March: in like a lion and out like a lamb? You tell me! Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix!
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
January: Baguettes and Many Steps
February: In Like Minnesota; Out Like Hawaii
March: Wet and Wild
2. What did you learn last month?
I learned that I love small towns but they are not as great for finding community when traveling for an extended time period. I learned that I can live with a shitty phone with a mostly dead battery, although it really sucks, especially when you are in a place where you may need maps, or to get into your remotely controlled (by the phone) door. I learned that having a new phone, with a working battery and a new camera is like a rainbow after a storm.
3. What was the weather like where you are?
Another spoiler by the title, but...it rained a lot! Here is the news from Malaga, which is near where I was. It was not great for life on the Sunshine coast, let me tell you.
4. What event last month was your favorite?
Granada with the family. If you ever get to Spain, I liked Seville, but I liked Granada more! What a wonderful town with good food, outdoor activities and nice people. Plus you can't beat the fact that if you order a beer/wine, you get a free tapa with it! Those are my kind of people!
Seen below left to right, top to bottom: Berenjenas con miel (eggplant with honey). This was my favorite. It sounds weird, but it is so good. Pulpo a la Gallaga (octopus). I love me some octopus, and this is so tender, and is not chewy at all. Anchovies (don't knock them 'til you've tried them pickled). Habas con jamon (beans with ham, aka pork and beans taken to the next level).
5. What was the best thing you listened to or watched last month?
I am going to tell this in book, movie/show, podcast format.
Book: The Third Gilmore Girl; it was interesting to hear the perspective of Laureli's Mom, Emily, and also to learn more about Kelly Bishop)
Movie/Show: still watching Jeopardy! That Ken Jennings is really growing on me. Sorry, Alex!
Podcast: Mostly money related; I am going through Choose FI from the beginning just for fun.
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
My Dad, brother and I were having dinner. My brother and I can speak enough Spanish to get by and my Dad can say baño and gracias. My brother and I were asking the server some questions about the menu in Spanish and my Dad says to the server, in English, what are they saying, and the server translates for him, in English, what we had been saying. I don't know why but I found it funny that (a) Dad did not ask broski and I what SHE was saying and (b) that she had to help him translate what his own kids were saying to her and (c) that she spoke perfect English so that we could have been speaking in English if we wanted to. I don't know why, but that made me giggle, like we need to have a translator hang out with us to translate to my Dad what broski and I are saying.
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
I am starting a long distance hike in April and am looking forward to it but am also kind of dreading it, as (a) it has been raining (!) and (b) it has been a while since I have done a longer hike. However, this is my MO; I often get "nervous" before doing something, even though as soon as I start, the nerves are gone and I just get to work, and I enjoy myself. Sometimes the planning can be fun but I think I am ready now to get the show on the road.
Fun story though: I met up for lunch with a woman who had just finished the same hike, and we had a fun time talking about life, travel and hiking and in the end, she let me borrow her tent! So now that is one less thing to worry about! I still need a sleeping bag and a pot, but those don't have to be good quality, so I can just find a cheap one somewhere, whereas it is really nice to have a good quality (and light!) tent! Thank you DB! As they say in the hiking world, "the trail provides."
MARCH:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
2. What did you learn last month?
3. What was the weather like where you are?
4. What event last month was your favorite?
5. What was the best thing you listened to or watched last month?
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
APRIL:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Bonus question! Do you have a "the trail provides" story to tell us?
Oooh a big hike, that sounds fun. How many days will it be? I love eggplant with honey, and yes, there is a euphemism there. But I literally love eggplant the vegetable and I had a Japanese one sauteed with honey at a friend's house and it was amazing. I can't write anything without it being a double entendre so I'll leave it at that. No chapter name that I can think of, and what did I learn? Probably something. It's already the 7th of April, how can I remember March? It's spring here, we are getting rain but just normal rain, nothing crazy. Last month was my son's birthday and our anniversary, so that was fun. Rob and I have been watching Rick Steve's travel shows, and we just finished a bunch on Spain! Seville is definitely on our list, probably Granada too. It will be a few years though, it's not a top priority. Funny story - Rex and I saw a guy on a motorbike wearing an Easter bunny mascot head.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping the hike will be about three weeks, but it really depends on the weather. We got some rain and now there is snow on the mountains, which could be a pain, OR if it melts and runs off, that could be a pain. So, we shall see! I loved the eggplant with honey, however you may take that. I have had kind of a sweet and spicy eggplant (in Chinese food? I can't remember) before and that was good, but this was like desert, but a tad salty and savory and so good. Yay for birthdays and anniversaries, and your birthday is coming up soon too!
DeleteI feel like it has rained so much in Spain the last few years. And so much damage :( Climate change is the worst.
ReplyDeleteWell, baño is the most important word to know, at least if you have small kids with small bladders.
The food looks amazing.
I love that you've carried on the chapter title idea. You will be able to share this with your agent when you start to right your first book! You've got the structure all ready to go.
I haven't done it consistently, but here goes:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? Lights, Camera, Action - A Parisian Holiday to Remember.
