Saturday, December 21, 2013

Resolución.

My visa arrived today (YAY!!!), and with this comes a startling revelation: This is really happening. I know that I keep saying that, but it is really slamming home the realization that in one week I am moving to another country. I will be in a different part of the earth, with no family or friends, and I will have to make it on my own. This is not the first time I have moved away from home, but the fact that I am going to freaking EUROPE just terrifies me.

I know that I have every reason to be happy, and I am. I am just also shaking at the thought of getting on a plane that will take me away from my mother, my cat, my city, etc. I am trying to research everything I can think of before I go, and take care of every piece of business that I need to deal with before I get on the plane.

It is a lot of work, it is a lot to deal with. Surreal as it is, it is coming FAST. I need to mentally prepare myself, but there is a part of me that just wants to scream. I just have this feeling of panic, or nerves. Am I ready for this?

Well I know one thing: I'd better GET ready. The last two months have consisted of me getting ready to make this move. I have given up my job, my apartment, my current life for this. It is the chance and opportunity of a lifetime, and I knew that when I applied. I applied knowing that if I got into the program, I would accept the position. Still, there is a part of me that keeps screaming: "What the fuck are you doing!?" The short answer? I am following my heart. I am being (extremely) selfish for once. I always do my best to help others. It is time to do something for myself.

Call me crazy, irresponsible, whatever. It's a done deal. In one week, I will be landing in Madrid, Spain. This is the most impulsive thing I have ever done. Everything is about to change. Even though I am afraid, I chalk it up to nerves. Ever since I knew there was a world out there, I have wanted to see it. I have dreamed of this, cried (Oh God, how I cried) over this, and felt frustration at not being able to go where I wanted. I have worked up disappointed that I was not in the place I just dreamed of, and at one point this year I actually said out loud that the only way I would see Europe was in a box. Funny what people say when they are at wit's end.

I think the reason this is so surreal is that I really believed that things like this do not happen to regular people like me. For most of my life I have felt unremarkable, and accepted that my life just was not as exciting as others. In dealing with this for the last two months, I have learned a bit more about myself, and how awesome and dear my friends and family truly are. I know who supports me, and who does not.

Some have said that by taking this position, I am running from my problems. The thing is, what problems I had will be waiting when I get back, won't they? I am not one to run from issues. I take care of what I need to, and leave nothing unresolved. My legs may shake, but I will walk onto that plane. I will learn how to get to my hostel. I will do what I need to do, and I will survive. I always do. If nothing else, I come home in 6-7 months with a truckload of stories. Or I find a way to make my stay in Spain more permanent.

I wanted someone to tell me that I can do this, but I already know that I am more than capable of handling this. If I need help, I will ask. I will finally see the world. I will finally immerse myself in the places I have only read about. On Friday, December 27th, I will get on that plane. I will meet new people, and make new friends. I will change my life and maybe, just maybe, I will find my new home.

So once again: Am I ready for this?

Yes. I am.



Cross-posted to my Livejournal.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Esperando mi Visa...

Is this how Vladimir and Estragon felt? I mean yes, it's a bit grandiose to compare the two, but I'm a Theatre major: What did you expect? Visa, thy name is 'Godot' and I am in need of a dead tree and bowler hat ASAP.

So I applied for my visa, and was told it would take 2-3 weeks. Well it is now a MONTH, and I am still waiting. STILL. WAITING. I contacted the consulate and was told that they are waiting to hear from Spain. That's right, We are literally waiting for a phone call, email, or forms from the Spanish police that say I am cleared to travel. OH. MY. GOD. I am climbing up the walls over here.

Here's the thing: I have just gone through a month of packing, cleaning, and moving a house into storage. I left my job at a TV news station and another one at a nightclub. I gave away ALL of my furniture, and most of my possessions and now I am in Atlanta waiting for the next step: Madrid.
For this, I have endured days of working, barely sleeping or eating so I could be ready to move. I then took my poor kitty on two flights to get here. I am ready to TO THE DAMN THING. But I can't make any sort of move until my visa comes through. AHHHHHHHH!!!

I know it's less of an update, and more of me bitching about my problems. I know that I am fortunate to be accepted to this program, and that I am privileged to be in the running, blah blah blah. But this is frustrating as fuck, and I really need to get it out.

The GOOD news is that my Gofundme page is still up and running. I'm actually halfway to my goal. If you're interested in donating, you can go to http://www.gofundme.com/54txrg and help me not be homeless once I FINALLY get to Madrid! Keep reading, I'm sure once I get overseas the fun will begin, right? RIGHT!?

Sunday, December 1, 2013

¿¡Cuánto Cuesta!?

