Casa Juliana

I tried to write something last Monday at an internet cafe but, in the middle of typing the second paragraph, the whole place lost power and I lost everything I had written to that point. *sigh*

Anyway, to bring you up to date -- I moved last weekend on Sunday. It took my three hours to pack my stuff (9 boxes, 3 suitcases and various other weirdly shaped articles that could not be packed) last Saturday night and then one hour on Sunday to move it. I had it all downstairs, in the driveway, waiting for my driver by 10AM and we were finished moving it all into my new place by 10:30AM. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of advantages to living a pared down life.

The new apartment is great! Very cozy and it already feels very much like home. I am trying hard to get used to living on two floors. It seems like every time I'm downstairs and I need something, it is located upstairs and vice versa. I also have a small staircase leading into my place so I am getting a little bit of extra exercise too! I might have mentioned that my friends, Jeff and Liz, are my neighbours so Liz and I have started walking in the early mornings.

Liz doesn't speak much English so my Spanish is improving greatly! :) And since one of my bedroom windows is about 5' below their bedroom window, we are doing a lot of communicating "al fresco". Good thing too since I don't have a phone anymore. Living with a cell phone is hell. For those of you who thought I would easily adapt, forget about it! I can hardly wait to get my computer and a toll free line to the rest of North American via Vonage.

The new neighbourhood is very Mexican. I don't miss my old neighbourhood all that much, other than my former landlord, Arturo, who surprised everyone at the office by calling twice last week and telling them that he is "my husband". LOL The little church is close by but I haven't heard any bells. That might change tomorrow, which is Sunday. There is everything I need close at hand including corner stores, internet cafes, restaurants, gym, lavandarias, etc.

I am quite settled and happy to be there. No weird animals so far except maybe these two strange birds on the second floor of the corner store who both emit a rather weird noise when they are "singing". I will have to ask someone what they are. Initially, they annoyed the hell out of me but after one week and a good set of earplugs, no hay problema! Work is going well. We are still a bit busy with cruiseships but I am now working only five days a week, with Sundays and Mondays off. Life is good!

Many thanks to friends for their recent "gifts". Anne Marie, I got my boa back from John and I just love it! Tell your Mom I might need another four by the end of March next year! A woman from my hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo discovered my blog and recently came to PV with her sister, her niece and future nephew-in-law. Sandy, it was great to meet you and your "clan". I hope we can get together for a drink at Ethel's when I get home this summer!

I guess that's it for now. I'll post this quick so that those of you who have been asking for an update will have it. Remember, I am always available by email and soon hope to be available via a Toronto phone number. Keep in touch!

Juliana xo