Barcelona, Spain

“You’re moving where? But you don’t have a job, speak the language or have any friends” my family said with disbelief.

“Exactly” I said as I showed them my flight reservation to Barcelona.

I had just made the decision to challenge myself on the next journey in life.

That was April 1, 2013.

I grew up on Corley Mill Road in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 1986 and from the University of South Carolina in 1990.

I moved to Atlanta in 1993 for a dream job with the Coca-Cola Company.

My job with them took me to live in the Los Angeles area and manage quality at the Olympic Village and stadium for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. I even was nominated by a fellow employee and had the honor to run in the Olympic torch relay.

After a move back to the Atlanta areas, I walked into my boss’s office on the 1st day after the Christmas holidays and she had tears in her eyes. My position after 16 years at Coca-Cola was eliminated due to a company restructuring. I was devastated.

On top of that, I would go on to end a 7 year relationship and have to short sell my house in Atlanta. I felt defeated and lost but yet in need of a drastic change.

Some people may call this a mid-life crisis, but I saw it as I chance for a new life.

I discovered Barcelona on a trip a year prior with 2 of my best friends who were helping me go through this tough transition.

We came and vacationed in Barcelona and Sitges for a week, and I immediately fell in love with the city, the culture and its laid back vibe. It reminded me a lot of southern California in which I lived for 5 years in the late 90s with its mild, sunny climate and proximity to the sea and mountains.

On the last day of the trip, I pulled my friend Bill aside and asked, “What do you think if I moved to Barcelona? He said, “Why not, I think you should do it.”

I spent the next few months researching the visa process and looking for jobs in Barcelona. I discovered that there were many jobs teaching English as a second language and found an English academy that would help me get my TEFL degree to become a teacher. I knew that since I didn’t speak Spanish yet, I would be limited to number of jobs I could do.

On May 1, 2013 I packed 2 suitcases and my Apple computer and moved to Barcelona.

Over the course of the next 7 years I would totally immerse in the Spanish culture. I would learn about myself to include my strengths, my weaknesses, and the importance of family.

Next: Adapting to the Spanish lifestyle.