed as Minnie Mouse. The streets were FILLED. There were two stages on either end of the Rambla, playing live music.
We went to the churro stand where Drew bartered the woman down from 6.50 for churros and chocolate down to 3.50. We witnessed the cops chat with a completely out-of-it 18 yr old drunk/drugged guy. We also saw a man dressed as red riding hood with his basket filled with a bottle of rum and Coke.
We walked to the beach, where everyone was standing NEAR, but not standing ON. I don't know if they were afraid of drinking on the sand or what, but it was quite strange. On the way there, we also saw about 4 people with stolen shopping carts filled with gallons of booze. Some of the shopping carts matched the costume, decorated like a baby stroller, or a Vegas gambling table. Some were just shopping carts filled with booze.
We made our way to the Ayuntamiento, where we saw yet another stage of music. It was also very wet on the ground due to it raining earlier that day. It made me concerned that people were splashing in puddles right next to rows of power cords. They didn't seem to mind.
It was at the plaza del Ayuntamiento that I saw the first LOST DHARMA people, and we took a picture. One guy had a machine gun. He also had a fake bloody nose for the time-travel headaches. So in-character. There was also a man in a pink bathrobe and shower cap yelling at me that "LOST es la mierda" aka Lost is shit. I ignored him as he waved a toilet brush at me.
Carly and Sarah jumped on stage when several others did the same and danced for a few seconds until a random woman popped out of nowhere and shooed them off. A few minutes later, I found a man wearing a cow mask and took a picture with him.
We made our way through the city and saw some people dressed as Sims, with floating green diamonds over their head. We walked through the Barrio once again and I pointed out to drew a 40 of Amstel in a plastic bag. He took it out and noticed it was completely full and sealed shut. He took it with him to sell to someone (since all the stores for booze were closed by now) for Kebab money.
We made our way to the Kebab place where Sarah R, Carly and I bought Kebabs. The men who worked there scared Sarah when they loudly shouted "WHAT IS SHE DOING" (in english) when she was reaching around her belly to get at her money belt. And they forgot to charge me for my Fanta, which was a highlight of the night.
We went into some bar temporarily, where they got free shots. We also used it as a bathroom break ( no one wants to use the port-o-pottys on the streets). We stood on the street as a ton of people walked by with shopping carts filled with booze, ringing bells and singing. Amongst them I saw Miles, LeFleur and a random DHARMA workman. When they walked away, LeFleur turned back around and checked me out big time. Carly said he was cute and that I should go for it.
We then headed to Carpe Diem, where Sarah and I walked in, walked to the back, saw Allie (she told us Morgen was outside) then left promptly, all in about 30 seconds. We went outside and saw a group of USACers, where we took a few pics, then split up (some went back to Carpe Diem, some went to the Kebab place next door. I went to the latter). I ordered another Fanta, and Dave, Mike and some others ordered Kebabs. We chilled there until I got a text from Carly, wondering if I went home. I told her I was right next door. She came and bought a 2 euro beer just to use the bathroom. We stayed there for a while, and when I waited to use the bathroom, the "bodyguard" of the bathroom (to make sure only customers used it) asked me for a vocab lesson in English.
Him: "como se dice fiesta en ingles?"
Me: Party.
Him: Pah-dee.
Me: PAR-ty. P-a-r-t-y.
Him: Party. Ah, vale. Pasa.
Then I left the bathroom, I was talking with my friends, and he called me over with a hand gesture.
Him: como se dice "borracho" en ingles?
Me: Drunk.
Him: ah, como "drink"
Me: Si, pero "Drunk"
Him: vale. Y como se dice "mujer borracha" en ingles?
Me: Drunk woman?
Him: Drunk Woman. Vale. Gracias.
We then left this Kebab place and started walking around again. At this point it was Mike, Carly, Sarah and me. We wandered through the Rambla once again and saw more DHARMAs! This time a whole fleet, with mechanics and doctors. I snapped a pic, and some random clowns jumped in front so we had to get another. My favorite part of seeing people dressed up was the couples in costumes that didn't match. For example, Amy Winehouse and a cow. Or a ninja and a Minnie Mouse. Or others.
