Update

So, I did not die from my sickness, though I will say it was the sickest I remember being in my adult life.  It started with a cold, morphed into a stomach bug (stomach MONSTER more accurately) with a fever, and slowly slid back to cold territory.  My stomach is mostly back to normal now, about a week later, but the cold is hanging on.  I'm mostly okay with the cold, since it does not involve me needing to sprint to the bathroom 10-20 times a day.

Things here are crazy, since I missed two and half days of work last week with the Stomach Monster and fever.  I had a friend come visit this weekend, which was great, but between the sickness and the visit, I started the week exhausted.  Fortunately, this week was another weird Spanish holiday week.  Our office was closed both Tuesday and Thursday.  But this also meant that the other days were packed with meetings.  All of this means I've gotten next to nothing done for the past two weeks and only have 8 working days before I go back to Chicago.  I'd love to have a mostly work-free holiday season, but I don't think that is in the cards!

Speaking of holidays, Spain has finally gotten in the Christmas spirit, with lights and trees.  It's a little hard to feel the Christmas spirit when it is 60 degrees and sunny, but I am not complaining at all.  In fact, it has not taken long for me to lose my winter toughness developed after 28 winters in the midwest and New England.  Yesterday, I was walking downtown and said, "It is so cold!!  I'm freezing."  Then I saw that the temperature clock read 9 degrees (Celsius) which is, oh, right around 49 degrees Fahrenheit.  In other words?  Not cold.  At all.  But apparently I'm a baby now.

In other Christmas news, apparently no Christmas decorations are complete here in the Basque Country without a giant inflatable Olentzero sitting atop the McDo.  What's that you say?  You've never heard of Olentzero?  A Basque version of Santa Claus?  Well, get reading:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olentzero (Research courtesy of my friend Charlotte).  I would also suggest you check out his song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLP6xWCanCw If you are too lazy to check out the links, here is the basic story:  Olentzero is a giant (or maybe not a giant, but a big, strong guy who burns charcoal and maybe died in a fire and was then granted eternal life) who brings presents to children typically on Christmas Eve.  He is also possibly a drunk.  Oh, and the best part?  He walks around with a sickle and if you are a child who refuses to go to sleep, or anyone who breaks the fast on Christmas Eve, Olentzero comes to visit you, not to bring presents, but rather to cut your throat out with a sickle.  Because obviously no Christmas story is complete without a terrifying, possibly giant, possibly drunk man sneaking into your house to cut your throat out with a sickle.

You should really, really read the article because it has the lyrics and the translation to one of the Olentzero Songs - as a teaser, it does involve:  Our Olentzero / we can't sate him / he has eaten whole / ten piglets. / Ribs and pork loin / so many intestines / because Jesus is born / have mercy.  


I mean, honestly, how can you not love the Basque people for coming up with this?  It is way better than a sleigh.


Finally, good thoughts and prayers are still appreciated regarding the job market.  News is starting to trickle out and I've had both good and bad pieces of news.  I'm hoping to take some time off worrying about jobs over the break, but I wouldn't mind hearing some more good news before Christmas.  All I want for Christmas is a job doing what I've spent 7+ years training to do in the same country my husband lives in.  Not so much to ask, is it?