I am oh so tired. It is almost three a.m. and I am still not done some stuff for tomorrow's session. I barely have a voice and no alarm to wake me up. I'm physically drained, my brain is sore from trying to understand Spanish, and every day except today has been uncomfortably hot. I don't have any time to get any of my non-conference work done, either personal or professional, and I'm rapidly falling behind.
I'm in way over my head.
I'm having the time of my life, and wouldn't change it for the world.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Metro
I've decided that I need to try and get out of the office by 8 p.m. each day. After a few nights of staying until 9 or 10, I already know that if I continue on this route I'm going to make a habit of staying late and that is not good. I've been getting to the office between 10 and 11 in the morning, so working 9 to 10 hour days is not what i want to do, especially because I don't really take a lunch break and tend to just eat throughout the day while I am working. Now, I'll be the first to admit I'm not always working, as I do get distracted or need a breather, so don't get the impression that I'm slaving away here under a harsh taskmaster... I'm not. Sebas is a very nice boss.
Taking the metro home there were two interesting incidents. First, there was a "Incan-style" musician inside the car on the train playing the pan pipes along with a recording, and then going around asking for money when he finished. I'd seen it before, but I had forgotten how strange it was. From what I can tell, you don't need permits to play/busk in the metro, either in the stations or on the trains themselves. Also, no one really plays anything, they just do karaoke (seriously) or play an instrument accompanied by a recording. Then there are the bootleg sellers of fans, sunglasses, bracelets, and dvds in the station displaying their wares on the ground. So strange.
Secondly, there was a cute guy on the train, but I had no idea of how to approach him, if at all. I even considered getting off at the same stop as him (which I could have done at Callao if I had wanted to transfer to the yellow line) just to see if we were going in the same direction, but in the end I stayed on the green line because I didn't want to have to wait for another train. But I don't know what I would have said anyway. It's kind of intimidating with the language barrier, afraid of making a fool of myself because I don't fully understand what someone is saying. Mind you, that was probably the least of my problems, considering that I was wearing the fuzzy devil horns on my head at the time (I had put them on for Ana's arrival and just kept wearing them most of the day... I received many strange and amused looks from people). Sometimes my life is a spectacle. :D
Taking the metro home there were two interesting incidents. First, there was a "Incan-style" musician inside the car on the train playing the pan pipes along with a recording, and then going around asking for money when he finished. I'd seen it before, but I had forgotten how strange it was. From what I can tell, you don't need permits to play/busk in the metro, either in the stations or on the trains themselves. Also, no one really plays anything, they just do karaoke (seriously) or play an instrument accompanied by a recording. Then there are the bootleg sellers of fans, sunglasses, bracelets, and dvds in the station displaying their wares on the ground. So strange.
Secondly, there was a cute guy on the train, but I had no idea of how to approach him, if at all. I even considered getting off at the same stop as him (which I could have done at Callao if I had wanted to transfer to the yellow line) just to see if we were going in the same direction, but in the end I stayed on the green line because I didn't want to have to wait for another train. But I don't know what I would have said anyway. It's kind of intimidating with the language barrier, afraid of making a fool of myself because I don't fully understand what someone is saying. Mind you, that was probably the least of my problems, considering that I was wearing the fuzzy devil horns on my head at the time (I had put them on for Ana's arrival and just kept wearing them most of the day... I received many strange and amused looks from people). Sometimes my life is a spectacle. :D
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Quirks and Quarks and Queers
I am slowly adjusting to life in Spain. Things start later, go longer, and end much later over here. Going to bed at 1 am is early, and arriving at the office at noon is a little bit late.
Settling into a routine is going to take a few weeks, I think, getting used to the quirks of the other team members and the annoying behaviours of our neighbours. For example, some tool had their tv or radio blasting really loudly this morning at 6:15. At first I thought it was someone in the front room of the apartment, that's how loud it was, but then I realized it was coming from outside so I closed my window and it was better. It ruined my sleep though and so I'm still really tired despite going to bed early at 12:30 last night.
I've got a lot of work to do, but I think the biggest task I have is trying to prioritize all of my items. The main thing though will to be combatting procrastination. Must stay focused! I've unpacked everything from my luggage and have rearranged the room a bit. I just have to get the things from downstairs that I left behind in May and talk to my roommate once she returns tonight about how we will keep our room, and I should be all set!
I'm almost done setting up my music on my laptop so I can listen while I work and not get distracted by others... instead I'll get distracted by singing or mouthing along, which I've already done, much to the amusement of my team. But I'm not the only one who does it so its all good. You are my inspiration Carlos!
