We've been squeezing in the last of the beach, a bit of Spanish, some great conversations with friends, and a round of good Riojas before we call it done. We've been sweeping and wiping, putting and stacking, folding and cleaning, but we are finally just about packed and are both ready and dreading our return. It was put best over our feast-that-was-just-"some-beers" dinner when we were asked if we were ready to go back home. No, we're not, but we're ready to arrive back in the States. We've been telling everyone that we're going to try to make it back to Spain (and if I can do anything about it, Aguadulce/Almeria) within 5 years. We've got a little one on the way and I can't honestly say that we wouldn't be staying here if it weren't for our kid. But I can't truly say that we wouldn't be going home either.
We're packed and heading out in about 15 hours for our 3 day expedition that begins with a 7 hour bus ride to Madrid. We will then catch upwards of 4 flights before we make it to our grand 'States extravaganza.
I was looking out of Maria Carmen's, Suzy's English director who was driving us from our dinner back home, car and I noticed that even the ugly spots of Aguadulce sparkled. Maybe it's that I will dearly miss this place, or maybe it's all of the great friends and memories we've made here, but I think that it's because another chapter has been written that will forever seal me in another part of a country that I strangely feel I am a part of.
I am looking forward to seeing you all.
-Greg
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I'm disappointed in you, America
Suzy:
"The following information seems to be fair game for collection without a warrant: the e-mail addresses you send to and receive from, and the subject lines of those messages; the phone numbers you dial, the numbers that dial in to your line, and the durations of the calls; the Internet sites you visit and the keywords in your Web searches; the destinations of the airline tickets you buy; the amounts and locations of your ATM withdrawals; and the goods and services you purchase on credit cards."
For the whole article
More than just another conspiracy theory, this article is well supported by government documents from the Congress and the Senate dating back to the 1950s, as well as government memos and testimony from high ranking officials. It details how the federal government has had a "contingency plan" for times of national emergency since the cold war. This "plan" completely suspends the Constitution and places control of the federal government under FEMA, who so brilliantly handled our last emergency, and lines out which government officials will be placed in power with complete use of military forces.
Of course the federal government should be concerned with what would happen in case of emergency. But, the Constitution wasn't just written for the easy times or for for the times when it's convenient. It was written for the toughest times in our history to ensure that the United States would be a shining example of functioning democracy. With all the bullshit (sorry, parents) domestic spying programs and holding people without chance of trial and everything else that is happening (against our own US citizens!?!), Congress really needs to grow a backbone and limit the executive powers. They're the only ones who can, according to the Constitution.
Feds at border can search and seize your electronics for any reason they want
Another reason to encrypt your personal data
America, America. Is the shadow in the corner really that scary? That we would suspend democracy in favor of tyranny? “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety,” -Ben Franklin. Congress, seriously. Grow a pair. Surveillance should not be allowed on American citizens without a warrant. American citizens should not be proclaimed "enemy combatants" by the executive branch and thus have all of their rights promised in the Bill of Rights suspended. The federal government should have no access to bank records, music or photo files, or any other personal information that you may store on your computer without a warrant. American citizens should not be afraid of their own government or of losing the rights guaranteed to them with no warning. How do you find out if you are on this suspect watch list or terror watch list? You don't. Until they arrest you and you have no rights left. Come on!
"The following information seems to be fair game for collection without a warrant: the e-mail addresses you send to and receive from, and the subject lines of those messages; the phone numbers you dial, the numbers that dial in to your line, and the durations of the calls; the Internet sites you visit and the keywords in your Web searches; the destinations of the airline tickets you buy; the amounts and locations of your ATM withdrawals; and the goods and services you purchase on credit cards."
For the whole article
More than just another conspiracy theory, this article is well supported by government documents from the Congress and the Senate dating back to the 1950s, as well as government memos and testimony from high ranking officials. It details how the federal government has had a "contingency plan" for times of national emergency since the cold war. This "plan" completely suspends the Constitution and places control of the federal government under FEMA, who so brilliantly handled our last emergency, and lines out which government officials will be placed in power with complete use of military forces.
