Milestones

Today is interesting for many reasons.  One I´ve been in Spain for about 17 days and if I were really on vacation it would be around this time that I would have boarded a plane to return home.  So this is the end of my tourist mode.  As of today I move into resident mode.  And how appropriate that TODAY I move into my new flat!  It was not supposed to move until tomorrow, but Sarita called and said that I could move in tonight!  Awesome!  So I have been here over two weeks and some say that many things have happened pretty easily for me; such as finding an apartment so quickly and according to Anna easily.  I agree that this process has gone much smoother than I thought and I can say that I am deeply appreciative.  I was really nervous about wiring such a large sum of money to a virtual stranger in a foreign country but I am sure Sarita feels the same about renting her appartment.  The process was basically I met with her mother, Donnatella (beautiful Italiana) on Monday evening and fell in love with the flat.  It is large (relatively speaking) and reasonable for the neighborhood.  I will be living in Barrio Gotic which is in the city center near almost everything.  I guess a good place to start for someone still learning the city and barri´s.  Anna lives in Mont Juic and she thought I should look there.  We did see a great flat owned by her boss but it wasnt furnished.  Since I dont want to commit to buying furniture here it did not work. Mont Juic is less touristic so it is a good place to keep in mind once at the end of my lease if I decide to move.  I am happy to be out of my small studio.  I find that I stay in more there...odd but it makes me want to hybernate.  There are probably other factors.  I think also because I have been living out of a suitcase for the last six month; knowing that the studio is temporary has maintained the feeling of not being settled within me.  I cant wait to upack my suitcase...starting TONIGHT!  Tomorrow is a big day.  I begin my Spanish language classess. Four hours a day of speaking Spanish!  Very exciting!  Speaking of exciting...it has been a very exciting week.  I am still processing some of what has happened so right now I¨m not writing about it.  It¨s nothing horrible, just unexpected encounters:-)  Sounds cryptic!  LOL. 
So let me recap my milestones:
1.  Secured a permanent flat
2.  Surpassed the number of days that I´ve ever stayed in Europe
3.  Managing to comprehend more and more Spanish that is spoken around
4.  Have stopped mumbling in Spanish when I speak with people
5.  Enrolled myself in Spanish language classes
6.  Have spent time with two women that I can see a deep friendship developing
7.  Some of the fear that had gripped me each morning has lessened

Regarding the last point.  I acknowledged to Maru that each day I woke up gripped with fear of failure and uncertainty.  Those feeling were in mortal combat with hopefulness and excitement.  On some days fear and uncertainty won out and I did not leave my flat.  On others I was able to venture out and navigate the city with some success.  On Tueseday night I met Maru for a movie.  I travelled by train to a new neighborhood and arrived at the meeting spot a little early.  It gave me time to people watch.  I watched people waiting and meeting eachother at the metro stop.  I was struck at the joy the expressed at seeing eachother.  Real joy!  I didnt know if they had just seen eachother at work or had just had lunch with each other earlier that day...but at the moment they saw eachother I could have sworn that they greeted eachtohter with the joy one experiences from not having seen a friend in a long period of time.  I sat there smiling as lovers, friends, husbands and wives embraced.  At that moment I realized one of the reasons I came to Barcelona...the people here have a boundless joy about life.  They share it, arent stingy with the love and affection.  Just then Maru walks from the metro and comes over to me...two kisses to the checks...HOLA Guapa! she says...I am happy because I am apart of this joy!

