It is now 5 AM and I still haven't slept. Yesterday I received an email from a girl who wanted to rent my room for a month. It has been impossible to find someone willing to rent for only one month. So I gave up on this idea a long time ago and didn't really care. It meant not needing to clean my nasty room and pack things up so it's livable for someone else. But then this girl emailed me and she's really interested. So instead of just packing tonight, I had to clean and organize everything (I am a mess!). But it's all good b/c now I will just stay up and easily pass out on the plane. This is my anti-jetlag strategy.
So I'm just sitting here waiting, slowly getting very tired, and thinking about this upcoming trip. I have to be honest and say I have been a bit anxious about this trip. Not only because of the whole visa thing, but just in general. If you had asked me three months ago if I wanted to go home, I would've said yes in a heartbeat. But then things changed. I slowly started meeting new people, making friends, I was hanging out more, and just having a lot of fun! I didn't want to slow my momentum down. It's not that I don't want to see people at home, I'm just going home at a bad time.
I think I also just don't know what to expect when I arrive home. Will I seem different, like bad retarded different? Will I have enough money? Will I have enough time to spend good quality time with everyone? Will everyone/everything at home be weird for me? And the big one, will I have so much fun and realize I need to stay in Chicago and not return to Madrid? I knew I was a bit stressed out about it because for a few days last week, I was having some strange ass vivid bad dreams, a rare occurrence for me. It ranged from not having a valid passport to people being angry at me for not hanging out with them.
I was also sad because I was slowly saying goodbye to people. Most of them I will see again, but you know me and goodbyes. But I was definitely sad to say goodbye to Andrew. He's not coming back to Madrid so I will not see him when I return. Madrid without Andrew will just not be the same. This kid and I have been together pretty much since we set foot in this city. He was my soundboard, my restaurant partner, my co-dancer, my friend. Oh Andrew! How I will miss him...
But on a happier note, now that I'm hours away from home, I'm definitely getting more excited. I CANNOT wait to see everyone. I CANNOT wait to be able to hold my nephew for the first time. I CANNOT wait to hug my nieces. I CANNOT wait to catch up with my older siblings who were not able to visit me. I CANNOT wait to play tour guide and show beautiful Chicago to Juan and Begoña (they are moving to Chicago to teach Spanish). I CANNOT wait to hang out with my friends and enjoy a good 'ol BBQ. I CANNOT wait to see my bright orange room and sleep on my comfy big bed. I CANNOT wait to walk in my house, see my entire family, eat Portillo's (as I've requested, and lately have been pronouncing it /Por-ti-yos/). It's going to be wonderful!
So I guess I'll have to sit here in my very clean room for the next 2 hours until I have to leave for the airport. I guess it's about time I take a shower and get my flight info and stuff...that would probably good.
Well, that's about it from me. I should go move around before I fall asleep in my nicely made up bed. See you all soon!!! Hasta pronto!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'll have the guillotine, extra blood, no garotte
I was watching a super sad (so sad that I couldn't stop crying) movie the other day about the last anti-Franco man to be executed. His name was Salvador and he was this idealistic kid who just wanted to help Spain and end the dictator's rule. So he got involved in a small rebellion group of young guys. Unfortunately, the police was able to track him down and he fatally shot a cop in the process of his capture. In the end, the court decided to sentence him to death by garrote. It was terrible! For those of you who don't know what a garrote is, it's this iron metal collar they put around the person's neck. Then they turn this thing so the collar gets tighter and tighter. It's an execution device that originated in Spain and was very well used in the Spanish colonies. It's sick! It just made me think I would take the guillotine any day before the garrote!
