The Amazing Book

Thanks for reminding me. I should preface this entry with the fact that I've read a lot of books, but mostly in Spanish. Only recently, in order to while away time or sometimes for "passing time on the metro" reading, have I begun to read things in English. I gave in to the Da Vinci Code, desperately trying to crack the stupid clues as fast as symbologist Robert Langdon. I failed miserably and the book, although really interesting and a great read, was ultimately a letdown due to my inability to figure out where the Holy Grail was hidden.

But this book. At this point, I want to insert something horrendously cliché like, "Ahhhh, this book," and lean back and recollect fond memories. How could I do this without seeming too Masterpiece Theatre? It's just that this book was truly amazing, such that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to re-read the whole thing.

If you can reconcile yourself with its odd premise, the rest of the book falls into place. The protagonist Henry suffers from Chrono Displacement Order, the ability to time travel. Although it sounds cool enough -- he always travels to a point that has relevance to his own life -- the problem lies in the details: his time traveling is involuntarily and only happens when he's stressed, overly tired, or stands up suddenly. And when he time travels, he arrives naked and hungry. Consequently, he meets his wife when she's six and he's in his 40s; or, her first date with Henry. For him, their first date will be when they're both in their 20s; at this point, she has spent half her life with her future time traveling husband. He's never met her.

But I am doing this book a gross inservice. It isn't really about time travel, though it provides an interesting springboard into the heart of the novel. Ultimately this is a story about love, and waiting, and hope for the future. It's a story about holding on to hope and its slight shadows in the future. Tremendously moving, heartbreaking, and redeeming.

I'm not too terribly eloquent today, though, so just go get the book and I'll reimburse you.

Will Resume Service Shortly

I've been surprisingly busy with unpacking (still haven't done it) and extra classes that I agreed to (only two more to go, thank God!). As soon as I can reign these things in a bit, I'll be updating with my continued adventures. Remind me to tell you about the Amazing Book, a little more about The Trip Home, and the ID Card of a Whale. In the meantime, marvel at Baby and I.

Surprise!

I jumped out from behind the door dramatically. My sister looked up from her phone conversation and her eyes widened. This is how my official Whirlwind Trip home began, and less than 48 hours later I was on the plane heading back to Spain. But for the moment, I was home. I latched on to Baby immediately, made sure that my sister turned on the Spanish lullaby CDs I brought with me, and watched in amazement as his tiny hand just barely grabbed my thumb. I talked with my sister for a long time about nothing in general, about baby stuff, about life. It was strange, though; with the new baby I feel like I've suddenly been made part of the older generation. We're not the kids anymore, we've become the adults who have the kids, and part of me doesn't know what to do with that responsibility. I looked down at the baby and began to whisper to him in Spanish.

Party People

This past week the clouds parted, the cold was chased away, and temperatures rose suddenly. A few over-eager Americans even busted out their shorts. I took a more tempered route, wary of a return to winter at any moment. But the temperatures have continued to rise nonetheless, leading me to wonder if this is truly the beginning of Spring.

This Spring promises good things: new friends, more work with Spanish, a class and preparation for what I refer to as the Spanish SATs. After school yesterday, I went to get a little something to eat with some of my favorite students. (We thoughtfully neglected to tell the other members of class, who coincidentally are the ones who gave me one or two negative marks on my evaluations. Curse your picky kind!) We had a really nice time, speaking Spanish since the students adamantly refuse to speak English outside of class time. I am secretly happy about this.

Spring promises good things, but you still gotta watch your back. Cathy's unintelligible Northern Irish Mum is visiting (did she say tea or bedspread?), and while walking in the center yesterday we were spotted by some skeezy gypsy women who tried to pickpocket us all. But POW!, I am an untrusting person. I pushed the woman over as she sidled up to me, her hands poised to reach into my pants pockets. But they were an insistent, dark-skinned lot. She then walked behind us and tried to point slyly at Cathy's Mum to her companions, signaling an easy target. I tell the ladies to hang onto their stuff, and we foil the Gypsy's plans. I turn around and glare. She raises her hands in mock confusion, as if to say "Who? Little ol' me?"