I think I might visit Cheuca, the gay quarter, this weekend, and see what's around. There's also an LGBT association I might get involved with, as they have specific groups and meetings for different age groups (including 26-35 {*tear* my days of youth are over, lol} and immigrants/foreigners). On a tangent, I was looking for other positive words for gay in Spanish, because I really don't like the word homosexual because it sounds too technical and scientific, like some sort of classification system to divide and conquer. I stumbled upon the word apio, which actually means celery, when I was trying to translate queer. I really like it, regardless if its actually commonly used or not. And the fact that it's a type of vegetable instead of a stereotypical fruit cracks me up. So I've adopted it as my label for my blog for all the queer in my life. :p
Settling into a routine is going to take a few weeks, I think, getting used to the quirks of the other team members and the annoying behaviours of our neighbours. For example, some tool had their tv or radio blasting really loudly this morning at 6:15. At first I thought it was someone in the front room of the apartment, that's how loud it was, but then I realized it was coming from outside so I closed my window and it was better. It ruined my sleep though and so I'm still really tired despite going to bed early at 12:30 last night.
I've got a lot of work to do, but I think the biggest task I have is trying to prioritize all of my items. The main thing though will to be combatting procrastination. Must stay focused! I've unpacked everything from my luggage and have rearranged the room a bit. I just have to get the things from downstairs that I left behind in May and talk to my roommate once she returns tonight about how we will keep our room, and I should be all set!
I'm almost done setting up my music on my laptop so I can listen while I work and not get distracted by others... instead I'll get distracted by singing or mouthing along, which I've already done, much to the amusement of my team. But I'm not the only one who does it so its all good. You are my inspiration Carlos!
I think I might visit Cheuca, the gay quarter, this weekend, and see what's around. There's also an LGBT association I might get involved with, as they have specific groups and meetings for different age groups (including 26-35 {*tear* my days of youth are over, lol} and immigrants/foreigners). On a tangent, I was looking for other positive words for gay in Spanish, because I really don't like the word homosexual because it sounds too technical and scientific, like some sort of classification system to divide and conquer. I stumbled upon the word apio, which actually means celery, when I was trying to translate queer. I really like it, regardless if its actually commonly used or not. And the fact that it's a type of vegetable instead of a stereotypical fruit cracks me up. So I've adopted it as my label for my blog for all the queer in my life. :p
Monday, July 12, 2010
Houston, we have contact.
So I arrived today without much trouble. Passing through customs was a joke. I waited about 5 minutes in line, if that, they barely glanced at my passport before they stamped it, and they didn't ask for my declaration sheet. It made me feel like I went through all that trouble for my visa for nothing. I guess it will be worth it once I get my NIE (National Identity Card) tomorrow.
My arrival coincided, as I'm sure most of you know, with the return of the victorious Spanish football (soccer) team from the World Cup 2010. The only reason I am not outside enjoy the parade (aside from the fact that I didn't sleep last night and so I am dead tired), is that I have no idea where it is or how to get there, and I don't relish getting horribly lost tonight. Maybe another time, preferably if I am slightly intoxicated. ;)
After I arrived, I went straight to the apartment, where Siham was graciously waiting for me to arrive and let me in. I showered, José-presi came by, and we had some lunch around 2:30. Siham and I eventually arrived at work at 4 pm. Only Lupo and Carlos were there, as Sebas is returning from AI Transition Party in Rotterdam tonight, Camby is returning from a conference in Zaragoza tomorrow, Malisa is in France and is returning Wednesday, and Ana is still in Mexico and is potentially arriving this Saturday (according to the ever-busy rumour mill). I left work a tad early (read: I left at 8 pm) so I could go to the grocery store (mercado) to pick up some food for tomorrow. It was so cheap! If I had the gumption I'd do a haul video (VVFS & infoMania what!) but I won't.
muesli cereal: €1.75
pasta: €0.69
vegetable mix: €1.15
tomato sauce: €0.43
dried chickpeas: €1.25
yogurt: €0.70
loaf of bread: €0.99
2kg nectarines: €2.01
1 paraguaya (flat peach): €0.30
1kg granny smith apples: €1.89
0.5kg carrots: €0.49
Total: €11.85, which at current rates is about $15 CAD. So cheap! I could barely believe it! Maybe living off of this measly salary isn't going to be so bad after all. Mind you, finding the food I want might be another challenge.
Lastly, my new favourite Spanglish word: expectatives. From the Spanish expectativa meaning expectation. We did expectative-setting during one of our days of planning and it took me a bit to figure it out. But I like it! I'm sure I'll encounter more wonderful word creations as the year goes on.
So, I am now going to head out to a "welcome" party of sorts for me... which Lupo casually said I can come to if I want to, lol. I´m at the apartment with Siham's cousin, so she might come with me. It's at... Monteditos or something. Maybe I'll get lost tonight after all.
