The joys of living abroad (in a place that feels more like home than the US ever did, for the record).
In October 2010, I rushed off to present my papers to renew my NIE (the visa in Spain) in Valencia the second I obtained the papers necessary that granted me a job and insurance to stay in Spain. They were accepted, was told there was no problem, that I had everything.
Due to some jackholes I was living with at the time, I changed flats as soon as possible. Since I had instructed the letter saying everything was fine to be sent to my school, this was okay.
Apparently they sent me a letter in March 2011 saying that I needed a paper that they already had. They don't deliver to schools.
In May 2011, I finally found out that it was "no favorable", so I had to go down, find out that I was missing this paper that they already had, gave them a second copy, and VIOLA! Two days later I was favorable.
I went down and waited two hours to have my new ID card for the NIE. They told me that since it expired the 31st of May that they weren't going to make me a new one as it was the 15th of May. I rushed off to Barcelona, as I had plans to do my master there and was already admitted, and they told me I was still legal as long as I presented my papers for renewal within 3 months of the expiration date due to a new change in Spanish law.
Things change, I receive a job offer in Madrid and was unable to do the máster due to finances. I accept the job, make the appointment to have my NIE renewed within the 3 months even though it wasn't until November. and on 4 November, present the papers.
Back to en tramite, but I am 100 legal. En tramite every day for four months.
Last week, I see that it had been changed to "favorable". I am still waiting to receive the letter. Because I want to go to Italia during Semana Santa, I need to get a "autorización de regreso". Thursday, I go in to get it. I didn't pay the right tax, even though I paid the right amount (10 Euro), so I have to go down to the bank and pay it, and go back, and wait in line all over again.
I get the permiso de regreso just to be told "by the way, since your NIE expires 30 May, we're not going to make you a new ID card. We don't give a damn that your job is until 26th June. By all means, continue using your card that expired 1 November 2010!"
So...now I have to make another appointment, after 30th March, to go in to have it renewed. Which means I will most likely be stuck in Madrid as I cannot turn down the job renewal I received this week that is going to allow me to be in Spain another year, even though other options will probably come up.
Seriously. I have tried to explain it like everyone is 2, but...this stuff just doesn't make any sense no matter how many times you explain it.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
mis propositos de 2012 y mi 2011...un repaso
2011 was an interesting year, needless to say. It had its ups, its downs, but overall, I have to look at it and say that I came through the rain and am dealing better with life than I was a year ago at this time.
Last year, I said maybe 2011 would be the year that changes everything. It wasn't quite that, but a lot of things did change.
I made good on my goals of joining the gym, finding a decent job (although it's not in Barcelona or Valencia, and grad school still looms on the horizon). Social anxiety (fobia social) is mending slowly but surely. Not entirely over anxiety and depression, but they're also on the mend. I made it to the remaining comunidades autonomas that I hadn't been to. I am conversational in "catalavalenciano". Most importantly, I picked myself up after the disaster that was 2010.
Before I look at the future, I want to look at the past, the year that was 2011.
January started out returning to Valencia after an emotional breakdown in Bilbao. January was quite horrible since the Comunitat Valenciana was unable to pay me whilst certain presidentes de la Comunitat and "closeted" lesbian mayors were galavanting in Italia in New Suits. I went to Peñíscola with the school.
31 January, I joined the gym. A week later, 7 February, I tried Body Combat for the first time and was immediately hooked. These two decisions changed my life. Although sometimes I overdo it STILL at the gym nearly a year later, for the most part it has given me more confidence and boosted the self-esteem.
Vacations/Holidays. Daytrip to Teruel and Segorbe when I missed the bus back to Valencia. Barcelona first weekend in March, last weekend in May and last weekend in December. Madrid, Murcia and Alicante/Calpe for Semana Santa (where I had another breakdown in Madrid, grrr), daytrips to Xátiva, Cullera and Morella. Month in Jerez de la Frontera. Move back to Madrid, trips to León/Asturias, Almería/Granada, back "home" to Valencia and Girona/Barcelona.
I applied and was admitted to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona to do a máster de "llengua espanyola" (I mean, a master in Spanish is only good if the title is in catalán, right?). I didn't have the 500€ when needed, didn't get the scholarship, got a call from a place in Madrid, had to take it. Valencia continually screwed me over with visa issues, and I was technically illegal from 1 June until 4 November. I am still waiting for my letter to come so I can pick up my official card so I don't have to have bazillions of copies of paperwork 24/7.
Writing wise...not where I want to be, but 2012 is going to change that. Less time on Facebook and Twitter, more time on Livejournal and writing.
Then there were two television shows (and a returning one) that dominated my entertainment. How I Met Your Mother in February/March, Buffy in June and August-November, and my beloved True Blood from June-September.
What does 2012 have in store for me? That remains to be seen, but seeing that we survive the Zombie Apopcalpyse on 21, here are the goals I would like to be discussing that I have accomplished next year in this entry.
1. Not hear Beyonce for the entire year (and continue without having heard Justin Beiber, ever.) Beyonce causes panic attacks and/or depressive states. It is best not to be exposed to her music. Also, I would like to note that perhaps the Maya prediction is more about her giving birth in 2012. End of the world? We'll see!
2. Find a boyfriend. I still have issues that I'm working on, but who doesn't? I want to meet someone to settle down with. I also want to expand my social circle, go out more, spend less time on the internet.
