Hello everybody,

Just wanted to give you all a quick update. I was jobless for two months and tried getting something with a temp agency and the first temp agency turned out to be a joke. The second on was much better and they placed me in a matter of days.

My first assignment was working in a document services company where I learned how to use scanning software and changing documents over to pdf files. Hey, more experience under the belt. Second assignment will be for a Bilingual Enrollment Specialist job with a health care agency. I'm looking forward to that.

All in all, things are going well, but it's a shame that when you have an MA in Spanish, that people get afraid like you are going to take their job away from them. I am still dealing with small town mentality Richmond, VA and a Black man who speaks 3 languages with an advanced degree causes alarm. You would think that in 2007 things would be different, but they are not. Many people are shocked when they find out that I am from Richmond. I guess that a Black child who grows up in the projects can't amount to anything.

Look 4ward to seeing you all in the summer. I am shooting for July, since I know that most people leave in August.

Thanks for reading,

Shawn

Well, didn't get the Bilingual Enrollement Specialist job, (they thouhgt that I would be bored - TRANSLATION: This person's going to take my job ) so that means that the MA in Spanish has to come off the resume. Such a shame, especially since education is highly valued in the USA.

Not adjusting well to US life. Will sign with more in later.

Shawn

quote:

Well, didn't get the Bilingual Enrollement Specialist job,

their loss!!!

depressing as hell to hear that an ma in spanish is considered a negative back there

saludos,
jer...

Jer, I agree. I am also dealing with insecure people in the workplace. I am seen as a threat and not an asset. Oh, well!. Something has to come up to tide me over until June.

Have a great day,

Shawn

After 3 months of being unemployed, temp agencies not being able to place me and being denied unemployment benefits, I am now employed. It's good to be working again. And yes, you heard right. I couldn't get unemployment because I worked in Spain and not in the US. Such is the system.

Shawn

We'll it seems that I won't be leaving Madrid for good. I'm back on August 9th at 9:30 am and I am looking forward to seeing all of the multimadrid crew again. What have I learned from my experience here in the US?

1. That there's always a reason for everything. I really didn't appreciate what I had in Madrid because I was always looking for more. For example, I kept telling myself that I didn't have enough money because I was trying to keep up with others. I have now learned to tend to my own garden and enjoy the fruits and vegetables that were meant just for me.

2. Life is what I make it. I can make myself as miserable or as happy as I want to be right now. I am choosing to be happy and thankful for everything that I have. I have a wonderful family that really wants to see me happy and great friends who are there when I really need them, both in the US and Spain.

3. I have truly learned to decipher between my wants and needs. I am now choosing to focus more on my needs and let my wants go. I don't need material things to make my happy, for they, in my case, do not bring joy. I am content with good food and walking the streets of Madrid enjoying the architecture and people watching. As long as my needs are met, I am happy.

4. I now have a plan for saving money. I have a roommate this time and less than half of my salary is going to rent. I am now able to save and do some travelling. I can also work extra hours to save more. Coming back to Spain legally has really changed my perspective on things.

5. Last but not least, I only have one life and it's up to me to make the most of it. I have to make myself happy and being in Madrid is what brings me joy.

Looking forward to seeing all of you and thanks for reading.

Love,

Shawn

Shawn I´m so happy for you! That all sounds great, and it sounds like you are really happy, that´s fabulous!!! See you at the next dinner!!!!! Besossss, Joy

Shawn
I´m so happy so see you back !!!
It seems like this time in U.S has done you only good and you're coming back with a lot more of self conscious and insights how to face the future with his difficulties and his
happiness.
I'm waiting to have a copa with you at my Plaza Olavide...
C U very soon !!
Hug
Nava

Thanks a lot Joy and Nava. I truly have learned a lot and being here has done good for me. We will have that copa Nava. I'm looking forward to it.

Shawn

Hi, Redwood. Welcome back to Madrid. I am hoping to move to Madrid early next year, but I am coming for a month from the end of October to the end of November to do a course to qualify me to teach business and legal english (who knows whether I'll actually be able to find jobs in Madrid with this teaching qualification or not, but at least it gives me a month to get the "lay of the land" and decide whether moving to Madrid is what I really want). I'm curious that you said you are now coming back to Spain to stay legally - can I ask how you are doing that? I am also a U.S. citizen, and being able to move to Spain and work legally are my challenges. I'd appreciate any info you can give. Thanks, and welcome back again!

I haven't had a chance to catch up with Shawn, but I think I can give you some insight. First of all Shawn is an excellent teacher. I imagine many of his students were sad to see him go. Secondly having lived here already he's gained quite a lot of contacts which he may have used to land his current job. If the school that hired him know him at all they will know of his abilities and know that it's worth their while to help him with his paperwork. If you're coming over as an unknown it's going to be hard to convince someone (be it an individual, company, or a school) that you are worth the hassle of dealing with all the red tape that they will have to go through.

It's been mentioned many times before but it's worth the risk of coming the first time and gaining contacts. If you come over on a student visa you are permitted to work 20 hours a week, which is about all you can handle as a teacher anyway.

Just my two cents!

Welcome back Shawn!

Besos,
Bonnie

Shawn--
You're back just in time for the verbenas! Maybe we can all go out for drinks and fiesta to celebrate your return home one of the nights of La Paloma (which is going to be happening literally right outside your new door). Have a safe trip y hasta pronto.

Thanks for the responses. I am happy to be back.

Bonnie,

You have given excellent advice and have told nothing but the truth. I have already placed the foundation and am ready to pick up where I left off.

Megan,

I would love to get together and have a drink or two. That sounds great.

Renee,

Here is the program that I am doing.

http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml

Give it a look and see if you qualify. Good luck

FAVOR TO ASK . . .

I get into Madrid at 9:30am on Thursday, August 9th, and I need a place to hang out until about 4pm, when my roommate gets home. I am not expecting anyone to meet me at the airport at all, I just need a place to freshen up until I can head over to my place. Can anyone help me? Thanks

Shawn

Shawn
You can use my apartment
I won't be there I'll be at work, but you can grab a nap and you can freshen up
We can fix the details in the mail
hug
Nava

Thanks, Redwood. I'll look into the MEC program for next year. I will let you know when I get to Madrid in October - I would love to meet you and other multimadrid'ers when I get there!