Ignacio, I didn't actually mean a particular company picked my friend over me. I just meant that like roses and everyone is saying, the companies seem to focus more on the nationality without much concern for the skill level (not to mention grammar?). But thanks for the vote of confidence. I need it!

Hmmmmm...I am underwhelmed by the response to my post regarding jobs that require Spanish. Oh sure, you SAY you want to be able to use the language, but then you put on all these restrictions...like you want to be paid well and want the weather to be cool sometimes!

I found several interesting jobs in today's paper. One...unfortunately part time only...is for a "Spanish Language Expert" (of all things!) for professional translators, copy editors, and proof readers. A couple of other ads are for an administrative specialist (pay a whopping $27K!), a US/Mexico Border Outreach Coordinator, and an administrative assistant for the Nature Conservancy's Mexico division. A lot of jobs here require (or prefer) bilinguals, though nearly as many (truth be known) are looking for natives. Still...if you REALLY want to speak Spanish, give me a holler and I'll get you the pertinent data.

La maestra, who reminds you that tarantulas make great pets

Thanks, maestra, but I'd rather not move FURTHER away from Spain!!!

GG

Yes, GG, but you CAN get there from here!

Maestra:

I agree with you... sometimes people (myself included) put so many restrictions on our dreams. Sure, I'd move to Spain if I had a kick-a-s job, nice apartment near Velasquez, a handsom boyfriend, and about $10,000 bucks saved in the bank. And of course, with these restrictions, I have denied myself the opportunity to follow one of my dreams in moving to Spain. Perhaps, we put restrictions on our dreams, for a safety net, to help in eliminating the fear of failure and dissapointment. Who knows, but reality has it, we all must figure out what is most important to us, and then live by that (with no limitations)...roses.

Roses- I know what you're thinking about the skill set, but in my last job, I knew NOTHING about manufacturing. I had an education background, which as a corporate instructor/trainer was enough, and a language proficiency they needed. Too bad upper executives weren't ready for that kind of full-time commitment. I learned the manufacturing end in situ, and flew with it.

I was poking around yesterday and found upwards of 50+ jobs just by logging onto different "non-latpro" sites and using keyword: "Spanish".

Again, there are always plenty of stable jobs with governmental entities such as the DEA, CIA, FBI, NSA and DOL...make sure your track record is either clean or honest...and you're in good shape.

Nicely put, Roses! We moved out here about 12 years ago from the Chicago area where we had lived forever, leaving family and really sweet jobs behind. We were tired of living like moles....going to work in the morning when it's dark, coming home in the dark, and doing nothing but house duties in our off time. What with leaves, lawns, snow and gutters, it seemed we never had time for fun. I took a massive pay cut, but would never go back. I can wear shorts almost all year and never put on a coat unless I am playing in the snow in the mountains. We still have household duties, but not nearly as many as before. We can get to Puerto Peñasco in about 5 hours if we want to hit the beach. The mountains are about a 45 minute drive up...and I see them as I wash dishes! When we have rains I can get to really neat waterfalls in about 30 minutes. We have all the culture I can handle, Spanish is everywhere (not Castilian, but Spanish nevertheless) and aside from the grumbles I grumble about from time to time, life is good. This isn't utopia by any means, but I got closer to the stuff I really love than I ever thought possible. You're right...set your priorities, then go for your dreams!

la maestra, roses,

Very good perceptions as to what is and isn't important. There's success and there's success. The first being financial, and the second, although less financially rewarding, more in tune with who we really want to be, and become.

Personally, I'm a dreamer. Of course one of my favorite songs, from Man of La Manchais The Impossible Dream. It's amazing just how much Cervantes understood how the future would be.

Someone told me that when they take a trip, they climb in the car, and drive straight through... for even a thousand miles... to get to their destination. They see nothing but a few restrooms, greasy spoon roadside diners, and gas pumps along the way. Then, when they arrive, they are exhausted, and spend half their time recovering from the trip, and the rest of it resting up to get back home. But, that's what life is. A trip. The only difference is, you don't get to pass the same landmarks a second time. You have to enjoy them as you go from point A to
B, and if it takes longer than you thought, so what? It just means you've enjoyed more of life along the way.

I'm reminded that we all have obligations, but there is no greater obligation than the one that we have to ourselves. When we say we have to get "better," that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to work harder, or make more money. That simply means we have to find a way to be true to ourselves and others.

I know... it's difficult to read something serious by a Wolf... But take it from me, I wish I'd stopped at a few more places along the road of life, instead of passing them by so fast. Remember, you can't go back in time to reclaim it. It's gone.

El Gato

ElGato/Lobo, I wanted to comment last night, but your post is so beautiful I didn't want it NOT to appear as the "lead" on the active topics list!

I really admire young people like roses who learned long before I did that success does not necessarily mean money and that following your heart is the best move. Unfortunately, for most of us it takes going to one of those black balloon parties to give us the tip off that time...and life...are passing by pretty quickly!