I decided it was time to take another stab at the whole Madrileño social life. Carlos (the possibly old guy from the salsa club) and I have been texting (yes, I text now) back and forth since before the holidays. Finally, we were both free on Saturday, last Saturday. I was very excited. I've been wanting to go dancing for a while now.
At about 9, he texted me saying he was going to the same salsa club where we met. Que hora es, I asked? At 1 freaking AM. 1 AM??? Seriously??? I just thought, oh hells no! By one, I am ready to start heading home! Fortunately, Andrew was there to convince me to go out. Sometimes, I just really need someone to force me to do things.
When I got home to get ready, I started talking to my roommates and they were telling me they were going to a club. The more we talked about it, the more I wanted to go. The music was mostly pop music (I really wanted to booty dance, not make a fool of myself dancing salsa), the admission was cheaper (Salsa club: 12 Euros/$18; other club: 8 Euros/$12), and the crowd was younger (the salsa club had a lot more old people than people my age). Plus, I thought this would be a good time to hang out with my new roommates.
So I put on some party music in my room and got ready. Surprisingly enough, I got my second wind by 1 and was all pumped to go out. It was so much fun. The club was super crowded and everyone was dancing. The music was a mix of Spanish and American songs. There were lots of booty dancing going on. I loved it. Andrew and I were dancing fools.
By 4, I was physically tired, and sweaty, and nauseous from all the smoke around me. So Andrew and I got our coats and headed home. Once again, the line into the club was just starting to grow. At 4 AM, mind you! Just when I thought I did good, I failed at it again!
The next day was just a waste. I woke up late and couldn't function for most of the day. I just don't know how they do it. Maybe I'll be better the third time.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
uuf
My wonderful friend, Kevin, who is currently in the Dominican Republic for the Peace Corp has inspired me to write a post about my favorite Spanish expressions. He also has a blog, which I will soon link to mine as soon as I figure it out...his blog is awesome!
The first one is not really an expression but something I enjoy hearing everyday. The Madrid train system is great and very efficient. But my favorite thing about it is the announcements, specifically: "Proxima Estacion Gregorio Marañon. Corespondencia con Linea Siete". Something about the way the male and female announcers say that makes me smile. It just sounds so pretty...and Marañon rhymes with Estacion!!!
Another favorite is "joder, tia!!" Joder means fuck and tia is what you call your friends. So it's kind of like saying, "fuck, man", or "fuck, dude", or something like that. I also just like tia on it's own. Like when they say, "Hola! Que tal, tia?", which is like, "Hey! What's up, buddy?". And with joder, it just sounds awesome! The first time I heard tia in this context was when Juan called me tia. And I just responded with, "Huh? I am not your aunt?!!"
Last but not the least, I love hearing the spanish people say "uuf". It's not really a real word (I don't think). It's more like a sound they make...like how we say ewww...except it's not for something gross. They say it when you speak about terrible things. Por ejemplo, when I told my roommates I have to get up at 6 every morning, they said, "uuf".
Obviously, these things sound so much better when you actually hear them with the real Spanish accent. Hopefully by the time I go home, you'll hear me randomly say them.
The first one is not really an expression but something I enjoy hearing everyday. The Madrid train system is great and very efficient. But my favorite thing about it is the announcements, specifically: "Proxima Estacion Gregorio Marañon. Corespondencia con Linea Siete". Something about the way the male and female announcers say that makes me smile. It just sounds so pretty...and Marañon rhymes with Estacion!!!
Another favorite is "joder, tia!!" Joder means fuck and tia is what you call your friends. So it's kind of like saying, "fuck, man", or "fuck, dude", or something like that. I also just like tia on it's own. Like when they say, "Hola! Que tal, tia?", which is like, "Hey! What's up, buddy?". And with joder, it just sounds awesome! The first time I heard tia in this context was when Juan called me tia. And I just responded with, "Huh? I am not your aunt?!!"
Last but not the least, I love hearing the spanish people say "uuf". It's not really a real word (I don't think). It's more like a sound they make...like how we say ewww...except it's not for something gross. They say it when you speak about terrible things. Por ejemplo, when I told my roommates I have to get up at 6 every morning, they said, "uuf".
Obviously, these things sound so much better when you actually hear them with the real Spanish accent. Hopefully by the time I go home, you'll hear me randomly say them.
Oldest Restaurant in the World
Last Friday, I went to Restaurante Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The restaurant has been in operation since 1725. Of course, it's more for tourists...my roommates didn't even know about it! But for being a tourist trap, it was pretty freaking good and reasonably priced for the most part. One of their specialties is the Roast Suckling Pig. Although the sound of eating crispy pork skin was music to my ears, I just couldn't get myself to eat that much pork (I'm more of a chicken girl)...and I just couldn't justify spending 20 Euros on a pig. So I settled for the Roast Chicken, which was for half the price and pretty effing amazing.
