Perfection

It is imho extremely hard to achieve perfection. Do-able, but oh so hard. With the help of my girlfriends, I have however achieved the perfect bachelorette party weekend. Correction. I have not achieved anything, they have, as they were the ones organising everything, thinking of every little detail, location, guest, etc. The only thing I did was to show up when and where I was told. No merit in that. The special thanks actually go to Beanie and Nat, the event managers of this perfect bachelorette party.

The weekend was really the perfect combination of hard core party and relaxed quality moments with all my favourite girls in the world. Well, some were actually missing, but the majority did make it, and I enjoyed every single second with them. And I enjoyed oh so very much to see them all getting along so well together. I had no doubt it would happen. They are all smart cool good-looking girls with many points in common. But it was great to see it and live it.

I therefore have a big challenge on my plate now. Strike that. Two challenges. 1. Trying to pay them back by organising a wonderful wedding, where they will all have a blast. 2. Trying to repeat this kind of girly weekend more often, such as for example once a year. For although I am completely exhausted from so much action, I feel more energised than ever!

The whole nine yards

I never thought I'd do the wedding thing. I mean, I only changed my mind about getting married a few years ago, being highly against it previously. M. wanted a wedding and I started seeing it in a new light: the occasion to organise a BIG party where all the people I love will be together for an entire day. It sounded pretty good after all. Which does not mean I don't have a few problems with that day still. I just cannot see myself walking down the aisle of the f****ing church for example. (The only reason we're doing the whole church ceremony btw is because of my grandma's request.) I've never liked being the center of attention and so part of me really dreads this moment. As well as others of course, which I believe will be numerous on that day.

Then again, I also never thought I'd have a bachelorette party. But guess what, my friends are organising one for me. A solution has been found to gather all my girls spread around the world. It will be a weekend bachelorette party to be exact. In Madrid. And although the opportunity to be partying with all my girlfriends sounds wonderful, I must admit I also have some fears. I truly hope it won't be too crazy. As I said, I hate being the center of attention, and would therefore hate to have to perform some kind of bachelorette-typical dare(s)!

Here we come!

Our very much desired trip to Madrid was yesterday impossible. But miracles do thankfully happen, or maybe good budgeting, or simply luck in finding a Schnäppchen (i.e.chollo/bargain) The fact of the matter is that I am finally coming to Madrid after 4 months. Four days will definitely not be enough to see everyone and go everywhere, but I am not complaining. I am happy and look forward to this long weekend. Did I mention M is coming with me? He seems to be missing Madrid even more than me ;-)

Goodbye

I'm finally done. Done packing it all that is. Tomorrow the storage company will pick it all up, and it will then be time for me to say goodbye to my wonderful appartement and to Madrid. They both sheltered me through the last two and half years, since I first arrived starting a brand new phase of my life. Remembering who I was then makes me realise how many/much things/I have changed. For the better I think. I do leave with plenty of good memories, with old and new friends, wiser and happy, and definitely looking forward to what's expecting me next.

Next post will probably be written from Germany, so till then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

To do

Looking at my gigantic to do list used to literally depress me and/or stress me. I can however happily and proudly say that it has notably decreased. If I continue like this, I might even be able to enjoy a few moments of freedom in Madrid before I leave. Freedom being a few hours of shopping (still need to buy a few xmas presents!), visiting friends, or (hopefully and) spending time with my father.

But I can't get carried away with joy yet. First things first. Got a gazillion things to do!

Back...

... from absofuckinglutely fantastic holidays

... in Madrid and its 'youmaycallit' desert heat (even if it has cooled down an itsy bit)

... to being alone: M left today =(

... in the office, as unmotivated as humanly possible

... in the 'waiting' (Mercedes Benz called on July 11th to inform M that they had chosen another candidate...)

A memorable Saturday afternoon

My father had the wonderful idea of going to lunch and visit the Mezquita in Cordoba last Saturday. So we jumped on the AVE (fast train) at noon and two hours later we were in the Southern city of Cordoba. Yes, everything is feasible when you're not on a budget that is.

A small parenthesis to share with you a funny fact: on the way to the Atocha train station, my father took a taxi and was literally screamed at, laughed at and called a fool by the taxi driver for going to the hottest place in Spain on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of a heat wave. Pure madness he called it. The fact of the matter is that the taxi driver was right: it was 43 degrees celsius (approx 106 Farenheit) when we arrived.

So after a supposedly nouvelle cuisine gourmet lunch at El Pais recommended Choco restaurant, we headed to the Mezquita, a mix of a mosque built by the Mores and Christian churches and chapels. A stunning combination of Jesus and Allah, crosses and mosaics, yet everything blending in. Esthetically extraordinary. It was beautiful, peaceful and by all means worth the sweat, the heat, the bad lunch, and even the indigestion!

Decision

I have finally taken a decision. A BIG decision. I am going to reject their transfer offer given the unreasonable conditions offered. Of course I am going to make them wait a bit before I tell them that... haven't they driven me crazy with their eternal mind games and waits?

Things are finally moving and better offers are coming from other sides. Cross your fingers!

And in the meantime, I'll be enjoying the nice hot Summer days in Madrid for a bit longer ;-)