Sunday Stroll

Kelly: This week's Sunday stroll was a bit different. All of the stores in Kaiserslautern were open on Sunday for a few hours (happens once a year). So, with my birthday money buring a hole in my pocket, we made our way to the pedestrian shopping area and the Christmas market in K-town. The shops line a pedestrian zone that streches half a mile in each direction. The Christmas markets (located in the plazas in the midst of the pedestrian zones) were much like the ones that we visited in Heidelberg on Saturday...a stand with cheesey mugs, gluwein (spiced wine), beer (of course), pretzel/doughie baked-good, repeat, repeat, repeat. I did enjoy the music and the Christmas spirit until the downpour began.

Finding clothes is harder than it was in the states. The two varieties seem to be: 1)Expensive, well-made clothes and 2)Cheap, will-shrink-or-fall-apart-after-washing clothes. I'm used to buying the well-made clothes at cheap prices at consignment stores, outlets, or discount stores....I'll just have to keep looking...wearing my boots, of course!

Thanksgiving

Kelly: I've spent many Thanksgivings happily preparing and eating a variety of root vegetables and squash with my family. I've spent time visiting local crafters on Santa's sleighride with my mom and sisters. This year was different. I spent Thanksgiving boot shopping, and I was successful! I wouldn't classify myself as materialistic; however, there are a few "things" that I love....good chocolate, good tea, nice sweaters, and last but not least, good footwear, especially boots. Boots are the "it" item here. Young, old, round, thin, stylish, not-so-stylish...they all wear boots. I have walked by the shoe store a few blocks from the house almost daily, waiting first for my VAT forms, then for a sale, and then with the help of money from parents, in-laws, and sisters, I ventured in. Success!

Birthday Blues

Kelly: I've never been a "roll out the red carpet because it is my birthday" kind of gal, but I really wasn't into my birthday this year...at all. I didn't even see it coming. We have been so busy just trying to put one foot in front of the other that I didn't even feel the anticipatory excitement building. I told Matt that I wanted to postpone the acknowledgement of the day until the weekend. So, he obeyed. He got me a nice card, ice cream, and a foot rub :)

I didn't expect the change to be this tiring. I was in bed at 8:30 last night...on my birthday...after way too much chocolate ice cream.New job, new county, new house, new language, new rules and customs, no friends, less income (Matt alternating between freaking out about our financial situation and reassuring us both that we won't be eating gluten-free Ramen noodles for the remainder of our stay in Germany)...objectively I can see that these things would be stressful to any mortal, but somehow, when applied to myself, I didn't think that it would be so consuming. I've decided that I need to start doing more of my own things. So, last night I cooked. I really haven't cooked much since we arrived. I made amazing vegetarian chili YUM! We ate it again for dinner tonight. So good! I'm going to get back into yoga, too...as much as my bum hamstring will allow.

Tonight, Matt and I are going to go for a walk around town and then watch a movie...good stuff.

One monthiversary

Kelly: We've been in Europe for one month. It seems longer. I met a social worker last week who told me that it takes about 6 months to feel settled here. She had lived all over the world including Korea, Europe (prior to this trip), Iraq, Korea, and the states, and said that Germany was the most difficult and longest adjustment because everything happens so s..l..o..w..l..y. Five more months to go until we feel settled, I suppose.

We celebrated our one monithversary and my birthday with a trip to Brugge, Belgium. We went as part of a USO tour which had its good and its bad points.
The good: We didn't have to think. It was cheap.
The bad: We had no control over the timing of events... left at 0400 on Saturday and didn't get back until 1:00 AM Sunday (today). The bus was really uncomfortable, especially for Matt. We had to watch two really bad movies.
All in all, it was a good day. The weather was nice (50s and partly cloudy). We were able to find the little cafe that we visited two years ago in Brugge. I found a delightful tea shop, and I bought rose like I found in the Spice Store in Philly when SWS lived there. I brewed a big pot for breakfast this morning...yum. We are both dragging today.

