Schroder's in Spain

Even if you don't got it, flaunt it!!!

2010-06-09T13:08:00.002+02:00

When visitors come to town, the first thing to see is Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, next is a stroll along the sea and port side. Barcelona is unquie in the fact that it is an old urban, bussling city that sits right on the Meditarian Sea.

You can visit historic Placa Sant Jaume...

or have Tapas on the top floor of the W hotel, then walk a few steps and be soaking in the rays on the beach.

Luke, Faith and my friend Julie from USA, on the boardwalk

Since we now consider ourselves local, we know a few secrets about life on the Mediterranean Sea that the average tourist doesn't. One, the beach can be the most dangerous place at night, contrary to the inner city. Two, the water is freezing most of the year, and three, nudity is normal and even flaunted. The first time I stumbled upon a group of naked men playing paddle beach ball I thought I had accidentially wandered into some private section of the beach.

"Mom, quit starring," Cambrie said.

Oh my gosh, I thought to myself, I am starring and I can't stop. My mind is racing with curiousity and questions. First, why isn't anyone else starring? Second, how could a society ever get used to this spectacle? One naked man pops up from his towel and runs into the water. He splashes around jumping over little waves. This is when I should really look away, but I am facinated. Third question: How could someone possibly be this comfortable with their body, especially when they would look so much better clothed; like completely clothed. I am surprized this man even has the confidence to go out with his shirt off with that much back hair, let alone....butt naked.

DON'T WORRY, NO PHOTO TAKEN OR INSERTED HERE.

OK so when my friends came to visit last week, of course we went to the beach. I was wondering if they would notice all the naked people on their own, they didn't, so I took the liberty of pointing a few out.

"I think they think: Even if you don't got it; flaunt it," says Luke.

"That is a great idea for a marketing campain ," I say.

This is such a liberating way to be. OK being naked and hairy on the beach is extreme, but how often do we not wear something or do something because we aren't confident in what God has given us?

Sometimes I have turned down a dance with Ricky because I have no new moves since the early 90's (neither does he), or I have sat watching my kids swim at my neighbors house because I feel like I look bad in a bathing suit. Ok well my neighbor is a Victoria Secret super model, so I have a good excuse. Anyway the point is, embrace who you are, and don't let anything especially yourself hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest.

So this past week my friend and I after being inspired from our brush with fashion in Paris, decided to put on a fashion show for a bedding company. We made clothes out of bedding and organized groups to represent the company. "Do you want to be one of the models?' my friend asked. "No way," I said as anxiety flooded my body. "Why not, it would be fun?' she urged. "I need to be back stage getting the models ready." It was true, there was a lot of work back stage with the outfits and I was needed there, more than I was needed on the runway.

Later that night, I suddenly thought, "I am going to do it, when am I going to have this chance again?" I thought of what Luke said strolling along the beach...."even if you don't got; it flaunt it." So I have never walked a runway or been able to keep a good beat to music, but I decided not to let fear hold me back.

Stage Mom takes the stage herself. If you want to be a model, make your own fashion show and put yourself in it. Luke and I represent CoCo Mat's first store in America.

Cambrie and friend representing CoCo Mats shops in China.

Faith and a friend modeling bedsheet and pillow case creations.

A real model in a wedding dress we created from a feather duvet. Ricky is the background filming.

So go ahead, take the stage in your own life, and don't be afraid to flaunt it.

P.S. In Memory of....

This post is dedicated to Daniel, our friend who passed away in Topanga recently. Some would say that Daniel had little to flaunt, but whenever we pulled up to the general store, he flaunted his big smile and proudly read his own cowboy poetry from his tatered notebook. Thanks for being confident in sharing your soul with us Daniel, we will miss you when we return.

Confessions Of A Stage Mom

2010-05-08T08:41:00.000+02:00

"Mom, Sophie, Digby's girlfriend asked me if I could model in this fashion show in Paris," Luke mentions as he kicks off his snowboard boots one day this winter.

I had been complaining of feeling low with PMS the last couple days, but with the mention of "fashion show in Paris", I feel of sudden rush of seritonin hit my brain.

We had just arrived in France to ski with our friends from Barcelona. They brought and their son Digby and his girlfriend, Sophie, with her family. Sophie, with her thick french accent was living my teenage girl fantasy. She is a student at Parson School of Fashion Design in Paris.

Sophie and I after skiing in back in February

As a young girl I would sketch patterns for fabrics, shop at vintage stores and then make clothes out of curtains, purses out of baby pajamas and necklaces out of wire hangers.

Here I am as a teenage wearing a thrift store vintage find.

I remember my first day of highschool making a tight skirt out of a vintage chenille bedspread with fringe. My sister told me that it wasn't middle school anymore and the older highschoolers would not think my outfit was cool. That was 1986.

"Oh my gosh Luke this is so exciting, tell me all about it, when is it, please say yes, this is such a cool opportunity, this is such a dream," I say bubbling with excitement.

It wasn't long before Holden too was asked to be in the fashion show. Not long after that, they went off to Paris for the weekend for wardrobe fittings.

"Mom, we just finished the rehearsal, there we tons of photographers, the show is in this cool circus building, and the clothes we are wearing are pretty cool." Luke calls and tells me the day of the show.

Cambrie, Faith and I have spread outfits out all over the hotel room and are busy trying to make sure we wear something high fashion, when my friend calls and says we need to leave in 5 mins (2 hours early) because there is a huge line outside the venue of the show.

Lines forming hours before the show begins.

"You can't go wrong with black, " I say to the girls as I brush my teeth. Wait, I was just reading in a fashion magazine that red is the new black. Wearing black might make me look so last season. Crap. There is a knock on the door before I have time to rethink my all black Marc Jacobs dress I got on sale last summer.

"What, why aren't you guys dressed up? I gasp as I see my friend Anke and Sophie's mother standing outside the door wearing basic jeans and a scarf. "Oh it's super casual Andrea," they say.

By the time I walked 10 plus blocks to the show in my super high heels, my feet are killing me. We then wait in line with masses of people for over an hour to make sure we get seats. It is funny how events imagined actually really play out. Like for example our year in Barcelona. It has been so different than I had thought. My mind never imagined that learning spanish would be so hard or that I would crave Duck Con Fi, or own a hedgehog named Wiggly Puff. I couldn't imagine the wonderful people I would meet or especially that I would be here in sitting in the Bon Marchais Circus building watching my boys model. Each day, each new event, is unpredictable. I have learned to become keenly aware of the present and to live in the moment, because time moves quickly.

"The boys are on next," my friend says in my ear.

Then BAM, just like that Holden and Luke are in the middle of the Circus ring modeling in a fashion show in Paris. I can't restrain my excitemet.

Would you believe gypsy pants?

"Holden, Luke, woah!!!!" I scream at the top of my lungs waving my arms like a crazy person. "Holden, Luke....," I keep screaming.

Sophie and her models, Luke, Digby, and Holden

After the show I pace outside on the street waiting to greet the boys. Some of the designers and models walk out.

"Bonjour," I say, trying to act like I am part of the scene.

"Mom, you were like one of those crazy hockey parents who shake milk jugs filled with marbles, when their kid scores a goal," Holden says. "It was kind of embarressing."

At that moment I am quickly reminded that it's a been a long time since 1986. I give the boys a big hug and thank them for letting me live viacaroiusly through them for just a moment.

In Memory Of....

2010-05-06T01:06:00.009+02:00

This last year we have experienced a few losses of people we cared deeply for, but last week was a loss that hit us very hard. Brent Thurgood, a friend and our ranch manager for many many years, died suddenly, but peacefully of a hear attack at age 49.

A tough cowboy with a heart of gold.

Sharing his love for nature with the kids...

BRENT THURGOOD

HOLDEN:
I can't remember a time in my life without Brent. He has always been there since I can remember. When I think of fishing, Alaska, a true county boy or a real cowboy, I will always think of Brent. I remember learning he always wore jeans, nothing else. He even wore his jeans and hat in the lake when he tried to water ski behind the jets skiis on the ranch. He offered such practical wisdom and a contrast to the face pace of life in LA. Being in Spain, it doesn't seem real that Brent won't be around this summer on our annual trip to Alaska.
LUKE:
"Brent was so funny and I always felt myself laughing around him. One of our funniest memories of Brent was when he brought dogs to Los Angeles to help my Dad track some Lions for the LA County State Park. Before we went home we stopped at a shopping center in Malibu to get some food. We parked his big truck next to a local pet store that sells 2,000 dollar diamond collars for mini poodles, furry leopard dog beds and pink cupcake looking dogs treats. It wasn't long before the dogs in the back of the truck started fighting, Brent walked over to his truck and started yelling shut the f**k while hitting the dogs to break up the fight. The locals at the shopping center gasped in shock while Brent broke up the fight, he could care less what people thought of him, he loved his dogs and i loved his straight shooter personality.
ANDREA:
Brent was always supportive of Ricky and I. I was always grateful that he had Brent as his closest true friend. Brent and Ricky bonded in their love for the outdoors and animals. I always loved how much love and attention Brent gave each one of my kids. He had a real and separate relationship with all of them and he was a positive influence on each one of them. He taught them about nature and this has been a nice to balance them growing up in Los Angeles. Brent will be deeply missed by all of us.

Dear Julie and Family,
It was 1992 and I was talking hounds with this guy from Utah named Brent I had never met. I'm not sure who found who, but I'm glad we found each other. We would talk for hours about the benefits of one breed versus another. We finally made a plan to meet up and go for a hunt. Brent drove thru the night after work and arrived for an early morning lion hunt. We were immediate friends and Brent made many trips to MesaMood ranch over the early years to hunt. He and I caught several lions in the canyons your looking at. Ladder Canyon was very good to us. We walked the bottoms of those canyons and listened to the sweet sound of our hounds trailing and then treeing. His red hound was the best hound I'd ever seen. Some times we'd get stuck and spend most of the day cursing as we dug the vehicle from the mud. Brent and I would push each other as hunters. We laughed alot, shared alot for guys, and loved each other like brothers. Brent is my best friend and always will be. Brent loved Mesa Mood and took care of it like his own. He loved my kids, especially my boys. Going to Alaska and fishing wasn't the same without Brent and my boys would always ask if Brent was going before agreeing to go. Brent made everything more fun. I love you Brent...I never told you that...but I know you knew it. I knew you loved me. Brent was one of the good guys. He had values, his word was solid, he loved his kids and adored his wife.

