A moment to spare

We still don't have internet. After work Joan and I will go start the process of getting Internet a landline and digital t.v. in our new home. I am forced to check everything at work and don't have much time to do so!

I look forward to speaking with all of you soon! I will definetly have more stories to tell!
Ciao


------So happy that Barack Obama will be President-----

One Moment of Bad Luck equals 50 euros

I've never believed much in "luck" bad or good but lately I have been wondering if it is possible. Yesterday, Joan and I had an extremely long day. We slept in our old place the night before so we could get up early and pack the car; as I stated in my previous post. Well, after a few hours of walking up and down 5 flights of stairs carrying heavy things we were finally done. We drove his father's truck to our place, Elizabeth came to see the place and to keep an eye on the apartment while we carried everything in and out. We also had to make a trip to the furniture store to buy a big closet for my clothes, our place came with a very small one; perfect for Joan, not me. After that, Joan had to drive the truck back to Lloret so I stayed home and unpacked everything. Stress was high as I was overwhelmed, Joan was in a mood and later we were supposed to meet Carlos and Gemma to go to los firas and watch the castells that were taking place in front of the Cathedral. Something I had been waiting years to see. The castells were taking place 5 minutes walking from our home at 9:00 so everything was perfect.

8:15 that night Joan was just entering Girona. 8:25 he had parked and was walking from our parking to our place, a good 30 minute walk on a normal day. Last night was one of the biggest nights of Los Firas so there were tons of people and a bit of rain. So, 45 mintues later he was home. Tired and wet but jumped in the shower for us to make it there on time.

At 9:05 I recieved a text saying that the castells had started and we were going to miss it if we didn't hurry. At 9:10 I walked out the door, 9:11 Joan shut the door and at 9:11 and three seconds we realized we were locked out.

Rewinding back to 8:45 when Joan had arrived and I had unlocked the door for him-the keys were left in the door. We didn't think anything of it afterwards. When Joan closed the door at 9:11:03 he realized when he check the lock that he couldn't turn the key. I remembered my keys on the other side and that was that. We borrowed a guide book from the neighbor, I cried and eventually we found the number for a locksmith. We missed the castells, it was raining, and once the locksmith came we would be out 50 euros. We tried and tried to open the door by sliding a piece of plastic through, anything but it took the locksmith two seconds to open our door. He had a special piece of plastic, thinner than a credit card and much stronger. Our single moment of bad luck was very expensive.

Carlos and Gemma arrived a bit before the locksmith had and waited with us outside. We showed them the flat, which they loved and we went to get a bite to eat. It was the end of a very long day.

Now it's Sunday and we just finished lunch with Joan's parents. We have to go to our old place and clean up. Thankfully we have Monday and Tuesday off.

Hope all is well and remember to check the doors before you leave.

Crazy Turn Of Events

It is officially official, Joan and I are moved in to our new place! However, I am at our old place this morning. We moved in Thursday evening after work, first stopping by the IMO to get the keys and sign the contract. Joan read through it as if he were a lawyer and asked a few questions to our realtor, Joanna. In the end, everything seemed fine and we were in a hurry so we signed and that was all. As this was happening, Joanna told us that the washer wasn't exactly finished and if Joan could just attach the tube "muy facil" she said. Joan shot back with a, "If I can't do I'm not touching it because then it's my fault and you'll charge me for it." 1 point for Joan. Then she said that legally they didn't have to attach the accessories, the toilet paper holder and the wrack for the towels. Other than that, everything was ready. So, with that in mind, we left the IMO wondering what we would find.

It was a little after seven when we arrived to our piso. It really is a beautiful place. Hardwood floors, completely new kitchen; gorgeous. Upstairs we noticed the bed still wasn't made, the plastic was still on the mattresses (two twins pushed together by the way) so Joan got busy working on that. After a couple hours we walked three minutes to our favorite restaurant Konig. Joan, the wonderful guy that he is, suprised me by taking me to the festival that is in Girona now. I didn't think we would be able to go until this Sunday so it was a great surprise. Los Firas have games, great food, not- so- great-but-delicious-food, lots of white tents with different drinks and even castanyas or chestnuts. Roasted Chestnuts! Joan walked me over to the Ferris Wheel and we went on a ten minute ride and from the top we could see all Girona, the Cathedral and St.Feliu, really romantic and amazing. We walked around the fair, ate chestnuts and people-watched. It was so much fun after a long day of work and moving. So, thank you again Joan for the wonderful surprise!

Friday we had to work but it's only a 20 minute walk from the piso which saves us so much time! The hours d r a g g e d on as we worked and waited to get to our flat again. In the end we decided to stay in Lloret since our piso, at the moment, has no television, radio, or anything-it's too quiet. We relaxed a bit at the piso and Joan then decided to try the oven. As soon as it was on, the power went out. We did it again, power went out again. Everything is so new that it is normal that there are some problems. Joan called Joanna and let her know of the new situation. We have free days next week and are hoping and praying that the telefonica man, the man with the t.v. and the man to fix the oven and washing machine will be able to come one of those days. Que lio!

That brings me back to now, Joan is at work and it is pouring! It has been windy and rainy since last night. Which is terrible because today we were going to move the rest of the things from this piso and go to buy another closet for our place. Now, we're not sure what to do. Elizabeth is coming over to see the piso at 3:30 and I had hoped to be there before but now I don't know what is going on. Joan is very stressed which is completely normal. The poor guy doesn't need any more stress. We did have this picture-perfect idea that we would move in, with sunny weather, everything working and it would be so easy. Life is never that easy, is it?

I feel good about everything though because we fought so hard to get this place. Saving the money, making all the arrangements, getting my job, etc. So, I know we can do it-we can fight our way through any situation.

Speaking of "getting my job" I do have some great news on that. Here, they are big on contracts. You have a contract for 1 year, 6 months etc. This means you have this job and it is harder for the boss to fire you, basically she can't unless there is a major reason. Anyway, it is good to have a long contract, you can quit if you want but it means the boss wants to keep you for as long as she can. I have had two month contracts that have been renewed a few times, a three month contract and now-an indefinite contract. How wonderful is that? I'm so happy, I don't have to be a waitress or work in a department store, I get to work for Ryanair making good money and I get to be with Joan, travel and live in Girona. I know it won't be forever but for the next couple years I will stay and just soak up this great experience.

I miss the states so much of course and I do want to go back but it's so much more complicated than just picking up and moving. Jobs, money, the economy, a place to live, bank accounts, a car, Joan's paperwork for him to live there and be able to work-many things. We have to decide where we would want to move as well!

Anyway, it is only 9:30 a.m. here, still raining hard, but all the same I should start packing and be ready for when Joan arrives!

I hope you have a lovely day wherever you live

Ciao