8 months?

I can't believe it's been over 8 months. Texas reunion in less than 3 weeks!

love embarrassing Mandy ;) but really, couldn't ask for better friends like her & all my amazing "family" back home

*can't wait* to hold my mom's hand again

borrowed this picture from one of my gfs here; i didn't know back then that walking along the coast here would be one of the best things - it's a simple path along the water in the city, "nothing special" but sometimes i think it sums up the experience here

i can really appreciate the humor in this :)

other thoughts -

i love the advice one of my coworker gave me yesterday, "elizabeth, when they ask you what you'll do with your life next...just reply with the word vivir" that was his simple advice. keep on living your life the way you want to. and live it big.

I'm grateful for Skype, and still AMAZING by the whole concept.

the fresh markets in Europe were hands down one of my favorite aspect of the stunning cities I had the opportunity to visit. it's where you truly get to see the culture wrapped into one. families, love, good food...

"this restaurant speaks German, Andalu'-style Spanish, and English"

it also served snails...kudos to Jack & Ab for trying them.

Spain still makes me fall in love all over again with the smallest moments: teaching my 6th graders last week, 3 of the girls took out beautiful flamenco fans to ease the INSANE level of heat (no a/c...) as if it wasn't the most random thing to see. they may as well have choreographed that awesome moment.

it was 102 degrees F on a Tuesday this past month. I walked to school and wore the WRONG flats.

i've successfully learned Spanish slang, for the most part. still don't think i'd pass a pop quiz...

can't get over hanging out in the teachers' lounge :) i think i love the job more than i give myself credit for

pastries and coffee will never be the same again. except for the coffee, i need the good stuff from back home already.

i LOVE salmorejo: cold tomato soup. according to the coworker who made it for me last week, you have to use extra virgin olive oil, the tomatoes have to be in season, AND you must have a really good blender...

last night's view from our window at the infamous 5th floor apartment of ours

excuse my grammar, my bilingual head is all jumbled up. i've also been exposed to too much British English...just ask my roomies about that one trip to Gibraltar.

We made it to Portugal this past month, and it was right up there with Hawai'i, some of the coolest beaches I've ever seen. It was really just one of the most amazing places I've visited and would highly recommend it.

the road trip to Lagos just made it THAT much better :)

next stop, Greece!