Your buddy forever,
Ricky

Brent J Thurgood 1960 ~ 2010

A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO RICKY

2010-04-14T22:13:00.004+02:00

Here you are at 8 years old inThe Champ

Co-Star Jon Voight, Director Franco Zefferelli and Producer Dyson Lovell are still your friends today.

"Dear Ricky,

Don't get to swollen-headed when you will receive my warmest and most affectioned wishes for this dramatic 40 ieth. I am twice as much and still find lovers and friends as attractive as ever before...I must confess my very private passion for you, quite simply I fervid wish that you remain for at least another century the adorable friend, actor, husband and father that I have known !!!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICKY.

Franco Zeffirelli

"Ricky, I remember so well when we celebrated your birthday at MGM. A blessed day for The Champ! Happy 40th. I love you Ricky, Dyson"

At 9 you were the youngest person to win a Golden Globe.

Your parents who raised you and taught you so many great things.

"Rick, wishing you a blessed 40th birthday. It was such adventure growing up together. On your 50th, you'll be getting the karate video we did in our back yard with Andy.

Love you brother, Chris"

(childhood friend)

At 14years old you were every teenage girls "dream boat" including mine.

"Dear Ricky,

Here we are, face to face,a coupla silver spoons, hopin' to find, we're two of a kind, makin' a ...something, takin' a ... something... TOGETHER! We're gonna find our WAAAYYY!!! Ha! Oh man the good ol days huh?! How's THAT for makin' you feel your age?! Heehee!

If someone had told me the day I met you at the Youth In Film awards when you were TEN looking truly irritated in the photo I managed to get with you (what I'd give to find that one!), to popping in and out of each others lives as teenagers in the awesome 80's. Cut to now THIRTY freakin' years from the day we met and you and I have managed to form a beautiful, deeply rooted, hopefully life long friendship with our families! I LOVE that!!!! I love and adore your family and am anxious for you guys to come back! Enough already! You've been gone mucho too long!Anyway Ricky, I'm proud of you. You're only 40 and look at all that you have... in every sense you truly have it all! Happy Happy Birthday Dear Friend!!!!!!!!
Love always,
Robyn Lively-Johnson"
(childhood friend and Silver Spoons Co-Star)

"Dear Rick, Wishing you great years ahead. Have a sweet 40th birthday with your wonderful wonderful family. Love looking at the pictures of your adventures, and my oh my what adventures they are!! I am thrilled you are enjoying and enhancing your life with your treasured companions in life in such an amazing way.
Love you all. Sheila Kendall"
(Childhood friend and news reporter)

At 19 you starred in the best western ever made Lonesome Dove.

You and Robert Duvall are still close friends.

Rick

Many people have turned 40 in the last several centuries

Few have been as cool as you!

Let's shoot!

(film AND guns)

John Fasono

(friend and screenplay writer for 20 years)

In 1990 at age 20, you starred in another Western in my hometown Calgary, Canada.

We met and have been inseparable ever since.

Ricky,
I have been going through photos of your life before we met and then photos of our life together. What an incredible journey you have been on. I feel like as I have gotten older, I have gained so much wisdom about life and the way things happen, to only feel gratitude for all the blessings and look at the hardships as growth opportunities. I understand now that weathering the hardest times have made the many more good times even better. We joke all the time that when wake up I pinch myself that I have you beside me. How could I not be happy waking up each day next to my best friend, the father of my amazing children, a person who is my biggest advocate, a gifted artist, a fearless hard working man, a dedicated husband and family man? I am blessed to have you to share this journey of life together....
Love,
Andrea
P.S. A reminder of a poem I wrote for you a fews years ago..

Sleepy Love

Your love to me is sleepy,

sleepy like our soft bed-

comfortable like your warm body

next to my mine.

Your love to me is sunny,

sunny like a shiny ocean-

bright like your face when you are happy

to see mine.

Your love to me is jumpy,

jumpy like a black trampoline-

bouncing me into your open world

that is shared with mine.

Your love to me is happy,

happy like a dog on a walk-

knowing I've got a true friend

that loves me.

Your love to me is crazy,

crazy like a speedy jet plane-

racing into the unknown parts of you

that become a part of me.

Love Andrea

In 1996 I gave birth to our 3rd baby Cambrie who was born during our time in Colorado.

"Happy 40^th Rick!

Hard to believe it’s been 15 years that we’ve been friends. Our children are growing up and life is always changing! I want you to know that you have been a great friend and no matter how far apart life takes us I’m thankful for our friendship and all you’ve done for us! I was at a cross-roads and couldn’t decide what to do with my career. It was the start-up help loan that you gave us year ago that helped me get Budget Blinds off the ground. Thank you for believing in me, it was that event that started things in motion to get us to where we are today. When Stace and I talk about all those years ago we laugh remembering how much fun we had playing cards everywhere we went together. Our trip to Cayman was the first real vacation we ever took and it was awesome! Do you remember all the hours and hours we spent talking about life and religion? We’ve come a long way Rick! You’re a great friend and I’m glad to call you one of mine. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Tor and Stacey"

Ricky is a conservationist and won Colorado Land Owner of the year for his efforts on behalf of wildlife and their natural habitat. He has shared his love of nature with all of us.

"Hey Rick,

Happy Birthday !! We are close to 10 years apart and in November I turn 50. So, 40 doesn't sound so bad!!

From Your Fat Little Buddy,

Brent Thurgood"

(ranch manager for over 10 years and friend for many more)

In 2007 in Emmy nominated Adromeda Strain.

"Dear Ricky,

You have already, at the young age of 40, lived a life so full of joy and giving and caring ~ I can't wait to see what the next 40 years brings!

Thank you for being part of all we do to honor the families of America's Fallen Heroes, and thank you for giving a voice to those who serve this great nation of ours.

Your patriotism is humbling, your sense of duty is inspiring, and your spirit is contagious. We love you! Happy birthday!

Bonnie"

Bonnie CarrollTragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

1777 F Street, NW, Suite 600

Washington, DC 20006

In 2007 playing Mike Doyle on 24.

Happy Birthday to one of the nicest and most talented actors I

was privileged to represent.As I write this I am looking at a lucite clock on my desk that says,

"Flo, We Love You The Schroders 1984"

Back at you, Ricky. Happy Days.

Love, Flo

You have continued to grow and challenge yourself and have managed to prove yourself as an accomplished Writer and Director also. Here you are in 2008 directing Hellhounds for Sci Fi in Romania.

Ricky

Just want you to know how much I value our friendship and that I think you are a really great guy, a great friend and someone I really respect quite a bit in my life! I really miss having you around since you have been in Spain. We miss our Sunday visits to the Schroder's! We miss you guys so much. We have some time to catch up on when you get back! Maybe another trip to Mexico!? Bike and Surf? And fish!?!?

Your friend, Bart

(fellow actor, director, writer and friend)

Ricky and his own crew after filming scenes for a new Army based TV Series on an Army base in Texas Summer 2009

Happy 40^th! I’m confident that the next 40 years will be as eventful, gratifying and productive as the first 40! It is a pleasure and an honor to be working with you for all of these years. I’m looking forward to watching more of your dreams come true!

Very fondly,

Becca

(Manager)

You are surrounded by lots of family who give you constant support and encouragement.

Dear Ricky,

It seems that for someone still so young you have hurtled through your life with more interesting and exciting experiences than many people twice or three times your age. It takes a special person to be able to grasp those opportunities and magnify them as you have in your life. Here are a few of my thoughts of what I think makes you extra special..

1. Sensitivity – so many times I have seen those big blue eyes of yours moved to tears. Notably at the birth of your children, at the plight of someone less fortunate, at the recognition of God’s love for you, at the thought of how much you love Andrea and your children, and many other more personal times. Practical compassion. Just this past week or so ago a homeless man, Daniel, died in Topanga and I heard how highly he thought of you – for your recognition of his value in spite of his indigent circumstances, and your kindness in giving him clothing to keep him warm or money when appropriate.That seems to lead to your never-ending generosity. You have always worked very hard for what you have and undoubtedly deserve it and yet so many times I have seen you share your bounty with friends and family alike. To name a few – taking kids who are less-fortunate on many family trips at your own expense, organizing and paying for family activities at a reunion etc. You have the confidence to be humble. I could go on, but I will end here. With love and blessings for an awesome son-in-law who has so many of the qualities I would love to have myself, Penelope

Dear Ricky,

Even though I’ve known you for 20 years now it’s been the last few years living here in CA (and especially Topanga) that I’ve really gotten a chance to get to know you which has been great. You and the rest of the family have become my closest family and for that I am very appreciative. Not being one good at saying stuff I’m just going to get straight to the point:

- I’ve always been very impressed that you put your family first and make many sacrifices for them.

- You’ve been an inspiration to me on how you handle finances.

Try not to have too much of a mid-life crisis!! Happy 40^th.

Love,

Adam

(brother in law)

But your most important role of all has been your role as a Father.

"Dear Daddy,
It's your 40th birthday and it's an enormous one!!! I love the time we spend together and I will always remember it. I like how I am growing up with a father like you. I will never not love you because you are my father on earth and you are my love, my father, the one I depend on. I will always love you so much and that will never change. Love your daughter and Special Angel, Faith
P.S. Love is all you need."

Ricky has taken the boys to Alaska their whole lives. It is one of his favorite places in the world, known for is abundance of wide open space, fishing, and snow capped mountains.

"hey dad,

happy 40th...wow that sounds so old but you dont seem it. I enjoy being your buddy and spending lots of time with you hunting and fishing and i'm looking forward to our adventures in the future. we are going to be spending alot of time together this year since holden is going off to college and you're the only other guy in the house. your a great dad...love you! Luke"

RIcky and Cambrie this month in Morocco

"Dear Dad,

I feel like of all the kids I am the most like you in looks and personality too. You have led a life that has given me big shoes to fill and I want to fill them. I have big dreams and you have taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind too and to also dream big. I am growing up fast and I know you want me to stay your little girl forever, but I cant I want to fullil my dreams and goals. Sometimes I am hard on you, I just want you to be the best person that you can be and there is no other dad that I would rather have.

