I leave in less than a month!

As I get closer to leaving for Spain, I am already feeling anxious.  It's hard for a cat mama to leave her children for so long.  I take care of them.  I keep an eye on them.  I know I am the best cat mom ever and it's hard to leave.  Dominic is a huge mama's boy.  If I have my bedroom door closed and I'm in there without him, he meows until I let him in.  When it's bedtime, he scoots his cute butt right up to me on the pillow.  When I wake up, he is always next to me.  I'm going to miss cuddling with my boy.

I also worry about leaving Joey.  Joey is like a delicate flower...lol...he is so sensitive and needs shots every month and a special food to stay healthy.  I'm a control freak.  If I can control everything, I feel better.  I'm still going to Spain.  I'm just feeling anxious about it.

I teach Spanish.  I am underemployed.  I want to get a better job. Living in Spain for 11 months and taking French classes while I am there will help me get a better job when I come back.  I have a Master's in Spanish and I am working on my Master's in French.  I will also be taking a year long class on Foreign Language Methodology.  I'm lucky to have this opportunity but with opportunity, you are some times thrown out of your comfort zone...and that's okay. :)

My mama's boy Dominic

My delicate flower, Joey. :)

I leave for Spain in 30 days.

I've always wanted to move to a different country.  The first time I left the country was in 2006.  I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain...so Spain is special to me. (And Spain is the only country I've been to twice!) In January, I finally made the plunge and started applying for jobs there...and after many months of waiting and hoping I finally got a job in Spain...and now I'm moving there.  MOVING THERE!  Holy crap.  I am moving to Spain. :)

The first question anyone who really knows me asks is, "What about your cats?" Well, my cats will be safe here in the US (because bringing them to a shelter is NEVER an option for me).  They will be staying with their grandparents.  I wanted to bring one of them with me but it will just be too expensive and too difficult.  I mostly worry that someone will say, no, you can't bring that cat on this train/subway/plane or in this hotel/hostel/whatever and then I'm stuck because I would never in a million years abandon my cat.  I also worry about my ability to find a place to live if I have a cat.  It's hard enough in America!  If I had a friend or relative in Spain that I knew I could stay with, I would definitely bring my cat...but I still don't have a place to live!  I will stay in a hostel the first week or so until I can find a place to live.  Of course, I am looking and have been looking but I will not agree to anything until I get to Madrid.  So, very, very sadly, I cannot bring my cat with me.  I'm trying to find a place to live that has a cat already.  My soul needs a cat.  I need a cat in my life to be happy.

So...it's July 26.  August 26 I will be on my way to Spain.

Am I nervous? Yes.
Am I excited? Yes.
Do I think this will change my life? ABSOLUTELY.

And that's why I'm doing this.  I teach Spanish.  Living in Spain for a year will only add to my knowledge of grammar and culture and that's what I want.  I also plan on taking French classes while I am in Madrid.  This will enable me to finish my Master's in French on time rather than missing out on a year of classes.

In 31 days, I will wake up in Spain...or at least on the plane in Spain. :)

Appointment at the Spanish Consulate.

I went early to the consulate to see if could do everything early. They let me.  It went pretty quickly.  I was literally shaking while he went through my paperwork.  I knew I had everything because I had double (triple) checked but I was still nervous.  :/

The one thing I wish I had known is that the date you put down for your planned arrival becomes your earliest arrival date.  Which is fine, I put Aug 25 and I don't need to be there until Sept 1 but it would have been nice to know that that date was now "set in stone".

He also asked for my itinerary.  I said, the checklist said not to buy my ticket yet!  He just shrugged his shoulders...why even ask??

This is serious now! I'm moving to Spain (for 11 months)!

2 months from today I start my dream job in Madrid!

In 2 months, I start my job in Madrid, Spain.  I'm preparing everything so I can be ready when it's time to go.  In two weeks, I will be flying to Chicago to go to my visa appointment at the Consulate of Spain.