Christmas is over...

Christmas is over, with a few leftovers for next days' meals, some nice presents unwrapped and some more grams (not to say Kilos) to live with.

Although I'm sounding very nostalgic, I enjoyed Xmas this year here in Madrid. We had all the typical food and appetite as before, so what changed was the view out of the window and the un-illuminated tree...

Because we are such a small family (this year without any boyfriend attached), it goes very smoothly and quick.

I'm glad we can be together, no matter where :)

Spirit

Christmas is coming! I'm starting to feel a bit of the spirit (I smell it nearby...) Maybe if I go to the city centre and see all those nice illuminations and thousands of people busily shopping, then I'll get it. So far, not so much - need to get out more!

Gucci

This is going to be my Xmas gift to myself...

Do you like it?

Xmas party

Our Xmas party was yesterday.

We left the office on a bus direccion the karting circuit where we were going to race 100 laps in teams.

We had a light lunch at the kartdome, and after some drinks, fresher's singing Xmas carrols and distribution of symbolic presents (yes, that's what they must be called, I don't think a freebie from my company, namely a fleece sweater, is a proper Xmas gift! But that's gamble, our names were ruffled and that's what I got anyway!). Today we had the proper official present which is a wine kit box (our customers presents are better!).

Anyway, we were then set to train a bit and the adrenalin was high as we dressed up our red racing suits and helmets! We looked very professional, except for the shoes (it was a surprise party, therefore nobody knew what would be the appropriated clothes to wear. I had high heels on, which made me look weird, all sporty and helmeted on black stilletos, hihihihi).

Yes, it's me under that black hell of a helmet! Ali looks all professional, no? Like Ayrton!

I run 50 laps, tried my best, was hit several times on the laps, hit a few times on the laps (that was fun, coming from behind our boss and slam him against the rails!!!), did really good times on each lap (the best of my team!!!!) and had a great time in general. Loved the races.
We didn't end well, as one of my team had a bit of an accident and that delayed everything! I tried my best to compensate, but it was too late, it was a loner's last effort :)
Here's the big boss who ended up first (of course, he's the boss!), Ali's team ended up second and the macho boys third.

We then had a bit of a dance and more drinks and ended up the night singing flamenco songs on the bus home....oh Dear!

Today, we have a few missing, allegedly sick, and the ones here at the office are rather hurt (the karts kill, our arms and legs and back are hurting, it feels the karts run us over!!!). We got other presents coming in today and more Xmas cards, so the day isn't as bad as it might have looked in the morning, while dragging our ached bones out of the bed!

I have 4 bottles of Champagne, 3 boxes of chocolates, a wine set and 15 kg of oranges to take home. All in the public transportation... I think I will miss the gym for a few days, my ached body can't take any more tumbles!

Weather and bla bla

The weather is still showing us what Winter is like, with rain (plenty of it) and wind.

Already got some Xmas presents (hooray) and hopefully this week some more, that way I avoid the huge queues in the shops and still have my patience intact!

We never know what to give to our closest, it's always easier for the people we have not so much intimacy but enough to buy them presents. A candle, a photo frame, a book... For parents and siblings, the thing gets tough and we always despair and then, at the last minute, we end up buying something on pressure and not so original or perfect as we intended at the first place.

This week here in Spain is a 'puente' from Wednesday on, as it's got two holidays, the 6th and the 8th. Many people took vacations or are taking advantage and start shopping. Me and Ali have to come and work on Wednesday in a deserted office of around 300 m2. It's sad.

In the meantime, I'm also looking for a new job. One year at this company is enough...I've seen it all already :)

Lista de Natal

Poeminha de Natal by A pipoca mais doce

Um Manolo, um Jimmy Choo,

Uma Prada, um Jacobzinho,

Um Dolce & um Gabbana

Tudo no meu sapatinho

Chega de Zaras e Bershkas

De agendas e de velas

Molduras, essas, nem vê-las

Neste Natal coisas belas

Nada de panos da loiça

Garfo, faca ou colher

Pijamas, colchas, lençóis

Quero ver tudo a arder

Uns livros, uns dvd,

Venham eles, que alegria

Mas merdas pró enxoval

Diz que dão grande alergia

Tias, avós, gente chata

Nunca sabem o que dar

Problema resolvido

Quero um carro e um andar

Nesta quadra tão bonita

Que comove o mundo inteiro

Deixem todos de ser sonsos

Que o que dá jeito é dinheiro

Que haja sopinha para todos

Ah, e tal queremos é paz

Quanto a mim quero é sapatos

E um homem que seja capaz

Xmas is coming...

(third time that I try to write this damn post, Xmas magic is not working!!!)

Madrid is sparkling and we can already feel Xmas around the corner. The smell of roasted chestnuts, the little lights all over, angels and Santas everywhere, the shopping...yes, Xmas is coming and we need to start thinking about that inherent exhaustive duty of this season: the shopping spree!

For as much as I love shopping, this one is a forced task and that makes me and everyone shiver, just thinking about it! The mere fact it is compulsory makes me want to run... (n.b. - the words 'shopping' and 'run' together in a sentence usually have a very different meaning on my vocabulary, this is the only exception!).

But the looks on our loved one's faces will surely pay off for all the nagging in between :)