Can Sofia Coppola direct my life?

Life is a crazy masterpiece,colored with the experiences and adventures of the painter. It is a story written a chapter at a time, a seemingly never-ending page turner that reveals opprotunities only at the precise moment when you least expect them. My life is a romantic novel, a spanish soap opera, a clichéd plot line with a mix of tragedy and horror for substance.

I am the leading lady in the movie of my life, at least I am supposed to be.

The latest plotline to this story called "My Life" takes place in sunny españa with the protaganist faced at a crossroads. What does she do? What choices does she make? She must choose wisley because the wrong choice can change her life in drastic ways.

That could make for a pretty promising blockbuster right? Or at the very least an indie flick at Cannes? Skipping the dramz, here is the situation:

Story of my life, waiting for the visa. Something that I thought would take a month at most has taken four. What is a girl to do? I have a few options, they are;

1. Waiting. I could wait more, continue teaching my English classes to Rosa (which she wants for the next three months or so) not making much money,wasting time and harassing my lawyers.

2. Apply as a flight attendent with Ryanair. Joan is going to check with Montse,but there is a possibility that I may be able to take the course for free, and Ryanair may have more power to get my visa on time and I can begin working as a cabin crew. This job seems interesting however there are good points and bad to this option. The good points being, finally working,making great money,traveling to other places,making friends, being home everynight even if it is late,and having a few days off at time. Also, discounts or free tickets on Ryanair. The bad points are; working long hours during the day or for a few days in a row,the five week intense training course,being in a plane all day,lots of responsibility,the commute from Lloret to Girona and how I will manage that not having a car and having to rely on Joan to pick me up late at night etc.

Here are some more more basics about the career as a cabin crew:

"Cabin crew receive between €17,000 and €20,000 per annum with 29 paid holidays per year. Shift work is a characteristic of cabin crew jobs so there is a lot of time off. Cabin crew receive their roster one month in advance, so they know where they will be well in advance. The roster is usually 6 days on, 3 days off, or 6 days on and 2 days off, and they are done in such a way that you always come back to your base at night."

Not to bad, right? I have to make sure I can take this job and see how long the contract asks I be there. I fully intend to go back to the Northwest campus in January and stop taking classes online.

3. Marrying Joan. Something I know I am going to do in the future, something that I want to do. I could work anywhere in Europe which is a major plus for me, have free health care and even apply for residency and dual citizenship which would be great. I could still work for Ryanair if I choose to and it would be easier for them if I didn't need a visa. However, it still could take up to a month after I marry Joan for all the paperwork to be done; then again it could not. Am I to young to be married? I don't think so. Is this how I ideally imagined my marriage to be? Not exactly. I want the big proposal (which Joan says I will still get) the dream wedding (which he says we will have as well). I will just have to wait a bit after to have it. If we do marry, then everything will be so much easier when he comes with me to the U.S. in December, he will be able to have a job no problem which will avoid him being in the situation I'm in now.

Which option do I choose? Are there options I am not considering?

Part of me wants to grab life by the horns, do what I want despite the norm and finish school later. Another part wants to go back to my friends, sorority and family that I am missing so much.

Moving to Spain was a great big step for me, something I am glad to have done, what will be my next step? My next great idea?

Stay tuned for Chapter 2...

C.M.

Don't sit on your culo get up and do something!

I've been a bit busy and haven't written in awhile. I can happily say things are much more relaxed than the last post. Yesterday I went shopping with Pepi and Maribel and scored some amazing deals. Shop therapy helps, I don't care what any man says. Anyway, that was a nice change to being home all day. This morning I had class and Joan didn't have to be at work until 3 so we had the afternoon together. We had a coffee, something I have grown very fond of, I saw Carmen which was nice-no massage;hopefully I'll have another appointment soon. After we walked along the beach and I have never seen an ocean so blue. Today is exceptionally windy but the sun is shining and I can't ask for more.

There is something about the ocean, the beach that clarifies my thoughts and simplifies a life. Any worries I have, I forget about them immediately upon the smell of the salty sea air reaching my nose and filling me with thoughts of sailboats and cool water. The sand, was the perfect shade of brown if there is such a thing and the vibrant green of the palms against the backdrop of the sky, such a light blue that it faded into the sea.

I've had lots of decisions to make recently, some are still undecided but its times like these that slap me in the face and realize life could be worse.

Lots of things are happening though, my Spanish classes are going very well and while I don't feel confident enough to write in Spanish I know I am getting better. I have found a dance studio and am considering getting back into that as well. The receptionist at Cavok, Pilar, has a friend who is a professor at a university in Girona and wants to improve her English. She asked Pilar if she knew anyone who spoke English and had time to help her out. She asked Joan about me and now I have a meeting with her sometime soon to get started. Four hours a week, with pay, just talking with this woman and improving her vocabulary. This could be fun.


My friends, Nikki and Eryn are coming to visit in August. They are buying their tickets within the next couple days so I am completely stoked.Sigma Kappa reunion! Also, my friend Alison, David's girlfriend , will be here sooner than I thought as well, this month in fact. march 28th until April 6th so I hope to be able to see her a few times while she is here.

It is already March and there is so much I haven't done! Maybe tomorrow I will spend all day at the beach, if the weather permits. The house is shaking now it is so windy, being on the 5th floor we get the brunt of it before people on the ground feel it so that's interesting.

