GOOOOOL! Football Unites!

Spain has been on it's non-relenting quest for the European Cup Football (soccer) championship since late May. The games in the qualifying rounds were all won easily, to qualify for quarter finals. Bit by bit Spanish flags began to appear on balconies and red Spain t-shirts became more prevelant. Spain won the quarter final game against our 80 year nemesis Italy, in a penalty kick shoot out in overtime. Trumpets and noise makers were blown, horns honked in plazas and on the streets, cheers and chants shouted off balconies and out back yards. More flags appeared on houses and aptartment terraces and cars begin to don the gold and red flag.

Tonight Spain beat Russia 3-0 in semi-finals to qualify for the final against Germany on Sunday for the first time in I don't know how many decades. More flags, a sea of red shirts, more noise making and celebrating, by basques, caltalans and everyone in bewteen. Our nationalist differences are set aside for a glorious few weeks to support our national football team and display a Spanish patriotism that is rarely visible and usually criticized when done so in non-sports circumstances.

What a glorious thing this Football that unites. More parties, more celebrations, more joy and a united Spain. GOOOOOOL!!! España! PODEMOS!

Beach, Bon Fires and Traditions

On the 23rd of June, the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist (San Juan) Spain incorporates a pagan summer solstice tradition into the religious calendar. On this night, fire in many forms is the protagonist of ther festivities all over the country. Here in Málaga everyone goes to the beach, many bring elaborate bbq paraphanelia to roast chops, ribs, chorizos, sauges and / or sardines over open fires. Big pits are set up with lots of wooden stuff, (much salvaged from garbage and recycling centres) to ignite bonfires after midnight. The fire rids the soul of evil spirits, especially if you leap over the dancing flames. At midnight they go into the sea to cleanse and purify the soul, (or just for the crazy experience of it) for a blessed and bountiful summer. Then there are impressive fire work displays over the sea in most coastal towns.

My husband's family were not originally from Malaga nor a coastal town, and thus, did not initiate their kids into the tradition, so I dragged my husband to the beach (he hates big crowds) with a cold picninc and beers to feel part of the celebrations. It is great people watching, and it always amazes and impresses me. People of all ages and several nationalities party and celebrate side beside with no conflict, problems, nor run-ins. Family's with little kids, groups of teenagers, groups of twenty-somethings, older people, mid age groups. They enjoy and let enjoy, no judging, no harassing. They're all their, they're all happy, they're all elaborate in their food, fires and friends. I love it!

We were on our own, but ended up by chance close to my daughter and her huge school crowd. It was enlightening and comforting to see her, unaware of our presence, in her crowd. She laughed a lot, moved easliy from one group to another, and went completely into the water at midnight and again 30 minutes later - her and a bunch of mostly guys. I got cold just watching her.

As we waited for the fireworks my husband and I cuddled in the blanket, (the sea breeze was chilly to our 40 something bodies) and he sang me the classic romantic Spanish songs he used to sing to me and taped for me before we were married. Amongst noise and craziness of all kinds we managed to form our own little cocoon and just enjoy the stars, each other and the happiness of our daughter two groups over.

No bon fire leaping, no cleansing in the sea, but a positive way to start the summer, and enjoy the way everyone enjoys life and repects traditions here.

Storyteller

I am a Storyteller,
a provocateur of thought and reflection

Buried in my soul,
is the one of me that seeks to offer joy, inspire hope, awaken dreams

I transform my transparent self
into a magical mysterious enchantress
capable of casting a spell of new insight and understanding

There are tales
from ancient times and distant lands that I have been told to tell


This is one of my Sacred Contracts
to share different cultures, open doors, ignite imaginations,
and awaken understanding

I am a Storyteller,
a provocateur of thought and reflection

Meme from To Taste a Peach

What were you doing 10 years ago?
In 1998 –
We were preparing our move from Madrid to Malaga with great joy and anticipation, looking forward to leaving the big city and all of its disadvantages…and advantages, and embrace life by the sea, among family and in a house instead of an apartment.

I had recently realized I wanted to leave business and management consulting behind, and had begun creative writing again and other creative activities.

I had met and become friends with someone who was a help in that arena, then disappeared, and who has come back into my life as a catalyst in my new reading promotion activities now, 10 years later.

My mother was still alive, so important in the changes I have undergone from then to now.

My girls were 5 and 8, full of promise, excitement, wonder, fun… all in that innocent loving manner that changes in the teenage years we are experiencing today.

To do list for today-

Pick up house after 4 days away.
Go to grocery store
Lat day of Padel Class and group breakfast after
Fix a good healthy lunch for the family
Polish my writing pieces from my trip to send to friends and post on blog.
Meet with local bookstore owner to discuss summer and other future activities
Catch up on e-mails
Accompany my daughter to her favourite store to see the dress she wants
Get spoiling time for my husband who is going through difficult days at work.

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

To improve my own life I would change houses to one that had a separate guest house so that it would be easier for friends and family to spend time with us. It would not be a huge mansion but bigger than I have now with a bit more land. I would have a 2nd residence in the US. I would have daily help to do the cleaning washing house keeping and some some cooking, to leave me time to dedicate to creativity and developing other projects.
I would finance the volleyball team and youth sports project my husband would establish and run.

To improve the world I would set up a foundation, or become an influencing voice in an established one (money brings power and facilitates this) in order to help form businesses that work towards: reducing our dependency on oil; resolving water needs and related issues in third world countries; supporting and developing local entrepreneurs in those countries to be able to create jobs for their own people and develop their own country.

To improve the life of our family members I would offer a set amount for each sibling to allow them to own a home and/or start a business endeavour, and for each parent and/or aunt and uncle to allowi them to live comfortably and without financial worry in retirement.

4. What are three of your bad habits?
1. Procrastination
2. Leaving things out of place allowing clutter to collect and make the room messy.
3. Allowing the negative thoughts and chatter to spend time in my mind, slowing down my progress and growth.

5. What are some snacks you enjoy?
· Popcorn
· Chips and dip
· Nuts
· Cheese
· A cookie now and then and a square of chocolate or one Hershey Kiss

6. What were the last five books you read?
You must keep in mind that I earn my living (or a salary that one day will be enough to consider a living) through reading programs and creative writing workshops so I must read a lot. These books I read in May and June.
· The Zahir by Paolo Coehlo
· The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
· Maridos (Husbands) by Angeles Mastretta (Mexican author)
· Elogio a una Madrastra (Ode to a Stepmother) by Vargas Llosa (Peruvian author)
· The Purple Hibuscus – A novel from Africa by a young African woman whose name I cannot recall.
· Three young adult short novels for the youth reading group I facilitate, including The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in both Spanish and English.

7. What are five jobs you have had?
1. Current – Story teller, reading promoter, creative writing coach.
2. Fundraiser then Fundraising and Communications Manager for local Cancer Hospice
3. Management Consultant focusing on systems improvement, then on Customer Service and Leadership.
4. Travel Agent
5. Airline ground agent

8. What are five places where you have lived?
1. Spain – Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Malaga
2. USA – Washinton DC suburbs in Virginia (where I grew up)
3. San Diego (As a single adult)
4. Dallas Texas (As a single adult)
5. Phoenix Arizona (as a child)

9. What five people do you want to tag?
Vale of Evening Fog
Bonnie at Wordsmith
Frankelscence
Marginal Views