Vlog!

Hey everyone! So here's my first Vlog!

Very short less than 3 minutes long. I recorded this earlier today so that I could upload it and share it with all of you lovely people. BUT this precious video of me was a file of epic proportions and took over five hours to load. Which I was fine with (I guess). But after the 5 hours I was ready to copy and paste it onto here for a new post, and the AUDIO was off! All that time wasted. So I pasted the video onto movie maker. And reuploaded it (in only 6 minutes this time). And here it is.

So be nice. I know I'm a dork, but I hope you enjoy my mini vlog I've made for you all. And shall do every once in a while to keep things interesting. Especially now that I have figured out how to upload quickly.

Thanks for reading/watching.

<3
Cathy

Reader Spotlight

Hey Hey All,

So I'm sure some of you have navigated around my wonderfully redesigned blog and seen a the tab entitled:

 

"What is this Reader Spotlight?" you ask.Well to be completely honest I'm not 100 percent sure. 

Something that I want for my blog is for there to be a sense of community among the readers, which vary from family members, friends and colleagues from high school and college, future colleagues from SPAIN, and other random intrigued people here on the world wide web. 

So here is how it is going to work:

The first person to comment every month will get to have their own picture/bio/personal interview in the Reader Spotlight section, and readers may not have 2 consecutive months as the spotlight.

I do anticipate for this to evolve eventually to who ever comments the most during the previous month to earn the Reader Spotlight. And who knows what it may evolve into that we can't anticipate. 

I hope you all are as excited as I am about this lol. I feel like my blog is really taking off. On my Facebook the other day on the "On this Day in 2010" section, my status said "Just so y'all know, I'm going to be a famous writer someday." Which I'm sure I can trace back to Mi Epiphany. I still haven't started on the book that I'm going to write, but the way that this blog is coming along, is kinda exciting for me. I've gone from 3 to 11 readers, from 100 to 800 views all in the last month or so of revamping. So I'm anxious to see what the future holds not only for myself and my journey to Spain, but for this blog and what turns it will take.

What do YOU think about the Reader Spotlight idea?

Thanks for reading. And who knows come September 1st the Reader Spotlight could be YOU!

Much love,

Cathy

498 Hours

So it's official I'm leaving to Spain on September 13, 2011. 

That's 20 days, 18, hours, 15 minutes and 58 seconds from right now.

And as one of my fellow auxiliar bloggers and I were commenting. It's a tricky balance between keeping yourself calm. Like "Who cares if I'm traveling half way across the world to live on my own as a real adult for the first time, without family for friends? No big deal. Piece of cake." and then you have the part that is like "WOOO HOO!!! I'm traveling to Europe suckers!!!"

So that is where I am currently at. In between- let me hide  under the covers for the next 3 weeks til I have to go out into the big scary world, and dancing around because the adventure of a lifetime is right around the corner. And as my HAU Little Kathy pointed out to me very bluntly "Well you really wanted this, so you're gonna go and suck it up like a big girl." Hahah yes ma'am

As a side note and tip for those who are planning to travel. Tuesday is the BEST day to buy your tickets. I don't know why they are cheaper, but if you're getting airfare try to get it on a Tuesday, I saved a little bit of money along the way, which we all know is a good thing. 

Not that I saved enough money to get the ticket that I really wanted, which was LA to NY to Madrid. So I could say g'bye to some special people I have on the East Side. But I'm not going to complain, because I know that I am blessed, and for the next 498 hours I'm going to try to keep that balance until my feet touch European soil (or cement lol).

Thanks for reading. Comments are always appreciated.

Much Love,

~Cathy

Butterflies

Today is the day that I have been anticipating for a long time... I received my visa in the mail. There it is, stuck to a page on my passport ready for me to take to Europe and embark on this adventure that awaits me. The only thing is, things didn't really happen the way I've imagined them going down. 

All I've thought about is ripping open that envelope and pulling out my visa, the official approval for me to go to Spain. Today I got that envelope, and all I could feel were the butterflies in my tummy bouncing around telling me "Cathy this is really happening, you're going to Spain. Leaving for a 10 month minimum with the possibility of not returning for up to 3 years or ever (okay maybe that was an exaggeration...lol)."

