Day 30!!!

Half-way through my trip!!

Today: Museo Naval. Lots of boats, weapons, and clothes and stuff. I’m so glad to not have to be on a ship for extended periods of time. That has to be so awful, I can’t believe some of the things people have endured. Walking around Madrid, I saw these gypsy performers who would walk into the middle of a crosswalk and put on a perfectly timed show with these yells, and juggling balls with baton things. Pretty legit. I also saw a guy whose dog would sing with him, fun stuff.

Hugo is so mean to me. He started again today with being angry at me for things like living in his house, dressing him, looking at him, breathing, existing . . . Sometimes I don't think I can handle another day of hearing his whiny voice, or watching him get what he wants, and be rewarded for crying and screaming and hitting. I am all for corporal punishment. Today in the urba, the neighborhood boys took their shirts off and used them as capes for a play bullfight. Only in Spain. :)

I think I am the most blessed girl ever, and I think I have it way better than the other au pairs and tutors here in several ways. One of the biggest is that I don’t drink. The others spend the bulk of their time and money getting wasted. Will spends most of his days at the mansion his host family lives at out by the pool or playing play station. As wonderful as that kind of sounds, the close and personal living space with the family has motivated me to get out more and see al these incredible things. Also, not having opportunities as available to hit the dance floor to blow off steam, take my anger out on the hockey court, clear my head with a piano session, or have an emergency ice cream run with my girlfriends after an overly tough day has caused me to rely heavier on the best sources for fortification: prayer, scriptures, patriarchal blessing, church, lds.org. I feel way more fortunate than the other au pairs to have these endless sources of strength, more responsibilities with the host family, and a better financial situation. I’m so blessed.