Speaking of torture, teaching my morning class is one big torture. I have two teenage students in it and I want to punch the 14 year old boy's face every time. He is a terrible, awkward, pubescent brat!!! He doesn't listen, blatantly shows you that he is bored/not interested, and just has no manners. I'm pretty sure he talks about me in Spanish to the other student during class. I may not understand him completely but I've lived here long enough to know when someone is talking about me. The other day was just the tip of the iceberg (is that how the expression goes?). He told me I speak bad English!!! I was like, "WTF???" Just because I can distinguish the words bad and bed doesn't mean I speak bad English. I'm sorry that I don't say the English long a and e the same way as the Spanish e. I'm sorry that I don't say, badth or bedth. I'm sorry that you failed English in school and your rich parents made you take English classes. Uggh!! I was so angry!!! This is coming from a kid who is also in summer school because he failed Castellano. He can't even get his own language down and he has the audacity to tell me I speak badly?! And to think I have two more days with this pain in the ass. I would rather teach my 4 hour guy than sit with this brat for one hour. Once again, another teenager to reinforce my hatred.
On a better note, I almost had a brush with Aladdin...hahahaha...not really. I teach across the Hotel Intercontinental and the other day, I noticed lines of Mercedes Benz parked on the street as I passed it. There were also a ton of cops in the area. I knew it had to be someone important. There are usually important people there, but I've never seen it to this extent. My student told me that apparently some prince from Saudi Arabia was staying there. In the morning, all her colleagues that drive to work and pay a monthly fee to park in the hotel were refused parking. They were told that the entire parking lot was reserved only for the prince and his posse, and the Benzes outside the hotel were part of the Royal Protocol (as it said on the sticker on their windshields). Also in the morning, before the prince arrived, my student had a meeting/conference with Spain's Industrial Minister. She walked into the hotel and noticed she was walking on red carpet...covered in plastic (ha!). Not even the Minister could walk on the red carpet. It was ridiculous! Those Arabian princes are seriously loaded! Where does our gas money go? To men who can easily demand that a hotel be emptied out and have his people only drive Benzes, then leave the working class people parkless and angry.
I wonder what Salvador would do???
Speaking of torture, teaching my morning class is one big torture. I have two teenage students in it and I want to punch the 14 year old boy's face every time. He is a terrible, awkward, pubescent brat!!! He doesn't listen, blatantly shows you that he is bored/not interested, and just has no manners. I'm pretty sure he talks about me in Spanish to the other student during class. I may not understand him completely but I've lived here long enough to know when someone is talking about me. The other day was just the tip of the iceberg (is that how the expression goes?). He told me I speak bad English!!! I was like, "WTF???" Just because I can distinguish the words bad and bed doesn't mean I speak bad English. I'm sorry that I don't say the English long a and e the same way as the Spanish e. I'm sorry that I don't say, badth or bedth. I'm sorry that you failed English in school and your rich parents made you take English classes. Uggh!! I was so angry!!! This is coming from a kid who is also in summer school because he failed Castellano. He can't even get his own language down and he has the audacity to tell me I speak badly?! And to think I have two more days with this pain in the ass. I would rather teach my 4 hour guy than sit with this brat for one hour. Once again, another teenager to reinforce my hatred.
On a better note, I almost had a brush with Aladdin...hahahaha...not really. I teach across the Hotel Intercontinental and the other day, I noticed lines of Mercedes Benz parked on the street as I passed it. There were also a ton of cops in the area. I knew it had to be someone important. There are usually important people there, but I've never seen it to this extent. My student told me that apparently some prince from Saudi Arabia was staying there. In the morning, all her colleagues that drive to work and pay a monthly fee to park in the hotel were refused parking. They were told that the entire parking lot was reserved only for the prince and his posse, and the Benzes outside the hotel were part of the Royal Protocol (as it said on the sticker on their windshields). Also in the morning, before the prince arrived, my student had a meeting/conference with Spain's Industrial Minister. She walked into the hotel and noticed she was walking on red carpet...covered in plastic (ha!). Not even the Minister could walk on the red carpet. It was ridiculous! Those Arabian princes are seriously loaded! Where does our gas money go? To men who can easily demand that a hotel be emptied out and have his people only drive Benzes, then leave the working class people parkless and angry.
I wonder what Salvador would do???
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Please help
So my good friend, Kevin, is in the Dominican Republic right now as a Peace Corp volunteer (see Kevin's blog under my links). He's been there for almost a year now but hasn't been able to start his project due to a lack of funding. He's been basically getting the run around from various foundations...boo. Thus, Kevin has to raise part of the funding on his own and find family and friends to donate.