But it still stands, I didn't run around screaming YAAAY! As I thought I would when this day came, instead I sort of find myself semi-retreating from the whole idea. Of course this doesn't mean I'm not going to go, it just means that I feel all of this is coming a little quicker than I anticipated. Don't get me wrong I know this is the opportunity of a life time, and many are jealous/proud that I am able to do so, but part of me at the moment is going " WAIT! WAIT! I really have to go? But I still need to find a place to live, and figure out a commute to work, and figure out how I'm gonna survive til my first paycheck" All things that will resolve themselves once I'm in Madrid, but alas I've always said telling me not to worry is like throwing a pebble at brick wall and expecting it to collapse. lol

If all goes as I want it to, and I get the flight that I want, I'll only have 3 more weeks with my loved ones, and I guess I haven't sufficiently prepared for that goodbye. That time is going to fly by like the blink of an eye and in a few more entries I'll be talking about my flight was and the feeling of landing in Europe. I guess it'll all stay surreal til then...

I know at least some of the other auxilares are feeling slightly the same way as our start date is inching near. Facebook has been a great way to connect us all and share our experiences. It was even the motivation for my to up and "pimp" my blog lol. 

I'm still excited to go on this adventure, just gotta deal with a few butterflies <3

Hasta Luegito,

~Cat

Pay it Forward

An old man once said, "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living"

       This is the quote that serves as the motivation for this post. This was a quote I stumbled upon when I was browsing through my friend's blog. You see I am a big fan of quotes that are inspiring or motivating or just strike out some kind of meaning and/or emotion. I liked this quote in particular, because it's a good reminder not to sweat the small stuff and see the good things that life has to offer. So like I often do I post these things as a status on my facebook to share with my 1500+ friends. I share things because I figure, if  this (insert quote/link/photo..etc. here) made me smile, laugh, ponder, or reminisce then chances are one them will too.

     What I didn't count on is so many people reading and relating to this particular post. As I said before I share and post a lot of things I find interesting and they often get lost in translation in the traffic that makes up the facebook community, but this particular quote got more "likes" than even my status' regarding my diploma, or Spain acceptance. Now I know this probably has to do with this post doing more with humanity than my pride in my accomplishments lol. 

    So beyond the extraordinary amount of "like" notifications I was receiving on my page, came the extraordinary comment that reminded me why posting such things are for good. The comment went like this

"Wow I can't believe this right now.. im having a horrible day based on everything this message says and I thank u for posting it because u didn't know it but this has turned my day around for the better. I have to live by this. im so down, I cried when I read it."

     How powerful is it that something that I posted merely from my own interest and entertainment can I turn around and effect someone else miles and miles away from me, whom I haven't spoken with in years, and yet this simple action, had a great reaction. I felt really happy to hear this from her because it makes me think that I'm doing something right, no matter how insignificant. It actually kinda felt like one of those moments on tv when the teenager is like "blah blah blah...I don't matter" and some kind of supernatural action allows them to see how different the world is without them, and shows them their significance in life. Lol I know now the world would be different without me! haha just kidding ;)

     I guess that just another example to prove how social networking and today's age where everyone is watching what you say and do, allowing us to be connected in ways that we don't even realize.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your thoughts, your favorite inspirational quote (you never know who's day it'll brighten). Comments are always appreciated <3

Much Love
Until Next Time
~Cat

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours... :)

Hey Hey y'all,

    So today when I got home from the courthouse I was blessed to read the email that I've been holding my breath for. "The Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles Appointment Visa Process Notification" I eagerly clicked on the link and awaited for the message that was inside. There waiting for me were the magic words that I'd hoped for 

Status- Completed

Visa- APPROVED!

      A breath of fresh air. My visa appointment was on Friday, and 6 days later I am getting the okay. The only thing left to do now is to get at the mailman til  he gives me my goods. This is definitely a giant weight off of my shoulders, and it makes things just that much closer to being real. 

      Next step with visa in hand is buying a plane ticket, and putting a date on this adventure so I can start one of my famous countdowns. The difference this time is it's not "200 days til I turn 21" or "112 days til the end of the semester" or "74 days til Puerto Rico" or "55 days til graduation." This countdown is going but much more short lived, more like 20-ish days (CRAZY!)

In other news...