Love the boss lady and happy birthday,

Cambrie"

Ricky and Holden exploring the outdoors 1992

"hey dad

just wanted to say happy birthday, big 40.

the past 18 years of my life have been really great, you as a father have been a key role in that happiness, you have given me opportunities and experiences other kids dreamed about, these have shaped the person I am today. I am about to leave the house for college and I can say that I have nothing that I have wished I could have done while I was in the house. Thank you for that. I hope that you continue to succeed in following your passions as a writer, director, actor, and I hope I will still be included in your work, because I enjoy brainstorming with you. By example, you have given me a great work ethic and high standards of what I want my life to be. I'm excited to put them to the test in college and to make you proud.

love holden"

Ricky on the big day holding up a gift, a new Barcelona soccer jersy, just for him who during our time in Spain has become a crazy fan like the locals.

Happy Birthday Ricky....We love you!!!

Morocco Mania

2010-04-01T16:20:00.006+02:00

I am back logged on posts because we have been traveling so much. Our latest trip to Morrocco was so interesting that I thought I would isolate this post for simplicity.

We arrived late in Agadir via Casablanca to a mob of taxi salesmen. The taxis were for only 4 people, so we panicked in this totally forgein setting to quickly figure out who would go on their own. We decided to not give Holden and Luke money and so their taxi driver would have to follow us if he wanted to get paid.

Suddenly on long stretch of barren road, the boys taxi sped ahead of us and our driver turned into a desolate feild. I snapped a quick photo of the boys as they past us...

We were scared to death, over tired and paranoia set in. Maybe we should have covered our heads with scarves I thought? Maybe Ricky shouldn't have started singing "Rock the Kasbah", when the driver pointed out the city famous holy Kasbah (Kasbah means walled city in Arabic) on the hill.

Every scary movie I have ever seen flashed into my head and prayed we would make it to our hotel ALIVE. The next morning we were all still alive and enjoyed checking out Morocco gingerly within the safety of our hotel first.

"Mom what is this?" asked Faith pointing to the machine with tubes behind her.

Another opportunity to say..."You would never see HOOKA PIPES in a hotel lobby in America."

A day time view of the Kasbah on the hill from our hotel.

It wasn't long before we ventured up to the old Kasbah and rode camels.

In 1962 there was a huge earthquake that wiped out most of Agadir. Here we stand on a spot in the Kasbah ruins where over 4000 people were killed in the quake. Our guide in broken english said, "Here is where is where ze people sleep forever."

BOYS SURF TRIP

Luke had another opportunity to book a surf trip for Holden and himself (remember Mundaka). I think sometimes with older teenagers now, Ricky and I are more into letting them stumble a bit in order to learn. With little ones, you always remind them to look both ways before crossing the street, to wear a warm coat, eat all your vegatables.
Now Ricky and I are like...."let them freeze, let them starve, it's the only way they will learn. Let the boys book their own surf trip in a totally foreign country....."

"Our guides were total rookies," says Luke when he got back to the hotel later that night.

"What do you mean?" I asked

"They ignored us, made airport runs with us in the back of the van, we had no food or water so we starved all day."

"What do you expect for $25 for 3 full days of a guided surfing?" I asked

Luke thinks for a moment and then says...."Whatever Mom."

The boys arrive with the surf guides at their first surf spot.

The next day Luke packed a backpack full of water and snacks (see being hungry was good)

Holden on his way to catch some waves. My witty dutch friend looked at this picture and said, "I guess it doesn't matter if the women in Morroco forget to put sunscreen on." (it was a joke)

The boys catch some "epic" waves.

On the last day Ricky decided to go with the boys to take some photos. While driving in the 'van of shambles', Ricky asked the 25-30 year old Austrailian surf guides, "So when are you going to start your real life?"

"Dude this is as real as life gets," was the reply.

After a few days on the coast we take a long road trip to Marrakesch toward the center of Morroco

"You would never see cows in a pen on the top of a truck in America," Cambrie says

Multiple climates close to eachother makes Morroco special. A view from the desert to the snow a top the Atlas Mountains.

The road to our RIAD which is an old house in the Medina (city within the walls) turned into a small hotel did not look promising. The roads were tight so a guy with a buggy had to carry the lugguge through the passageway to our hotel.

"The place looked great online." I said a bit worried.

Soon though, we walked through an old sketchy door off the tiny wobbly road into an oasis of charm and style.

Our Riad was fabulous. Morroco used to be a French Colony and so the blend of the Morrocan and French sensibilites are often incredibly beautiful and our Riad was a perfect example.

Attention to detail....

Pattern mixing looking chic in the boys room.

Each room of the old house had unique charm.

Outside the walls of the peaceful Riad was chaos though. Hussle and bussle on top of loud speakers through out the city chanting the call to prayer. There are over 1100 Mosques in Marrakesh and Muslims are asked to pray 5 times a day facing Mecca.

One call to prayer this time of year is at 4am. The first night in our Riad I woke up startled to the sounds of wailing, chanting in prayer. At first I thought there was some kind of bombing or news story taking place outside the walls. By the last night though it became a warm reminder of the knowledge and love I had gained for this facinating part of the world.

The bussle of the women's second hand market.

Donkey's, bikes, cars and no traffic lights.

Faith and I looking like complete tourists.

We met up with some friends with Barcelona and had a fun day bartering in the Souka District (concentration of market shops)

THE FOOD

Tagime is the main dish of Morocco. It is a medly of meats and vegatables cooked in like a clay mini crock pot.

"Oooh mine is full of intestines," says Cambrie.

"Mine is mostly fat," says Faith.

"I liked the Tagine on our surf trip better," the boys say.

" I am not really hungry anymore," I complain.

"Then I will eat it all, because I love it, and I don't want to waste food!" Ricky says.

Ricky about to work on eating yet another plate of Tagine.

This biscuit filled with_______on the plane still has us puzzled. Smelled like dog food, looked like dog food, but watching others scarf it down we decided maybe it was Camel puree.

Scorpions for sale at the market, promises to chase away evil spirits if you dare eat them.

The meat and poultry shops are open where 'fresh chicken' reaches a new level. Pick the chicken you want from the cage and a man will cut off it's head and hand it to you. You don't get fresher than that.

It you want it plucked a man will take your fresh chicken across the way to boil off the feathers.

There were dried fruit and nut stands everywhere that were delicious.

A local man taking roasted peanuts out of a 700 year old oven.

Holden is the only one brave enough to taste the sheep brain appetizer.

Lots of banannas.

SNAKE CHARMERS and MORE....

The main square in the Old Medina is a concentration of Morocan culture.

Many shops sold a variety of uniquely morrocan goods such as Arogon Oil used for skin and hair.

Fresh popuri, herbs, soaps and natural make-up.

Here I am checking out some leather pouffs.

Spices and jewelery.

And the total is.....250 diram or $25 dollars.

Mega baskets

BACK AT THE HOTEL

Being out and about in Marrakesch with all the scents, colors, foods, people was intense and so we headed back to the Riad for a little R&R

Ricky plays back gamon witht the girls while...

I check out a local fashion magazine and...

Luke and his Barcelona friend nap in there new outfits.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST......

This garden is the most famous in Marrekesh. It is known for it's bright colors and quaint cafe.

The boys and a friend from L.A. order some ginger and mint tea.

Perfect timing with the camera Cambrie.

Bamboo tree grafitti.

This color blue is the color the garden is famous for.

Here we all are together...a bit haggered but together.

Lots of ....

The Schroder's

A Little Bit of Bragging

2010-03-25T16:55:00.000+01:00

Some good friends of our invited us to go for a boat trip with them to the Exhuma Islands in the Bahamas. After a month of rain, and mountains of laundry, the offer was too good to pass up.

We contacted our good friend Amanda from Malibu to see if she could come to Barcelona and handle the kids while Ricky and I rendevoued alone without them. The kids loved seeing a familiar face and the girls loved chillin with what Cambrie described as a "big sister".

It was a trek to get there via Paris, Atlanta, and Nausau before we actually got on the boat. The flights were over booked and Ricky and I sat separtely in the middle seats in "Monkey Class" (economy) as my friend here describes it. On the flight 8 hours flight from Paris to Atlanta I had a big guy with sleep apnea who gurgled, snorted and tried to cough up flem on one side of me and other the other a cute 90 year lady whose son was spoon feeding her yoghurt and attending to her every need. That sweetness between mother and son helped me be more compasionate to the snorter on my other side. Ricky on the other hand had a chatter box on one side and a stranger snuggler on his other side who kept dosing off on his shoulder. Needless to say when we finally arrived in the Bahamas were greeted by the Captain of our friends boat and wisked away in a black limo.

The next morning the crew had prepared a private beach for us, after watching 5 full seasons of Survior since Christmas with the kids, Ricky and I felt like we had won a reward challenge.

Paradise

It was hard not to take a bad picture...

I love this picture of my friend Eloise and I paddle boarding. We spend hours on the calm ocean paddling around checking out little Islands and collecting shells.

One morning we woke up and our friend said he had a big surprise for us. There is that word SURPRISE again.

"You will never guess," he assured us.

He was right. I could never have guessed that we would be swimming with PIGS.

Ricky gets brave and jumps right in.

Ricky holding a bag of apples gets chased. "Help," he yells.

Me on the other hand, who puts human emotions on everything including flowers.

"Hey little piggy, your babies are so super cute," I say.

This little stone house looks like it is smiling to me

We actually went on this boat trip with our friends last year and when the first meal was served, my super fit and healthy friend proudly announced that she specially requested all healthy food. Lots of fish, vegatables, salad, no fat milk, no sugar and all organic snacks. Everyone seemed excited, but me. My mind wandered back to my childhood, where the Easter Bunny brought raisens and book because it was much healthier than chocolate eggs, and pancakes were made with organic protien powder and goats milk. Halloween candy was confiscated immediately and traded for almonds or dates if we were really good. Obviously this came from a position of love with my Mom and I admire her for her dedication in grinding her own wheat, growing spouts, and finding sugar free recipes with the help of the internet. I am healthy and I have her to thank, but at 38 I am still at rebilous toward food that is too healthy. I feel giddy when I eat a chocolate cupcake for breakfast, espcially infront of my Mom, I wonder if this streak of totally immature rebellion will ever end?

"Isn't there any candy on the boat?" I asked after the healthy food announcement?

"Not, now but we can pick some up when we dock in a couple of days," was the reply.