Spy game

Drama... Is what happens when an American losses a passport in a foreign country...DRAMA!!!! So here I am again at the American Embassy trying to replace my passport. I know the ropes by now but somehow I am still very unsettled.  I think it is because I can´t believe I´m having to do this AGAIN.  Deep breathing helps some.  I think the best way to deal is one must keep a good sense of humor and patience about yourself. Look at it as a civics lesson or a lesson in international relations...lol. But keep faith that all things will work itself out. Crazy experience getting my passport...been down this road before but the protocal for entering the American embassy has changed in Barcelona since I was here last. Instead of just entering through the front and going through the checkpoint you know have walk around to the side door that is kind of hidden, knock three times and wait. A guard opens the door gives the once over and motions you to wait and close the door...am I bewildered...yes. He come back and motions you in after a few minutes. It felt like some bad spy movie scene, all cloak and dagger espinoge bullshit. I kept waiting for him to ask me for my code name... I think I would have responded Jason Bourne...lol!  Giggling helps too and acknowledging the absurdity of this whole situation!!!  I feel better...Im in BARCELONA!!!

Starting to socialize

I had the great pleasure of meeting Anna on Wednesday night and I can say my visit with her came a a very good time.  I was starting to feel a little isolated; not being able to understand or be understood.  I find that I mumble when forced to speak in the stores and avoid eye contact.  I really feel like a chicken but I am frozen everytime someone says something to me!  So visiting with Anna was great timing.  She asked me to meet her in Poble Sec to view a flat that her boss owns so this was an opportunity for a little bit of an adventure that I could succeed with.  This would be my first visit to Anna´s so the challenge for me was good I get there.  Small assignment but at this stage I need a victory!  So Anna gave me the direction and in less than 20 minutes I met her at the station exactly where she said to meet her!  Awesome!

So what is the the plan?

Ok today finally feels like how I felt my first day in barcelona would feel. I´ve finally gotten possesion of my dog and went are on our first walk!!!! I left my flat with a sense of peace, rightness and wonder. Where would the day take me and what was on my agenda. I figured the most important thing was to give Harper a good walk after being caught in customs for three days. Later we'd stop eat breakfast and walk so more. I wanted hIm good and tired when we arrived back at the flat. As I started walking away from our flat I started notice reAlly for the first time alo of the intersting shops along the way. Stops for fresh fruit, groceries, laundry mat and clothing stores. The Born district is an eccletic mix of artsey boheimian old Spanish influence. I feel really transformed here, a sense of freedom that I haven't felt in years. My step is a little lighter and quicker, although not as quick as the spaniards! I'm 5'7 with a pretty long stride but man these little old ladies effortlessly leave me in the dust. I wonder where on the hell are they going in such a rush but I quickly realize they aren't rushing; this pace is just the energy of the city. It's frantic and highly charged like a live wire while managing to hang onto the mañana, mañana mantra.

