Soo...for all of you that are familiar with my "Emma-ness/space cadet-ness/ditziness/whatever you'd like to call it", this one's for you.
I logged onto skype earlier this evening and then started looking around random sites online, trying to entertain myself until someone else logged onto skype that I could talk to.
A couple minutes later I got a message from a stranger, and when I asked who it was they sent me an angel smiley face. Weird. Then he said his name was Nick. No idea who he is. But whatever. He was probably typing in random names to try and get a response from someone. I ignored him.
A second later, I got an incoming call from Mimatu, once again, no idea who that is...I declined the call.
Then I got another message from someone else, just saying hi.
What the eff.
What really set me off was the next guy who said "I can pay you if you want. $300." Long pause. "Do you like sex?" Ummmmmm what?????
That message was followed in quick succession by no less than 5 other guys saying various forms of "hi", "nice to meet you" and my personal favorite, "hello emma" which sounded ominous and foreboding given my current state of panic over how the hell all these people knew who I was.
By this time, I was pretty positive I had clicked on a bad link and somehow gotten linked up to a porn site or something. So I was freaking out and deleting conversations, and more just kept coming.
I went into my privacy and blocked messages, calls, etc. from anybody who wasn't on my contact list.
Thinking I solved the problem, I was happy.
Nope.
They just kept coming. Wtf.
Then I got one saying something about how my profile picture was really hot. So now I'm thinking that my skype name is somehow linked up to a naked girl's picture, how that would happen I have no idea, but from all the messages and what they were saying it would have made sense.
I freaked out on him and asked how he got my skype name and what profile picture he was talking about. Then he kindly explained that my status was set to 'skype me', which means that anybody and everybody can not only see that I'm online, but also call me and message me, regardless of my privacy settings.
So nice of Skype to make that clear.
So long story short, it was not my fault and I just have an overactive imagination.
Friday, September 30, 2011
So...I Guess I Actually Live Here Now...
So many good things have happened in the last 2 days!
Wednesday night I called a girl, Cris, at 7:30 about looking at an apartment. I met her at said apartment at 8. I gave her the 1st months rent + security deposit and then she gave me the keys at 8:30. Compare that to renting an apartment in the states!
DETAILS:
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (only 1 shower though)
internet + tv (not sure if there's cable I haven't checked yet)
patio (overlooking the alley and the next door daycare center)
microwave in the kitchen (thank god!)
I only pay 120e/month for my room, + whatever utilities there are, which are divided by person.
In case you don't know the euro/dollar conversion off the top of your head, that equals about $160. Yup. I am paying $160/month to live in an apartment in a complex with an elevator (fairly rare), off a main street with a grocery store and lots of shopping, and only a 5 minute walk from the city center. Which so conveniently passes through the 'old' section of the city, aka the prettiest and most spanish. I think I can live with this!
As for my roommates, they are 2 spanish girls about 26 or 27. I'm not really sure. But Victoria is a french professor at a nearby school, so I'm assuming that makes her at least a few years older than me. Cris is also a teacher, I believe. They are both super friendly, and Victoria is happy because know she has someone to speak English with. Who knows, maybe I'll start learning french!
As for the 3rd roommate, Carlos, he is moving out on Saturday to move to northern Spain to look for a job. I think I heard Cris say a British guy was coming to look at the apartment. How cool would that be? 2 spaniards, an american and a Brit. Sweet.
So Thursday morning was spent packing up my stuff, saying goodbye to José and Rosa from the hostel, and rolling/carrying my 70lb. suitcase up la montaña pequeña that is in between my flat and the hostel. It was pure hell.
And sure, I made it worse for myself by picking the ONE STREET that had stairs. All I can say is that I got a pretty decent upper body workout that day. My shoulders are still sore.
Then I unsuccessfully tried to buy sheets and a pillow case at the nearby mattress store. The guy was positive that when I asked for las sábanas, I didn't really mean that I wanted sheets. What would I want sheets for?? I must be talking about a pillow instead.
Whatever.
Just because spanish isn't my native language doesn't mean I don't know what I'm asking for. So I walked out of there a few minutes later carrying a ridiculously overpriced, bright red pillow.
I'm not going to complain though because sleeping on this pillow feels like a little piece of heaven. Totally worth the 28 bucks I paid for it.
So after a hard days work, my little slice of home in Algeciras, aka the eyesore of Southern Spain, is starting to take shape.
