Soooooooo

I'm back and the visit with the tax office was informative which is positive. Turns out it's never what it seems and my appeal is still pending but what had happend was that somehow it was recorded that I applied for the same benifit this year which they rejected as it had been too long since the birth of my child... strange as I never applied for it again... they didn't seem as bothered as I was as I can't imagine how that happened... but the positive thing is that my appear is still pending and I can follow up with the government body in charge of that separately and ask them for an update. So it short all is not lost yet. Thank god my friend from work was with me as it's insane how they give you as little info as possible...

So in thanks to the good news today I'm going to do another kind exchange as I recently was passed a link to the Governement of Catalunya's site which features all the info you need when you have a baby in Barcelona. All the forms you need to fill in and all the aid you're entitled to... and because they're not all evil... they've got the site in English too. So go and check it out here if you planning to have a Baby in Barcelona and don't know what you need to do!

It’s been fun…

Really it has the whole David and Goliath jousting match that I’ve undertaken with the Spanish tax office. I’ve been fighting this impossible battle with them for this 2500 euro baby bonus that I was due to receive when Sienna was born but due to an administrative gap that made it impossible to present them with the paperwork they required as it simply did not exist at that time… they’ve fought me and refuse to listen to reason and I’ve even got the Ombudsman in Madrid to agree to defend me… their latest tactic is after missing their deadline of 1 year to respond to my appeal they’ve told me that it was I who missed the deadline to submit my appeal which is totally false! I’m furious but not surprised in that it’s more clear than ever that they have been briefed to make it as impossible as possible for me to win. So armed with my lovely colleague we’re due to descend upon their office today to take up the next chapter of the fight. I will not go down until I’ve fought every last angle… I guess the up side of this is that I’ll be in a very good position to help other foreigners in Barcelona who may need help figuring out how to battle the beast! Wish me luck… I wonder if security will let me through if I bring a big stick or a slingshot with me!?!

After the initial anger and frustration about the no pay rise or bonus thing at work I’ve actually turned the page and now feel an immense sense of freedom. I’m free from feeling obliged to work more than my contracted hours and not a single weekend will be darkened with work again! That is pretty amazing. I am really looking forward to the freedom! I guess every dark cloud really does have its silver lining.

Speaking of clouds with silver linings… the sun is out today properly for the first time in ages and it’s so lovely. We can almost hear the whispers of spring wafting through the city. Come on Spring you can do it!

So after a long year...

Of working tons of overtime... and countless weekends our company has thanked us today by announcing that there would be absolutely no pay rises and no bonuses. Such a nice thing don't you think? Good life lesson. Don't give up life for work as work will kick you in the ass and not ever even acknowledge the hurt. I'm so sad for my whole team as I was not alone in this mamoth effort. I feel sorry for all the time I lost with my family with the hope that it would all be for a bit more cash that would make life a bit easier. Not so. You cannot turn back time and you certainly cannot make up for lost time with loved ones and littles ones in specific. Shame on me. Shame on them... It's a sad day.

I'm still doing my best to muster all the positive energy I can for this year as last just very nearly took all hope from me. But after a day like this it's a real struggle.