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!
18.2.10
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!
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!
16.2.10
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.
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.
11.2.10
Searching for miss Bambach...
Well a lot of folks seem to be digging around the old interweb these days and stumbling on my blog looking for Miss Bambach... She's safely back down under these past few years and doing gloriously well. We miss her dearly of course! I am however intrigued to who is doing all this frantic searching about her... very curious indeed!
I'm convinced that it's the coldest day of the year here today... it was downright polar on my way in this morning... I had to double check that I was indeed still in Barca and not back in Toronto.
It's carnivale season here and the Barcelona equivalent of Halowe'en... Costumes start dotting the street and the celebrations will be in full gear this weekend. Little miss Layla will celebrate her 1st birthday and is wisely doing it in Carnivale style... Can't wait to see what Fredu cooks up for Sienna to wear... certain guilty parties in my family responsible for sending us a lilac coloured afro wig will delight in the certainty that Fredu will mos definitely jump at the occasion to wear it to the party *sigh* well at least it's not the rasta hat with built in rastas that he dreams about wearing... sometimes I'm more convinced than ever that I've partnered with the reincarnation of my father... scary thoughts indeed... but if my father were still alive he would be Fredu's number one fan... they certainly have kindred spirits!
Oh yea and for you crazy Bambach hunters... here's a wee treat for you... enjoy!
One of my favorite Villa pics from last year featuring miss Sally
Well a lot of folks seem to be digging around the old interweb these days and stumbling on my blog looking for Miss Bambach... She's safely back down under these past few years and doing gloriously well. We miss her dearly of course! I am however intrigued to who is doing all this frantic searching about her... very curious indeed!
I'm convinced that it's the coldest day of the year here today... it was downright polar on my way in this morning... I had to double check that I was indeed still in Barca and not back in Toronto.
It's carnivale season here and the Barcelona equivalent of Halowe'en... Costumes start dotting the street and the celebrations will be in full gear this weekend. Little miss Layla will celebrate her 1st birthday and is wisely doing it in Carnivale style... Can't wait to see what Fredu cooks up for Sienna to wear... certain guilty parties in my family responsible for sending us a lilac coloured afro wig will delight in the certainty that Fredu will mos definitely jump at the occasion to wear it to the party *sigh* well at least it's not the rasta hat with built in rastas that he dreams about wearing... sometimes I'm more convinced than ever that I've partnered with the reincarnation of my father... scary thoughts indeed... but if my father were still alive he would be Fredu's number one fan... they certainly have kindred spirits!
Oh yea and for you crazy Bambach hunters... here's a wee treat for you... enjoy!
One of my favorite Villa pics from last year featuring miss Sally
9.2.10
The rain continues in the ciudad comptal as they call it
The grayness is very reminiscent of nearly every day in London… I don’t miss it that’s for sure. Miss the girlies, yes, miss the decent salary, yes… but no I don’t miss the grey and the rain.
So in light of that we’re doing a wee throw back to summer here today… brown body and yogurt mess should do the trick… enjoy!
The grayness is very reminiscent of nearly every day in London… I don’t miss it that’s for sure. Miss the girlies, yes, miss the decent salary, yes… but no I don’t miss the grey and the rain.
So in light of that we’re doing a wee throw back to summer here today… brown body and yogurt mess should do the trick… enjoy!
7.2.10
You know when you're little...
And you think about what life will be like when you're all grown up? You know kind of like the house you'll have and the car you'll maybe drive....?
We'll I was never one to dream about having the perfect wedding or marrying the perfect person or having X amount of children named Y and Z... but I did however have a certain expectation that I would not end up feeling perpetually stuck... I've got this creeping realization that there are a lot of things in life I will very most likely never ever have. Primarily it's money I suppose. I can't see ever owning a home or a vehicle of any sort more swish than the wee one's pram and we got that second hand!!! I just never invisioned a future of just scraping by... It's kind of depressing... but I'm not sure if it's the realization of it or if it's my inability to do anything about it. I just feel like a bit of a passenger in this whole life thing at the moment.
Good and bad things pass me by but the achievabilty of certain major goals are just so far out of reach it knocks the wind out of me. I do however have a lot to be greatful for, that I'm not so arrogant to not accept, but it's a strange place to be in. I'm not sure I like it much. I do not at all think I'm more deserving of comforts than the next person but I just wonder sometimes how people who are also in this situation don't seem to mind... or do they? Or are they so blissfuly unaware they want not for more? How do I blank my mind out and stop questioning things and just blissfuly accept?
I'm thinking it's not going to be possible.
but the sun is shining... lets just be thankful for that.
And you think about what life will be like when you're all grown up? You know kind of like the house you'll have and the car you'll maybe drive....?
