I realized that it had been more than six months since my last dentist appointment. So, I checked my insurance and sure enough, it includes dental care. So I scheduled a check up.

I got there Monday and learned that I get a free cleaning and check up every six months. Unfortunately, cleaning and check ups are two separate appointments. So they did the check up and told me that I have a cavity. I’m glad I had it checked.

They also said I need two bridges where the gums are separating from my older crowns.

So, I scheduled the cleaning and cavity repair for Thursday. The dental hygienist gave me the most painful cleaning I’ve ever had. Then she told me I was done. I said, “No, I’m supposed to have the cavity fixed. She got the receptionist, who despite the conversation on Monday, told me that I need to schedule the cavity repair separately. So, that’s scheduled for Monday. I guess when that’s done, we’ll schedule the bridge work.

I had a fun victory in Spanish class on Friday.

We had been talking about “paranormal activities.” On Thursday, the teacher wrote that phrase, “Actividades Paranormales” on the white board. In that exact second, all the lights in the building went out. We got a big laugh out of that.

We continued the topic on Friday using the “subjunctive” tense. We read a story in Spanish of a lady who came home after a good day at work and for no reason started to cry. This happened a couple times over the next several days. Then, we were asked to give our opinion of what was happening with her.

In Spanish (and with some help with vocabulary from my teacher), I was able to say that I thought her subconscious might be releasing some past traumas. Then, I went on to explain how EMDR therapy helps heal the extreme traumas of therapy patients, by connecting the two sides of the brain and accessing that trauma in a safe space, and thereby reducing the extreme effects of that past traumatic experience.

To me, it was really empowering to talk about such a complex topic, take questions, and carry on a conversation so thoroughly, all in Spanish. Progress!

Now, if I can just start to understand spoken Spanish better. Step by step. “Paso a paso”

We had more rain than normal this week. Saturday, it rained all day. So, I stayed home and watched a Spanish Netflix TV series (Money Heist)…all in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. There was a lot that I didn’t understand. But, I got the gist of it and even learned some new vocabulary, including some words your mother probably would not approve of!

Today, I took a long walk to the beach and back (over ten miles round trip).

I walked past a shopping mall with some fun outdoor fountains.

I walked past the port of Valencia.

And over the river inlet.

This is the river where it stands now. In 1956, there was a flood. City officials actually moved the river around the city and turned the old river bed into a long city park, Turia Gardens.

I have a new CouchSurfing guest who just arrived. I’ll update you on dentists and couch surfers next week.

Have a great week!