Jose Luis who? If you would have asked about this name a few years ago in AEGEE, people would have scratched their heads and would have said: “Are you sure he is in AEGEE?” Yes, he was. But everyone just knew Jose Luis Montesinos under his nickname „Grasas“. The 34-year-old engineer, who was Vice President of AEGEE-Valencia and member of the Network Commission, told the Golden Oldie the story behind his nickname.
Golden Oldie: How did you get your nickname?
Grasas: I was ten, we were playing football in the morning break on the school ground. Paco Bono, a boy of my class, told me that I was Grasas. I don’t know why really. But he told it to our sports teacher that was also my football coach. I played in my school team at that time. He was the one that popularised it. My school teachers and many of the university only remember the nickname and not the real name.
Golden Oldie: When and where were you born?
Grasas: In Valencia, on 6th of April 1977.
Golden Oldie: Where and what did you study?
Grasas: In Valencia, Industrial Engineering.
Golden Oldie: When did you join AEGEE and how?
Grasas: Carlos Miragall and some others convinced me around 1999.
Golden Oldie: Are you still member?
Grasas: No.
Golden Oldie: You are best known for being NetCom member. How did you end up doing that?
Grasas: Actually by accident. Carlos was Network Commissioner here in Valencia, so when he decided to candidate for CD member, some friends had a dinner at his place. During the second or third drink we decided I was the best to carry out the task.
Golden Oldie: What where the biggest challenges and rewards of that task?
Grasas: I was quite fresh at that moment, so I had to learn a lot about all rules, documents and bureaucracy. It was quite hard at the beginning. On the other hand: friends, fun, trips, AEGEE at all.
Golden Oldie: Did people appreciate the work?
Grasas: I think so, if not I’m sorry, but I did my best. Still have contact with some of the colleagues, so it seems I was not that bad.
Golden Oldie: Tell us a funny story of your AEGEE time.
Grasas: I cooked paella for 40 people in the AEGEE-Europe house in Brussels, in the garden, when it started raining. So then we had a party in the kitchen – it was funny. I also remember the faces of all people coming back with me by van from a NetCom meeting, I was seated backwards and couldn’t see how crazy the driver was. Francesca Fedrizzi was about to vomit on me, and I didn’t understand why all they were so white-faced.
Golden Oldie: What was your favourite AEGEE event?
Grasas: Probably the NetCom meetings. I think we created a nice environment, a great atmosphere to work and have fun at the same time.
Golden Oldie: What were your best and worst moments in AEGEE?
Grasas: Actually, almost all the time I enjoyed what I was doing, but I felt quite sad when Carlos lost the election for president.
Golden Oldie: Which AEGEE member impressed you a lot?
Grasas: I cannot name one. All those I met had something special.
Golden Oldie: Any things that you regret that you haven’t done them in AEGEE?
Grasas: Not really.
Golden Oldie: Did AEGEE influence your career decision?
Grasas: It was helping me, I learnt a lot.
Golden Oldie: How would your life be if you hadn’t known AEGEE?
Grasas: Worse, hehehe. I cannot imagine this.
Golden Oldie: What are you doing now as main occupation?
Grasas: I’m an entrepreneur, dealing with biomass, construction, internationalisation, cooperation and many more things.
Golden Oldie: Are you single/married/married with 5 children?
Grasas: I live with my girlfriend.
Golden Oldie: Which languages do you speak?
Grasas: Spanish and English.
Golden Oldie: Where do you live now? What do you like and dislike about your city?
Grasas: In Valencia, I bought a house here. I love my city, but probably hate what everybody loves – the sun!
Golden Oldie: What are your best and least liked cities?
Grasas: I love Istanbul and New York. I don’t like Paris. Am I crazy?
Golden Oldie: What is the furthest place you ever went to?
Grasas: Las Vegas.
Golden Oldie: Which country would you like to visit in the near future?
Grasas: Probably Chile and Colombia. I would also like to come back to New York and travel around all the states. Also I would like to go to Toronto.
Golden Oldie: What are your hobbies?
Grasas: Friends and going out, still love heavy metal. I do love to go to metal festivals. I also write a political blog and joined a libertarian party.
Golden Oldie: What are you most afraid of?
Grasas: Don’t know. I’m not used to be afraid…
Golden Oldie: What’s never missing in your fridge?
Grasas: Jamón Ibérico
Golden Oldie: How would you describe yourself in five keywords?
Grasas: Funny, hard worker, entrepreneur, unpredictable, loyal.
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