- We can't come home just because we want to or even if we need to.
- Money will be different and German businesses rarely accept debit cards.
- Language barrier.
- Our cell phone plan & phone numbers will change. Basically, communication with home/family/friends will change all together.
- Our bank account and insurance policies will change.
- There are no Wal-Marts.... What?!
- We will rreealllly miss our family and friends.
But please don't get me wrong.... I am soOOoo excited! This is a dream come true! It's just that we aren't going to Europe to visit, we will be living there. And there is just a lot of things to prepare for.
On the flip side....
Things about Germany that I will love:
- Giving my daughter the opportunity to experience Europe! {She has her eye on Disneyland Paris... and so do I!}
- 2nd to the Irish, Germans consume the most beer. {I'll fit right in.}
- Festivals! Villages have different festivals all year-round. ParrrrTY!
- There are over 300 different kinds of bread..... Mmmmm, carbs...
- CASTLES!!!!
- They love dogs! Which is perfect! Because we have the world's best dog.
- It's Europe! We are just hours from Munich, Berlin, Paris, Venice, Prague, Rome, EVERYWHERE!
- My daughter will get to experience Europe!
We have a lot of research still and a lot of preparations to do, which will take months. And if you're like Eric you're rolling your eyes at me and think I've started stressing out too soon. But I'm going to continue to stress out and organize things until we are settled in Germany {which I'm sure will be after we have been living there for a few weeks/months}.
We have been flooded with paperwork and information. Here is the very beginning of the pile I've been stressing over:
So to help my anxiety I have started organizing all of the paperwork that we are being flooded with into an accordion file:
And organizing helps me feel like everything will fall into place.... And I'm sure everything will...
I am jealous! I would love to go to Germany! I would also love to spend time in Paris! You 3 are very lucky for this experience!
ReplyDeleteso, welcome to germany :) where will you and your family stay? I find your 'things about germany...' reeeeeally funny :) but most of these things are true :) don't forget german sausage's and by the way we really like american citizens! Sooo i wish you a warmly welcome to my country :)
ReplyDeleteI was a former army wife & we were sent to Germany for a 3 yr tour. there ARE in fact wal-marts (sparsely!) but they are very different from what you're used to in the US. Germany is beautiful at Christmastime, knocks NY out of the water any day! Enjoy the Christmas Markets :) Housing, well, that's so variable depending on your base. We had 0 children, but had a 2 bedrm apartment on base with a full size storage unit in the basement. It's all German-ized, but *if* you are on base housing, you have 110 volt outlets. The base townhouses are really nice. If you can get on a list for those, go for it! But yes, hardwood floors, and radiator only heat (honestly, way better than US heat, save for wood stoves) and the appliances are a little funky, but it's really not as different as it seems. A month there and you'll wonder what you were so worried about! Enjoy, have fun and safe travels :)
ReplyDeletemhhh but most of the wal-marts are closed now :) cause it was not profitably :/ ... i went to ny last year - for my first time - and i was surprised how friendly the sales assistants are! - do not expect the same from the german sales assis. :) you are much friendlier ;)
ReplyDeleteAhhh Congrats! Germany - its where my dad's side of the family is from.Still have a few residents that live there.
ReplyDeleteIm sure you will pick up on the language - and it is more expensive in Germany as it is everywhere in Europe. You are going to have tons of fun travelling around!
I totaly understand! My husband is in the Air Force and we will be moving to GUAM in March! I feel the exact same way!! God Speed and God bless :)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love Europe, the culture is so rich here. It's beautiful and differs so much, each country has it's own identity, and their just a short flight away from each other.
ReplyDelete