Lastly, I'm still holding out Heather will visit, I really hope so. That would make my year! If only I could find her a money tree...

Music of the Moment: Ayo, "And it's supposed to be love"

Kind Regards

Ciao
C.M.

The Last Day In Dublin.....

Monday was our last day and we wanted it to be one of our best days in the city. Joan had an exam in the morning so I stayed home, cleaned the flat and packed the rest of our belongings. We went into the city and went to the Guinness Storehouse, it was a good time and Joan got a certificate for preparing the perfect pint. Lastly, we went up to the Gravity Bar and we could see 360 degree views of the whole city. It was amazing.

We ended up meeting some friends at this bar that´s called, The Church. Reasonably so, because it is an old church. It is quite large, with a long bar down the middle. We met with Sara and Cristina (the girls from Girona) Timi from Hungary and some German girls. It was a bit tense at first because (as Joan told me later) he had talked about me, those girls heard him on the phone with me etc so they were waiting to see the girlfriend. After a bit, the air seemed less tense and we mostly talked with Sara and Cristina. I found this great place for dinner, Cactus Jack´s. It´s no La Bonita but it was good (and overpriced). I had found all these great places to go and we really only had one night to see them in. We decided to go to Cafe en Siene. Words cannot begin to describe the way this place looks, but I´ll give it a try.

Walking in you immediately notice the multi-colored mosaic tile floors and the long bar that seems to go on forever. The bar has vaulted ceiling and lush plant life everywhere you look. Each room is a bit different, with brick walls, marble tables, artwork and Greek statues holding lights that cast the warm glow around you. The dining area has large iron chandeliers with crimson light shades. There are three floors of this amazing, chic place and the decor´isn't even the best part. Café en Seine can cater to up to 1,500 guests at one time so it would be the place for an amazing party. Every Friday and Saturday night they have live DJs and during the weekdays you´re very likely to hear jazz music. The prices are reasonable and they know how to make a Mai-Tai. Check out www.capitalbars.com and check it out for yourself. ( I should get free drinks for that awesome recommendation)

We ended the night at Starbucks with a Caramel Hot Chocolate and a Espresso Dopio. We caught the bus back and relaxed and unfortunately had to pack.

The trip to the airport was quick and we were able to check in without a wait. We had our last Butler´s Chocolate Coffee and pastries and we went through security quickly and turns out this huge plane only had maybe thirty people in it so we got on fast off fast and didn't have to sit by anyone else. I even ordered my drink and snack in Catalan! Small feat but I was proud of myself. I start my Catalan classes tomorrow. They are every Monday and Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. I should learn soon, at least I hope. So having four hours of class a week isn't so bad.

We met up with Shabir tonight and had tapas and a coke with him. He's going to Paris Fashion Week with his girlfriend, I'm sure it will be amazing. Hopefully soon, once Joan and I start making some money we can take a trip to Italy or maybe Paris. Our two year anniversary and Valentine´s Day are within days of each other so who knows.

Tomorrow will be so busy, we have so many things to do. The rest of the week will be like that as well, we have to meet with immigration lawyers, go to job interviews, go get furniture and decorations for the flat, etc.

I will update with more news (hopefully very soon) when I know something.

Take care
love always

C.M.

European Style

I got a new haircut and color. We went to this place in Blanes, called Rafael Page, it was a little difficult when everyone spoke Catalan, except for the owner who spoke minimal english. Juliet´ did my hair and let me just say she did great. Joan helped translate any questions she had and vice versa but it went really well. It took two hours but it was well worth it. Joans mother and father paid for it as a Christmas present. (thankfully) it was many €uros! The head massage was great, the color was so vibrant (blonde and red) and she styled it perfectly. European style isn´t bad.

Today was a Post-christmas lunch with Joan´s mothers side of the family. It went well, I met her brother and sister and their families and we opened presents and there was a tradition that the kids do, where they beat a piece of wood, like a log (that has a face on it) and tell it to "Poo something good out, not fish or anything bad, or they will beat it harder" a bit creepy yes, but so funny. The parents cover the log with a blanket and underneath is candy and treats. The children go and wet the end of the stick while the parents hide more sweets and toys under the log and the children do it again. It was so funny, a bit different but good. I have really become an ambassador for America, dispelling the rumors about Americans and their inability to distinguish one European country from another.

Joan is in Girona now meeting his friend Carlos. Carlos plays hockey for some team in Spain, I can´t remember which one but he hasn´t seen him for awhile. I was going to go but decided to stay here in Lloret, watch some episodes of FRIENDS and just hang out. It has been 24/7 with Joan and we are not on each others nerves at all but it is probably good we have this break, even if it is for just two hours or so.

I know it one of my previous posts I said I wasn´t sure about living here- and I still may not be sure but each day I learn something new about Joan, traditions in Spain, this new lifestyle; I think it could be possible I could stay here. Stay here for a few weeks? A few months? A year?
Who´s to say,? Each day gets better and I´m learning about what I want from life and what direction I want to go with it.

Tomorrow, Joan and I are going to the Dali museum a couple of hours away. His aunt works there and got us tickets, apparently it is very impressive. His house is there as well as a castle. We went to a castle today in Tossa, it was absolutely gorgeous. I will be sure to post pictures soon.

I will finish this now and post more soon, I miss all of you in the states!

*Besos*