The Good and Bad of Expat Life

The last few days have been completely EXHAUSTING so I took a 2 hour nap, did all my work for tomorrow, packed a little for my trip to the Paris MBA Olympics (though I'm not really allowed to say Olympics) this weekend where a plethora of business schools are participating in sports (so this is bigger then the IESE Spring Fling). Since I posted the first time in MONTHS I'm on a roll!

To continue with catching you up on my life in Barcelona, I'll include some of the GOOD and the BAD since it's not all happy happy joy joy all the time!

• GOOD: I am just discovering this adding pictures to blog thing so I'm going to keep doing it! GOOD: Seeing friends like Chris trying a fried green pepper from Catalona Ceveceria (see photo)
• BAD: Not being there for my family when sad things happen. My grandmother in Hong Kong died and my mom received the news on my birthday =( I haven't seen my grandmother in years so it's sad I didn't get to see her more recently. I was planning on going to Hong Kong next summer. What bad timing! I was really sad for my mom. She is there in Hong Kong now for the funeral. Please send good vibes towards that side of the world.
• GOOD: IESE's Doing Good Doing Well Conference. We bring in speakers from all over to speak and debate on such topics as social responsibility, health, renewable energies, economic development. It was great but tiring! Maybe you can come next year? Save the Date: March 2-3, 2007. I will be involved in organizing! I am also a co-president of the Responsible Business Club. Whoo hoo! We joked around that next year it'll be called the Looking Good Doing Well Conference - makeovers and THEN you can do well in the world!
• BAD: Missing good friends' weddings such as Gracie and Jamesie's this weekend! Good luck you two! I am upset at missing your wedding but I hope you understand!! I wish you the VERY best because you guys are great!!! I hear you have a layover in Madrid on your way to Italy. Call me if you can!!!
• GOOD: Seeing the world. I mentioned all the places I've seen this year. Now this weekend is Paris and next weekend is IRELAND! This crazy cool Irish girl is hosting a group of us in her hometown of Derry. My first trip and I'm really excited. One of those places I really wouldn't go on my own initiative but I couldn't pass up the chance to go with an actual Irish hostess! I'll be insanely tired with travelling 2 weekends in a row with finals and projects due BUT I am young only once!!!
• BAD: The workload and stress. My skin is shit. I feel and look my age. I don't get to workout as often as I would like.
• BAD--->GOOD: I was crying a couple of weeks ago because I applied to internships for the summer but hadn't heard ANYTHING! Then before you know it I had 3 interviews and 3 offers!
• #1 CHF International in Serbia. They promote economic development in various countries. PAID.
• #2 E.D.E. Consulting in Guatemala. A German coffee distributor decided to do some good in the world and so uses their consulting group to implement projects in Latin America to help coffee growers with their business processes and general business knowledge. My family is freaked out that it is unsafe which it is -- I have to be careful. PAYS travel and living expenses.
• #3 Charity Bank in London/Tonbridge-Kent. A small organization that lends money to charities and entities that do charitable acts. PAID.
• Decision: I am DEFINITELY doing the Guatemala coffee thing because it's exactly what I set out to do this summer. I can maybe reach an awesome level of Spanish!!! I can't do the Serbia thing cuz it's 12 weeks....but I'm trying to see if Charity Bank will let me work 6 weeks instead of the minimum 8 weeks. Cross your fingers for me! Barcelona --> London --> middle of nowhere GUATEMALA---> Chicago by the end of September --> back to Barcelona for classes!!! It would be so cool to get paid and have travel expenses paid. I hope, I hope it works...
• BAD: I screw Sylvia who is visiting in July. Mia as well but at least she has her sister Rose here. Lisa will also be here studying Spanish. So a bit of juggling will have to take place to ensure BUT hopefully she'll understand about the opportunity. I'll make it up to you, Sylvers ;) LESSON LEARNED: Don't committ to anything if plans are pretty up in the air.
