Mine

I finally got my box of goodies from Zara Home.

I got:

- A new, non-scratchy fitted sheet
- A flat sheet (I didn't have one before) in the pattern I chose - blueish-green symbols on a white background white that look a little like fleur-de-lis.
- 2 pillow cases in the same pattern
- A reversible duvet cover (big version of the pattern on one side, small on the other)
- 2 small throw pillows with covers that are the same color as the sheets (one side is velvety and the other is a linen material with buttons)
- A small throw blanket in a darker blue
- 2 placemats in a darker blue-green
- A handful of things for the bathroom (soap dish, cup for my toothbrush, small tray for other miscellaneous things
And ... most exciting of all
- A small shopping cart.  This is a bag that folds up into itself to be smaller than a purse, but then folds out into a cart that could wheel several bags of groceries home.  This is going to revolutionize the way I can shop here, since I don't have to worry about my arms falling off before I get home. It's also really nice because it has a few zippered pouches to put my reusable bags and wallet into!  I was so excited when I pulled it out of the bag.

Anyhow, I quickly washed and dried the sheets ... put them on the bed ... and promptly cried.  The apartment finally has color.  More importantly, it finally has things that I chose.  I chose them, not the people who put this place together for researchers.  Immediately, it felt less sterile, less scary, and much, much less like the place I found three weeks ago greeting me.  It felt like it was mine.

While that is a really, truly great feeling, it's also a scary feeling.  When things weren't mine, I could imagine in my head that they were temporary in a very short-term way.  While I still know this situation is temporary, it's not really short-term.  That realization made me a little bit sad.  Mostly, though, it's a great feeling to have this place be mine, at least for a while.  Now that it's really real and this place is my place, I'm hoping that I can grab the bull by the horns, so to speak and really throw myself into work, learning Spanish, and learning the culture here.  There are many, many exciting things on the work front that I'd be happy to talk more about via e-mail, phone, or Skype.

Another major breakthrough is that today a friend of mine came to get me when it was lunch time.  We ate outside with some others and it was beautiful.  I felt like a part of the club.  We're going out tonight to celebrate another post-doc's birthday.  Hopefully, I can finagle my way into some plans for the weekend, too.

Pictures of the new colorful apartment will come as soon as I receive my cord for my camera (or after my trip to Puerto Rico - whichever comes first!).  I think I took pictures of the dismal whiteness - but if not, I'll re-dress the bed in it's old sad clothes for some before and after shots.  Now, I just need some storage boxes for the entertainment center and bathroom and I'll be all settled here, I think (plus the things I ordered from Amazon UK that are on their way!).