Back in the saddle

Hello! After nearly four years of silence on my part on this blog, I have decided to start writing again. At the time, in 2011, I was still living in Ciudad Real, in Castilla-La Mancha, hence the title. I've decided not to change it though, because this blog was once near and dear to my heart and some of the best years of my life were lived in that little Manchego town. I stopped writing a few years ago because having a blog made me feel like I was on vacation, and I didn't want people thinking that my Spain experience was a vacation--I wake up with allergies, do laundry, go grocery shopping, go to work, and wash my face before bed just like everyone does.

My motive for starting to write again is mostly selfish, in the sense that I spend so much time when I am home just "updating" people on what I'm doing and the new things I try, that there never seems to be enough time for meaningful conversation, past my hour-long "catch-up" that is now infamous to every summer visit. Of course, I don't mind telling anyone in person what's up (face to face contact beats out social media any day), but this might help me and help those close to me to get a better idea of what's going on with me across the pond, so when we do have the chance to talk, we can just pick up like we saw each other yesterday, instead of starting with the ol', "So, how was this last year in Spain?" 

Did I mention it's REALLY hard to give an answer to that question? It's like asking, "How's your whole life?" "Tell me everything you've done in the last 10 months." Well, tell me everything you've done in the last 10 months. Yeah. Toma.

Most of the time, I just get a blank look on my face and respond with some stupid answer, like, "I had a really good year. I'm at the same academy." (Depending on how sassy I'm feeling that day, this answer can change.) 

And most people nod their head, like, "Yeah, I get it! What the hell's an academy?" So that's that. 

I can't promise any meaningful insight, or even quality writing. I can't promise English that doesn't sound Spanish. I can't promise I'll even write, actually. There was a reason I changed my major from Journalism in college. I don't really have any plans for this blog as of now. I figure its mine, so I can do what I want!  
Hope to have the FIRST 2015 post up soon. I hope you'll keep reading and looking at my photos and watching my videos and not seeing updates and running in the other direction.

Saludos y hasta pronto, 
B

Mi city