Basically the project is to build a better, more efficient water system in a village in the DR. As you all know, clean water is very necessary to have a better, healthy life that's free of diseases. But it's not only to have clean water, but also so that people won't have to walk for miles just to get water. I mean, kids have to haul all that water back and forth when they could be doing something better - study, play, things kids should be doing. I would talk about it more but I think you get the idea. And I'm probably not the best at explaining these things. So again, read his blog to get a clearer picture of the actual project. The great thing about this is that the project is so specific that you will actually see the result; so you get to see exactly where your money goes.
So please help...even the smallest amount will do. Once the project gets underway, Kevin will have updates and pictures on his blog (again see my links) so you can track the progress. If you would like to donate, please click on the link below:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-263
Muchas gracias por tu ayuda!!!
Basically the project is to build a better, more efficient water system in a village in the DR. As you all know, clean water is very necessary to have a better, healthy life that's free of diseases. But it's not only to have clean water, but also so that people won't have to walk for miles just to get water. I mean, kids have to haul all that water back and forth when they could be doing something better - study, play, things kids should be doing. I would talk about it more but I think you get the idea. And I'm probably not the best at explaining these things. So again, read his blog to get a clearer picture of the actual project. The great thing about this is that the project is so specific that you will actually see the result; so you get to see exactly where your money goes.
So please help...even the smallest amount will do. Once the project gets underway, Kevin will have updates and pictures on his blog (again see my links) so you can track the progress. If you would like to donate, please click on the link below:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-263
Muchas gracias por tu ayuda!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Shakira's hips??? Yeah, they definitely don't lie
I'm a convert. The Spaniards have officially converted me to a Shakira fan. This will probably come as a shock to most of you, but I seriously like her now. The music festival, Rock in Rio, has made its way to Madrid this year. My friends had been wanting to go and had tried to persuade me to go, but I just couldn't justify paying the price for the ticket. It cost 69 Euros a day and I just didn't think it was worth paying that much for people I didn't really know. I've paid more than that for music festivals, but those festivals were for three days, with a ton of bands, and a ton of musicians I actually like.
The lineup consisted of Orishas, Stereophonics, Amy Winehouse, Jamiroquai, and Shakira. I have no idea who Stereophonics is. I only know one Orisha song from the awesome - yes, awesome - Dirty Dancing Havana Nights movie. I didn't even know Jamiroquai still existed. Amy Winehouse would probably be too drunk/high to perform. And Shakira?? I don't really care much for her. The Spaniards love her and yes I've heard some of her music in discotecas that I actually enjoy. Other than that, I will always associate her with that Forever and Ever song...I think that's what it's called. I hated that song and that music video. Even though I don't know any of her music before that song, I knew she used to be some rock singer in Colombia and I just thought she was just some sell-out with a half top, shaking her ass.
So, I resisted and didn't get a ticket. But by this week, it seemed like everyone I know was going to this thing. I started to change my mind but in true Fran fashion, I didn't exactly decide until the day of. In the end, I didn't want to spend Friday night just sitting alone in the house, stuffing my already fat face (because that's what I do when I'm alone and bored). Plus, when was the last time I went to a concert?? And I haven't been to one show here in Spain.
And so I went and I'm glad I did...for the most part. The concert venue was in some bufu location east of the city. The concert provided free coach buses to transport people from Bernabeu Stadium to Arganda del Rey, the venue. About ten of us met up at 5:30. So we got in the super long line for the bus armed with cervezas and sangrias. By the time we actually got to the concert, it was already around 8. We got in at the perfect time...Orisha just started playing Represent Cuba, the one song I know! I loved it! Then we saw Amy Winehouse, who was as usual drunk. But I thought she was awesome. She was still able to sing pretty well, although she kept chugging - not sipping - wine and readjusting her boobs. It was quite entertaining. And her backup singers were hot!!! I really enjoyed her songs. I just like how her songs are bluesy and jazzy. She even had some reggae in there and at one point one sounded like hawaiian. I wanted to start hula dancing. She would have such a good future if she isn't so messed up. That girl's got talent!