PLUS, *cue excitement*, I have also met Elizabeth, the other auxiliar at my school, and Christine, the only other American I'm aware of living in Algeciras. C wasn't all that reassuring about erasing my initial thoughts on the city, but meeting another American and friend definitely helped ease my fears about creating a life here.
Stay tuned for details of my trip to Cadiz and Jerez this weekend!
Wednesday night I called a girl, Cris, at 7:30 about looking at an apartment. I met her at said apartment at 8. I gave her the 1st months rent + security deposit and then she gave me the keys at 8:30. Compare that to renting an apartment in the states!
DETAILS:
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (only 1 shower though)
internet + tv (not sure if there's cable I haven't checked yet)
patio (overlooking the alley and the next door daycare center)
microwave in the kitchen (thank god!)
I only pay 120e/month for my room, + whatever utilities there are, which are divided by person.
In case you don't know the euro/dollar conversion off the top of your head, that equals about $160. Yup. I am paying $160/month to live in an apartment in a complex with an elevator (fairly rare), off a main street with a grocery store and lots of shopping, and only a 5 minute walk from the city center. Which so conveniently passes through the 'old' section of the city, aka the prettiest and most spanish. I think I can live with this!
As for my roommates, they are 2 spanish girls about 26 or 27. I'm not really sure. But Victoria is a french professor at a nearby school, so I'm assuming that makes her at least a few years older than me. Cris is also a teacher, I believe. They are both super friendly, and Victoria is happy because know she has someone to speak English with. Who knows, maybe I'll start learning french!
As for the 3rd roommate, Carlos, he is moving out on Saturday to move to northern Spain to look for a job. I think I heard Cris say a British guy was coming to look at the apartment. How cool would that be? 2 spaniards, an american and a Brit. Sweet.
So Thursday morning was spent packing up my stuff, saying goodbye to José and Rosa from the hostel, and rolling/carrying my 70lb. suitcase up la montaña pequeña that is in between my flat and the hostel. It was pure hell.
And sure, I made it worse for myself by picking the ONE STREET that had stairs. All I can say is that I got a pretty decent upper body workout that day. My shoulders are still sore.
Holy s*** that was the worst experience ever.
Then I unsuccessfully tried to buy sheets and a pillow case at the nearby mattress store. The guy was positive that when I asked for las sábanas, I didn't really mean that I wanted sheets. What would I want sheets for?? I must be talking about a pillow instead.
Whatever.
Just because spanish isn't my native language doesn't mean I don't know what I'm asking for. So I walked out of there a few minutes later carrying a ridiculously overpriced, bright red pillow.
I'm not going to complain though because sleeping on this pillow feels like a little piece of heaven. Totally worth the 28 bucks I paid for it.
So after a hard days work, my little slice of home in Algeciras, aka the eyesore of Southern Spain, is starting to take shape.
Note the $30 red pillow on my bed. Worth it, cause it's a splash of color.
Stay tuned for details of my trip to Cadiz and Jerez this weekend!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I swear I'm not going to keep posting everyday...
I feel like an overblogger. I need to stop. But I just have too many interesting things to share! So don't worry, if you are getting annoyed with my incessant blogging, it will stop soon, I promise. I'll get bored of this eventually.
ANYWAYS.
I had a terrific day today. First off, I found my school. A mere 30-minute walk uphill that left me sweaty, smelly and with hair sticking up in all directions thanks to the wind. I met Rogelio, the director of the school, and Patricia, the bilingual coordinator.
Patricia was in the middle of her English class with the highest level students, who are 15 years old. The class was 75% guys and 25% girls. Total 180 from the U.S.
I said hi, and it was awkward. I couldn't tell if they were staring at me and giggling because 1) they were 16 year old boys and I was a girl (very plausible) or 2) because they could see my face shining with sweat and my hair sticking up in funny directions. One boy literally didn't take his eyes off me, even when I walked out of the classroom. Awkwardness.
Then Patricia introduced me to some of the teachers, of which the only one close to my age was Gonzalo, the math teacher, who looks around 25. Score. Potential friend?
She told me that I will probably have to work Tuesdays-Fridays, and then have Mondays off. That really sucks. There goes half the traveling I wanted to do. *sigh*. However she did introduce me to last years bilingual coordinator, who seemed pretty adamant that it wasn't important if I worked Mondays instead. So....we'll see!!