3. Come out to my mother. Every year, I'm more and more okay with being gay. I think last year was when I finally truly accepted myself as gay and started to love myself as a gay man. It only took 29 years. Now, especially if #2 happens, I don't want to have to hide this aspect to myself.
4. Eat healthy. Again, say this every year. I want to give up Starbucks (I'm here right now), re-give up soda/pop/fizzy drinks/etc like I did from Feb 2006-Sept 2008 and again from Feb 2011-July 2011. I hope to maintain 68 kg/150 pounds throughout the year and add a bit of muscle tone.
5. Read Don Quijote in Spanish and do more time reading.
6. Read the Bible every day. I am no longer sure I believe in God. However, I'd rather have the hope that comes from believing and be wrong. Like Fox Mulder says, I want to believe. I like attempting the Read the Bible in a Year. I more or less accomplished it last year, but from July-December it was more like skim 3 weeks at a time. We'll see how this year goes on the Chronological plan.
7. Get my first novel published and finish my third novel. I also want to do the research and get well into my second novel (the alternate history of Spain.) I vow to write an hour a day. Not sure where I'll find the time for this.
8. Do more hiking. This will prepare me for the major goal of the year....
9. CAMINO DE SANTIAGO. July. I need to do research into this. I want to walk from San Sebastian to Bilbao, and then the last 100 kilometres to Santiago. I also want to go to Finesterra, or however it's spelled. (Gallego sadly lacks me.)
10. Snowboard. Again, every year. Still yet to try it.
11. Go to Greece, Morocco, Ireland and/or Italia.
12. Get back into films and music. Did 2011 even have any music outside Lady Gaga and Rolling in the Deep? Any films outside Scream 4, La piel que habito and Pa negre?
Here's hoping 2012 takes 2011, a "not too shabby" year, and improves upon it.
Last year, I said maybe 2011 would be the year that changes everything. It wasn't quite that, but a lot of things did change.
I made good on my goals of joining the gym, finding a decent job (although it's not in Barcelona or Valencia, and grad school still looms on the horizon). Social anxiety (fobia social) is mending slowly but surely. Not entirely over anxiety and depression, but they're also on the mend. I made it to the remaining comunidades autonomas that I hadn't been to. I am conversational in "catalavalenciano". Most importantly, I picked myself up after the disaster that was 2010.
Before I look at the future, I want to look at the past, the year that was 2011.
January started out returning to Valencia after an emotional breakdown in Bilbao. January was quite horrible since the Comunitat Valenciana was unable to pay me whilst certain presidentes de la Comunitat and "closeted" lesbian mayors were galavanting in Italia in New Suits. I went to Peñíscola with the school.
31 January, I joined the gym. A week later, 7 February, I tried Body Combat for the first time and was immediately hooked. These two decisions changed my life. Although sometimes I overdo it STILL at the gym nearly a year later, for the most part it has given me more confidence and boosted the self-esteem.
Vacations/Holidays. Daytrip to Teruel and Segorbe when I missed the bus back to Valencia. Barcelona first weekend in March, last weekend in May and last weekend in December. Madrid, Murcia and Alicante/Calpe for Semana Santa (where I had another breakdown in Madrid, grrr), daytrips to Xátiva, Cullera and Morella. Month in Jerez de la Frontera. Move back to Madrid, trips to León/Asturias, Almería/Granada, back "home" to Valencia and Girona/Barcelona.
I applied and was admitted to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona to do a máster de "llengua espanyola" (I mean, a master in Spanish is only good if the title is in catalán, right?). I didn't have the 500€ when needed, didn't get the scholarship, got a call from a place in Madrid, had to take it. Valencia continually screwed me over with visa issues, and I was technically illegal from 1 June until 4 November. I am still waiting for my letter to come so I can pick up my official card so I don't have to have bazillions of copies of paperwork 24/7.
Writing wise...not where I want to be, but 2012 is going to change that. Less time on Facebook and Twitter, more time on Livejournal and writing.
Then there were two television shows (and a returning one) that dominated my entertainment. How I Met Your Mother in February/March, Buffy in June and August-November, and my beloved True Blood from June-September.
What does 2012 have in store for me? That remains to be seen, but seeing that we survive the Zombie Apopcalpyse on 21, here are the goals I would like to be discussing that I have accomplished next year in this entry.
1. Not hear Beyonce for the entire year (and continue without having heard Justin Beiber, ever.) Beyonce causes panic attacks and/or depressive states. It is best not to be exposed to her music. Also, I would like to note that perhaps the Maya prediction is more about her giving birth in 2012. End of the world? We'll see!
2. Find a boyfriend. I still have issues that I'm working on, but who doesn't? I want to meet someone to settle down with. I also want to expand my social circle, go out more, spend less time on the internet.
3. Come out to my mother. Every year, I'm more and more okay with being gay. I think last year was when I finally truly accepted myself as gay and started to love myself as a gay man. It only took 29 years. Now, especially if #2 happens, I don't want to have to hide this aspect to myself.
4. Eat healthy. Again, say this every year. I want to give up Starbucks (I'm here right now), re-give up soda/pop/fizzy drinks/etc like I did from Feb 2006-Sept 2008 and again from Feb 2011-July 2011. I hope to maintain 68 kg/150 pounds throughout the year and add a bit of muscle tone.