Earlier in the week, I found a natural grocery store in Kaiserslautern (15 minutes away) and even more excited that the store was open on Sunday. So, Matt and I headed to Alnatura today with our new GPS only to find that it is closed! How disappointing. It looks really cute, too. So, maybe we'll try one evening this week after work. The no-store-anywhere is open on Sunday thing is very frustrating!

On an unrelated note, I love the comments! Thanks :)

Weekend Update

Kelly: This weekend was filled with more home organizing and many thwarted trips to the BX (Base exchange...sort of like a Wal-mart on steroids). We are realizing that we need many converters so that our 110 volt lights and computers will work with the 220 volt system, and even though the converter bins were running over when we arrived, they are dry now. So, we shuttle the three converters back and forth among computers and lights.

We had a really fun night out on Saturday. We invited our three friends over for drinks and then we all walked to the Korean restaurant for sushi. We didn't entertain much in MD, probably because Matt worked long hours and had a long commute and I had a long commute and had three jobs. In fact, most of our entertaining was done in the months leading up to our departure! We are breaking that pattern here...we aren't even unpacked and decided to be social! We laughed a lot...very fun. Today we continued our Sunday walk tradition (if doing something for two weeks can make it a tradition) of walking in a new location. Today, we walked in the residential and commercial sections of Landstuhl. The weather was brisk but sunny...perfect for a stroll. I was inspired to use our new island that we purchased from Ikea on Saturday morning (after I had realized that I had left my CAC at work and we had to go through the hoops to get accesss to get it, but that's another story), and I made my favorite Lentil soup...yum! Then, Matt spent way too long moving all of our internet gear up to his office only to realize that the signal isn't good on the first floor. ugh. We'll leave it like this until he has more energy for moving it all back to the living room...not a good subject in our home right now. We experienced a bit of German culture by attending a craft fair at the cultural center in town...lots of beaded necklaces.

I was feeling stressed about work...expected to have some action plan in place by next Tuesday's meeting but realizing that I'm in formal training 3 days this week and probably still have another day or two of computer trainings to go. Mialley must have sensed it, because she jumped up on my legs and promptly fell asleep. So, my heart melted and I proceded to pet her for a while until my anxiety peaked and I moved her gently to the side and proceeded to create a powerpoint presentation on the COSR program organization and way ahead.

Our town

My first week at work

Kelly: This week marked my first few days at work without in-processing. I've entered the wonderful world of computer training. If you have any questions about the bubonic plague, hospital safety committees, or the limits on the retail value of gift to a contractor, just let me know! I spent most all of the day Thursday learning about chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear issues. Useful. The highlight was lunch with my surgeon friend, Jennifer. We laughed and discussed the virtues and challenges of having a househusband. Mine sounds like German toddler. Hers sounds like Crocodile Dundee!

I have an office...sort of. I saw the space that will be my office but the computer wasn't set up, so I had to be a squatter in another office on the hall. Much to my surprise, the computer was set up in my office this morning, but it hadn't been "authorized" yet which meant another day of borrowing someone's office. I attended three meetings today and learned a little bit more about what I will be doing, although everyone seems to have a different take on it. I also learned that the psychologist who I really like my take over the clinic position...how exciting! He reminds me of my favorite supervisor from internship...kind, a sense of humor, and very smart. One thing that I'm not liking is the rigid schedule. The little ants march in to the hospital at 7:30 sharp, pool out at noon for an hour lunch break, and then make their final exodus at 4:30 on the dot...ugh. I'm hoping to shift my schedule for a day or two a week to come in later and see some of the providers who start their shifts at 4:30 and allow a little variety and flexibility into my schedule. Most seem to like the structure and predictability of the day. Even though I have OC tendencies, I'm not a fan of the rigid schedule.