As for Shakira, I judge too quickly. That woman actually has great songs. And that forever and ever song is way better in Spanish! I thoroughly enjoyed her performance. She has this wonderful stage presence and she just gets you so into it. I never thought she was that pretty, but my god she is beautiful and has a rockin' body. At one point I turned to Andrew and said, "That woman could make me a lesbian" and Andrew says, "Me too". HAHAHAHAHA. The guys had an argument whether she was an 8 or 9 or a 10...apparently this rating system by men for women is universal. I personally think she's a 9...no one could ever be a 10! I'm still wondering how she manages to sing while shaking her hips so fast. I of course tried it and it was difficult. I'm definitely taking belly dancing classes.
So that was my first concert experience in Madrid. It was great! I only have two complaints: the sets were way too short (an hour and a half for each band), and coming home was a bitch! Shakira finished at about 2 AM, but the festival wasn't closing until 6 AM. But it was all electronic music after that and there's no way I could listen to that crap for that long. So half of us decided to leave at 3 and pay for a taxi home (Metro doesn't open until 6). However, we had to wait in line for about an hour to get on a bus. By the time we got back to Bernabeu, it was impossible to find a free taxi. We had no idea how to get home! Bernabeu is so far north that there's really no easy way to take a night bus to our homes. So we started walking. Slowly we parted our ways as each person passed their neighborhood. In the end, I was walking alone since I lived farthest south. By the time I was halfway home, the Metro finally opened and I hopped on. I was soo annoyed. My roommates who left after me got home before me! Go figure!!
By the way this is totally off topic, but is anyone watching the Wimbledon match between the Williams sisters. My god, their mom has some huge knockers!!! Also, is that a birth control patch on Serena's back??? It can't be a nicotene patch. You know she don't smoke. If it is a bc patch, then that's just tacky. Way to be safe, but tacky.
I gotta get back to sleep...
The lineup consisted of Orishas, Stereophonics, Amy Winehouse, Jamiroquai, and Shakira. I have no idea who Stereophonics is. I only know one Orisha song from the awesome - yes, awesome - Dirty Dancing Havana Nights movie. I didn't even know Jamiroquai still existed. Amy Winehouse would probably be too drunk/high to perform. And Shakira?? I don't really care much for her. The Spaniards love her and yes I've heard some of her music in discotecas that I actually enjoy. Other than that, I will always associate her with that Forever and Ever song...I think that's what it's called. I hated that song and that music video. Even though I don't know any of her music before that song, I knew she used to be some rock singer in Colombia and I just thought she was just some sell-out with a half top, shaking her ass.
So, I resisted and didn't get a ticket. But by this week, it seemed like everyone I know was going to this thing. I started to change my mind but in true Fran fashion, I didn't exactly decide until the day of. In the end, I didn't want to spend Friday night just sitting alone in the house, stuffing my already fat face (because that's what I do when I'm alone and bored). Plus, when was the last time I went to a concert?? And I haven't been to one show here in Spain.
And so I went and I'm glad I did...for the most part. The concert venue was in some bufu location east of the city. The concert provided free coach buses to transport people from Bernabeu Stadium to Arganda del Rey, the venue. About ten of us met up at 5:30. So we got in the super long line for the bus armed with cervezas and sangrias. By the time we actually got to the concert, it was already around 8. We got in at the perfect time...Orisha just started playing Represent Cuba, the one song I know! I loved it! Then we saw Amy Winehouse, who was as usual drunk. But I thought she was awesome. She was still able to sing pretty well, although she kept chugging - not sipping - wine and readjusting her boobs. It was quite entertaining. And her backup singers were hot!!! I really enjoyed her songs. I just like how her songs are bluesy and jazzy. She even had some reggae in there and at one point one sounded like hawaiian. I wanted to start hula dancing. She would have such a good future if she isn't so messed up. That girl's got talent!