So... we're still going to Spain. The plan has not changed, although I have 5 days to leave New Orleans and I'm really needing to pack. Now is the time where I find myself without a job, and with nothing but time to pack my whole life into a box, and freak the fuck out. Fun, right!?

Now we take a look at what this really entails: HOLY SHIT Y'ALL, LEAVING THE COUNTRY IS EXPENSIVE!! Between visas, trips to Houston to GET my visa, doctors appointments to get the paperwork for my visa, plane tickets, storage units, I am about $1500 in the red. Oh, and you can forget another month's rent and bills, which are around another $2000. Damn, son. It's a wonder that I'm even eating. Thank goodness for good friends who can cook! Thanksgiving was two days ago, so I'm Thankful for leftovers, which are keeping me going because I can't grocery shop, because I'm leaving town in a few days.

I have learned that I've been placed in a tiny village outside Madrid. It is called La Cabrera, and the pictures are just beautiful. I see lots and lots of... mountains. Huh. Well that's new. Also, it's winter. I hear Spain has REAL winter, which is nothing like the Fisher Price winter we have here in New Orleans. In New Orleans it gets down to the 50's and we are wearing parkas and dusting off the huskies. I wake up on a day that's in the 40s and I seriously consider calling in dead to work. Real Talk. So now I have to look for peacoats and boots. Yay for boot shopping, BOOOOOOOO for snow. Because apparently: Where there are mountains, there tends to be snow. Who knew?

Here I am now: surrounded by boxes and trying to pack what I need. This shall be a journey of its own making, because I'm still trying to figure out what I need to bring -vs- what I want to bring. I have to find a way to get my things to storage, and to get my stuff (and my cat) to Atlanta. This still feels so surreal. Even with the pictures of La Cabrera, and the  newly purchased plane ticket that says: "Yup, Madrid. In two weeks. YOU'RE GOING." I feel like it's not real.

To help me with my trip, I have a Gofundme page up. This is to help me find a place to live, and to not starve in España until I get paid at the end of January. (Woo-hooo, not starving!)
If you feel so inclined, please click here or go to: http://www.gofundme.com/54txrg

Every little bit helps, and as always I appreciate your help. I also want to say a HUGE Thank you to the people at Dark Room Custom PC and Flat Screen Repair for their generosity. These awesome guys DONATED the laptop I'm using right now, to help me teach overseas.

 I can't tell you how good it is to see my entire screen again. Thank you so much guys!

On that note, I shall leave you to pack more boxes. I have a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it. If I don't see you in a few days, I'll check in from Atlanta. MADRID IN 14 DAYS. ¡HALA MADRID!
(Also, I have no idea why I can't turn off the italics. I'll fix this as soon as I can.)

Friday, October 25, 2013

¿Dónde está mi carta?

This has been my theme song for the last few weeks, with a side of 'Sitting, Waiting, Wishing' by Jack Johnson.

Okay, so let's recap:  we've got the placement (YAY)! ¡Vamos Al España (YAY)! 
Holy hell, I have a TON of crap to do! I have to wait for my carta de nombramiento in order to begin my visa application. I know it may not arrive for a couple of weeks, so I have time to get the paperwork together for my visa application,  I can't get my visa without my carta. GOT THAT!? Good.

Here is where I want to give a shout out to Mr. Trevor Huxham. He was thoughtful enough to document his steps to get to the consulate, and work on your visa application. I'll leave his link here. I would have been lost without his advice, so if you are a first time Auxiliare who needs the Houston Consulate and doesn't know where to turn, LISTEN TO HIM.

So: I need a background check from the state of Louisiana. Thanks to a friend, I was able to get that easily enough. All it took was a drive to Baton Rouge, and I got the background check, AND I was able to get it apostilled. The whole thing took maybe an hour, as opposed to two - weeks of waiting. Awesome. 

However the hardest thing for me has been my medical certificate. Like many people in my country, I don't have insurance. This made it extremely hard to find a doctor who was willing to see me, and sign a letter saying I don't have the plague. I have spent hours waiting in clinics, just to find out that they don't give exams or can't provide me with the forms I need, even when I called in advance to make sure they can do it. I'd almost given up when I found the Odyssey House in Mid-City. They examined me, gave me tests, did blood work, and were able to write me a letter. I should have it this week. *crosses toes*


ALL THIS TIME, I have been waiting forever (♪♫♪ And ever! And ever!And ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! ♫♪♫) for my carta de nombramiento to arrive. The original  placement email told me to contact my Ministry in Madrid, and let them know that I would be a late arrival. I did so immediately, and got no answer. I emailed another time: still nothing. I was able to get a name and personal email in the program, and emailed her with the same questions. I received a reply (YAY!), but it basically said "Don't worry, you'll have to just wait." 
I answered immediately (See how that works!?), and reiterated that I couldn't start my visa application without my carta, and I didn't even know where my school was. I received...
....
........
............ nothing. 