5. Read Don Quijote in Spanish and do more time reading.
6. Read the Bible every day. I am no longer sure I believe in God. However, I'd rather have the hope that comes from believing and be wrong. Like Fox Mulder says, I want to believe. I like attempting the Read the Bible in a Year. I more or less accomplished it last year, but from July-December it was more like skim 3 weeks at a time. We'll see how this year goes on the Chronological plan.
7. Get my first novel published and finish my third novel. I also want to do the research and get well into my second novel (the alternate history of Spain.) I vow to write an hour a day. Not sure where I'll find the time for this.
8. Do more hiking. This will prepare me for the major goal of the year....
9. CAMINO DE SANTIAGO. July. I need to do research into this. I want to walk from San Sebastian to Bilbao, and then the last 100 kilometres to Santiago. I also want to go to Finesterra, or however it's spelled. (Gallego sadly lacks me.)
10. Snowboard. Again, every year. Still yet to try it.
11. Go to Greece, Morocco, Ireland and/or Italia.
12. Get back into films and music. Did 2011 even have any music outside Lady Gaga and Rolling in the Deep? Any films outside Scream 4, La piel que habito and Pa negre?
Here's hoping 2012 takes 2011, a "not too shabby" year, and improves upon it.
Monday, January 2, 2012
el meu Catalunya
First entry of 2012. The entry with my goals and review of 2011 will have to wait until tomorrow or Wednesday, and the 2011 Awards will be broadcasted "live" from "Barcelona" on Friday.
In 2009, when I went to Barcelona with my "guiri with a Spanish soul" soulmate Ashley, I decided that since I had a pitstop in Barcelona on the way to Italia in 2008, that it would become my tradition to go to BCN during the holidays. Although last year in Bilbao (during my nervous breakdown even) was fun, it broke the tradition. This year, the broken tradition is the calendario de bomberos (firefighters), I mean, guide to the months in catalán or euskera and motivation for the gym, as I couldn't find any anywhere. I digress.
dilluns, 26 desembre. After returning to Body Combat after various weeks off due to "farangitis", I took the night train to Girona, the capital city of the province between Barcelona and France. I watched the film Friends with Benefits before trying to sleep, and the film was actually good, despite my inexplicable dislike of Justin Timberlake. (Let's keep him busy as an actor, folks). I couldn't really sleep, as the train was freezing despite being first class. When the train made a stop for 15 minutes in Barcelona Sants at 7.45 in the morning, I got so excited. I feel a pull toward Catalunya, Barcelona in particular. The train rolled on to its destination.
dimarts, 27 desembre. I found my hostal, above a cutre bar in the heart of the casco antiguo, close to the river. Ei, for 20 Euros a night in Catalunya...you get what you pay for. I dropped off my stuff and went exploring. The excitement came when I found out that I could hold a conversation in catalán (or valenciano de Catalunya, as I like to call it.) I got a cafe amb llet at a bar with a cute camarero, then found the tourist information place for a map. I told the woman I was learning catalán, so she explained everything to me in catalán, and I understood it. I remember in 2003 how excited each insignificant accomplishment I made in Spanish made me. I felt the same this time. I went to the muralla, or wall, around the city, the cathedral, and walked around. I had a plato combinado for lunch, took a nice, long siesta, then went back to the muralla for sunset. I learn that I left my charger at home in Madrid, so no laptop or ability to upload photos as they happen for me! I went to bed early that night, determined not to have a relapse of farangitis!
dimecres, 28 desembre. I woke up, had a quick breakfast, and took off to Cadaqués. I didn't realise the bus station actually had an office, but he let me buy the ticket on the bus, thankfully. 9,85€ and one hour 45 minutes later, I reached Cadaqués, the pueblo where Picasso and Dalí painted to their heart's content, and my fuzzy memory of Little Ashes says García Lorca and/or Buñuel were too. The pueblo is like any other in Spain, but walk a kilometro and you have some of the most amazing views in all of Spain. It is a place I will return one day with my future boyfriend/husband. I had lunch, then caught the bus to Figueres, which, as everyone told me, is nothing but the too expensive museum of Dalí. It's his hometown. I returned to Girona, walk around some more, falling in love with the city and loving the catalán heard in every corner.
dijous, 29 desembre. I wake up early again, check out and catch the bus to Besalú, a charming medieval pueblo in the foothills of the Pyranees. (Piraneo. I don't know how it's written in English as they use the French. Stupid French.) Besalú has an amazing bridge, and it's out in the nature. Oh, if I had time to just walk around there for a few days. I'm definitely inspired to do the Camino de Santiago this summer. I return to Girona, have lunch and catch the train to Barcelona!!! As much as I love catalán, it was a relief to hear my beloved castellano in the streets again. Barcelona has the same vibe that my beloved Valencia does. It's hard to explain. I immediately head to Ramblas del mar to catch the sunset, buy my bus ticket back to Madrid *sob* and grab dinner at my fave vegetarian place. (I'm far from vegetarian, but I love this restaurant!) I rest a bit, then make a much needed pilgramage to the first gay disco I ever went to in 2003. ARENA. I danced, and I had the cojones to say "hola" to the cute boy I had been eyeing all night. He said hola back. Turns out he's Basque, from a pueblo near Bilbao. We talk and dance (and kiss) most of the night, and I walk him back to his hostal where we exchange Facebooks. Sadly...I can't find him, and I'm hoping that it's just that he can't find me. Do all my romances have to end like this?
