#flashback - June 1, 2011 - The misadventures begin

June 1st was the date I decided to push things forward, in terms of moving to Germany.

The idea had actually  been there for a while now. I was waiting out my contract doing customer service at a large electronics firm near Sacramento, in the midst of a 6 month lease on a studio apartment in the Midtown area (there's a huge back story about how I ended up temporarily single, but I'll save that for another time).  Husband went over first, and everything had fallen into place for him once he got there: he accepted a position in Munich just one month after touching down in Berlin; found a long lost uncle, who also happened to be his godfather, who navigated him through the perils of German bureaucracy, helped get him an apartment just off an S-bahn line about 35 km north of Munich, and helped reintroduce him to his relatives in the area.

Meanwhile, back in the US. the expectation was that I would finish out my lease, finish out my contract, sell my car, and be prepared enough to go over and start my new life.

Then my husband sent me an email in late May, saying in effect:

"I can't live without you.  You mean everything to me.  I miss you so much.  The job market here is wonderful! You really should consider coming over sooner. It's going to be fabulous!"

There was, of course, a lot more to it than that, but you get the idea.  He didn't want to wait for me to finish out my contracts before coming over.

Frankly, neither did I.

A few transatlantic phone calls later (thanks, Google Voice!), and I was convinced that I can just pretty much up and leave.   Someone was waiting for me with open arms, endless amounts of support, and with a willingness to start again and be together again.  I had nothing holding me back here.  Why not?

Except that, going through my papers, I'm dumbstruck by the fact that I can't find my car title!

Not only that, I realize that the car title STILL had my lender's name on it as the owner, despite me paying off my car loan years ago.

Time to make some trips, dammit!  But it would have to wait until my bills were paid.  Just a few days.  Really.

TBC...

Formal Introductions Unnecessary

Hello world!

Yes, I know.  A horrid way to start off a blog, but whatevs.

Anyway, this is my first post on my new blog.  This blog will strictly be about my experiences adjusting and adapting (sometimes badly) to a new life in a new country.  In this case, the country is Germany.  Easy, right?

Uh...no.

I came to Germany in July to be with my husband.  He came to this country in March, was able to secure a job in Munich, one month later.  A week afterward, with the help of his uncle, he was able to obtain a nice apartment about 20 miles 35 kilometers north of the city, the location of which being supremely located right across the street from the S-bahn station.

Once he was settled, he insisted that I join him.

I was in the middle of a one-year contract at an electronics firm, and was finishing up a six-month lease on my apartment.  I broke both of those, and so much more, to be with him.

This blog will be detailing flashbacks as to what happened during that time, what happened next, as well as be an ongoing record of my exploits as to how I'm getting on here, after learning my lessons.

I would not take this blog as one where helpful advice is being dispensed.  I can tell you that it can be seen as a step-by-step guide as to what NOT to do when moving to a new country. After all, I'm learning, and laughing along with all of you after the fact.  I also have opinions on a lot of things, which may come out from time to time.  So if you are squeamish about anyone with a big mouth, I'd suggest you stop reading right now.  I may also get a little "real" about things, so be prepared for some horrific scenes of emotional duress to come your way when reading future blog posts.

So, with all that...

This is my journey.  Thanks for joining me, and I hope you enjoy the ride.