Another thing I notice as I walk is how fit most everyone is! It easy to understand because the city walks toor bike rides almost everywhere! So as Im walking I planning my path to thinness:-) I have 5 weeks before school starts and nothing but time to walk, run and watch my diet; which as already improved since being here. I examine that a litte closer because I'm an acknowledged emotional eater and possibly the sense of peace I'm feeling is helping in that area. I don't feel the raveanous hunger I'd surely have felt by this time in the morning if I'd been back in the states. My appetite has curved and food choices here are more natural. So I'm walking and imaging my great debut as thinner, happier Charlotte in about 4 weeks! I plan on attending my meetup eventwhile I´m getting fit, but in 4-5 weeks I'd would be well on the path to Barcelona fitness and ready and open for some hot Spaniard to sweep me off my feet! Yep...sounds like a sound plan to me! I'm smiling and walking and walking...aha! the ZOO! Doesnt look terribly large, maybe I´ll do the zoo one day soon.  Walking,walking through the Garden Park, same place as the concert I attended in August with Lluis, down toward the beach and Olympic village. Pace is good, Harpers sniffing and pissing his way to happiness,the weather is fabulous and life is good! Awwww... The beach... How beautiful! I love the water! There are lots of runners and so far Harpers doing pretty good. He hasn't attacked anyone and people have walked very close to us and we have encountered many bicyclist. I am hoping to get him used to the energy and closeness of the city so he doesnt become nervous and want to snap at people. I´ve got his treats and MUZZLE in case things get a little sticky.  We walk along the pathway along the marina for about 20 minutes. Harper keeps jumping up on the wall to get a look at the water! He is so excited! We walk a little further and I find a little stretch of deserted beach so I figure this is a good a place as any to test out Harper reaction to the sea. We go down on the beach and he doesnt know quite know what to make of the tide! He wants a drink of water but he has never before had water chase him! Hahaha! It's funny! He finally loses his desire for a drink and decides that the water is his new toy! His goal is not to have the water get him wet! He loses good naturedly many times. Awww... Good boy!   Next he discovers the sand and starts digging like crazy! I'm laughing at his antics when suddenly a man appears from the left. I don't hear him because I have my headphones on and fucking Harper doesn´t do his normal attach thing when someone gets to close to me.  Instead he runs up to the stranger for some petting! Before I can reel Harper in, anticipating his usual violent reaction to men I am further surprised by Harpers tailwagging, rolling over for his belly to be scratched move.  Needless to say my jaw is hanging from it´s hinges, THIS can´t be my DOG. I'm surprised as hell that Harper is all hugs and kisses and I finally get a good look at the guy. OK Harper isn´t gay but I admit he´s got good taste.  The guy is really cute, all Spanish with dark hair and eyes about 5'10 and all smiles! Hola Quapa he says... Awww shit! I wasn't planning on encountering anyone today and I'm not even thinking of pulling out my limited Spanish. I still feel stretched thin from having to deal with the last three days of getting Harper through customs. Hola que tal! I say back praying that this will be the end of the friendly gesture.  But of course not....wouldn't you know it he responds in what sounds like rapid fire Spanish to me. Ok deer in headlights!  I´m trying to make sense of what he just said and how to respond...honestly if he had not have been so cute I would have hidden behind"no habla espanol". He squats down beside me and is so engaging. I quickly tell him my Spanish is vey limited and he laughs and says the same about his English. For the next 30 minutes Juan sits with me watching Harper scamper and dig. The two of use stubble through the language gap enough to learn a few facts about eachother. What is clear is that he is flirting and trying to pick me up...lol. This isn't intended to be some cheesey romance novel but this IS what is happening! As in the case he has exhausted his English and my Spanish stalls. So my first spanish flirtation comes to end. I'm not sure if wenhave agreed to meet again or what but he says he has to go and leans in for what I assume is the European dos besos. But nope he full on kisses me in the lips!!!! He says quiero besos quapa and kisses me again..full on with a little tongue. Okay I'm shocked, flattered and wondering if I'm not some monumental slut for participating in this kiss...with a stranger...on the beach in Barcelona! And what style this guy has... one arm wrapped around my neck/shoulders and the other hand caressing my check...okay slut or no... I'm liking this! He looks at me smiles rubs his nose against mine and shakes his head, I'm wondering if he thinking the same thing i'm thinking?  Anyway Juan leaves with what I feel is with some regret. He keeps looking back and we waive at eachother until he is out of sight.  Ok...so much for my plan of attention from a hot Spainard for another 4 or 5 weeks. So I´m sitting there with this silly grin on my face thinking ¨wow¨... what was THAT?!  I sit for while longer letting Harper tire himself out. I look up and Juan is returning.  Holy crap! He comes back down to the beach and wants to know if  he can drive me home. Okay I still think he is cute and I´ve heard that Europeans move faster BUT in America we don´t do this unless we want to run the risk of gettinig chopped up into a million little pieces.  So I stopped the cutie and thanked him and sent him on his way.  I watched him walk off and get into his car...a Volvo SUV...okay maybe he wasn´t an ax murderer. 