We walked to the churro stand, where Sarah bought some, and we took them to McDonalds, which was so flooded with people not eating McDonalds, it was a joke. There was a like of 20 people for the bathrooms, and the two-story restaurant was jammed with people looking for warmth. At this point it was 3:30am.
We left because we were getting tired sitting in such a comfortable spot, so we went to wander the streets again. We saw some Converse shoes and I saw another DHARMA. When we got near the northern stage, we stood around, and I saw a giant Lego pirate and a fleet of Mario characters. I always see Marios and Luigis, but this was the full fleet: Wario, Mario, Luigi, gold star, toothy cannonball, mushroom, and Yoshi.
After hanging out here for a while, although I wished I could have stayed out longer till I was a bit more tired, my friends wanted to head home b/c they were either cold or tired. It was 4:30am.
We walked home, and saw more DHARMAs. This time it was a group of 8 or 10, and they had ID tags, DHARMA chocolate bars, and DHARMA messenger bags. They were like "Ah! Otra DHARMA al ultimo momento (another DHARMA at the last minute!) La ISLA ha llegado a Alicante! (The island has come to Alicante!)" Then they gave me a "DHARMA crisped rice" sample. But I am pretty sure he said there was nothing inside.
We continued walking home, and Mike wanted to stop at the 24 hour store to buy some water. The 24 hour store, of course, was closed at this hour. One true sign of being in Spain.
First we got together at Sarah P's at 9:30, where I did Carly and Sarah R's makeup. 2 Euro makeup isn't high quality. I strategically placed my phone, cash and ID in my blazer under my suit, kleenex in the suit pockets, and keys and chapstick in the pockets of my jeans under the suit. I also clipped my camera to a lanyard that I wore around my neck under my suit. I loved the practicality of this costume.
We met up with Steve at 11, walked to the Barrio, and saw Drew and his friends. We also saw several AVATARs, many many pirates, and a group of 14 yr olds dressed as Minnie Mouse. The streets were FILLED. There were two stages on either end of the Rambla, playing live music.
We went to the churro stand where Drew bartered the woman down from 6.50 for churros and chocolate down to 3.50. We witnessed the cops chat with a completely out-of-it 18 yr old drunk/drugged guy. We also saw a man dressed as red riding hood with his basket filled with a bottle of rum and Coke.
We walked to the beach, where everyone was standing NEAR, but not standing ON. I don't know if they were afraid of drinking on the sand or what, but it was quite strange. On the way there, we also saw about 4 people with stolen shopping carts filled with gallons of booze. Some of the shopping carts matched the costume, decorated like a baby stroller, or a Vegas gambling table. Some were just shopping carts filled with booze.
We made our way to the Ayuntamiento, where we saw yet another stage of music. It was also very wet on the ground due to it raining earlier that day. It made me concerned that people were splashing in puddles right next to rows of power cords. They didn't seem to mind.
It was at the plaza del Ayuntamiento that I saw the first LOST DHARMA people, and we took a picture. One guy had a machine gun. He also had a fake bloody nose for the time-travel headaches. So in-character. There was also a man in a pink bathrobe and shower cap yelling at me that "LOST es la mierda" aka Lost is shit. I ignored him as he waved a toilet brush at me.
Carly and Sarah jumped on stage when several others did the same and danced for a few seconds until a random woman popped out of nowhere and shooed them off. A few minutes later, I found a man wearing a cow mask and took a picture with him.
We made our way through the city and saw some people dressed as Sims, with floating green diamonds over their head. We walked through the Barrio once again and I pointed out to drew a 40 of Amstel in a plastic bag. He took it out and noticed it was completely full and sealed shut. He took it with him to sell to someone (since all the stores for booze were closed by now) for Kebab money.
We made our way to the Kebab place where Sarah R, Carly and I bought Kebabs. The men who worked there scared Sarah when they loudly shouted "WHAT IS SHE DOING" (in english) when she was reaching around her belly to get at her money belt. And they forgot to charge me for my Fanta, which was a highlight of the night.