My househusband cleaned today and started dinner this evening...being the sugarmomma has its privileges!

Fabulously Exhausted

Kelly: Our household goods arrived today. Three men-two of whom spoke little or no English- and a fit, tattooed multi-lingual man moved our furniture and belongings from 5 crates on the back of their truck into our home. Most of the move took place through the big window facing the street. We had only two casualties and one near miss. We lost a silver framed mirror from our bedroom and a shoe rack. One of the older men told us he would probably have to cut our box spring to get it up the tight staircase...I was not thrilled. However, my fears were allayed as the other two men deftly maneuvered both box springs up the staircase.

I left mid-move to attend a COSR-SR (Combat and Operational Stress Response/Staff Resiliency) team meeting. I was thrown into the fire. The head of the department announced that I would be running the meeting. Remember, that I still don't understand the program or what my role is supposed to be! So, I fumbled through with only a few glitches. However, I still can't believe that the program really doesn't have structure. I talked with another new staff member, a medical social worker and former EAP psychologist, for 40 minutes after the meeting. She has lots of good ideas and is excited about being a part of thie team. That re-vitalized me! I checked in about my office and found out that I would have a vacant space at the end of the BH hall across from the mean, first-line supervisor. Then, I found out that he is deploying, where he will probably be much happier. I am beginning to wonder if the lack of guidance is a test..can she figure out what she is supposed to do? Can she find the bathroom?

I returned home to a big mess, and I couldn't have been happier! Comforted by our belongings, I began unpacking. I also heard from a few friends back home...yippee! It is now 6 hours later. My glee is masked by fatigue as I sit on our couch and surrounded by our half-unpacked home, looking forward to a good night's rest on our mattress covered by our soft, freshly washed sheets. Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran's Day. This year, I have a new appreciation for the day. After seeing several Soldiers and Airmen yesterday, fresh from Iraq and Afghanistan, I don't have to work tomorrow and am grateful for those who serve our country! And maybe this is a little cheesey, but I hope that my time here at this job can give back just a little to those who give selflessly everyday.

Matt-Sleeping on the air mattress day 8

Yippee-the furniture comes tomorrow, the furniture comes tomorrow! I don't consider myself to be terribly materialistic but sleeping on the air mattress in a nearly 100 year old house as winter comes, sucks. Between the cat deciding I am a warm spot at 2am or the plastic in the mattress creaking against the wood floor whenever one of us moves, I will be quite ready to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.

All and all things are going well I think. Well in the sense that I can't interact with anyone other than a German toddler since that is the limit of my vocabulary at this point. We've met a few interesting people in the last week and managed to socialize a little which always helps reduce the tension of big changes.

We have also discovered that for many items, it is cheaper to buy it in the German grocery stores rather than buy it at the "supposedly-cheaper" commissary on base. Eis Kaffee is my new favorite thing-milk with espresso all pre-made in a cartoon. I will drink it by the liter each day until I die. That and the ultra cheap generic knock-off of Bailey's Irish Creme which even with a crappy exchange rate only costs $6 a bottle. I bought a bottle this afternoon from the shelf next to the display of calendars of topless women at the supermarket (socially acceptable here which is strange b/c being from the US you don't expect it). I decided that even though it was an opportunity for Kelly and I to learn the months in German, it would be better to wait for that lesson in Rosetta Stone.

10:30 pm here-calling it a night and heading back to the air mattress.

Cheers-

No Furniture Finale

Kelly: This evening we are celebrating our last evening eating, sleeping, working, and lounging on our only piece of furniture--the air mattress. We are also grateful for the fun-filled Friday evening with our new friends. We met in Kaiserslautern and stumbled upon an authentic German restaurant www.spinnraedl.de/home/index.html. We had a great meal at a reasonable price and, the next day, found out that our dining choice was a favorite of our landlords. Our landlords, G and F, came over Saturday morning to fix the German closets (shrunks) and reprogram the furnace so that I only have to wear three layers at night instead of four. We visited Kaufland, a department store, and bumped into two people who we knew--one was a CHPPM Europe acquaintance and the other was a guy we met while looking at houses...good to know that it is a small world.

