19 January 2025

The big news this week is that my application to continue my student visa has hit some snags. I’m not panicking but it’s been going on a couple weeks and it’s starting to become a “story,”

A couple weeks ago, my attorney sent a message that the authorities wanted signed bank statements showing my account balances and copies of my health insurance policy and proof of payment.

I went online to get the documents from both organizations and ended up with dead ends from each of them. My US bank doesn’t offer “signed” statements. And my Spanish health insurance web site had my policy from last year, with last year’s dates.

This week, I was messaging my attorney with these delays and messaging the sales company for my insurance.

The sales rep tells me that they have been having trouble with the web site and will get the insurance documents I need as soon as the problems are fixed.

After I sent copies of my bank statements (again) to my attorney, she said they want me to have a large sum deposited in my Spanish bank account. That wasn’t really a problem… but it was the first time that request had been made. Grrrrrr!

So I spent this week moving funds from the US to Spain to cover six months living expenses. Because of limits on transfers, it took all week to get the money moved. This week, I’ll try to get a signed statement from my bank showing that the money is there.

Hopefully, I can have everything they need quickly.

Otherwise, this week was quiet. On Friday, my Spanish class went to the Belles Artes art museum for a field trip.

All of these fellow students are in their 20’s; they’re bright, fun and interesting and each with different goals and dreams. I learn from them and I enjoy being the “dad” in the classroom.

After class Adam, Jorge, Collette and I went to lunch. It was such a treat to hear more of their stories and just laugh and hang out together.

This weekend, I spent a lot of time with Vicente and Cooper. On Saturday, we went to the local market to buy things that Vicente will use this week…including what we needed to make Arroz al Horno (Baked Rice). This very typical Valenciano dish includes rice, chick peas, tomato, potatoes, garlic, blood sausage, bacon, ham, and pig’s feet!

I acted as Vicente’s soux-chef, cutting and stirring. We ended up with what he said was his best Arroz al Horno that he’s ever made.

On Sunday, we went to the Flea Market. There was a lot of what you’d expect to find (junk from people’s homes), but also some cool antiques, prints, and knick knacks that were authentically Spanish… all part of my expanding Valencia experience.

Afterwards, we went to the beach with Cooper for lunch and a walk.

Vicente made this short video to share with his sister. I thought you might get a kick out of it too.

Say a prayer for smooth and quick visa resolutions.

And I wish you a week filled with peace, hope and love.