Friendsgiving I & II 2015…and Lately.

I want to say Happy Monday!  But no….I hate Mondays. (Started writing this Monday…it is now Wednesday morning and I forced myself out of bed an hour earlier to get this written and posted once and for all.  I don’t mind, I get to enjoy my morning with a cup of hot coffee, listening to quiet music, while chatting with you all.  And besides, today is my last day of the work week!)

Well, 48 hours ago (now 96 hours ago), I wasn’t sure if I would be sitting down to write a post and tell you how a) we had an awesome Thanksgiving party, nothing bad happened and it was so much fun! b) we had a fun party until the police showed up, c) I have been evicted from my piso and I’m currently homeless, or d) any combination of the aforementioned options.

Luckily, I’m sitting down to tell you about a super FUN weekend, full of a whole lot of food and alcohol and friends.IMG_1520

(Via Instagram–> Follow me @tlcohen91)

But before that party, let’s back up to Thanksgiving/ Friendsgiving Numero 1.  My roommate, Rachel, got invited to a Friendsgiving at her friend Elcie’s apartment, so Kristen and I tagged along for some friends and food.IMG_1510The food was AWESOME and I definitely ate more that night than I have eaten since I stepped off the plane in this country.  Look at that mac and cheese!  And mashed potatoes!  And candied yams!  And stuffing!  Carbs!  And this was before the turkey.  If you’re wondering, I contributed that delicious-looking plastic container of canned corn.  Yep, gave myself a big pat on the back for that one, but…hello 1.50 Euro contribution….

Besides the food, we played a few rounds of games that had me cracking up, especially when the Spanish guests were obviously confused by what was happening.  For example, when dessert came out, for whatever reason, we sang Happy Birthday to Kristen, who had the most recent birthday of the group.  But one Spanish guy didn’t know what was going on so he started singing, “…Happy Birthdayyyyyy dear Thanksgiving!  Happy birthday to you!!!”  It was a good night, and many of the same guests joined us the following night for our Thanksgiving…party.DSC_0001DSC_0003Of course, we had Thanksgiving food, and actually spent the majority of the day Saturday cooking, purchasing supplies, and cleaning.  We asked everyone to bring a dish, but you know…”I brought wine!” was everyone’s opener that night.  So we had turkey, 2 chickens, roasted brussels with butternut squash and cranberries, gravy, chocolate chip cookies, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and a risotto dish, and lots and lots of dessert.IMG_1517 IMG_1516 IMG_1512Those pictures need some color, huh?  We actually had corn and green beans to put out, but forgot!  Oops.

I didn’t get to try any of this…since I was running around.  You know.

The night was super super fun and I woke up the next day ready for our next party.  My roommates, on the other hand, say I didn’t see the damage since I was out.  Haha, it looked pretty good to me 😉

Successful Thanksgiving weekend and I’m thankful for my roommates, who helped make it happen, all of the friends (and strangers!) that showed up and made it fun, and my parents who listened to me talk about it for weeks.

Lately

Metro sightsIMG_1497The tallest man ever!

IMG_1461Where can I get one of these jackets?  Real nice…

I have been averaging 1-2 runs/ workouts each week.  Not great, but it’s nice when I do get out.IMG_1464 IMG_1484 IMG_1481 IMG_1479And running through Retiro is the closest I have come to finding fall in Madrid.

And lastly…IMG_1492I spent 45 minutes exploring a new floor of the Reina Sofia a couple weekends ago, in accordance with my “one cultural activity per week” rule.  I don’t love the Reina Sofia, so 45 minutes was plenty and a nice start to my lazy Sunday.

Ok, I better get dressed so I don’t have to start my day with sprints to the metro/ bus.  Never fun.  I just have to get through 4 hours of school, 2.5 hours of private lessons, get some paperwork done, then tomorrow I’m getting up to exercise (for once), going to an important visa appointment, and then packing, because Friday (at 6:30 am…wah), Annie and I are flying to BELGIUM!  It’s going to be a fun weekend.  Will report back…

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