It’s time for an optimistic post, don’t you think? I am excited about…

• Chris and Rick’s Oscar party. They have the best Oscar parties. One of the most fun parts is the themed-food contest. Denny is disappointed that Sean Penn isn’t nominated for anything this year, because he came up with a really good idea: “Sean Penne.” We’ll think of something, though. Maybe “Don Cheetos”? We may have to go to several movies this weekend to get ready.
• I feel medium. That’s the best I’ve felt in a week, so I’m riding that high.
• Portugal! I think we’ve got the itinerary pretty well worked out:

March 16: Leave from Cedar Rapids
March 17: Arrive in Lisbon. Stay at the Hotel Principe. It looks a little blah, but reasonably priced city hotels always are. On the exciting side, it’s a favorite of visiting Spanish matadors. I love those little pants they wear. Things I’m excited to do in Lisbon:

• Go to the Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, which has been called the finest private art collection in the world. It’s also an easy walk from our hotel.
• Climb the Torre de Belem. “Erected between 1515 and 1520, the Manueline-style tower is Portugal’s classic landmark and often serves as a symbol of the country.”

• Explore the Alfama, the old quarter of the city. Apparently the houses are very close together there. According to the poet Federico de Brito,
  

  Your house is so close time mine!
  In the starry night’s bliss,
  to exchange a tender kiss,
  our lips easily meet,
  high across the narrow street. (translator unknown)

March 19: Go to Sintra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay at the Tivoli Sintra. Things I’m excited to do in Sintra:

• Visit the Palácio Nacional da Sintra (apparently it has quite the tile collection. I am interested in tile.)

• Wander around and pretend I’m Lord Byron

March 21: Go to Tomar. This is where the conference is taking place. Oh, right, the conference. I knew we were in Portugal for a reason. We’re staying at a little place that doesn’t have a website (quel horreur!), but it comes recommended by the conference people and the professor Denny’s working with. I hope I don’t have to share a bathroom. I’m kind of shy about that. Things I’m excited to do in Tomar:

• Visit the Convento da Ordem de Cristo (aka the Knights of Templar)

March 24: Back to Lisbon to catch our early flight the next day.
*yawn* I must be jet-lagged already.