So I am sad to see Juan go but still on cloud nine for his unexpected attention.  I walk back along the boardwalk and see another stretch of beach to take a rest.  I sit down, kind of preoccupied with getting Harper situated.  I look up in time to see a NAKED man walk past me.  Yes NAKED as the day he was born.  Somehow I´m now on the NUDE beach.  To my left is an older man stripping down to nothing and diving into the sea...did I mention it is still pretty cool out...no more than 60 degrees so I´m sure the water isn´t too much warmer than that.  I look behind me and there is another group of nudies...in the distance so I cant really make out anything accept that they are naked. LOL!  I love Barcelona!!!  To my right there is a group of guys setting up for a volleyball game. I wonder...NUDE volleyball?!  HAHAHA!  Im 12 years old again because I entertain myself with the thought of ALL those BALLS flying!  Well...Ím getting hungry and Harper and I have been out for 3.5 hours time to head home.  All in all AWESOME day and it´s only lunch time!

I have arrived

Estoy aqui!  I  have been in Barcelona for a day and half now and it still hasn´t quite sunk in yet.  Possibly the stressful last day in Houston is making me numb to the fabulousness that is Barcelona.  Note to self...weigh...weigh...and more weigh.  I say this because the repacking at the airport an hour before an international flight is not the best way to begin things.  First let me me bitch about British Air and then do my own mia culpa.  British Air straight sucks!  Okay they reel you in with a really tantilizing ticket price and then begin the nickle and diming you to death.  They actually make you pay for a seat...last time I checked one can´t fly without a seat!  In fairness (very little) the conditions were that you can preselect your seat or wait until the day of and run the risk of getting stuck in between a fat business man that snores and a mom flying with an newborn on an international flight.  I´m not soooo annoyed by the 30 dollars for the seat selection but it was worth it.  The thing that really chaps my hide about British Airways is that on international flight they only allow ONE check in bag!   Seriously!  So I got hosed on the luggage side of things by BA.  My friend said I would love flying BA because of the great seats and food.  I wasn´t loving the food; had beef and mash and the seat was slightly better than Air France and KLM, but I can´t say I ¨loved¨the experience.  What I did like was the cute little British accents of the cabin crew.  I did not think I was partial to British accents because I figured I get enough of hearing people speak English with funny accents, but there was something decidely sexy about the accents...or maybe I was drunk.  Man I love the free alcohol on the international flights!!!  Ok enough about the US and complaints...on to first impressions about Barcelona flying solo. 
Hmmm....this city just has a vibe of personal expression.  While I was waiting for my temporary landlord I got to people watch and I was struck by the diversity of the populice of Barcelona.  For the few minutes that I had to wait I was moved by the thought that a person can see what

Leap of Faith

Just finished my last days as sn employee at my place of employment. Strangely I'm a little emtionless. I thought I would have had more feelings about leaving my job of nearly three years but I really don't. The past three years have been a kind of love/hate affair with my job. The job definately came at a time when I needed it most, it was a no stress, laid back, flexible situation that paid decent money. My boss spent 75% of the year out of the country and I was the only employee in the office. Nice set up right? One would think. There are times during my tenure that I thought for sure I would slit my wrist with a dull butter knife. Other times I was able to fully grasp the bon I'd received by landing this job. My employment situation allowed me to study and complete my degree, placed on intellectual demands upon me but nor did it actually provide any professional growth. The solitude of the position was a times my best friend and at other times my worst enemy. Not having co-workers to interact with, gossip with, share the work load, bitch about the boss on a daily basis was a little depressing. On the flipside I had no interoffice infighting, no jockeying for position with the boss and no co-worker undermining my work. I can say that I did not miss those experiences. One thing really positive that all of the solitude afforded me was the time to dream. My dream of moving to abroad had taken root years ago but the fragile tenticles sprouting from those dreams grasping for reality started taking shape in the four walls of Real Technology. My first opportunity to take a trip to Europe came when John and Ken starting talking about a trip they were going to take in 2007. I'd only been working at my job for about 3 months and had no vacation but I knew I wanted to go. I asked, or rather invited myself along on their trip to what was then Germany, Austria and Prague. As the planning flew into high gear Paris and Rome where added; afterall one can't take one's first trip to Europe and NOT see Paris (well at least according to John...one of the many reasons I love him!) We added Rome because as a little girl I always invisioned myself ah-la-Audrey Hepburn moterscootering around Rome like in the movie "Roman Holiday"; so those guys were game enough to let me live out my girlhood dream so Rome was added!