We participated in German cultural norm of a Sunday walk. We walked in regular shoes (Germans don't wear sneakers and I need to get a more comfortable pair of sneakers that don't look like sneakers) for about 1 mile out of town. It was refreshing and enjoyable. Despite not having the energy for a workout for the past week or so, I was craving a sauna. We ventured to Landstuhl and used the gym there. Matt ellipticized and I saunaed...heaven.

Today was my first real day...sort of. I still don't have an office, or a computer, or a phone, so I was a squatter in a random office. I spent about 2 hours responding to nasty-grams because I didn't have my timesheets turned in (hard to do when I don't have computer access), and I scheduled computer training. I also met with the Clinical Service Commander who wasn't thrilled to have another person with a "stove-piped" program. On the bright side, I got to sit in on an intake with a Soldier who just landed at LRMC after several months in Afghanistan...what a powerful experience. It truly made my griping seem trivial! After my short commute home (<20 minutes), Matt and I made dinner using our one pan and tupperware...yum! We walked to Edeka (a little grocery store down the street) and picked up our new favorite drink...Eis Kaffe (low-fat coffee-milk)...yumilicious.

Why is everything so hard?

Kelly: I sit on the wood floor eating trail mix from a bag. We have no plates, silverware, or cookware yet. The transportation department told me that if I had called one day sooner, they would've delivered our household goods yesterday. Aren't they supposed to notify me when the goods arrive? YES. Yes, they are. My degree is in psychology not telepathy...ugh. So, after 3 hours in the wind and rain and waiting in multiple lines with multiple forms, we got our beloved CC! We have renamed her TAC (Trans-atlantic Corolla). We also have internet...although that was a ridiculous process, too.

The good news: my "welcome to germany" class had a field trip to downtown K-town yesterday, and Matt and I made two friends...I feel as if we are in grade school again, but it really feels good to talk to others about shared experience...the difficulty with housing, paperwork mess-ups, etc. They are both in the Army and are really cool. One woman is a surgeon (totally down to earth) married to an Aussie. Another woman is an ICU nurse...uber well-traveled and a bit of a wild child. We might hang out with them again this weekend.

I talked to Occupational Health. They received my immunization records from Palo Alto because my current doc couldn't find them, but the Palo Alto records are thin b/c I only went to the doc one time. But, they couldn't do anything because I'm not "in the system." What have I been doing for the last two weeks if I'm not in the system? So, I had to go to occ health and wait while they tried to figure out why I wasn't in the system and then get me into the system. Luckily, both women were very kind and friendly. So, now, I'm "in the system" but have a slew of doctor's appointments next week and I have to get the flu shot...I am really not happy about that. This is the first year that it has been mandatory for civilians. Today is a "training holiday" for the military, which means that the military aren't working, so nothing else was getting accomplished. So, I went home to find a grumpy husband. He had looked at his first pay stub with German taxes taken out...let's just say that he could make more working at the Burger King on post. He is not a happy camper. He just left to withdraw cash from the bank so that we have money for the weekend (our ATM cards haven't arrived yet!!!!). AHHH!!!

We drove to Ikea to get, among other things, an island and stools for our kitchen that is decently equipped but bereft of counter space. It was an easy 45 minute drive. We found a stainless steel island/cart thing with two stools that we liked and picked up rugs, plants, and other misc. items. When we arrived in the warehouse section, we tried to get the legs and top to the table, but no luck. They weren't in the correct places. So, Matt ran upstairs to double-check the location and confirmed that the numbers I had written were correct. So, we waited in line at the information desk, Matt used his German language skills to communicate what we were looking for, and we were told that the items were not available! Upset, we pushed our carts to the line where I noticed that credit cards were not listed on payment options at the register. Matt inquired and was told that they only accept cash and German bank debit cards (Called E-C cards). You've got to be kidding me! Ikea, the universal furniture store, does not take credit!!! We spent the next 20 minutes returning all of our items to the shelves and left empty-handed.

