Great News for the Gurteen Family!

Good news!!!

Actually bloody brilliant news! 

My sister finally got a break and nabbed a job up in London which sounds perfect for her. She's been working so hard on her writing and blogging the last few years and pulled things together in such a way that she's fashioned her own niche. I have to say I'm impressed (and maybe even a tinsy bit jealous -us Gurteen kids are competitive). She's going to be dealing with some yummy clients and working in my favourite part of London town. If I could relive my time there, I'd have to say she couldn't have asked for a better start.

My sister hasn't had it easy the last few years and I know many a time she has been down or confused or feeling like things were totally working against her. I'm sure she'd tell you that herself, but you know what? From an outsider's perspective, I'd like to say to her that she needs to give herself more credit. She's a tough (and stubborn) little cookie. Despite financial woes, she's always been true to herself and pursued her own interests and this has finally paid off in ways she probably could never have imagined a few years back. She's done a lot if she looks back, and has had some excellent experiences and met some wonderful people -all done with grace, flair and vintage fashion.

I think we have our upbringing to thank for this a bit. We may have lived with quite eccentric parents, but they've always been excellent at encouraging us to do what we enjoy. At times, I have wondered if this was a bad thing in some ways -especially when it comes to finances. Sometimes my friends have scorned me and told me that part of life is just accepting something and sticking with it and ploughing through. I don't think my own flightiness is always a good thing, but there is a lot to be said about finding the life that fits you and that makes you happy. I think it is always changing too and you have to keep working at it.

My sister's success is such a relief to hear and it is encouraging. It just goes to show that you mustn't give up and you need to keep working at it. 

On a personal note, I wonder if the news today has sparked something within me in turn. I've been languishing a little in terms of where I want to be heading next. I had pulled my little car over into the slow lane for the time being and I've been recharging my batteries. This is a good move for me. I need time to de-stress and just let go a bit. But...I sometimes worry I'm going to grow too accustomed to the slow lane when inside I'm still restless and itching for something. If anything the news today has inspired me to merely do a little more research into a few ideas I've been mulling over. 

We all travel at different speeds and have peaks and troughs. One nice thing about social media today is you can look back at the photos, the blog entries, the conversations and emails...you can see a visual path that you've left behind... how far you've come. It's like a slug trail glistening in the sun or (to go for a more beauteous metaphor that would be more fitting for my sister as this post is mainly dedicated to her) a long glittering silk scarf! Even the darker moments add depth and variety. Either way... for better or for worse, life is beautiful.

Congratulations Smeg Leg! You got there in the end! May the next chapter of your life in London be a colourful one full of exploration and growth! xxx

(okay, I feel like such a cheesy wotzit now...Dad possession or what?! You guys! You guuuuuuys!!! Aw! Pass me your vintage boot so I can vom a little into it...Urgh! That feels better.)

Getting my cook on!

How often is it that you browse through a magazine and read a recipe and go:

'Oh great! I have all those ingredients in my fridge/cupboard right now!' 

Like hardly ever right?

I'm always thinking 'Darn! Where do I get curry leaves?!' or 'What the hell is that ingredient?!' or 'I don't have that utensil!!' (I'm hard pressed with scales - I measure everything in tablespoons and don't talk to me about the whisks I left behind in my last apartment. I whisk with a fork baby)

So it was a nice change to see this recipe in the Guardian this week and realise I had everything to hand. Hell, I even jazzed it up a bit!

So Hugh FW made this delicious specimen and I just added extra mushrooms and goats cheese....

And voila!

I thought I'd lost enthusiasm for cooking but I think it may be slowly creeping back...

I'll be back with a killer curry cream cheese recipe to die for soon... xxx

Tarraco Viva: The Romans come to Tarragona

So this weekend and the next, Tarragona goes Roman crazy with Taracco Viva festival. All around the town various Roman talks, spectacles and demonstrations are taking place and the museums were open until 1am last night and were free which was an added bonus.

I haven't done much sightseeing since being here, but in the last week I have been up the Roman wall (photos and post to follow) and inside the Modern Art Museum and The Archaeology Museum.The weather has been rather disappointing as of late so it is good to have the distractions.

