Here's the part where I feel like a stupid foreigner.

So.  The first time I tried to use my ATM card (last week) it got eaten by the ATM.  When I got my bank account they gave me a PIN (4 numbers) and a Signature (8 letters).  We used a computer to change my PIN and my Signature, so I assumed that what worked to access my account online, would work to access my account at the ATM.  No such luck.  Apparently, I didn't really change the PIN ... or didn't change the right PIN ... or something.

THEN, I got my bus card today and I saw online that you could transfer funds online and then just go to the ATM to activate the bus card.  This was preferable because I have a dictionary and translation software at home and no Spaniards looking at me like a crazy person poking around on the ATM.  In order to do this you need to use your Signature.  So, I tried both the Signature I thought I was using and the Signature they gave me ... and got locked out of my online account.  Awesome.

So now, I have to go to "my" branch (you can't just go to any branch - you have to go to the one the assign you to) to pick up a new ATM card and to get my online account unlocked.  I'm scared to even try to load the bus card at an ATM because I don't want that to get eaten to - but I am super anxious to be able to pay way less for my bus rides.  I'm also anxious because I have no clue where to put my card when I get on the bus.  There are 3 different machines for 3 different types of cards.  I think I know which one mine goes to, but who knows.  I also thought I had changed my PIN and apparently I didn't.

This is the most frustrating part of the move.  The hardest part is leaving my friends and family behind.  But the combination of the language barrier and the culture barrier is the most frustrating.  It's not like I can just call up customer service (not that they'd be open anyhow) and say "Here's what happened, what's going on?"  I could do that, but then I'd have to deal with banking Spanish that would be very, very fast.  So, I had to crawl with my tail between my legs to the administrative assistant, who surely thinks I'm an idiot by now.

I was also totally not in the mood for Spanish class today (even before all the bank business).  We started class at 5, an hour later than yesterday, and I was sleepy and ready for a break, not for more mental exercise.  I literally could not think of things to say in English, let alone Spanish.

To top all of this off, I forgot my tupperware, my arugula, and my apple in the fridge at work.  I guess this means I have greens and fruit for tomorrow - and that I'll have to bring home two tupperwares tomorrow (that is, if I can figure out something to cook tonight that can also be reheated tomorrow).

Oh well, tomorrow is another day full of opportunities to make more mistakes.  Maybe I should just start thinking of these as "learning opportunities" instead of mistakes.