Muy Rapido

The last few days have been going by so fast I can hardly keep up with them. Here is a brief summary of what has been going on.

Saturday I went to Girona with Joan to visit his friends I had never met before. Only one of them spoke English. They were all very Catalan so I was pretty much the odd one out all day, even though Joan did a decent job of translating. One girl, Gemma, pissed me off when she said I couldn't play the trivia game because "it would be to difficult to translate". I ended up getting most of the answers right, mostly in the drawing category. It felt good to prove her wrong and look badass even if it was just a trivia game.

Sunday was pretty laidback. Lunch at Joan's parents, spent time in the pool, went to bed early. Exciting life, isn't it?

Monday I had a doctor's appointment in Girona, woman things as Joan likes to say. Let me say it went "ok". The doctor was very nice and spoke English which helped. If you are a close friend of mine I will tell you the full story via telephone not via internet (even though I still believe 5 people read this). After we went to the mall and I got some pretty great things at H&M. I love that store.

Today I was back in my Spanish class and It was great. Kindra and I talked about planning a end of class party. Possibly we can get everyone to go out to dinner and drinks. It is amazing how much I will miss everyone and I've only known them a couple weeks. I don't even think it has to do with the fact that I haven't had "friends" since December but more to do with that we are all sharing a common goal,similar experiences and spend four hours a day together learning,laughing and having a good time.

I'm still preparing the itinerary for Nikki and Eryn's visit. It is harder than I thought it would be actually, there are just to many things to do.

Well, it is 5 minutes till 6 and Joan will be picking me up soon. We have to go to the grocery store and then home. I'm watching Bowling for Columbine tonight. We started it last night but 30 minutes in I was to tired to finish it. Joan loves America too but when it comes to choosing a place to live, he always chose Europe. Now I am understanding why.

That is a whole other issue that I will talk about on another post.

Ciao Bellas

Europe vs America

I just watched Sicko the documentary Michael Moore made to bring awareness to the United States citizens about what's really going on in their country.

I haven't cried that much in a long time. Story after story about families and individuals who lost someone because of Health Insurance companies. A 79 year old man should NOT have to work just to afford his medication. A wife should NOT have to lose her husband because companies want to save more money. Please, rent or go to watch-movies.net and watch Sicko. You will be so glad you did.

It's no wonder Angelina chooses to have her children in France. They have the best health care in the world. Everything is free for the citizens. Did you know that a government worker will come to your home if you are a new mother and help you take care of the child,of the house? It's true. Did you know that in France, doctors make house calls, 24 hours? Did you know it costs nothing.

Even the middle class French live comfortably because they don't have debt. In France, you receive a MINIMUM 5 weeks paid vacation. You have unlimited sick days. You recieve government help and don't have to wait more than an hour in the ER. Daycare costs roughly $1 per child, and that is at a top notch daycare. I could go on and on.

In Britain, it is the same. Government doctors make roughly $200,000 a year. One doctor who was interviewed in England, makes that, drives an Audi, has a million dollar home and lives comfortably. He gets paid by how healthy his patients are. If he can get his patients to stop smoking, lower their blood pressure, lower their cholesterol; he gets more money. Incredible concept right?

I am so grateful to be here in Spain and receiving my social security card on Monday. If I go to the doctor, it is free. As are the medicines I need. When Joan found out I didn't have health insurance in the states, he was furious. He told me if I ever had children I would have them in Europe.

Please, watch Sicko and see for yourself. It is amazing the truths that are told.

Hanging out with Elizabeth

After class today, Elizabeth invited me to go to the mall with her. I have nothing better to do and she is very nice so I decided, why not?

Some background information:Elizabeth is 72, a grandmother and here in Spain because her two children married Europeans. Her daughter owns a tattoo shop with her husband here in Girona. So, she came here to live and be close with her grandchildren. Anyway, after class she doesn't have to much to do so she showed me how to take the bus from the city center to the next town where the mall is.

We had a great time walking around, talking, and such. She wanted me to try everything on and buy everything-bad influence! In a way she reminded me of my grandmother. I actually gave her my grandmother's address, maybe she can talk my grandma into a long vacation here in Spain. It's possible.

At 6:00 Joan arrived and Elizabeth took the bus back to the city center. Joan bought sunglasses and a button down I picked out for him at H&M. The sales are unbelievable. It sucks we're not rich and that we're trying to save. damn. I can't complain because yesterday I got an awesome dress and top from Zara and picked out a few things for my birthday.

Tomorrow I'm skipping class because Joan is going to London and I don't want to take the bus home. Besides, I can go to the beach, get the house cleaned and relax.

Adios.