Weekend Off

It's so exciting when Pat has a home game because he always has off for the entire weekend after. Normally his home games are on Friday night at 9:00, so we go out to eat after and go out to the clubs after that. But the best part is Saturday and Sunday. This past weekend was fun. Pat played a great game Friday night, scoring 20 points, however, our team lost. It was a close game, we just couldn't pull it out. We are looking forward to the first win, but enjoying the great games he has been playing. 

Yesterday, we decided to go on a little trip to A Coruna. It is a city about 45 minutes north of Santiago, on the ocean. It was a beautiful day, and the views of the city were beautiful. We went to the famous lighthouse, which was huge, and was built on top of a very large hill, so from there, you could see so much of the city, and it also overlooked the ocean. It was awesome. We also walked around the city for a little while, they have a port with tons of boats, and lots of restaurants. We found this amazing little restaurant, and had a huge lunch at about 4:00. We had the best roasted red peppers, (besides of course my dads), and fish and shrimp, that both looked like it had come right out of the ocean, heads and tails and all

After cleaning them up, they were so delicious!

Today, we are just going to hang out, relax, and enjoys the day off, for the most part. Pat is going to go to the gym and lift for a little while, and Im going to make a french toast casserole, so we will see how that goes!

Hair!!

Well I have to say I am a very happy girl. One of the things that gives me the biggest problems when living overseas, is that Courtney is not here to do my hair! As a blonde, my hair needs upkeep. I like to get highlights, without the fear my hair will turn orange, or fall out.  And as some of you may know, last year, when i got my hair "trimmed" I came home crying with what looked like the beginnings of a mullet. Not kidding, I came home crying to Pat, who then was so scared, but trimmed my hair anyway. He did such a good job, he was the best! 

Anyway, now that I know a little bit more spanish, I had the courage to go to the hair salon and ask for a trim and some highlights. Well, although its not quite as good as when Courtney does it, I am very happy! So now I dont have to worry about hair anymore!

Aside from that, today was great. During spanish class, the teacher had us walk to the outdoor market, and ask questions to the workers about the produce, meat and fish. It was a really cool experience, the market was amazing. The people there, were generally all nice, and so happy to help. 

On a totally different subject, Pat has a game tonight. It is his first home game, and he's been even quieter than usual, so I know he is nervous. He will do great, I know it. The game is at 900 tonight, and then we will go out to eat after, and then go to the bars. Its gonna be a great night!

MVP

Wow what an exciting morning. First, Pat got home pretty early, about 12:30 which was so nice. I made a big brunch for us, broccoli, mushroom and onion strata, with potatoes, which he loved! Then we were surfing the internet a little, and found out that Pat had been awarded MVP of the first week for Leb Oro! How awesome, his first game! We know there are many good things to come this season, but what an honor the first week! We are headed off to the Cathedral for mass, so we are pretty excited to see the inside. We'll let you know how it is!

First Game

Well tonight was Pat's first game, away at the Canary Islands. He arrived yesterday evening to the island, after a very long day of travel. He left the house at 8:45am, and didnt get in until after 6pm. Unfortunately, they lost the game tonight. It was a close game, basically the whole game, we were actually winning by ten late in the 3rd. Pat had an amazing first showing, with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Its a pity they lost, but he did everything he could. 

He comes home tomorrow morning, which is pretty exciting cause we will have the whole day to spend together. Usually, whenever any teams fly to the Canaries, it's an entire day of travel; however, the team was lucky to have found a direct flight!

I'm so excited to have him back, cause I must say it has been very boring here without him. Yesterday I was at school, and went out for a drink after with a few friends, but since then, I've been on my own. Gets a little boring, but thankfully we have Slingbox, which is really a miracle!

Well hopefully next game will have a better ending, but I am so happy for Pat, he played so great!

Presentation Game

Well last night was a fun night! Pat and his team had the presentation game, which they won. There was a pretty good crowd, and Pat played really well! He had 16 or 18 points, and hit a big three at the end put put our team up, we wound up winning by three! The other team, Leon, was pretty good, so it was a great game.

After the game, the whole team went out to eat dinner together, and then we went to a lounge bar and then a club after. We wound up staying out a little later than we wanted, 4:30, but we were still two of the first few to leave. They stay out here so late until like 7 or 730. Its just crazy. So today we relaxed and enjoyed Pats day off. 

Pat starts up again tomorrow morning for his first practice, and then has another practice in the evening. I start up school tomorrow morning again, and let me just say that showering with freezing cold water is not fun! We told the management our hot water is messed up, so hopefully we will get that fixed soon. Until then, Pat and I will just freeze!

Amanda

Finally, a car!!

So we finally have a car. Its actually pretty big, and very nice. I dont think I will be driving it anytime soon though, cause parallel parking here is ridiculous! The spots are so small, its just crazy. Today went by so fast its just crazy. After class today, Pat met me in the city to have lunch. We found a really nice place, right in the center of the city, and had really good seafood, or actually shellfish. This region of Spain is well known for their seafood and shellfish, and this restaurant certainly did not disappoint. 

After lunch, we DROVE to the grocery store, which was so exciting. We could get whatever we wanted, because we could put them in the trunk and drive home. No walking! The grocery store was great, and we bought some really good wine and while making dinner, we drank the bottle. Pat has a game tomorrow, but he will be fine, it will have worn off by then, haha. 

Well nothing else too exciting today, Ill let you know how tomorrows presentation game goes!

