I guess I gotta start somewhere...

After weeks of procrastinating, I've finally found the courage to start this blog. I don't consider myself a good writer; I'm neither eloquent or articulate. I always have a hard time putting my thoughts into words...unless I'm writing a very angry ten page letter to someone. However, I have already mentioned this blog to many people. I have also already taken the time just setting this up (and we all know how much I hate figuring things out on the computer). I really have no choice but to get this going. Plus, I don't want to disappoint my fans...I've got so many! With that said, please bear with me and let me know if I completely suck. I can handle criticism (unless it's really mean and unreasonable...then you might get a ten page letter from me).

So for my first blog ever (!), I've decided to answer your most frequently asked questions. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Fran's own FAQ (add applause)...

Why the hell are you moving?
There are actually many many reasons for this (and they are in no particular order). One, why the hell not??? I'm relatively young, I'm single, and I got no babies! If I fail, I only fail myself. Second, I've always wanted to do it. It's a huge challenge for me. If I can survive out of my comfort zone for at least a year, I can add that on to my very short list of accomplishments. Three, I needed to get out of the "real world". No one really tells you in college how much sitting in a cube from 9 to 5 (or 8 to 6 for most of the time for me) is really not that fun. Four, I love to travel and seeing new places, meeting new people. What better way to experience a culture than to completely immerse yourself with the people, the language, the food (!), and everything else in it. I have many more reasons. I have it all written down in my real paper journal (my paper blog, I guess, which is a lot juicier), and frankly I don't feel like sharing it all. So I'll leave you to yourself to wonder what those other reasons are.

Why Madrid, Spain?
Honestly, it just happened to be my backup plan. Obviously, plan A didn't work. What's plan A you ask? Well, it was to work in Japan. I applied for the JET Programme (Japan's exchange teaching program) last December. I went for an interview at the Embassy in February and found out in April that I was on the waiting list :(. Before I got the email, I was pretty much starting to lean towards Madrid. Japan would mean leaving in July and missing Natania's wedding. And I just knew that I would never be mentally ready by July. So when I got my waiting list email, I pretty much took it as a sign that I'm meant to be in Madrid. I decided to forgo my chances and sent my decline letter to JET (apparently most people on the waiting list still get to go). The only disadvantage to Madrid as oppose to Japan is that I would have to do everything myself: look for housing, look for a job, get insurance, pay for my flights and all transportation. The more I thought about it, I got more excited about the challenge. The idea of "winging" it, just made it more attractive. And the best part is that, I can learn Spanish and I get to go back to Europe! And so far, I have no regrets about not going to Japan.

Where are you going to live?
I will be living in a studio apartment for the first week. Then I'll figure out the rest once I get there. I'll make sure to post my address as soon as I have a permanent one. I know how you are all dying to send me packages :)

What are you going to do?
Hopefully I will find a job teaching English by January. I am taking a course for the first four weeks that will give me certification to teach English as a second language.

What are you going to bring? How will you pack?
Well, I am leaving in two days and I'm still not packed. Today, I looked at the pile of clothes I am thinking of bringing, and it just gave me a headache so I walked away. I don't really know what to bring. All I know is that I don't want to carry a lot of s--t (sorry, Mom, but I have to swear sometimes). So the plan so far is to put as much as I can in a big ass backpack (thanks Brie!), a medium size duffel bag, and a school size backpack for my carry on. I feel like this packing thing is really my first big challenge: which shoes do I bring; will I freeze if I don't bring a thick coat; are seven pairs of jeans enough; will I have room for some chocolate and snacks? I really just don't know!!! Can I hire someone to pack for me???

Are you excited? Nervous?
This is an interesting question actually. From the moment I decided to do this, I've never really been nervous. The past 6 months, I've felt really good about my decision. It was just time for me to go. I mean, it's just moving. It's no big deal. I've done it at least ten other times. Then came Monday when I had my first real anxiety attack. I think it finally sunk in. I've been unemployed for over a week and I haven't done s--t. I have so much cleaning, organizing, packing, and music downloading to do! Besides that, crazy thoughts were consuming every part of my little brain: what if I can't find a job; what if I can't find friends; what if all the Madrilenos hate me; what if I end up poor and broke and living on the streets and forced to sell my body; what if I have to go home; what if I get super homesick; what if I get lost in an unfamiliar area and get killed??? But alas, there's no turning back. I'm going to have to just calm myself down the next two days, cry my eyes out when I say goodbye to my family (b/c I haven't done enough crying already), and dive right in on Saturday when I get in Barajas Airport. I got no other choice, right?

Alright, I'm getting tired and this is getting long and stupid...I'll be impressed if you made it this far. This blogging thing is a bitch, but I gotta persevere. Till next time...