White Christmas?

           As a kid, every year I went to bed on Christmas Eve hoping for snow. I used to wish so hard, I almost believed that I could will it to happen. Almost. As you can imagine, I had to split my wishes. Seriously, there was also the hope and excitement of  "mistakenly" seeing Santa, whilst going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. What?? It was worth the risk of no presents. I would rather have met Santa than gotten presents. Good thing I didn't tell my mom that, she might have called. That's right, she has a direct line! Heh, heh.
          Sliding back to snow. I would wake up, early, (duh) and before I even left my room, I would check for snow. Apparently I've always been a little 'hallmark'. Deal with it. I did this even if there was already snow on the ground Christmas Eve. I had to know if there was snow over night. I think it was more important than knowing if he ate the cookies, drank the milk, and gave the carrots to the deer. Don't get me wrong... had he not eaten, drank, and fed the deer, I probably would have been very worried about him, if not a little mad. Just sayin'.
           My Christmas' have always been good. I've been lucky. I love my family and I enjoy being with them at Christmastime. I know not everyone is technically family there, but to me everyone I see is my family. As the day goes on, more and more people come. And more and more dogs. Sometimes a new member is brought in- you know the new special someone in life. That is ALWAYS fun! Possibly not for him or her, but for the rest of us, it's great! Heh, heh. 
          My favourite parts are the stockings, watching other people open their gifts, and end of the night. Oh yeah... and the mashed potatoes with gravy. Best ever. The stockings are extra personal and in some ways especially thoughtful. Right, and often funny. The expressions on everyone's faces when they open their gifts are wonderful and candid. And the party after dinner, is relaxed, and full of the spirit of Santa.... he must leave some magic dust around. The magic that creates the mashed potatoes and gravy is purely mom's and dad's. Thanks guys. Still, with all this.... I always want snow. Why? 
           Is it possible I have some weird perversion for snow? Yes. But I don't think so. I am not upset if it doesn't snow. I am just extra excited if it does (that is not what I meant... I'm talking about snow people!). That is why this year I am a little disheartened that there is  scarce chance of snow here. I am in Spain. Not only is it not snowing in the Pyrenees, but I'm in Barcelona, by the beach. Not going to happen. Yet, I keep having a dream that I wake up Christmas morning and low and behold, there is snow on the beach! Now, I am a realist, but I gladly and sadly am also a dreamer. So, I know it will not snow. Nevertheless I hold on to the smallest teeniest weeniest ounce of hope that I can manage. Please, let some freak of nature make it snow. Or an unnatural, whimsical storm might work.
          This Christmas will be decidedly strange for me. I only want three very basic things for Christmas: snow, skype to work, and to magically be able to communicate brilliantly with my boyfriend's family (at least for the day). Too much? Possibly. Well, here's to hoping. The snow alone might make my day.
          So to everyone this holiday season... whether you celebrate Christmas or not, if you are an X-mas hater or lover, or if you just don't care one way or the other.... have some good times during the season. And may your wishes come true. Hopefully, you may have some laughs along the way.


kimbersfrog

Es lo que hay....

          Loosely translated: "It is what it is." I've learned many Spanish words since I have been here (and forgotten many). I have learned a lot of grammar (not that it is always evident in my speech, but no one's perfect). I have also learned quite a few expressions.
          Idioms are fun. They are interesting. I even get a little excited when I learn them (yes I know I'm a dork). I try to think of different situations I could use them in. Then I hope that a circumstance will properly present itself in which I can throw my freshly learned rhetoric into the conversation virtually unnoticed. 
          Ohhhh yes, if I do it right, no one will even notice. On the other hand, if I do it wrong, I could insult people. No, since it's me we're talking about here, I could probably inadvertently shame, abuse, snub, taunt, or proposition someone. Or even a group. Yeah, that's what she said! 
          The thing about colloquialisms is if you have the connotation just a hair off it can make a world of difference. Think about it. Let's say you just throw, "we're all in the same boat" into a conversation without a full grasp of its meaning. If you really were in the same general circumstances, then you just got lucky. Everyone is happy (well, no one's upset with you). But what if you had no hurdles to bear (you're "sittin' pretty" as it were), whilst everyone else you were talking to did? Maybe you understood the basic idea of the phrase, but thought it was more of a thing to say to empathize and let people know you were there for them. Your meaning is still good natured. However you would come off as an ass.
          This I worry about. Regularly.
          Lucky for me, along with my fear and moments of freezing (becoming mute suddenly- it's lovely, really), also comes that wonderful ability to embarrass myself with reckless abandon! This can actually help me. I'll say it again, lucky me! The muscles from my face down to my toes work with and against each other with a force I could never muster on purpose (I am sure it's attractive, not!). My body has the ability to express what is lacking in my Spanberish (heh,heh).
          So in addition to learning vocabulary, verb tenses, and grammar (which my brain insists on twisting like tape balls), I am learning little phrases here and there. The type that people use on a regular basis. The same way we use, "Of course," or "Seriously?" or "Gimme a break!" and so on. There are some things we say that are also said here. Love that!!! But there are other things that are so much a part of my suitcase full of expressions I don't know exactly what to say instead. Despite this, I press on. Heh, heh.
          Unfortunately once I find one that is so wonderful and perfect that I can't wait to use it..... I find I never have a chance to. I don't know why. It just seems to be my luck. I rarely have the chance to go hog wild and blurt out one of those bad babies! Heh, heh. One day. That's what I keep telling myself. One day.
          I believe I should just start saying them to myself while I am cleaning, shopping, cooking and the like. I've already started with 'joder' (under my breath of course, heh,heh). I need to get used to saying things like, "Por supuesto," or "En serio?!" and so on. For the moment, I keep studying, and am trying to fit these phrases into my Spanish thoughts (when I have them- which is freakishly often). And all I can say about my slow learning curve, embarrassing expressions, dorky enjoyment of language, and awkwardness here in general.... is: es lo que hay. My new favourite expression!

kimbersfrog