So I sit here, wishing the Royal Spanish Football Federation had the fixture list for 2012-13 out already... Wish I could start to 'itinerate'. I am going to go and see other stadiums whenever Barca are away, so I have to plan... Come on,  Royal Spanish Football Federation! I know you read this blog. Make me happy. Get your fixture list out!

My wish list:

• Barca at the Camp Nou
• Real at the Bernabeu - yeah, they are my mortal enemies now I have taken Barca as my team, but it must be a hell of a spectacle.
• Espanyol at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat
• Valencia at the Mestalla
• Marseille at the Stade Velodrome - yep, gonna head into France too
• Bilbao at San Mames
• Atletico at the Vicente Calderon
• One or both of the Seville clubs
• Depor at the Riazor

Will I get to all of them... I hope so.

I guess this means I have a team in Spain now.

I have always admired Spanish football. It is my favourite league in the world right now, especially since the Italian league is in decline with poor stadia, poor attendances and Inter Milan (my team since 1990) struggling.

So, who to choose? Barca or Espanyol?

Truth be known, be known I've had a soft spot for Barca players since the Olympics in 2000 where Puyol and Xavi starred.

I admire the player's devotion to the club. While players at other clubs are often almost mercenary in their quest for fatter contracts or greener pastures, at Barca they seem content to stay a career there. They consider it a home.

Think of the careers Puyol, Xavi and Valdes have had. That Messi and Iniesta are having.

Barca also seems to call out to players who used to play there. They get called back home.

Think of Fabregas and Pique.

I admire all this.

Oh, yeah, and their exquisite football.

I will go and see Espanyol play. Particularly when good teams come to town. And I am glad they are doing well this season.

But I think Barca are my boys...

The Die is Cast...

Not quite crossing the Rubicon... but I have been accepted into Barcelona Graduate School of Economics' Masters Course in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets for the academic year 2012-13.

It has been a dream of mine to spend a year in Spain for quite some time.

My mind is awhirl with apartments, season tickets to the football and all the festivals I might get to.

I am hoping to document the whole process (planning, participation, aftermath) on this blog.

Let's see how it goes...