divendres 30 desembre. I wake up late, and I go to the Museu d'historia de Catalunya, which was fascinating. The geek in me loved the map of "Països Catalans" with all the 93723 dialects. Surprisingly, with a year in Valencia and a professora de Girona, I understand the catalán from Barcelona the best. Lunch, shopping, a walk on the beach at sunset, then cafe amb llet at my fave café in la Barceloneta, then I went to a fiesta with the Queer Barcelona group on Couchsurfing. My shyness was in full effect, but I had fun. I'm a bit perturbed as they never got back to me with the information for the New Year's Eve fiesta. This is where I definitely picked up on the Valencia vibes.
dissabte, 31 desembre: Last day of the year. My friend had to cancel plans last minute. Grr. I went to Montjuic, which I love. Took some time to rest, but I still did a lot of walking. I went to Plaça de Catalunya to eat the grapes, then to have a drink at Punto BCN, then went home to dream of a happier 2012, a year where my writing career takes off, and I find love.
diumenge, 1 gener. I went to Parc Güell, which is the park that has all of Gaudi's houses and designs. So beautiful. Then an early lunch, some time at the beach...and then...no. no. no. no. no. I have to catch the bus to Madrid.
This was one of the better holidays I've had in Spain, right up there with Semana Santa 2010 in País vasco and Asturias Oct 2011.
I think Barcelona is calling me......
In 2009, when I went to Barcelona with my "guiri with a Spanish soul" soulmate Ashley, I decided that since I had a pitstop in Barcelona on the way to Italia in 2008, that it would become my tradition to go to BCN during the holidays. Although last year in Bilbao (during my nervous breakdown even) was fun, it broke the tradition. This year, the broken tradition is the calendario de bomberos (firefighters), I mean, guide to the months in catalán or euskera and motivation for the gym, as I couldn't find any anywhere. I digress.
dilluns, 26 desembre. After returning to Body Combat after various weeks off due to "farangitis", I took the night train to Girona, the capital city of the province between Barcelona and France. I watched the film Friends with Benefits before trying to sleep, and the film was actually good, despite my inexplicable dislike of Justin Timberlake. (Let's keep him busy as an actor, folks). I couldn't really sleep, as the train was freezing despite being first class. When the train made a stop for 15 minutes in Barcelona Sants at 7.45 in the morning, I got so excited. I feel a pull toward Catalunya, Barcelona in particular. The train rolled on to its destination.
dimarts, 27 desembre. I found my hostal, above a cutre bar in the heart of the casco antiguo, close to the river. Ei, for 20 Euros a night in Catalunya...you get what you pay for. I dropped off my stuff and went exploring. The excitement came when I found out that I could hold a conversation in catalán (or valenciano de Catalunya, as I like to call it.) I got a cafe amb llet at a bar with a cute camarero, then found the tourist information place for a map. I told the woman I was learning catalán, so she explained everything to me in catalán, and I understood it. I remember in 2003 how excited each insignificant accomplishment I made in Spanish made me. I felt the same this time. I went to the muralla, or wall, around the city, the cathedral, and walked around. I had a plato combinado for lunch, took a nice, long siesta, then went back to the muralla for sunset. I learn that I left my charger at home in Madrid, so no laptop or ability to upload photos as they happen for me! I went to bed early that night, determined not to have a relapse of farangitis!
dimecres, 28 desembre. I woke up, had a quick breakfast, and took off to Cadaqués. I didn't realise the bus station actually had an office, but he let me buy the ticket on the bus, thankfully. 9,85€ and one hour 45 minutes later, I reached Cadaqués, the pueblo where Picasso and Dalí painted to their heart's content, and my fuzzy memory of Little Ashes says García Lorca and/or Buñuel were too. The pueblo is like any other in Spain, but walk a kilometro and you have some of the most amazing views in all of Spain. It is a place I will return one day with my future boyfriend/husband. I had lunch, then caught the bus to Figueres, which, as everyone told me, is nothing but the too expensive museum of Dalí. It's his hometown. I returned to Girona, walk around some more, falling in love with the city and loving the catalán heard in every corner.
dijous, 29 desembre. I wake up early again, check out and catch the bus to Besalú, a charming medieval pueblo in the foothills of the Pyranees. (Piraneo. I don't know how it's written in English as they use the French. Stupid French.) Besalú has an amazing bridge, and it's out in the nature. Oh, if I had time to just walk around there for a few days. I'm definitely inspired to do the Camino de Santiago this summer. I return to Girona, have lunch and catch the train to Barcelona!!! As much as I love catalán, it was a relief to hear my beloved castellano in the streets again. Barcelona has the same vibe that my beloved Valencia does. It's hard to explain. I immediately head to Ramblas del mar to catch the sunset, buy my bus ticket back to Madrid *sob* and grab dinner at my fave vegetarian place. (I'm far from vegetarian, but I love this restaurant!) I rest a bit, then make a much needed pilgramage to the first gay disco I ever went to in 2003. ARENA. I danced, and I had the cojones to say "hola" to the cute boy I had been eyeing all night. He said hola back. Turns out he's Basque, from a pueblo near Bilbao. We talk and dance (and kiss) most of the night, and I walk him back to his hostal where we exchange Facebooks. Sadly...I can't find him, and I'm hoping that it's just that he can't find me. Do all my romances have to end like this?