Fast forward to this year.....

"Andrea I specially requested junk food for you this year," my friend proudly said.

The first night everyone was served fish and salad and the chef made me...

Look alike peanut butter and jelly on white bread. Yum.

My theory is that health is in mind and body and my mind is getting lots of nourishment waking up to this every morning...

I won't make you any more jealous with the beauty and the luxury of this vacation or how much fun Ricky and I had together being pampered including someone doing my laundry....

Awesome!

oxox Love Ricky and Andrea

B-I-N-G-O

2010-03-10T14:01:00.000+01:00

There was a family who watched a dog and BINGO was his name oh...

Holden's friend left her dog Bingo with us while she went out of town. It was super fun to have a dog in the apartment to love and a cute dog to show off at the park.

B for Barcelona Zoo

Seeing a joey kangaroo in it's mothers pouch was a highlight for us while visiting the Barcelona Zoo.

Holden and Luke thought the crowds were a bit of 'zoo'.

I for Incredible
A view of the French Alps from the town of Grenoble on our drive to the ski hill.

Cute chalets adorned the hills as we skiied down. The iron on the windows were hearts. Awe.

'Off Piste' , is the big word used when skiing in Europe. Here Ricky and I venture off the slopes (pistes) and into the 'hip skiers' land away from the crowds and groomed runs...yes, 'off piste'.

I hosted a dinner gathering at our ski apartment with the group we spent ski week in France with.
Most of the group was french and so communicating was often challenging.
"YES, SI, no I mean WE. Thank-you, Gracias, I mean Merci." I said often.

Holden and Luke can't decide which of the 160 lifts to take next in the massive ski area know as

Chourchevel Trois Vales or Three Valley's.

The girls ski with the help of our friend Digby.

Wow a family shot...

N Is for Nienke
Nienke is one of our best friends here who couldn't wait to go skiing, not only for the snow, but for her favorite meal......

Steak Tartar. Raw ground beef with an egg on top.

First mix in the egg, onions, and peppers...

Perfect...."I love it!" says Neinke finishing her last bite.

"I will stick with Spaghetti,"says Luke, looking away from Neinke's Steak Tartar.

G (for GORGEOUS)
On our way up to the mountains, we stopped in Provence for the night. It was gorgeous.
Feilds of lavender, fresh croissants, homemade butter and charm as far as the eye could see.

Ricky and Faith walk up to our quaint hotel.

Our mini van didn't look so charming parked on this sidewalk outside our hotel.

The town bordered with lavender.

O is for overpriced

Some things are very expensive in Europe, especially peaches. This peach cost 4 euros or almost $6.00.

And Bingo was his name oh.

SURPRISE!!!

2010-02-05T14:45:00.001+01:00

SURPRIZES IN THE BACKPACK
"Do we have an extra backpack" Luke asked as we get ready to leave LA and go back to Spain

"I am sure there is one in Holden's closet," I say.

I always forget the airports around the winter holidays are the worst. Flights are delayed from bad weather, people are traveling with extra snow gear, and the airport are extra packed with travelers. Luckily we have a 3 hour cushion to battle the lines......

Luke wearing the soon to be troublesome BACKPACK.

"Who is H-DOG?" a friendly TSA guy asks, holding up Luke's backpack. H-DOG was written in sharpie by Holden on the side of the backpack during one bored day in Math class.
My mind begins swirling as to all the possibilites that could be found in any of the pockets of Holden's old backpack. Second thought.....depending what is in it, who should take responsibilty for it. Holden is now 18, so that could be risky. If it is Ricky's, it could be made public....

"Whose is this LEATHERMAN (a tool that looks like a pocket knife)?" The TSA Security guy asks after searching Luke's back pack.

"Luke why didn't you search through the back pack before traveling?" Ricky and I question him.

"The airports are strict about this stuff..," my voice trails off. Luke has mastered tuning out my lecture voice.

"Thank goodness it was nothing worse." Ricky whispers in my ear. As parents of 3 teenagers now, we are getting used often unwanted surprises.

CUT TO: London Heathrow Airport Security

"Are you H-DOG?" a stuffy English Security guard asks holding up Holden's old backpack again.

I am running ahead to catch our close connection to Barcelona and so Ricky decides to take ownership of the backpack.

CUT TO: London Tarmack Night

"I am sorry Mrs. Schroder but your husband won't be making this flight. He will be detained in London overnight until we sort things out."

They found a bullet in the bottom of the backpack. It was a huge millitary bullet from one of the Army's posts where Ricky and the boys had been working on the TV show filming. Holden kept it as a soviener and forgot about it. Ricky was interrogated for a few hours and then was luckily let go and arrived safetly in Barcelona the next day.

JET LAG
We have learned that when you travel counter clockwise around the world it is much harder to get adjusted to the time. For about a week we find ourselves waking up at 2am and being ready for bed at 3pm in the afternoon.

Ricky and Faith crash in the middle of the day.

ANDREA's BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
"I have a surprise for you this year," Ricky divuldges when I try to make plans for my birthday. Knowing there is a surprise can be dangerous, because the mind wonders too much. One day last year, I told the girls that I had a surprise for them.
"Are we getting a horse?" Cambrie asked
"Are we going to Africa to adopt a baby?" wondered Faith.
"Lower your expectations," I said thinking that they were going to be very disapointed when the surprise was going to a Cafe for breakfast.

"My husband surprised me on my birthday last year by flying my 4 best friends into Barcelona," my friend here recently told me.
"My husband surprised me with a new Porche on my birthday," a friend of mine in LA said.

"Oh what could Ricky be surprising me with?" my mind wondered.

This morning I woke up with a nightmare wondering about the "Surprise". In my dream, Ricky had thrown a surprise birthday in our apartment, which was a huge mess. The whole party I was fretting about the beds not being made, and dishes in the sink and laundry everywhere. My expectations are low, and I make an extra effort to keep the apartment clean while I wait to find out about the surprise.

SURPRISE!!!

Anke greets me with a double kiss.

A couple of my friends here got together and had a dinner party for me and the whole family is invited. I couldn't be happier. Anke's place is filled with pink roses, pink cupcakes and pink balloons.

From Anke's apartment you can see the whole city, right down to the sea. I pinch myself thinking that here I am in Spain with surrounded with the love of amazing new friends and my wonderful family.

Our friend plays spanish birthday music after recently learning to play the guitar.

The family gave me a new camera for my birthday, and to my surprise the kids were all quick to test out their artistic photography skills. These were the first pictures taken with my new camera.

Faith takes a nice shot of my birthday roses.

This is Cambrie's shot.

Holden' gets creative with his photography.

SNOW SURPRISES

I didn't realise that there was so much skiing so close to Barcelona. Within an hour and half, you can be in the Pryenese Mountain skiing on amazing snow.

Yesterday Luke went snowboarding all day, then came home and went surfing in the ocean and later in the evening skateboarded to a friends house. He was very proud of himself for doing so many board sports in one day.

Cambrie on the other hand, broke her arm on the first run of the day and we came back to Barcelona to spend the rest of the afternoon in tears at the hospital.

Cambrie with my friend Anke waiting as I load the car back up.

The good news is that it was a simple break and will heal fine, the bad news is that there most likely will not be any more snow boarding the rest of the season.

MUSEUM SURPRISE

I feel like the more settled we get, the easier it is to become complacent. With Holden's new Apple TV we have rediscovered American TV. In the past month we have watched 5 full seasons of Survivor, and we are addicted to The Bachlelor and The Modern Family.

"I heard Keeping up with the Kardashians is pretty good," Ricky says as Holden searches for a new series for us to get sucked in to.

"Enough is enough, and we have to get back into being in Spain," I announce.

"Who wants to go to the Picasso Museum with me today?"

No response from the couch potatoes....

"Well you have no choice, we are going, we are not spending another afternoon watching Apple TV."

The Gothic Area is a really cool part of town where most of the Museums and one of a kind shops and restaurants are located.

"Hey look, what is right next to the Picasso Museum....a Neandrathal Museum," says Ricky excited.

"You have got to be kidding?" I think remembering the Hunting Museum trap in Germany.

Ricky has this crazy energy that whatever is going on in his mind, he attracts into his world. Recently he has been researching Neadrathals for a movie idea he has. Did I mention I have zero interest in Neadrathals?

"You know how lucky you are to get to hold a real Wooly Mammoth tusk?" Ricky tells us.

Did you know that there used to be furry rhinocerous's roaming the earth?

After the whatever Museum, everyone is hungry and would rather eat than go to another Museum. What a surprise.

My spanish teacher is on her way over and it's not a surprise we are starting back at the basics again. I am still having trouble conjigating basic verbs, and so I need to go back and review from the beginning. Time to go....

oxo Andrea

BABY BOY

2010-01-08T14:25:00.000+01:00

"I had a dream last night that you and Dad were going through my truck and I told you guys to stop. You wouldn't listen, so I just took off and moved out," Holden tells us the morning of his 18th birthday.
"That sounds like my dream," jokes Ricky. The truth is, it feels like only yesterday Holden was a baby.

1992 Holden already likes eating....

being outdoors with his Dad...

and always being with his brother Luke.

"You'll grow into these clothes," I tell Holden on his first day of 1st grade.

Holden beats Ricky at Ping Pong at age 15.

With friends and family on his 18th birthday.

All grown up.

Calling all my friends with little ones who are driving them crazy, enjoy them, cherish them, forgive them, hug them and tell them how much you love them. Trust me, they grow up way too fast.

ox Andrea

Non Stop Action

2010-01-07T14:11:00.000+01:00

The eurporia of being home and all we have missed the last few months has worn thin very fast. My personal California TO DO list ( lunch with friends, shopping with friends, getting a manicure and pedicure with friends...) is quickly becoming highly unrealistic. We are all jet lagged from hours of travel, and a 9 hour time change. Christmas is a week away and the task list is rapidly growing. At least I have a lot of household help.....NOT.

Within a couple of days of being home, I discover our housekeeper who has been working for us for 7 years, has been stealing from us. You name it, she took it from jewlery to tools, to towels, clothing, pool equiptment, DVD players, even my wedding dress and Faith's baby teeth.

Some of the recovered jewlery.

