Inspirations...

{Spotted- first blueberries of the season}

{Purple Poppy}

{the perfect dress for a day on the lake, by Spool NO. 72}

After 3 weeks of flight uncertainty I think that I'll be flying back to the states in 6 days. All of sudden everything seems to have sped up. I have a sudden urgency to do everything I haven't done, see people I haven't seen, and enjoy every last second I have in this city. But truthfully I think what I should do is the exact opposite. Slow down and live the life I have been living for almost a year and appreciate each moment.

Change is a fickle friend. Leaving Barcelona will break my heart, but so will staying. If I stay, I would continue to miss my family and friends dearly, but if I leave I will become just another study abroad student returning back to the states. I don't think any choice is necessarily more correct. The word bittersweet suddenly has  more personal relevance. 

James Beard, is that you?

I think Ana finally did it, she killed me with her cooking.
but in the most unexpected way.
I thought for sure I'd be going to microwave cooking hell.
But here I am in culinary heaven sitting next to Julia Child.
Who knew?

I walked in the door after uni today, exhausted, only to be greeted by the most pleasantness of smells. Are the neighbors cooking again? I thought to myself. But long behold, there in Dave (my toaster oven, because lawd knows our oven has been out of commission for months, maybe even years who can say), sat a beautiful dish of pure deliciousness. Two baby whole red snapper fish sat baking in a bed of potatoes, spanish olive oil (the BEST olive oil in the world, I'm convinced), parsley, a bit of saffron, and caramelized onions.

Three hours later after Ana Sr., Ana Jr. and the niñas returned home from the park, I finally sat down to eat this bit of happiness and,
I died.
I died, I died, I died.
and went to heaven.
YUMMMMMMM.

I will be trying out this dish my self in the weeks coming (complete with photos and instructions for you all) but until then you may find me floating about with Fernand Point, Auguste Escoffier, and other culinary genius' just beyond the pearly gates.

Om nom nom nom

About 20 minutes ago a student came into the library with his backpack, books, etc. Sat down in front of me, and proceeded to do nothing. Unless you consider biting nails a studious activity.

Why would you go to the library with nothing to do?! Is he waiting for someone? Is he nervous about studying? Or do his roommates just not enjoy when he goes to town on his nails in their apartment? These are the questions popping up in my head as I try to write about the reign of Maria Cristina de Nápoles, proof that anything can and will completely derail any thoughts of doing work.

I'll keep you updated, it's just a waiting game now.

cositas de la semana

1. Went to spanish court to testify, incredibly scary experience but my ability to successfully give testimony and be questioned extensively feels like a testament to how much my spanish language skills have developed.  

2. Finally completely figured out how to use the public busses and have become a regular bus taker! 

3. BCA dinner at El Cangrejo Loco Wednesday night - seated practically on the ocean, amazing food and more importantly free flowing red wine.  

4. Successful phone interview with a import/export brokerage firm in Philly, dedos cruzados that I get a second interview!

5. Began the making my own photo paper on which to develop photos for my photography class, and realized how nerve-wracking it is to mix your own chemicals when you have no chemistry experience and are in a darkroom.  

6. Celebrated El Día de San Jordi, spanish valentine's day and day of Catalan independence, with lots of books and roses and happy people.

7. Picnic lunch in Parc Cuidatdella with my favorita amigas, good food, games, and some spanish guitar (kudos to Kara).

8. Had the best BEST churros of my life.

off to move my workspace to the terrace to catch a bit of sun!

sartorialist style

La Rambla, Barcelona

Looking for participants in my 'get a stranger to smile for you' photo assignment, I spotted this guy on La Rambla. His pants are kind of dirty and I think his fly is down, but the skateboard, sweater, and hair are a great combo. And luckily Dani made him laugh as I photographed him, which makes the picture. 

just when you thought life couldn't get any crazier...

....today I received a official summons to testify in court against that guy who mugged me. This should be interesting.

Sorry for the terrible quality of the photo, but sin camera I had to make due with photo booth :)