Barcelona Connect

Hello there again my lovelies,

I was in one of my old email accounts I used while I lived in Barcelona and I was sent a link of the magazine that I used to religiously read while I was there. It's called Barcelona Connect and it's in English. www.barcelonaconnect.com.

I collected these magazines and still have them here in my room. They were free, colorful and full of information in English. For once, I didn't have to struggle to understand what I was reading. There were stories with beautiful pictures that talked about Barcelona culture, notices of events and publis services.

I can still read the magazine online. But nothing beats having that big, glossy magazine in my hands.

While I was living there there was also a free newspaper called Catalan today. It was available at every newsstand and it was easy to find. It was also free and talked about important issues such as Spain voting in the EU elections, immigration, and Catalan culture. I read that paper religiously. Unfortunately some dipshit decided to publish it only once a week, sell it in select newsstands and charge for it. But I still loved it.

Reading that magazine online brings back memories of why I love that city. Language schools are cheap, parties are plentiful, people are happy in general and how could I forget the nightclubs and beaches.

 

Hello there my lovelies,

I found some CDs that no one claimed at work. One of them is NSync. I am listening to them right now and I can't believe that I still like them. Jeez, sometimes I feel like I am still in high school.

I am hungry right now, but too lazy to get up and make some food. Plus, I am supposed to go and practice dance. But that ain't gonna happen either. I may go to the gym. But at this point who knows.

It's so hot outside. I'm sure that hell has better weather right now. I worked in the s weather yesterday and I gotta say that I couldn't think straight.

What else ? I could write about men and how they don't understand women, but I won't. I'll spare y'all. FOR NOW.

Anyways, I am gonna go now. Ciao Ciao.

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure about what's really going on between Israel and Lebanon. I am glad that the news are showing more graphic images on the news. We need to see what's going on in the world. I'm not big on political correctness when it comes to violence.

I was listening to the news and heard that Americans had to pay for their evacuations. So what if an American in Lebanon can't afford a ride home ? He's left to die? Isn't it the duty of the US Embassy to keep its citizens safe ? I also learned that the Americans that registered in the US Embassy were guaranteed a place on the boatride to the nearest airport. So, the moral of the story is to register with the US Embassy when you travel abroad for an extended period of time.

The biggest mistake I made when I went to Barcelona was not registering with the US Embassy. I was living there illegally and didn't want the Spanish govt to know I was there. What I didn't realize was that Spanish govt didn't care nor check on who's there. It would've only helped me. Had I registered there, my family could have found me if  they needed to. I also would have been able to prove that I had resided in Spain and therefore been able to obtain legal residency.

I feel sad knowing that Lebanon is being bombed. I've wanted to visit Lebanon. I heard that it is a beautiful country. And the people there are so beautiful. I also love listening to Lebanese music when I bellydance. I hope the fighing stops soon.

Anyways, I am really tired so I am gonna go for now.

Ciao.

My first letter of appreciation

Hello there my lovelies,

I have worked in customer service for a while now. And last week I received my first letter of appreciation from one of my customers that works at one of the dealerships. It was so nice of him to do that for me. I did go out of my way for him, but I also do that for most of my customers without thinking twice.

If I get wonderful customer service I thank the person profusely or tip well, but that's it. I really don't go farther than that. But this man that wrote me a letter made me think twice about writing letters. Next time someone goes out of their way for me, I'll write a letter.

That letter made me feel so good. I bust my ass and sometimes I just feel burned out. And this guy realized that and went the extra mile for me.

My random thoughts

Hello there my lovelies,

Well my Aunt Flo likes to visit me once a month and raise hell. Every woman has an Aunt Flo. And yesterday was my lucky day. I am in so much pain. I don't even want to have children. Can't I somehow waive this part of womanhood?

Work has been so busy lately. I looked at my paycheck and I wanted to cry. I looked at the section of the taxes held for my W2, and it is almost as much as I took home so far this year. I am not rich. I am struggling. I work over 60 hours a week for such little pay. I can make time to look for another job. But I can't make time to go on interviews. People that work where I work totally understand where I am coming from. I can't just up and quit because I live from paycheck to paycheck. 

I want to work for the Federal government, but getting those jobs are so difficult. I don't even know where to begin. There has got to be something better out there. I just have to be positive.

I did get my first issue of my Bellydance magazine in the mail. It was so exciting. There were articles and advertisements. It's the only magazine where I actually enjoy the advertisements. It only come four times a year, but its totally worth the wait.

I studied Spanish from Spain and lived in Barcelona for a year, so the Spanish I learned there is different from the Spanish here. People here that speak Spanish mix in English into the vocabulary. I don't like americanized Spanish. I like Spanish that is rich in the culture. If I am gonna learn a language, I want to learn it the right way. I believe that learning the language of another country is the key to understanding its culture.