Yesterday a whole group of us all piled into the Roman Amphitheatre  to watch a re-enactment of a gladiatorial show which was fun and fortunately the weather improved at the last minute (there was an hour of rain literally just before).

As you can see my camera wasn't so good for close-ups so the following unmarked photos below belong to my friend and work colleague Joe Wilsdon, who is fortunate to have a much better camera than me and has kindly allowed me to exhibit them. Gives you a better idea and flavour of the show.

 Here the crowds are shouting for life or death...(I had a rather passionate boy sitting next to me scream 'MUERTE!' at the top of his lungs...ah children are so innocent and charming!)

And death was delivered...

There was a lot of speaking in Spanish and I hope next year I'll be able to follow things better.

On the Rambla they were also parading these:

 ....which all looked very serious and regal until I got to the front and discovered this cartoon cat character... Tee hee hee! Only in Spain!

And we stumbled upon some Castells taking place too in a nearby plaza. One family sat on a step with their pet rabbit next to them happily nibbling on a carrot, watching this take place!

So it has been a weekend of spectacles all in all. I have to say it is hard to get bored in this place...xxx

Art: I can make a picture for you.

So, this summer I am working in a kind of boarding school/summer school set up for 5 weeks. After that I'm at a bit of a loose end for some time. I'd like to find a short term job but I'm not sure how easy that will be. Plus I also want some holiday time too.

So....I am planning to fill my time with car boot sales, studying Spanish and basically doing Art (I want to make a paper mache flamingo).

People keep telling me I could sell some of my little pictures so I'm going to give it a whirl if there is interest.

Here is the deal...

Tell me what you want in terms of a silhouette shape (cat/ duck / shark -whatever within reason and artistic ability) or a rough idea and I'll make it for you.

Little pictures (roughly A5 size) I'll do around the £10 mark plus postage (I can do smaller too for cheaper)

and

Larger pictures a bit more... A4 like £15-20? We can discuss frames and details together over email at catofcuriosity@live.co.uk

Here are some of my previous works to give you an idea...Get in touch if you are keen xxx

Hamster Art on a Friday

 I have to keep a documentary of my art these days as I give most of it away. These are two little fridge magnets which I made for a work colleague's birthday. She likes hamsters you see...I intend to make two more with elephants for someone else. I'll post those when they're complete.

I hope to branch out with this idea a bit more in the summer with canvas and other material. I had a play around with pastels last week at Kal Pobre with the same theme but it was rather naff...Definitely needs more work and a new direction now.

Anyway, what with work, creating these, and watching Central Station whilst sipping a Kir Royal (found Creme de Cassis in Carrefour - whoop!!!) and nomming on Chinese take-away, its been a rather pleasant Friday. It is weird to think I watched Central Station over 13 years ago just before I left for my gap year to Brazil. Our country leader/organiser made us watch it when we were up in Scotland on our training to...I don't know...get a flavour for Brazil?!

What a sweet film...but it really does illustrate the kind of lawless air Brazil once (still?) had. I recommend it - plus I love hearing Brazilian Portuguese - such a bouncy, playful language. I still remember my host mum, Quiquita, cooing cutesy words at our pet pug and enjoying the sounds she made: 'bonichino' - little prettiness or little cuteness...I think it was?!

Sometimes I feel like my time there was a dream now...so long ago. It would be nice to go back one day, see how things have changed. I doubt I'll ever see Quiquita again or her husband Zizo, they were both quite old back then...

I wonder if one day my time in Tarragona will feel the same in that way.

Anyway...despite the rubbish weather forecasts, the rain has not yet spoilt the day. This weekend sees the start of Tarraco Viva - a whole weekend where the city goes 'Roman' and we're going to sit in the amphitheatre tomorrow evening to watch a gladiatorial re-enactment! I really do hope the rain keeps away.

I also have suspicions that a good friend is back in town...let's hope I am right as it will be wonderful to see her if so.

Anyway, I'll be back soon. Enjoy your weekend! :) xxx

Turkish beach picnic frolics and Jackie!

 Just a quick post...just to show you some of the unusual but tasty Turkish food we munched on yesterday down the beach. The balls above are made of carrot, biscuit, sugar and butter with coconut!

 And these little squares made from semolina...I remember eating semolina like porridge when we were kids as a sort of after dinner dessert...