As for Shakira, I judge too quickly. That woman actually has great songs. And that forever and ever song is way better in Spanish! I thoroughly enjoyed her performance. She has this wonderful stage presence and she just gets you so into it. I never thought she was that pretty, but my god she is beautiful and has a rockin' body. At one point I turned to Andrew and said, "That woman could make me a lesbian" and Andrew says, "Me too". HAHAHAHAHA. The guys had an argument whether she was an 8 or 9 or a 10...apparently this rating system by men for women is universal. I personally think she's a 9...no one could ever be a 10! I'm still wondering how she manages to sing while shaking her hips so fast. I of course tried it and it was difficult. I'm definitely taking belly dancing classes.
So that was my first concert experience in Madrid. It was great! I only have two complaints: the sets were way too short (an hour and a half for each band), and coming home was a bitch! Shakira finished at about 2 AM, but the festival wasn't closing until 6 AM. But it was all electronic music after that and there's no way I could listen to that crap for that long. So half of us decided to leave at 3 and pay for a taxi home (Metro doesn't open until 6). However, we had to wait in line for about an hour to get on a bus. By the time we got back to Bernabeu, it was impossible to find a free taxi. We had no idea how to get home! Bernabeu is so far north that there's really no easy way to take a night bus to our homes. So we started walking. Slowly we parted our ways as each person passed their neighborhood. In the end, I was walking alone since I lived farthest south. By the time I was halfway home, the Metro finally opened and I hopped on. I was soo annoyed. My roommates who left after me got home before me! Go figure!!
By the way this is totally off topic, but is anyone watching the Wimbledon match between the Williams sisters. My god, their mom has some huge knockers!!! Also, is that a birth control patch on Serena's back??? It can't be a nicotene patch. You know she don't smoke. If it is a bc patch, then that's just tacky. Way to be safe, but tacky.
I gotta get back to sleep...
Thursday, July 3, 2008
More Eurocopa...I promise this is the last one...I think...
I have recently regressed back to my teenage years. It's like when I was twelve and I would buy all the Bop magazines (I think that's what it was called) that had pictures of Elijah Wood.
Well, I've been buying a lot of newspapers. Spain has two newspapers solely dedicated to sports, Marca and AS. I've accumulated some the past few days. I love the pictures in them. Today, the pictures were of the team visiting the King and the President and they were all wearing suits! HOT! But for me, they're more of souvenirs. I want to be able to have these things to remind me of the year Spain won Eurocopa and I was there...woot woot!
Also, I'm not sure how much coverage this is getting in the U.S. I'm assuming not much other than the matches themselves. Well, here are some videos from a TV network here that you might want to see. Ladies, I highly suggest you watch the first one! You won't be disappointed, I promise! Disfruta:
ummm...this one leaves me speechless:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_2821
(I know...a bit homoerotic, but sooo awesome!)
The teams goes nuts on stage:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_3006
(Amanda, I totally wish I got one of those chupa chup things for you)
Reina's tribute to the team:
http://www.cuatro.com/videos/index.html?xref=20080701ctoultpro_1.Ves&view=ver
Men in suits:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_2998
The Spanish National Anthem:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RIIjYOwHxyc
Well, I've been buying a lot of newspapers. Spain has two newspapers solely dedicated to sports, Marca and AS. I've accumulated some the past few days. I love the pictures in them. Today, the pictures were of the team visiting the King and the President and they were all wearing suits! HOT! But for me, they're more of souvenirs. I want to be able to have these things to remind me of the year Spain won Eurocopa and I was there...woot woot!
Also, I'm not sure how much coverage this is getting in the U.S. I'm assuming not much other than the matches themselves. Well, here are some videos from a TV network here that you might want to see. Ladies, I highly suggest you watch the first one! You won't be disappointed, I promise! Disfruta:
ummm...this one leaves me speechless:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_2821
(I know...a bit homoerotic, but sooo awesome!)