divendres 30 desembre. I wake up late, and I go to the Museu d'historia de Catalunya, which was fascinating. The geek in me loved the map of "Països Catalans" with all the 93723 dialects. Surprisingly, with a year in Valencia and a professora de Girona, I understand the catalán from Barcelona the best. Lunch, shopping, a walk on the beach at sunset, then cafe amb llet at my fave café in la Barceloneta, then I went to a fiesta with the Queer Barcelona group on Couchsurfing. My shyness was in full effect, but I had fun. I'm a bit perturbed as they never got back to me with the information for the New Year's Eve fiesta. This is where I definitely picked up on the Valencia vibes.
dissabte, 31 desembre: Last day of the year. My friend had to cancel plans last minute. Grr. I went to Montjuic, which I love. Took some time to rest, but I still did a lot of walking. I went to Plaça de Catalunya to eat the grapes, then to have a drink at Punto BCN, then went home to dream of a happier 2012, a year where my writing career takes off, and I find love.
diumenge, 1 gener. I went to Parc Güell, which is the park that has all of Gaudi's houses and designs. So beautiful. Then an early lunch, some time at the beach...and then...no. no. no. no. no. I have to catch the bus to Madrid.
This was one of the better holidays I've had in Spain, right up there with Semana Santa 2010 in País vasco and Asturias Oct 2011.
I think Barcelona is calling me......
Monday, December 26, 2011
mi bucket list
My 20s were a social and financial disaster. The big things (two degrees, moving to Spain) are overshadowed by no boyfriend and being nowhere close to where I thought I would be when I turned 30. I thought I'd have the husband and two golden retrievers by now. Like Rachel in The One Where Everyone Turns 30, I much feel pressed for time to start a family, if that's what I desire.
I do see myself as a writer somewhere on the Mediterranean between Valencia and Barcelona capitals (probably closer to Barcelona than Valencia). When and how I'll get there, that remains to be seen.
Last June, when I had no laptop, I wrote out a Bucket List. I already accomplished one thing on it (visit all 17 Comunidades Autónomas of Spain, so now I have to see all the provinces.)
In random order...
-52 provincias españolas, along with Ceuta y Melilla
-Step foot on every continent (If you count the Canarias as Geographically Africa, I've been to 3 of 7. Sorry, I cannot make myself see only 5 continents!)
-Camino de Santiago
-Ruta de Quijote
-Read Quijote i Spanish
-Become a published author
-Learn Catalán and Italian at at least a B2 level
-Get married.
-In Europe, travel to Greece, Norway, Andorra, go back to Italia, Portugal and Paris
-In South America, Macchu Piccu, Argentina and Chile
-In Asia, Great Wall of China
-In Africa, the Sahara and the Pyramids
-Learn to surf
-Try to snowboard
-Learn yoga
-Get a master in Spanish, if not Ph.D
-Come out to my mom
-Meet Mariah Carey, Felicity Huffman and Lady Gaga
-Read the Complete Works of Shakespeare (And Hemingway and Dickens while I'm at it. And Unamuno).
-Have a French 19th Century style Masquerade/Bachnalia (maybe my future husband will let me have this as a reception)
-Drive Route 66
I do see myself as a writer somewhere on the Mediterranean between Valencia and Barcelona capitals (probably closer to Barcelona than Valencia). When and how I'll get there, that remains to be seen.
Last June, when I had no laptop, I wrote out a Bucket List. I already accomplished one thing on it (visit all 17 Comunidades Autónomas of Spain, so now I have to see all the provinces.)
In random order...
-52 provincias españolas, along with Ceuta y Melilla
-Step foot on every continent (If you count the Canarias as Geographically Africa, I've been to 3 of 7. Sorry, I cannot make myself see only 5 continents!)
-Camino de Santiago
-Ruta de Quijote
-Read Quijote i Spanish
-Become a published author
-Learn Catalán and Italian at at least a B2 level
-Get married.
-In Europe, travel to Greece, Norway, Andorra, go back to Italia, Portugal and Paris
-In South America, Macchu Piccu, Argentina and Chile
-In Asia, Great Wall of China
-In Africa, the Sahara and the Pyramids
-Learn to surf
-Try to snowboard
-Learn yoga
-Get a master in Spanish, if not Ph.D
-Come out to my mom
-Meet Mariah Carey, Felicity Huffman and Lady Gaga
-Read the Complete Works of Shakespeare (And Hemingway and Dickens while I'm at it. And Unamuno).
-Have a French 19th Century style Masquerade/Bachnalia (maybe my future husband will let me have this as a reception)
-Drive Route 66
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
mi cumpleaños numero 30
The Pablo show has just entered it's 30th season, and we here at Entertainment Weekly España sat down with the headwriter for our annual conversation. We know it's a few days late, but there's a good reason.
EWEspaña: 30 years. Wow.
Headwriter: Shutup.
EWE: I mean, congratulations wow.
Headwriter: Okay, better. Thanks.
EWE: You're welcome. So first of all, last year, we were celebrating a 5-0 Barça win. This year, we have a 3-1 win to celebrate.
Headwriter: I know. Collonut, as they say in Barcelona.
EWE: In the 29th season, we saw Pablo meet one of his major life goals, visiting all 17 Comunidades Autónomas of Spain by hitting 15 Murcia, 16 Extremadura and 17 Asturias. Congratulations. Do you have any holidays planned this year?
HW: Back home to Valencia for a quick visit next week, then to Catalunya, specifically Girona and Barcelona for New Year's Eve. There might be a trip to Ibiza in January. Now that we have the Comunidades down, the new goal is the provincias, so lots of weekend trips we hope. We are also hoping for a return to Italy and Portugal, and trips to Morocco, Ireland and Greece.