I feel terrible and traumatized. I feel bad that I have accumlated so much stuff, that regualr theivery was barely noticed. I have been betrayed by someone our family has loved and trusted. This is the first time I have had to call the Police in my life. I hope it is the last. The Police let her go, saying it was her word against ours.

My new spanish speaking skills came in handy in the investigation.

My tree has extra lights on it this year, after finding half our stash in housekeepers house.

SOUNDS OF DANCE

As soon as the girls got home they were at their dance studio catching up on what they have missed. Carrissa, their beloved teacher, agreed to let the girls dance in the Holiday performance and even allowed Cambrie and Faith to put on their own coreographed lyrical duet. With my emotions high, from the recent housekeeper drama, my tears flowed as I watched my sweet girls dance to my favorite Christmas Hymn, "Oh Holy Night".

"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices..."

"Oh night when Christ was born..."

Oh night divine!

NOT MUSIC TO MY EARS.....

We drained our 20 year old troublesome pool before we left for Spain and wisely used the water to irrigate our farm in August. Our plan was to re-do the pool upon our return to California in the summer.

"I might as well get a jump start on demolishing the pool now," says Ricky. "You know how much money we will save doing this ourselves?" "So we are going to hear jack hammering all day, everyday?" I ask.

Ricky and Holden get to work....yipee.

BEFORE

AFTER

"Maybe it was a little impulsive of me...." Ricky says later.

TIME TO GET AWAY FROM THE NOISE
Ricky and Holden have been jack hammering away at the pool non stop and so when a friend calls one morning and asks if me and the girls want to go to Disneyland, I jump at the offer.

Even the Tea Cups are better than the sound of a jack hammer.

MALIBU CHRISTMAS PARTY

Experincing culture from around the world has been really educating, but what about the culture of some of the over the top parties that exisit in the USA, especially Malibu?

Santa's reindeer pay a visit to Malibu.

The girls and their cousin make their own mini ice sculptures.

Ricky and Faith sled down a hill of snow brought in just for the party (it's 70 degrees today in Malibu)

"That wasn't the real Santa?" asks Faith.

"No," says Cambrie

"I think so," says Ricky nudging Cambrie.

BOY GAMES
I still can not figure out what makes paintballing so fun? What is fun about getting shot with hard balls that give you bloody welts all over your body? Well my boys LOVE it, and so do their friends. They spend hours tinkering with their paintball guns and planning strategies. They they go out in our yard and come back an hour or two later moaning about the pain of the swollen welts.

Looks like Ricky is about to get a good shot....

MORE BOY GAMES

The boys and their friends decided that the Turtles in our pond needed some identification. They gave the Turtles names with non toxic paint and then put them in our pond (all while Ricky and I were sleeping). This morning my Mom sent me an email saying that a note was left on the front door of our house saying...

"We found a turtle in our yard with FAITH painted on it's back. Please call to pick it up."

It's been a whirlwind of activity, and I have forgotten totally how much work it is too keep it all together. One morning (in addition to the jack hammering), I heard a truck pull up to drop off a load of dirt, the gardener sawing a tree down, then the Fed Ex man arrived, next a parent dropped off her child to play, about the same time the dryer buzzed it's ready signal. Faith yelled she was hungry and then the phone started ringing, and the dogs began barking. I looked at my bed, wishing I could crawl back in and forget the demands of the day. I remind myself that one day I will miss all the action (or so I am told), I throw a clip in my ratty hair and try to enjoy our last few days in California.

Lots of activity just at the table. Feeding a baby, playing card, painting a tea set, and eating dinner. Our house on Christmas Eve. I better stop typing and start planning Holden's 18th birthday party next week.

ox Andrea

The Little and Big Things We Miss......

2009-12-26T14:03:00.003+01:00

I have butterflies in my stomach as I pull up to our house. We have been gone for 4 months, learning, growing, changing, and I am wondering how much we have missed our life in California?

It's December in California and I am thrilled to still have roses blooming. I forgot how much I missed having greenery and flowers.

Faith left her baby bunnies in tears back in August....

Faith runs out of the car to see if her bunnies would remember her...

They have grown a bit.

Faith missed not having to wear shoes outside.

....and the beach.

"I missed shopping at Nordstroms....." a now taller 13 year old Cambrie says.

"and of course my friends..."

"I missed Eggo Toaster Waffles and Skittles," say Luke.

Luke also missed wearing sweatpants and his cell phone, and of course surfing with his friends.

Holden is already off with his friends and so I am choosing to put in the blog that he missed his truck

and Baby Marc.

"I missed all the animals, especially Ziggy," Ricky says

Ricky gets a warm welcome from the chickens.

Having a fresh perspective on home, the list went on and on with the many things that we missed about home. Before we went to Spain we took for granted so many things, like friendly english speaking waiters, having a car right in the driveway, fresh milk or hearing the sound of birds chirping in the yard. We are surprized by all the little things we miss, but not surprized by biggest thing which of course is missing friends and family.

Christmas Day near my sisters house with family.

ox Andrea

Love Us.....

2009-12-24T01:50:00.001+01:00

Merry Christmas from Barcelona, Spain December 2009

Schroder Christmas Letter 2009

I am writing this year’s letter from our apartment in Barcelona, Spain with the sound of traffic on the busy streets below. We came to Spain for a study abroad year, to grasp the Spanish language, gain a global perspective, and enjoy our last year together before Holden goes to college. Here’s how we are doing…

Holden (almost 18), was resistant to spending his senior year in a foreign country, but within about 5 mins he had a group of friends, his eye on the girls, and was enjoying the independence of European living. He has overnight reconnected with his love of art and found a new interest in psychology. He is working out everyday and eating faster than we can grocery shop. Last night he laid his big boy body across my lap and said “Mom can you scratch my back.” The words to the book I read him as a toddler came to my mind… “Love you forever, like you for always, as long as I am living my baby you’ll be.”

Luke 16, has a wide variety of interests from surfing, to fishing, to, politics, alternative energy, religion, music, and comedy. He likes a variety of people (over the age of 14) and makes friends easily. He is always up for any activity and searches out opportunities for adventure and travel. He is a deep thinker and loyal to what he believes. The other day I asked him something he personally believes in. He said, “I believe in America.” Luke is a patriot, in the deepest sense. He has a very dry sense of humor and requires very little to be happy.

Cambrie officially 13, is the teenager she has wanted to be since she was born. Ever goal oriented, Cambrie chose to study ballet in Spain, vs. hip-hop with all her friends. Cambrie values hard work, organization and lucky for me shopping. One day she came home from school and said, “ Mom, I am really proud of you for doing a good job cleaning the apartment.” Whoa girl, you aren’t the boss yet. With all her ambition when posed with the question, “What do believe?” Cambrie responded firmly, “ I know God hears me when I pray.”

Faith, 8, has been lighting up Spain with her ‘rubio pelo’ (blonde hair), sweetness, and her booty popping dance moves. If there is music and a crowd, Faith comes alive, but bedtime or school time she still cries (hey that rhymes). Faith doesn’t understand why we left the farm in California for the noisy big city. Her favorite day is when she goes to horseback riding lessons where she is training a “mini” pony named Lolo. She continues to be a trooper being the little one with all teenage siblings, often taking on the role as family therapist. “We all love each other, so just be nice, is that so hard?” I can hear saying.

Ricky enjoyed working this for the US Department of Defense creating and producing a TV show for them. He is constantly reading and writing, and recently sold a pilot to A & E. He fulfilled a life long dream of going on a safari in Africa and has been obviously supportive of my dream of living in a foreign country.

Speaking of which, I have learned that accomplishing dreams can be a lot of work. I am reminded of this everyday as I struggle with learning Spanish and navigating life in unfamiliar territories. It is a balance juggling new goals, while not loosing sight of life long dreams like trying to be a good wife, mom, daughter, and friend. One step at a time, I try to remind myself often.

As a family this year we have talked a lot about things we believe. Collectively, we believe God loves all people equally. This sentiment rings ever true for us this year as I think of amazing people in our life at home, and now from around the world whom we love.

Oxo The Schroder Family

Should We Stay or Go?

2009-12-20T11:30:00.002+01:00

Originally when we came to Spain we thought that we would probably stay in Europe over the winter break, but during a low point, I impulsively booked us tickets back to California during the break. Before we leave we have some last minute "holiday" things to do here in Barcelona.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM

Faith in her school’s Christmas concert, appropriately sings….

“We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.”

I didn’t like being on the end where no one could see me,” Faith says.

“We could see you Faith,” we say.

Shopping at the Christmas Markets...

“Where’s the food?” a hungry Luke asks. “There must be some hot chocolate, chestnuts, tapas, gofres (waffles) around here somewhere?” Not exaggerating, there was not one stand that sold food. I think we have been programmed that an outing must include some kind of snack or treat to be complete. This concept obviously does not exist in Spain, and Luke and I leave starving, hoping there is still some chips and water left over in the mini van.

Faith in the El borne shopping district, which is home to many one of kind shops. More on Barcelona Shopping in the New Year.....

Family Photo at Parck Guell

It is a nice crisp clear Saturday and I convince all the kids to go to Park Guell. This is a Gaudi park that over looks the entire city. It was designed to be part of a master planned type neighborhood.

“Hey I recognize this from America’s Next Top Model,” blurts out Faith

Thanks Merel for taking our family picture.....

The “Muffin” Tree.

I bought our tree all wrapped up with twine, so it would be easier to get in and out of the elevator up to our apartment. When I unwrapped the twine we discovered our tree was as wide as it was tall. Luke names it “The muffin tree”.

Our Barcelona Christmas Tree.

Suddenly the time is flying by and it is time to catch our plane back to Los Angeles. I tell the kids to bring back all the clothes they have grown out of and write a list of "American" stuff they need to bring back with them. Time to go....

ox Andrea

Christmas is different Barcelona....

2009-12-19T11:59:00.019+01:00

CITY LIGHTS

The festive holiday season really did not get underway until just a couple of weeks before Christmas (about 4 months later than the United States). The wait was well worth it. The streets of Barcelona were lined with an incredible amount of light.

Magical...

Looking out of our apartment...

Luke watches a band playing in the Gothic area.

FIRA SANTA LLUCIA

Dating from 1786, the Fira de Santa Llucia is a Christmas Market held every December outside Barcelona Cathedral. Around 300 market stalls sell seasonal goodies, while nativity scenes, musical parades and exhibitions add to the fun.