We went into some bar temporarily, where they got free shots. We also used it as a bathroom break ( no one wants to use the port-o-pottys on the streets). We stood on the street as a ton of people walked by with shopping carts filled with booze, ringing bells and singing. Amongst them I saw Miles, LeFleur and a random DHARMA workman. When they walked away, LeFleur turned back around and checked me out big time. Carly said he was cute and that I should go for it.
We then headed to Carpe Diem, where Sarah and I walked in, walked to the back, saw Allie (she told us Morgen was outside) then left promptly, all in about 30 seconds. We went outside and saw a group of USACers, where we took a few pics, then split up (some went back to Carpe Diem, some went to the Kebab place next door. I went to the latter). I ordered another Fanta, and Dave, Mike and some others ordered Kebabs. We chilled there until I got a text from Carly, wondering if I went home. I told her I was right next door. She came and bought a 2 euro beer just to use the bathroom. We stayed there for a while, and when I waited to use the bathroom, the "bodyguard" of the bathroom (to make sure only customers used it) asked me for a vocab lesson in English.
Him: "como se dice fiesta en ingles?"
Me: Party.
Him: Pah-dee.
Me: PAR-ty. P-a-r-t-y.
Him: Party. Ah, vale. Pasa.
Then I left the bathroom, I was talking with my friends, and he called me over with a hand gesture.
Him: como se dice "borracho" en ingles?
Me: Drunk.
Him: ah, como "drink"
Me: Si, pero "Drunk"
Him: vale. Y como se dice "mujer borracha" en ingles?
Me: Drunk woman?
Him: Drunk Woman. Vale. Gracias.
We then left this Kebab place and started walking around again. At this point it was Mike, Carly, Sarah and me. We wandered through the Rambla once again and saw more DHARMAs! This time a whole fleet, with mechanics and doctors. I snapped a pic, and some random clowns jumped in front so we had to get another. My favorite part of seeing people dressed up was the couples in costumes that didn't match. For example, Amy Winehouse and a cow. Or a ninja and a Minnie Mouse. Or others.
We walked to the churro stand, where Sarah bought some, and we took them to McDonalds, which was so flooded with people not eating McDonalds, it was a joke. There was a like of 20 people for the bathrooms, and the two-story restaurant was jammed with people looking for warmth. At this point it was 3:30am.
We left because we were getting tired sitting in such a comfortable spot, so we went to wander the streets again. We saw some Converse shoes and I saw another DHARMA. When we got near the northern stage, we stood around, and I saw a giant Lego pirate and a fleet of Mario characters. I always see Marios and Luigis, but this was the full fleet: Wario, Mario, Luigi, gold star, toothy cannonball, mushroom, and Yoshi.
After hanging out here for a while, although I wished I could have stayed out longer till I was a bit more tired, my friends wanted to head home b/c they were either cold or tired. It was 4:30am.
We walked home, and saw more DHARMAs. This time it was a group of 8 or 10, and they had ID tags, DHARMA chocolate bars, and DHARMA messenger bags. They were like "Ah! Otra DHARMA al ultimo momento (another DHARMA at the last minute!) La ISLA ha llegado a Alicante! (The island has come to Alicante!)" Then they gave me a "DHARMA crisped rice" sample. But I am pretty sure he said there was nothing inside.
We continued walking home, and Mike wanted to stop at the 24 hour store to buy some water. The 24 hour store, of course, was closed at this hour. One true sign of being in Spain.
Carnaval Update 2010
Last night was carnaval. To give you a taste of some of the mayhem, here is what my friend's status update was this morning (or rather...afternoon) on Facebook:
Lost: pirate bandana, sword, eye patch, gun, bottle of rum, 20 euro, and memory.
I dressed as a DHARMA Initiative from LOST (known as PERDIDOS here), and saw 21 other DHARMAs!!! Only got a hold of 18 of them, though. My friends weren't fast enough to chase me with the camera for a group of three of them.
Went out at 9:30, stayed out till 4:30am. The party was not even close to ending, and I totally could have stayed out longer had my friends dressed warmer and had more energy.
I set my alarm accordingly, waking up at 2:30pm "this morning".
Pictures and details to come...
Lost: pirate bandana, sword, eye patch, gun, bottle of rum, 20 euro, and memory.