Of course the federal government should be concerned with what would happen in case of emergency. But, the Constitution wasn't just written for the easy times or for for the times when it's convenient. It was written for the toughest times in our history to ensure that the United States would be a shining example of functioning democracy. With all the bullshit (sorry, parents) domestic spying programs and holding people without chance of trial and everything else that is happening (against our own US citizens!?!), Congress really needs to grow a backbone and limit the executive powers. They're the only ones who can, according to the Constitution.
Feds at border can search and seize your electronics for any reason they want
Another reason to encrypt your personal data
America, America. Is the shadow in the corner really that scary? That we would suspend democracy in favor of tyranny? “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety,” -Ben Franklin. Congress, seriously. Grow a pair. Surveillance should not be allowed on American citizens without a warrant. American citizens should not be proclaimed "enemy combatants" by the executive branch and thus have all of their rights promised in the Bill of Rights suspended. The federal government should have no access to bank records, music or photo files, or any other personal information that you may store on your computer without a warrant. American citizens should not be afraid of their own government or of losing the rights guaranteed to them with no warning. How do you find out if you are on this suspect watch list or terror watch list? You don't. Until they arrest you and you have no rights left. Come on!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Winding down
Suzy:
A few new pics are up. Link on the left. We're leaving Almeria two weeks from today! It's one of those things that sneaks up and punches you in the throat. I mean, we knew it was coming, it just seems now that the year really sped by.
We're excited to see everyone and chow down. I recently spent a few of my private English classes making brownies with my students. They turned out well; the kids liked them and we had a lot of fun, but nothing's quite like home.
I'd like to take the opportunity to warn everyone that we're not planning on bringing home any souvenirs except a few very small items for our nieces and nephews. So, please don't feel left out. We decided that the rule (that you have to bring souvenirs home for everyone you know when you visit a foreign country) is voided if you live there longer than four months.
Enjoy your last two weekends without Greg and Suzy, cuz we're invading you soon!
Oh! I just realized that it's been a long time since I've posted any insights into the Spanish culture. Well, I learned a new gesture today. When you put your hands in front of you about chest height, palms facing you, and touch all four fingers individually but quickly with your thumb, it means "a lot." A lot of people, a lot of work, a lot of clothes or shoes. We use this gesture in the states to mean "expensive." Knowledge is power!
A few new pics are up. Link on the left. We're leaving Almeria two weeks from today! It's one of those things that sneaks up and punches you in the throat. I mean, we knew it was coming, it just seems now that the year really sped by.
We're excited to see everyone and chow down. I recently spent a few of my private English classes making brownies with my students. They turned out well; the kids liked them and we had a lot of fun, but nothing's quite like home.
I'd like to take the opportunity to warn everyone that we're not planning on bringing home any souvenirs except a few very small items for our nieces and nephews. So, please don't feel left out. We decided that the rule (that you have to bring souvenirs home for everyone you know when you visit a foreign country) is voided if you live there longer than four months.
Enjoy your last two weekends without Greg and Suzy, cuz we're invading you soon!
Oh! I just realized that it's been a long time since I've posted any insights into the Spanish culture. Well, I learned a new gesture today. When you put your hands in front of you about chest height, palms facing you, and touch all four fingers individually but quickly with your thumb, it means "a lot." A lot of people, a lot of work, a lot of clothes or shoes. We use this gesture in the states to mean "expensive." Knowledge is power!
Friday, May 9, 2008
It's a boy!
Suzy:
Chalk one up to women's intuition. It's time for a celebratory snack.
(Greg wants to be sure that everyone knows he thinks women's intuition is a sack of crap. Either way, we're having a son.)
Chalk one up to women's intuition. It's time for a celebratory snack.
(Greg wants to be sure that everyone knows he thinks women's intuition is a sack of crap. Either way, we're having a son.)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
BIG NEWS!
