An apple a day keeps the Dr. away. The Dr.?

So sometimes I am impressed with national healthcare, and other times I am not. Today I experienced one of the not-impressed moments. I needed to go to a Dr. to get a form signed/some sort of paper that certifies that I am in good health/mentally stable/not a drug addict/capable of travel, etc. in order to complete my application for renewing my program here. Fine. So this morning I call the first office on my list that is near to my house to see if I could get an appointment for this week yet. Sure, 6:30. Today? Yes, today. Okay, sweet. After hanging up I realized that he didn't even take my name... oh well, must have a pretty open schedule...? Odd.
Later, upon entering the office, I noticed another strange thing: no reception desk. Just a little waiting area. I called out a soft greeting to announce my presence and sat down to read my book. A few minutes later an elderly couple left a room and the Dr. ushered me in to his examining room/office. I sat down across the desk from him and told him what I needed, showing him a sample paper that I'd translated from the suggested form. "Okay," he says, pulling out a pad of letterhead paper, "Let's see your identification." (To write my name correctly on the paper.) "You don't have any diseases or anthing, right?" "No. Not that I know of." He nods and writes something out on the paper. "This bit about the traveling...is that necessary?" Well, I'm not sure, I don't think the wording is too important, as long as it says I'm a healthy individual..." He signs the paper, stamps it and hands it to me. His phone rings and he has a short conversation with a friend. I put the paper away and wait awkwardly for him to finish, trying not to listen-in on his conversation. "I think that's all I need, thank you very much." I say, wondering if he is going to charge me. "No problem, hasta luego."
Um, thats it? I just walk in, have him sign a paper for me without so much as taking my blood pressure and walk out again? I guess I was expecting a physical. But why would he need to do that? I'm clearly healthy and not addicted to drugs and have no diseases. Anyone could tell, just by looking at me! Right...? Whatever. Sure made it easy to get my paper taken care of. But note to self: in case of actual medical attention, find other doctor...

fresas frescas

So last weekend there was a special offer at the frutería below my flat: big box (1.5 ish kilos?) of strawberries, 3 euros! yuummmy! I bought a box, of course, and made some shortcake to go with it. took along berries when I went climbing with friends. Then yesterday I went down again to stock up on more fruit... box of strawberries, 2 euros! woohoo! I was going to off to share half the box with my flatmate, Gabrielle, knowing they would hard to eat by myself before they went bad.. but she, seeing my box on the counter, went and bought her own! hehe. I guess we love fruit. Gabrielle, by the way, comes to us from Toulouse, France. The new-ish addition (like, since Feb.) to the house, as Sarah left in January. We get along well, and make far too many desserts for our own good, as each of us likes baking a bit more than cooking. Today, inspired by the strawberries and rare presence of cream cheese in my refrigerator, I decided to make fruit pizza. mmm. Crust was a little thin, but that can be fixed for next time.

Had another friend from college come visit this last week over his Spring Break. We did lots of walking/city exploring/climbing/tapas/flamenco listening to/graffitti admiring, etc. All good activities. I had a cold all week, though, so I'm pretty tired. For this week, then, its relax, apply for renewal of current job (I think I could do Granada another year...) and plan for Mom and Dad coming in two weeks!

The Jabberwocky

My Dad used to tell me this poem by Lewis Carroll...
Its a fun one, and someday I think I shall memorize it (Kathy did so years ago and I think can still recite it upon command...) ;)

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

and a picture of the gorgeous coast on the western tip of Tenerife.

oh, andalucía

Apparently I've been lax in blogging recently. oops. My excuse is that I've been having too many adventures. tehe. In the last few weeks I've been out climbing in various gorgeous places nearby (It's great way to get out in the country, spend a day in the fresh air, sun, and do a physical activity. Plus its just fun, and the people I go with are also fun. Mostly Spanish, but sometimes with some Germans and Italians as well.)
I also went to Cadiz with my flatmates and various friends. We dressed up as sailors (and a captain, of course) and spend the night trampsing through the streets amongst WAY too many other people. EVERYONE else was dressed up (Carnaval) and it was pretty entertaining for about the first half of the night. Then the amount of people + alcohol was much greater than the number of bathrooms and the streets became a disgusting mess. Plus we lost my flatmate and spent a long time trying to find him again. It turned out to be a long night, but we eventually got back to Malaga where one of the guys lives and we crashed at his beautiful flat right next to the sea. (Then I went swimming in the cold, cold water. But, I was on the beach, so I had to...)
Then this past weekend/week I hopped on a bus to Madrid and then flew to Gran Canaria for an international beach ultimate tournament. Awesome. Beautiful weather and fun times. I have a few more freckles. [But apparently I am not in 3-day ulti tourney shape...eek! tired.] Sunday night I took a boat to Tenerife to visit a friend and the next day we rented a car and toured around the island. I'm amazed at the changes of scenary we saw in such a small space. Tropical beach and desert and mountains and forests and bare volcano and crazy rocks and wild coasts. Then on Tuesday I headed back to Madrid, spent a few hours in the bus station and caught the night bus back to granada. Home by 5am for a short nap before work. I think I'm finally recovered... Ready for a new week.