Delibes...

Your story is in the news today! Check this out

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/not-just-one-cuban-mercedes-300sl-two-130057859.html

Way to go - recognition - at last!

After seeing the media explosion on the 300SL and the Degler Calendar, I was getting a little sick about Michael E. Ware, Caristas and Clarkson not getting the credit for finding the car. I contacted a bunch of journalists to set things straight, and I am glad everybody is now getting the recognition they deserve!

FEBRUARY UPDATE: This situation is highly demoralizing. Pay, on paper, is 20 hours plus an informal 14 hours of cleaning; however, I am expected to be on call 24/7 for grocery/bank errands, so no chance to plan any courses, or a second job (been looking, there aren't any!), or anything, for that matter. My life has been reduced to working in the kitchen, sleeping and procrastinating on the internet while I await some random grocery run —sometimes an occasional walk. I am crushed to a degree I didn't think possible, not even when my employer took my passport in Dubai.

Salary is at the high end of the US poverty threshold; fortunately I am lucky to eat some leftovers and whatever I can get in the kitchen. I do wonder if it's worth it to quit this job and work out something online (Mechanical Turk, Odesk, or similar).

I see my classmates get jobs at Apple, Facebook, IDEO and other amazing companies, and still feel sore about losing a job in the Petersen to the immigration hassle. More than ever, I am convinced that one cannot defeat circumstances on willpower alone.

What should I do? I will be notified about the Green Card on May 5th, and I pray I get it this time. If I don't... I don't think I can stand another year of poverty and bad/failed work prospects. Sorry to be a downer, last time I got stuck in Spain I spent 9 months alone in a cold apartment, losing my confidence and my sanity. Don't want it to happen again!

Life Challenges
 

.
Well Miguel ;

I too have been poor and feeling stuck in a rut , just keep on plugging away and before you know it , you'll find an opening or situation that's right for you .

The future is ahead , the past is no longer an option .

Waiting, waiting, waiting... working in the restaurant's kitchen while I see where things go. A week ago I sent my application for grad school, and the GC lottery is on the 5th... I pray I get one of the two AT LEAST!

The Waiting......
 

I'm pretty sure this is the part that " builds character " :rolleyes: .

Green card notification this coming Tuesday.
Interview at the Mercedes-Benz Museum (Stuttgart) by mid-June...

If I have to stay in the Old Continent, I rather do it amongst Benzes.

We'll see what happens.

Not selected for the Green Card Lottery. FML.

Is it really a lottery these days ? .

How odd .

Maybe you should find someone to marry......

My ex Wife did that and has never taken a dime of Public monies , she's a good Citizen as I think you will be , given the chance .

There has always been a lottery where a few lucky people have been awarded a green card.

They have really stamped down on marriage to gain citizenship. A lot harder, and a lot more work to show that its a real marriage.

Freind of mine has been in a year long process trying to bring his wife over from India. Hes going to celebrate his one year anniversary without ever actually seeing his wife except on a few vacations when he flew back.

This sounds like an interesting job opportunity. What is it, a curator position?

Sadly, that might end up being my only option to be in the USA permanently. A little hard work flipping burgers did not hurt anyone, but definitely is not what I see myself doing by the time I am 30...

The interview is by prestigious car magazine Autobild, and it will be about the automotive world in Cuba and the 300SL's in the island. It will take place at the Mercedes-Benz museum in mid-June, they say. I can only hope I meet someone important at the museum or HQ who sees my puppy face and grants me an entry-level position at Daimler. Fingers crossed!

- - - - - - -

In the realm of good news, the Harvard Business School online program (HBX) has accepted my application. I shall take three juicy months of business education and gain some knowledge and credentials for this pivotal career change!

Finally, an update! Last year's hardship with a big surprise at the end.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Times for Reflection