We'll I was never one to dream about having the perfect wedding or marrying the perfect person or having X amount of children named Y and Z... but I did however have a certain expectation that I would not end up feeling perpetually stuck... I've got this creeping realization that there are a lot of things in life I will very most likely never ever have. Primarily it's money I suppose. I can't see ever owning a home or a vehicle of any sort more swish than the wee one's pram and we got that second hand!!! I just never invisioned a future of just scraping by... It's kind of depressing... but I'm not sure if it's the realization of it or if it's my inability to do anything about it. I just feel like a bit of a passenger in this whole life thing at the moment.
Good and bad things pass me by but the achievabilty of certain major goals are just so far out of reach it knocks the wind out of me. I do however have a lot to be greatful for, that I'm not so arrogant to not accept, but it's a strange place to be in. I'm not sure I like it much. I do not at all think I'm more deserving of comforts than the next person but I just wonder sometimes how people who are also in this situation don't seem to mind... or do they? Or are they so blissfuly unaware they want not for more? How do I blank my mind out and stop questioning things and just blissfuly accept?
I'm thinking it's not going to be possible.
but the sun is shining... lets just be thankful for that.
6.2.10
A new year and just a few entries away from my 1000th!
It's been a while and thanks to the lovely ATG's lovely nudge to see if I was still alive... I'm back. I've just survived what I can only describe as hell on earth. That would be a Saturday evening visit to Primark at Diagonal del Mar Shopping centre in Barcelona. There is no simple way to describe the pandamonium of a discount store while the sales are on... I was there on my own with wee one and that in its' self is a bit of a mission... but dear lord the scummy people in there make you seriously think twice about paying double for what you've gone in there to get (so you just purchase it elsewhere and never have to return there again). I went all the way there on a mission to buy a bulk portion of big girl pants for Sienna who's potty training has made really amazing progress lately... but her teacher is the most disorganized person and within a week I just know she'll have lost all of Sienna's pants thus I went to buy a large supply of them on the cheap... and some hair ties that don't make her scream when we take them out... but did I remember the pants? Ooooooooooh no not until I left the shop. I wanted to die. Sigh... just another reason what that place is sheer evil...
Work is finally regaining a bit of sanity... the massive amounts of overtime and weekend working that awaited my upon my return to Barca have now started to taper off... and the fact that we've pretty much got three more project managers working with us now really helps ease the work load... not quite sure how Andy and I did it with just the two of us before hand...
The lovely miss Vero returns this week with her new little bundle of joy named Mila. We are just so excited to get to see her finally. She's a month old now but surely will still be tiny enough still to enjoy that new new baby thing. squeeel!
Sienna's 2nd Birthday was this week and we had a wee party for her in a bar... now before you fall over and die like my mother does all the time when she hears me say things like that... bars here are different... and this one is nice and really not busy on a Tuesday night which is when we had the party. She had so much fun it was amazing. She's so sweet and so were all of our friends for joining us for the celebration. There were in the end four other children so it wasn't all just a grown up party. Man how times flies. I spent until half one in the morning the night before baking up a fleet of elmo cupcakes for her class and a red velvet elmo cake too for the party . It was hard work considering missing sleep but it was so well worth it. I remember when I was wee my mum would always make us the best birthday goodies. I am humbled and also honoured to keep this tradition alive... mind you her school didn't quite know what to think when they saw the elmo cupcakes... they nearly didn't believe that I had made them. They just don't get the whole icing thing... here they seems to have dry cakes with just a dusting of icing sugar if you're lucky...
Elmo cupcakes
Elmo cake
We were just that bit naughty lately and bought Sienna a totally OTT jacket. It's so sweet but we know we know it's a bit extreme for a 2 year old but she rocks it... we call it her Catalan granny jacket as that's what all the old ladies wear here... I think only the very young, the very old and supermodels can get away with wearing animal prints.
Xmas at home was also mildly productive on the painting side of things... I finished Luca's birthday present... he's name her sofia!
Sofia
I also did a small set of 3 Shaun the Sheep inspired paintings for wee miss Isabella for her Birthday... I hope she liked them
Fat Sheep painting
Smiley Shaun painting
Timmy the sheep painting
I hope Aardman the makers of Shaun the sheep aren't cross with me!
