Changes...since I have to have a set time I arrive in Madrid for the School shuttle to pick me up and bring me to Salamanca..I have decided to fly to NYC first. Going to stay for a few days with my girlfriend Julie then fly to Madrid on June 3rd. Woo hoo! I am thrilled to be able to spend some time with friends from the past and new friends I've met while in NYC. Also, I think Damien's going to meet me in Lisbon instead of Madrid then we'll fly to Florence for some fun..then it's off to England to hang with my cousins Ted and Sam. And last but not least SEVERAL silly fun crazy days in Ireland. So far we want to go to Derry but have no other set places in Ireland yet. Time will tell!

One thing I can never be accused of is...being a Procrastinator! I just don't like waiting until the last minute to get things together...nor do I like when other people do. Get it done early and you can relax later. With all that said, today I am downloading CDs to my Laptop on iTunes. I want to make sure I bring alot of the music to Spain. I've traveled Europe a few times and one thing I did notice...after a while I got sick of hearing Greek, Italian, Spanish etc. music when in those countries. So making sure I've downloaded some Good Ol' Rock n Roll to escape and be home once in a while. I've also contacted AT&T about Wifi and Cell services. Seems my best options will be to use the Laptop for Skype, Internet and Messaging while I am at the School. They have free WiFi. If I buy one of the AT&T plans they charge you monthly then by the minute for Data usage. I am just gonna purchase the World Traveler plan for $5.99 a month for my cell. At least that way if I need to use the phone for messaging or calls it's much cheaper then roaming. I also kinda like that I can't be in touch 24/7. Sorry..I love ya but...

On the 'how I feel' side...I still can't get the smile off my face whenever I think about it. I AM GOING TO LIVE IN SPAIN! It's a fantastic fuckin' feeling when one of your goals and dreams comes true. Makes me think..maybe I can get that Airstream someday? You bet!

Counselor at the school tells me the name Carrasco is from Burgos y Leon, Castilla. And the Carrascos were 'the voice of the king', messengers. That's pretty cool. Burgos is only 139 mi NE of Salamanca. That's one trip I will take on a weekend while there. I was going to find a job and/or volunteeer but I've been told I can't work in Spain unless I have a prior Spanish Employer contract. And there are no volunteer opportunities? OH well..guess I'll have to just go to school and then enjoy myself each day. Oh no!

They're in the process of locating my host family now. I can't wait to find out who it is and get to know them via email before I arrive in Spain. My only requests were 'no children' and a 'private bathroom'. I'd truly prefer a gay male couple also. I kind of hinted at that with my counselor so ... who knows. I am told by friends that the Gay community in Spain isn't as open and out as the US. Not sure if that's true..we shall see.

I daydream daily about how my life is going to be while in Spain, the people I'll meet, the food I'll taste, the sights I'll see and the family roots I may find! I still feel I need to pinch myself sometimes to know this is real and it's going to happen.

I sure hope some of my friends will be able to fly on out and visit me while I am there too. How fun would that be.

Wow! Received an email from my assigned sponsor, Raul Palacios! All is ready to go. Don't have to pay balance of full tuition until two weeks prior to departure. That's fantastic and will help alot. Meanwhile I forgot about a possible Visa. So need to contact the Spanish Embassy here in SF to see if I need that for 7 weeks. School starts researching for a family for me to live with. My only requests are private bathroom and no children. I can't believe this is finally going to come true. I've been dreaming of this since early summer.

Just completed my registration form. I'll be in school from June 6 to July 22nd. 7 weeks! WOW WOW WOW! I am going to Spain. One of my dreams is coming true. Now to get things done before I head out. Damien will be coming over my last week of school then we are going to Portugual (not sure where yet), Firenze, England to visit cousins then to Ireland to ...drink drink drink! Well .. isn't that what you s'posed to do while in Ireland? Huh?

Hello friends! Well...looks like I may not leave until June. Seems I may have an opportunity to make a few more bucks and have much for fun while I am in Spain. No matter when I leave...I will be there. LOL! DUH! Just want to make sure I have all in order that I leave behind in SF and lots more $$ to enjoy extracurricular activities while in Spain. Hee hee! Plus..I am thinking maybe Summer better? No need to pack a big ass jacket, socks or closed toed shoes. Cuz this girl hates socks and shoes...oh and bras! xoxo Peace man

SMILE

Oh and just try and wipe this smile off my face! ; )

I DID IT

Well...registration fee paid and date set. I will leave last week of February and classes start March 14, 2011. 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks I will be learning the Spanish language of my ancestors. Woo hoo! Now the process of finding the family I will live with while in Salamanca can begin. Wow! This feels so good to finally have confirmed my dream of living in Spain is a reality! Wow wow wow! Sorry..it's the only word I can think of right now.