About me and why I decided working from home in Tenerife:
About me took me a long time to start writing about. I am not famous nor have anything special to show for except one of the most beautiful gardens I created for my family in Durban South Africa. But, that's all in the past and I don't own it any more. My name is Gabriele which was spelled Gabrielle when I lived in Paris for 2 years and Gabriela during my 3 year stay in Lisbon Portugal. I am German by birth and upbringing. The Spanish in Tenerife where I stay since my husband's sudden passing away in 2001 use my name like the Portuguese. During my 25 years of marriage to a German in South Africa I was mostly called 'Mrs' by my husband and Mom by my now grown up 2 children a son of 30 and a daughter of 29 who still live there. We used to be a very closely knit family. The fact that we all live so far apart can be painful, at times. Thanks to the Internet keeping in contact is not too expensive nor too hard. So much about me and whats left of my family.
My homepage for my far away family and...Writing my homepage Tenerife holiday home insider.com is also for them to show what the island where I am living, now, is like. It's also a way of letting them share in what I am doing in Tenerife. Of course, my website is for supplementing my income, as well. Why did I settle in Tenerife?Well, I had not intended to do so. Ideas about me and my future were very undecided, though, 7 years ago. We had bought a little atico (penthouse) in the north of the island in 1997. I came there later in 2001 to sell it but, encountered problems. They were not only of a financial inheritance related nature because, I had to clear the 50% still in my late husband's name who died age 51. Several experts told me to rather wait out 4 and a half years as this is the time in Spain when inheritance tax elapses which made lots of sense as I had a half share already. I opted to learn Spanish for free.Little did I know that such tramites (documents of official nature) for inheritance are no easy matter to deal with. I stayed on trying at the same time to learn Spanish well. I only watched Spanish TV, almost only read Spanish newspapers. I had some dictionaries and grammar books to consult but, took no language classes. I became a member of the public library in Puerto Cruz and taught myself reading Spanish books. It was free to join. Talking to locals as much as possible also helped to improve Spanish skills. I ought to mention about me that it helps much to know other Latin languages to start with, I admit. Thinking that it would be easy for me to find work speaking 5 tongues on an island that is totally tourism orientated was an illusion. To find Tenerife work is not that easy.Thinking about me of a person with not only language but, also PR talents wasn't good enough.Tenerife which is part of Spain has its own laws. Firstly, at least, one local needs employing by a company. The fact to be past 50 didn't help me at all. Some, even told me straight into my face that they were only employing 'blondes' below 35. Foreign companies gave me the excuse they would get problems taking on a foreigner without a residence permit. That law, at least, has changed but, still wouldn't work in my favor. You will see just now how everything work related about me evolved over the years.
Tenerife unemployment agency:
I was granted an IT course in Spanish by my local unemployment agency INEM la Orotava for classes paid by Brussels.That, now, is kind of luck worth mentioning about me. During the 8 months of 5 hour morning classes I learned more Spanish than IT. The school was called Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos ARBOL in Los Realejos Avendida de Canarias,14, Los Realejos.
This episode about me is still something I am proud of but, also, feels some regrets for at the same time. I am sorry I couldn't get more out of it because of inferior language skills at the time and no previous IT skills. What didn't help me with my studies was the fact that I had no PC at home in those days, either. Didn't know how to use a mouse.Mind you, I didn't even know how to use a mouse well when I started off. I got my diploma to entitle me to manage a small company in Spain anyway, though, thanks to much perseverance. However I was far from up to managing my own company. Theory is not good enough but, practice in real life is what counts. This is all I can say about me. Diplomas and good company testimonial didn't help.Office work was not strange to me as I had worked a few years for Central German bank head office in their foreign department for their international contact service acquisitions. I managed an international, small forwarding/shipping/export company in Johannesburg for and on behalf of my late husband. I last, was a director in an Import/consultancy agency in Durban South Africa, mainly, employed for public relations, interpreting and translations. Computer work wasn't part of it. Nobody in my family except much later my son and daughter was allowed to meddle with the company PC. My company still exists but, is dormant. The struggle about me to make money:My life was circling around family, support for my husband's business ventures, my garden and a few friends I found time for. Many were also business friends. Everything related about me or you is normally not a priority in a marriage, you know... Just figure how I was feeling in Tenerife not to find work, especially, after I had lost lots of weight going down to 47 kg with a size of 1,65 m tall. Grief and worries were something which didn't hit me instantly after my husband's passing away. I, suddenly, had so many problems which didn't only include a 2nd inheritance a while later but, queries for clinic payments in Malaysia where my husband stayed before his death. This situation was a hard nut to crack also because, Spain insisted on apostille (spell: uposteej) a document Malaysia was not using. That era about me is not one I would like to go through again. Controversial information Internet and off line:Real estate agents rather confused me than helped me. Internet information was