It's been a while and thanks to the lovely ATG's lovely nudge to see if I was still alive... I'm back. I've just survived what I can only describe as hell on earth. That would be a Saturday evening visit to Primark at Diagonal del Mar Shopping centre in Barcelona. There is no simple way to describe the pandamonium of a discount store while the sales are on... I was there on my own with wee one and that in its' self is a bit of a mission... but dear lord the scummy people in there make you seriously think twice about paying double for what you've gone in there to get (so you just purchase it elsewhere and never have to return there again). I went all the way there on a mission to buy a bulk portion of big girl pants for Sienna who's potty training has made really amazing progress lately... but her teacher is the most disorganized person and within a week I just know she'll have lost all of Sienna's pants thus I went to buy a large supply of them on the cheap... and some hair ties that don't make her scream when we take them out... but did I remember the pants? Ooooooooooh no not until I left the shop. I wanted to die. Sigh... just another reason what that place is sheer evil...
Work is finally regaining a bit of sanity... the massive amounts of overtime and weekend working that awaited my upon my return to Barca have now started to taper off... and the fact that we've pretty much got three more project managers working with us now really helps ease the work load... not quite sure how Andy and I did it with just the two of us before hand...
The lovely miss Vero returns this week with her new little bundle of joy named Mila. We are just so excited to get to see her finally. She's a month old now but surely will still be tiny enough still to enjoy that new new baby thing. squeeel!
Sienna's 2nd Birthday was this week and we had a wee party for her in a bar... now before you fall over and die like my mother does all the time when she hears me say things like that... bars here are different... and this one is nice and really not busy on a Tuesday night which is when we had the party. She had so much fun it was amazing. She's so sweet and so were all of our friends for joining us for the celebration. There were in the end four other children so it wasn't all just a grown up party. Man how times flies. I spent until half one in the morning the night before baking up a fleet of elmo cupcakes for her class and a red velvet elmo cake too for the party . It was hard work considering missing sleep but it was so well worth it. I remember when I was wee my mum would always make us the best birthday goodies. I am humbled and also honoured to keep this tradition alive... mind you her school didn't quite know what to think when they saw the elmo cupcakes... they nearly didn't believe that I had made them. They just don't get the whole icing thing... here they seems to have dry cakes with just a dusting of icing sugar if you're lucky...
Elmo cupcakes
Elmo cake
We were just that bit naughty lately and bought Sienna a totally OTT jacket. It's so sweet but we know we know it's a bit extreme for a 2 year old but she rocks it... we call it her Catalan granny jacket as that's what all the old ladies wear here... I think only the very young, the very old and supermodels can get away with wearing animal prints.
Xmas at home was also mildly productive on the painting side of things... I finished Luca's birthday present... he's name her sofia!
Sofia
I also did a small set of 3 Shaun the Sheep inspired paintings for wee miss Isabella for her Birthday... I hope she liked them
Fat Sheep painting
Smiley Shaun painting
Timmy the sheep painting
I hope Aardman the makers of Shaun the sheep aren't cross with me!
31.12.09
Exhaustion has taken over
Too much to too in such a short time has really taken it's toll. NYE this year will involve a bubble bath in a human size tub (unlike our mini Barcelona tub which is literally half the size of a normal one). But before then I've got to pack and finish Luca's painting which is nearly there... Don't read this Luca as I can't really be admitting that it's taken me that long to finish your b'day gift! But it's worth the wait as it's a nice one (I hope).
Blogging for me this year has been the most infrequent since I started this blog nearly 9 years ago. It's funny to write that... even funnier still to sift through some of the old entries as it was truly a lifetime ago. If you've got time to kill there are some really humourous entries in the vault... my life use to be way more exciting than it is now... although the time here home this year has been quite amusing. Mostly so during our girlie trips to moxies with my new bestie the waitress with the bosom jewels... serious she's bedazzled her cleavage. You can't help but look! Ha ha.
There are very few hours left to this year so on that note I must make haste and get everything done so we can leave all of 2009's yukies behind and move onto more positive ventures.
All the best my 5 blog readers!!!
Too much to too in such a short time has really taken it's toll. NYE this year will involve a bubble bath in a human size tub (unlike our mini Barcelona tub which is literally half the size of a normal one). But before then I've got to pack and finish Luca's painting which is nearly there... Don't read this Luca as I can't really be admitting that it's taken me that long to finish your b'day gift! But it's worth the wait as it's a nice one (I hope).
Blogging for me this year has been the most infrequent since I started this blog nearly 9 years ago. It's funny to write that... even funnier still to sift through some of the old entries as it was truly a lifetime ago. If you've got time to kill there are some really humourous entries in the vault... my life use to be way more exciting than it is now... although the time here home this year has been quite amusing. Mostly so during our girlie trips to moxies with my new bestie the waitress with the bosom jewels... serious she's bedazzled her cleavage. You can't help but look! Ha ha.
There are very few hours left to this year so on that note I must make haste and get everything done so we can leave all of 2009's yukies behind and move onto more positive ventures.