CAGANER

Caganer is Catalan for "shitter". A Caganer is one of Barcelona's most popular items selling at the Christmas Markets around town. A Caganer is hidden amoungst a Nativity scene.

Recently there was a protest in the city when a Nativity scene in the center of the city was missing the traditional Caganer, and so city officials responded quickly and made sure a Caganer was in every public Navitity scence throughout the city.

The locals have changed this tradition a little bit since the 1940s. In addition to the historic red hat shepherd caganer design, even more popular now are other characters squatting in the caganer "pooping" position, such as nuns, celebrities, athletes, politicians, Spanish royalty, and others. Just days after his election as US president in 2008, a "pooper" of Obama was instantly in high demand. I thought for sure this year I would find a Micheal Jackson Caganer, but no luck. Who else can you spot?

"Why?" you may ask, "Is the Caganer such a popular figure in Barcelona (Cataluyna)?"
When talking to locals, here is what I discovered......
-The Caganer represents the equality of all people: regardless of status, race, or gender. Basically everyone poops.
-Increased naturalism of an otherwise idealised story, so that it is more believable, taken literally and seriously.
-The idea that God will manifest himself when he is ready, without regard for whether we human beings are ready or not.
-Tradition and fun amoungst children to spot the Caganer in the Nativity scenes.

I am getting that one....

THREE KINGS

To be fair to my percieved late start on Christmas, in Spain, people don't celebrate Christmas they celebrate Three Kings. until January 5th or 6th. Cavalcades dels Reis Mags orThree Kings' Day is celebrated with a parade where gifts and candies are handed out by the Three Wise Kings.

We are leaving soon to go to California so we won't be here for the Three Kings Celebration. We are excited, yet nervous to go back to California. Our friends tell us here it is harder to adjust back to life back home, than it is to adjust to life in a foreign country. That seems really hard to believe. On that note, we wish you all a peace and happiness in enjoying the traditions that you celebrate this time of year. May the universal spirit of LOVE be with us all now and throughout the coming weeks.

Love,

The Schroders

In the News Again

2009-12-18T13:39:00.002+01:00

Not long ago Luke was in the LA Times for surfing during the Malibu Fires.

This week in Barcelona the both the boys were captured in the local newspaper.

In friged 40F weather Holden and Luke brave the stormy waters of the Sea is search of waves. The next day local friend called them them and told them they made they Barcelona newspaper. While the locals where bundling up in thicker scarves, the crazy American boys where out in the water. I feel my hair starting to gray. Ahhh.

So Not Spain

2009-12-11T11:35:00.471+01:00

ONLY IN AMERICA.....

THANKSGIVING

Ricky takes the boys and their friends to play paintball while the turkey is cooking.

My friend called in the middle of me peeling potatoes.
"Oh gosh, the party is growing. The kids have invited friends and I think about 50 plus people are coming now. I hope I have enough food," I say.
"Not to worry, spanish people don't eat much, they aren't like American's." she laughs.
It felt like she was just taking an easy pot shot at Americans, so I continued cooking:
40 pounds of potatoes, 25 pounds of carrots, mountains of green beans, sweet potatoes, stuffing, salad, a vat of gravy and in addition to the turkey 6 extra huge turkey breasts.

Do you see anyone eating?

Hey girls, do you want some mashed potatoes?

How about some stuffing?

Green beans anyone?

Xbox is more fun than eating.

How can they be tired when they barely ate?

"Can you believe there was barely a dent made in the food?" Ricky says as we clean up later. "Next time, we could just pick up a ham leg and some cheese."

A view from our balcony Thanksgiving Eve

HOLDEN and RICKY VISIT COLLEGES IN THE USA
For the first time in 3 months Ricky and Holden are on their way back to America to visit potential colleges for Holden. I am dying to know what it's like for them to be back in the US?

"Is it weird to hear people speaking english?" I ask Holden when he arrives in NYC.

He said as soon as he got off the plane he went to the bathroom and then the first person he saw asked him.....

"donde esta la demanda de equipaje?" (where is the baggage claim).

"I thought it was a joke," Holden says.

Ricky and Holden arrivng at the Harvard Club in Boston.

Ricky represented a movie character he played at the Harvard Medal of Honor recipients memorial dedication ceremony.

Charles Whittlesly, a Harvard Law Graduate (1908), was a hero dipicted in the movie Lost Batllion which was set in World War I.

They clean up well. Ricky and Holden with another Harvard Medal of Honor winner.

Holden had the opportunity to tour the campus and meet with admissions.

Next stop....Duke University. Looking good in a suit is just the beginning.

After Duke the boys checked out BYU and U of U.

FRANCE...The Atlantic Coast
With Ricky and Holden away, the rest of us take a road trip to France. Luke is super excited about a big swell that has arrived on the shores of Biarritz. The biggest difference to taking road trips in Europe are the toll roads. On the 5 hour drive to Biarritz, we stop about 8 times and pay about 100Euros worth of tolls.

Luke read online that the waves in France were going to be "Epic".

The waves were so big that Luke can't even surf them, so we drove up a down the coast looking for different waves.

We stopped at a cute little town and Luke checked out the waves while the girls ate croissants at a nearby cafe.

Crossiants in France are super extra delicious.

While at the cafe a cute french girl asks if she can take some pictures of the kids. She emailed them to me later. Sweet unexpected little memory of trip.

The girls check out the photos.

I feel like I am shrinking now when standing next to Luke.

This beach in France was very beautiful with empty, undeveloped views of sand and sea.

It is not the best wave, or ride, but at least Luke is able to get in the water.

Au revoir la France

MUNICH, GERMANY

It is almost mid December and the holiday season is just beginning to get under way. To kick things off, we decide to take a trip to Munich, a city known for having one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. I read the villagers bring their unique handy crafts to the center of town and shoppers can find all sorts of one of kind unusual gifts. "I am bringing an extra suitcase," I say as we head to the airport.

SNOW! It's feeling like Christmas already. Here's a snapshot of the snowy Alps out the window of the plane.

"I love how clean and organized the bathrooms are here," says Cambrie after we land at the Munich airport.

There is hand santizer, plastic bags, seat covers, even a toilet brush in every stall.

"German's are very clean," I say remembering Ricky's grandparents were German.

"So I get being clean from Dad's side of the family?" she digs.

Stradtrundfahrt

Kathe Wohlfarht

Feuerwehrzufarht

"How come everything in German ends in FARHT," Cambrie asks
"Ask Dad, he's from the German side."

Yipee we are about the enter the famous Christmas Markets.

A veiw from above the markets of Marienplatz Square, Munich

"Let's get a picture of this cool Iron Wild Boar." says Ricky as we approach the square.

The wild boar leads Ricky to realize that the doors behind go to a Hunting and Fishing Museum. Ricky wants to take a look. I must play my cards right. Do I digg my heels in and point out we are on a Christmas shopping trip? Or do I give Ricky some time in the museum, so then he is obligated to endure as much shopping as the girls want?

Actually, I have always wanted to go to a German Hunting and Fishing Museum......

"I hope my bunnies in Topanga are still alive." Faith says

Try to guess what fur belongs to what animal? Wild pigs in the cold mountains of Germany have extra thick course fur that feels like pine needles (or a Mason Pearson brush) incase you were wondering...

"I love my Dad....

and baby Jesus."

"I can't believe it is already getting dark and we haven't started shopping."

I am not picky when it comes to candy.

You know your in a tourist trap when the tree ornaments are cheese and bread.

Ice skating in sqaure proves to be the most fun.

The next day we meet up with some new friends of ours from Barcelona, who are also in Munich for the weekend.

Together we take all the girls to see the Nutcracker and then to a Castle the next day.

Here is the online picture of the "Swan Lake Barbie Castle" outside of Munich.

"Look at this amazing Princess Castle we are going to today," I say.

"It looked better in the picture." says Faith

It doesn't matter where you go, it's always fun with friends.

VAL D'ISERE FRANCE

While we are getting a taste of Christmas in Munich, Luke is having a trip of a lifetime snowboarding in the Alps on opening weekend.

Luke friends have been telling him how everyone goes "off piste" in Europe, which means basically you can ski/snowboard anywhere. As you can see they pretty much have the hill to themselves.

Luke and Sam (from NYC) on top of the world.

"It is the most amazing snow I have ever seen." says Luke

ONE LAST THING......

This long post all about our recent "Non Spain" adventures wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention something about Cambrie turning 13.

OK her invitation did say,"Thirteen in Barcelona", but the photo of the party girls is taken at the American Barbie Car exhibit in Barcelona.

It's long past dinner time as this post has been so lengthy. I guess I will just go de-thaw some frozen Thanksgiving turkey, they haven't had it for a few days now."

ox Andrea

Foreign Language Class

2009-11-27T00:23:00.001+01:00

As we plug away with the learning Spanish we realize that living in Spain has been an important part of understanding the language. So many things we say in English are expressions like, “This chocolate is so good I want to die.” When you try to directly translate language, it becomes more confusing. Spanish is obviously the same way, so this week, I will teach you a few words that you might not learn in Spanish Class.

Spanish: Agresion

English: Mugging

Definition:When someone on the street robs you or causes injury or harm.

For example: Holden being jumped by 3 guys as he leaves his friends apartment in the Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona. He was skating boarding home on a Saturday night when a guy asked him for the time. When he looked down at his watch, 2 other men came from behind and tried to pull his backpack off. Without thinking Holden grabbed his skateboard and started swinging. The guys took off, but not before leaving Holden with a big black eye.

How could you hurt this face?

Spanish: El embolsar de seleccion
English: Pick Pocketing

Definition: When someone takes money or goods out of your pocket or purse without you noticing.
For example: Luke having 10 Euros taken from his pocket while talking to the pick pocketed on the metro. When Luke told me he was pick pocketed, it seemed hard to believe until the other day when I took the metro with him and it happened again. We were trying to get on the train, but I touristy looking lady was blocking the entrance, everyone started pushing to get past her before the doors, and that is when it happened. The lady was a decoy, and in all the pushing and shoving, Luke’s wallet was taken.

Luke in nearby Bonanova Metro Station before getting pick pocketed.

Spanish: BATAS

English: smock/apron

Definition: A jacket or apron used to cover clothing while at work or play.