I dressed as a DHARMA Initiative from LOST (known as PERDIDOS here), and saw 21 other DHARMAs!!! Only got a hold of 18 of them, though. My friends weren't fast enough to chase me with the camera for a group of three of them.
Went out at 9:30, stayed out till 4:30am. The party was not even close to ending, and I totally could have stayed out longer had my friends dressed warmer and had more energy.
I set my alarm accordingly, waking up at 2:30pm "this morning".
Pictures and details to come...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Who cuts the cod 'round here?
"Quien corta el bacalao aqui?"=My new favorite Spanish colloquialism, both for its use of my favorite Spanish word: bacalao, and it's odd meaning.
Significance: Who is in charge.
Literal translation: Who cuts the cod around here?!
Significance: Who is in charge.
Literal translation: Who cuts the cod around here?!
Third Radio Broadcast!
A little side note: The song I used, "Wheels" by Cake, contains an amusing lyric (PS: The group is from Sacramento)...
And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians
While the overweight Americans wear their patriotic jumpsuits
If only I could just do a whole program on hating on Americans. It wouldn't be very hard!
Creeper in the street
The other day when I was meeting up with my friends at 11pm (if you didn't read my blog last year, you now know that Spanish "going out" times begin MUCH later), and there was this guy leaning against the wall of a building, being THE creepiest person he could possibly be.
The street is pretty well lit, but he was standing under awning, which cast a shadow over him.
He was standing in this casual leaning position but...
He was looking down the street from directly under his eyebrows.
In case you can't picture this, I did a similar pose for my friend Carly's camera in my cooking class this past week. Take a look.
The street is pretty well lit, but he was standing under awning, which cast a shadow over him.
He was standing in this casual leaning position but...
He was looking down the street from directly under his eyebrows.
In case you can't picture this, I did a similar pose for my friend Carly's camera in my cooking class this past week. Take a look.
NOW we have a plan.
I love listening to classical music.
Today, Rocio was listening to classical music as she graded papers, and it made me think about how I love to just sit and quietly listen to it.
It gave me an idea.
I have been dying to figure out where I want to travel to this semester, b/c I have the urge to see some places, and to NOT see others.
After hearing this music, it inspired me: I want to travel somewhere where I can see an opera or see a live orchestral performance or an orchestral ballet.
So that decision is made. The question now is...where is that exactly? Germany, perhaps?
Today, Rocio was listening to classical music as she graded papers, and it made me think about how I love to just sit and quietly listen to it.
It gave me an idea.
I have been dying to figure out where I want to travel to this semester, b/c I have the urge to see some places, and to NOT see others.
After hearing this music, it inspired me: I want to travel somewhere where I can see an opera or see a live orchestral performance or an orchestral ballet.
So that decision is made. The question now is...where is that exactly? Germany, perhaps?
Regalos!
Last night I was up really late doing homework in the family room when Carlos came in holding this box-like toy. It's made out of that fabric and plastic ring to make it pop up, like a tent. And it's in the shape of a cube (2x2x2 feet), with a little "oven" with velcro door, a sink with a fabric drain plug, and a stovetop. They bought it for him b/c originally it was 70 euros but it went on clearance for TWO euros. They bought it immediately.
As soon as I saw it, I thought to myself "Yet another place for Dante to store his toy cars that he loves so much."
They also bought the same type of fabric cube in the shape of a washing machine, and then they bought one of those rubber balls that has a handle that you can sit on and bounce.
I was so excited for the moment that Dante saw these gifts. He didn't see them until after he got back from school and daycare, around 7pm.
First they showed him the stove and he just started grabbing everything. As he would touch the parts of the oven/stove, Rocio and Carlos told him what the parts were called.
(Dante grabs the door) Rocio: The oven door!
(Dante grabs the sink) Rocio: The sink and the drain plug!
(Oven knobs) Rocio: The knobs to turn it on and off!
Dante would repeat each part after her.
Then, Carlos started joking "Are you gonna make us dinner? Make some coffee, perhaps a snack of bread and honey? Howabout you do the dishes."