All the best my 5 blog readers!!!
29.12.09
Inspiration and stability...
Are two kind words sent in an xmas card from one of my Greek clients. I couldn't think of anything more fitting for this year. It's been a really tough one on all sides. It could of course have been worse so I'm thankful that it hasn't been but man will be be happy for some new positive events.
Are two kind words sent in an xmas card from one of my Greek clients. I couldn't think of anything more fitting for this year. It's been a really tough one on all sides. It could of course have been worse so I'm thankful that it hasn't been but man will be be happy for some new positive events.
28.12.09
It's been a pretty positive day...
... and because there are quite few of these lately I'm going to peg it down here to remember it. I found a camera for a really reasonable price for Fredu today on Toronto's craig's list. The lovely guys from http://www.akaphoto.ca/ sold it to me. I feel so happy to finally be getting back to square one for Fredu so once work come in he'll be able to do it! Seestor kindly drove me to collect it and the guys that sold it were so lovely! Send them work please Canadian or US readers!
Work is piled up and sifting through it makes me feel that I've been off work for more like a million years rather than just two weeks. I'm trying to get focused to get moving with it but it's so hard to do it working from home when I can hear the wee one playing downstairs with my mum. Don't get me wrong... I'm indeed greatful for the ability to work remotely.
Time is ticking by at lightening speed and before I know it the week will be over and we'll be on a plane back to slightly warmer climes. Will be such a treat to be all back together again. A month can be an eternity especially with the wee one learning more and more language skills every day. Going back to school will be strange for her as she's been so anglosized for the past few weeks we can but hope she remembers her Catalan and Spanish! Same goes for me actually. I've got some spanish work emails to write but I've got to dust off that area of my brain to see if the words still come out.
Off to the oh so hip Moxies of Brampton tonight with miss Noeleen and miss Jemma who is in town from London for the next few days and the lovely Heather that I don't often get to see either. Best behave myself as I've got too much work to do to be dealing with a hangover! Behave Sarah... Behave!
... and because there are quite few of these lately I'm going to peg it down here to remember it. I found a camera for a really reasonable price for Fredu today on Toronto's craig's list. The lovely guys from http://www.akaphoto.ca/ sold it to me. I feel so happy to finally be getting back to square one for Fredu so once work come in he'll be able to do it! Seestor kindly drove me to collect it and the guys that sold it were so lovely! Send them work please Canadian or US readers!
Work is piled up and sifting through it makes me feel that I've been off work for more like a million years rather than just two weeks. I'm trying to get focused to get moving with it but it's so hard to do it working from home when I can hear the wee one playing downstairs with my mum. Don't get me wrong... I'm indeed greatful for the ability to work remotely.
Time is ticking by at lightening speed and before I know it the week will be over and we'll be on a plane back to slightly warmer climes. Will be such a treat to be all back together again. A month can be an eternity especially with the wee one learning more and more language skills every day. Going back to school will be strange for her as she's been so anglosized for the past few weeks we can but hope she remembers her Catalan and Spanish! Same goes for me actually. I've got some spanish work emails to write but I've got to dust off that area of my brain to see if the words still come out.
Off to the oh so hip Moxies of Brampton tonight with miss Noeleen and miss Jemma who is in town from London for the next few days and the lovely Heather that I don't often get to see either. Best behave myself as I've got too much work to do to be dealing with a hangover! Behave Sarah... Behave!
27.12.09
When you're too worried your blog entry will sound like one long big winge... do a Meme... (correction... thanks to http://synapsesonshuffle.blogspot.com/ for the meme)
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Fly across the Atlantic with a not quite yet 2 year old on my own.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any but next year apathy is the enemy.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Seestor! Miss Charlotte Reielle Heaney
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend eric's grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Holland, Canada
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A job for Fredu (and a camera for him to do said job)
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 8th - My appendix removal date
Sept. (?) when Alfredo's camera was stolen
Nov 25th when miss Charlotte was born
Dec 5th- when i flew home to Canada for xmas
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
surviving it
9. What was your biggest failure?
Apathy (with a capital A)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Appendicitis
11. What was the best thing you bought?
pink suede shoes
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Vero's for her baby making triumphs
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The wicked person who stole Alfredo's camera. It truly ravaged an already challenging year for us. I hope they really needed it more than we did!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent (sigh)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home for xmas
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Black eyed peas... that one that goes... 'Tonight's going to be a good night..."
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? sadder
b) thinner or fatter? fatter (thanks to xmas in Canada)
c) richer or poorer? way poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Enjoying life instead of drowning in sorrows (but there was just so many)
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
working
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Without Fredu in Canada :(
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Still in love
23. How many one-night stands?
None
24. What was your favorite TV program?
American Dad
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
the camera thief! oh and yea Apple. Feck you itunes I hate you.
