So close!

We are in the midst of holidays here in Madrid.  Yesterday was Labor Day and today is May 2 (Dos de Mayo).  Today is significant in Madrid because on May 2, 1808 the people rose up against the French forces that were occupying the city.  I'll let you read the history of that here on Wikipedia, if you would like :).

Also kind of amazing is that in one month, I'll be on a plane headed to the U.S. for home assignment!  That came quick, didn't it?  I'm really, really excited to see everyone and I have been working on a list of places I want to eat at (no one is surprised by that right?), but I actually think it will be tough to be away from Madrid for eight weeks.  On one hand, that's an encouraging place to be at, on the other hand - it's real strange to think that living here is basically my new normal, and I kind of like it.

So, I'll be doing my best to make the most of the next month :).  Here's what's coming up!

• We have a new strategic plan for the next six months, so it will be neat to see how God works through that!
• On Thursday, I get to have a root canal.  That's not fun obviously, and I'm a bit irritated that it couldn't have waited until I got home and could go to my own dentist.  But, these things are best taken care of right away.  So, would appreciate your prayers as I'm kind of nervous.  And since my dentist usually reads this blog :) and might be wondering, it's the upper left incisor - number 10, I think...  I'll come in for a cleaning when I'm in Lincoln so you can check out the Spanish dental work :).
• If the weather is good this weekend (it's been chilly and raining recently), one of my language partners and I are going to check out the climbing wall on campus.  I got to climb a little when I was in Málaga (pics below), and really enjoyed it.  So, there's a few of us on the team that might try and plug into the climbing community here.
• And my birthday is next Friday!  Hmm, I should think about how to celebrate that...
• On May 12, I'll head to my first bullfight.  It's actually a rejón, which is when the bullfighter is on horseback.  I'm not sure what I'll think about this, but my tutor was telling me about it and allegedly the best bullfighters are in Madrid during the festival of San Isidro, so it's as a good a time as any to check it out.  Vamos a ver (we'll see).
• On May 20, I'm going to a sushi making class!  One of my language exchange partners likes to cook, so we exchange recipes from time to time.  But, I'm always looking for more 'foodies' to hang out with.
• June 2 - fly to Denver and give my folks a huge hug :).