My favorite part was when he pointed to the painted-on stove burners (which are circles) and was like "LOOK! A rectangle! And look! Another rectangle!" And Carlos was like "Those are circles, dude."
Then Rocio asked him if he wanted to see his new washing machine, which was in his room. He kept saying no, until she asked if he wanted to show me the bouncy ball. As we walked down the hall, Rocio asked if he wanted to see the "lavadora" (washing machine). He said yes. He went in and was so excited, and he shouted "HOLAVADORA" (combining hola and lavadora), opening and closing the door of the washer over and over again, and twisting the knobs.
Soon to come: update on my intercambio, the radio, and hike to the mountains (and pics)
As soon as I saw it, I thought to myself "Yet another place for Dante to store his toy cars that he loves so much."
They also bought the same type of fabric cube in the shape of a washing machine, and then they bought one of those rubber balls that has a handle that you can sit on and bounce.
I was so excited for the moment that Dante saw these gifts. He didn't see them until after he got back from school and daycare, around 7pm.
First they showed him the stove and he just started grabbing everything. As he would touch the parts of the oven/stove, Rocio and Carlos told him what the parts were called.
(Dante grabs the door) Rocio: The oven door!
(Dante grabs the sink) Rocio: The sink and the drain plug!
(Oven knobs) Rocio: The knobs to turn it on and off!
Dante would repeat each part after her.
Then, Carlos started joking "Are you gonna make us dinner? Make some coffee, perhaps a snack of bread and honey? Howabout you do the dishes."
My favorite part was when he pointed to the painted-on stove burners (which are circles) and was like "LOOK! A rectangle! And look! Another rectangle!" And Carlos was like "Those are circles, dude."
Then Rocio asked him if he wanted to see his new washing machine, which was in his room. He kept saying no, until she asked if he wanted to show me the bouncy ball. As we walked down the hall, Rocio asked if he wanted to see the "lavadora" (washing machine). He said yes. He went in and was so excited, and he shouted "HOLAVADORA" (combining hola and lavadora), opening and closing the door of the washer over and over again, and twisting the knobs.
Soon to come: update on my intercambio, the radio, and hike to the mountains (and pics)
Fact of the Day
Today, when I asked Carlos why Lola didn't have identification tags on her collar, he told me that all dogs are required to have a chip installed in their inner ear.
If a lost dog is found, or something bad happens to it, the police have a machine that scans the ear, and on the screen it shows the name of the dog and the address of the owner.
I feel like I'm in I Am Robot or something!!!
If a lost dog is found, or something bad happens to it, the police have a machine that scans the ear, and on the screen it shows the name of the dog and the address of the owner.
I feel like I'm in I Am Robot or something!!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Radio again!
Hey, tomorrow (Wednesday) I will be on a segment of the radio station called "Generation Y" which is an hour-long segment run by University of Alicante students. They choose the topics every week and have a variety hour talking about current events, music, movies, and other fun stuff. They always have a discussion about something, and this week it is about Valentine's Day and love.
I will be participating in this conversation. I received the Q's and I will be answering them off the cuff in the session, which I will record in the afternoon tomorrow.
It (the hour long variety show) will be broadcast "live" at 8pm my time, which is 1pm Chicago time. Again, listen on www.radiosanvicente.com and click the tab "escuchanos" to stream it.
I won't have a recording of this to post on here b/c this is more of a "live" sort of thing, so don't miss out!
I will be participating in this conversation. I received the Q's and I will be answering them off the cuff in the session, which I will record in the afternoon tomorrow.
It (the hour long variety show) will be broadcast "live" at 8pm my time, which is 1pm Chicago time. Again, listen on www.radiosanvicente.com and click the tab "escuchanos" to stream it.
I won't have a recording of this to post on here b/c this is more of a "live" sort of thing, so don't miss out!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Can you repeat that?
Rocio and Carlos were telling me how their parents would mispronounce old movie actors from back in the day, and it was pretty funny...
