VISA IN HAND--Buen Viaje

Monday evening:
I arrive home from subbing and check the mail. Nothing. The mail carrier hasn't come yet. I lay down for a nap and wake up to the Fed-Ex truck driving away. I run downstairs to check the door for a delivery notification form taped to the door. Nothing. But I'm a bit relieved because, deep down, I'm not ready for the visa. I'm not ready to say goodbye.

Tuesday evening:
I pull up from work, knowing that the mail hasn't arrived yet. I start doing my daily "get-home" routine to hear the slamming of the mailboxes only an hour later. I run to the window, but the mail carrier doesn't get out of the car to ask me to sign for my precious, anticipated parcel. Instead he drives away, leaving lingering fumes that mock me. I'm still partially relieved, yet annoyed.

Wednesday evening:
I turn into the driveway from a long day of working and running errands. It's almost dark, and I see a large package at the door. I know that it's my backpack that I ordered for my pending trip. But could there be a notification form with it? I run to the package and toss it to the side when I see no such form attached. Now I'm just frustrated.

Why does Spain keep doing this to me? What did I ever do to Spain except love and embrace it? If anything, I'm helping the economy by contributing to the tourism industry. But, seemingly, Spain is not reciprocating the love.

Discouraged, I walk to the end of the driveway to the mailbox, where I'm convinced there's a pile of junk mail not even addressed to me. I start sorting through the catalogs and credit card offers, and there it is. A small, pink slip hiding between Better Homes and Cabela's.

I pause.

Fear. Excitement. Doubt. Faith. Dread. Eagerness.

"Sorry we missed you. We have a large envelope from: Span Con waiting for you at the following Post Office...."

It's here.





Ok. I'll start making this long story short. The following two hours consisted of hugs, tears, and rapid searches for plane tickets. So here it is everyone. The answer you have all been waiting for. I am leaving: Sunday, October 24, 2010 from Pittsburgh at 3:00 PM.

I'll arrive in Madrid at 8:15 AM local time and take the earliest train possible to Murcia.

I've talked to the girl from PA, Kat, who has been teaching in Murcia. She gave me directions to her apartment, and her roommate is out of town for two weeks. So I'm going to stay in his room until I find my own place, which hopefully won't take two weeks. Kat is the only reason I'm not frantically running around right now. God is so good, putting the right people in my life at the right time.

I've als been corresponding with my supervisor over there. Get this. I only work Tuesday-Thursday. My weekend is going to be longer than my week. That means a lot of traveling. Or no money, so little traveling. We'll see.

But another professor is still passing my resume around (the tutoring job fell through due to the extended wait time for my visa). She also found possible roommates for me.



So how do I feel about this? This isn't rhetorical. I'm still asking myself.

I'm not really scared of moving to a new country and starting a new job knowing practically nothing. I'm actually not scared at all (maybe because I'm not on the plane yet). I'm just scared to leave loved ones. Over the past year, I've learned firsthand that life can change instantly and permanently, and I hope I don't miss anything while I'm gone.

Yesterday was my last day subbing at MHS, and I said goodbye to many friends and colleagues that I've worked with for the past three years. My brother even came in and brought me lunch as a little goodbye gift (completely his idea). After school, I went around and made a couple house visits to say goodbye to more friends. It all started to sink in.

Furthermore, I've met someone amazing recently, and it's making it all the harder to pack my bags. It's not that I don't want to leave. It's just that I want to take him with me. (That's what's so hard about packing. He's 6'3" and doesn't fit in my suitcase easily.)

And I know what the majority of you are thinking: "Now? You go a year and half without a boyfriend, and you choose now to find one." (That's just been the general response.) But I didn't choose it. God did. In 23 years I haven't met a guy like him, and I know I won't meet another. Not even on the other side of the ocean.

So we've decided to continue our relationship long distance. Last night we spent hours testing out Skype, Google Talk, Google Voice, and other communication programs. I think we're going to have so much fun playing with these applications that we won't know what to do when we see each other. At least that's what I tell myself to cope.

