Moving back to Barcelona

Old Jun 16th, 2006, 05:38 AM
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Sending positive vibes your way, hoping this resolves itself quickly for you.
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Old Jun 16th, 2006, 09:13 PM
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I called again today and no new news. . . my passport is "still in Spain" meaning that it could be already mailed to the consulate and will arrive on Monday (best case scenario) or that it will be there for an undetermined amount of time and I will have to just guess on a departure date and go ahead and change the reservation.

The only thing that feels even slightly good about this is that my family and friends are thrilled. I told my trainer hoping for a little sympathy and she said "thank goodness, lady! We're keeping you!"
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Old Jun 19th, 2006, 10:23 AM
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No paperwork. In a few minutes I am going to go change my departure date to the 28th in hopes of getting it all by then. I would be crying, but I am babysitting and that would just not be good for the kids.
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Old Jun 19th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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Hi laclaire, I was thinking of you this morning and was hoping that you were going to be reporting that you had your passport in your hand. Best wishes..and it is nice everyone is thrilled they will get to be with you for a few extra days but I can only imagine how frustrated you are.
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Old Jun 19th, 2006, 05:40 PM
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More than a few extra days. . . I went today to change my ticket and the next possible departure date is July 3rd, so I went ahead and changed the ticket (if not, I would lose the whole thing) and if the papers don't come in by then, the next available date is July 9th. So. . . missing Hogueras with my host family (had a good cry with my host sister over the phone), missing the 5 day eating with my close friend from Boston (who I will now not see for I don't know how long and who will navigate the city all by herself), starting work in the office much later than planned, arriving as my best friend is leaving for the summer. . . for now I am looking at the negatives because it is easy and I am sad. Tomorrow I will come back with some positives.

In fact, here is a pre-emptive positive. I babysat for my cousins all day today and will do so every day this week. I tell you, time with beloved little ones transcends all experiences.
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Old Jun 19th, 2006, 05:56 PM
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I'm sorry for the delay, Claire !! But just think positive..soon you will be longing to babysit for your cousins so enjoy it while you're there There will be Hogueras next year..but the children grow quicky !!
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Old Jun 20th, 2006, 08:27 PM
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Claire,
I too have been wondering about you and how things are going. You have a great attitude and while this is a difficult situation, Spain will still be there for you (too bad we need passports and visas and all that stuff at all, huh?--after all, we're all humans on this planet together...right...(guess you can see why Kystroff and I hit it off, huh?)

Well, keep up the good spirits!
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Old Jun 20th, 2006, 11:25 PM
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ttt
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Old Jun 20th, 2006, 11:41 PM
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Hello arlover, I have had the same thoughts as you just expressed all of my life!

Hope you two and your family are well. It is sooooo hot here in Vacaville, a long rainy season and then suddenly such hot weather. We only had about two weeks of spring. Take care.
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 07:30 AM
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Hey laclaire,

Any news yet about your paperwork? I really hope everything turns out great.

Too bad you have to miss San Juan, I'd love to be in BCN as well for that.

If I make it to Spain this summer, I definitely hope we can meet !
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 08:52 AM
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WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!! I was in the middle of reading degas' trip report and realized that it was 10:45, the time that I call the consulate every morning to check in. The sweet Ester answered the phone and first asked me how my family was doing, inquired how the cake baking went (yesterday my cousins and I were making a cake when I called). . . and then she said "you have been authorized." There was jumping, there was hugging, and now there is posting. I will for sure get my visa before I leave on July the 3rd, and on July 4th I will make my way to the office in hopes of making it to lunch with the co-workers.

Everything is looking up and though Hogueras are in full swing in Alicante, I feel like I have been given a stay of some kind. So, with the new date in mind and everyone contacted about the change, I am calm, collected, and very very happy.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of support and to those who I will see very soon in BCN, we are still on, and to those I will see some time in the abstract future, you know where I am.
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 08:55 AM
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Hope to see you there someday~Scarlett
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 09:21 AM
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It's a date.
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 01:28 PM
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Fantastic news laclaire! Now you can relax and enjoy your days here in the states knowing when you will be leaving for Spain. I am so happy for you!!
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 01:42 PM
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I'm so glad things are straightened out for you, Laclaire. Best wishes...
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 07:19 PM
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Great news!!! So happy for you.

Will see you (and maybe other Fodorites) there next Spring!

(LovesItaly--Best wishes and here's you chance to add Spain to your list of Loves!)
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 08:04 PM
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laclaire,

i haven't checked in for ages, I thought you'd be off right around now! I'm glad this glitch got worked out and you'll be there soon enough. I still literally think about my trip to BCN almost everyday -- what an absolutely gorgeous, vibrant city, hoping I can go back soon. Be sure to stay in touch, everyone here will miss you if you drop away...
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 10:54 PM
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Hey, fishee! I know you want to go back, so you know where to find me when you do!

As for my return, I have made the executive decision to delay it even a little longer because now that I am already here until the 3rd my grandmother's 90th birthday is on the 5th and frankly, if I can make it (and I can, as I spoke to work and the person in charge of my classes), I really want to. So, I go to the agent tomorrow to push back my dates just a little more and I am actually really happy about it, though I think I might be ruining a welcome back party on the 4th somewhere in Barcelona.
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 12:09 AM
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i have the distinct feeling that there are many parties in store for you in Spain... I so feel your pain about missing the eating tour with your friend -- did he end up going alone?
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 09:53 AM
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She is there right now and I have set her up as best as I could. Once the conference is over, she will go to Barcelona and she has a lot of my recommendations as well as a few coffee dates with friends of mine. She is, of course, going to the MACBA, and I am sure she will have a great time.
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