Oh, and the cat didn't bother us last night, but this morning we found she had broken in to the pantry and chewed a hole through the bag that contained her food...

Just when we thought it couldn't get busier...

Kelly: The past few days have been filled with more of the same. Here's a quick summary:

Thursday: We have to go to the Stradtwerke (town public works) to get the utilities for the rental put into our name. We arrive, they tell us we need to go to the VAT office first, even though housing had told us to go there first. Matt's sinus issues have deteriorated into a full blown infection. The kind woman at the Apotheke (natural pharmacy that also dispenses prescriptions) directed us to a doctor. Matt went there, and I went back to the VAT office on base. I got the utility VAT forms and the 10 retail purchase VAT forms (allow us to get back the 19% European tax on purchases over $50.00. Find my way back to the town to meet Matt at the Stradtwerke. We get the paperwork finished and head to the CPAC office on a base far far away. The sort-of nice woman there tells us that we need a signature and have to come back on Monday with our reimbursement forms for temporary housing. Fine. We return and crash.

Friday: I drove Matt to take his driver's test. We met a couple nice Americans in the waiting room who seemed to be experiencing the same inprocessing hell. Misery loves company. I talked to KR (a psychologist who I met at the first meeting). She was reassuring and we scheduled a time to meet later that day. Matt turned in an application to work part time at the bank on post, and I went to the hospital, got a signature from my supervisor and talked to KR. While there, I met another nice woman, originally from the states but lived in Paris for the past 6 years...she was really nice and had really great boots...a fashion statement that I can't wait to mimic. KR told me more about the program that I'll be overseeing and informed me that no one likes my immediate supervisor (not the head of BH who was kind but busy). I'll deal with that one later. Friday night we crashed early.

Saturday: My thrifty spirit led me to a website called ramsteinyardsales. I inquired about a curling iron, a vacuum, and an island for our new place. I'll pick up the 220v curling iron tomorrow. After cleaning up in the morning, we went to a T-mobile location that spoke English. Jan (a guy) was wonderful!!! Smart, helpful, and honest...we both have cell phones...still expensive but all cell phone service is here. It will be nice to communicate with each other again. I didn't realize how much I relied on my cell in the states. Then we drove to the Landstuhl train station to try out the walk from the train up "cardiac hill" to the hospital to see if taking the train from our house to work would be an option. Landstuhl was beautiful, decorated in the autumn air...experiencing a bit of renter's remorse...I pondered whether we should have waited for a house to open in Landstuhl, but alas realized the likelihood of that happening was very slim. Cardiac hill was a workout...especially for my phlegmy, congested husband. We met with our landlords for a walk through of our house. I'm so excited. It is truly a German home with all of the accompanying quirks. We probably could've found a more "American" house, but we are in Germany!!! We can see the Landstuhl castle from the studio/attic space!! Let that sink in...we can see a castle from our house...crazy! We received the keys and will start moving tomorrow!

Sunday: Packed up some clothes and headed to the new house, unloaded, picked up my new curling iron, and then went to the Commissary at Vogelweh. The gate guard said that our CACs weren't working...seriously...they've worked for the past week without issue...ugh! Anyway, I liked the Vogelweh commissary better than the Ramstein commissary, but I still prefer to purchase goods on the German economy. Some items are cheaper there, but some are way more expensive! We unpacked our groceries at the new house and returned to the apartment for lunch.

We officially move in tomorrow and our air shipped goods are supposed to arrive. I have to go back to transportation and CPAC AGAIN tomorrow. We won't have internet access for at least a week...things move very slowly here! So, until then...auf wiedersehen!