I can honestly say that trip changed my life on so many levels. First thing that I was confronted was my fear. I believe one of the reasons dreams remain dreams and turn into a life unfulfilled is fear. The trip with John and Ken tackeled so many of my fears surrounding my dream of moving abroad. The circumstances surrounding this trip were not condusive for me going. I had just started a new job, had no vacation time and really could not afford a 17 day European vacation that included 5 countries. I did not realize it but this trip was really a crossroad for me. On the surface to some it might appear to be a frivolous indulgence considering my situation or something more meaningful and life altering. We started planning this trip in October 2007. In order to make it work financially I decided to take a part-time job. The demands of my regular job were pretty light, I felt I could easily do another 5-6 hours to make the extra money for my trip. Sooo...I landed a job in a call center doing radio surveys. It was a truly annoying job where we called people asking if they would participate in a survey regarding the radio stations they listen to and for their inconvienence...we send the $2-$5. What I missed out in co-worker interaction at my regular job I got in SPADES at my part-time job. I worked there for 5 months and observed all of the intrique of interoffice romances, coworking backstabbing; petty gossip...man it was AWESOME! There were so many colorful characters there I could probably write a book about my experience. Another good thing that came out of hte experience was that during that time I really came to love and appreciate the solitude of my regualar job.(lol)

April 2008 arrived and many leaps of faith later it was time for us to depart for Europe. I say leaps of faith because I received many blessings along the way and the ability to believe that I was going to make the trip when many things pointed to it not being a reality.  First just getting the days off was an accomplishment.  Once the vacation was approved by boss...well I did not actually give them a choice...I positioned in a way that they did not have to think about yes or no...just an ok.  The three of us were truly stepping out on faith that we would survive 17 days together:-). As I mentioned; this trip changed my life. John and Ken were the perfect people to take this adventure with. They provided me with a sense of protection that travel with two men who had been to Europe before affords. Ken is super-organized and was the keeper of all information. John is all things factual and he knew so many interesting details about each city we visited. My job was simple...soak it all up:-) So what did I learn on my first trip that changed my life? Well, I learned what it is to be my ideal of an American. Some good, some bad but all of it was eye opening.  Many myths were shattered and many unpleasant impressions about Americans were realized.  I'd like to think that I have never been what people from other countries experienced in some Americans. The ones that go to other countries and are upset that no one speaks english are in search of McDonalds. Isn't the purpose of world travel to soak in other cultures and expereince different ways of life? Prior to Europe I'd only traveled to the Carribean to the Dominican Republic. I stayed on a 5-star resort but the most fun I had while there was spent off the resort. We were invited by one of the guys that worked on the resort to a beach cookout. The guys actually caught the fish right out of the Carribean Ocean, gutted and prepared it and cooked it over an open fire on the beach! I wasn't sure if I could handle my food THAT fresh! I mean, shit...the eyes where still on staring up at me and where were the perservatives and artificial coloring!?! Once I overcame my Amercian sensibilites I can honestly say that that was one of the best meals of my life! What an experience! The simplicity and honesty of that meal has always stayed with me. I would never have had the experience if I would have stayed on the reservation. So I looked at my trip to Europe the same way. So in France, I attempted, failed and mutilated French with a couple of successes. In Rome, my attempts at the language probably sounded more like Spanish than Italian:-) Sad to say that I did not try any German in Germany and Prague was completely out of the question. John and I could even figure out how to say "hello" or anything else in that language. We said we do better the next time.  I think one of the most important things I got on that trip was the sense of I could make this happen!  Not just dream about it but put things in motion to move toward my goal.  When I got back home literally my engines started reering!  I started thinking "how am I going to make this happen?  The question of not doing this was no longer apart of the equation.  When I got back home all I knew was that I was going back to Europe again, soon and eventually to stay.  After my return each day in my office of one I planned, researched and created scenarios of what, how, why and when my move would take place.  It became my obsession.  My job became a blessing in that sense that I had time to dream and see myself actually living outside the U.S.  I had time to surf the net for facts, fiction and urban myths about an American trying to make the leap and move to Spain.  Some of the information was and is scary; such as Spain's unemployment rate, the dollars decline agains the euro....both good reasons to maybe second guess a move to Europe the same thing is happening in the U.S. so what the heck.  Leap of faith can't happen without the leaping part. 

