Hi Redwood,
I hope your move to spain works out for you! I used to share your feelings too : That the US isn't all its cracked up to be. I didn't like the all-work no-play mentality. I've changed my mind since then. Don't know why, but I'm happy here now. I realized that there are so many places in the US (its sooo big!) that I haven't been to that I can't rule out the entire country without giving it a try. Then if i don't see anything I like... wild horses couldn't keep me from Espa�a!!!
Amanda

All,

Your dreams are inspiring! Here is an example of a Spanish dream come true:



My in-laws (shown here in Plaza de Espa�a) raised 8 children (who all went to college) on a steel mill laborer's salary and never thought they would ever be able to do something like visit Spain and Portugal.

Two years ago their dream came true, courtesy of their children. After spending 35 years in the mill, my father in law has constant back pain, but for those magical 2 weeks in Spain, he didn't hurt a bit.

My mother in law had a stroke late last year. Although she is doing pretty well, such a trip now would not be possible. She is so happy (as are we all are) that they went when they did. Even two years later, they talk about how wonderful Spain is.

Take a chance! Make your dreams happen!

Awesome picks Paul(and irene)
Thanks for the inspiration! I'm sure us "hopefuls" will never tire of hearing success stories of encouragement from fellow dream catchers Good for you and your in-laws!
Amanda

Thanks Amanda! Irene and I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your dreams!

Our dream is a little farther in the future, and for a shorter duration...My parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2 years, so all of us (children, spouses, and grandchildren) are taking them with us to Spain. (Poor Jer's probably heard this story 10 times by now.)

My mom and dad will be 73 and 78, respectively, and are both psyched. The two years before we go will pass quickly, so we are already in the planning stage. We have proposed an itinerary and will discuss more when we are all together in February.

Amanda,

I see your point of view. The US is big, but I have no interest in staying in any state. I guess that's just me. I need a change and that will come next year, if not sooner.

I'm glad that everything here has worked out for you and I wish you much luck with your goals and dreams.

Un abrazo fuerte,

Shawn

Sarita - yes, I also work in Human Resources... I'm actually Amanda's amiguita - the one thinking about making the "big move" - I like to think of it more as a big leap into adventure, uhh, maybe that's just because I'm the much more impractical one of us... Amanda's not missing nearly as many screws...

as for Human Resources - I would love to do that in Spain but don't think I will hear back from the job I applied to in Madrid. I don't really know what to expect, which is okay since I really don't know what I want yet anyway. I've only applied to one job posting I found interesting. I think if I go to Spain it will be in search of something more magical (and more short term) than a dream HR job, you know? I mean, since Alejandro Sanz is already taken, I don't think I'll be settling in Spain for the 'make a family' chapter of my life. But then again, quien sabe??

Hey coraz�n,
I also don�t bank on finding my dream HR job in Spain. Especially not in Sevilla. But I think it is a good job to have in the States in preparation for the move to Spain and search for new adventures. I feel like I have lots of transferrable skills for lots of other careers. Being bilingual helps too!
Did you and Amanda study in Sevilla together? Funny that you found each other on this board!

Besos,
Sarita

P.D. quien me tapar� esta noche si hace frio...

dear amanda,

if you really want to live in spain do it! 23 is a perfect time for such an adventure (though of course it may turn out to be more long term). i am...well, older than that, and i wish in some ways that i had done this sooner. i have only been here for a week, so i don't have the sage advice that some of the others have. i already found an apartment and a job teaching English. i will not make much, but it should pay the bills.

unlike some of the others, i liked my job in the states and know lots of great people who do not center their lives around money or upward mobility. i also am really close to my family, so i don't know about a permanent stay, but i surely do not regret finally moving here for however long it turns out to be. there is a quote from thoreau that perfectly fits why i moved."...i left the woods for as good a reason as i went there. perhaps it seemed to me that i had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one...i learned this, at least, by my experiment: if one advances in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

sorry to start rambling, i guess i consider that at worst it won't work out and i would have to move back home with less money,but with a great experience and i can live with that. good luck!!
desha

Amanda, I agree with Desha. You are at a good time of your life to go.

My parents and Irene's are in their 70s, and especially in the case of Irene's, there are fairly serious health concerns. In the case of both sets of parents, all their children now live far from home (we are the closest at 230 miles from Irene's parents, and visit them every month).

So, our ventures to Spain and other great places are limited to a wonderful two-to-three-week jaunt every other year or so. Still, we are thrilled for people who want to embark on an adventure like yours! I was 29 when I first visited Spain 15 years ago, and it has been a constant love affair ever since.

Go for it, girl!

(And, go for it, Shawn! )

Sarita,

Yes, Amanda and I studied together in Sevilla, we became friends one weekend when everyone went to Portugal and we opted for a frosty weekend on the sands of C�diz. We've been close ever since!! (She actually told me to come to the board so we didn't actually "run" into each other, though that would have been pretty funny!) :b:

As for HR - yes, I love the job here in the states, I work in HR for Barnes & Noble. It's a great field, but I really have to weigh what I'm looking for in Spain... A "fun" job to get the ansiedad out of my system, or a "real" job where I can actually picture myself staying indefinitely and making a family. I don't know yet, but if it would be the latter, I would definitely love to pursue HR over there!

"ya sabes que, lo m�s profundo de mi alma sigue aquel dolor, de creer en ti, �qu� fue de la ilusi�n, y de lo bello que es vivir??? �para que me curaste cuando estaba herido, si hoy me dejes de nuevo el coraz�n partio??"

- It's pretty cool to know that I'm not the only loquita americana that can really appreciate good music when she hears it...

Thanks PaulandIrene for the vote of confidence. I have decided to just go there and make a life for myself in Madrid and stop living this empty existence here.

Still stalking out positions in Madrid and applying for everything out there. The least that they can tell me is no.

Shawn

Go get 'em Shawn! Irene and I are pulling for ya!

As am I, as am I!

Saludos,
jer...