#missingplaces

Before I left I knew I was going to miss Catalonia a lot, but I assumed that with all of the things that I missed from the good ‘ol US of A, and the prospect of returning in a few short months, I would be fine.  I’m not fine.  

A ten year old asked me yesterday “are you homesick for Catalonia?”  The answer is completely yes.  

So a short update on me, I traveled with my family to Northern California to see where my mother grew up, and the redwood forest.  We spent Independence Day in some random town I’d never heard of, which turned out to have a spectacular fireworks show, so that was nice.  Then I was off to NYC!  I spent a weekend with my best friend, and it was so good to see her.  Then I got a summer job at the cinema.  Anyway, nothing terribly exciting.  

Without further ado, the promised “things I miss about Catalunya” list.  

1. People.  I met so many great people while I was over there, and while they’re all off on wonderful adventures right now, I just miss seeing them on a regular basis and talking and going out for coffee, which brings me to my next point.  

2. Coffee.  Okay, as much as Americans claim that they have coffee, and as much as hipsters talk about the small non-mainstream cafes and things, any coffee made in America is watery and gross.  It doesn’t matter if I say ‘I just want plain coffee with a little bit of milk,’ because even what we consider ‘black coffee’ is not.  It just is not the same, and I know which one I prefer.  1st item on my to-do list is buying a coffee maker so I can make my own damn coffee.  

3. Catalan.  I never thought I would tire of hearing English all around me all the time, but I have hit a point where I just really wish I had someone to speak to in Catalan.  When I try to talk about something it always loses a bit in translation. For example “tinc ganes” does not translate into English.  You can say “I have hunger” but it’s not the same.  You cannot say “I have hunger to travel” or “I have hunger to watch a sunset” the closest thing we have is “I want” but it doesn’t carry the same sentiment. Little things like this have me wishing I could find a way in my native language to express a concept that is not common in my culture.  

4. Eating Culture.  I have felt so gross since returning to the US, just because of the difference in the way the cultures treat their bodies about food.  In Catalonia they sit down and eat three solid meals a day, slowly and in courses.  In the US, I maybe snack a little throughout the day, don’t sit down for a single meal, and most likely consume more calories this way, and more unhealthy things.  I miss the culture where people take their time with their food, it’s not an inconvenience, but a planned part of the day.  

Im having one of them days where I dont want to do anything. I feel like blah to the max. I feel drained from worrying about my dog. I got too little or too much sleep. The coffee isnt helping. I want to go for a walk and enjoy the day. I want to be happy and feel like doing stuff but I cant. Worse is its happening on a day when I have to work, I have to get ready in an hour. What bad timing! I miss Arizona so much right now I really want to go back to our old lives. I even miss TN but not the bugs just everything else. Not fair. Take me back to those places not here. I dont want to be here anymore. The shock wore off I am wanting to go back very badly and missing it all so very much (even the heat!)...

Rainbow's ear is on its way to recovery. I seriously want to punch the last vet who charged me so much and it did nothing for my dogs ear. What a waste of time, and money on them! Should have gone to our old vet in the first place would have saved me so much money and those I borrowed too! On a side note cleaning her ear out is the grossest thing I have EVER had to do for any of my kids! EVER! Ew. It makes her feel good it makes me want to throw up :x No comment

My ex-best friend is having her baby shower today. I am so upset still. I dont think I will get over this thing her breaking our friendship up for a while. It may take 5 yrs. I am mourning over her like she died. Sigh

I've had too much saddness in my life in the past year. I've just decided that. I am mourning over moving, mourning over missing places I lived, mourning over my ex-best friend, mourning over potential I had in in AZ, it goes on and on...mourning over being in this house and having no way to get out, mourning over not having a room or a place for anything. It gets me upset all the time.

Doesnt help I'm already an emotional person normally and now I'm a nervous reck!