Then, feeling on top of the world, I walked to Corte Ingles, bought a hair dryer and got some food (kefir and mixed nuts....mom I hope you're proud!)
And thennnn, José, the receptionist/do it all guy at the hostel introduced me to 2 girls who are currently renting some of the studio apartments above the hostel. They're my age and are going to la politécnica, the university here. Juan also told me to talk to him as soon as I figure out my plans for clases particulares, and he knows several people who are interested.
Things are looking up for me in Algeciras!
ANYWAYS.
I had a terrific day today. First off, I found my school. A mere 30-minute walk uphill that left me sweaty, smelly and with hair sticking up in all directions thanks to the wind. I met Rogelio, the director of the school, and Patricia, the bilingual coordinator.
Patricia was in the middle of her English class with the highest level students, who are 15 years old. The class was 75% guys and 25% girls. Total 180 from the U.S.
I said hi, and it was awkward. I couldn't tell if they were staring at me and giggling because 1) they were 16 year old boys and I was a girl (very plausible) or 2) because they could see my face shining with sweat and my hair sticking up in funny directions. One boy literally didn't take his eyes off me, even when I walked out of the classroom. Awkwardness.
Then Patricia introduced me to some of the teachers, of which the only one close to my age was Gonzalo, the math teacher, who looks around 25. Score. Potential friend?
She told me that I will probably have to work Tuesdays-Fridays, and then have Mondays off. That really sucks. There goes half the traveling I wanted to do. *sigh*. However she did introduce me to last years bilingual coordinator, who seemed pretty adamant that it wasn't important if I worked Mondays instead. So....we'll see!!
Then, feeling on top of the world, I walked to Corte Ingles, bought a hair dryer and got some food (kefir and mixed nuts....mom I hope you're proud!)
And thennnn, José, the receptionist/do it all guy at the hostel introduced me to 2 girls who are currently renting some of the studio apartments above the hostel. They're my age and are going to la politécnica, the university here. Juan also told me to talk to him as soon as I figure out my plans for clases particulares, and he knows several people who are interested.
Things are looking up for me in Algeciras!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
A Day in the Life of an Auxiliar (Pre-work)
So today I:
- had my 1st phone conversation in spanish
- looked at my first apartment! (total bust, but good experience, see below)
- ate at McDonalds twice and got a soda from BurgerKing. Way to soak up the local culture, I know, but after my morning's brush with jamón serrano (see 9/27) I wasn't feeling very adventurous.
- got an email from my BILINGUAL COORDINATOR saying she wants me to meet her at the school tomorrow (!!! great news! I thought I'd never hear from her!)
- looked at amistad (friendship") ads on milanuncio.com...which those of you who speak spanish should probably check out if you're bored. Some of them are super funny. Like the guy looking to meet a nudist woman so they can relax on the beach together. Yeah.
- Skyped for a ridiculous amount of hours with my boyfriend and looked up videos of cats eating treats from chopsticks
All in all, a fairly unproductive day.
And I wish I had better news for the apartment hunting, but so far I've emailed about 3 people and haven't heard back. I did meet with one woman to see her piso over by the University of Cádiz campus, but it's not going to work out. The complex is about a 20 minute walk from my work, which isn't bad, but it's in a sketchy area of town, right by the school.
She wants 200 euro/month just for the room, not including electricity/water/light/heat/etc. A little too pricy for me. And I would be living with her, a slightly odd 30-something year old, and a 25/30-something year old muslim woman.
That's problematic since I'm counting on finding my friends through the apartment I find. Which will hopefully not all be 30-something year olds.
Crossing my fingers that I get emails back tomorrow. If not, by Thursday I might cave and scare them away with my horrendous conversation skills over the phone.
Algeciras.
Ever since I got to Algeciras (a whole day and a half ago), I've been starting and deleting blog entries. I just don't want to post a sad, rambling, whiny post about how my life sucks since I (by choice) uprooted myself from everything and everyone I know, and moved to a foreign country to work for a year, just because I could. How bratty would that sound?
But come on.
I still sort of have a right to vent since I didn't get to pick the city that I would be calling home for a year. Algeciras. Oh joy. It took me about 10 minutes into my exploration of the city today to realize I wasn't exactly in love with it.
