The magic city for sure: BCN

Just will tell you a little about this city, since I mentioned I live here and I am dutch. Before I lived in cy, as I told you, that great small Island near Turkey

But about that later. Not to disappoint anyone with intentions to get here: It is difficult in the beginning. You need to find a decent place to live (sort of the same challenge as in Amsterdam), you need to find a job, salaries are not nearly as high as in holland, but..

The spanish people are wonderfull people with a great sense of humour. The city has a laid back and relaxed attitude for living. The is always something to do, see, great live music and terrific food

Even if its just to get an idea of a very different livingstyle its a very nice place to be. You do need to speak a bit of spanish though, or you'll be limited to the expat community without being able to communicate very well

The city has so many different barrio's (neighbourhoods), that each place has its own charm and atmosphere

Just walking through the Barri Gotico, whish is the most famous place in town, with its magic old buildings and streets, no cars, you can sense what a massive amount of history and culture there is to get here

Live music playing in the streets often and always, magnificent food you can find anywhere (although be aware of places just for tourists, often very expensive and bad quality in comparison). Of course they eat lots of tapas, but also terrific sandwiches, lots of fish and fresh vegetables, lots of red meat, mostly "a la brasa" (grilled)

The place is I think better to live then to just visit, if you come for a visit stay away from things designed to get tourists to pay indecent amnts of money  (like the stupid tourist buss starting from plz de catalunya ;), also be aware of some neighbourhoods, like the famous barri Gotico, do not take a purse/handbag with you! (because youll get robbed)

To work: just go to any employment agency, languages are hot here since the spanish speak mostly only spanish and here of course catalan. Best agency is probably Manpower (psg de Gracia, very near plz de Catalunya in the city center)

You'll find a job very easily..

On housing: go to the agency thats in Gran Via de cort catalanes, there youll pay around 290 to get subscribed but they do a very good job if you want to rent on youre own. You can give them preferences, price range etc and they look for you. They even make the appointments with housing owners which is very important. Spanish people often do not like to rent out to "strangers" so if youll call they will just tell you its been hired out orso..

Also to be checked: www.locquo.com

this is the local bcn website for finding jobs, rooms, stuff, events etc

this is it for now, have to get to doing some other stuff

but kisses and cheers!! ;)

Today was a really bad day, first of all i was late for work, second i drank too much last night. I felt horrible, ashamed and like a real loser

I dont really get whats going on lately, I used to be proud of myself, very serious about my job. I still am but I seem to screw up quite regular lately

I work for Citibank here in Bcn since december 2005. Mostly a way to pay for my studies.. just a customer service job. But I must say there quite a good employer, they at least try to be, which is something Ive understood not being done by spanish companies

....For some reason all things together just make me scared at the moment, its as if I am no longer in control in my life. I am either completely in control, or completely out of it, there seems to be no middle way ever with me

The worst of all is that I broke up with my boyfriend, or he with me I dont really know.. Its all gotten to a point where I always wind up with the feeling I have to be better as a person. Where there is nothing positive about me in the whole relationship. I constantly hear why we do not yet live together (he lives in cy), where i worked before and got to know him

There seems to be always a step ahead, one thing (or many) I do not good enough yet. Consequence is that I start behaving like it, because i get upset about being rejected all the time

In the course of two and a half years I seem to have developed a very negative image over myself, because of this

Like I must be some kind of horrible person..

Ill miss him like crazy, but guess it was never going anywhere

I wanted some kind of future and he does not, at least not with me and I guess with no one. But I sure as hell love him

But remembering how proud Id gotten of myself struggling to the getting grown up thing. Thats the person I really loved and appreciated

I feel like im that only rarely lately, so if I need to get that back maybe better to do so on my own

Yes I know I should be eeting boxes of chocolates by now etc

The thing is this only works in movies. In real life the whole break up thing is just kind of lonely

Yesterday I did do one good thing, I went for a run again, quite a though workout and although I can still feel it clearly, it is for sure a good feeling

Anyway, tonight just studies and in time to bed, so Ill wake up better tmrw. Sometimes the days go too fast but I must say there are some days I'm so damned happy when they're over