Cutting through the Red Tape

Today was insane.  Okay, let's back up.  In order to do anything when you want to move to Germany, you have to have 2 things:  A work contract and a rental agreement on an apartment.  You have to have these before you move to Germany.  As soon as you move to Germany you have to go to the registration office and register that you have a rental agreement.

With the registration you can have a bank account, but you have to sign up for a time to meet with the banker - you can't sign up right then and there.  In order to get a cell phone you have to have the registration and a bank account.

You also have to go to the immigration office - your registration needs to have been processed first - Ulm people, so sorry, you have to wait for a week, Neu-Ulm people can go the next day. (Luckily, I live in Neu-Ulm.)  When you go to the immigration office (which happens tomorrow for me), you need everything certified and documented.

I literally have a folder which proves that I am who I am from birth certificate to degrees to passports. I also have to have a background check done in Germany by the German government - never mind that I had an FBI background check that took 12 weeks to get back to me just certified.  No wonder I could never figure out how to live abroad and get a job on my own.  Too many specific steps you have to follow in order!  Lol!  Thank heaven the school has someone who specializes in this type of thing and speaks fluent German and English!  She was amazing today helping all of us newcomers!

Beer Gardens are for Kids & Wandering Around is the Best Way to See a City!

Beer Gardens are for Kids:
So, just down the street from my apartment is a really popular beer garden.  If you know me well at all, you know I don't drink alcohol.  So, why would I go to a beer garden?  Because, although they sell beer, they are actually a family and community type of restaurant.  It is made up of picnic tables and a casual dining style.  In fact, more often than not, you'll be sitting with strangers on the other side of the picnic table.  The food is usually cheap and good.  You do not have to have a beer.  The one near my house has a playground for children.  Another one I saw, had an extensive playground for all ages of children.  As I went on my walk today, I saw people literally flooding in the one almost next door to me.  I need to go there to eat dinner one day soon.  This is one I passed that was closed. It was right next to the cathedral.

Wandering Around is the Best Way to See a City:
When I go to different places, one of my favorite things to do is get lost.  I have my map on my cell phone when I want to get home. (Just an FYI, if you look at your Google map when you have wifi, and don't close the app, it will show you exactly where you are and an interactive map of the city - no data required.  It will also tell you directions if that is what you choose to do, but you have to program the directions before you leave wifi.)  I followed directions to church this morning.  It worked, but it took me through streets that had shops and not very interesting things.  This afternoon - after the heat had gone - around 5, I decided to walk along the river.

This path is very close to my house.  The bridge is just for walkers and bikers, cars can't use it.

On the other side of the walking bridge is a lovely park with things for all ages!

I love that there are remnants of the old city wall and fort.  This is in the middle of the park.

This is a little fair for kids.  I couldn't tell if they were paying for the rides or they were free.  I think they were free, because they could ride over and over again.  I love the variety of rides.  I'm not sure if you can see the swings, but they were 2-people swings - big enough for adults. Under the green umbrella is an old fashioned roller coaster - emphasis on the roller.  They took old crates, put it on the rollers and rolled down the ride.  The kids would take the crates back to the top and go again!

I love the old mixed with the new!

I love towers!  More stairs to climb to see great views! (Later!)

I love these shopping streets. I actually hate shopping,
but these are pedestrian only and are great for people watching!

THE Cathedral:  Ulm Minster - It has the tallest church spires in Europe.

Fisherman's Quarter - I'm in love!

This is a mix of old and new.  Water and waterfalls.  Art and food.  I loved the watermill and how the houses were right on the water.  The next bend would bring more fun architecture and sculptures.

Reminds me of Venice!

This is a city wall that separates the houses from the
walk/bike path and the river.  It's up high and goes for a long way with beautiful sights on both sides!

I loved this candy striped house!

When I didn't think it would get any better, a the end of the wall, there is a flower garden!

I saw so many boats!  Rowing, canoeing, kayaking - you name it, it was floating down the river!

I live in Germany now. How strange!

