an open letter to... Mother Nature

Yo, Mama N... what the frijoles?

In times when parts of the world are being ravaged by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, I understand that - in comparison - you're going pretty easy on me. After all, the floor has not collapsed beneath me, I don't have to paddle around town in a rowboat and the apartment roof remains firmly in place above my head. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate this greatly.

That said, and with the utmost respect, we have GOT to come to some sort of agreement here.

What's the deal with the overcast skies, constant rainfall and frigid temperatures? Are you pissed? PMS-ing? Vengeful? Depressed? Well it's time to snap out of it Eeyore. It's JUNE (well, in two days) and I'm still donning my winter attire. It's been weeks... I repeat WEEKS!... since I've seen the sun and felt its warmth upon my face. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

"June" and "hold on, let me grab my coat" are two concepts that should not, under any circumstances, go hand-in-hand. So please, pop some pills - be they Midol or Xanax - and bring that fiery yet beloved ball of gas out of hiding so I can put away my umbrella, store my sweaters and sip on cool beverages outdoors while enjoying its rays.

Mkay? Great, thanks.

SO ready for warm weather...

This weekend it's going to be practically 70º in Madrid- woot!!! Bars and cafés had better get their outdoor tables set up!

Ch-ch-check it out: Madrid's 10-day

randomness

Today I left for work for the second day in a row without a jacket... and I left the gym this evening in my shorts. It was glorious. Hoping that this trend continues, I am almost ready to bid the seasonal adieu to coats, sweaters, winter blues, hot chocolate and being a hermit. So here's a little ode to spring and everything I like about it.

Blah blah blah the whole rejuvenation of nature spiel... flowers blooming, trees budding, birdies chirping and the rest of the accompanying cliché classics.

Visitors! Friends, sisters, BernBerns and cousins have sangria-induced Spanish shenanigans pencilled into their calendars.

Sidewalk cafés! In an age when international fast food chains are trying to gobble up the "cute café" culture anywhere they can, Spain's little outdoor cafés and bars comprise what is - without a doubt - one of its best assets. In fact, I put it on the totally unbiased "Spain Top 10" in my Spain guide (What Spain for all 2 of you who are interested)

Walks! As enjoyable as speed walking through the streets hoping that, in the process, the friction between your various out-of-shape body parts will stir up some additional body heat, strolling leisurely about in nice weather is always a more pleasant alternative for all involved.

Spring ahead! The sacrificed hour of sleep is every bit worth the additional daylight hours during which one might enjoy the aforementioned sidewalk cafés and leisurely strolls.

Lunch! Gone will be the days of eating at my desk. Facebook stalking and catching up on my celebrity gossip blogs will have to wait for the post-work hours, as they are soon to be replaced with dining al fresco- i.e. saran-wrapped sandwich from home on a park bench.

Ice cream! Last week, two coworkers and I played hooky for 15 minutes to partake in the inaugural "first ice cream of the season." We also raised up our plastic spoons and merrily toasted to many more to come... or at least I did.

Open windows! In houses, in cars... everywhere! The breezes are light, the air is fresh and, providing those pesky allergies aren't attacking like merciless kamikazes, there's nothing that says "spring time" quite like your arm hanging out a rolled down window.