-Pan
P.S. Who did I see at the airport? Cassie and her family, on their way for their vacation in Italy. So random, yet so awesome!
My arrival coincided, as I'm sure most of you know, with the return of the victorious Spanish football (soccer) team from the World Cup 2010. The only reason I am not outside enjoy the parade (aside from the fact that I didn't sleep last night and so I am dead tired), is that I have no idea where it is or how to get there, and I don't relish getting horribly lost tonight. Maybe another time, preferably if I am slightly intoxicated. ;)
After I arrived, I went straight to the apartment, where Siham was graciously waiting for me to arrive and let me in. I showered, José-presi came by, and we had some lunch around 2:30. Siham and I eventually arrived at work at 4 pm. Only Lupo and Carlos were there, as Sebas is returning from AI Transition Party in Rotterdam tonight, Camby is returning from a conference in Zaragoza tomorrow, Malisa is in France and is returning Wednesday, and Ana is still in Mexico and is potentially arriving this Saturday (according to the ever-busy rumour mill). I left work a tad early (read: I left at 8 pm) so I could go to the grocery store (mercado) to pick up some food for tomorrow. It was so cheap! If I had the gumption I'd do a haul video (VVFS & infoMania what!) but I won't.
muesli cereal: €1.75
pasta: €0.69
vegetable mix: €1.15
tomato sauce: €0.43
dried chickpeas: €1.25
yogurt: €0.70
loaf of bread: €0.99
2kg nectarines: €2.01
1 paraguaya (flat peach): €0.30
1kg granny smith apples: €1.89
0.5kg carrots: €0.49
Total: €11.85, which at current rates is about $15 CAD. So cheap! I could barely believe it! Maybe living off of this measly salary isn't going to be so bad after all. Mind you, finding the food I want might be another challenge.
Lastly, my new favourite Spanglish word: expectatives. From the Spanish expectativa meaning expectation. We did expectative-setting during one of our days of planning and it took me a bit to figure it out. But I like it! I'm sure I'll encounter more wonderful word creations as the year goes on.
So, I am now going to head out to a "welcome" party of sorts for me... which Lupo casually said I can come to if I want to, lol. I´m at the apartment with Siham's cousin, so she might come with me. It's at... Monteditos or something. Maybe I'll get lost tonight after all.
-Pan
P.S. Who did I see at the airport? Cassie and her family, on their way for their vacation in Italy. So random, yet so awesome!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Final Preparations
I went back to Guelph for the last time Thursday to grab a few things I had forgotten and tie up some loose ends. Don't know when I'll get back to that city... so strange.
Picked up my visa yesterday; it feels so good to have my passport again. It's like I've been set free and I can go wherever I please. I stayed at my mom's last night and I'm going to see my grandmother today, then its back to my dad's place for one last day. I'll unpack and repack probably two or three times before I'm satisfied with what I am taking.
I booked a flight for Sunday night. One way, ridiculously cheap. How cheap, you ask? $220 after taxes! I don't know how I lucked out on this one, but I couldn't turn it down. So, it sucks that I'll miss AI transition AND the World Cup Final Match, but for the amount of money I am saving I cannot complain. Besides, if Spain wins, I'm sure they will be celebrating for a week after I'm there.
I fly out with Air Transat at 10:05 p.m. direct to Madrid, where I arrive at 11:20 in the morning. I think I'll try and head to the house first, because I don't really want to have to to lug my luggage all around town to the office and then home. I might still do that though, so that I can actually get some work done on Monday before settling in.
So, it's finally happening. I'm leaving, and its scary and exciting all at the same time. But I know I'm ready for it, and its going to be one hell of an adventure.
Picked up my visa yesterday; it feels so good to have my passport again. It's like I've been set free and I can go wherever I please. I stayed at my mom's last night and I'm going to see my grandmother today, then its back to my dad's place for one last day. I'll unpack and repack probably two or three times before I'm satisfied with what I am taking.
I booked a flight for Sunday night. One way, ridiculously cheap. How cheap, you ask? $220 after taxes! I don't know how I lucked out on this one, but I couldn't turn it down. So, it sucks that I'll miss AI transition AND the World Cup Final Match, but for the amount of money I am saving I cannot complain. Besides, if Spain wins, I'm sure they will be celebrating for a week after I'm there.
I fly out with Air Transat at 10:05 p.m. direct to Madrid, where I arrive at 11:20 in the morning. I think I'll try and head to the house first, because I don't really want to have to to lug my luggage all around town to the office and then home. I might still do that though, so that I can actually get some work done on Monday before settling in.
So, it's finally happening. I'm leaving, and its scary and exciting all at the same time. But I know I'm ready for it, and its going to be one hell of an adventure.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Vois ça - mon visa!