EWE: Catalunya's for sure, right? At least Pablo will get to travel a bit out of Spain for once.
HW: Oh someone is just courting Catalan viewership for us, thanks for that!
EWE: We try. Now, why the hell did you move the main character back to Madrid when he was really starting to come into his own in Valencia? Viewers were hoping for a master in Barcelona.
HW: The puta crisis de mierda. No other option. We hope to do the máster this season.
EWE: Once upon a time, we always heard the same line from the Will and Grace writers. When the hell are you going to cast a boyfriend?
HW: We are always looking at potential boyfriends, but casting is extremely hard. It's hard to find someone with the right chemistry. After finally getting over his crush on Spanish C, he's slowly starting to open up his heart again. But to whom? This is a theme we hope to explore this season.
EWE: What else is in store?
HW: We are hoping to return to the States for the summer after a sweeps stunt walk on the Camino de Santiago. The more we say this, the more it will come true.
EWE: One of the biggest surprises in Season 29 was the gym, specifically Body Combat. How did that come about?
HW: Pablo has a fascination with the Federico Moccia books. When Step (Not H, silly movie!) joins the gym, Pablo was inspired. He found the gym helps out with anxiety and depression, so he keeps going. Body Combat was suggested, and he ended up loving it.
EWE: Fascinating. And any plans on that novel?
HW: More work on the novel...working on getting the first published. A poc a poc. Hey, Pablo did learn catalán/valenciano as promised! Xé que bo!
EWE: Xé que bo indeed. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Anything else you'd like to add?
HW: Beyonce is responsible for the Partido Popular winning.
EWE: Every show has to have a villain.
EWEspaña: 30 years. Wow.
Headwriter: Shutup.
EWE: I mean, congratulations wow.
Headwriter: Okay, better. Thanks.
EWE: You're welcome. So first of all, last year, we were celebrating a 5-0 Barça win. This year, we have a 3-1 win to celebrate.
Headwriter: I know. Collonut, as they say in Barcelona.
EWE: In the 29th season, we saw Pablo meet one of his major life goals, visiting all 17 Comunidades Autónomas of Spain by hitting 15 Murcia, 16 Extremadura and 17 Asturias. Congratulations. Do you have any holidays planned this year?
HW: Back home to Valencia for a quick visit next week, then to Catalunya, specifically Girona and Barcelona for New Year's Eve. There might be a trip to Ibiza in January. Now that we have the Comunidades down, the new goal is the provincias, so lots of weekend trips we hope. We are also hoping for a return to Italy and Portugal, and trips to Morocco, Ireland and Greece.
EWE: Catalunya's for sure, right? At least Pablo will get to travel a bit out of Spain for once.
HW: Oh someone is just courting Catalan viewership for us, thanks for that!
EWE: We try. Now, why the hell did you move the main character back to Madrid when he was really starting to come into his own in Valencia? Viewers were hoping for a master in Barcelona.
HW: The puta crisis de mierda. No other option. We hope to do the máster this season.
EWE: Once upon a time, we always heard the same line from the Will and Grace writers. When the hell are you going to cast a boyfriend?
HW: We are always looking at potential boyfriends, but casting is extremely hard. It's hard to find someone with the right chemistry. After finally getting over his crush on Spanish C, he's slowly starting to open up his heart again. But to whom? This is a theme we hope to explore this season.
EWE: What else is in store?
HW: We are hoping to return to the States for the summer after a sweeps stunt walk on the Camino de Santiago. The more we say this, the more it will come true.
EWE: One of the biggest surprises in Season 29 was the gym, specifically Body Combat. How did that come about?
HW: Pablo has a fascination with the Federico Moccia books. When Step (Not H, silly movie!) joins the gym, Pablo was inspired. He found the gym helps out with anxiety and depression, so he keeps going. Body Combat was suggested, and he ended up loving it.
EWE: Fascinating. And any plans on that novel?
HW: More work on the novel...working on getting the first published. A poc a poc. Hey, Pablo did learn catalán/valenciano as promised! Xé que bo!
EWE: Xé que bo indeed. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Anything else you'd like to add?
HW: Beyonce is responsible for the Partido Popular winning.
EWE: Every show has to have a villain.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Mi Grana'
Back from Almería and Granada. This trip was a bit weird, a bit of a downer. Granada is definitely a place to go with a boyfriend, and if he doesn't exist, well, friends.
I got up too early to go to Almería on Thursday morning, still recuperating from farangitis. My duffel bag decides to break, and then my backpack, full with all my clothes, decides to do the same. Fantastic. I take a cab to Cibeles to catch the bus to the airport, go through security without any problems what so ever, and then have two hours to kill. I watched some Angel...plane ride non eventful as I was asleep after only about 3.5 hours of sleep.
Almería is sort of ugly, it's true, but the Alcazaba was pretty damn cool. I was being followed by cats everywhere. And they seemed to like my Barça wallet that was a gift from Valencia. Everyone commented on it, and it seemed to make me friends. I went to the beach and sat a while, looking at my favourite sea (the Mediterranean). And I was able to understand andaluz everywhere I went. My friend Rubén, who I had been talking to online since 2004!!, and I met up for tapas and so he could show me the town some. It was one of the most fun nights I had had in a while, seeing the Almería gay life and just spending time with someone I knew from the virtual world.
