That post title really shouldn’t get an exclamation point because it really isn’t all that exciting, but… here we are 😉

Anyway, with that little intro – hellO!!  How are all of you?!  I have been writing so many topic-based posts lately that I haven’t had a chatty post in quite some time.  I really, really enjoy writing the topic posts, especially because I think they can be useful for the people that tend to read my blog (a lot of people in Spain and a lot of new teachers) and also they are helpful for me, when I look back and try to remember how to do something complicated in Spain (basically everything).  They are fun to put together, and I love doing the research on them, but I do wish I had more feedback on them.  If YOU are a regular reader of this blog and feel like writing a comment or shooting me an e-mail (tlcohen91@gmail.com) to tell me what you think about the recent posts here on A Spoonful of TLC, I would love to hear from you.  Based on statistics, I know a lot of people visit the site every day, but getting comments is so darn difficult!

Anywho, all of that is to say that I miss just chatting… to the air… so I thought I would take a quick break from the topic posts and pop in to show y’all what I have been up to the last couple weeks since the California trip ended!  As soon as this post gets published, I am hopping in the shower, grabbing some breakfast, and then Mom and I are heading to Harrisburg to get an apostille on my background check.  Fun stuff!  

While the rest of the gang flew back to Europe, I hopped on a flight and skipped over to Philadelphia so that I could spend a few weeks with my parents and Teddy and Misu.  Actually, I really only wanted to stay 2-3 weeks (not because I don’t love my parents… I do … but because my life here is so limited and after 2-3 weeks, I start to get the itch to get back into life and a schedule and you know.. social interaction with people that don’t love me even if I paint the walls without their permission or drop the oven door on the floor and smash the glass into a billion pieces #truestories), BUT I am waiting on a visa appointment that may or may not keep me here a bit longer than expected.  Hey, it’s not the worse thing in the world, my parents are great, and… I was going to make some off-colored joke here but I am holding back because I am strong.

Here is what my days look like:

I have been teaching every morning from 6:30 to 9 or 10.  This week, I have only been working 7-9 am, but it’s enough.  Next week, I will go back to 3 hours (I am so sorry if you hate me for writing that).  I have really enjoyed getting up and working first thing and then having the full day ahead of me!  I think I might try to do this in Madrid.

I have been going to doctors appointments, because my mom loves to book them for me when I come back to the good ol’ USA.  

Even though I have been stuck by THREE needles this week.  I hate needles, but not as much as I used to.  Once, I had to be held down for a shot, but they didn’t grab my legs so I kicked the doctor in the groin…. another true story.  I would say I’m not proud of that, but I was young and had good aim…

I have been eating a lot and cooking a little.

I made this for my family (roasted fresh summer vegetables, served with Trader Joe’s grain blend, topped with chopped basil, EVOO, salt, and parmesan cheese)

I bought these acai packs from TJs after falling in love with acai bowls in California.

I’ve made a couple bowls, but they aren’t as good as the ones in restaurants.  Just need more toppings.

I have been exercising some… runs, walks, and I went to the gym one time.

Teddy has been most of my social interaction for the last 10 days… and I am ok with it.

And last, but not least, I have put on normal clothing (as opposed to my pajama uniform of the last 10 days) to leave the house a couple times.  One night, we all went out to dinner to celebrate Lee’s last night at home (he is moving to Madrid…).

And another day I went downtown to meet up with Hannah (we met in Cross Country in high school!) and I was reminded of just how much I love downtown Philly!

There is a huge community garden growing there to help feed hungry families in Philadelphia.  So amazing!  

Hannah and I went to her house for dinner and she made delicious burgers and then she made us ICE CREAM in her ice cream maker!  

The photo doesn’t do it justice, but it was SO GOOD!  I tried to convince her to have an at-home business!  Hannah’s Creamery, coming to Philly in 2020 😉

That’s it for today!  Like I said, nothing too exciting, but it is what it is.  I’ll try to pop in next week with more of this excitement for you. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!