Yeah, that's been me for the last month. Every time I check my mailbox... every time I check my email. Every time I get a call, text or person asking: "Any news on your departure date. Did you get your letter yet? Have you heard anything from Spain?" If you're a friend/family member reading this: Don't take it personal. You're not the only one. The only other time I felt this way was when I first applied in April, and spent the next four months being asked "Have you heard anything about Spain!?"

With the entire country of Spain being unable to check their emails, I seemed to have nothing but time. Time to wait. Time to hope. Time to feel like maybe this shit just wasn't going to happen! Yesterday, after another two weeks of silence, I bucked up and sent a fifth email - en español - with my concerns. I pointed out that I'd sent five emails, and that I'd been placed over a month ago. I was frustrated that I heard pretty much nothing from the program. while people who were placed after me were already in Spain and working. I needed an answer, something to tell my boss, landlord, and family. I mean, at this rate I'm not getting to Spain until damn January and I need to get my timeline together people!! A few hours later I see... *gaaaaaasp* a REPLY!



YES! SOMEONE REALIZED WHAT THE REPLY BUTTON IS FOR!! 

I heard from a wonderful woman who assured me (in English, mind you. Damn y'all, my Spanish is that bad!?) that my carta will be sent out in a few days (DAYS, Y'ALL), and that I have been placed in a secondary school in northern Madrid. I'll be working in a town called La Cabrera. I googled images of this place, and it. is. BEAUTIFUL. Wow. 

This is really happening, y'all. I feel like just when it seems surreal, something lands in my lap to say: UMMM, THIS SHIT IS HAPPENING. I've been lax on the packing thing. I need to step up my game.

I keep reminding myself: I said I wanted something different. I said I wanted change. Well, it's around the corner in the form of 6 months in Spain. I'm up for it. Anyone else?

EDIT: I typed this last night. This morning, 25 October (I better get used to that) 2013: I GOT MY CARTA DE NOMBRAMIENTO!!! YES!! LET CONFETTI RAIN FROM THE HEAVENS!!





Friday, September 27, 2013

¡Bienvenido a mi mundo!

Pop Quiz, hot shot: You've been seeing someone for 8 months, things seem to be going great, and you're not thinking it will end anytime soon. Well SURPRISE: It does! You find yourself dumped, at home alone, and dazed. How do you decide to cope with this recent development? Do you:

a) sit around like a sad sack, then drown your sorrows in a gallon of ice cream
b) curl up in the fetal position and cry
c) slash their tires and break their windshield while singing 'You Oughta Know'
d) Get online and apply for a job in a foreign country

If you answered 'a-b', I suggest you add a cat, and a 'Supernatural' marathon.
If you answered 'c', OMG what's wrong with you? Seriously, you actually answered 'C'!? You need anger management and a self help tape... and Jesus!
If you answered 'd', then you're most likely insane (the good kind), irrational (At times. Like you're so perfect!), impulsive, and just. like. ME.

Alrighty, so you've applied for a program that would place you in Spain for 6-8 months as an assistant teacher. The application went in on the last possible day, so the application number is high. That's right: there are about 4,400 people before you, who had the drive to get off their asses and apply for the opportunity of a lifetime. For the next few months, placement after placement is given out to anyone whose name is not KC White. You kick yourself for waiting so long to apply, and spend months constantly checking the program website, and your email every day. You even get a DUMMY email that says "Congratulations on your placement!", and your heart soars. It is almost immediately followed by another email that basically says "Oops, computer glitch. Our bad LOL, love Spain. #YOLO." Womp wooooomp.


By the end of summer, you figure that's a wrap. It's over... Acceptance is a hard thing, but you tell yourself that you're never going to Spain. Ever. At least, not this year. There's always grad school, maybe you'll get to Europe that way? No, screw that. Never. You're never going to Spain, and you'll only see Europe if someone brings your ashes.  After a couple of months of telling people that maybe you'll try again next year, and this just wasn't the time, life returns to normal. That whole thing seems like a dream, it was forever ago. What were you thinking? Silly girl, all talking about leaving the country and shit.

Then on a random ass Wednesday after an 8.5 hour shift, you decide to check your email for the first time. A new email just arrived, subject: Adjudicación de plaza. After the air goes back into your lungs, you open the email to see: "Ha sido adjudicada la plaza en - Madrid - España a su solicitud [insert a fuck ton of numbers here] del programa de Auxiliares de Conversación en España."

Long story short: You're in the program. You're being sent to Madrid. You have five days to accept or decline. You accept (hell yeah, you do! Of COURSE you do, what's wrong with you!?). So now you're going to Spain. 

SPAIN.

...Well shit, son. What's next?