My visa has been approved! I received a confirmation email today from the consulate, so I'll be heading there to pick it up this week, and hopefully I can be in Spain by next Monday. I'm going to try and book my flight today. I'd like to fly out on Thursday so I can settle in over the weekend, but it might be cheaper for me to take a Sunday night flight.
So if I'm slow responding to you, its because I'm busy packing, travelling, and generally freaking out (but the good kind).
-Pan eufórico
So if I'm slow responding to you, its because I'm busy packing, travelling, and generally freaking out (but the good kind).
-Pan eufórico
I know all there is to know about the waiting game...
So I haven't updated in almost a month. Why? Because I'm having crazy fun times in Madrid!
Not.
I'm still in Canada. I never thought I'd say this, but it's boring. Mostly. Well, being in Canada in and of itself is not boring... but when you know all the amazing new things you could be doing... it kind of pales in comparison. The only nice part is that it gives me some time to see folks some more before I go. Case in point: the epicness that was my last (for real this time) night in Guelph. I've met some great people the past month or two, and its a shame that I'm leaving them so soon, but at least I had the chance to meet them at all.
In other news, I'm now staying with my father in Oakville until my visa comes through. It's closer to Toronto, and all around just more convenient for me once the time comes for me to fly to Spain. I'll have to go back to Guelph once to pick up a few things I left and help tidy up the place a bit more, but this is the real deal. I'm out of Guelph for good this time, I think, after almost a decade studying, working, and living in the city. As Samantha aptly said, its the end of an era. In future years, people will refer to these years as the "Brett Age" due to my lasting impression I left on the minds of all citizens of our fair and noble city. Or not.
Regardless of me not being in Spain yet, I've already started the job. Matching TNs, answering frantic emails from worried VPs, sifting through spam, and setting up meetings; all in a day's work. I'm just glad that our Planning Days have ended, and I can get up at a normal hour. Those 4 am days were brutal on my system, even when I got to "sleep in" until 6 am. :) But its worth it, all in all. I know (well, I don't know... I just really really hope) that I will be there soon, and things will be all right again.
In an update on the visa situation, I called and emailed the consulate last week, and still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow and hopefully I will have an answer. But unless a Christmas miracle comes early tomorrow and I get my visa and can find a cheap flight before the week is out, I'm not going to be able to make it to AI Transition Party. Which sucks, as I was really hoping to be able to see some of my EuroCo friends again. At least it will give me another excuse to travel across the continent while I am there!
Spain won this weekend, so good for that at least. It figures that they might win the whole bloody thing before I get into the country.
Now to figure out how to link this to facebook so y'all don't complain I don't write again. :p
10 points for the first person to get the title reference.
-Pan
Not.
I'm still in Canada. I never thought I'd say this, but it's boring. Mostly. Well, being in Canada in and of itself is not boring... but when you know all the amazing new things you could be doing... it kind of pales in comparison. The only nice part is that it gives me some time to see folks some more before I go. Case in point: the epicness that was my last (for real this time) night in Guelph. I've met some great people the past month or two, and its a shame that I'm leaving them so soon, but at least I had the chance to meet them at all.
In other news, I'm now staying with my father in Oakville until my visa comes through. It's closer to Toronto, and all around just more convenient for me once the time comes for me to fly to Spain. I'll have to go back to Guelph once to pick up a few things I left and help tidy up the place a bit more, but this is the real deal. I'm out of Guelph for good this time, I think, after almost a decade studying, working, and living in the city. As Samantha aptly said, its the end of an era. In future years, people will refer to these years as the "Brett Age" due to my lasting impression I left on the minds of all citizens of our fair and noble city. Or not.
Regardless of me not being in Spain yet, I've already started the job. Matching TNs, answering frantic emails from worried VPs, sifting through spam, and setting up meetings; all in a day's work. I'm just glad that our Planning Days have ended, and I can get up at a normal hour. Those 4 am days were brutal on my system, even when I got to "sleep in" until 6 am. :) But its worth it, all in all. I know (well, I don't know... I just really really hope) that I will be there soon, and things will be all right again.
In an update on the visa situation, I called and emailed the consulate last week, and still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow and hopefully I will have an answer. But unless a Christmas miracle comes early tomorrow and I get my visa and can find a cheap flight before the week is out, I'm not going to be able to make it to AI Transition Party. Which sucks, as I was really hoping to be able to see some of my EuroCo friends again. At least it will give me another excuse to travel across the continent while I am there!
Spain won this weekend, so good for that at least. It figures that they might win the whole bloody thing before I get into the country.
Now to figure out how to link this to facebook so y'all don't complain I don't write again. :p
10 points for the first person to get the title reference.
-Pan
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