2. What did you learn last month? That I'm an introvert. I knew this, of course, but I was reminded of it.
3. What was the weather like where you are? Cold and rainy. Ugh.
4. What event last month was your favorite? Eating an incredible dessert for breakfast with my husband at a cafe in Paris while our kids were back at the apartment equally happy to eat cereal and watch Dude Perfect on YouTube.
5. What was the best thing you listened to or watched last month? I read a book about ultra-processed food that was kinda a "right book/right time" sort of thing. Also, the new season of Drive to Survive because I LOVE Formula One.
6. Tell us one funny recent story. One day Belle, my daughter, was complaining about emptying the dishwasher or some other home chore and I said:
Me: It builds character.
Belle: My character is already built.
I laughed and laughed.
When I write my first book, YOU can be my agent! You are so positive and complimentary; I like that in an agent. :) I am curious about #2. Is this something about being in a small hotel/apartment with your entire family and being around them all the time? If it is, I can relate! I love my family, but I am used to having my space, so it is strange not only sharing a room/car/table with someone nearly 24/7, but also having to feel a little responsible for someone else's happiness and entertainment!
DeleteMy character is already built! If only she knew. I do think that we become a lot of who we are early, but I also feel that my character is still being built right now. It never really stops being built!
MARCH:
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
I Can't Because I Have/Had A Migraine
2. What did you learn last month?
The best way to remove carpet staples from a hardwood floor
3. What was the weather like where you are?
It changed almost every day, hence the migraines
4. What event last month was your favorite?
My eldest son's birthday party
5. What was the best thing you listened to or watched last month?
The Pitt on MAX; I listen to Genesis albums when I take my walks
6. One funny recent story
Actually, just now, my big part-Maine Coon cat Marlowe bullied her way across my laptop (unnecessarily) on her way to the back of the couch to look out the window. She somehow re-enabled my touchpad, turned on the microphone, and changed the screen brightness. She's a very inappropriate cat.
APRIL:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
I'd like to say I'm looking forward to nicer weather, but I'm afraid to.
I am praying for nicer weather for you right now! The Pitt; someone else mentioned that recently (I think it was Birchie?) and I have never heard of it. I am guessing that it is not a documentary about Brad. Haha. I am glad that you had fun with your son on his birthday! I bet it was great to see him and to spoil him a little.
DeleteI also preferred Granada to Sevilla. I have a friend that I met when I worked in Steamboat Springs who has become a Spanish citizen and lives in Granada. I would have put you guys in touch if I had known you'd been there. He is the nicest guy - originally from Louisiana with a very thick southern accent... although maybe he's lost it after living in Spain for 8+ years. My friend and I met up with him several times when we were in Granada in Nov/Dec 2016. The Alhambra was amazing! I'm so glad we got tickets to see it.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny about your dad having the waitress translate what you guys were saying!
March was good all in all - high was def our trip to Mexico for r&r with friends. April is off to a rough start w/ Taco's surgery recovery + market vol (which oddly has not resulted in a lot of questions - I feel like people are kind of paralyzed or waiting for the next tweet from the idiot in charge). It can hopefully only go up from here.
I was only in Granada for a couple of days and it was only going to be one day and I was with my family, so I would have loved to meet your friend, but it was a very short visit with a lot of stuff crammed in! However, I am always game for a local recommendation for things to eat and to do.
DeleteI am hoping that it does go up from here, both in the terms of Taco being done with surgery, and the markets! Yesterday was an interesting day; some things that were down almost 9% in the morning ended up in the green by 3% or 4% at the end. Sigh.
1. March's book title for me would be: Get Your Ducks in a Row for Traveling to Italy
ReplyDelete2. I'd say what I learned in March is how to pack a carry on for 8 days of travel
3. We've had a few days of amazing weather, warmer than normal, but for the most part 40s. Ugh. I'm ready for spring. We did have decent weather while in Italy. A few days in the 60s and 1 day in the 70s and the other days in the 50s. Rain in Italy half of one day. Bummer, but could've been worse.
4. Aside from the Italy trip (too many highlights to pick one) - I'd say my best event last month was when Ed was home for dinner and the other local guys all showed up and we had a very nice dinner together. Lots of laughing. (not as funny as your dad asking your waiter what you were saying, but still fun).
5. I don't usually do audio books, but I listened to a big chunk of the Rose Code while driving to and from Omaha to see my son, Tank and that worked out great. It's a really long book and it was a great way to make good use of the time in the car.
6. Oh man. I have a funny story. I'm not sure my re-telling will do it justice. Mini explained that she went wine tasting with two friends. They were a little confused about the directions, but Mini thought she was expected to swish the water around in her cup, then put it in her mouth and spit it into the basin in the middle of the table. Um, no. She was only supposed to swish it in her cup and then pour it into the basin. I think the word they used sounded like spit and they translated it literally or something. She said the waitress yanked the basin away and shook her finger at her, saying No! And Mini's friends almost died from laughter (but they thought she was following the instructions properly too).
