Philadelphia Freedom

Wow, what a trip. Christmas 2008 was one of the best I can remember. Pat and I were together, with all of our family at home in the states. It really doesn't get much better than that! It was a quick trip home, about 6 days, but well worth the trip. We really didn't have any down time, and it went by so quick, but we enjoyed every moment. One of the best things, is we are from the same town, so its so easy to spend time with both our families. 

On Christmas day, we first went to my parents and opened gifts and had breakfast. Then we went to mass,and after mass our nephew Matty was baptized.  It was really nice to be able to be there for it. Pat is the godfather, so it was extra special for him. Overall it was just so nice to be with family. Also it was great catching up with our friends...my girls night out was especially fun, and there are lots of pics to show it. Yeah for margaritas!

Sometime during the few days we were home Pat found out it was a good possibility we were leaving Santiago, and moving to Tenerife. I had mixed emotions, cause for the first time in 2 years, I was doing my own thing. But of course, the main reason we are in Spain is because of basketball, and the move was great for Pat. When we found out definitely we were leaving we were both really excited, and looking forward to another new adventure. We made great friends, there, and we will miss them a lot, especially Xavi and Jess, but well see them again. And i know I am gonna miss my biweekly trips to hang out with Amber in Lugo, but Im just gonna do that all summer long in Philly, in her new house with the big pool, haha. 

So on the 28th, we left Philly together and flew into madrid, and then we split up. Pat went directly to Tenerife, and I went to Santiago to pack up all our things. Jess came over and cooked dinner and helped pack, she is a lifesaver! The next day, Xavi picked me and all the luggage up, took me to their house to have lunch. After an amazing meal, I went to the airport and was off. A few delays later, one vomiting kid, and a baby screaming in my ear the entire flight, I made it to Tenerife late last night. It was a flight Id like to forget. Oh and the best part was attempting to park in our apartment garage last night. There is a lift for the cars, like an elevator that takes you down the levels to park. Well it took us to the wring level, and wouldn't let us out. So we were stuck in the garage, and had to park in someone's spot, but luckily a teammate this morning helped him get out. Never will I ever park in the garage. It is the smallest thing I've ever seen...I would kill our car for sure!

When I arrived to Tenerife Pat was waiting for me, it was so good to see him. It had only been a day, but i already missed him so much. Anyway Tenerife is absolutely beautiful, we woke up to sun for the first time in a while. Our apartment is very small, but we love it!! Def and upgrade. He likes the team, and the club, it seems great. When Pat arrived, they had him go directly to the doctors, had a full exam and blood work, so his health is good, I love when he gets all checked up!! 

Other than unpacking, this morning has been very lazy for me. Pat only has one practice today, and has off tomorrow, so it will be a nice few days!

We miss you all already, and cant wait to see everyone soon!

No Internet

Well this has to be quick, cause my computer is about to die. I am at an internet cafe right now, because we don't have internet in our house. Of course this happens to be when Pat leaves for an away game, so I am at home bored out of my mind. Anyway I will write more later and fill you all out on the fun details of the week, like no internet, our coach being fired, and more fun things like that. What a week its been. We miss everyone so much, and cant wait to see you all in like 4 days. Okay i am going home now to recharge my computer. This sucks!

Amanda

BOWLING

Well this weekend was pretty fun, minus the loss on friday. Pat didn't get home until 6 in the morning on saturday, so we both slept in pretty late. The best part of his late arrival was that at 6 am, he comes in the house ( I heard him come in the house, but I really wasn't awake).  So the next thing I know, he is in the bed with buffalo pretzels, that my mom had just sent us, with a beer, watching tv. I didn't know whether to laugh or be mad, cause it was funny, but i was sleeping so whatever. Anyway we both got to bed soon after and the next morning, I was just laughing about it, who does that at 630 in the morning?

So Saturday night we had plans with a few guys on the team to go bowling. There were 6 of us, and we decided to do Americans vs. Europeans, and of course it was no contest. We crushed them,  there was never any hope for them! Anyway it was a fun night. What is hilarious about it is that we didnt go bowling until after midnight, and by the time we got home it was almost 3. Im still not totally used to doing everything so late here, I mean I like it, but its still really weird. Anyway after bowling the guys went out to the bars in the city, but Pat and I went home. 

Sunday was nice we met up with 2 guys from the team, Xavi, one of the players, who Pat is very good friends with, and one of the managers. The manager basically gave us a tour of Santiago, and although we had gone around plenty of times before, he told us about all the history and some of the tales, which was pretty cool. My favorite part was he took us to this coffee shop, that is a starbucks kind of place, with big togo coffee cups. I was never so excited. It isn't very common to get coffee to go, but now I know where to find it! 

Anyway that was our night, oh and for the hundredth time last night, Pat and I made this new dessert, nutella cheesecake. It is his absolute favorite, and so now we always have it in the house. Which isn't so good for me, cause I am always eating it too! Oh well. 

Well I think that is all for now. I have off of school today because here in Spain, the Immaculate Conception is a national holiday!! Woo hoo  Virgin Mary, thank you! 