Then there are my friends and family I'm going to miss. The past two weeks have consisted of visiting close ones, and it's been bittersweet enjoying everyone's company knowing that it won't happen for a while. I'll especially miss my immediate family (my cousin George) now included. I've been so blessed being able to visit my family at any moment's notice. I love meeting with my brother and George downtown in between classes, visiting my mother at work, or working around the house with my dad on our days off. My family is such a huge part of my daily life, so it will be hard going a possible 10 months without seeing them.

The drawback of being a Greek American.

But at the same time, I know that I have a strong support system of loved ones while I'm gone. And the job is only temporary. I'm not making a permanent decision, and God has it all planned out.

So how do I feel?

Confident.

And a bit unprepared. I better get back to packing and planning.

Next blog post will most likely be when I get to Spain. I'll miss all of you. But I'll see you in Mucia!

Hasta España.

P.S. Don't miss the new poll!

D.C Trip #2

Let me just get straight to the point. Visa application: SUBMITTED.

Last Tuesday I took a solo road trip back to D.C. and finally applied--successfully.

To summarize this entire "visa" and "hiring" process, I'm going to conduct a little math:

Waiting for the initial job application + Waiting for my employment status + Waiting for the letter of invitation + Waiting for other documents for my visa = 6 Months

Waiting in line at the embassy + Waiting for a receptionist + Waiting for her to process my application + Waiting for a confirmation number = 6 Minutes

That was it. After all of the anxiousness and waiting, I simply walked up to the counter and handed them my application. Now I just have to wait 2-3 weeks for them to approve the visa and send it back to me...

I'm beginning to think the Spanish have an ironic sense of humor.

But there was a lot more to this D.C. trip than checking that huge item of my to-do list. During my brief two-day sojourn, I was able to pack in a lot of visiting time with friends, family, and national artifacts (emphasis on the former two).

On my way to and from DC, I stopped Sterling, VA to visit with good friends of mine: Abi (childhood friend and college roommate for three years), Ryan (college friend and Abi's fiance), and Joel (5-year college buddy). They are all working in northern VA and don't get many opportunities to come back to Morgantown, so I was glad to see them before I leave.




Abi and Ryan are engaged to be married July 3, 2011. (Congratulations, once again!) Unfortunately I'm not sure I'll be able to make it back in time for their wedding, so it was good to visit with them while I could

While I was in D.C. I spent the night with my cousin Maria and her husband Mark, who live very close to the heart of the city. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of my cousins and their lovely house, but we had a wonderful evening together. When I first arrived Wednesday afternoon, Maria took me to a neighborhood deli and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. Later that evening, Mark, just arriving home from France the night before, filled our glasses with great French wine and Maria served a delicious meal. We enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the night.

I also was able to walk around the city and visit art museums and lesser-known tourist attractions in D.C. Some of these pictures are from my previous visit to D.C, but it still gives you a good idea of my literary/artsy adventures in the city.


East Wing of the National Gallery of Art


Walkway connecting East and West Wing of National Gallery of Art


View from National Portrait Gallery


Garden at Folger Shakespeare Library

In summary, I had a very successful trip in terms of progressing toward Spain and visiting close friends and family. I'm very appreciative for my time there and for such hospitable hosts/hostesses.

Now I have to get my bags packed and ready to go because as soon as I receive that visa in the mail, I'm flying to España.

ETA: 2-3 weeks.

The Letter Is In!

After months (and blog posts) of worrying and waiting, I finally received the UM letter of invitation--the missing piece to this intricate 1,000-piece puzzle of España. What does this mean? I can finally apply for my visa! I'll go back to D.C. next Wednesday, and then I should have the visa three weeks after that.

So the answer to the big question: When am I leaving?

This is still tentative, but it's more definitive than before: the week of October 25.

Now, that's according to my personal calculations, but at this point my calculations are more conclusive than anyone's from UM.