 And then below is Spinach cake! Who'd have thought you could turn so much savoury sweet hmm?! All very delicious and it is always refreshing to gather new ideas! I scored a great recipe at lunch on Saturday too for a delicious curry cheese spread (will share at some point) and I now know a very good method for making those caipirinhas a success! (too often have I messed them up)

 And finally...Jackie - our friend's new baby beagle.... So cute!!!! Give me pup or kitten over a human baby any day (well for now anyway). She's such a newborn...she has fits of energy and then within minutes she's overcome by sleep!

 Best time to snap photos really when they are moving less!

Look at those little paws...

Other news is a youngster will also be joining our household shortly...changes are certainly afoot! Probably a good thing...don't want things to go stagnant now!

The working week begins...but as always I imagine it will fly by. 

Until next time. xxx

A morning urge to write

I'm not sure what is wrong with me.

I drank excessively all day yesterday at a strung out Spanish lunch which was hosted by our darling school cleaner and that began at 1pm and finished at 10pm. I then continued to drink until 1am and the mix of my drinks all day consisted of:

homemade (very delicious) sangria
Cava
homemade (also very delicious) strawberry and lime caipirinhas
beer
Magnas
Vermouth

You'd think I'd be out for the count this morning but no...bang awake at 7am. I'm surprised my stomach is not giving me immense grief, but I suspect all the food I was fed has cushioned the blow.

Later today I'll be heading to a nearby beach town (Torredembarra)  to partake in more eating on the beach alla Turkish style as we bid farewell to a couchsurfing friend.

I bloody love the weekends here. Every weekend is sun and fun it would seem at the moment. The town had some large scale Vermouth festival going on yesterday and next weekend the place turns Roman and Terraco Vivo starts with gladiatorial shows and fine Roman dining and all sorts of other spectacles, so I'm told. We're in the process of acquiring show tickets -and for a whopping bargain-ous price of 3 euros.

I don't think this blog entry is going to have much structure or flow today (when does it ever?) but I feel the need to write and document so this I shall.

We're halfway through the term again and there is only another six and a half weeks to go before I'm back on a plane to the UK. I'm quite amazed by this fact. Following the pattern I have set myself the last few years, I should be preparing myself to say goodbye and farewell to Tarragona forever, but I did the unusual thing and decided to commit to another year.

It is a daunting prospect and one I discussed a little with a fellow colleague over drinks yesterday. You see...with such a job as TEFL teaching, the lifestyle is quite transient. Such a large number of my new friends will be gone next year. This shall certainly have its impact. However, like the hydra's head I suspect new characters will pop up in their stead, but I expect the atmosphere will mix, dilute, change, well...something will happen. A new stage will be set.

Will I love next year as much as this one? This is the challenge us 'stayers' face.

I'm not a believer in astrology particularly, but I stumbled upon some links about solar eclipses (also here) the other day and we're undergoing one as I write now. Supposedly they are meant to be quite eventful and are blamed for the shake-up of events and the bringers of new beginnings. I read this all light-heartedly, but that same day some rather dramatic events unfolded which may now also affect my life here next year - namely - whether I will stay in my current accommodation and also who I may share it with.

If such things go ahead life could become rather interesting.

So there are changes in the social scene to be expected and changes on the home front. Changes are a foot at school also and not for the better necessarily with lots of tensions simmering below the surface with regards to how things are run. Our secretary leaves at the end of the month and a whole load of question marks hang in the air of her trail.

Finally, I wonder if there are also changes in my love life or if this is just another passing phase? I haven't dwelt upon it much and instead have chosen to go with the flow. I guess only time will tell, but I'm not so foolish as to start pinning hopes on the situation.

Considering all these areas, whereas I have been happy to be rather inactive, somewhat stationery this year in terms of planning and seeking out change, I find that change has nevertheless simply rushed in like water to sweep and swirl and alter the landscape all around me. No chance of clinging on tight to the status quo in vain hope that it will remain after the flood subsides.

I guess that is what keeps life fresh and vibrant.

Anyway, with my writing urge satisfied I think I shall go back to Sunday mooching in bed for a bit. The sunlight is slowly but steadily streaming in through my window warming the room. Another day begins! :) xxx