26 January 2026

It’s been a quiet first week back home. I’ve done laundry, restocked the refrigerator and done some household chores.

It was good to be back to choir. We’re working on some fun music. Schubert’s Mass in German for a concert in March.

We will also start working on the chorus parts of Verdi’s opera, La Traviata for performances in Denia, outside of Valencia city in April. I’ve been a supernumerary (walk on without singing) in an opera. But this will be my first to time to memorize the music and lyrics…. In Italian! My language learning is getting stretched!

I joined Vicente and Cooper last Wednesday for a drive to Chilches, north of Valencia. It was a beautiful morning on the beach with Cooper, while Vicente met with a photographer preparing to list a new home.

Today, I started back to my Spanish classes, four hours a day, five days a week. The journey continues.

And today, I delivered a gift to my neighbor, Carlos. He wanted a Colorado Rockies t-shirt. He was thrilled!

Tomorrow, I meet with my attorney to plan next steps for my residency here. Wish me luck!