On July 18, I got an unexpected letter from the International School of Ulm/Neu-Ulm asking me if I would be interested in applying to teach for them.  I would be teaching computer skills to middle and high school students (60%) and doing troubleshooting for teachers (40%).  I had a Skype interview the same day.  The 20th I had another interview from the lower school (elementary school) and then I got hired immediately. All this was taking place while I was in Pamplona, Spain in an English immersion program.  I flew home on the 25th of July and taught an engineering camp for North Carolina State University from the 27 - 31 of July and my mom and sister came to help me pack on the 1st of August.  So:
July 17:  Starting the English Immersion program in Pamplona, Spain with Vaughn Town.
July 18:  Got an e-mail inviting me to be interviewed.  Then had a Skype interview.
July 20:  2nd Skype interview and got offered a job.
July 25:  Flew home.
July 27 - 31:  Engineering Camp for NCSU.
Aug. 1:  I sell my car and Mom and Stacy come to help me pack.
Aug. 4:  Fiorella and Arisha come and help pack - who knew I could cram so much into a tiny space!
Aug. 6:  Get everything stamped to be official in Germany.  Thanks Kelly for the rides!
Aug. 7:  Leave for Germany.
Aug. 8:  Start living in Germany.

The school sent me a 5 choices of places to live.  I chose the one closest to the school.

The bed is a double, but the mattress is a futon mattress, so I may try
 to figure out a way to make it more comfortable.

Watch out for that door!  It locks behind you,
so make sure you always have your keys.  (I have a really nice landlord.)
The door is also see-through, so anyone can see anything that is going on in my apartment.

 This tub does have a shower curtain and a place to hang the sprayer, so I can have "normal" showers.

The roof isn't that bad. I can even have tall people over and they won't hit their heads!

There is an American sized fridge that is not shown!  Thank heaven I have a freezer and a big fridge!  I had to buy a microwave on day 1.  I can't imagine cooking in this heat!

This is all I brought.  It was a pain to put it on the train, but I survived!  

Thanks to some really nice German people!

Cool things I have noticed:  

1.  The train station had a conveyor belt for suitcases.  I was worried about having to carry all my luggage up stairs.  Nope, just put it on the conveyor belt and it climbs the stairs beside you.  

2.  My principal spent hours with me driving me here and there for food, a fan, and a microwave.  Thank heaven on the way to get the fan, I saw a hair dryer!  I almost forgot to buy one!!!!  Averted Tragedy!  My principal lives really close to me and he showed me how I could get everything I needed without going to an actual grocery store.  He took me into a store that sold drinks - I assumed only alcohol, but surprisingly, it also sold juice and soda - woo hoo!  There is a bakery almost across the street from my apartment - woo hoo!!!

3.  My landlord is the sweetest man!  He had me come into his apartment downstairs and introduced me to his wife who gave me water and tried to make me feel comfortable when I was locked out.  (Luckily when he realized he had been trying the outside door instead of the apartment key, it opened quickly.)  I really just wanted to cry because I was sleeping when he woke me up to give me the outside door key and that's when the door shut behind me.  I just wanted sleep.  He later came up and helped me get wifi and tried to fix my TV.  I'm not sure why he is trying to fix my TV.  I'm sure it's all in German and I probably will choose to watch streaming TV on my computer instead.  I tried to tell him, by using google translate, but he wants to fix it for me.  Sweet man!

4.  My fan.  The heat isn't bad when I have the fan blasting on me.  It's only 1/2 way put together because it's in German.  I didn't actually use any screws - couldn't figure out where they went.  But the fan is working and I'm cool, so good enough.

2014 Recap

2014 Recap

Things to take when you travel lightly.

I always pack light when I travel - just a carry on and a small backpack.

Here is the list I take:
1.  Enough underwear for 5 or 6 days.
2.  Depending on where I am going 1 or 2 pair of long pants (Northern Europe can be cold sometimes even in the summer).
3.  2 or 3 pairs of shorts.
4.  4 shirts.
5.  1 light weight rain jacket - For cold nights and for rainy days.  I usually wear this on the plane and stuff the pockets full of things I need.
6.  Travel size laundry soap for washing my clothes in the sink.
7.  Portable clothes line - From REI.  I usually rig it up in the bathroom.  Make sure your clothes are light weight and can dry overnight.  (Do wash in the morning so it will be dry by the next morning.)  If you are really lucky your hotel will have a towel warmer and that will dry clothes in 1/2 the time.

I like this one because it can suction cup to the shower wall or you can tie it up too.

8.  Travel adapter and converter - Most electronics like phones and ipads have a wattage that can go in any country, but check the small print on the equipment to make sure.
9.  ATM card - I can usually get cash out of ATMs at the airport - beware though.  Some things look like ATMs but they are money exchange machines and will charge you much more than a normal ATM.  Look for the word that looks like bank.  Avoid anything that says exchange.  In Europe so many things take cash, you'll want to get a couple of hundred dollars at a time because it avoids ATM bank charges and hassles.  My credit union actually allows me to pre-order Euros (or other currency, but it takes a week to come in.  Not all banks do this.
10.  I take travel size shampoo and soap because you never know if your hotel is going to have it.
11.  Travel size fan - you never know if you will have air conditioning or not.

