Home at last

Well, I made it home from Europe. I am now working on my paper and everything is going ok. Life at home is never quiet. I have a boat load of people living here. I am hoping to write a little more when I get situated. Hopefully, I can get better and set up for the rest of the summer by the end of the week.

Hello From Spain

Hello Everyone,

I am writing for two reasons. First to tell you that I am here and everything is ok. Second, there is no visible effect from the strike. Si we are safe and having a good time. We are having a little bit of a hard time navagating the city because the streets are really narrow and dificult to know. Additionally, it is not a gridded city. Plus none of the streets are labeled, Sometimes there is a sign on a building but there names are so messed up it is difficult to find what you are looking for. We are having a good time here. I am pretty sick. I am congested and having a hard time shaking it. I went to the pharmacy and got some product by vics that you ingest. I have been taking it but it is about as helpful as a glass of water. The city is really nice but it is also really dirty. I miss you all a whole bunch and can't wait to get home ot see you. I will see you all next friday. I will NOT be writing again because we are paying 12 euro's a night for the internet and as a moral principal we will not do this again. We walked tonight to look for a McDonalds becasue they have free internet there. 1.5 hours later, no McDonalds. Plus we have seen pickpockets galore. In fact we helped identify one to the police who was trying to take the wallet out of a womans purse. So we don't plan on taking out laptops with in the day to send emails. Also, they are heavy to carry around and it is warm here. So please don't think I am trying to be rude but I am just being practical and a smart traveller. If there is a problem we will write again. Plus, an Internet cafe is perhaps far and wide between. We found one, but it looked pretty shady, there was 2 terminals, and each had an interesting man looking up stuff. So we have been avoiding those types of places. Well, I am gunna try to get some sleep as we have a bug day tommorow. Hope all is well, and Lorri, I got you email. I am glad to hear you are doing well and sorry about your window. Love you all. Hope you are as safe as I am.

Jonathan

The End is Near

Hello Family,
I am on the last day here in Ireland. I am a little sad that I have to leave. I have 3.5 hours of class today and then I have a test this late afternoon. I then have to pack because I have to be moved out by 10:00A.M. tommorow morning. My flight leaves at 6:00 tommorow night. So Naila and I plan to leave our luggage at reception and do a little shopping during the day. I am really looking forward to coming home and seeing you all. There is only 7 days left on my trip now. It seems as if the employees in the trucking industry in Spain are getting a good deal of hassle from the police but now there is another group. The taxi drivers. Apperhently, they aren't coming in to work today. Well, I can only imagine that this is gunna be a wild trip. I plan on having to walk a good deal for the Spanish part of the trip, my gym shoes have been giving me blisters though so I hope that they can get me through. I also am haveing some major weight issues. I have no Idea if I have lost weight or not. I think I am becomeing dehydrated and rehydrated. I think that is what I am actually lossing but it does seem as is my pants are fitting a little looser. Liquid is really expensive here so I find myself drinking less. So, that is my life here in Ireland. I haven't heard any updates on Linnea's trip lately, I hope she is enjoying Texas. I can only imagine that she is experiencing the same things that I did when I went on my first band trip. Hopefully she is letting her hair down and enjoying herself. I also know that my little man is enjoying his baseball summer. Especially since our cubbies are doing so well. I am sure that he has done a little cheering for the cubs for me since I am not there to see the games. Logan, I will be checking to make sure you are. Grandma will tell me. Mom, hopefully work gets a little more like back to normal. Wendy and Steve, any updates on the house? I have heard that there are some big flooding problems in the Midwest, hopefully that isn't hindering the progress. I still haven't heard much from Lorri, are there any updates about her? Well, I guess I should pay attention in class. The problem is that what we are tested on we don't have to use on the test. Our test is 2 hours and we must write on two major articles of the EU. I have my two articles well planned out. I am going to write on Internal Taxation and Customs Duties. Hopefully I do well. The test yesterday was brutal. But I am sure that I did well enough. I will perhaps not talk to you all till I get home becasue I don't know the state of the Internet in Spain and the hotel. SO if I can't talk to you, know I love you and miss you all. Can't wait to see you when I get home. Love, Jonathan