Here's the explanation I came up with during my walk:
I went to Fiji for a week in 2008, a country known for it's poverty. What I noticed while my group was in Nadi, the capital, were all the gorgeous exotic flowers that were spilling over ugly cement walls, and growing up the sides of houses to hide the fact they were falling apart. It seemed like they tried to counteract the dustiness and grittiness of the city with beautiful flowers. And it almost worked.
And that's how I feel about Algeciras.
The city is dirty, grimy, very sketchy in certain places, and not typically anywhere I'd want to be.
But the amounts of flowers sprouting up from every corner is pretty impressive. Pink, orange, blue, purple, white, more pink, it's so pretty. And then they paint some of their buildings different colors to try and make it nicer looking.
And it almost works.
But not quite.
It's still dirty looking.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Albaicín
Yesterday Emily and I hiked up to Albaicín. This is one of the oldest barrios (neighborhoods) in Granada. It is set up on the hillside over looking the city, and is full of narrow, twisting, winding cobblestone streets and white-washed buildings. It is gorgeous but treacherous, especially when you're trapped on a 4-inch wide "sidewalk" on a side street while an Alhambra tour bus goes barreling past. It's up to you to flatten yourself up against the wall and pretend your invisible, cause the bus drivers don't make much of an effort.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
"Close your eyes, sometimes to see more clearly"
just starting up the trek that is visiting Albaicín
a view overlooking the city
Emily and I at la mirador
looking down a side street, with la alhambra in the background
P.S....don't get used to this many entries, cause I'm definitely not going to be able to keep this up. It's just when I can't sleep and my feet hurt to much to keep exploring the city, I blog. Apparently. I wouldn't know from experience since this is my first time blogging, but that's what's been happening so far.
Sunday Stories
Today we went to the market! The San Augustin market is the biggest market in the region, and is held every Sunday near the bus station. It covers 3 city blocks, and has literally everything: sheets, towels, spices, clothes, shoes, baby clothes, lingerie (Emily pointed out a full body suit made only of black lace), and accesories. Everything is dirt cheap. I didn't buy anything today (mostly because I don't want my suitcase to be any heavier on the way to Algeciras) but I do plan on saving most of my shopping for when I come back.
After the market we walked to Parque García Lorca and took pictures of roses and people-watched. I've decided that little spanish kids are much cuter than american kids. That might sound bad, but it's true! They are all dressed in perfectly matching outfits and seem to be better behaved in general. Also it might have something to do with the fact that I'm a sucker for other languages...
One little girl was tired of walking in the heat and so as her parents kept walking, she stopped, bent down, grabbed her knees to her chest and refused to walk another step. Her parents looked at her in exasperation and said "vamos, vaya, vamos!" while she sat there and said "no!" It was adorable, and I really couldn't help but laugh.
At 3 I went to have lunch with Carmen, Fabian, Curro (her son) and his wife, and their son Alfredo. Somehow I got my self in the situation of having to explain what a keg was. They all looked at me expectantly as I realized I had no idea how to even begin to explain it. I just sort of trailed off awkwardly. Ick.
And now it is siesta time. Even though it is 5pm and siesta technically goes 2 - 5. Oops.
Hasta luego!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Granada Round 2
I am in Spain again! Finally! Getting to Granada from Chicago was ridiculous. We traveled for 30 hours straight, from 6am Thursday morning to 11am Friday morning (US time) when we finally got to our hostel. This included 3 hours waiting pre-flight, 1 flight change, a 3 hour layover, a 1 hour metro ride with a 50lb rolling suitcase and a 30lb duffel bag, a 2 hour wait for the bus, and a 5 hour bus ride. Ulaksjdflaksdfj.
After lugging all my bags through the airport to the bus station, I bought a one-way bus ticket and when I tried to sign the receipt my hand was shaking so hard I couldn't hold the pen. Yeesh.
Emily and I are staying at the Funky Backpackers, a cool little hostel near la Catedral. After checking in we walked down by the river, to Mackenzie and Allison's old neighborhood, up by API, and finally stopped to get food. It felt so normal to be back in Granada, walking through old neighborhoods and knowing exactly where we were headed without needing a map. (Well, Emily knew exactly where we were going, I recognized everywhere but they weren't areas I had been very familiar with last time.) It was a good night.
Today has been fantastic so far. Feeling refreshed after 10 hours of sleeping, we got up and walked everywhere. I don't even remember where, it's been such a long day already. At 12:30 we each went to see our host moms. I was so nervous!! When I rang the buzzer and said "soy Emma" Carmen said "who??" So I replied nervously that I had stayed at her house a year ago when I studied abroad. She didn't sound convinced but buzzed me in anyway.