often controversial. The Honorary German Consulate Santa Cruz as well as a Spanish Public Notary and a Spanish Social Work lawyer called Macarena in Los Realejos town hall helped most. Succeed I did despite limited financial means but, with the ambition to tackle everything myself. You get tired of odd jobs.I had some odd jobs I am very tired of now. Soon I realized that the best for me would be my own boss, especially, because, I could never find work where you get given a proper contract for social security. This has become a wide spread norm today in Tenerife. All the jobs I had were temporary work including public surveys called encuestas where I walked for miles knocking on doors to have Spanish and foreigners answer my questions which I had to fill into sheets of paper where people had to sign. Way to get to know Tenerife people:I was invited into people's houses during those inquiries. That way I learned a lot about Tenerife people and how they live.I got some insight into their social conditions, into their life and culture. The inquiries were of a social and not of commercial nature. Oh yeas, what a way to learn Spanish by doing surveys... My pal César Francisco Real Real:In a later Internet course at Audiostudio Puerto de la Cruz I also made friends with my study body Cesar Francisco Real Real who now lives temporarily in Majorca where he found a well paid job. We stay in contact. Uncommon way to learn Spanish for free:Here, I ought to mention about me that doing Spanish Internet courses in Tenerife is a tough way of learning Spanish at the same time... After my families 2nd inheritance incident we decided to purchase a holiday home in Tenerife for the kids to have a place to stay when visiting as the little atico penthouse has limited space. I tried my luck to rent out to tourists but, gave up quickly which is a long story. I let the studio (kind of a condo) out long term, now, with a limited contract of just a little over 6 months which gives me the chance to decide to sell when the time is right. Why I bought holiday home with Usofruct:The studio was bought in the name of my children with usofruct and a full power of attorney for myself.(apoderamiento largo) I suggested this to my children above all to spare them the agony of perhaps having to deal one day with inheritance. Sorting it out was a nightmare for us in the past considering that all of us live on continents cultures apart.
Living in Spanish community:Living in a vibrant Spanish suburb mixed with many foreign settlers or such which spend extended Tenerife holidays I made lots of casual friends over the years. A few of them may be called good friends.What about me and what am I up to now? Traveling an exciting multi faceted island in company is what I enjoy greatly. Writing about it is what gives me great pleasure and fills my days. Homepage pays itself:My website pays itself and more by Adsense (when people click on a Google advertisement I am paid) and finders fees so far. It's great to be able to afford a terrific host who gives you support, the best free tools and a fantastic forum. Compare with other hosts and you'll see I couldn't have done better for myself which is the way I, absolutely, feel about it. I am, now, busy exploring more ways to earn money on-line which I take time to do as I don't just want to recommend any odd company by affiliating, for instance. Alert for all Webmasters:Are you also a Webmaster who struggles or, who wants to learn more? Don't we all? And, competition is steep... Right? Do you also want more free tools like this easy little free jam of help I use daily? Every little bit is great, you know...
Are you not a native English speaker and don't 100% understand everything I talk about on how exactly I am working from home, now?
Get a better clue!
I conclude that I am very happy to give you all this information in German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Chinese about me and how I am working from home. A challenge has become a life style.However, I am a slow but steady learner but, I will reach my goal. I know... A website needs a lot of time to work on at the beginning and pays off well in the end. I cannot wait until I finished with my site to start with a new one.Why? One should at least have 2 SBI! sites to really coin it. Meantime, I am not short of working from home ideas or, of ideas for computer work from home or any other home business which, ideally, is to be combined. Do I hear you say you can't write?You, too, can learn how to write for your working from home ideas to make an income and for free. Often, I feel like an absolute dummy and behave like one. Lets blame it on childhood. So easy, hey? Perhaps, next time, I will tell you more about me and what a pathetic kid I used to be who for ever asked 'why' and was always told that I can't do this and that for being too young and needing to grow up first. Nowadays, kids are often brought up differently, you know...
Should I move from Spain, ever, to stay with my children my motto will always be: Own your free time and enjoy it.
About me and how proud I am of my son and daughterLook at Paws for People South Africa where my daughter Trish is actively involved as Durban Natal unit leader for the good course to help handicapped people with special dogs. Recently, Trish gave up her successful professional carrier to go back to college to be able to contribute, even better, with more academic knowledge. Trish also writes the occasional article in newspapers in South Africa to seek more support for a project with a great future for mankind. The charity organization 'Life Line South Africa' is associated with PawsForPeople, as well. Can you believe that dogs can achieve miracles with people? Indeed, it's possible. Love or dog bondage combined with medical science and good care is a power tool we may not have given enough credit in the past.My son Marc made himself a name as ENG Cameraman for News for a South African private TV channel. He also worked as editor.
Please, return from about me to Tenerife Holiday Home Insider Homepage...
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