7. Well, Mini comes home May 1st which is technically next month, but I get to travel to some of Curly's away b-ball tournaments and I really enjoy the moms and the dads of her teammates and those trips are usually super fun.
Bonus: I'm sure I have a trail provide question, hmmm. Maybe just that most of the places we went to eat had GF food for me in Italy. And even though Mini was so very sick with Norovirus one night, the plan of travel provided because it was probably the only day that we could manage having her be so ill without having to cancel our plans, etc. And thankfully we weren't on a train or in a tourist attraction when it hit. Because once it hit - there was no stopping for hours.
Ha! Was your book title and your carry on travel successful!? I can't wait to hear more about your trip. I do love your favorite moment and sometimes those are the best, when you just get together with people who know you and you have a good time. I do sometimes miss that when I am on the road, that is for sure.
DeleteI loved Rose Code, and actually really like that author. I don't think that was my favorite of hers, but I thought it was a great insight into the code breaking women, which I did not know a lot about. I love learning new things, and of course the WWII period is fascinating.
I love your bonus story. Any day where you don't have to be sick in public is definitely a good day!
Hey sometimes I need a waiter to translate when everyone is speaking English!
ReplyDeleteI am very excited/jealous of your long hike. I can't wait to live vicariously through your adventures.
Here's my wrap up:
1. Calm on the Surface, Planning Madly Underneath
2. I learned that it is OK to move forward with my goals even though there are some unknowns and everything isn't perfect right now. I loved planning my trips for this summer and starting to cash in on my travel rewards, and asking to be removed from some high stress projects at work.
3. The weather was such a tease! We had some really nice days, and some really not nice days with snow, wind, and rain.
4. My trip to Kentucky.
5. We Were the Lucky Ones. Soooo good that I finished the show and started reading the book.
6. Argh! I can't think of a good funny story of the month. I'll have to get back to you on that.
7. April has a lot going for it. I'm looking forward to our family Easter bash, and I've got some fun local stuff planned. I still haven't decided if I'm taking a trip or where I will go yet, but there will be travel aplenty starting in May.
You are a duck! Calm on the surface, madly paddling underneath. I love it. I hope all of the planning and paddling is for fun things, and is not work related! As I mentioned on your blog, I really liked the Lucky Ones book and so I am looking forward to someday watching the show. Is that on Netflix? I don't have any streaming services, so I will have to get some or wait until I am at my parents house when I can ignore them and binge watch TV! :)
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your adventures! How cool that you met someone who will lend you her tent!
ReplyDeleteMARCH:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
March was Enjoyable!
2. What did you learn last month?
There are people on YouTube who teach their cats how to communicate using electronic button boards. I became obsessed with The Chronicles of Todd.
3. What was the weather like where you are? Every which way! Snow, sunny, hail, sunny, rain, sunny, windy, muddy. Every day was a surprise!
4. What event last month was your favorite? Baking cookies for my dollhouse St. Patrick's Day party.
5. What was the best thing you listened to or watched last month? The Chronicles of Todd on YouTube. I watched Reacher on Amazon Prime, and it was good up until the last episode - and then, Ugh.
6. Tell us one funny recent story. Well, I can't come up with anything!
APRIL:
7. What are you looking forward to this month? My dad's birthday!
Re tent, I know! This has happened a lot while traveling actually. I have let people stay at my house, given them my stuff, swapped stuff...etc. It is a huge pay it forward society!
DeleteThis YT channel sounds interesting. I want to go and check it out but I am afraid that I might like it and then I will be binge watching cat videos instead of going outside...hmmmm... :) What kind of cookies did you bake for the dollhouse?
Ooh, a long hike! Sounds awful to me, but I'm excited for you!
ReplyDeleteMARCH:
1. Brought to You by the Number 2! (2 tea parties, 2 bookstores, 2 new animals to love on, 2 podcast episodes released... a lot of "2" this month!)
2. Hmm... that I might need to have an honest conversation with a friend who sometimes makes me feel condescended to. I don't like the way I feel sometimes when I'm around her for too long.
3. HOT. Humidity is already high. We had some cooler days (like, in the upper 60s lol) but summer is here.
4. My trip to Orlando for the weekend!
5. I'm loving the new seasons of Survivor and The Amazing Race!
6. When I was in Orlando, we were having brunch and sitting next to this family. When it was time for the family to pay for their meal, the little girl at the table pulled out a plastic credit card from her purse to pay! It was adorable!
In April, I'm really looking forward to my reading retreat!
Oh, reading retreat! That sounds fun! I think for your #2, it is a good idea. It is often painful, but I feel so much better when I finally talk to someone about that kind of thing. I had a conversation with a friend a long time ago about how she basically ditched me for a dude. I like the dude, and I know that a new relationship is like that, but she was pinging at the last minute, like only when her dude was unavailable and then she was often late, which was not the case before, and I finally had to say something to her, and we are so much happier now! I think most of the time we don't realize that we are hurting someone and if we are told this, we want to change. And if she doesn't want to change, well, maybe she is not that great of a friend. Better to know now.
Delete