It has been an interesting year. I actually took 2 vacations. This is very rare for me.

The first trip was with my husband to Panama. We both decided that is where we want to end up. It was amazing. But when we returned from Panama we had to face the sudden financial crisis of my husband losing his job. I had no work planned for the next month. I hate when that happens!

So I started thinking of doing something to raise money like a personal bailout. I am not sure how it will work it. I might serialize my memoir, which is close to being finished. I will keep you updated!

After we found out about the loss of my husband’s income I almost canceled my second trip but it was already paid for. So despite the scarcity of cash I went to Madrid. It was an amazing experience.

Once we returned from Panama I had only a few days to get ready to leave again. I scaled back on all expenses, staying with a local family and packing canned goods. I was going to attend an immersion school to learn Spanish. Good intentions but it does not always work out the way you plan it!

The flight was delayed for 6 hours. I arrive in Madrid at 2 PM. It threw my internal clock off for the whole stay. This was rough given that my classes were at nine in the morning. This translates to 3 AM our time. I was the only student in the class so there is no note passing or goofing off. Man, it’s hard to pay attention when your body still thinks it is the middle of the night! Pero yo aprendía español!

My host family was a single mom from Argentina and she spoke little English. There was also a couple from Peru staying with her who spoke less English. Everyone was really welcoming and nice.

My room was small but fine but there was no heat and very tepid water. I was freezing for two days. I mentioned this to my hostess and she said they were coming to repair it soon. But soon was not soon enough, I had to go. I felt bad because it was Christmas and she was probably depending on the money but I was not sleeping and could not study. It was really cold!

I packed my stuff and went to stay in a hotel. (very cheap, almost the same as the home stay) It was a world of difference. From the host family I had to take a bus and metro to get the school. I could walk from the hotel, which was great. But most of all it was warm and toasty.

It was hard for me to shake the guilt of moving but it really improved the trip by miles. I was still tired in class all week but I was able to get into it. I also met a fun woman from Germany who was in my afternoon cultural class and we have a lot of laughs.

I was popular with all the front desk people at my hotel and was able to practice ample Spanish. I am even recruited several times to interpret for English speaking guests. I don’t know if I was helpful especially to the naked guy with a leak in the ceiling but it was an adventure.

My German buddy and I do some side trips, go a movie and spend a lot of time talking about the differences in culture.

Overall it’s a pretty good trip. I missed my husband and dogs and I am happy to be back home.

I know things might be a little rough for a bit but I am not worried. I have come to a place where I really know how to roll with the punches.

This was apparent when my husband and I had a conversation after going to the movies. We went to see the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was one of the best movies I have seen in a while. Afterwards we were talking about Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie like they were best pals (She wasn’t in the film but just came into the conversation by way of Brad.) We realized how the media feeds us this illusion that we know these people. Bizarre.

The conversation drifts back to the movie and the scene where the tugboat was under siege by a submarine (I won’t say more, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.) My husband tells about being Iraq and the training he goes through. “You have no idea how loud those bullets are when they wiz by your head. I mean you have never been shot at right?”

“Actually yeah, but just a few times.” After I told him the story of having my living room windows shot out by some guy who said I sold crystal meth to his little brother when I was living in Levittown , PA in 1976, or the time a spurned wife shot at me for having an affair with her husband in the parking lot of a Burger King in West Palm Beach in 1974. There was also the time that some banditos were trying to steal my pot plants in Northern California in 1977 and a shoot out ensued. There was also that one armed robbery. I didn’t have the gun but it was loud when that cowboy shot it into the ceiling.

He says “Oh my God. I think I know Brad and Angie better than my own wife.” Anyway it is always good to be honest and share.

It also reminds I can deal with just about anything. I know no matter what happens as long as I have my husband and dogs, life is good!