As soon as she saw me her face broke into a smile and she gave me a giant kiss and dos besos. Twice. She was so excited to see me. I had sent her a message on facebook telling her I was coming but she said she hadn't gotten it.
She brought me into the "sacred living room" (so-named by me because I had only been allowed in there once or twice while I lived with her) and she told me to "sit, sit!" She spoke rapidly, as always, but this time I actually understood her and was able to speak, with decent fluency, back. Huge breakthrough for me!
I met her husband (Fabian) too. Funny story about this. They had been "dating" when Savannah and I lived there, but I hadn't particularly liked him. So when Carmed showed me a picture of her and him together I recognized him right away. And then when Carmen introduced us and said "you haven't met yet, have you?" I nodded yes right away and he vehemently shook his head no. Interesting. He didn't remember Savannah or I at all. And since I mistakenly thought I had studied abroad there in the spring of 2009, Carmen assured me I hadn't since they hadn't met until the summer of 2009.
It wasn't until later I realized I had been there from January to May of 2010. So I was right! Which also explains how when I asked Fabian how old Alfredo was now (the son of one of Carmen's daughters) he told me that I must be thinking of Paula who is three now, since Alfredo wasn't born until the year after I was there. I just let it go, even though I was totally certain I was thinking of Alfredo.
(I remember this because when Carmen told Savannah and I his name, I started laughing, because in the States, who would name their kid after a type of pasta sauce??)
Anyway, I stayed there for an hour talking and the time flew by so fast! Turns out Carmen and Fabian visit Algeciras regularly, about once a month, which means they will be able to come visit me! Carmen also told me that she has a really good friend, Maricarmen, who lives there, and she is going to give me her name and contact info in case I have an issues or need some help. Yay! My first contact in my new city! Fabian also told me that Maricarmen has an apartment in the center of the city that she rents out, and there is a chance she would still have a room open. Soo...I might have a place to live!
It was great to see Carmen again a year and a half later, and eased my fears a ton about being able to communicate in spanish. There was only one sentence where Carmen gave me a strange look because both she and I had absolutely no idea what I was trying to say. And then one time I told her "no sé como cenar...I mean comer...I mean cocinar!" (I don't know how to eat dinner...i mean eat...i mean cook!" Ug. But for the most she understood everything I said and I understood her rapid-fire Spanish. I have a new level of confidence in my abilities to live in this country for 9 months.
So that about sums it up so far, except for the 2 straight hours we spent walking up la mirador, which has amazing views of la Alahambra. We eventually had to go back to the hostel cause we were starting to limp. I have blisters on my feet and calves hurt. I can't wait to see how I'll feel tomorrow!
After lugging all my bags through the airport to the bus station, I bought a one-way bus ticket and when I tried to sign the receipt my hand was shaking so hard I couldn't hold the pen. Yeesh.
Emily and I are staying at the Funky Backpackers, a cool little hostel near la Catedral. After checking in we walked down by the river, to Mackenzie and Allison's old neighborhood, up by API, and finally stopped to get food. It felt so normal to be back in Granada, walking through old neighborhoods and knowing exactly where we were headed without needing a map. (Well, Emily knew exactly where we were going, I recognized everywhere but they weren't areas I had been very familiar with last time.) It was a good night.
Outdoor cafe behind Corte Inglés
Walking down the "river"
I will never understand some of Spain's fashion.
The cathedral
The arab markets near the cathedral
Carmen's apartment, the 4 windows on the bottom right are her apartment. My room was the very end window on the right.
Today has been fantastic so far. Feeling refreshed after 10 hours of sleeping, we got up and walked everywhere. I don't even remember where, it's been such a long day already. At 12:30 we each went to see our host moms. I was so nervous!! When I rang the buzzer and said "soy Emma" Carmen said "who??" So I replied nervously that I had stayed at her house a year ago when I studied abroad. She didn't sound convinced but buzzed me in anyway.
As soon as she saw me her face broke into a smile and she gave me a giant kiss and dos besos. Twice. She was so excited to see me. I had sent her a message on facebook telling her I was coming but she said she hadn't gotten it.