The teams goes nuts on stage:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_3006
(Amanda, I totally wish I got one of those chupa chup things for you)
Reina's tribute to the team:
http://www.cuatro.com/videos/index.html?xref=20080701ctoultpro_1.Ves&view=ver
Men in suits:
http://www.cuatro.com/eurocopa/video_detalle.html?id=EUPA_2998
The Spanish National Anthem:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RIIjYOwHxyc
Eurocopa Celebration Videos
My roommates and a friend and I went to the championship celebration in Plaza de Colon on Monday, a day after Spain won the Eurocopa 2008. I was totally dreading it at first. Just imagine a million people gathering in this tiny little plaza in the Madrid heat. Every Eurocup or World Cup tournament, they apparently set up huge screens in Plaza Colon where people can watch the matches. As fun as it sounded, I've also been avoiding going there. The thought of being surrounded by sweaty, smelly people (including me) was just not appealing.
But I just couldn't pass up celebrating with the entire city...plus the whole team would be there. I'm glad I went! It was one of the funnest events I've ever been to. The team was driven on an open bus from the airport to the plaza. It was impossible to get a good spot close to the stage by the time we got there, so we settled in front of one of the big screens but next to the barricade where the bus would drive by. I unfortunately did not get to see the players very well. They were going too fast (at least for me they were), and the guy in front of me was holding up a flag (jerk!). But I still got a glimpse of them so that's enough.
The whole thing pretty much consisted of the team dancing around and giving speeches. I'm pretty sure half of them were drunk which made it more entertaining. They threw Aragones up in the air again which always makes me nervous...the man is old, people! The back up goalie, Pepe Reina, one of the drunks and who they kept referring to as the team's showman, did this whole speech where he said something about each player. It was hilarious and sweet at the same time. I didn't know half of what he was saying but I couldn't stop laughing...and I definitely had a tear in my eye at the end. God, I'm so dramatic!
I took lots of videos again! Check them out...
If you prefer to see these videos bigger, they are also on googlevideo (see links below). For some reason, they're not as clear on google, but just in case.
Yo soy Español...ok I'm not, but for now I am.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4188368391464869887&hl=en
Esperando...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=147521717389656218&hl=en
Here they come...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4756282210200505502&hl=en
A por ellos, oé!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6674971553665026507&hl=en
My boyfriend and grandpa...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8075206377689890516&hl=en
My new crush...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3294863270854685738&hl=en
Que Viva España!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6734969915986103990&hl=en
But I just couldn't pass up celebrating with the entire city...plus the whole team would be there. I'm glad I went! It was one of the funnest events I've ever been to. The team was driven on an open bus from the airport to the plaza. It was impossible to get a good spot close to the stage by the time we got there, so we settled in front of one of the big screens but next to the barricade where the bus would drive by. I unfortunately did not get to see the players very well. They were going too fast (at least for me they were), and the guy in front of me was holding up a flag (jerk!). But I still got a glimpse of them so that's enough.
The whole thing pretty much consisted of the team dancing around and giving speeches. I'm pretty sure half of them were drunk which made it more entertaining. They threw Aragones up in the air again which always makes me nervous...the man is old, people! The back up goalie, Pepe Reina, one of the drunks and who they kept referring to as the team's showman, did this whole speech where he said something about each player. It was hilarious and sweet at the same time. I didn't know half of what he was saying but I couldn't stop laughing...and I definitely had a tear in my eye at the end. God, I'm so dramatic!
I took lots of videos again! Check them out...
If you prefer to see these videos bigger, they are also on googlevideo (see links below). For some reason, they're not as clear on google, but just in case.
Yo soy Español...ok I'm not, but for now I am.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4188368391464869887&hl=en
Esperando...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=147521717389656218&hl=en
Here they come...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4756282210200505502&hl=en
A por ellos, oé!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6674971553665026507&hl=en
My boyfriend and grandpa...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8075206377689890516&hl=en
My new crush...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3294863270854685738&hl=en
Que Viva España!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6734969915986103990&hl=en
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
El dia 29, España Campeon
Campeones, ole!
Yo soy Español, Español, Español!
A por ellos, oé!
Podemos, podemos, podemos, si! España!
Oh I will so miss singing/shouting/humming these cheers. Eurocopa 2008 is sadly over and we won!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! España is the champion!!!