Suzy:
So in the top picture you can see the baby's head and jaw outline. In the bottom one you can see the ribs and spine to the right and the head to the left and a tiny hand up top and to the left in front of the face. That's the good news: we got pictures.
Now we all know that with good news comes bad news. We don't know the sex of the baby yet. Baby wasn't laying the right way and the doctor couldn't get a good shot, so we're going back on Friday for an hour long scan from an ultrasound technician. Which is a routine scan, don't worry. Something about doing a bunch of measurements and getting the whole shebang. So, look forward to another post by the time you wake up Friday morning.
(Note: I swear I saw a penis. Greg thinks I'm full of it. We'll see on Friday.) Kisses.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Hey all! Just wanted to give a good ol' shout out to all of the mothers in cyber land that is the States. Specifically, my mother and mother-in-law! Because you are all behind the times here, I will explain. Mother's day is May 4th; not May 11th. You guys are so behind the times. I mean, seriously, mullets are back in style here and you all are still making fun of them. Plus, we tuck our jeans into our socks. We're so cool. sidenote: Suzy insisted that I mention that not everyone does this... just a few, really.
We've been slacking on the posting business for a couple of reasons: one, we don't really have anything new to say, and, two, we just got kinda tired of posting. We've been doing the same old, same old: Cabo de Gata, teach, beach-soak, sleep, yell at kids in Spanish, walk, and eat awesome food. It's living la vida loca as my homeboy Ricky Martin would say! Quick shout out to Ricky Martin as he would never forgive me if I didn't... "holla, Ricky!"
Technically, Rob and Stefanie just left this morning for Seville to hook up with Kade and Caitlin for a bit. I barely remember it as it was somewhere around 7:30 and 8 when I stumbled into the living room to wish them a happy traveling and goodbye with hand signals. 7:30 in the morning... I forgot that that existed.
Also, we've been day-dreaming about May 31st and the shin-dig that will be the bee's knees for the neighborhood. Well, we don't really have a neighborhood but I'm sure the cows will be rockin' it. We have a quick request of everyone: we were thinking that cooking for a metric crap ton of people would be pretty demanding for the 'rents and are asking everyone to bring just a tiny bit of food for a side dish (I'm thinking enough to share; ie, bag of chips, plate of cookies, etc.). We'd greatly appreciate it. Please keep passing the word on this; we need to know how many people are coming for food purposes.
Lastly, as Ashlee pointed out yesterday, you all can expect a large bit of news being posted around 1 o'clock your time on Tuesday. We will finally find out the sex of our kid and are both completely psyched! Until then, goodnight and good luck.
Greg
We've been slacking on the posting business for a couple of reasons: one, we don't really have anything new to say, and, two, we just got kinda tired of posting. We've been doing the same old, same old: Cabo de Gata, teach, beach-soak, sleep, yell at kids in Spanish, walk, and eat awesome food. It's living la vida loca as my homeboy Ricky Martin would say! Quick shout out to Ricky Martin as he would never forgive me if I didn't... "holla, Ricky!"
Technically, Rob and Stefanie just left this morning for Seville to hook up with Kade and Caitlin for a bit. I barely remember it as it was somewhere around 7:30 and 8 when I stumbled into the living room to wish them a happy traveling and goodbye with hand signals. 7:30 in the morning... I forgot that that existed.
Also, we've been day-dreaming about May 31st and the shin-dig that will be the bee's knees for the neighborhood. Well, we don't really have a neighborhood but I'm sure the cows will be rockin' it. We have a quick request of everyone: we were thinking that cooking for a metric crap ton of people would be pretty demanding for the 'rents and are asking everyone to bring just a tiny bit of food for a side dish (I'm thinking enough to share; ie, bag of chips, plate of cookies, etc.). We'd greatly appreciate it. Please keep passing the word on this; we need to know how many people are coming for food purposes.
Lastly, as Ashlee pointed out yesterday, you all can expect a large bit of news being posted around 1 o'clock your time on Tuesday. We will finally find out the sex of our kid and are both completely psyched! Until then, goodnight and good luck.
Greg
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