John Wayne---Yon WHY-nay
Cary Grant---Cahr-ee Grahnt
Gary Cooper---Gah-ree Cop-poor
Humphrey Bogart--HOOMP-hay-ray BO-gurt
John Wayne---Yon WHY-nay
Cary Grant---Cahr-ee Grahnt
Gary Cooper---Gah-ree Cop-poor
Humphrey Bogart--HOOMP-hay-ray BO-gurt
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
DANTE TIME!
Some great Dante moments as of late:
I had my backpack on the floor in the corner of the family room the other day when Dante saw my cell phone sitting on top. He wobbled over to it and saw me watching him, then picked up the phone, rotated it 90 degrees, then set it back down again. I have noticed this is his behavior all the time with my phone: he either picks it up and rotates it, or he picks it up and moves it 3 inches then sets it down again. I have no clue why.
At lunch the other day...
Dante: Quiero agua. (I want water)
Rocio: Si. (she pours him water)
Dante: Quiero jamon (i want ham)
R: (passes him the ham)
D: Quiero mas comida. (I want more food)
R: (she puts more food on his plate)
D: Quiero...cerveza (I want beer)
R: No, no no no...es la cerveza de mama.(No, it's mom's beer)
D: quiero cerveza! (I want beer!)
R: Toma mas agua. (here, take some more water.)
After lunch the other day, Rocio was enjoying a cup of coffee. The sugar bowl was on the table, which Dante spotted and immediately he requested: "Quiero azucar!" Rocio laughed and made a face like "like hell you are eating a spoonful of raw sugar," as she moved the sugar bowl to the other side of the table. Rocio and I were chatting about something, and Dante was playing with his toy cars. He stared at us talking, then did a lap around the table and said "Mama aqui, y Melissa aqui (mom here, and Melissa here) pointing to our seats in which we sat, respectively. Rocio responded with a "si." Then, as she turned to continue our chat, Dante (who had planned this sneak attack all along) started going for the sugar bowl. Rocio spotted it and took the sugar as he was an inch away from obtaining it.
Dante was coloring on some paper with his markers when he picked up the yellow one, took the cap off, then held it with both hands, perfectly straight up in front of his face. He slowly approached Rocio, repeating "Look! Look!" She was like "Yes, I see, the pretty yellow!" Then he was about 5 inches from her face when she realized he was coming so close in order to draw on her face. She laughed and grabbed the marker, saying he couldn't draw on her like they do in school (they have had a body painting unit the past couple weeks). After he cried a bit and after she explained that she wasn't mad at him, she rolled up her sleeves and let him draw on her.
Dante: (eyes wide, with an inquiring face) Te pinto? (can I draw on you?)
Rocio: Si, carino. (Yes, honey.)
He then proceeded to take full advantage of the opportunity, going to town with the green marker all over her forearms.
When it was time for dinner the other day, I found Dante five inches away from the TV, pressing the eject button on the DVD player and watching the tray slide in and out, over and over again. I grabbed his hands to lead him to the dinner table, and he said "NO!" and slowly laid down on the floor with his knees bent. He then used his heels to push him backwards, sliding on the floor on his back.
During lunch today, Dante's food was hot and his dad instructed him to blow on it. He would do these short bursts of air, almost near hyperventilation, until it was cool enough to eat.
I found his little ball-popper toy in the hallway on the floor, so I picked it up. Dante was walking towards the dining room, so I took the popper and rolled it towards him, kind of chasing him. He kept looking behind himself at the toy, grinning at whatever game we were playing. I chased him around the 3 foot diameter coffee table about 20 times before I had to stop because I was getting really dizzy. He LOVED it.
After I came home from my cooking class, Dante was eating dinner in the kitchen: tiny noodle stars with butter or something. They were all over his face, some noodle stars even were under his eye, or near his temple. I love how he eats so haphazardly. Later, when he got up, there were some noodles stuck to his pants behind his right ankle.
Rocio, who was out for the night, called Carlos on his phone. Carlos handed it to Dante, who picked it up and had the following conversation:
Dante: Ma-MA!
Rocio (you can hear her on the other end) Si, Carino (yes honey)
Dante: ma-MA!
Rocio: Si, carino.
D: Ma-MA!