So if you ever find yourself in Madrid, I do recommend Restaurante Botin. Not only for it's very cool ambiance and it's history, but also for it's good food.
If you want to more about it and practice your spanish, click on the link.
So if you ever find yourself in Madrid, I do recommend Restaurante Botin. Not only for it's very cool ambiance and it's history, but also for it's good food.
If you want to more about it and practice your spanish, click on the link.
Get a freaking room!!!
So I am by no means a conservative person but major PDA (Public Display of Affection) really, really bothers me. A quick kiss? That's cute. Holding hands? That's fine...that's nice. Slightly caressing each other? That's alright. Lovingly looking into each other's eye? Ok, that's lame but sweet I guess. But fully making out in public or giving each other 20 consecutive individual kisses is just a no-no (unless you're drunk and at a bar...hahaha...ooops).
Madrid is full of PDA offenders! It is quite ridiculous. On the train, on the street, at the store, in the middle of the plaza, at the restaurant. You name the place, people will make out there! The worst is at the restaurant. It's like I'm eating people!!! Don't make me vomit my wonderful paella on you. I think sometimes, the 20 individual kisses in a row is worst. It's like if you're gonna do that, you might as well make out. It's not less annoying to do that!
Does this bother anyone else, or am I just becoming a bitter old woman???
Madrid is full of PDA offenders! It is quite ridiculous. On the train, on the street, at the store, in the middle of the plaza, at the restaurant. You name the place, people will make out there! The worst is at the restaurant. It's like I'm eating people!!! Don't make me vomit my wonderful paella on you. I think sometimes, the 20 individual kisses in a row is worst. It's like if you're gonna do that, you might as well make out. It's not less annoying to do that!
Does this bother anyone else, or am I just becoming a bitter old woman???
New Mac
Ok, I know this is totally non-Madrid related, but I just have to vent about it. Plus, I haven't blogged in a while and I felt like posting one...but I badly need to go to bed, so this was the quickest one I can write.
Anyway, how freaking awesome is the new MacAir??? I am totally not a hi-tech kind of gal...I did own that "brick" cellphone that could receive text message but not send any for THREE years! But I've completely fallen in love with Macs. I feel like I discover something new with my Mac everyday. I can make music (b/c I do that so much!), Skype without fidgeting with a webcam, take funny pictures with my photobooth, and my fave, use a remote control to play music or watch a slideshow of my pictures (sometimes I'm just that lazy to walk a foot away from my bed to my "computer table"). It's freaking awesome!! And now they come out with a super light one???!!! That's like my dream Mac!!!
Early birthday/Christmas present, anyone?
Anyway, how freaking awesome is the new MacAir??? I am totally not a hi-tech kind of gal...I did own that "brick" cellphone that could receive text message but not send any for THREE years! But I've completely fallen in love with Macs. I feel like I discover something new with my Mac everyday. I can make music (b/c I do that so much!), Skype without fidgeting with a webcam, take funny pictures with my photobooth, and my fave, use a remote control to play music or watch a slideshow of my pictures (sometimes I'm just that lazy to walk a foot away from my bed to my "computer table"). It's freaking awesome!! And now they come out with a super light one???!!! That's like my dream Mac!!!
Early birthday/Christmas present, anyone?
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
I'm not Chinese, damn it!
One funny thing I've noticed in most foreign countries is that people are a bit less conscious about offending or insulting people. It's not that they have any bad intentions, it's just how things are. For example, in the Philippines, people say to me, "My, you've gotten fat!", right to my face - hence why I work out like crazy before a trip to the Philippines. And in that country, to say such things is quiet alright. No one will sue you for emotional damage! I guess we, Americans, tend to be a little bit too politically correct sometimes.
I am usually pretty politically INcorrect (among the right people, of course) and I can take a lot of jokes, especially about me being Asian. I'm usually the first one to make fun of my Asianness. But there are times when it just really bothers me. The one thing that I can't stand sometimes when I'm in a foreign country is when people assume I'm Chinese.
Ok, so I am like 12.5% Chinese, but that is not enough to call me Chinese! I've never even been to China. I know very little about my Chinese background. The closest thing to making me Chinese is the fact that I LOVE Chinese food (mmm...me want crab rangoon). I just think that when people look at me, they think Filipino, or a non-Chinese Asian. When they look at my clothes, they think American (I can't seem to lay off the Northface jacket and the gym shoes). So, I am NOT Chinese!
Last week, I was on the train and this little girl started saying, "China! China!" (pronounced Chee-na), right to my face. I just ignored her. Today, two men started "speaking" Chinese as I walked passed them. They kept doing it too until I was far enough to not hear them anymore.