26. What was the best book you read?
Beach Music
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Martina Topley Bird's new album (I had no idea it had come out) not that I have it yet
28. What did you want and get?
More support at work (new project managers!)
29. What did you want and not get?
a job for fredu and a new camera oh yea and the passport!!
Resolution for any of my fights with the tax office
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Only saw one (slumdog millionaire) in the cinema... it was okay..but I'm hoping to see it's complicated before I leave Canada (with my mum) looks nice and pinky!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
my 33rd birthday I was still recovering from the appendectomy the week before but had low key fun with the lovely miss joey and andrea who flew in to celebrate with me.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Work for fredu
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
black and mysterious
34. What kept you sane?
My Mum
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Perez Hilton
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Any stupid American Mallarky
37. Who did you miss?
The old me
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Jacob and Millie!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Apathy is very very difficult to shake
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'm not here... this isn't happening.. (Radiohead)
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Fly across the Atlantic with a not quite yet 2 year old on my own.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any but next year apathy is the enemy.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Seestor! Miss Charlotte Reielle Heaney
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend eric's grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Holland, Canada
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A job for Fredu (and a camera for him to do said job)
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 8th - My appendix removal date
Sept. (?) when Alfredo's camera was stolen
Nov 25th when miss Charlotte was born
Dec 5th- when i flew home to Canada for xmas
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
surviving it
9. What was your biggest failure?
Apathy (with a capital A)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Appendicitis
11. What was the best thing you bought?
pink suede shoes
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Vero's for her baby making triumphs
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The wicked person who stole Alfredo's camera. It truly ravaged an already challenging year for us. I hope they really needed it more than we did!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent (sigh)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home for xmas
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Black eyed peas... that one that goes... 'Tonight's going to be a good night..."
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? sadder
b) thinner or fatter? fatter (thanks to xmas in Canada)
c) richer or poorer? way poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Enjoying life instead of drowning in sorrows (but there was just so many)
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
working
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Without Fredu in Canada :(
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Still in love
23. How many one-night stands?
None
24. What was your favorite TV program?
American Dad
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
the camera thief! oh and yea Apple. Feck you itunes I hate you.
26. What was the best book you read?
Beach Music
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Martina Topley Bird's new album (I had no idea it had come out) not that I have it yet
28. What did you want and get?
More support at work (new project managers!)
29. What did you want and not get?
a job for fredu and a new camera oh yea and the passport!!
Resolution for any of my fights with the tax office
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Only saw one (slumdog millionaire) in the cinema... it was okay..but I'm hoping to see it's complicated before I leave Canada (with my mum) looks nice and pinky!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
my 33rd birthday I was still recovering from the appendectomy the week before but had low key fun with the lovely miss joey and andrea who flew in to celebrate with me.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Work for fredu
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
black and mysterious
34. What kept you sane?
My Mum
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Perez Hilton
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Any stupid American Mallarky
37. Who did you miss?
The old me
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Jacob and Millie!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Apathy is very very difficult to shake
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'm not here... this isn't happening.. (Radiohead)
12.12.09
It's bitter sweet and kind of vexing...
Being home for xmas that is. It's a delight to have a load of time off from work and a bit of time to relax and unwind... but it's also a kind of struggle. Reverse culture shock is sometimes so difficult to explain. What should be familiar feels oddly foreign and what sounds totally foreign here sounds more normal to me... quite a strange place to be.... with all the struggles we're facing in Barca I sometimes dream of packing it all in and moving back 'home' but the stark reality is... there is no way that would be possible. The mere idea of moving back here with nothing and starting from scratch again with no house no car no money no job seems insane. It quite simply will not happen. Life is indeed what you make it and at some points in life you simply cannot change it. Finacial freedom would of course be a grand facilitator but since that is very much not the situation for us we'll have to resolve to continue on schmucking our meagre Barcelona existence for the foreseeable future. I think it's all part and parcel of these dark days... sometimes you want to dream of an escape but the thing you don't count on is that your escape would just be a path into more problems... sigh
Perhaps it's the added vunerability I feel being home again with the wee one without Fredu who sadly can still not travel. Being fragmented from your immediate family at xmas is not something that is much fun for me... of course i know others would delight in such an arrangement but it's really for Sienna as it's her first xmas that she will really understand what's going on and he's not going to be here with us to enjoy it... but life just keeps lobbing lemons... and my hands are full of paper cuts but I'm still catching them.
