Occasionally everything clicks together and my eyes are opened in a new way to the magical world we live in... a few weeks ago my hunny and I found ourselves in the Spanish coastal city of Gijon for a weekend of surfing and sweet time with friends. Since my growing belly has kept me out of the waves for the last couple of months, I took to another seemingly dangerous activity- shopping! And that sweet man of mine sacrificed a pretty decent surf session one day to keep me company...
While exploring this breathtaking city my bloodhound like nose led us to an open air artisan market. Each booth was run by a local who had come into town to display their finest products for the holiday season- Heather honey, herbal soaps, pressed wild flower jewelry, hand crafted leather bags and so much more! Being California natives and having missed apple season in Oak Glen, we were thrilled to find fresh pressed cider...Yum!
We eagerly stood watching as the man running the booth smashed his farm fresh apples laughing at our awe. We then watched the liquid gold run from the wooden spout and into a clay pot- ready to pour into a couple of to-go cups. We paid the man and continued our blissful, late afternoon walk by the ocean sipping on our fresh cider and breathing in the crisp salt air...These, yes these are the moments that linger in my mind. The positively simple, yet perfect moments when you realize just how magical this life really is!
We are fortunate to have a Californian couple with whom we are friends that are currently stationed in Italy with the Navy. The wife had been homesick and is also pregnant so we all decided to spend Christmas together here in Santander Spain...
That's right folks...TWO hormonal, homesick chicas under the same roof during the holidays! Surprisingly there were no tears! Just lots of laughter and a few odd food combinations (ie eggnog and homemade tortillas, apple fritters and egg rolls etc.)
During our time together we explored the craggy coast of this gorgeous country... Stopping at the quaint little coffee shop next to the light house for some delicious fried calamari and cafe con leche (I told you there were some weird food combos in there!)
And to think at first I was pretty bummed out to be missing another Christmas season with my family in California, but in the end I was reminded to seize the adventure that is my life!
So I know I haven't really introduced myself to all of you but I figure you'll get to know me pretty quickly- I typically struggle with filtering, as in I really don't have one! So stick around and you'll probably learn a bit more than you wanted about me...
I am in my 28th week of pregnancy right now with my first baby and like any other crazy, hormonal, big bellied mama-to-be I have had my share of uncomfortable symptoms and unfulfilled cravings. What makes my situation "unique" is that I am an American currently living and working in Northern Spain, making some of the daily pregnancy encounters a bit of an "adventure." By the word "adventure" I mean at times frustrating, hysterical, ridiculous, tear-inducing or just down right confusing.
 |
| My sweet little guy! |
For example, communicating with the doctor- sounds simple enough, right? Well when you have six months of Spanish lessons under your belt, zero medical vocabulary and a billion questions about all of the crazy changes that are taking place in your body... Welllll, lets just say it makes things...interesting. I like to stop and reflect after a particularly difficult appointment what our interactions must sound like to an observer. I think it would go something like this:
Doctor: "Ok Summer, everything is looking just fine, do you have any questions."
Me: "Yes, I not sleep. I no comfortable. Me belt hurt me in night."
Doctor: "Belt?"
Me (While pointing to my hips): "Here, it hurt here."
Doctor: "Yes, that's normal. Don't worry about that, any other questions?"
Me: "There are breast classes, classes to learn me to eat my baby?"
Doctor: "Yes- let me give you information about breast feeding classes..."
And on and on we go- How this man manages not to pull out his hair or die laughing is beyond me!