She brought me into the "sacred living room" (so-named by me because I had only been allowed in there once or twice while I lived with her) and she told me to "sit, sit!" She spoke rapidly, as always, but this time I actually understood her and was able to speak, with decent fluency, back. Huge breakthrough for me!
I met her husband (Fabian) too. Funny story about this. They had been "dating" when Savannah and I lived there, but I hadn't particularly liked him. So when Carmed showed me a picture of her and him together I recognized him right away. And then when Carmen introduced us and said "you haven't met yet, have you?" I nodded yes right away and he vehemently shook his head no. Interesting. He didn't remember Savannah or I at all. And since I mistakenly thought I had studied abroad there in the spring of 2009, Carmen assured me I hadn't since they hadn't met until the summer of 2009.
It wasn't until later I realized I had been there from January to May of 2010. So I was right! Which also explains how when I asked Fabian how old Alfredo was now (the son of one of Carmen's daughters) he told me that I must be thinking of Paula who is three now, since Alfredo wasn't born until the year after I was there. I just let it go, even though I was totally certain I was thinking of Alfredo.
(I remember this because when Carmen told Savannah and I his name, I started laughing, because in the States, who would name their kid after a type of pasta sauce??)
Anyway, I stayed there for an hour talking and the time flew by so fast! Turns out Carmen and Fabian visit Algeciras regularly, about once a month, which means they will be able to come visit me! Carmen also told me that she has a really good friend, Maricarmen, who lives there, and she is going to give me her name and contact info in case I have an issues or need some help. Yay! My first contact in my new city! Fabian also told me that Maricarmen has an apartment in the center of the city that she rents out, and there is a chance she would still have a room open. Soo...I might have a place to live!
It was great to see Carmen again a year and a half later, and eased my fears a ton about being able to communicate in spanish. There was only one sentence where Carmen gave me a strange look because both she and I had absolutely no idea what I was trying to say. And then one time I told her "no sé como cenar...I mean comer...I mean cocinar!" (I don't know how to eat dinner...i mean eat...i mean cook!" Ug. But for the most she understood everything I said and I understood her rapid-fire Spanish. I have a new level of confidence in my abilities to live in this country for 9 months.
So that about sums it up so far, except for the 2 straight hours we spent walking up la mirador, which has amazing views of la Alahambra. We eventually had to go back to the hostel cause we were starting to limp. I have blisters on my feet and calves hurt. I can't wait to see how I'll feel tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
VENTING SESSION!
But I'm not even venting about anything cool, just about myself. And my complete and utter lack of organization.
So first I had a major freak out when I realized I'd lost the envelope with my passport, visa, international drivers permit, acceptance letter, etc. Yup. That would happen to me. I spent half an hour frantically searching through the recycling, all the papers on the desk, and my mess of a room. No luck.
Half an hour later my mom finally answers my call and admits that she took a large white mailing envelope without looking in it, thinking it was the one from her sister that looked just like it.
Crisis adverted. And good thing too, cause without I wouldn't have made it to the airport.
So that little ordeal was taken care of, only for me to realize that I don't have a copy of my original letter from the hospital stating that I'm in good health. Which I need to apply for the NIE.
AODIFJAEWLKFJALWEKFJAWEIFAGLWE;GIWAEJFOAWIEFJWE!
Why can't I be a more organized person and get my shit together ahead of time?
So first I had a major freak out when I realized I'd lost the envelope with my passport, visa, international drivers permit, acceptance letter, etc. Yup. That would happen to me. I spent half an hour frantically searching through the recycling, all the papers on the desk, and my mess of a room. No luck.
Half an hour later my mom finally answers my call and admits that she took a large white mailing envelope without looking in it, thinking it was the one from her sister that looked just like it.
Crisis adverted. And good thing too, cause without I wouldn't have made it to the airport.
So that little ordeal was taken care of, only for me to realize that I don't have a copy of my original letter from the hospital stating that I'm in good health. Which I need to apply for the NIE.
AODIFJAEWLKFJALWEKFJAWEIFAGLWE;GIWAEJFOAWIEFJWE!
Why can't I be a more organized person and get my shit together ahead of time?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Packing Paralysis.
Someone used this phrase in a post on facebook the other day and I thought it was perfect. What is it, you ask? Well from personal experience I'd describe it something like this:
Have you ever sat and stared at your suitcase for entirely too long, just hoping that if you look away for a bit and then look back it will m.a.g.i.c.a.l.l.y. be packed and ready to go?
