First Full Moon of the Year 2012

In one hour it's a full moon.
I often can't sleep deeply when there's a full moon coming. But I don't wake tired. I just wake up fully alert.
I went early to the bakery and discovered that they don't open until 7!  There were only a few people on the street. The women didn't give me eye contact but the men were friendly. One even smiled. But I think it was for my hat that looks like a barretina.  There was a garbage man going through the rubbish beside the bins with a fixed look of surprise on his face.
Happy Full Moon from Granollers!

7th of January, the Beginning of Sales

Every year, just after the Three Wise Men leave, the shops open their doors to the New Year Sales.
We living in Granollers, a small shopping town outside of Barcelona. There were quite a few people on the streets when I went for my morning walk, but it was nothing to the frenzy that peeked between 7 and 8 in the evening.
The sales will last for the entire month until 'everything must go'.
I bought sensible black boots, some long sleeved tops and a couple of dresses. And satisfied I am, thank you. Did you buy anything?

Epiphany 2012

January the 6th, 2012.
The celebration of God in human form. And my name day in the Catholic tradition.

Kiddy Crowd Control for the Kings

Granollers is madly getting ready for the three wise men to visit la porxada. You can see the cue controller being put into place above.
There will be tons of children lining the streets to see the three Magi being drawn by tractor and waving benevolently. Their helpers will bombard the children with sweets supplied by the local bank.
Happy Three Wise Men Eve! 

Yellow Light in the Sky

I'm on the way to pick up Jett from the airport in Barcelona. The sky is remarkably yellow for 12:21.

Guess What Time it is?

Yes! Catalan time!
Shall I admit that I have not studied at all during 2011? I suffered a total lack of motivation. My honeymoon stage had worn off and I was left wondering what I had got myself into, studying this language.
2012 is the year to pick up the fragments of what I learnt before and begin again.
Jett is doing great. He's even getting an appropriate accent.
Cheers for a great learning year!

A Walk to Viena

Today I walked to the sandwich bar Viena. It took me 59 minutes from door to door. I saw a baby rabbit chasing a bird. Never seen that before.
Happy New Year everyone.

Hello Kitty Domination

When I was a child in Australia, Hello Kitty was popular in some circles. I collected Hello Kitty items.
When I went to Japan ten years ago, I realised Hello Kitty was Kitty Chan and was a staple, like rice, in Japanese culture.
And now here, in Spain, Hello Kitty is making a bid to take over the world. She's everywhere. I spotted her this morning peering out of this car window.