This one is great because it folds and it runs on battery or can be plugged in.
It's also surprisingly strong.

12.  A small travel bag - like a purse - that has a strap that goes across my body.  It also turns into a fanny pack if I want to use it like that - but I don't.
13.  A foldable bag that can become a bigger bag if I need to have additional luggage later.
14.  1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of tennis shoes.  2 or 3 pairs of socks.  I usually use tennis shoes when doing a lot of sight seeing because it requires walking a lot.  My sandals can be worn with dresses and skirts too, but they are comfortable.
15.  A book to read on the airplane.
16.  Earbuds with a microphone to watch movies on the plane and to make calls from computers (Google Voice, Skype)
17.  I always set up Google Voice right before I leave so the calls and texts go to my e-mail and I don't have to spend the money when I answer my phone.  When you have Google Voice on your computer, it will let you make free phone calls to anyone in the USA.  It does cost money - I think 10 cents a minute - to call anyone not in the USA.  I created a video to help my Mom set up her Google Voice.  Here it is:

Countries I have visited

A lot of people ask me what countries I have visited, so I decided to list them here.

1.  New Zealand (Visited 3 times) - I lived there for 1 1/2 years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I went back after my student teaching in Tonga for $25.  Then I went again in the summer of 2013.
2.  Canada - I went to Niagara Falls right after I got back from living in New Zealand.
3.  England (I have been there 2 times).  With my friend Bonnie and her cousin Ang.  Once over night trying to get home from Ireland.  If the airport counts, I have been there 3 times.
4.  France (Twice).  Once with Bonnie and Ang and once with Spencer.
5.  Scotland (Once).  With Bonnie and Ang.
6.  Italy (Once).  Went with Sandy and Spencer.
7.  Vatican City.  (Once) With Sandy.
8.  Slovenia.  (Once). Just drove through. Almost got arrested there coming back from Croatia  because I didn't have my passport stamp from Italy and I was there illegally.  Who knew?  Lol.  If anyone asks, I didn't visit Italy, I visited Slovenia! (At least that is what my passport says.)
9.  Croatia (Once) with Sandy because it was there and we had a wonderfully fresh fish on the Sea.
10.  Spain (3 times).  Once with Suzanne, twice more to visit friends and participate in Pueblo Ingles.
11.  Ireland (Once) with Spencer.
12.  Mexico - (Once) on a cruise with Bonnie.
13.  Bahamas (Once) - on a cruise with Bonnie, John, Christie, Trenton, and Jessica.  (40th birthday for me, Bonnie, and Jess.)
14.  Australia. (Once) - with Cindy.  I visited a few friends who live there.
15. Tonga.  (Should be number 3).  (Once) I lived there for 3 months and did my student teaching there.

Mindful Living - And other things I've never thought of!

Healthy Living Class

I started a 15-week healthy living class on January 8th.  Perfect timing for New Year's Resolutions.  Today the teacher mentioned that we should live mindfully in everything we do.  So, when we do anything we should focus on that things.  The first week's assignment was to be mindful about our eating.  Think about how the food tastes instead of eating them in a hurry or with distractions.    I am always multi-tasking.  I grade papers, have facebook open, and the TV on.  My teacher suggested I do one thing at a time and do it mindfully focusing on the task at hand.  Novel thought! 

In Italy, 2 years ago, I had no problem focusing on the taste!

Healthy and Delicious!!!!!

Meal Planning for One Doesn't Take Long.

We were also supposed to plan our meals and snacks a week in advance.  The problem with this is that I am single and although my brother lives with me, he is a vegetarian.  So, it's only me eating the food. I made Chicken Tortilla Soup, froze half of it, and still it lasted me for a week.  I didn't even get to the second meal I planned for.  Lol.  So, I have a bunch of veggies waiting to become stir-fry.

Moving More

When I started this class, I decided I was going to dive head-first and follow all the directions.  I started to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.  My first day, I walked around Lake Johnson - a 3 mile walk with hills as a bonus.  (The next day I bought better tennis shoes.)  I have been doing various exercises depending on the weather.  I've been doing the Just Dance on the Wii, Wii Fit, Yoga, other other exercises.  Thanks to Barbara, Kathy, and Helen for going on walks with me!

 This video is my nieces and nephew doing the Just Dance during Christmas Break last year.  There is no way I'm going to show you me dancing!  I really wanted to show my brother Kenneth dancing, but I'll save that blackmail for another day!