R: Si, carino, que quieres (what do you want)
D: Ma-MA! (he then took the phone off his ear, brought it to the front of his face, and yelled MAMA into the receiver five or six more times until Carlos took it back)
After his dinner, Dante followed me to my room, where he grabbed his favorite thing: my house keys. He sat there playing with them for a while, until he suddenly looked at me and asked ...
Dante: Tienes hambre? Has comido? Quieres comer? (Are you hungry? did you eat? Want to eat?)
Me: No, he comido en la clase de cocina. He hecho la comida. (No, I ate in cooking class. I cooked the meal)
Dante: Has...has...has hecho la comida? (Did you, did you, did you make the food?)
Me: Si, he hecho la comida. (yes, I made the food)
Dante: Has hecho la comida? (you made the food?)
Me: Si, he hecho la comida. (yes, I made the food)
I love when Dante acts like the host of the household.
While in the kitchen, Dante took his empty cup and held it up to his mouth and shouted into it "MELISSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAA" and kept doing so until I responded with a deep "DANTEEEEE", to which he responded with a grin and a squealing giggle.
He had one of those party blowers that makes noise and unfurls a piece of paper, and he just honked and honked in the kitchen, scaring the crap out of Lola, who was frantically looking for an escape.
Once he was done with the party noisemaker, he told Lola he just wanted to give her a kiss. He got on his hands and knees and tried to catch Lola so he could kiss her. Traumatized by the previous noise, she was running in circles around him. Dante tried to crawl and catch up to her but was way too slow. He at one point grabbed her tail while she wailed in pain, but she wriggled free. The best part is that the kitchen is about 12 by 5 feet wide, so this was all happening in a fairly tiny space. He started getting upset, repeatedly saying "I JUST WANT TO KISS YOU, LOLA!" I was dying of laughter. Finally, Carlos yelled at Lola to sit. Lola, hesitant and fearful, stood still, then warily sat down. Dante leaped onto her, grabbing her body and kissing her side. Lola wriggled free once again, leaving Dante to fall over.
Finally, after playing (and by playing I mean "picking up various objects and moving them around the room) in my room, Carlos came in to tell him it was time for bed. I have never seen Dante get so upset to part with me! He started crying and saying how he didn't want to say "hasta manana" (until tomorrow) to me, and he wanted to keep playing.
Today was a good day.
I had my backpack on the floor in the corner of the family room the other day when Dante saw my cell phone sitting on top. He wobbled over to it and saw me watching him, then picked up the phone, rotated it 90 degrees, then set it back down again. I have noticed this is his behavior all the time with my phone: he either picks it up and rotates it, or he picks it up and moves it 3 inches then sets it down again. I have no clue why.
At lunch the other day...
Dante: Quiero agua. (I want water)
Rocio: Si. (she pours him water)
Dante: Quiero jamon (i want ham)
R: (passes him the ham)
D: Quiero mas comida. (I want more food)
R: (she puts more food on his plate)
D: Quiero...cerveza (I want beer)
R: No, no no no...es la cerveza de mama.(No, it's mom's beer)
D: quiero cerveza! (I want beer!)
R: Toma mas agua. (here, take some more water.)
After lunch the other day, Rocio was enjoying a cup of coffee. The sugar bowl was on the table, which Dante spotted and immediately he requested: "Quiero azucar!" Rocio laughed and made a face like "like hell you are eating a spoonful of raw sugar," as she moved the sugar bowl to the other side of the table. Rocio and I were chatting about something, and Dante was playing with his toy cars. He stared at us talking, then did a lap around the table and said "Mama aqui, y Melissa aqui (mom here, and Melissa here) pointing to our seats in which we sat, respectively. Rocio responded with a "si." Then, as she turned to continue our chat, Dante (who had planned this sneak attack all along) started going for the sugar bowl. Rocio spotted it and took the sugar as he was an inch away from obtaining it.
Dante was coloring on some paper with his markers when he picked up the yellow one, took the cap off, then held it with both hands, perfectly straight up in front of his face. He slowly approached Rocio, repeating "Look! Look!" She was like "Yes, I see, the pretty yellow!" Then he was about 5 inches from her face when she realized he was coming so close in order to draw on her face. She laughed and grabbed the marker, saying he couldn't draw on her like they do in school (they have had a body painting unit the past couple weeks). After he cried a bit and after she explained that she wasn't mad at him, she rolled up her sleeves and let him draw on her.