I knew 3 Almerineses in Valencia...one being my Body Combat monitor, one being another monitor at the gym, and the other being Spanish Flake from June, who showed that the andaluz stereotype of being falso exists for a reason :-/
Friday morning, I get up to go to Granada, then find out that I could have caught the bus to Cabo de Gata, which is the national park I really wanted to see in Almería. Ah well, there's always next time. The contrast of desert and mountain is the coolest thing to see in the landscape between Almería and Granada. I caught a cab to the pensión where I stayed, which is one of the worst experiences I've had and put a damper on the weekend. No internet, no heating, no hot water, bad location (I only like staying in the Albacyn!)
So I went to a really cool bar for café con leche, and hiked out to the Sacramonte caves, where gypsies (gitanos) make their residence. And my camera batteries died, of course. One gitana tried to rip me off, but I just walked out and didn't stand for it. I went back, ate cheap at a nice restaurant in the Albacyn, the neighbourhood that is really a labyrinth of white cobblestone streets. Because of cloud cover, I wasn't able to understand the Best Sunset in España from Mirador de San Nicolas as I wanted (but I did on Saturday).
I felt a little down being alone as I wandered the streets and saw all the Christmas lights. Not going to lie. This time of year is hard for me. Especially since I turn 30 tomorrow (more on that later) and have no relationship or permanent job to show for it. Anyway...
I decided to try going out by myself, and the bar played Mariah's All I Want for Christmas and two Lady Gaga (my two fave singles), Alejandro and Poker Face. But they played some Beyonce shit that affected me to the point of having a panic attack on Saturday. People think I make this up, about her causing panic attacks, but it's true...
Came back early, woke up Saturday and decided to spend the day roaming Granada some more. Maybe a mistake, but there is a lot to enjoy in Granada. I walked back up to Sacramonte, went through the maze of streets, found a new Mirador, had too many cafés con leche, tried and failed at a siesta, tried and failed at finding a chino to buy a new backpack (have to do that now), made it to The Best Sunset in Spain which was amazing as always. A lot of hippies go there, as do a lot of flamenco singers, which add to the ambience. I have my panic attack, then recover and go out again. They played Mariah All I Want for Christmas again...then Beyonce, and this time I had finished my Coca Cola (as I'm still on antibiotics and am concentrating on my health).
Granada remains one of my top 5 cities in Spain. However, next time I go, I hope it's with an amazing boyfriend by my side. More on this later.
I watched Ángel on the way back. I still hate the character, but I love the supporting cast, even if they killed myDoyle. Now if I could just have Giles and Wesley do some research that Cordelia would approve of, and have Buffy fight off the demon that causes one to turn 30 and kill it. 12 hours left of my 20s. Not sure where it's gone to. Again, more on that later.
I got up too early to go to Almería on Thursday morning, still recuperating from farangitis. My duffel bag decides to break, and then my backpack, full with all my clothes, decides to do the same. Fantastic. I take a cab to Cibeles to catch the bus to the airport, go through security without any problems what so ever, and then have two hours to kill. I watched some Angel...plane ride non eventful as I was asleep after only about 3.5 hours of sleep.
Almería is sort of ugly, it's true, but the Alcazaba was pretty damn cool. I was being followed by cats everywhere. And they seemed to like my Barça wallet that was a gift from Valencia. Everyone commented on it, and it seemed to make me friends. I went to the beach and sat a while, looking at my favourite sea (the Mediterranean). And I was able to understand andaluz everywhere I went. My friend Rubén, who I had been talking to online since 2004!!, and I met up for tapas and so he could show me the town some. It was one of the most fun nights I had had in a while, seeing the Almería gay life and just spending time with someone I knew from the virtual world.
I knew 3 Almerineses in Valencia...one being my Body Combat monitor, one being another monitor at the gym, and the other being Spanish Flake from June, who showed that the andaluz stereotype of being falso exists for a reason :-/
Friday morning, I get up to go to Granada, then find out that I could have caught the bus to Cabo de Gata, which is the national park I really wanted to see in Almería. Ah well, there's always next time. The contrast of desert and mountain is the coolest thing to see in the landscape between Almería and Granada. I caught a cab to the pensión where I stayed, which is one of the worst experiences I've had and put a damper on the weekend. No internet, no heating, no hot water, bad location (I only like staying in the Albacyn!)
So I went to a really cool bar for café con leche, and hiked out to the Sacramonte caves, where gypsies (gitanos) make their residence. And my camera batteries died, of course. One gitana tried to rip me off, but I just walked out and didn't stand for it. I went back, ate cheap at a nice restaurant in the Albacyn, the neighbourhood that is really a labyrinth of white cobblestone streets. Because of cloud cover, I wasn't able to understand the Best Sunset in España from Mirador de San Nicolas as I wanted (but I did on Saturday).
I felt a little down being alone as I wandered the streets and saw all the Christmas lights. Not going to lie. This time of year is hard for me. Especially since I turn 30 tomorrow (more on that later) and have no relationship or permanent job to show for it. Anyway...
I decided to try going out by myself, and the bar played Mariah's All I Want for Christmas and two Lady Gaga (my two fave singles), Alejandro and Poker Face. But they played some Beyonce shit that affected me to the point of having a panic attack on Saturday. People think I make this up, about her causing panic attacks, but it's true...