Oh, and how could I forget to write about Brad. I saw him a couple of weeks ago. I had a nice evening. We had fun. I like the guy, but I also realized that I should just let him go. He is going through a lot and he needs his space. I tried to be there for him, but he wouldnt let me and told me that I wouldn't understand his pain. I learned that the man isn't that into me, even though he said he was.

I don't want to be angry with him, so I told him that I am moving on and that he doesn't have to worry about me calling him and texing him anymore. I told him he can call me when he's ready to let me in and allow me to really be a part of his life.

He may or may not. Either way, the ball is in his court. And I am done making the move. I gave it my all, so when I told him I was through calling him, I meant it. And even if he does come back ( I have no reason to believe he will) and I am with someone, thats his loss and he's gonna finally understand how I've felt.

Anyways, I've said enough for today. I am gonna go do something useful. (Like clean my room.)

Ciao.

 

 

 

Nice Sunday :)

Hello there my lovelies,

Yesterday I went for a followup appointment with my optometrist. Turns out that my vision is 20/10, which is better than 20/20. It is so wonderful that I can finally wear sunglasses. It is also nice that I don't have to wear glasses all the time.

Today I had brunch with my girlfriends in San Francisco. My best friend from college is getting married and us gals are her bridesmaids. It was a nice brunch, but I could also see that we changed a lot since college.

The weather in the city was absolutely gorgeous. I went for a walk and took in the sunshine. Afterwards I practiced some dance moves with my friend. It was a nice workout.

Tommorow I have to go back to the daily grind. I needed this three day weekend badly. Even though I was useless on Friday because of my eye surgery, it was the best sleep I had in a long time.

Anyways, I am gonna sign off now.

Ciao.

No More Glasses

Hello there my lovelies,

I finally did it !! I had eye surgery yesterday and now my vision is perfect. My eye doc said my vision is 20/10 which is better than 20/20. I have some scars on my eyes, and my eyes are still sensitive, but I should be all healed within a couple of weeks.

I was so nervous before the surgery. The procedure only took 15 minutes, but I still had to have my eyes looked at before I went into surgery. The docs gave me various eye drops and valium to calm my nerves. So many people that have had lasik before told me that it was fast and painless.

It wasn't painless for me. My eyes are sensitive and I would rather go to the dentist to have my teeth drilled. It was painless for the most part, but when the doc put the vacuum on my eyeball to make the cut I freaked out. I saw black and stars for a few seconds and that freaked me out too. Without my vision I feel powerless.

But my doc did a wonderful job and the staff was nice to me. I would totally recommend him. After I was done I went down to the pharmacy to buy some sleeping pills and junk food. Those sour cream and onion chips and that rocky road candy bar that I had was the best junk food ever. I felt I was entitled after all the stress I went through.

After I got home I went to sleep and slept for the rest of the day. It was the best sleep I had in a long time.

Anyways, thats all I have to say for now.

Ciao.

 

Happy 4th of July !!!

Hello there my lovelies,

Well, I must say that its been quite a while since I've updated here. Wow.

Happy 4th of July to you all. I am staying home today. I could go out and watch the fireworks, but I don't feel like going downtown without makeup. I am gonna have Lasik on Friday and I am not allowed to wear makeup three days before. I am nervous about the procedure.

Well, y'all know that I want to work for Department of Homeland Security and work with people trying to immigrate here to the US. The process of getting a job is absolutely frustrating. I don't even know where to begin. I have applied to so many positions and the process of applying to each position is grueling. Not only do you have to read this long ass list of descriptions and requirements. I also have to answer a long questionaire, fax my resume AND other documents such as transcripts.

 I always get rejection letters saying that I'm not even qualified. Which I know is bullshit in some cases. For example, I applied to a secretarial position. I speak Spanish, have experience performing secretarial duties AND I have a degree in business. I was floored.

But lately, I got some letters saying that I am QUALIFIED, but that they selected others more qualified than I am and that they might consider me later. THAT is a step in the right direction. At least I got considered. I mean, normally I would have considered that rejection too and felt bad. But after all the "Sorry, you're not qualified" letters that have flooded my mailbox, I figure that things can only get better.

I am gonna keep doing all the grueling work. I feel like I am wasting my time. But I am gonna keep applying for these jobs, no matter how many times I get rejected. I am so overworked in my current job. There is no fucking way that I can continue to live like this. I mean, whats the worst that can happen ?

Right now I have a lot of debt and my paycheck mainly goes to paying off my debts because I don't earn that much. There has got to be a better way. And I just need to keep my head up and continue to think positive.

I sleep on an air matress. Ever since I came back from Spain a year ago and got a car and had other bills to pay a bed was not a high priority. But now I think it would be nice to sleep on a real bed. I looked around at different places and didn't realize how expensive a bed is. Maybe I can finally get one when my tax return comes in.

Anyways, I am gonna go for now. Ciao Ciao.