Month Five!

WOW! Just WOW WOW. I cannot believe it is already the fifth month here in Madrid. So much has happened in so little time!

First, I have started regularly attending meetings with the local Rotaract Madrid Serrano. Such a nice group of young people from so many different backgrounds. Right now, we are working on a solidarity project with Rotary for “End Polio Now”. We are selling the cloth bracelets for 2€ to Rotarians and Non Rotarians alike in solidarity with the cause. If you want me to send you one, let me know! 😀 It would be my gift to you ❤

with my local Rotaract, presenting a banner from Mt. Pleasant, District 7770

Creative shot of the bracelet and the famous Puerta de Acalá

I have also had my dear friend, Iris, visiting with me in Madrid. We had such a good time the weekend before my birthday just exploring the city and enjoying each other’s company. Thanks so much, Iris!!! I love seeing you everywhere in the world. BTW She is going to be in the NYC area doing graduate research from April-July and is looking to sublet (she would be a lovely person to rent out that office w/ a trundle or guest room to!), if you know of anyone who needs to rent a space. I personally vouch for her charming, easy going personality.

How could you not love this lady? (picture of our cloudy day in Toledo)

 

I also had a birthday this month! Luckily for me, one of my absolute favorite people in Madrid (hey Marina!) has her birthday 2 days after I do. So we decided to go to an Italian Restaurant in my neighborhood (Calle Fúcar, 11 Piccolo Diavolo. Highly recommend it). It seemed the people would never fit, but we all managed to squeeze in. We had such a great time and I feel truly blessed to have friends and colleagues like them in my life. I honestly think meeting these future members of global human rights work has been one of the best benefits of taking on this master’s program.

 

One of the guys pointed out we sort of made a heart shape. awww

I was asked to present about farmwork in the souther USA in a workshop on Human Rights and Companies (a great workshop! One of my favorites).  As any of you reading may know all too well, you don’t have to ask me twice to talk about farmworkers!
The presentation went very well if I do say so myself. Perhaps I will be holding an unofficial screening of Food Chains, a great documentary about a specific group of farmworkers in Immokalee (You can watch it on Netflix!) in my apartment some time soon.

Happy Valentine’s day! Its a rainy day here, so now that I have gone to volunteer orientation with Marina, I am home and taking the rest of the afternoon off.