Games Galore!

Hiya there folks:
As we are all preparing to spend the holidays with friends and family I wanted to get this off to all my people.
Just to start off I had a nice relaxing weekend after the horror that was Marseille, I say this is jest, surely... Friday night I met Montse and Carlos at my house where we then headed to an art/culture exhibit on Pompeii. Now the question I'm still asking is where is Pompeii? It was a lovely exhibit but we were surprised how small the hall was. I got to see pottery and images of the volcano erupting.... who knew??
Once we toured around the hall we decided to indulge in a Starbucks coffee, or at least I wanted to. Montse and Carlos both got a chocolate FRAPPUCCINO in the middle of winter!! Although they tell me that that is the custom for Spaniard's to order a frapuccino anytime they go to Starbucks, its like their candy shop. I was appalled for sure. But I enjoyed my latte, even though I am sick of cafe con leche when its 10% coffee and 90% milk! I want to some good old Pete's Moka Java or some Dunkin Donuts. Now many of you probably are disgusted that I would actually ask for DD Coffee, but honestly the saying is true, you don't miss something til its gone! You know I thought I would miss friends and family, but ¡Hombre! I need my coffee!! But in reality of course I miss everyone and just wish that we could talk more. I knows its tough with the time change, but you are more than welcome to jot me a quick email or a comment here on the blog! I don't bite....

Sigo...
After a nice coffee we again thought to kick the cold with a nice meal and where did we go, you ask?? Good Ole' TGI Fridays of course. Its where all the cool people hang out! The meal was good and we had an awesome time watching the world cup of extreme lifting. These huge guys lifted cars and pulled big trucks and stuff, I must say it was a great way to finish off the work week.

Saturday I just chilled out at home doing some house work... Yes I do SOME cleaning once in a while. When Gina finally got up she told me that Carlos didn't have work so therefore I should call him because we both had nothing to do. Well Gina called Carlos's landline only to be answered by his mother, Who he had told that he was having lunch with Gina, when instead he was at his bfriends house! Yikes! But thankfully Gina has a quick memory and just made up an excuse. As soon as she finished with the mother though she called Carlos as fast as she could to warn him what she told the mother so they could corroborate their stories. PHEW!! it was close though. Gina is certain that the mom must think that Carlos and Gina are seeing one another because she is his wing girl.
Anyway though... when we finally got through to him he suggested that he and go to this interactive game place where you yourself play the game and climb over things and stuff. Like Lazer Tag but you have to answer questions and pass test before advancing to the next level. As you can imagine, I lost pretty quickly but Carlos had helped me on a few of the questions. It was really cool because the scenario was that you are a prisoner and you are trying to escape from jail, although Gina and I think its more like an asylum rather than a jail.
But I had an awesome time. That's what I like about Carlos, he is such a kid at heart, he loves any games so we always have a great time with him.
Then Sunday we had planned to go shopping but only us girls wanted to go so we changed our minds and decided to play mini golf instead at this cool mall. The previous evening Carlos was describing the mall to me and began talking about the cafeteria where you can buy any kind of food and then you all eat in the middle. Now I thought he meant a buffet style where you can choose any cuisine you like. BUT... he meant a FOOD COURT!! He thought it was the coolest invention ever and totally gets overwhelmed with so many choices. We had to nix the mini golf because Hugo was going to get out of work later than expected and then we wouldn't have anytime to play so we continued our Sunday movie night tradition and saw 1408.
But before I get into the movie... the other totally sweet thing was that there is an INSIDE SKI SLOPE!! How cool.... People were having a ball in the enclosure. When asked if I knew how to ski I said no, but couldn't resist telling them about my first time on ski in NH when I was five I think. There DAD was with the video camera glued to his eye while I sat crying my eyes out because I had fallen over and couldn't get up, like a turtle. The instructor said that I had to get up on my own, so I sat there tears and all while Dad continued to videotape the rest of the Zambizee sisters. I think that's why I don't cry anymore... I let it all out at the age of 5!
I'll continue... When we entered the food court everyone ran around checking out what there was to offer and we grabbed a table. The food was OK, not that food from a food court is that great anyway, but we made due. Finally when Hugo arrived we made out slips for "amigos invisibles" AKA Secret Santa. I was filled with anticipation about who I would get and hoped that it wasn't Gina because then I would get a challenging person to buy for. Well luck was on my side and I got Montse. Although I'm not sure what to get her just yet, but I've got time since we are not doing it until I get back from London on Jan. 5. Plus was is nice is that therefore I will be in Madrid for 3 Kings Day, which is like their Christmas. I hope we have a party or something...

Well again I want to wish everyone a GREAT holiday and a Happy New Year. I hope to talk to many of you over the vacation. I will have a phone card ready and waiting for me upon arrival. I will have my cell phone but I am not sure if it will work. But keep in touch and I don't care if you don't do anything for the holidays... but I better get pictures anyway!!!

I will stalk you during the entire new year if I don't get pics. Everyone takes some pics around the holidays, so make sure I get them. My Spanish friends have been warned too, so don't think you are getting any special treatment!

Miss you all
Felices Fiestas y Prospero Año Nuevo
Em