Oh and by the way, a typical night in the picture above... never leave home without an umbrella, its always necessary!!

Another Friday Night...but not alone

Well tonight, was another loss. Okay I said it, so now its done. Pat played really well though, scoring 20 points. Not sure what is going on, cause he is the leading scorer on the team, but his coach is not starting him. Boy would I like to give that man a piece of my mind, but I'll stay cool, for the sake of Pat. 

On a better note, I went grocery shopping today and stocked up on some wine, so I was all ready for my Friday night alone. As some of you may know, when Pat leaves, I have been hanging out at home, drinking wine, which helps pass the time much easier, and quicker. And I was already to continue that streak. However, I met up with Irene, a girlfriend of one of Pat's teammates. She's my age, and she is really cool, we get along great. So I went out to get a bit to eat and drink with her, and we had a great time. She also helps me practice my spanish, so that can never be bad...cause I need all the help I can get. But speaking of my spanish, I managed to find the post office today, and send a package and spoke all in spanish, and everybody understood what I was saying, small miracle. i felt the the king, or queen, of the world.

As far as school is going, I've been having a good time, but I am really excited that I dont have school monday. It is a holiday monday, actually as well as sat, so everything is totally closed for 3 days. Kind of sucks, but I like the idea that the people here dont live to work, rather work to live. They really enjoy their free time, and spend more time with their family and friends! I love it! I wish the states could adopt the siesta, because spending time in the middle of the day at home along with a quick nap in the afternoon is just what the doctor ordered. 

And the countdown continues...16 days until we get home. 

The little things

So its been, well awhile.  Sometimes it is just so hard to write, when we keep losing. Its pretty depressing, but now I am over it, so I can continue. This past week, surprise, we lost again. It was so painful to watch, because at half time we were up by 11, but when the 2nd half came, and the genius coach decided to switch things up and not start or play Pat. So we lost by about 10...smart move. So that was not so fun, but afterward, we went out to dinner with a few of the players, and had a great dinner. So the night was fine. 

Over the weekend, Pat and I caught up on some much needed sleep. Poor Pat still wakes up every morning to take me to school, and then comes back home for about an hour until he goes to practice. Actually now that I am writing this, I realize that he actually probably loves taking me because he has an hour at home all by himself! He doesn't have to hear me, or do anything I ask or anything... just relax. Wow, now I shouldn't feel so bad for him waking up early. 

So as all my family members know, and many of my friends, there really isn't much else I hate more than being cold, and it doesn't take much to get me cold, other than being cold and wet. So when I say I think God is playing a little joke on me by moving me to Santiago, Spain, I am so not kidding. I don't remember a day in the past 2 months, that I have woken up to sun. It is never ending rain here, and I hate ever part of it. When I do take the bus, walking to and from school, in the pouring rain is not fun. But a quickshout out to my mom, who just went me wellies (cute rainboots), it wont be as awful walking around in the rain, thanks mom you are the best!  Also it is so cold and humid, that even when the rain gives up for an hour, you feel wet and freezing. Needless to say I'd take the weather in Sevilla and Alicante any day over this mess. 

However, as I was thinking about my life this year as compared to last, I realized how happy I am now, compared to how lost and unhappy I was last year (even with the weather). It was such a long and difficult transition, first from moving away from home for the first time, to moving to a new city mid season. What a year, but I got through it because of Pat, after all he is the best husband. However, I think this year both of us are happier because I actually have a life of my own. My entire day does not depend and revolve around him, like last year, so its definitely better now. 

Speaking of better now, as I continue teaching english classes, to the 2 cutest 12 and 13 year old brother and sister, I know that although I do not miss the emergency room at abington, I do miss working, and having a purpose when I wake up. I think work is really important for me, and my mental health. Also it is beneficial for my pocket! I haven't been paid for work in almost a year and a half, and even though it will not get the bills paid, when I did get paid, I was so excited! Needless to say, when Pat leaves tomorrow for his road trip, I will be going shopping, and spending every cent I made, haha. 

Oh and last thing, last week was thanksgiving, and even though they don't celebrate it over here, we were thinking about everyone, and wishing we could have spent the holiday with you. We are so thankful to have the best family and friends anyone could ask for, and we can't wait to see you in 3 weeks during Christmas. Oh and I just wanted to say that I did not cook, rather I turned the oven on, and popped a pizza in and that was our thanksgiving meal, I rationalized it by telling myself and Pat how many calories we saved, hahaha, and then realizing that Pat needs those extra calories, so maybe next time.

Well this week has been about the same, school, teaching and intercambio for me, and practice, practice, practice for him. Hopefully I will be able to write after Friday and say we won, I think we will win, as long as this coach plays Pat.

oh and a side note, my husband, is seriously the cutest man ever. Last night, just as we were getting ready for bed Pat starting humming our favorite song, the song our videographer put a video together with, and he turns to me and said, lets put on our wedding video. I was like, what? who are you? it was so cute...i guess its just the little things