Spain is different

Need I say more? I think this was the highlight of Mom's trip to Barcelona! These two were just strolling down the beach letting it all hang out, hardy har har! The tattoo butt man was wearing socks, oddly enough. His friend was walking twenty feet ahead of him and kept turning back for some reason. All kinds of people were stopping the tattoo butt man for pictures and inviting him for drinks. It was fun to see the expressions on people's faces as they passed him by. And, no, it was not a nudist beach, but apparently it is not illegal to go nude should you feel inspired to do so. Alrighty then!

How do you define fun?

Don't you agree that as adults we don't take enough time to have fun and to play? I mean, seriously, when is the last time you laughed out loud? (Except for Mary, who I know does this every day with her son.) Anyway, as a new mom, and someone who does not handle unstructured time very well I have found myself in a bit of a rut. So, last Friday I started making a list of things I can do, for me, to not feel so...I don't know... in a rut?

This is what I have so far:

• Read more, not just for escape and fun but for knowledge (I have to brush up on my knowledge of Ancient Civilizations for next year)
• Go to an exhibit at least once a week (Barcelona is full of art and culture!)
• Invite friends over/arrange outings (I know that we are the married couple with a kid so we don't get a lot of invites, but that doesn't mean it has to be the end of our social lives, right?)
• Excercise (I take Pilates every Wednesday, but try to go to a mat class at least once a week and do yoga at home, in addition to walking a lot)
• Practice piano (yeah...have to come up with a plan)
• Play strategy games (Dedicate one night a week to no TV and make my husband play a game with me. Besides, good role modeling for the Z)
• Scope out some artwork for our walls
• Try a new recipe/food/food shop
• Investigate guided tours of downtown BCN
• Look into Democrats Abroad and/or BCN's Women's Network
• Research real estate market (We don't know if we are staying or going, but I always enjoy this game)
• Watch Friends, 30 Rock and Jon Stewart for comic relief.

I am writing these down so you can hold me accountable. Let's see what I can get out of it.

Any other ideas??????

Swim class

It's less of a "how to" and more of a "let's get comfortable with the water" kind of class, but it adds structure to our week and, so far, Zach seems to like it. The water feels great. No getting used to it, it's just perfect. There are about 8 other babies in his group, 2 of them my colleague's twins who are about 3 weeks older than Z. I guide him, he usually has one hand in his mouth because he is teething and we all sing some Catalan song at the end called "Chip Chap." Then, he conks out and sleeps very well! It's hard finding things to do with your baby. I mean, sometimes, I feel like I run out of ideas and am afraid he is going to get tired of his old mom. This class helps and gets me out of the house.

Bath time, then and now

What were my parents doing to me here?

Oooh yeah. This is more like it!

Spain is different

It is really hard finding something to write about that isn't just about how cute Z is or his latest development. What was my life like before motherhood? Man, it must have been boring!!

So, let me share a bit about Spain and what things strike most Americans who visit here.

Today's comment is about personal space or rather the lack thereof. It just does not exist! People walk down the sidewalk right towards you and see right through you. There is no stepping aside, no "excuse me." They just keep right on going. And Spaniards are big strollers, taking their time going from Point A to B which frustrates me to no end. I acknowledge that coming from NYC most recently, I walk fast and with purpose, but man, it drives me crazy to get stuck behind three ladies linked arm in arm! And, how about total strangers coming up to your kid and putting their hands right in his face! Luckily I'm not super high-maintenance or anything, but I do find it quite strange. Now, with this pig flu I am more likely to speak up next time it happens! However, I suppose it would do me good to look at the flip side of this and learn to slow down, take my time and appreciate how baby-friendly everyone is. No one gets uptight with a baby in a restaurant (or bar, for that matter.) Aaahhhh! Spain! It is pretty cool to live here, despite my occasional gripes.

Z with Meaghan on St. Patty's Day

Getting there!

OK, so followed some of your suggestions and a week later, this is what we've got so far. A new coat of paint, curtains to cover the wardrobe, cuter curtains for the window that looks out to ugly air shaft, moved the rocking chair in, got rid of my old bed (Zach and Phoebe took one last nap there yesterday to give it a proper send-off), hung up the fish mobile from the museum and put down a comfy rug. Still need something for storage. We still have his clothes in our room, but since it's a small apt., it's not really a big deal. Comments? I love feedback!