It never is of course, but this realization can sometimes take days to happen. (Or hours, depending on your time frame.)
Knowing that I always get my self into this situation, I started packing about a week ago. I was hoping that the packing paralysis would run its course and I would still be able to get everything ready with a few days to spare.
No luck. Packing Paralysis saw through my plan and has stuck by my side like glue ever since.
And that's how I've got myself in the current situation. I haven't even attempted to pack my suitcase once, so I have no idea if everything will fit or if it will even be under the weight limit. I do however have all my clothes in piles next to my suitcase. They're taunting me.
Whenever I think "Okay, let's do this", they start to stare me down. The piles get bigger and bigger and I get filled with doubts like, "but won't I want to wear this shirt before I leave?" So then I turn away and decide to come back later.
And so on and so forth.
The other problem I've developed is 3rd World Country Syndrome. I don't know how else to describe it. I seem to think that Spain is similar to a 3rd world country, meaning that "no, I won't be able to buy deoderant there" or "of course I need to bring a water bottle and lap top case with me even though I've never had a use for them here at home and most likely won't need them in Spain, I want to bring them just in case I happen to need them there but stores don't sell them."
It's a very expensive syndrome.
The odd part is, I lived in Spain for 4 months so I have a pretty good idea of what they sell there. Oops.
Luckily I managed to talk myself out of the water bottle and lap top case (thank god since the case was $50...). I do however have 3 deoderant sticks, 4 various sizes of toothpaste, 3 tooth brushes, 3 contact cases, 6 packs of kleenex, and god knows what else. I'm not really sure where all my clothes are going to fit in among that.
Have you ever sat and stared at your suitcase for entirely too long, just hoping that if you look away for a bit and then look back it will m.a.g.i.c.a.l.l.y. be packed and ready to go?
It never is of course, but this realization can sometimes take days to happen. (Or hours, depending on your time frame.)
Knowing that I always get my self into this situation, I started packing about a week ago. I was hoping that the packing paralysis would run its course and I would still be able to get everything ready with a few days to spare.
No luck. Packing Paralysis saw through my plan and has stuck by my side like glue ever since.
And that's how I've got myself in the current situation. I haven't even attempted to pack my suitcase once, so I have no idea if everything will fit or if it will even be under the weight limit. I do however have all my clothes in piles next to my suitcase. They're taunting me.
Whenever I think "Okay, let's do this", they start to stare me down. The piles get bigger and bigger and I get filled with doubts like, "but won't I want to wear this shirt before I leave?" So then I turn away and decide to come back later.
And so on and so forth.
The other problem I've developed is 3rd World Country Syndrome. I don't know how else to describe it. I seem to think that Spain is similar to a 3rd world country, meaning that "no, I won't be able to buy deoderant there" or "of course I need to bring a water bottle and lap top case with me even though I've never had a use for them here at home and most likely won't need them in Spain, I want to bring them just in case I happen to need them there but stores don't sell them."
It's a very expensive syndrome.
The odd part is, I lived in Spain for 4 months so I have a pretty good idea of what they sell there. Oops.
Luckily I managed to talk myself out of the water bottle and lap top case (thank god since the case was $50...). I do however have 3 deoderant sticks, 4 various sizes of toothpaste, 3 tooth brushes, 3 contact cases, 6 packs of kleenex, and god knows what else. I'm not really sure where all my clothes are going to fit in among that.
Monday, September 12, 2011
10 days.
Yep, that's ten, T-E-N, days until I leave.
Aaaaaaaaaa! I've been trying to stay calm and get everything done that needs to be done, but it's kind of hard when I'm the giddy/nervous/excited/terrified/anxious mess that is a recent graduate about to leave for a 9 month job in a foreign country. Yeah. That about sums me up right now. A mess.
I'm so excited, but I'm still terrified. It's weird knowing that so much is going to be different around here when I get back. Some things good, some things...not so great.
--My Grandpa finally moved out of his gorgeous 5-story Victorian house in downtown Chicago, which is now up for sale. I went to see it one last time today, but it's a strange feeling knowing someone else might call it home before I get back next year.
--My dad is working on an addition to our house right now, so when I get back next year our house will look a little different.
--One of my friends is due to have a BABY around the time I'll be getting home!
--My cat, my favorite animal in the world, is getting up there in his years. And we live on the farm. I'm lucky he's made it this long and I have to be aware that he might not be so lucky in the next year.