Came back early, woke up Saturday and decided to spend the day roaming Granada some more. Maybe a mistake, but there is a lot to enjoy in Granada. I walked back up to Sacramonte, went through the maze of streets, found a new Mirador, had too many cafés con leche, tried and failed at a siesta, tried and failed at finding a chino to buy a new backpack (have to do that now), made it to The Best Sunset in Spain which was amazing as always. A lot of hippies go there, as do a lot of flamenco singers, which add to the ambience. I have my panic attack, then recover and go out again. They played Mariah All I Want for Christmas again...then Beyonce, and this time I had finished my Coca Cola (as I'm still on antibiotics and am concentrating on my health).
Granada remains one of my top 5 cities in Spain. However, next time I go, I hope it's with an amazing boyfriend by my side. More on this later.
I watched Ángel on the way back. I still hate the character, but I love the supporting cast, even if they killed myDoyle. Now if I could just have Giles and Wesley do some research that Cordelia would approve of, and have Buffy fight off the demon that causes one to turn 30 and kill it. 12 hours left of my 20s. Not sure where it's gone to. Again, more on that later.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
mis comunidades
Yesterday, I achieved one of my life goals, something to cross off the bucket list.
I have officially been to all 17 Spanish comunidades autónomas. All 50 States, and now all 17 CCAAs. Go me.
I am in Asturias right now, which is an amazingly incredible beautiful city. I have a decent job that pays me, I have the gym, Body Combat and lifting weights, I have my Catalán classes, I have a decent flat with decent roommates. I've picked myself up and dusted myself off from rock bottom last December. Go me, right?
The thing is...I'm still not content. Madrid is just not for me. I need to be by the sea. And at this point, I'm not sure teaching is for me. I know for a fact teaching primary and infantil is not for me. I still enjoy my classes with the secondary students, but the majority of my classes are with infantil and primary. The one private lesson I give, I am realising that I enjoy more of this type of teaching. It's fun, the students learn more and give me more respect and listen better.
I arrive home exhausted. I haven't had any voice for a week now. I have no energy for anything. I have no time to keep up to date with my shows or finish my current addiction, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I still go to the gym and my clases de catalán, but it's not the best I can be doing. I can be doing a lot better with everything. I just lack the energy.
I certainly do not have the time right now to do the thing that I really feel called to do. That is my writing. I just want to sit down and pour out all these words I have in me into my second and third novels.
This weekend, I have been doing a lot of soul-searching and thinking about what I want my future to look like. If I could design it, it would look something like this.
I want to live in a smaller city close to Barcelona. Madrid just...for lack of a clear word in English, Madrid me agobia. Me agota. Barcelona potentially has the same problem. Valencia was the right size for me, a big city (around 1 million), but it didn't feel it. I know Catalunya and/or Valencia are calling my name.
I want to write. I'm not sure if the master is in my future, but I would love it if my novels sell and I had money to live off that. If I teach, it's going to have to be more private lessons. How do I do this legally so I can have my visa and stuff? I know I need to travel.
I want a boyfriend/husband to share my life and my travels with. And two golden retrievers.
I don't know how to make all this happen. I have my first novel finished. I need some time to do a bit of editing and then figure out how to get it published. If that sold, and I became the next Christopher Rice...that would solve a whole lot of problems.
Dreaming...sometimes, it seems that's all I do.
I have officially been to all 17 Spanish comunidades autónomas. All 50 States, and now all 17 CCAAs. Go me.
I am in Asturias right now, which is an amazingly incredible beautiful city. I have a decent job that pays me, I have the gym, Body Combat and lifting weights, I have my Catalán classes, I have a decent flat with decent roommates. I've picked myself up and dusted myself off from rock bottom last December. Go me, right?
The thing is...I'm still not content. Madrid is just not for me. I need to be by the sea. And at this point, I'm not sure teaching is for me. I know for a fact teaching primary and infantil is not for me. I still enjoy my classes with the secondary students, but the majority of my classes are with infantil and primary. The one private lesson I give, I am realising that I enjoy more of this type of teaching. It's fun, the students learn more and give me more respect and listen better.
I arrive home exhausted. I haven't had any voice for a week now. I have no energy for anything. I have no time to keep up to date with my shows or finish my current addiction, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I still go to the gym and my clases de catalán, but it's not the best I can be doing. I can be doing a lot better with everything. I just lack the energy.
I certainly do not have the time right now to do the thing that I really feel called to do. That is my writing. I just want to sit down and pour out all these words I have in me into my second and third novels.
This weekend, I have been doing a lot of soul-searching and thinking about what I want my future to look like. If I could design it, it would look something like this.
I want to live in a smaller city close to Barcelona. Madrid just...for lack of a clear word in English, Madrid me agobia. Me agota. Barcelona potentially has the same problem. Valencia was the right size for me, a big city (around 1 million), but it didn't feel it. I know Catalunya and/or Valencia are calling my name.
I want to write. I'm not sure if the master is in my future, but I would love it if my novels sell and I had money to live off that. If I teach, it's going to have to be more private lessons. How do I do this legally so I can have my visa and stuff? I know I need to travel.
I want a boyfriend/husband to share my life and my travels with. And two golden retrievers.
I don't know how to make all this happen. I have my first novel finished. I need some time to do a bit of editing and then figure out how to get it published. If that sold, and I became the next Christopher Rice...that would solve a whole lot of problems.
Dreaming...sometimes, it seems that's all I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
