The rest of the day

I was so worried that today would be awful, and I think it's been one of the best days yet, in terms of adjustment.  I read outside on my terrace for a lot of the late afternoon - though I managed to bruise the crap out of my elbow carrying a chair out there.  I also managed to watch some stuff I rented on my iPad before I came.  I cooked dinner, caught up with friends + Pete + my parents.

I'm starting to reach for things and know where they are (particularly in the kitchen).  I put away a bunch of stuff that was still in my carry on bags.  I hung up most of the stuff that needs hanging up (although a lot of it is doubled or tripled on hangers because I have so few right now).  So I'm officially unpacked and moved in.  I only have a few more things I need (and a few more things I want) to make things more manageable.

One thing I want is color.  I have a beige couch, a beige rug, white entertainment center, white + stainless steel kitchen, white sheets, white chairs, brown (ooooh) dining table,  three coffee tables (2 brown + 1 white), white closets with brown interiors.  Grey floors, grey and white bathroom, etc.  I need something pink.  Or green.  Or blue.  Or any color.  I'm thinking about getting some pillows/cushions that I can then take out on the patio to sit on instead of the chair (which is too hard and also too tall - my feet don't touch the ground.  Even my two turquoise dish towels help with the color problem.  It just feels a little more sterile.  Hopefully either this or next weekend I can get out to do a little shopping in the 'burbs or at least with a car.  I also need to figure out how to cook for one person - anyone have any tips about Europe friendly recipes for one person??

Tomorrow is supposed to be Spanish Bureaucracy day (when I get register for the census, get my resident card, get my health card, possibly open a bank account, possibly get my bus card - after which the bus will be <70 cents per ride!!).  We'll see if it actually happens since I need a signed copy of my lease and my rental company is operating on Spanish time.  Worst case scenario - I go next week to get it.  It's weird, though, because my visa is only good for 30 days and then I need to have my residence card, or I'm here illegally.  I also NEED my residence card to open a bank account and to get paid.  Additionally, once I have my residence card, I get free wifi in my apartment (and most places in the city).  So, hopefully it will all work out soon!