Being home for xmas that is. It's a delight to have a load of time off from work and a bit of time to relax and unwind... but it's also a kind of struggle. Reverse culture shock is sometimes so difficult to explain. What should be familiar feels oddly foreign and what sounds totally foreign here sounds more normal to me... quite a strange place to be.... with all the struggles we're facing in Barca I sometimes dream of packing it all in and moving back 'home' but the stark reality is... there is no way that would be possible. The mere idea of moving back here with nothing and starting from scratch again with no house no car no money no job seems insane. It quite simply will not happen. Life is indeed what you make it and at some points in life you simply cannot change it. Finacial freedom would of course be a grand facilitator but since that is very much not the situation for us we'll have to resolve to continue on schmucking our meagre Barcelona existence for the foreseeable future. I think it's all part and parcel of these dark days... sometimes you want to dream of an escape but the thing you don't count on is that your escape would just be a path into more problems... sigh
Perhaps it's the added vunerability I feel being home again with the wee one without Fredu who sadly can still not travel. Being fragmented from your immediate family at xmas is not something that is much fun for me... of course i know others would delight in such an arrangement but it's really for Sienna as it's her first xmas that she will really understand what's going on and he's not going to be here with us to enjoy it... but life just keeps lobbing lemons... and my hands are full of paper cuts but I'm still catching them.
10.12.09
26.11.09
And then there were Four!
Delightful news for once! My seestor and her Hubby have just yesterday welcomed their newest wee one into their family. The wee one is a girl! A seestor of her very own for Isabella. No name yet... I'm pushing them to call her Viva but for some strange reason they're not complying!
In true family fashion she was a super speedy and natural birth. You go seestor!
We are over the moon. Now we've just got to wait another week and two days to meet her! Ooh hurry up time, I want to hold her :)
Delightful news for once! My seestor and her Hubby have just yesterday welcomed their newest wee one into their family. The wee one is a girl! A seestor of her very own for Isabella. No name yet... I'm pushing them to call her Viva but for some strange reason they're not complying!
In true family fashion she was a super speedy and natural birth. You go seestor!
We are over the moon. Now we've just got to wait another week and two days to meet her! Ooh hurry up time, I want to hold her :)
22.11.09
Now that my brain
Is now fizzled out... and the extra hours translation project that I was working on is successful completed... I can return instead to my normal after work work which is also never ending... We fly out to the great white north on the 5th and I can tell you, that I am most certainly looking forward to it. Two weeks away from work will be golden... KJ's new baby arriving soon... even more.
On a completely different note... am I the only one that thinks that American Dad is way more funny than family guy? Sorry Yankees but I can't help but feel that Family Guy is like a dumbed down version of American dad... sort of washed down for American consumption? I know I know but I can't help it, that's how I feel. My mother however, was forced into watching an episode with us while she was here... and she did not like it one bit... perhaps it was due the fact that it was the episode when Stan wanted to join the gay republicans... I'm just sayin... my poor mother... the things we put her through.
The Jimmy Choo sale came and went and nothing was purchased... when your bank says 000000 you have no choice but to be frugal. *cries slient tears of shoes lost*...
And just for giggles here is a grim glimpse into the world of renting a flat in Barcelona... don't worry you can feel free to scream. We'll be screaming along with you. Dear Lord I can only pray that I NEVER need to live in this place.
Is now fizzled out... and the extra hours translation project that I was working on is successful completed... I can return instead to my normal after work work which is also never ending... We fly out to the great white north on the 5th and I can tell you, that I am most certainly looking forward to it. Two weeks away from work will be golden... KJ's new baby arriving soon... even more.
On a completely different note... am I the only one that thinks that American Dad is way more funny than family guy? Sorry Yankees but I can't help but feel that Family Guy is like a dumbed down version of American dad... sort of washed down for American consumption? I know I know but I can't help it, that's how I feel. My mother however, was forced into watching an episode with us while she was here... and she did not like it one bit... perhaps it was due the fact that it was the episode when Stan wanted to join the gay republicans... I'm just sayin... my poor mother... the things we put her through.
The Jimmy Choo sale came and went and nothing was purchased... when your bank says 000000 you have no choice but to be frugal. *cries slient tears of shoes lost*...
And just for giggles here is a grim glimpse into the world of renting a flat in Barcelona... don't worry you can feel free to scream. We'll be screaming along with you. Dear Lord I can only pray that I NEVER need to live in this place.
1.11.09
So it's getting better right?
The answer is well you guessed it... No. More bad news. Oh yea... well we'll keep that for the new blog that I've not yet started but will... and damn it maybe that blog will make my millions as dear lord so much misfortune is just comical... comedy sells yea? It somehow just doesn't feel that funny. Funny tragic I guess more than Funny Ha ha
Positive things.... *deep breath* okay... Well in a few short weeks, at least some of us will be flying to Canada for a well deserved break.