Most apartments in Barcelona have a Portero (doorman) who wear Blue Batas

Batas are a big part of Spanish culture, but I only started noticing them recently. My friend told me that historically they were used to protect your clothes from getting soiled while at work or school. Recently though the BATA started becoming more valuable than the clothes it was protecting and even a status or fashion statement.

Spanish children at school wearing Batas.

Sometimes parents spend a lot to have kids names embroidered on their kids Bata.

Oh what a fashion statement!

So as I am typing this, I log onto Skype to check in with my Mom who is at our place in California. When I see my Mom on webcam I gasp, “Mom, where did you get that Bata from?” Yep my Mom is
wearing a Bata to protect her clothes from dog hair as she brushes our dogs. “It was your Grandmothers and she used to wear it all the time, it is about 40 years old now.” My mom explains. “Mom, it’s a vintage Bata, and you shouldn’t be wearing it to cover up those cheap poly/cotton pants.” I say.

Penelope is wearing a "vintage" Bata

Spanish: Programa Piloto de Moto
English: Motorcycle Drivers

Definition: Starting at age 14, these drivers swarm the streets of Barcelona with mini bikes, ATV’s, dirt bikes, moped, motorcycles with their own set of rules.

We have been here for 3 months now, and everyday gasp at how crazy the Moto drivers are here. They drive on the sidewalks, through red lights, between the lanes; on the wrong side of the street….basically Barcelona is Moto Mania.

Today I saw a little kid on the back of his Mom’s Moto, not holding on. Her Mom, in her high heels navigated her way up a steep hill, next to a huge bus, over a curb and across major intersections as her little girl daydreamed on the back behind her. Another day I was making my way through a traffic circle when all the cars stopped. There must be an accident I thought. As I got closer, it was just a teenage Moto driver who had stopped to answer his cell phone mid route.

This is a typical picture from my car window after school drop off.

Spanish: Pierna del jamon
English: Ham leg

Definition: Cured leg of ham; a staple food in Spain. Classified in Spain as not only the type of pig (black, white etc), but also the region from where the pig was raised like Serrano or Trevelez.

There are literally ham legs everywhere. They hang in every market, in every restaurant, and in many homes in Spain. This was another thing that shocked me when we first arrived, and still does.

This is why American's can get the reputation for being rude. "Just hold your breath instead of holding your nose," I saw as we walk by yet another row of legs.

My friend keeps one in her kitchen and has a special drill stand thing that holds it. She says it lasts her family about 3 months unless she has company.

Cambrie and Luke snacking on Tapas (small bites) which always includes cured ham.

Here is a professional description of the best ham leg:

Iberico Bellota (breed and region)

Price: 300 euros

Approximate Weight: 7kg

This is the absolute king of dry-cured ham: hind leg of 20 month-old, free-range, acorn-finished Iberian Black pig. The pigs are reared in a magnificent environment of ancient oak woodland, and forage naturally for grasses, wild herbs and acorns.The hams are salt-cured, air-dried and cellar matured for three years. The flavor is complex, sweet and nutty. If you will settle only for the best: this is it!

I am not crazy about the look or the smell of ham legs, but hey maybe 9 months from now, I will love seeing that cured hoof and thigh everyday on my kitchen counter.

Spanish: Inesperado
English: Unexpected

Definition: Unforeseen, without warning

When one of our friends (the ones who we went to the winery with) asked us to go to the countryside for a BBQ at her parents house I was like...."Ok cool, sounds good."
Similar to LA, Barcelona has lots of cute little beach towns up and down the coast. For the BBQ we went to a beautiful village called Sant Andreu de Llaverenes. Yolanda's parents live part time in an amazing estate on a cliff over looking the sea. The view was unexpected, the delicious 6 course meal was unexpected, and the most unexpected part of the day was the still yet to come. Yolanda's parents have been collecting art for 40 years and after lunch her father takes us to a warehouse on the property that is filled with rows and rows of art on sliding walls. There is a little vintage FIAT that Yolanda explains was her first car stored in the warehouse.

"I have bought the first building Gaudi ever built to open an art gallery." Yolanda's Dad says, "would anybody like to go see it?"

Here's the group at the site of the new art gallery.

All the kids having lunch. Cambrie and Faith wished they knew more Spanish here.

Surrogate Grandma

Spanish: veale mas adelante

English: See you later

I wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving and thought I would invite a few of our new friends here. One thing led to another and I have 45 people coming to apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. It slipped my mind that I have one little oven, a tiny kitchen and apartment with no backyard for the kids to run around. On that note, I better get busy.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving....

Love Schroders

LOTS OF BLUE

2009-11-04T22:24:00.001+01:00

We have had many shades of blue the past couple of weeks.

AFRICAN BLUE

Ricky fulfilled a life long dream of going to South Africa for a Safari. Africa is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world. While in Africa Ricky and Luke enjoyed not only the animals, but the people and culture as well.
Luke said one of the highlights of the trip was visiting a school and giving the kids new BLUE school uniforms.

Here are some photos they took while in the African Wild

Sounds like a herd of Elephants....

Can you see the Zebra?

While the average wage for a person in Africa is less than $700 per year, Ricky was moved by how happy everyone was.

Posing school girls.

Dancing for "sweeties".

"Is that Luke on a MINI volcano I asked when I saw this picture?"

It is actually a giant 100 year old ant hill....ew.

"Look out there is a rhinocerous in the middle of the road!"

"Luke has definitely outgrown me," says Ricky looking at this picture.

SEA BLUE

The Mediterrainan Sea is not known for it's surfing waves, but every once in a while a storm blows in and you get to surf in the clear BLUE warm water. Holden and Luke never pass up the rare opportunity these days to surf.

Luke walking through Placa Cataluyna on his way to the beach.

Here we go....

Luke

Holden

Holden's friends and I enjoy snapping photos as the sun goes down.

The newly built W Hotel, makes an impact on the Barcelona skyline.

Looking the other direction is, a rainbow after the storm.

FEELING BLUE

Last week I felt so low that I crawled into bed at 3pm in the afternoon and cried my eyes out. I had been going to school for a month and each day felt that learning spanish was an impossible dream. After my depressing class, I would come home to a messy apartment and Ricky lounging around. Ricky had just returned from Africa and I was irritated with how much time he was spending in bed reading his books on Africa. Every once and while he would look up from his book and say,

"Did you know that the life expendency in Africa is 45?"
Or,
"The drought in Africa is destroying the farms."

I don't mean to be careless or insensitve to global tragedy, but I already felt low, and I was barely coping with school/family. One morning I left for school only to return 6 hours later to Ricky still in bed.

"You are blowing this amazing opportunity we have right here." I snapped.

"I don't feel good, I think I am sick." he mumbled.

"My leg is aching and my lymph nodes are swollen."

Ricky was actually not being lazy at all, he was actually dangerously sick with African Tick Bite Fever. The infection had slowly been growing in his body since he had gotten home. I felt bad that I had been so insensitive, as I rushed him to the hospital.

While waiting for hours and hours in the ER without reading material, I prayed that Ricky would be OK, and resolved to be cheerful again.

LITERALLY BLUE
We have noticed that in Spain that there is a lot of POP culture from the 80's Star Wars figurines, Rubix Cubes, and SMURF stuff. Remember Gargomoyl and Papa Smurf? What about Baby Smurf, Brainy Smurf, and of course the only girl in the Mushroom village....SMURFETTE.

As soon as Faith saw Smurfette she wanted to be her for Halloween. Spain actually doesn't celebrate Halloween, but luckily the kids International School recognized it, and the kids were able to dress up and have a fun weekend.

Faith as Smurfette at school with friends

Cambrie and her friend Merel are Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus. Here we are on our way to American organized American trick or treating.

Holden and Luke thought they would go as EURO TRASH for Halloween, but then they were afraid people would not realize they were wearing a costume.

More Halloween fun on the streets of Barcelona

BLUE SKIES

Sarah and Miguel are friends we met at the winery event, invited us to go mushroom hunting, so in the spirit of Smurfville we went. Spain is know for fall mushroom hunting. and we are excited to join them on their yearly mushroom hunting excersion. It was a beautiful drive to Poble de Lillet, a little village an 1 1/2 north of Barcelona.

When we arrived, Miguel gave us the run down on the mushrooms. He showed us a picture of what we were looking for and what we were NOT looking for. The mushrooms in his book were classified as excelente, bien, mal, toxico, & morte.

"Isn't morte, death?" Ricky asked.

"Yes, yes Miguel replied in his heavy accent, "zez ones are verly bad, you die if you eat zem."

"I can barely tell the difference between the toxic ones and the excellent ones." I say confused.

"Zats why I have ze book." Miguel says flatly

These are the ones we are looking for.

Why do the ugly ones have to be the good ones?

Off we go..

Within two seconds the competitive American girl found the best mushroom of the day.

"How much are these mushrooms worth?" asks Ricky after a few hours of hunting. The few mushrooms we have collected are worth about 15 euros per kilo...not much.

"I think we are working for 10 cents an hour at this rate," Ricky says half joking.

"Zis is not supposed to be work," our spanish friend says

The Spanish people have mastered the art of chilling out to a fault, while the American's have mastered workaholism. Maybe with our year here we will be able to merge the two cultures and find a happy balance.

All the girls including Sarah and baby Carolina

The girls on a village bridge on the way to lunch.

GAUDI CAN ARTIGAS GARDENS

As we walk through the little village of Poble de Lillet (known for it's mushroom recipes), I notice a sign that says something about Gaudi. I was definitely not expecting to see something designed by Gaudi in this tiny village in the country. The gardens were actually designed by Gaudi in 1905 for a textile manufacturer. The gardens we unknown until 1971 when discovered by a Catalonian man.

ONE LAST BLUE THING....OUR BLUE GRANNY TROLLEY

Granny Trolleys (yep that is the real name) are necessary for city living. It's not about being cool or not. After carrying bags of groceries a few blocks, loosing circulation in your fingers, pulling a granny trolley is a treat. At the markets there is granny trolley parking spaces with little chains to lock them up.

I am not shopping online for the latest boots this year...I want a new granny trolley.

As I am typing this I ask Holden to run to the store and get some milk.
"Take the Granny Trolley." I suggest
"I am not going to be seen pulling a Granny Trolley to the store!" he says.
"Everyone has them around here," I push.
"There is no freaking way!!!" and the door closes.

Love to all....

oxox Andrea

PLANTING SEEDS.....