• BAD: Missing the great friends in the states. It's very hard to keep in touch I've realized. I really appreciate the e-mails I do get and hope you understand how crazy it is!!!
• GOOD: Making new ones abroad. I was extremely touched during my birthday. It can be very lonely abroad if you don't make good friendships. So it was great turning 29 -- eeek the last year of my 20's! My section sang happy birthday to me while Noelle wrote "Finally Carol is 18!" on the blackboard...I'm legal, baby!! I went out to a lovely lunch with some friends. Then I had to study for midterms which sucked but Lindy was great! She cooked me dinner and bought an ice cream cake. My favorite!!! Then Anders and Natalia sang birthday songs in their native languages, Danish and Spanish the Mexican way! Natalia gave me a nice turquoise bracelet. Ali had given me chocolates and a Pez Dispenser! Sweet! Oh and plenty of BESOS but on the cheeks...DRAT!
• GOOD: Seeing your best friends abroad. Lisa came to visit me to celebrate the birthday and brought me funky Polish dishes and a mug. What a sweetie! Although I felt bad - I had midterms til Friday afternoon and then Chinese class (I'm taking Mandarin with Ali, Huy, and Chris with this amazing teacher) so couldn't really hang out with her until 9PM on Friday!
• BAD: Meeting strange expats. We went out for Mexican with a good group from school; on to Brilliant for drinks with some of the girls...and Ryan. Then Ryan picks up these weirdos from the U.K. (figures). This one guy is trying so hard to impress. He has dyed blond hair in a trendy style and is making the DUMBEST comments. Ryan somehow invites them to OttoZutz with us. At the club I hand Ryan my jacket that my mom just sent in a cool birthday care package LAST week. Next thing I know he doesn't have it anymore. I ask, "Ryan where's my jacket?". Ryan points to the crazy obnoxious guy and says, "He has it." WHAT?? The stupid guy is wearing my jacket and would NOT take it off. IDIOT! Finally Lisa rips it off of him. THANK YOU! Ryan, you're dead. Then on the dance floor Insane Man asks Ryan if we're available and he says Yes! Ryan, you're dead AGAIN. Then the guy starts sidling up against Lisa...YUCK! Oh he also asks Ryan to hold his drink while he does this weird dance move. PSYCHO! Finally he leaves because his super quiet friend...got kicked out. Yeah, that makes sense.
• BAD: Losing shit. I've lost TONS of shit in this stupid country. My lovely Club Monaco jacket, a wallet full of credit cards and cash, my gym bag that contained cleats, workout clothes, and my glasses!!! Well, I can certainly add to the list---> my NEW jacket and my favorite Club Monaco cardigan. We leave our jackets on the railing at the club for 10 minutes and go back...yup, GONE. Well I feel worse for Ryan because he had his iPod and keys in it. Sucks. Finally go home at 5AM or so.
• BAD: Being late to your own party. Lisa and I spend the afternoon shopping and hanging out with Ali and Joanne. Finally get back and rushing to get ready...bad traffic...and finally arrive at my dinner party AN HOUR LATE. 14 other people waiting at Shoko - this Asian style restaurant/club by the beach. I had a blast at dinner, a Swedish private party with singers, shots, and partying at Catwalk til 7AM.
• BAD: Losing more shit. I'm more tired then drunk and forget my phone in the taxi.
• BAD: Getting into fights with locals. So Lisa is a bit tipsy and tends to be more agressive when drinking. Some guy says "Japones (Japanese)" to her and she retaliates. And then he pushes her!! Crazy that this would happen! A man pushing a woman! Luckily no one got hurt and everyone just walked away. LESSON LEARNED: Don't provoke people who may be drunk, coked up, and/or high at 7AM outside of clubs.
• GOOD: More presents!! My flatmates surprised me with gifts from a group of people: cool Indian-style sandals, 2 pairs of silver earrings from my favorite Barcelona designers, tea bags, and yummy chocolate. They're the best!!!!!!!!
• GOOD: Getting ahead in Spanish! I just passed my module 11 out of 12 Spanish exam! Which is awesome because I think my Spanish is crap. Very close to passing the DIEN test and then I can take business classes in Spanish! Whoa......

I'll keep y'all posted on the summer and this weekend in Paris. IESE has won 3 times in a row...so hopefully we can live up to high expectations!!! Besos para todos!!!