It feels like one of those nights

I've decided to take a break from slamming my head against the brick wall that is the Spanish banking system (today's problem mainly being that neither my bank card, nor libretta, nor the twenty-five thousand different illegible numbers printed out at the bank, seem to be able to permit me to book a train ticket online.) and write about nice, happy things instead... The fact that at this very moment my bank card is staring up at me from my desk with, "Queremos ser tu banco," (we want to be your bank) in garish letters, is filling me with so much rage that I'm worried I might break something.

Anyway, on to the many happy and nice things.

It's been a long time since I last wrote and in that time something remarkable has happened. I too, like so many other disillusioned youths, have discovered that Taylor Swift has lied to us. 22 has not been one non-stop party with quirky sunglasses, I am not feeling confused and free in the best way, nor am I going to drink instead of sleep - soz Taylor I have to get up at 7.30. My brief venture into being 22 has featured much more complaining about the Spanish bureaucracy, working out how many cafe con leches I can drink without having a heart attack and choosing to stay in and watch the History Boys.

However, my birthday itself was really quite good. The parents came over for the weekend and we spent two days in Leon. Once again on my return from Castilla y Leon I have been plagued by a never ending cold. If I didn't love that place so much, I swear I would never go back!
We stayed at the Parador which was unbelievably beautiful. There was also some kind of mushroom conference going on at the same time.... we didn't ask.

All in all a rather lovely birthday which also featured trips to Sparkly Bar, a meal at the actual Tierra Astur restaurant - which in turn featured 3 bottles of Albarino - a care package of Scottish goodies and the best present ever: A Real Oviedo scarf! 

My five-year olds also sang Happy Birthday to me - that was kinda cute. 

Pre-birthday I had the long anticipated arrival of Olivia to enjoy. Being as obsessed with both the food and the drink this wonderful part of the world has to offer as I am, I couldn't possibly let Olivia visit Asturias without taking her to the espicha at Tierra Astur. After a slightly rocky start, half of our group left behind on the pavement as the bus pulled away, being told that there were only 3 places left for the espicha and almost being beheaded by waiters with platters of queso, we were able to enjoy the meal.

Liv's visit also provided ample opportunity for being touristy around Oviedo and in Gijon. 

We decided to take a walk along the front. Holly took on a wave. The wave, decidedly, won. 

Had a wonderful time showing Oviedo off to a big-city, turned small-Galician-town girl like Olivia. Looking forward to a trip to Ourense soon (but not the 6 hour bus journey). 

Last week I visited Alfonso II with Holly. I went with her to a 3rd year class that was once my 1st year class - it was very bizarre. They all look both older and the same age. When asked if they had any questions for me the first was, as always, "Do you have a boyfriend?" Never did I think I would be defending my love life to a classroom of thirteen year olds. 

This weekend was the long awaited ballet trip! The Russian National Ballet doing Sleeping Beauty in Teatro Campoamor. The performance was amazing, really enjoyable.

But (you knew there was a "but") as anyone who has spent more than two seconds in a theatre with me knows, I am going to write a manifesto about how to behave whilst part of an audience, clearly this manifesto will have to come with a Spanish translation. Mobile phones on during the show, attempts to take pictures, sitting in the wrong seats (although as the seat-system entirely befuddled me I might let that one slide this time) leaning forward so those behind can't see. I could go on...

As I said, the ballet was really good. Definitely enjoyed the use of wigs. 

Apart from all of this I've also managed to spend more of my wages in Zara, had a very successful Chinese takeaway and gone on an extended pub-crawl around Gijon culminating in queuing for the midnight bus back to Oviedo for over an hour.

(Take that Taylor!) 

Soon to come, Barcelona this weekend, which has crept up on me so fast that I'm not even sure what handbag I'm taking with me! Shortly after that the flat will be getting a Christmas makeover complete with tree. And then OH MY GOD KERENSA IS HERE. And then, it's practically time to come home for Christmas. 

Pre-Christmas I'm babysitting a certain cat who hasn't been feeling very well recently. (she had a cone, even I was sympathetic.) Everyone feel sorry for Messi.