First notebook entry: Introducing myself

I am learning English because I would like to live in England in the future. My native language is Spanish and I grewgrow up in Spain. I enjoy reading and cycling.

an exclamation mark and emoji

I was talking to someone online today.

I said something and put an exclamation mark at the end, as I always do, even at my work.
However, the woman whom I was talking to got very much annoyed and she told me not to yell.

I was surprised at her reaction, because I didn't know what was wrong.
Luckily there was my friend sitting next to me. She was a native English speaker, so I asked her for help.
She explained that how my use of the mark with in the sentence could come across as if I was annoyed or frustrated.

I told her that that's not what I was meaning meant, and then I said something different with an emoji.

The emoji was a big smiley face, and I used it as "big smile".
However, she got completely mad telling me it was a HAHA face and I was making fun of her with it.

I started to become scareding of communicatingon in English.
Every time I said something, my words were interpreted in a way I didn't mean.

Fortunately the girl who was sitting next to me explained and helped me, but I had never thought my English was that bad.
I know it was kind of a culturale difference, but it was pretty shocking to me.

Now I remember that sometimes I was told not to yell at from someone when I used an exclamation mark.
I didn't understand at that time, but now I know what he meant.

I think I will stop using an exclamation marks and emojis from today.

My first Maltese days

I've been living in Malta for two days and slowly I'm beginning to get an opinion on about this place. Things are different here. Period. Forget the sleepy atmosphere of an Italian Northern village and the abundant offers of in our sales shops. Here you have to get by with what they have to offer. Except for well-known chain stores, which still anyway represent the minority of businesses, the norm is seeing small and absolutely not "pretentious" family-run businesses. Those relocating to Malta from more developed countries may be surprised by this aspect and, like me, they could have the impression to have taken a jump into the past. And in some ways, this is actually the case. Malta is one of a kind and chances are that if you don't love it you hate it. But even if it is difficult, I'm trying to refrain from being too judgmental and I keep telling myself that before criticizing that I must dive deeply into this new environment. The cities and streets are packed with cars, there's no chance to go around by bike since there aren't bicycle lines at all and roads are just too dangerous. This is probably an aspect I'll never get used to, being a keen cyclist. Bicycling makes me feel free. Free to go anywhere whenever I want without being reliant on cars or public transport. I'll try to take it as an experiment and stay positive. Today I signed the lease for an apartment in Msida, a small town not far from where I'm staying right now. I'm quite nervous because I'm gonna live with three Maltese girls who I don't know at all. They seemed very kind and easy going though. I'm really looking forward to knowing them better, that will be a unique occasion to get a closer look at a foreign culture. The apartment is just 2 minutes walk from the sea and is located in a very lively area. There is a nice tiny harbor with lovely colorful boats anchored and just in front of it there is the small St.Joseph's baroque parish. I have a good feeling about this area, I'm sure I'll get used to living here easily.