Sant Jordi day 23 Abril 2010

Friday, 23 April 2010. Today Raul took a day off, to hang out in Barcelona. Saint Jordi is the Patron saint of Catalonia region. Today represents of "LOVE". Because the story says Saint Jordi killed the dragon to protect the princess. And when the blood of dragon leaking on the ground, it became "RED ROSES" That is why people in Catalonia today they give "a big single rose" (not a bouquet) to persons you love, lovers-parents-friends-etc. Thus, base on the story of Saint Jordi what they believe, so it is more important than Valentine day. You won't see people really giving roses or flowers on Valentine day in Catalonia. Beside the story I just mentioned, also today is the "traditionally" book day.

We woke up quite early today, around 8am. We took a train to go to Barcelona so we can enjoy the day. The weather forecast the night before said that today would be raining in the afternoon. But that wouldn't stop our plan because at least we still could enjoin the morning. I didn't eat anything for breakfast from home because I was so busy with setting hair, picking what to wear, because we're going take some photos. (he he he...)


Today in Barcelona is soooo packed!! People is everywhere; many small stalls selling roses with some sweets, and many many many big stalls with books on the street. There were some book stalls with books' authors, to give their signatures. So people walking slowly, stopping over looking books.....etc. BUT, where are Roses' decoration?, I thought. I asked Raul, where is the decoration on street or something like that? Raul didn't really understand the question for the first time. Then I clarified more what I meant. And he said, there was not such things like that today, the main purpose is actually about BOOKs. So I thought, Damn! I skipped the breakfast for dressed up nice, be prepared if I would be in the photos. I got a little disappointed. But anyway, at least we went to visit Barcelona's town hall which opens only today. So I got a bit chance to take some photo. At the end of the day we got quite exhausted. May be also, we stayed a bit late for drinks with Fernando and Joan after Tapas last night. Plus packed of people is everywhere... everywhere.... It's liked, we couldn't take a breath. We decided to leave from Barcelona around 7.30pm back to Tarragona. I slept on the train a bit because I was too exhausted. Today Raul bought 5 books for himself, plus more 2 fiction books which I gave to him as the presents for St Jordi day. And only I got in return is a rose :o)




On the way back home, Raul kept saying that He is tired. However, when we got home, he asked me to go out for dinner at the port, where we never have dinner there yet. I found it strange as he claimed that he is very tired, but he wanted us to go out for dinner?! But well, why not? I like dinner out anyway. The direction to the port, we had to pass the train station. When we drove pass the train station, I saw "JUAN"!!! he was standing and waving in front of the train station. "Wha...!?" i thought! ..............Let me go back a little bit, about story of today; While we were walking on the street in Barcelona, Raul got a call on his mobile, and said (in Catalan)... who is this? 0h~Valencia Juan??" and then he turned to speak something else which I didn't understand most of it. But there was something to do with -train-, -sleep-, -time-. So first thing I guess was " Is Juan coming to Tarragona?(Me and Raul call him as Juan Valencia, as Juan is common name in Spain) but he is my friend, then why he called raul but not me? ...hmmm...... suspecious" Anyway, after the called, I asked Raul if that was My Juan. He said, It was Juan, a friend of Fernando, asked him what to buy for Fernando. It didn't make quite sense to me, but well, I believed whatever he said anyway. And now I saw Juan, so I was not that stupid in term of senses. I am so happy to see him again!! Actually I already thought that before I move to Dubai, I want to do something to meet him, as I really want to meet him. Now he came to visit me instead, It's great.


Now I asked them what happened about this story. Juan said, He wanted to make a surprised to me, He called Raul a night before, but Raul didn't take mobile phone with him, so Oscar answered instead. But Oscar didn't get any chance to say anything to Raul or let Raul knows and also we left home early in the today. Only Juan just called to Raul right before coming to visit me in the same day. Juan is from Valencia, and studying another master in Montpellier, France. So this week he is making his way from Valencia to France by train, and stop at Tarragona for me 1 night, and go to Barcelona for his weekend. We had dinner at home, and went out till late. I had so much fun, It was great that I did hang out with my own friend in Spain, old time. It was good. At the end of the night, we both got so drunk. And I got the hang over for the following day. Today(24 Apr) He left to Barcelona, and stayed with his friend who is Japanese, but Brazilian nationality. Too bad that he couldn't stay a bit longer. That would be more fun and crazy. From today, I have no idea how and when I will meet him again. It sounds sad but I believe that I will make it happen, to see him again. So in fact, no need to be sad at all.


-- More photos please visit my Facebook album......

"The call"

19 April 2010

While I was having a good dream in the morning on my bed- I had to wake up because of my mobile is ringing. At that moment I knew, that would be "THE CALL". And yes!! It was the one.

19th April is Monday, I get the class in Barcelona at 11h30. Normally, I wake up at 08h00 and take a 09h30 train to Barcelona. But not today, My alarm did not go off. However, I got up suddenly because of my mobile was ringing. I looked at the clock and It was 09hoo. The first thing came in to my mind was 'Shit, I am late' but It was not just that. 'Who called me? Raul? Well, I still can take a train at 10h25 anyway, Thanks god!' HOWEVER, I had predicted before I went to bed last night that I would get a call, THE CALL from Emirates. So when the phone was ringing, and I also felt that this call could be THE ONE. So I thought, please I want to see the call number starts with +971...... Not "Raul Special" or something start with 977...... with no+ in the front which mean Raul is calling me from his office. I thought, Baby, don't get me wrong that I give you important less than before. But please, not this time, not now. (I set Raul's mobile's contact as -Raul special- as the plan of Vodafone's contract, the duet number, and 977.... something is the number from his office.) At that moment, I couldn't think of anybody else to call me at this time, but Raul or EMIRATES. So I grabbed the mobile and said to myself that First I'm gonna do is find the number +971~..... And Yes, It was +971....

I answered the phone with my heart shaking; "Hello" And there was a female from another side answered "Good morning, This is a call from Human resource of Emirates, May I speak to Mr. Settawat please" All of the sudden, It seemed there were 5 tongues in my month, I didn't know what or which to reply "Yes, this is.. this... this Yes I'm speaking" And then she continued saying as she was the answering machine, like she had been making several calls with the same pattern. And she just tried to finish the call as sooner, I thought that she would still have many calls to make. That's why she didn't ask if I have any questions. And of course, at that moment I couldn't stop thinking that "YES! I got it, I got it...."

You may be able to imagine a person who just got up with a Great Surprised news likes. I wouldn't wait any second. I grabbed a mobile and call Raul to tell the good news. One hand, I am super happy, but in the another hand....I will be leaving Spain. However, this is for good reason as we both know. After that I called my father and mother. And not to be missed, my bitchy best friend, Kik. I had been keeping the information that I went to interview with Emirates to myself, and not yet told anyone, just in case that I wouldn't make through. Now I made it, so I didn't know what or how to start to tell anyone. So I just went on internet and post it on my status that .... " Dubai here I come. " with a picture of Emirates' logo. That doesn't need much to explain to all of my friends on my facebook, does it?

Monday 19th April year 2010, the first day that Sun was shining strong, Sky was so blue and clear, and the weather was so warm after the whole week with cloud and rain.

My life started to change today, It is the day!!