In an attempt to paint a brighter future we've started flat hunting... with what money do you have to move you may ask... well that's another question entirely... HA! Humour me okay?
So we've seen a couple of places and my word, Barcelona certainly offers you up a large variety of "interesting" options. We found one with the main part of the flat on the principal floor and then with the master bedroom downstairs on the entrasuelo level. It was like a dungeon. For all ye who don't get this whole floor thing here in Spain... The entrasuelo exists in old buildings and I'm sure in the past was used for servents or just tiny tiny people as it's between the street level and the first floor. Principal flats are mostly the biggest in the building and I can only suppose where the rich people used to live. Mostly now they are split into wierd distributions in an effort to make the most money possible from the spaces... I really never though it was possible to re-create a 'basement' feeling here but oh yes.. it's possible. That one is defo a no go.
The next flat of fancy we went to see was a 'para renovar' job. Yes, another BCN concept all into it's self. You see the premise is that they bestow you the favour of renting you a flat and then you are expected to invest your own money into renovating it while you live there... It really defies logic, I mean if there were a few things to polish up or re-paint or something that's fine... but I'm talking flats that are hundreds of years old people! This one was big and the agency's initial proposal was to rent it for 950 a month for a 7 year contract with the premise that you will invest 30k in the flat during that time. I thought they must be insane. Plus they want you to pay 4k damage deposit on the flat (which is a ruin!). So we went to see it.... Turns out rotting and decrepid would be too kind to describe it. The place was straigth out of a horror movie. Fitting that it was Saturday and it was Hallowe'en when we saw it! I would estimate needing to invest at least 90k in that place to get it to a point where it was livable. I really want to know how they will find someone to rent it... maybe if you bought it for a song and then put in the hard graft then yes sure why not... but to rent it... when the shower room was put in somewhere around the time that indoor plumbing became possible (and hasn't been replaced since). I think people on the street could hear my slient scream of ... "oh my god no, not ever in my life would I take on a project like that"... even if they gave me 7 years of free rent. Barcelona... seriously what the bejaysuz is going on?
On the other hand there are lovely looking flats like this one... which we're I think we're going to see on Wednesday... if it's not already gone by then.. That's the other thing... the good ones are snapped up in a heart beat so it's not really condusive to 'window shoppers' like us...
The answer is well you guessed it... No. More bad news. Oh yea... well we'll keep that for the new blog that I've not yet started but will... and damn it maybe that blog will make my millions as dear lord so much misfortune is just comical... comedy sells yea? It somehow just doesn't feel that funny. Funny tragic I guess more than Funny Ha ha
Positive things.... *deep breath* okay... Well in a few short weeks, at least some of us will be flying to Canada for a well deserved break.
In an attempt to paint a brighter future we've started flat hunting... with what money do you have to move you may ask... well that's another question entirely... HA! Humour me okay?
So we've seen a couple of places and my word, Barcelona certainly offers you up a large variety of "interesting" options. We found one with the main part of the flat on the principal floor and then with the master bedroom downstairs on the entrasuelo level. It was like a dungeon. For all ye who don't get this whole floor thing here in Spain... The entrasuelo exists in old buildings and I'm sure in the past was used for servents or just tiny tiny people as it's between the street level and the first floor. Principal flats are mostly the biggest in the building and I can only suppose where the rich people used to live. Mostly now they are split into wierd distributions in an effort to make the most money possible from the spaces... I really never though it was possible to re-create a 'basement' feeling here but oh yes.. it's possible. That one is defo a no go.
The next flat of fancy we went to see was a 'para renovar' job. Yes, another BCN concept all into it's self. You see the premise is that they bestow you the favour of renting you a flat and then you are expected to invest your own money into renovating it while you live there... It really defies logic, I mean if there were a few things to polish up or re-paint or something that's fine... but I'm talking flats that are hundreds of years old people! This one was big and the agency's initial proposal was to rent it for 950 a month for a 7 year contract with the premise that you will invest 30k in the flat during that time. I thought they must be insane. Plus they want you to pay 4k damage deposit on the flat (which is a ruin!). So we went to see it.... Turns out rotting and decrepid would be too kind to describe it. The place was straigth out of a horror movie. Fitting that it was Saturday and it was Hallowe'en when we saw it! I would estimate needing to invest at least 90k in that place to get it to a point where it was livable. I really want to know how they will find someone to rent it... maybe if you bought it for a song and then put in the hard graft then yes sure why not... but to rent it... when the shower room was put in somewhere around the time that indoor plumbing became possible (and hasn't been replaced since). I think people on the street could hear my slient scream of ... "oh my god no, not ever in my life would I take on a project like that"... even if they gave me 7 years of free rent. Barcelona... seriously what the bejaysuz is going on?
