I always dreamed of living abroad and learning another language. And now, whether I can believe it or not, here I am, going on three years of expat life and claiming fluency in Spanish.
2011 has been one of the fullest and most important years in my life. When I look through pictures of the last 12 months I'm shocked at the things I've seen and done in only one year. Last January seems a lifetime away.
But don't get me wrong, it hasn't all been easy and perfect-- at times far from it. It has been a roller coaster ride type of year, full of big changes, big decisions, and a lot of confusion.
Here is a look at my 2011
January
I rang in the new year in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain with my Spanish family. I had just become engaged at the beginning of December, and I was still in the OMG I can't believe I'm planning two weddings mode. We stayed there for over two weeks (FYI: two weeks with the in-laws really feels like two months!) and when the holidays were over I was surprisingly tired of my MIL's cooking!
After the holidays, we returned to Seville where I was busy bored teaching English again.
And before January was over, we were off to Marseille, France where we didn't have much of a plan and basically just ate our way through the fascinating port city. It was delicious!
February
February was a really gorgeous month. The weather in Seville last winter was amazing-- I think I took it for granted at the time! We tapa hopped around the city, rode our bikes on the weekends, and, oh yeah, started to plan two weddings! I stepped it up by blogging a little more and Ale was busy with his tapas project.
I also began to realize how crazy planning a wedding could be-- I experienced some dress drama and ultimately bought my wedding dress in Spain. In retrospect, it's all quite funny, but at the time I was kind of a mess.
March
I continued working and planning, and was often frustrated that things weren't as easy to accomplish in Seville as the US. Spain was kind of annoying me... but I knew I had to get over it and figure out how to get everything done there. I did, but not without some unnecessary complaining along the way.
We also went on a surprise trip to Valencia for the weekend. It was a blast (literally!) as the Valencianos were celebrating La Masclata-- a celebration made up of many small explosions. It was amazing weather, a fantastic festival, and a great city altogether. I especially loved its City of Arts and Sciences, which is a must-see for those living in Spain.
Read more about visiting Valencia here.
April
I stopped blogging after March. The big day was approaching and I couldn't put even an ounce of energy into anything that wasn't either work or wedding related. Looking back I guess I was kind of a disaster, although the fact that everything worked out beautifully in the end made all the stress and tears worth it!
In April I visited Gibraltar with my Carmona students, and I brought my private student, Ángela, home to the US with me for Easter week. She loved the US-- and upon arriving back to Spain she proceeded to tell her parents that the US was a much better country and that she wanted to return ASAP... (that's the danger of sending a 13-year-old abroad!) It was flattering, but I felt sad for her poor parents!
May
May was my last month as a single woman! Full of festivals, fairs, parties, and planning, it flew by as well.
I enjoyed my bachelorette brunch at Hotel Alfonso XIII, photographed my way through La Feria de Sevilla, and drank my way through La Feria in El Puerto. On the more serious side, I finished my year in Carmona and said goodbye to my students and coworkers, I packed my Seville life away in boxes and moved them to El Puerto, and I said goodbye to the place that (although I didn't realize at the time) I was secretly head over heels in love with and still miss today.
But there was no time for tears. My family arrived at the tiny Jerez airport on May 31, 2011. The wedding had begun!
June
I got married! It was a beautiful, windy ceremony and I enjoyed every minute of the crazy night (even the fuzzy ones!). I hope to write more about the wedding in the year to come.
My family also got a great taste of Andalusia. They loved the quaint city of El Puerto de Santa María, walking around historic Cadiz, trying tapas in Seville, and sherry in Jerez. We spent ten days enjoying all the region has to offer. I can't wait for them to visit again.
After my family took off, Ale and I headed to Zaragoza where he had to finish a project. While he worked, I got lost in the markets and searched for the best lamb sandwich in the city (their specialty).
Finally, we headed back to the US just in time for my brother's graduation party and Ale's training course on How to Barbecue Like a Real Man (generously given free of charge by my Dad and Uncle Mike).
July
One wedding down, one to go. We were busy in July enjoying my family, visiting friends, and planning for the second big day. We spent the Fourth of July in Maine where Ale flipped his Kayak, tried real doughnuts, and his first Maine lobster roll, and was moved at the displays of patriotism at the fireworks.
Later in the month, it was his turn for a Bachelor Day (spent deep sea fishing and fine dining) and it was my turn for a real bachelorette party. We headed down to Mohegan Sun for a very fun night!
July ended with another amazing wedding-- the legal wedding this time! We had another crazy, fun, and beautiful night. More details to come in 2012!
August
Finally finished with the weddings, I have to admit I was relieved! We relaxed, and went on a trip to Western Massachusetts and another to Cape Cod with my parents. It was nice to get them out and about. And then we went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for an amazing honeymoon. It was full of delicious food and gorgeous beaches. I would recommend what we did to anyone-- honeymooning or not!
September
With summer coming to an end I bravely baked a birthday cake in my MIL's tiny kitchen and then we decided to move to Madrid by bus.
October
My new life was great-- although unstable. I struggled with some Spanish bureaucracy and decided to teach private English classes for the time being while I wait for my documents to arrive.
The NIE issues resulted in an unplanned trip to Extremadura, where I discovered Morcilla de Calabaza, which almost made the whole mess worth it (almost!). I celebrated my 25th birthday with my Spanish family.
I also met some great Americans expats in Madrid and we did fun stuff like carve pumpkins together. It was great to meet so many like-minded women in similar situations.
In my spare time, I was busy baking, cooking, and blogging. I worked on making my blog more professional looking and started offering cooking classes out of my own small kitchen. My students and I make delicious Spanish recipes like Salmorejo, Arroz con Leche, and Tarta de Manzana!
November
Autumn in Madrid proved to be beautiful. Blessed to live next to Retiro park, Ale and I got fit by going for a run a few times a week. We also checked out the must-see sights around Madrid, getting to know the city by its markets and monuments. I continued blogging, teaching, and cooking, and Ale worked on getting his own business up and running.
We celebrated Thanksgiving twice-- first at our home with a last minute dinner and then with new friends too. We felt blessed to have had many options for Thanksgiving festivities.
December
The last month of the year began with a big glass of hot wine, a day trip to Toledo, and a new American Recipe Blog (en español!). Madrid's renowned Christmas lights didn't disappoint, and we bought a last minute ticket for Christmas in the US! As we counted down the days we bought our Christmas gifts, eager to put them under my family's American tree.
Our week in the US was over before we knew it. It was amazing to be home for the holidays after being away last year. It is such a lovely time of the year, although the malls are a bit claustrophobic!
Now we are back in Spain once again, in the exact same place as the year before. It feels a bit deja-vu! As I unwrap a piece of turrón to eat with my coffee I can't help but think what a strange and beautiful year it has been. I can only hope that 2012 is half as exciting.
So tell me, how was your year?
Katherina
Congratulations for such an amazing year... and getting married! I'm glad you're enjoying Madrid, it's one of my favorite cities... I lived there for 4 years and, since most of my friends are still there, I go for a visit every 3-6 months. I'm just going back now beginning of February and can't be more excited about all the tapas and cañas!!
Lauren Aloise
Thank you Katherina! I am enjoying Madrid so far, but miss Andalusia at the same time. I still have a lot of Madrid to see, however! I hope you enjoy your visit back!
Cassandra
2011 was momentous, no doubt about it. Can't wait to follow your 2012 adventures!
Mo
Congratulations on having such a challenging and fulfilling 2011! It´ll be nice to read about all the good things awaiting you in the New Year.
Lauren Aloise
Thanks so much! I hope we all have a wonderful 2012 here in Spain!