Starts and Finishes

Man...two weeks before I leave! What a crazy milestone. Times like these really make me think about so many things, all the starting and finishing that are going on in my life right now. Routines I'm leaving, adventures that are waiting for me, people I'm leaving and the poeple that I will be meeting and the comforts of home that I am trading in for unknown challenges and adjustments of a foreign country. This move creates a crazy dichotomy of emotions and honestly it is making me crazy with anxiety and unfortunately mangnifying my hypochondria...LOL Most people who know me know that I am a borderline hypochondriac. I actually like to think my hypochondria is just one of those entertaining and interesting little facoids that makes Charlotte...well Charlotte. Secretly at times I can secretly acknowledge that this phobia is just plain crazy! But most of the time I just can't help myself! I truly CAN NOT listen to anyone describing an illnesses OR INJURY without mentally doing a quick internal check on myself for the symptoms. Seriously! IT IS insane! No matter if it is an illness or injury my mind briefly dwells in the "awwww...poor you" moment but quickly goes into full launch of "crap, I might have that!" In my crazy I have had full-on instant Lupus, Scoliosis, immediate need for a hip replacement and appendicitis...just to name a few. And my crazy doesn't just apply to me...I also give my friends illness to. My friend Hank was telling a group of us how he had recently had completed a series of rountine and annual cancer screens and that the results were all fine. Something took a wrong turn in my mind and in my version as I retold the story to a another group of friends, Hank had "survived" cancer!!! Luckily Angie and Tina were there when Hank told the story, totally called me out on it and had me correct my error!

However, that scenario just reminded me of how I don't do well with illness. I guess if I examine this emotion carefully it probably stems back to the fact that both of my parents were younger than I am now when they past away. My Mother from cancer and my Father from heart disease. In a past professional incarnation I worked as an Admission Coordinator at a nursing home and there is nothing there but death and illness under the guise of upscale senior living facility. My job was to "sell" adult children that our facility was the best place for their parents that could no longer live independently. An in all honesty the place was really really nice but the unspoken "thing" in every pre-admission tour with adult children was that their parents would not be living our facility alive. Not to be "Debbie Downer" or anything but just making the point that maybe my hypochondria has some basis of reality. I better move onto something else before I am totally depressed. Anywho...I guess I need to work on letting all that stuff go in the vien of finishing things:-) Truth be told other than being a little rubenesque I really don't have any serious health problems with the exception of a bit of hypertension that is completly managable with medication...and if I change my diet and exercise regualarly I can totally come off the meds.

So finish my conversation about that I am going to get some debiltating illness and start talking about how healthy I am because I do healthy things. Soooo other starts and finishes. There are several things I'm starting with my move to Spain and this is the place where I want to hold myself accountable. Running is a new first for me. I technically have already started in December but I MUST continue is running consistently. It's also a tribute to my sister Nicole who started running in August of 09 and ran her first half marathon in January 2010. Go Nicole! She and I are similary built and where as I have hypertension she suffered from heart disease during her pregnancy years ago, however she finished her conversation about not being a runner and started running!

Two Weeks from today!

Two weeks from today at this time I am on the plane leaving for spain!!!