But tonight was just the tip of the iceberg. I have noticed that most Chinese people here do one of three things: own/run an alimentacion (convenience store);own/run a 100 peseta store (like a dollar store except not everything is a Euro...just really cheap stuff); and run a makeshift shop on the street corners of busy areas during weekend nights selling bocadillos (sandwiches), drinks, candy, gum and cigarettes to borachos. I went to a peseta store tonight to get some school supplies for my class. I was walking around when a man asked me if I could tell him where to find the shavers!!! I was like, ok, seriously I am not Chinese! I don't work here, asshole! But of course I didn't say this to him. I just said a polite, "Lo siento, no entiendo." And he still kept asking, this time acting it out hoping I would understand him better. So I finally just walked away.
I'm not saying this only happens in Spain. I've also experienced it in Amsterdam and Ghana. It's like all Southeast Asians are considered Chinese. Ok, I confess, sometimes I can't tell between all the Asians, but at least I don't assume they are Chinese. I know I shouldn't be annoyed by it. Some people are not as fortunate to be educated about things like, Americans are not only white people...and it's not totally their fault.
However, I know one of these days it is going to really get me and I'm just going to snap at someone. Oh wait, actually I think I did that already...in Amsterdam. I had some "unknown" substances in my body (but not like Britney Spears "unknown"), so I had some substance courage. Or wait, maybe that was my friend that said something to the guy. Oh man, I can't remember anymore.
Alright, now I'm just rambling. Enough procrastinating and off to lesson planning. Yay!
I am usually pretty politically INcorrect (among the right people, of course) and I can take a lot of jokes, especially about me being Asian. I'm usually the first one to make fun of my Asianness. But there are times when it just really bothers me. The one thing that I can't stand sometimes when I'm in a foreign country is when people assume I'm Chinese.
Ok, so I am like 12.5% Chinese, but that is not enough to call me Chinese! I've never even been to China. I know very little about my Chinese background. The closest thing to making me Chinese is the fact that I LOVE Chinese food (mmm...me want crab rangoon). I just think that when people look at me, they think Filipino, or a non-Chinese Asian. When they look at my clothes, they think American (I can't seem to lay off the Northface jacket and the gym shoes). So, I am NOT Chinese!
Last week, I was on the train and this little girl started saying, "China! China!" (pronounced Chee-na), right to my face. I just ignored her. Today, two men started "speaking" Chinese as I walked passed them. They kept doing it too until I was far enough to not hear them anymore.
But tonight was just the tip of the iceberg. I have noticed that most Chinese people here do one of three things: own/run an alimentacion (convenience store);own/run a 100 peseta store (like a dollar store except not everything is a Euro...just really cheap stuff); and run a makeshift shop on the street corners of busy areas during weekend nights selling bocadillos (sandwiches), drinks, candy, gum and cigarettes to borachos. I went to a peseta store tonight to get some school supplies for my class. I was walking around when a man asked me if I could tell him where to find the shavers!!! I was like, ok, seriously I am not Chinese! I don't work here, asshole! But of course I didn't say this to him. I just said a polite, "Lo siento, no entiendo." And he still kept asking, this time acting it out hoping I would understand him better. So I finally just walked away.
I'm not saying this only happens in Spain. I've also experienced it in Amsterdam and Ghana. It's like all Southeast Asians are considered Chinese. Ok, I confess, sometimes I can't tell between all the Asians, but at least I don't assume they are Chinese. I know I shouldn't be annoyed by it. Some people are not as fortunate to be educated about things like, Americans are not only white people...and it's not totally their fault.
However, I know one of these days it is going to really get me and I'm just going to snap at someone. Oh wait, actually I think I did that already...in Amsterdam. I had some "unknown" substances in my body (but not like Britney Spears "unknown"), so I had some substance courage. Or wait, maybe that was my friend that said something to the guy. Oh man, I can't remember anymore.
Alright, now I'm just rambling. Enough procrastinating and off to lesson planning. Yay!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Rebajas!!!
Depending on how you look at it, the word rebajas can be a good thing or a bad thing. For me, it's a bit of both. Today, I went for a walk when I suddenly saw big REBAJAS sign in front of Zara. Rebajas means sale. I've been waiting for this day since I got here. The sign completely lured me into the store and made me spend money I don't really have. But how can you pass up a really cute top for 7.95 Euros??!!!
I was so excited and also very impressed with myself. I didn't spend anything beyond what I got at Zara. All the other stores were too ridiculously crowded. I just couldn't handle it. I only have that much tolerance for Zara. It probably also helps that I don't quite know how to ask if I could try on a pair of shoes in my size in Spanish yet. If that wasn't the case, I would have three new pairs of boots!...yikes!
I was so excited and also very impressed with myself. I didn't spend anything beyond what I got at Zara. All the other stores were too ridiculously crowded. I just couldn't handle it. I only have that much tolerance for Zara. It probably also helps that I don't quite know how to ask if I could try on a pair of shoes in my size in Spanish yet. If that wasn't the case, I would have three new pairs of boots!...yikes!
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