--My friends might forget I exist...
Okay, well that last one (hopefully) won't be true, but I can't be the only one with irrational fears like that.
But that was just me semi-freaking out and venting.
More than anything I can't wait for this adventure to start and to see what this next year brings!
Aaaaaaaaaa! I've been trying to stay calm and get everything done that needs to be done, but it's kind of hard when I'm the giddy/nervous/excited/terrified/anxious mess that is a recent graduate about to leave for a 9 month job in a foreign country. Yeah. That about sums me up right now. A mess.
I'm so excited, but I'm still terrified. It's weird knowing that so much is going to be different around here when I get back. Some things good, some things...not so great.
--My Grandpa finally moved out of his gorgeous 5-story Victorian house in downtown Chicago, which is now up for sale. I went to see it one last time today, but it's a strange feeling knowing someone else might call it home before I get back next year.
--My dad is working on an addition to our house right now, so when I get back next year our house will look a little different.
--One of my friends is due to have a BABY around the time I'll be getting home!
--My cat, my favorite animal in the world, is getting up there in his years. And we live on the farm. I'm lucky he's made it this long and I have to be aware that he might not be so lucky in the next year.
--My friends might forget I exist...
Okay, well that last one (hopefully) won't be true, but I can't be the only one with irrational fears like that.
But that was just me semi-freaking out and venting.
More than anything I can't wait for this adventure to start and to see what this next year brings!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Packing
So I'm finally starting the packing process and I'm really worried that I'll think I have everything packed up and then arrive in Spain and realize I forgot all of my pants. Or something like that. Does anybody else have that fear?
I've written down various lists of things I want to make sure I remember, but I've lost all of them. Soooo...I figured if I made a blog post about it then I wouldn't be able to lose it again!
-----
1 jar of Peanut butter - you don't realize how delicious pure peanut butter is until your only choice is Nutella.
Map of Wisconsin, post cards of New Glarus & La Crosse, packers&brewers paraphenalia (maybe), etc. - We're supposed to represent our estado right? I want to bring some hands on things, like maybe a bag of my favorite candy (or another jar of peanut butter). Does anyone have any ideas or tips?
Packers and Brewers shirts - I'm not sure how it will be this time since I'm living in a more Spanish-based city and I'm not traveling with an American program, but last time groups of us would always congregate at the Irish Bar to watch the sports games back home, drink, and talk loudly in English. If there is an opportunity to do that this year, I want to be able to show off my p.r.i.d.e.
1 sweatshirt and the comfiest pair of sweatpants I own - I would never ever be caught dead wearing these outside of my piso, but sometimes it's nice to just cuddle it up and l.o.v.e looking like a bum. However, the Spaniards would obviously not agree with this. Even when they're dressed down they still look stylish.
A couple boxes of Kraft mac n' cheese - ahhh pure deliciousness packaged in traditional american style. Not only will this be nice to have during my first few homeless nights in Algeciras, it will be a great example to show the kids of my life in college.
I've written down various lists of things I want to make sure I remember, but I've lost all of them. Soooo...I figured if I made a blog post about it then I wouldn't be able to lose it again!
-----
1 jar of Peanut butter - you don't realize how delicious pure peanut butter is until your only choice is Nutella.
Map of Wisconsin, post cards of New Glarus & La Crosse, packers&brewers paraphenalia (maybe), etc. - We're supposed to represent our estado right? I want to bring some hands on things, like maybe a bag of my favorite candy (or another jar of peanut butter). Does anyone have any ideas or tips?
Packers and Brewers shirts - I'm not sure how it will be this time since I'm living in a more Spanish-based city and I'm not traveling with an American program, but last time groups of us would always congregate at the Irish Bar to watch the sports games back home, drink, and talk loudly in English. If there is an opportunity to do that this year, I want to be able to show off my p.r.i.d.e.
1 sweatshirt and the comfiest pair of sweatpants I own - I would never ever be caught dead wearing these outside of my piso, but sometimes it's nice to just cuddle it up and l.o.v.e looking like a bum. However, the Spaniards would obviously not agree with this. Even when they're dressed down they still look stylish.
A couple boxes of Kraft mac n' cheese - ahhh pure deliciousness packaged in traditional american style. Not only will this be nice to have during my first few homeless nights in Algeciras, it will be a great example to show the kids of my life in college.
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