Here are some observations/highlights:
On a sad note, my camera has been acting weird lately; It refuses to take pictures in the dark, so I turned to taking videos of us celebrating after the win. But more bad news: my camera was on some weird setting that it took the videos in some super fast forward mode. I really wanted to capture the moment after we officially won. I wanted all of you to hear the screams, the cheers, the celebration. But alas, there is no audio in this super fast forward mode. So, I've created a video slideshow of the tournament and added in pictures and music (so make sure you have the volume up)...this is what happens when you are semi-employed. I hope that it's enough to show how ridiculously excited and happy we are. Just to recap the super fast video, this is what happens: we scream, we jump, we call people, we drink more, we watch the team celebrate on TV, we have a dance party, we go out, people are partying on the streets, we go to a bar, we drink some more, we dance some more, we leave the bar, and then a man tries to jump from a building. The end!
And now it's all over! No more futbol until September. What will I do until then???
Well, I can't wait until Copa de Mundial 2010 in South Africa. I'm totally going with my España jersey on!
Que viva España!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2327607636863826605&hl=en
Yo soy Español, Español, Español!
A por ellos, oé!
Podemos, podemos, podemos, si! España!
Oh I will so miss singing/shouting/humming these cheers. Eurocopa 2008 is sadly over and we won!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! España is the champion!!!
Here are some observations/highlights:
- When an important match is on, the city/country is on standby. Everywhere is silent except when a loud "goooool" erupts from inside the buildings.
- I love the Spanish National Anthem. It doesn't have any lyrics and it's beautiful. People sing to it with la la las and I can honestly say I know- and can sing - the anthem by heart.
- Futbol really does bring people together!
- About three minutes before the match was to end, the commentators started praying the Our Father. Hilarious!
- Spain has not won a Eurocup since 1964.
- Fiesta! Fiesta! People are dancing, singing, screaming, drinking, partying everywhere after the Finals. I was more than happy to join in the fun.
- We beat Italy!!! Ahhh! I still can't get over that match. It was the best! I will never forget it!
- Even though all of Madrid had a huge hangover on Monday, 1 million people still managed to celebrate with the team in Plaza de Colon.
- I finally got to wear my cheap fake España jersey. I'm superstitious and didn't want to wear one until they won the whole thing...they kept winning without me wearing one!
- And now, for my own personal MVPs:
- San Iker Casillas: yes, he is a saint...and the team captain! We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for his amazing saves during the penalty shoot out with Italy.
- David Silva: He's just so freaking cute!!! Ok, but seriously this guy played his ass out. He might be little but he's good and so humble and modest. I have a total crush on him! And the kid's half Asian...what?!! I am totally going to see him the next time Valencia plays here.
- The defenders: Marchena, Puyol, Ramos, Capdevilla. They barely let anyone get through them. Also, they have rockin' bodies.
- Marcus Senna: the other quiet one, but played amazingly throughout the tournament.
- Luis Aragones: el abuelo (the grandfather). Although he got a lot of crap for not putting the legendary veteran, Raul, on the team, we owe him an apology and many many thanks for selecting the best team ever. I really want him to be my grandpa!
On a sad note, my camera has been acting weird lately; It refuses to take pictures in the dark, so I turned to taking videos of us celebrating after the win. But more bad news: my camera was on some weird setting that it took the videos in some super fast forward mode. I really wanted to capture the moment after we officially won. I wanted all of you to hear the screams, the cheers, the celebration. But alas, there is no audio in this super fast forward mode. So, I've created a video slideshow of the tournament and added in pictures and music (so make sure you have the volume up)...this is what happens when you are semi-employed. I hope that it's enough to show how ridiculously excited and happy we are. Just to recap the super fast video, this is what happens: we scream, we jump, we call people, we drink more, we watch the team celebrate on TV, we have a dance party, we go out, people are partying on the streets, we go to a bar, we drink some more, we dance some more, we leave the bar, and then a man tries to jump from a building. The end!
And now it's all over! No more futbol until September. What will I do until then???
Well, I can't wait until Copa de Mundial 2010 in South Africa. I'm totally going with my España jersey on!
Que viva España!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2327607636863826605&hl=en
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)