       Today I finished my goal of completing 100 hours at the Self-Help Center. It's kind of a bittersweet moment, because on the one hand, I am going to miss being there. There are a select few of people that I'm glad I've had the opportunity to meet (and those who know me, know I'm always networking). On the other hand, it's going to be kind of nice to just have a few days with no responsibility of waking up and driving somewhere, to make it on time to somewhere, to not have someone be impatient with you because they had a different idea of what the process is for court paperwork. Also, with all of my economic woes that are bound to come in the near future, not having to spend gas or lunch money helps. I've learned a lot in those 100 hours, giving me a little more insight, a little more to think about as I try to decide if I really want to pursue law school. 

Well that is all for now. Thank you for reading. It's always appreciated.

Much love, 

Cat <3

Makeover

Hey Hey!

   As I'm sure you've noticed by now, I did a few changes to my blog. If you didn't notice, then it's probably your first time here, so welcome :) lol.

Anyway...Recently I have been reading the blogs of others who either are going to Spain this year, just like me, or were in Spain in the past, or both. Seeing all of the different blogs and how cool they were sort of made me feel a little inadequate in my blog creating abilities jaja.

Which in turn made me change the background, a separate about me section, and photo section, with comment abilities so that you all can tell me what you like or don't like.

So here we are with a fresh look for our fresh adventure that is just around the corner. I'm sure I'll be checking the mail every day now. But once I have that visa, I'll buy my plane ticket and all of this is going to feel a little more real.

Thank you for reading. Comments are always appreciated.

<3 Cat

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems?? I wish...

Hey Hey all!

I'm back, and here with the relief that MY VISA PAPERS ARE IN. All there is to do now is wait for the mail :)

My packet that I had to turn in...including a $18.73 stamp on that envelope -_-

It was a semi-smooth adventure, in the race against time to get to the consulate on the 2 trains and 1 bus I needed to get there (which I thought I'd missed when I got off of the train, but there was another bus right behind it-whew!). Once there it was the same kind of hostile environment that I anticipated after watching this video (which also inspired me to keep a mini stapler in my purse lol). I was called to the window, handing the clerk every document that he asked for. Then came the FBI background check, apparently the wording by the notary was off and the slight rip due to the staple situation mentioned in my previous entry, was enough for him to go ask his supervisor if they were going to accept it or if I would have to jump through those hoops again. Fortunately, they were going to accept my imperfect apostille, but that's all that matters.

It's a big relief to have that part of the process over and done with. Once I have that visa in hand I'll be able to get my plane ticket, and this whole thing will be just a little bit more real.

Speaking of reality, the part that inspired the title for this entry- I really wish that my problems came with the fact that I had too much money instead of my situation which is Imma be hella broke lol.

So this summer I was not able to find a job and save that extra cash for my European adventure, instead I'm resume building at an internship at the courthouse. Spending money on gasoline and other expenses for this whole visa process, keeps my bank account dwindling down slowly.

There is a harsh reality that I have to face is that the $2,000 I have saved to get myself there and sustain myself til I get paid, is probably not going to be enough. Why? Because as soon as I get to Spain my $2,000 turns into €1400. Those €1400 have to get me started and last me until I get paid at the beginning of November? Oh wait but there are a bunch of upfront costs when I get there, right? First month's rent and a deposit on an apartment, bus pass to get around and figure out how I'm getting to work, odds and ends like outlet converters for my laptop, and of course food. So essentially even though I am now a college graduate my lifestyle will continue to be that of the poor college student. Given the economy and my ambitions I can't help but feel like I might someday end up holding a sign similar to this man:


Of course I kid, I kid, but it's realizing that I am going to have to lean on those who have supported me the most through everything, my family in order to keep my head above water for a while. As my good journalist friend Ashley puts well it in her article for the Daily New in LA- we are reluctant to ask for help because we feel accomplished but circumstances don't leave us any other choice. Don't get me wrong, as soon as i get to Madrid I am going to be scouting to give some private lessons and live as cheaply as I can, we'll just have to see how it goes for now.