Other good news:

- A professor I've been emailing found me two part-time jobs: privately tutoring two small children and teaching an education class to primary English teachers. I don't know my teaching schedule yet (all I know is I'll only be working about 20 hrs/week), so I don't know which side job I'll have time for. But either sounds great to me! Her husband is also in real estate and may help me find an apartment.

- I met a girl here in Morgantown who is from the Murcia area. She went to UM for her undergrad. She may contact friends to see if she can help me find a roommate.

- I've been emailing a future colleague from Pennsylvania who has already taught in Murcia for one year. She's going to let me crash at her place until I find an apartment of my own. No creepy Spanish hotel experiences!!...at least not right off the bat.

Next week I'll have a more productive trip to D.C.

The adventures are just beginning...

D.C. Trip #1

Yesterday I packed up my bags and hitched a ride to D.C. with my dad. He had a presentation to give in the District., so I decided to tag along with him to visit the Spanish Embassy (they're not good with returning phone calls or emails). I didn't apply for the visa (I still don't have the UM letter), but I finally got answers. Also, more good news: THE UM LETTER IS ALMOST ALL THE WAY DRAFTED (I saw the PDF version myself). I should receive it within the next two weeks.

I'm getting closer...

Next week I have to drive down to Charleston to get a couple documents signed by the Secretary of State (she pretty much just needs to confirm that I haven't been arrested/murdered anyone recently). I could do this all by mail...but I don't think I have the patience anymore.

The following week, I'll hopefully have the UM letter in hand and go back to DC. (I'll be sure to take more pictures so this blog will be a little more visually stimulating.) THEN I will finally apply for the visa.

This blog post was supposed to feature my dear cousin, Maria who lives in D.C. We were supposed to meet up for dinner, but a few things came up so my dad and I had to cancel. (So sorry, Maria!) She'll make her "appearance" in a couple of weeks in "D.C. Trip #2," for all of you Arslains and Karageorges.

Besos!

P.S. Take the poll. ---->

Come on Spain, you won the World Cup. You can do it. You can hire me.

So here's the game plan:

- I'm moving to Murcia, Spain at the end of this month to work as a teaching assistant at the University of Murcia. (Pretty exciting.)
- I'm going to teach English as a foreign language. (Awesome.)
- I'm going to learn more Spanish. (Even more awesome--if you don't know it yet, you're soon to find out that I'm a word nerd.)
- I'm actually getting paid for this. (Relieving...and way more cheaper than studying abroad.)

I'm really anxious to start this journey. Maybe a little too anxious. I think I need to cut back on my American vigor and promptness. Ever since studying abroad in Cádiz, Spain for five weeks in 2008, I've know that Spaniards like to take life slowly. While in Cádiz, I both respected and envied the Spanish lifestyle. But now it's time for me start living like a Spaniard, and it's been really challenging...especially while still living in America.

Here's why I have to start living like one now:

At the very end of July, I received an email telling me that I unofficially received the job in Murcia. I was ecstatic and anxious to start preparing for the job right away. Then I found out that the university was approaching its vacation--for the entire month of August.

So I've been here in the States waiting, rather impatiently, for the university workers to return. I need an official letter of invitation from the university so I can finally drive to D.C. and apply for my visa (that can take up to a month itself).

Come on, Spain. You won the World Cup this year. I think you can do it. You can hire me.

I'm just hoping the recruiters at the university don't take their time during their vacation and come back from too relaxed to go through the trouble of hiring an American. Maybe they'll hire a Brit instead because it would be easier to just snatch up an English-speaking EU citizen.

But I've been in touch with a professor from Murcia who is visiting Morgantown. She's going to help me out as soon as she gets back next week. She seems very efficient, so I have faith.

Lately my days have been spent running around town, opening new bank accounts, obtaining my international driver's license, turning in criminal background check forms, etc. I'm also subbing occasionally, trying to make a little money before I peace.

I'll keep you updated on my visa status.

¡Ciao!