On the other hand there are lovely looking flats like this one... which we're I think we're going to see on Wednesday... if it's not already gone by then.. That's the other thing... the good ones are snapped up in a heart beat so it's not really condusive to 'window shoppers' like us...
18.10.09
I'm going to start a new blog
It's going to be called "where the bad things go" Then I'll have place to put them all. I'm thinking i may take off... everyone can stop by and drop off their bad things... bad luck, bad karma, bad thoughts, bad actions... then we'll keep them all safely there so this blog can perhaps re-join the realm of not-so-grim-all-the-bleeding-time.
Shoes help, so the fact that in less than a month the Jimy Choo collection will be released at H&M should certainly be a good thing. Another positive thing is that in just a few short weeks I'll pretty much be done work for the year and I"ll be heading home to Canada to welcome my seestor's new wee one into the world.
That's two positive things... see I am still capable....
We'll round it off at 3 good things... how sweet is the wee miss these days?
This is me holding my breath until all the bad passes us by... I might be going blue soon.
It's going to be called "where the bad things go" Then I'll have place to put them all. I'm thinking i may take off... everyone can stop by and drop off their bad things... bad luck, bad karma, bad thoughts, bad actions... then we'll keep them all safely there so this blog can perhaps re-join the realm of not-so-grim-all-the-bleeding-time.
Shoes help, so the fact that in less than a month the Jimy Choo collection will be released at H&M should certainly be a good thing. Another positive thing is that in just a few short weeks I'll pretty much be done work for the year and I"ll be heading home to Canada to welcome my seestor's new wee one into the world.
That's two positive things... see I am still capable....
We'll round it off at 3 good things... how sweet is the wee miss these days?
This is me holding my breath until all the bad passes us by... I might be going blue soon.
24.9.09
And again... Only in Spain...
Does your bike get stolen and a few weeks later your boyfriend's professional camera worth more than 2k with a lens you just bought and have not finished paying for worth 700 euros on it... from right under your nose while sat in a completely empty fast food restaurant with your mum and your baby (and boyfriend of course)... I swear the theif was a magician or there was a trap door as there was not a soul in the place. It's absolutely baffling and really really heartbreaking that it happened. It's all part and parcel of living in the petty crime capital of the world I suppose. Bad Barcelona... we don't like you much these days.
And of course for us it simply means that life just got worse... just when things were slowly starting to move forward and unstick... there is a very remote chance that the dregs of insurance we have may help cover it but it's very unlikely. How is one supposed to make money without the equipment needed to make it?
There have been many many tears... and an imessurable amount of nashing of teeth. But nothing will bring it back....
Before it was stolen one of the last jobs Fredu did was for Al jazeera (sports) they were here doing an interview with Thierry Henry and the President of the Barca club Joan Laporta. Alfredo was hired to do the still shots. The camera man who was recording the interview sweetly offered to take two shots of Fredu with the Thierry and Joan. Pretty lucky guy (that day at least)... he even got a lift in Thierry's car with him as they moved from one venue in the staduim to another...
Does your bike get stolen and a few weeks later your boyfriend's professional camera worth more than 2k with a lens you just bought and have not finished paying for worth 700 euros on it... from right under your nose while sat in a completely empty fast food restaurant with your mum and your baby (and boyfriend of course)... I swear the theif was a magician or there was a trap door as there was not a soul in the place. It's absolutely baffling and really really heartbreaking that it happened. It's all part and parcel of living in the petty crime capital of the world I suppose. Bad Barcelona... we don't like you much these days.
And of course for us it simply means that life just got worse... just when things were slowly starting to move forward and unstick... there is a very remote chance that the dregs of insurance we have may help cover it but it's very unlikely. How is one supposed to make money without the equipment needed to make it?
There have been many many tears... and an imessurable amount of nashing of teeth. But nothing will bring it back....
Before it was stolen one of the last jobs Fredu did was for Al jazeera (sports) they were here doing an interview with Thierry Henry and the President of the Barca club Joan Laporta. Alfredo was hired to do the still shots. The camera man who was recording the interview sweetly offered to take two shots of Fredu with the Thierry and Joan. Pretty lucky guy (that day at least)... he even got a lift in Thierry's car with him as they moved from one venue in the staduim to another...
7.9.09
We are mostly very very proud of Sureshee!
He's been working hard while finishing his masters at RCA! Selling at Bonhams that is!
Amazing amazing amazing!
He's been working hard while finishing his masters at RCA! Selling at Bonhams that is!
Amazing amazing amazing!
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