8 Month Review!

What a difference a few months make.  A lot has changed since my last review two months ago.  My life has in reality been turned upside down in all respects.  Many things have changed, for the worst and for the better.  Spain has never been what we expected, from day one.  This place continues to amaze and frustrate me in equal measure.  Like the story of my life, it has been a rollercoaster ride; one that I have wanted to get off many times.  Eight months feels like eight years; whether or not that is a good thing, I don't know.  More has changed in the last two months than in the whole of our time, living here!

​Employment

As readers to my blog are aware, I left the Restaurant I was working for a few months ago.  For me the hours were too few; they were also spread out over every day, so you can understand the situation was not ideal. At a time when this large restaurant should have been picking up for the summer season, it wasn't.  The best option for me under those circumstances, was to move on.  Personally I do not mind working every day, as long as i am doing enough hours to justify it.  I loved working there, enjoyed every aspect of my working life, but there were just too many disadvantages to staying.

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​Gran Alacant Advertiser

The biggest achievement for me, over the last few months, since our six month review, was being asked to write a column for The Gran Alacant Advertiser.  Everyone who knows me, understands the passion I have for writing; so being able to document and detail the community I love, is a dream come true.  My monthly column, entitled 'Chatter', describes the issues important to the residents of Gran Alacant and the surrounding areas;  just what are people talking about, in this little part of the Costa Blanca?

For me, this is a first step, on the road, to finally, being able to write fulltime, a career I have wanted to do, ever since I can remember. With a keen personal interest in politics and current affairs, the Gran Alacant Advertiser, has given me the freedom to write what I think is appropriate, devising my own brief each month.  Being acclaimed for your writing and recognised for your abilities, no matter how small, is important to a writer like me.  Being able to write about the country you love, is a bonus!

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​Australia

Darrell has left for Australia for a minimum of seven months.  There are many reasons for his departure, including looking after his Mother, who has been ill in recent times. The employment situation in  Spain is also not ideal.  Employment law, high unemployment, recession and unstable Government, together, make for a rough ride, especially for non Spanish speakers like ourselves.  

The best option is for Darrell to return home, care for his mother at a difficult time and earn money in a much more stable market.  Wages are also extremely low in Spain.  The minimum wage in Australia remains five times higher than the equivalent  here.  

Darrell has been gone for about two months now, and myself and Jamie are coping remarkably well.  We are both living on the bare minimum, but with the cost of living being that much lower than The UK, you can actually live quite comfortably. This is not a long term solution, but one we will endure in the medium term, in order to purchase a property in Spain and finally live our life together, as we would like.

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​oxfam

Even after eight months of living in Spain, Oxfam are still firmly on my mind, as they will be, until those responsible for their Sociopathic behaviour are brought to justice.  The Charity Commission in The UK, have been in constant contact, as well as a number of publications who want to buy my story.

I am still deciding whether or not, to talk to various newspapers.  I understand the implications of doing so and do not really want to hurt any of those innocent volunteers who I used to work with.  They would undoubtedly get hurt.  These people have given up their time to work for this charity, finding out the truth may not sit well with them.  It is a hard decision to make and one I will not take lightly.  This charity needs to be exposed for what it has and hasn't done, but I must remain conscious of my actions!

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​Community

Community is the biggest factor, why I continue to stay in Spain.  When Darrell returned home to Australia, I could have quite easily moved back to The UK, but after thinking about and weighing up my options, I decided to remain in Gran Alacant.  This was not the easy path.  Once again I chose to follow a difficult road, but the people who live here have been so welcoming, open and genuine, how could I not choose to stay.  Don't get me wrong, this is not the Spain I expected, I have little or no money, but this is one dream, I will not give up on!

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Visitors

We have had a few visitors over the last few months, some better than others. It was a pleasure to have Jean and Myra staying with me for a week, before their holiday to Benidorm.  Both Jean and her sister Myra have been friends for many years and I enjoyed spending quality time with them immensely. The two of them took me out every night for dinner and even left money for their stay.  They were the perfect house guests. I have decided to limit the number of people coming in future, due to the costs involved. For every guest that leaves some money, there are two that don't and will not be coming again!

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Looking forward

The season has come to an end in Spain; the reality of my situation, is I am highly unlikely to find any more paid work, until the summer season starts in March.  With Darrell working in Australia, that should take the pressure off me somewhat, allowing  me to concentrate on writing and keeping the home fires burning if you like.

​I am also looking forward to the cooler weather, possibly doing some volunteering with a reputable charity and of course will continue to write, always looking for more opportunities, should they arise.  I am finally looking forward to Christmas.  It will be very different from those in the past, but with a visitor flying over from the UK for a month, it will not be a completely lonely affair!

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