Dante: (eyes wide, with an inquiring face) Te pinto? (can I draw on you?)
Rocio: Si, carino. (Yes, honey.)
He then proceeded to take full advantage of the opportunity, going to town with the green marker all over her forearms.
When it was time for dinner the other day, I found Dante five inches away from the TV, pressing the eject button on the DVD player and watching the tray slide in and out, over and over again. I grabbed his hands to lead him to the dinner table, and he said "NO!" and slowly laid down on the floor with his knees bent. He then used his heels to push him backwards, sliding on the floor on his back.
During lunch today, Dante's food was hot and his dad instructed him to blow on it. He would do these short bursts of air, almost near hyperventilation, until it was cool enough to eat.
I found his little ball-popper toy in the hallway on the floor, so I picked it up. Dante was walking towards the dining room, so I took the popper and rolled it towards him, kind of chasing him. He kept looking behind himself at the toy, grinning at whatever game we were playing. I chased him around the 3 foot diameter coffee table about 20 times before I had to stop because I was getting really dizzy. He LOVED it.
After I came home from my cooking class, Dante was eating dinner in the kitchen: tiny noodle stars with butter or something. They were all over his face, some noodle stars even were under his eye, or near his temple. I love how he eats so haphazardly. Later, when he got up, there were some noodles stuck to his pants behind his right ankle.
Rocio, who was out for the night, called Carlos on his phone. Carlos handed it to Dante, who picked it up and had the following conversation:
Dante: Ma-MA!
Rocio (you can hear her on the other end) Si, Carino (yes honey)
Dante: ma-MA!
Rocio: Si, carino.
D: Ma-MA!
R: Si, carino, que quieres (what do you want)
D: Ma-MA! (he then took the phone off his ear, brought it to the front of his face, and yelled MAMA into the receiver five or six more times until Carlos took it back)
After his dinner, Dante followed me to my room, where he grabbed his favorite thing: my house keys. He sat there playing with them for a while, until he suddenly looked at me and asked ...
Dante: Tienes hambre? Has comido? Quieres comer? (Are you hungry? did you eat? Want to eat?)
Me: No, he comido en la clase de cocina. He hecho la comida. (No, I ate in cooking class. I cooked the meal)
Dante: Has...has...has hecho la comida? (Did you, did you, did you make the food?)
Me: Si, he hecho la comida. (yes, I made the food)
Dante: Has hecho la comida? (you made the food?)
Me: Si, he hecho la comida. (yes, I made the food)
I love when Dante acts like the host of the household.
While in the kitchen, Dante took his empty cup and held it up to his mouth and shouted into it "MELISSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAA" and kept doing so until I responded with a deep "DANTEEEEE", to which he responded with a grin and a squealing giggle.
He had one of those party blowers that makes noise and unfurls a piece of paper, and he just honked and honked in the kitchen, scaring the crap out of Lola, who was frantically looking for an escape.
Once he was done with the party noisemaker, he told Lola he just wanted to give her a kiss. He got on his hands and knees and tried to catch Lola so he could kiss her. Traumatized by the previous noise, she was running in circles around him. Dante tried to crawl and catch up to her but was way too slow. He at one point grabbed her tail while she wailed in pain, but she wriggled free. The best part is that the kitchen is about 12 by 5 feet wide, so this was all happening in a fairly tiny space. He started getting upset, repeatedly saying "I JUST WANT TO KISS YOU, LOLA!" I was dying of laughter. Finally, Carlos yelled at Lola to sit. Lola, hesitant and fearful, stood still, then warily sat down. Dante leaped onto her, grabbing her body and kissing her side. Lola wriggled free once again, leaving Dante to fall over.
Finally, after playing (and by playing I mean "picking up various objects and moving them around the room) in my room, Carlos came in to tell him it was time for bed. I have never seen Dante get so upset to part with me! He started crying and saying how he didn't want to say "hasta manana" (until tomorrow) to me, and he wanted to keep playing.
Today was a good day.
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