"January, month of empty pockets!"

Seeing as I've run out of Duane Reade bags, I write this as I wait for my hanging laundry to dry after a fight with the washing machine that left me with sore forearms, squeezing out the extra water the spin cycle failed to do itself. My next adventure will be hanging my clothes out the windowsill, though looking down, dropping a sock would be a gift to Hades.

A month has come and gone. It flew by, and it's been rocky, as can be expected. Just when I was about to reach the point of overwhelm, last week I woke up to start my day at the corner cafe-- an unremarkable little place without a name. I opened the door to find the barista with the cool bangs and effortless hands setting down a cafe con leche and croissant at my favorite table. "Como siempre, no?" Yes, like always.

Since then, it's been smoother sailing. I've started to ignore a few loose ends that I've finally realized may stay undone indefinitely. The one thing I'm having the most trouble with is the whole school thing-- it's been difficult forcing myself to act like a student. It is a nice change of pace, though, to have school revolving around my life rather the other way around.

My very pensive, brilliant friend back in New York once told me that it's all about finding a balance; an equilibrium that allows both work and play, confusion and clarity, solitude and good company. And though the latter may be hard to find, I can't complain. I've always been spoiled with an oversupply of wonderful friends, yet notoriously need my alone time. Here, the most important thing is not falling into the trap of loneliness, which can easily be turned into solitude with the right book on the right park bench. A flat full of friends has been a world of comfort despite our differences-- religious, political, geographical, cultural-- whatever they may be, laughs conquer them all.

Continuing to find more ways to love Barcelona, with its aversion to dreary days, preference for risky fashions, and naps over work. Even though the tapas at Sagardi may never replace Bleecker Street Pizza, I'm welcoming any competition over the next few months.


Updates of recent travels to come!
Meanwhile, take a look, vale!