In the words of John Denver: I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

Hi, everybody! 

I've decided that a blog will be the easiest way to keep in touch during my year-long fellowship in Spain (I leave on Saturday, WOOT) because it allows people to read or not read as they so choose. You can access it because you've been given the link-- it's just not public because I don't exactly relish the idea of writing for the world to read. I hope to update it somewhat regularly, although if my blogging record is anything like my college calling-home record, I can't promise too much heh heh, sorryy...

The blog title comes from a free association exercise á la What About Bob. ("Some free associations from my infancy: A beach ball... a dog... a log... a poodle... a noodle... a doodle...") Anyway, when I considered titles & Spain, the following took place in my head:

"Title, Spain, Spanish title... I know, King of Spain!" Now there's a fun song, but making it the name of this blog seemed just a little narcissistic. And also imperialist. Not to mention unrealistic because I'm a girl and all. King of Spain.

Some sweet street art in Madrid. Also

how I looked while pondering a blog title.

"Boots of Spanish Leather!" which is a line from "King of Spain" and is also one of my fave Bob Dylan songs ever. But I already associate that song with a different travel experience, plus it's much too sad to be the title of this blog. (Just listen to it for yourself. Geez, rip my heart out already. The poor guy.) Boots of Spanish Leather.

"Counting Crows' Holiday in Spain! Perfect." And that would've been the title had it not already been taken by some other loser, oops I mean blogger. So "Holiday en España" it is, which means the same thing plus I like it better anyway. So there.

Now technically, I'm not going to be on holiday in Spain since I'll be working part-time at a public high school in Madrid, supporting the work of English instructors as a teaching assistant. But I am traveling on a student visa, which means my part-time employment is capped at 20 hours/week. So let's be real, basically I'm on holiday. And I couldn't be more pumped about it because, in my free time, I plan to join a choir/volunteer/explore ALL OF THE THINGS. :)

Alright, that's all for a while. Check back in the future for important updates, including, but not limited to:

- Will She or Won't She? (Find an Apartment)

- Kids Say the Darndest Things: Spanish Edition

- "Seven More Hours 'Til Dinner?? SRSLY?!" (an excerpt from The Spanish Hunger Games)

xo,
E.