2009-10-23T19:07:00.001+02:00

The way I am learning to speak spanish, is total immersion. The teacher has explained that at first we don't understand, and then over time when we revisit something she has taught us, we will be familar. It is the "plant the the seed, and and it will grow" theory. Once you learn it, it is in your brain and then it will start to crop up when you least expect it. I am seeing this theory work in our lives here in Barcelona. Here are some examples of things that keep cropping up.....

MINI STUFF

Remember Luke and the MINI bathtub?

Last summer the "MINI" seed was planted in a bathroom in Paris that had MINI toilets.

How early would you have to be potty trained to fit on this super MINI toilet?

Once that mini seed was planted, we now find MINI stuff cropping up everywhere....

No Holden is not 10 feet tall, the truck is just super MINI.

Faith eating a MINI ice-cream Drumstick

Now that I am talking about MINI stuff, you too will start noticing MINI stuff in your life. Have you seen a Smart car lately? How about a Fiat? All around town here there are MINI cars.

This is a super cute super MINI car that I saw the other day.

GYPSY PANTS

Remember how I wrote that gypsy pants to Spaniards are like jeans are to Americans? I think I noticed gypsy pants so easily because the GYSPY PANT seed had been planted in my life years ago.

This picture of me and my friends in Canada like 20 something years ago popped up on Facebook this week. Look, I am the one wearing GYPSY pants. EEEK.

UH OH, now Faith is wearing GYPSY pants.

Faith in her own comfy GYPSY pants this week on the streets of Barcelona

So the bottom line is be careful what seeds you sow, because they are somewhere in your brain and will crop up when you least expect it. Now if only the spanish language seeds planted in class this past month will hurry up and start growing......

LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

Remember how when I wanted to go see this church, and the whole family vetoed me. Well we finally went. Check out the pictures....

This church was started in the late 1800's and is still being built, it is expected to be open for services in 2030. While several Architects have worked on it over the past 100+years, Antonio Gaudi is the name most notable Architect for the unique design. This massive church is one of Barcelona's most famous sights to see.

Ricky, Luke, Cambrie and Faith look with awe at the details.

A closer look .....

And even closer.....BEAUTIFUL!

Behind Luke you can see the newer parts that are still being worked on....

AFRICA

Ricky and Luke are now in South Africa for 2 weeks....can't wait to see pictures of their trip next week.

CROPPING UP FRIENDSHIPS....

With the boys gone, I take advantage of getting to know some new friends better. One of the unexpected joys of living here has been meeting interesting and amazing new friends. Here are some pictures of some of the fun times with friends we have had with friends recently.

The girls walking to the city bus after school.

The girls on the bus with their school friends.

Isabel my neighbor, and I walking home from the bus.

Cambrie and Faith with friends from school and horseback riding.

We (the Mom's) were not that excited to have our picture taken after a long day of running around.

These are some fun friends of mine from school.

Fun times with my good friend Anke in her little red porche in Tamariu (South of Spain)

A whole bunch of families from school met in Costa Brava for the weekend.

Here the girls are having lunch with a big group of their friends from school.

More socializing with new friends in Costa Brava

Randomly the guy in the blue shirts sister delivered Holden, Luke and Cambrie years ago in Colorado.

Faith and her buddies at the park by our house.

I miss the boys in Africa and am thankful that we have made friends which make our time here more enjoyable. They have given me a boost as I struggle with day to day life in a foreign country and the challenges of full time language school. So in closing just want to say that remember to plant good seeds, as they will grow and never underestimate the gift of friendship.

Love to all....

Andrea

ON THE UPSWING

2009-10-07T22:30:00.001+02:00

Now that we have settled into our new apartment we are eager to experience Spain, the culture, the people, the countryside, the language and so that is what we did this past week.

JEAN LEON

Recently, Ricky became new friends with a local film Producer Loris Omedes , who invited us to “industry” event that is held each year at a famous winery called Jean Leon. Our new friend Loris and his wife Yolanda recently made a documentary about the man behind the winery named Jean Leon.

He was American immigrant from Spain. In 1956 he and James Dean started the restaurant LA SCALA in Beverly Hills. It was the place to be for many famous movie stars at the time.

After years of success he decided to come back here to Spain, his native country and make his own wine.

The wine became very popular when Ronald Regan declared it his favorite. Jean Leon has since died, but his legacy lives on in Spain with the wine and also this old school tradition of making it. OK well I don’t drink or even know anything about wine, but I am always up for an adventure and learning something new.

The group of local film actors, directors, producers before the grape harvest.

The grapes we so sweet it was like eating blueberries, that might be a dis to special wine grapes,

but they were super yummy right off the vine.

After the harvest, our team has 5 mins to make as much juice as possible. By the way no one washes their feet before the mushing begins.

Does it look appetizing?

Pouring the grape juice into the vat to be measured. Ricky's team wins!

A view of the vineyard.

ANDORRA

Holden, Luke and Cambrie all went on sleep away school trips for a couple of days, so Faith, Ricky and I took a trip of our own to Andorra. Andorra is a tiny country about 3 hours drive north of Barcelona surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains. The people of Andorra are known to live longer than in any other country in the world. They don’t pay income tax either, which probably explains why they live so long.

A view of the Pyrenees Mountains from our hotel room

Andorra is famous for it’s tax free shopping, skiing and it’s natural spring waters. Ricky isn’t a big shopper. I love to shop but not with Ricky and Faith together. So with no shopping or snow, we decided to go to a natural water pool. The brochure at the hotel concierge describes Caldea as Europe’s #1 Spa. We can’t believe our good fortune, this place looks amazing.

Looking at the photos we assume all the smaller pools are hot water, but all the water was luke warm.

The entrance is pretty fancy with like 6 blue lit up staircases criss crossing each other. There are steel and glass icicles hanging from the massively high prism ceiling. “Ok authentic Andrea, what do you really think?” I want to be positive and enjoy Europe’s #1 spa, but I kind of feel like I am on free cruise that I won from signing up for a new credit card.

"This place is fancy," says Faith

The change room is unisex, which is odd, and then before you enter the “healing waters” you are forced to go through a round about with a series of high powered sprays and showers to make sure you are clean before you enter. I don’t want say anything negative to Ricky and Faith, so I look away when I see the silk palm trees in the corners and the plastic vines hanging from the second level.

"What is that blue mushroom thing with windows up in the vines?" Faith asks

"Who knows?" says Ricky. "I don't want to know." I think to myself

Suddenly the lights go out and then beams of colored light start flashing as Spanish opera music blares from all the speakers. Water starts spilling over the pools and spraying from fountains. We are swimming in the middle of a water laser lights show. It’s not exactly what came to my mind with the description of “Healing thermal waters”.

COUNTRYSIDE

“Wow this drive is so beautiful.” I say to Ricky as we drive to Andorra. “Not as pretty as Alaska,” he says.

Nothing tops Alaska’s beauty in Ricky’s mind, but I am not comparing Spain to Alaska. “In Alaska there would be all this plus bigger mountains with snow on them.” Just then, I notice a stone house in the side of one mountain and beg Ricky to turn off so we can explore a little.

I have to admit, I have never been to Alaska, I am sure it is amazing, but this historic Spanish Village was pretty amazing.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TRIPS

The older kids had school trips this week. I actually can’t even pronounce most of the places they went, so I will generalize this part more from what the kids said.

Holden took an overnight train to Seville and then toured around from there.

Holden:

“The food was horrible. I am starving. We went to a bunch of castles and the teachers pretty much gave us total freedom. There was one castle that had huge gardens filled with flowers and fountains as far as you could see. It made me think of you so I took a picture with my iphone for you Mom.

It's hard for Holden to be at a school with 3/4 girls.

Luke took a train and a boat to the north Basque country.

LUKE:

“The food was horrible. I have lost so much weight. We went to this castle on the side of steep cliff and the teachers pretty much let us just walk along the side of the sheer cliff wall where the sea is like 1000 feet below. “

Cambrie went to the Pyrenees Mountains by train and then by foot to a village where people still live that you can only walk to.

Cambrie:

“The food was horrible. There was like cold pasta with lumps of tuna and a few olives and the bread from the day before that we didn’t eat. The teachers let us run across the train tracks and through the forest without supervision. The kids from the village came to one of our activities and all the village boys kept slapping me on the butt, so I kicked them.”

Don't mess with Cambrie.

I ask each of them what they LEARNED and it seemed like I just got further description of the bad food.

TRANSFORMER HEAVEN
Remember the transformer/x box drama? I forgot to report that after we moved into the apartment, Ricky opened a cupboard and found his dream power transformer and American outlet power strip. Too bad he already fried his Xbox with the cheap transformer from Las Ramblas.

DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Parks….

Faith with her friends Alisse (Holland) and Etia (China)

Hanging out at the park is the place to be in Barcelona. Kids get dressed up fancy, there are people selling balloons and fans, and parents chatting away for hours as the children run around. One night we went to the park at like 6pm and it was dead, by 8pm everyone was out, and at 11pm the same parents and children were still there. Now that I live up an elevator on the 4^th floor, I too look forward to going to the park. The park in our neighborhood has a café that you can have lunch at and so it is the perfect meeting place for everyone.

School…

With the kids settled and happy in school, I too, started school this week. I go to ESDADE School for business and language. I go all day to Spanish class, and it is a killer. My emotions are all over the place during the day. From crying when I don’t understand anything to elated when I finally understand something, to insecure when trying to pronounce “desunyana” (breakfast), to confident when know that queso means cheese before the other younger and smarter students do. Either way I have long way to go.

ESADE School Day 1

After class today feeling like I learned a ton, I jumped in my friends car and a thick book called “500 Spanish Verbs Identified” was on her seat. “I thought you already know Spanish?” I said to her. “You have lived here for 5 years.” "Oh I am still a beginner," she says.

Horsesback Riding
Ok this post is getting ridiculously long. Faith has been struggling the most with city life and found happiness this week at her new riding class. It's a nice break for the girls to be reminded of things that are familiar to them...

Cambrie with Zoe riding in San Cugat just outside Barcelona

Speaking of familiar, I got a package from my Mom this week with a box of BOUNCE dryer sheets. I never thought that I would get so excited over BOUNCE. Imagine when I see you again my friends? For sure the double spanish kiss.

oxox Andrea