Devon Cooper

I have very rarely gotten into a heated discussion, let alone an arguement, with someone who wasn't my boyfriend (sorry sweetie!). It's not my style. My style has generally been to absorb all the other person's hostility, then go somewhere and cry. Not a great tactic, I admit. But then again neither is constantly getting into screaming matches.

But today was different. To an extent. It all started when I placed a friendly phone call to my landlord, reminding him that I would be moving out tomorrow. Thank God. Also, I wanted to tactfully remind him that he owed me 400 euros worth of deposit money.

I was surprised when his wife answered the phone. I don't have any positive feelings toward my landlord, and because of past experience, I have nothing good to say about his wife either. Today was no exception. When I amicably told her of my moving tomorrow, she got very angry, yelling that tomorrow was the first of the month, and that I have to be out by today, because the room has already been rented. I then reminded her (not so pleasantly this time) that I told her husband 3 WEEKS ago that I would be moving out on the morning of February 1st. She denied this and continued to rant until she finally handed over the phone to her husband. He denied that I ever told him when I was moving (denial- a behavior I have seen before in him). But at least he wasn't screaming and yelling like his wife. Eventually he said everything was fine, that I could stay until tomorrow morning. And of course, he then attempted to delay the handing-over of the money until monday. I was proud of myself. I stood my ground and said NO, I need that money to pay my new rent. So he promised to have it by saturday. If I don't see exactly 400 euros in my hand on saturday, he's not getting his keys.

So there.

It seems I have reached my limit of pictures I am allowed to post. So the posting of france pictures will have to wait until I can either go back and delete some of the older pictures, or until I put them all up on flicker (spelling?) or something. Sorry! Gosh, I wish I knew html or something so I could just have my very own little page. Oh well!

 

Is it Karma? If so, I must have been very, very good.

 

A friend from work asked me last week..."Have you found a place to live?" I responded with a resounding and frustrated "NO." She then let me know of an acquaintance who would soon be renting out her apartment room by room.

 

Long story short. On Feb. 1st I will officially move in to a gigantic 4 bedroom, 2 bath, beautiful new apartment. To be shared with three others. Probably Americans. The most important part of all of this is the location: I am now a mere 15 minute walk from my academy. As some of you may know, this is a huge change from my current situation. Not only a change in distance, a change in atmosphere. The landlord is a friendly, down to earth lady whom I trust to treat her tenants respectfully. (Don't follow? See my post about my current landlord.) The price is incredible, the neighbourhood friendly. What more can I ask for?

 

I am thankful. I don't know if I have every been so thankful before.

 
Peace to all and I promise to post France pictures soon.

ps support Jackson's new project bringonthefuture.com

In order to get the best prices possible, Dayni and I planned our trip to france at a rather awkward time. Our plane would fly out of Barcelona at 8:30 am on New Year's Day. I forgot to consider some of the problems this could cause. One, would there be a train to take us to the airport, or would they be on a delayed holiday schedule? Two, if the trains were delayed, would we then have to spend new years in the airport? Personally, that was not a big deal, considering the alternative: Count down to midnight with Dayni's roommates in front of the tv. No, thanks.
However, as things turned out, none of those problems were problems at all.
First, the trains would run perfectly on time- lucky for us! Second, Daynis cousin invited us to spen new years with him. He lives with his wife and son in a beachside suburb of Barcelona. His wife's family was having a big new years celebration, and we were invited.

The party itself was amazing. It was definitely a Cuban-Spanish fusion atmosphere. Everyone was dancing to salsa music and rumba...The table was overflowing with the most amazing food: Salads, congris, yucca, tostones, stuffed peppers, roasted chicken and rabbit, and turron- a spanish dessert popular at christmastime. here is a picture of the stuffed peppers that Dayni's cousin prepared. yum!




In the last minute countdown to midnight, we all ate a grape at every five second interval. This is a Spanish tradition that I don't fully understand. And it's a lot more difficult than I imagined to eat grapes that quickly... When the clock struck midnight, we all hugged and kissed and toasted with champagne. Here is a picture of Dayni and me toasting.



I was so happy to be able to enjoy the new year among people I consider to be family and friends, although I've only known them for a short time.

I must say, however, that I was not without my own feelings of homesickness. Every year since graduation, my closest friends from college have all come together at our favorite party location: Amanda and Chris' house. We always spend the whole night celebrating, talking, laughing, having an amazing time. And I know the party was just as fun this year as it has been in the past. Seeing some of the pictures from their celebration made me quite homesick, missing the closeness I have with all of my friends. Missing how much we laugh and celebrate anytime we are together.

But as I said before, I still consider myself lucky to be where I am. I am on an adventure... and adventure never comes without sacrifice. So at the risk of sounding quite corny... I want to dedicate this blog to all my friends back home and to their happiness this 2008! Cheers!