Amanda

Patrick's Birthday!

Well today is Pat's 26th birthday. He is officially old. I thought 25 was old, but I changed my mind! Anyway, it was a nice day for Pat. He slept in, I went to school, and then we had lunch together. After lunch, we took a nap, and then he went to another scrimmage. So we really didnt get to spend much time together, but were making it up on Friday. He has off Friday, so we are going to meet in the city, at this really nice seafood place, have lunch and then hang out in the city. We are both really excited for that.

One thing that is really different in Spain, is that if it is your birthday, you have to bring things in. We were first clued into it last year. It was one of the spanish players birthdays, and he took the enitre team and spouses out to a really nice dinner. It was great, and he paid for it all. A little crazy, but that is what they do. So the team was asking Pat what he is doing, so now on Saturday, we are going to bring a bunch of stuff in. The team was asking if I am baking, well, I said its not my birthday, haha. Im actually baking cookies for Pat right now. I have to try and figure out what I want to bake for the team. I dont have any cake mix, so Im going to have to be creative.

Anyway, today was another day at school. At least it didnt rain. Yesterday, I was finished class, and was walking to the bus station, which is a 10 min walk, and it was down pouring. Even though I had an umbrella, i was soaked up to my knees, literally, and so hot from  trying to walk so fast. Then I got on the bus finally, after missing the first one (I saw it pulling away as i was running up the hill), and there were so many people on it, and the men smell so bad, and people are holding on to the rails, cause there were no seats left, and I had this mans armpit in my face. Needless to say, Im glad that day is over, haha.

On to better news, we looked at 2 more apartments yesterday and we really loved one of them.. It won't be done construction for 10 days, but Im pretty sure, this time, they said we could get it.  And we are supposed to get our car tomorrow, so we will see.

Well see ya soon

Amanda

First day of school

Well today was my first day of spanish class. Well I didn't exactly learn anything though. I had to initially take a placement test, which was written and oral, and then wait around for about an hour and a half for the tour of the school. The cool thing about taking classes at the University is you are allowed to use everything the school offers, so the gym, the pool, the internet and computers. They have a few cafes and a cafeteria right next to where my classes are. I met a few nice people, a few from the states, one from England and a few from Germany. Everyone was pretty nice. We were all placed in classes, and there are only 4 or 5 in my class which is so great. The less amount of people, the better, cause it is easier to learn, and its quicker to learn lessons. 

I woke up this morning, and Patrick, who is the sweetest husband ever, woke up with me and made me coffee. It was really nice cause he didn't have practice until 1130, and didn't have to get up. I think he was a bit nervous for me to take the bus by myself, but i made it just fine. I also found that where my bus stop is in the city, there are great clothing and shoe stores, so when I have time to kill, I will definitely be hanging out there!

Pat had a long practice this morning, and he has another practice now. The team added another scrimmage this week, so now he has a scrimmage Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The scrimmage on Saturday is the presentation to the fans. It should be fun, with a good attendance, we will see. 

Well we still don't have a car, internet, and haven't heard anything with a new apartment, so after 2 weeks being here, we are still in the exact same position we were in. The good thing is we have learned that nothing gets done like it does in the US, so we are not upset, just excited for all this stuff to get going. Well let you know when anything does happen...until then

Amanda

Well another day. Its an awesome day, cause its Sunday, and its Pats day off!! Days off are the best, but they don't come very often. This weekend went pretty well. Pat won the first game, but last night they lost to Breogan. Pat played against his old teammate from St. Joe's, Bill Phillips. It was so great to see him, its amazing how seeing a familiar face, can make you feel so much closer to home! Pat played really well last night, scoring 20 points. They lost by a good amount, the second quarter was pretty bad, but they came back within 9 points in the third, but could never pull it out. We play Breogan again in a few weeks, I'm so excited cause I will get to see Amber, Bills wife!

As for today, it went by really quick but we had a great day. We got to know the bus system here, which is so easy. WE took a bus to the University, where I will begin spanish classes tomorrow. I bought a bus pass, so I am all set for this week and school to start. I can officially navigate the city, without having to drive, because that is never good for anyone. I hopefully will not crash another car overseas!

Other than that, we just took it easy, watching some tv, and studying a little to try to remember some of the spanish we learned last year. It does come back pretty fast, but there is so much to learn.

well, until tomorrow

amanda

Another Day

Well its been a good last few days. Yesterday Pat and I finally got a bank account, so that means we are able to do so many more things. For one I was able to finally get a gym membership. It was nice, and I actually enjoyed working out, which is something that doesn't happen very often. Also, today, I was able to sign up for spanish classes at santiago university. I am excited to go, but school is every weekday for a little over 4 hours. It takes a lot of time up, which is good, and i can learn the language, another good thing. Also it will allow me to meet more people, and get out of the house. Hopefully I will meet a girl, my age, that likes to shop, without children. That would be my perfect scenario. 

Pat has been having long 2 a day practices. He leaves at 10:30 am, and doesn't get home until like 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon. Then he has another practice at 6:30, and doesn't get home until 9:30. We only live 3 minutes from the gym, so there is no travel time in there. He is really tired, and hungary a lot. I feel bad, but tomorrow he only has one practice. After practice tomorrow, our plan is to cab it to the city, look around, find my school, and then have a nice dinner. So Im very excited for tomorrow.

Other than that nothing too exciting here. Still no internet at home, so I've been coming to the cafe alot, and am currently overcaffeinated!

well until tomorrow

amanda