I'm mobile

Things are getting heavy

Okay…when you make the decision to do a move of this magnitude you have got to be ORGANIZED and have a plan. I’m really good at the planning part and only somewhat good at the organizational stuff…somewhat. Truthfully I have always been the “Big Idea” girl. One time I went into business with one of my best friends a few years ago and we were sooooo excited. We thought we were knowledgeable and would complement each other really well. At least until realized that we were both “big idea people” and we both totally sucked at handling the details. Needless to say our business folded very quickly…and ended our bid for “world domination”.
The thing I am kvetching about now is there is now a situation connected with my move that is forcing me to acknowledge that I am the person that loves painting the broad strokes and forecasting the end results; and in my world the results are always “fabulous”; however it is the small details that can completely derail you if you are not careful. This move is also forcing me to recognize that I HATE the nuts and bolts of making things work BUT that I HAVE gain the skills quickly to help me realize that moving abroad has lots of little moving parts. It is true that I have done well with the broad strokes. I took action and decided where and when to move, mapped how to make it work financially. I feel I’ve made a very good career choice for living abroad. I understand the ins and outs of how I will be able to stay in Spain after my tourist visa runs out and very importantly, I AM totally flexible with having to go to a country other than Spain for a short term assignment for work if the need arises. I bought my ticket, did the research to take my dog and I EVEN have a couple of vacations planned once I arrived. Hell, I have a back up to my back up plan! That being said why is it that I can’t keep up with the simplest of things and I haven’t even left the country?!? UGH! Admittedly I am venting out of frustration of having lost something essential to Harper being able to travel, but this situation has also made me wonder if this is symptomatic of a much larger issue.
Okay…a little back story. Saturday I took Harper in to get groomed and to get his micro chip; it seems that I can’t take Harper to Europe without him having the chip. I paid for said chip … AND my vet…who is fabulous (BTW) handed me the card and gave very simple and easy to follow instruction to me for activating the chip so Harper can be tracked. Most importantly I need this information to send to the USDA in Austin so they can issue Harper’s approval to enter Spain. Guess what?…I lost it! Yep…in the span of three days I have lost the activation cards and I am now faced with a couple of really icky options. So my options are, one…my vet may have the number on file and can tell me where to call or two…Harper has to be re-chipped. Not only is that an expense but how crappy will it be if I have to take him in again for that? Ughh! So this situation has me examining what I KNOW is a shortcoming of mine, I am only somewhat good at organization (translation…not really good at all). I’ve got to get better and better RIGHT NOW! My friend Angie suggested I buy a file organizer to but important information that I need to get to quickly and just carry with me. Good idea and I did it! But I was just a few days too late to save Harper’s chip activation cards, they’re GONE! I’m really trying not to blow this out of proportion but I ‘m a little frustrated with myself for not being able to keep up with something so important! I really can’t afford to carry this type of behavior to Europe. And unfortunately I have a bit of a history of losing important things :-(
So I'm outing myself along with my friend Angela by default (sorry friend). On my first trip to Europe I lost and found my passport twice. The first time I left my passport at the check in desk in Amsterdam and not 30 minutes later I left my passport at a food bar. Thank goodness I was traveling with John and Ken who are super organized. The second time a nice gentleman returned it to me. You would think I'd learned my lesson...but no. The second time I went to Europe; this time with Angela, I actually lost my passport on the flight over to Paris. Yep…I lost my passport on the plane…hey it could happen! We spent the whole day trying to make me legal to enter France. After almost having guns drawn on us by the French police, a mad race through the streets of Paris to make it to the Embassy on time and a second scarier encounter with the American Embassy police I was able to get a replacement passport. There was some promising improvement in me and I think I learned a little something from that experience because on my last trip to Europe I did not lose my passport at all...Angie did:-) but I did not. Anyway…bottom line is that I need to break bad habits and become organized to compliment my great planning skills.