I am not fooled.
After every skirmish with their ilk, I think I become a little more racist.

Like Snow, Like Gold

Baby takes a nap. So far this is all I have seen Baby do in pictures.


And Baby definitely has the nose.

Another Reason To Love The Internet

Have fun with your name, too. Spell naughty things.

Something You've Seen Before

You know the drill. Periodically you get these things in your email box, and you never fill them out because you think they're garbage. I like to fill one out about twice a year and send it to my friends, just to keep up with all the mundane items that we never really talk about. I love to get them because it reminds me of the little things and because it makes me feel that much more in touch with someone that I could normally stand to talk to a little more. I miss you all.

1. First Name: Bobby
2. Were you named after anyone? Yes, my father
3. Do you wish on stars? No, but I really should
4. Which finger is you favourite? My middle finger, left hand
5. When did you last cry? A few days ago, thinking about life and love and my dearly departed abuelita Nanny.
6. Do you like your handwriting? I LOVE my handwriting
7. What is your favourite lunch meat? I guess turkey, although it used to be fat-free bologna
8. Any bad habits? Currently, a 3 hour a day internet addiction, overeating, sloth
9. What's in your CD player right now? I don't have a CD player, but I suppose the last CD I listened to was Sacha Sacket
10. Do you believe in soul mate? I'm starting to
11. Are you a daredevil? No
13. Do looks matter? Yeah, I think so
14. Are you trendy? Somewhat, less so as I get older
15. How do you release anger? Writing, reading, surfing the internet
16. Where are your second homes? Madrid (is this a first home now?), Atlanta, Syracuse
17. Do you trust others easily? Yes
18. What was your favourite toy as a child? A black panther doll (not like a Black Panther, a militant black doll, although in retrospect that would have been much cooler to have)
19. What class in school did you think was totally useless? I totally ignored Math, and now have a crippling mathematics deficiency
20. Do you have a journal? No, a blog!
21. Do you use sarcasm? Not really
22. Have you been in a Mosh pit? No
23. What do you look for in a boy/girl? A sense of humor
24. What are your Nicknames? Bobby Dean, Deano, Boobie
25. Would you ever bungee jump? Only if everyone else was doing it
26. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Always
27. Do you think that you are strong? No, but I did carry the 30lb. microwave from Carrefour to my house, which is a 45 minute journey through the metro and across blocks and blocks
28. What's your favourite ice cream flavour? Pumpkin
29. What's your favourite colour? Blue
30. What is your least favourite food? Stinky Queso Cabrales. Shellfish, because it makes me die.
31. How many wisdom teeth do you have? None
32. How many people have a crush on you right now? None?
33. Who do you miss most right now? Travis, my family, Dane, the list grows and grows...
34. What are you wearing? Pajama bottoms, a black T-shirt, a gray fleece
35. What you listening to right now? "Is Heaven Good Enough for you?" by Allison Moorer (this is country music!)
36. What was the last thing you ate? Meatballs
37. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Dark Blue
38. How is the weather right now? Warmish, but I think it's supposed to rain
39. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? My Dad
40. First thing you notice about the opposite sex? Uh, nothing? Eyes
41. Favourite drink? Diet Vanille Coke, even though I haven't had it in FOREVER
42. Favourite alcoholic drink? Red wine
43. Favourite sports to watch? Puh-leez.
44. Favourite day of the year? Christmas or my birthday because I get presents
45. Summer or winter? This isn't an option: fall
46. Do you want your friends to write back? In general, in life? Sure. Because of this thing? Nah.
47. Who is most likely to respond? No one, this is a blog.
48. Who is less likely to respond? See #47
49. What book are you reading? Da Vinci Code (I gave in)
50. Favourite song? Unfair question. My iPod tells me it's "Samson" by Regina Spektor
51. Favourite board game? Cranium. It's crazy fun.
52. What did you watch on TV last night? Half of Cathy's movie before retreating to the safety of the internet.
53. Favourite smells? Home