That being said, with all of my future money woes pending, I am trying to hold onto every penny I have as long as I can. A dilemma I am facing now is that there are a lot of important people to me that I haven't had the chance to say my last "goodbye" to. My family lives about 70 miles from the concentration of friends that I have, and gas alone to get down there is a pinch and then whatever we decide to do, be it dinner or whatever is another few expenses that I don't know I can afford. I'll have to figure out something in the next few weeks, whether it be sucking it up and shelling out a few bucks to that my heart can be content in the hardest of times when I'm homesick in Spain, or set up some skype dates and hope for the best. 

Any thoughts or advice?

As always I'll keep you all on the up and up on what's going on. Thanks for reading, and comments are always appreciated :)
<3
Cat

Without or While or Cancelled?

Hey all,

Hopefully you all enjoyed the wonderful musical selections from my 50 Song Challenge, now it's time for a real update. Seeing as in we are inching closer to the time that I leave for Spain, and I am a basket of emotions.

I don't have a set date for when I am leaving, all I can say at the moment is that my "target" date to leave is mid-september, because I am waiting to have visa in hand before I buy my plane ticket in order to not have to pay anything extra in case something gets delayed. Which at this point, I'm not sure if there will be or not.

The whole visa process is pretty extraneous. So many papers to have, copies of everything, running from this office to that office...and here I am, possibly having to start one part of it over because some lady decided to make the simplest instructions in the most absurd way. So here is a little background so that you all can understand what went down. In order to get a visa you have to get an FBI background check with an apostille on it. No, I'm not talking about a biblical apostle (lol). This apostille is a paper that comes from an agreement that many countries signed in order to accept documents between other countries who signed the agreement. BUT in order to get the apostille it's kind of tricky-

Step 1
Get FBI Background Check
(Done- I had to have it done back in May in order to apply for the program)

Step 2
Write a letter stating that I am the person from the background check
(Done)

Step 3
Get that letter notarized
(Done $10)

Step 4
Get the notarized letter authenticated by the county clerk
(Done- $9, and luckily I could get it done in Lancaster and not drive all the way to Norwalk)

Step 5
Take Notarized letter with the authentication from the county clerk to the California Secretary of State Regional office in Downtown LA
(Done- $25 for a metrolink ticket to DTLA, and $26 for the apostille)

So as you can all see the process to get the apostille is kind of a lot. So the snag in my plan to perfectly execute this mission in the name of getting my visa to Spain comes when the lady at the Secretary of State couldn't give good directions. I get there to the office building, after not sleeping at night, getting up super early and traveling 2 hours, and maneuvering my way there. I have all of my documents with me Authentication, letter, and notary paper stapled together, and the copy of the background check was not stapled to the packet. So the lady flips to the last page of the packet and tells me that the background check needs to be stapled to the back of that page and what I heard was WITHOUT being attached to the rest of the papers. Therefore I removed the back page of the packet in order to staple it to my copy of the background check. As soon as I do that she says in her incredibly irritating singsong voice "Oh my God, what did you do? Now it's not valid..." umm WTF? Apparently what she said was that it need to be stapled WHILE being attached to all the papers. In which case WHY did she flip to the back page and give those kind of instructions instead of just saying it the most logical way that the background check needed to be stapled to the back of the packet?! So she proceeds to tell me that they are not responsible if Spain doesn't accept my documents...etc. I WANTED TO SCRATCH HER EYES OUT...but instead I smiled and said thank you.

So not all is lost. I have my visa appointment this Friday, and I am hoping that they don't throw it out because of the tiny rip from a staple on the second to last page. If that does happen not all is lost. I have heard others going and not having that part done and they tell them to come back, so I'll just have to do it all over again. But as you can see with all of the costs to do it over again, it's taking away $70 THAT I COULD USE WHILE IN SPAIN!

I'll keep you all updated on what goes down.

In other news...and more wasted money so to speak. The alumni play that I was working on with my high school got cancelled. Originally we were doing a full length play, but then people couldn't keep up with the commitment, so with a month to go everyone who was still game got new scripts, but it just wasn't enough time to do the show justice. In part I am sad, because I was excited to perform again, especially back in my hometown where I got my start. Another part of me is even more disappointed because of all of the money I spent on gas to get from my east Palmdale home to Rosamond twice a week, again money that would have been useful while in Spain waiting for my first paycheck.

Tis all I have to say for now. Until next time, I hope to bring you all good news and good times. Leave the love. Comments are always appreciated <3

~Cathy