California

Things I have accomplished in CA
1. Assembled bed from Ikea with Mike
2. Purchased cute magnet spice holders from target
3. Took Blockbuster personality test
4. Completed Blockbuster interview
5. Passed typing test, spelling test, and math test at temp agency
6. Purchased new catalytic converter for car
7. Cooked brownies, green bean casserole, peanut butter pie, bean salad, strawberry shortcake and more in order to maintain a sense of identity.
Mike said "This is a whole new side of you." and I said "Of course it is, I am a workaholic who quit her job."

I love you all very much
Erica

Greetings from Granada

Hello Beautiful Cousins & other possible blog readers,
Life in Spain is going well. Last week were the fiestas of my barrio, it´s like the DeKalb country fair with different musical acts and better food. This fine event which distantly honors some virgin, took place directly beneath my window... so I couldn´t have slept even if I´d atempted- so I took to the streets- eating and dancing - and I had the luck of meeting some amazing people, 2 of these individuals Fidel and Carlos, just happend to be heading for Fidel´s home pueblo the next day and it was clear they were good folks so I decided to go with them. which is how I found myself in a town of 8 casas in provincia Soría last week, it was also the time of festival there - like it is everywhere now- so small children, old people, and one lone Indiana girl danced in the streets and drank sangria till 8 in the morning- I actually slept on the bench fron 7-8 untill fidel and Carlos decided it was a reasonable hour to go home. I also went on some amazing hikes and collected natural tea with Fidels crazy father. Oh hear is a funny moment- Fidel´s father some how got it in his head that I could play the piano... I think I May have sat down and taped out the one verse of silent night that I still know from my 3rd grade recital- but we- all of Fidel´s family were getting ready to sit down to dinner - and Fidel´s dad is like - Laura Stop... we are not going to eat untill you play us a song... I tried to explain that I did not know an entire song, they thought I was just being humble... so finally I played the upper hand of heart and soul accompanied by off key singing.

Right now I´m writing you all from Granada... I came right here from Soria, I had amazing luck with a contact and have been following around 5 amazingly talented and crazy graffiti artist... it´s contageous... such good energy... fotos to come when I return to Madrid, they have been so nice - taking me all over Granada to the best graffiti ... letting me film them ect...
Tommorrow I´m going to do some of the more traditional "granada visiting activites" like the Alambra.... take a foto that isn´t graffiti ect.
Much love, be well... Laura

Summer in St. Louis

So I've made it to St. Louis (arrived on Thursday, August 10). Charlie's apartment is great -- furnished, comfortable, lots of light and plenty of space. Since I've been here I've had some toasted ravioli, a St. Louis specialty, gone to a barbecue for a little socializing (some of Charlie's family friends), seen the campus of Washington University, visited the St. Louis Arch (see photo) and enjoyed a film on Lewis and Clark's westward expedition, gone to the Missouri Botanical Garden -- lovely -- and that was just through Sunday. During that time I also helped Charlie finish unpacking boxes and we've watched plenty of ER and painted some canvases (unicolor) to hang all over the living room and/or dining room. Today is Charlie's first day of orientation and my first day of exploring the city on my own. It's been rewarding...I walked through Forest Park to the Zoo. I saw penguins, watched the sea lions get fed, and walked through the whole place for about an hour and a half. Good to get a bit of exercise and feel accomplished. I was definitely the only person there who was alone, but it was very pleasant (except for the 100 degree heat and high humidity). Now I'm probably going to watch a DVD and stay in the air conditioning for the afternoon. I'm looking forward to going to the Missouri Historical Museum tomorrow and the St. Louis Art Museum the next day. That's all for now...hope you're doing well in your respective places.

Wyoming

I love Wyoming. Yesterday we drove through Medicine Bow National Forest and I was ready to relocate. Everyone was so friendly. The speed limit is 75. Coffee is less than a dollar. Then Mike reminded me that this is where they killed Matthew Shepard and the highways started to have a different feel. Today we are going to cover Utah (I am going to see something Mormon). Perhaps we will reach Nevada. We have listened to The Gambler mix (with Wyclef) 5+ times.

New Jersey

I am in Upper Saddle River now with my parents. We're having a good time. Yesterday I woke up at 6:15 a.m. (yes, I'm still impressed with myself) to walk with mom. Then we had breakfast, I bought new running shoes, I showered, did some grocery shopping, had lunch, went shopping for invitations to Ellen and Noble's party for their immediate families to meet with dad (only to find that two of the three shops were closed on Monday), went to the library, read some, had some salmon and salad with mom and dad for dinner and watched Edward Scissorhands with dad when mom was at a meeting at school. Things are good. Charlie's called to check in during his trip to St. Louis...he's moving into the apartment today. I've applied for loans for grad school and am waiting to hear back about those to finish figuring out the process. Glad to hear you're enjoying Honduras, Ellen, and that you've made a friend, Laura. Erica, great photos and stories on your blog with Mike. My parents and I read through that today.

Back from Vermont and Maine

After three days of hiking in Vermont and seven days in Maine (Portland, Acadia National Park and Hancock Point), Charlie and I arrived back home to New York last night. It was a wonderful trip, and I would love to be able to spend several weeks in Maine each summer. We saw Ethan at his restaurant, Havana, in Bar Harbor and had a few drinks there the first night we were in town. Then we went out to breakfast with him and his friend Amanda the next morning and then got ice cream (Maple Grapenut was delicious). The hiking in Vermont was a great experience, and we learned that next time we'll have to bring bug spray. I'm just now recovering from all the bites... The rest of the time in Maine we camped in Acadia, stayed with Charlie's wonderful relatives in Portland and in Hancock Point. I loved the afternoons of reading, riding in the motor boat, eating lobster and relaxing. Maine, as one of its slogans says, is "the way life should be."

Now I'm cleaning my room, getting covered in dust and feeling officially unemployed now that I didn't have to go to work today. Hope you're all doing well! Sounds like you are.

So, i have seen lots of amazingly artistic graffiti and lots of graffiti dedicated to revolutionary and insightful political commentary.... but this still might be my favorite!!!!!

New England Tour

I'm back from my New England vacation. Charlie and I hiked for three days on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail in Vermont. There were many great views and lots of mosquitoes... We got back to the car in Bennington and spent the night cleaning up at a Hampton Inn with a swimming pool, which was a great way to work out the soreness from our long hike. We tried to buy Long Trail Ale at the neighboring grocery store, but they wouldn't sell to us after carding us both; the woman (younger than me) said she didn't feel comfortable with my New Jersey ID. I know it looks very flimsy and potentially fake, but it's real. And frustrating to not be able to buy beer legitimately at age 24. And they wouldn't sell to Charlie because they knew he was with me.

Then we drove to Maine for a great week. We stayed in Portland, Acadia National Park and Hancock Point. We were with some of Charlie's great relatives in Portland and Hancock Point and we camped for two nights in Acadia. Lots of lobster, watching ER while camping, eating hot dogs and beans one night with headlamps on, riding on motor boats, reading on the porch while looking out at the ocean/bay, etc. I'd love spending every summer in Maine.

Congratulations to Ellen on her new place and for finishing her job! And to Laura for settling in quickly to Madrid life! And to Erica for making me laugh and for successfully readying herself to move west!