La vez que Zoe fue al hospital en España

Well after my very exciting birthday week, things began to slow down. That is until I slipped on marble and had to go to the hospital last weekend...

Birthday Twins!

But let's back it up to my birthday...

Mi cumple de 21 años

Bear cake from my host mommy!

Tonada, Rosa y Shauna <3

Clara y Candela :)

I'm 21 now! And even though I technically am already legal here, I still had a blast turning 21
in Spain. I went to school for the first part and people sang happy birthday to me. Later in the afternoon, I met Pepa (my program director), her daughter Clara (my tutee), Rosa (Pepa's sister-in-law, also the one who made me the scrumptious pink cake featured in my last blog), her daughter Candela (my other tutee), and four friends at Las Manolitas, the most adorable cupcake shop I've ever been to in my life. There we ate cupcakes, drank cappuccinos, and gossiped. Afterwards, I went home for dinner. My mom made me a special dinner and even got me a chocolate bear cake. As I'm writing this, I'm realizing I sound like I turned 12, not 21. But...drum roll please...after dinner I did go out for my official 21 year old alcoholic beverage with some friends. My french friend Vincent bought me a glass of sangria which was superb, and then we all hung out at the beach playing silly games. Mind you, it was a school night and I had to get up for class the next morning at 7:30, so I didn't go too crazy. I planned to save that for the following weekend...

Vincent, Me,  Anya y Sangria!

La caída tonta

But the partying didn't happen. Instead I partied it up in the hospital getting x-rays and a sling.

My right elbow (the one that's not in the sling)

The story: My friends Anya and Maraya (from  Lewis & Clark) wanted me to show them this open-air market that is open on Saturdays. But on our way back it started to downpour without warning. It hadn't rained in a while and when the streets are wet in Alicante they get really slippery. So as we were running for cover, I slipped on basically marble (yes, we have marble sidewalks here). I managed to flip over mid-fall doing a 180 turn so that I didn't land on my back and crack my head open (gotta love those adrenaline-influenced instincts) and thus landed on my hip first and lastly straight down on both elbows and wrists. Luckily my friends were there to help me up, because I couldn't move. We walked 4   feet to my apartment (I was that close to making it), where coincidentally I ran into my host mom in the entrance and we all headed straight to the hospital. I have to say, Anya, Maraya, and my host mom did a fantastic job distracting me, keeping me calm, carrying things, telling jokes, etc. I couldn't have asked for a better team.

Maraya helping me put pain-reducing cream on my arm

 So my left arm isn't broken but is, and has been, in a sling for 10 days. I hurt a ligament and I've lost movement in my arm. I essentially can't do the motion of a bicep curl or rotate my arm. So I have to keep it immobilized 24/7 and gradually start rehabilitation soon to obtain movement again. My right elbow is all bruised but in better shape than the left and my body as a whole is a bit beaten up. But luckily it's week two and things are starting to heal. I'm okay, I promise!

But me and hospitals just seem to find each other, no matter where I am in the world.

Mi madre la enfermera 

Fortunately for me my host mom is a nurse so she's been super helpful with everything. I think she secretly enjoys doting on me, cutting my food, and helping me put pain cream (weird Spanish medicine) on my arms. It's been a really nice bonding experience actually. She and I have gotten a lot closer because of it. I feel useless, but it makes her feel useful, which brings the biggest smile to her face so I don't mind :)

My favorite quotes from her recently:

"If you like to swim you should join the local pool and swim laps. And I would go when the firefighters are practicing so you can see their bodies, I have a friend who does that."

"Girl, you need to get over embarrassment, if you need help getting naked, I'm here for you."

- In response to me commenting on my difficulty when undressing for showers...

Concierto de los "Mailers"

I did get out and do something fun this last weekend. I went to a local concert with some friends and Marisa (my assistant program director) for this up-and-coming band called the "Mailers." I really like them, they're quite catchy and really good. I also know the lead singer because she's a math teacher at the school where I teach English. She lives a super cool double life: catholic school math teacher by day, rock star by night.

Check them out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmPkb2Is6-Y

Picture with some of the band members

Maraya and Anya!

Anabel, lead singer

Tonada, Marisa, me, Maraya

All the girls

P.S. I typed this entry with one hand. Skillzz.

¡He vuelto a España!

I'm back in Spain! Which thrills me, of course. I had a wonderful time at home, and I'll admit, I missed everyone a lot once I got back to Spain. But now that I'm back into the swing of things and enjoying every moment of my life here like always :)

La Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos

The same day that I arrived back in Spain, Anabel ( a teacher I work with at the colegio and adore immensely) had invited me out to her house in Alcoy (a small town outside of Alicante, kind of in the mountains). So I literally got back to my house, hopped in the shower, and she picked me up and took me to her house! I met her husband, her husband's family, and her family. Alcoy is very famous for it's celebration of the The Three Kings or Wise-men (a very important holiday for Spanish children, the three kings are like Santa Clause and leave presents). So we went to the center of town and watched the festivities from a balcony, drank champagne, and ate treats. I can't even begin to describe the celebration/parade! It's something you just have to see in person. There's nothing quite like it in the States. I'll let you all look at the pictures (which don't even begin to describe it).

The Three Kings brought me a scarf and perfume!

Las Personas Nuevas

We have a whole new group of students this semester! Kiersten, Shauna (another friend), and I are the only ones that have remained from the last semester and are here for the year. There are about 60 people in the program so I have yet to get to know everyone. But I really like other people who have come from Lewis & Clark, and I really like the people in my grammar class.

Las Clases

Right now I'm in another grammar class. This time in a superior level. I have such a blast in this class. My classmates are fantastic and my professor is a doll. No complaints. And my Spanish always improves and sounds better when I'm taking a grammar class. But of course it's intense, it's 3 hours a day 5 days a week. But I only have 2 and a half more weeks of it, at which time I get to start taking university classes and return to my internship (so excited!!).

Mi Familia

My host mommy and I :)

My family is happy to have me back. All of us are on a diet though. Despite this, my host parents are, as usual, worrying that I'm not eating enough. So one day for breakfast they put out chocolate granola, chocolate croissants, and a whole tub of nutella just for me. They know I like chocolate so I figured this was an attempt to get me to eat more. It was clever but didn't work so well. I haven't been able to eat many sweet things since Christmas, especially not for breakfast. It's just too much. But I've started running and I want to get in shape. My host mom jokes and says she'll come run with me. ;)

Los Cumpleaños

My awesome cake, made by Rosa 

Last week was Kiersten's birthday, on Sunday was my host mom's and tomorrow is mine! So we've had lots of celebrations. On Saturday Rosa (Pepa's sister-in-law; I teach her daughter English) baked me the most adorable and delicious cake ever! (see pictures). And that night a bunch of my friends and I went out to the bars and clubs to celebrate Kiersten and my 21st birthdays! On Sunday my host mom made paella for her special birthday lunch and we ate more cake. And tomorrow Pepa has invited me to a cupcake shop to celebrate my birthday with her, her daughter Clara, Rosa, Rosa's daughter Candela, Kiersten, Shauna, and my new friend from Lewis & Clark, Tonada! We're going to eat cupcakes and drink tea and later go shopping because in January in Spain there are TONS of sales. I'm looking forward to it. But everyone keeps giving me a hard time calling me an "abuelita" (little grandma) or "viejicita" (little old person), especially Pepa. Apparently 21 is so old ;)

girlies :)

Shauna!

My awesome friends!

A night on the town!

Soon to be more posts! ¡Feliz Año! Happy New Year :)