study time

Good news: I found out that I can apply for my learners' permit for the drivers' license without an SSN. I need to fill out an affidavit and get it notarized. I am glad we have legal assistance here who can do that for me. So now, I am studying the drivers' handbook like crazy right now, hoping I will be ready to take the written test next week. I would like to have my learners' permit soon, so I can practise driving... watch out, here I come, ha ha :-)

Also, I am getting my certifications translated, so I can get my German education evaluated. I hope that helps me with finding employment. Otherwise, college/university is also an option...

Goodbye Germany. Hello Fort Campbell.

Today, I left my home country Germany for good.

I flew from Frankfurt via Dallas to Nashville. Strange feeling. I am so so happy to be finally back with my husband, who has been waiting for me for a long time, and we will also be able to pick up the kids from their grandma soon. Yay! However, I know that I will not be able to see my mom in a long time. That also goes for my sister and my little niece. My sister and I had our goodbye yesterday already and my mom came to the airport with me. She took it very hard, letting me go. After all, being her youngest daughter I am her baby. It broke my heart when we said goodbye and she started to cry. For some reason I did not cry, I guess, it does not feel real yet. Still feels like just going on a vacation, but it is not. So far, I feel pretty darn good and I do not miss home at all. I hope it stays that way. I do miss my family, but prior to leaving Germany I was already used to not being around them very much as I lived in a different city. Only time will tell. Right now I just enjoy having my husband back and I am all excited to start my new life here in the United States.

When I arrived in Nashville, it was already dark, but I noticed there are many trees around here. Our house on post is really nice and a lot bigger than it looked like on the pictures my husband sent me. I love having a yard now (front and back) and cannot wait to plant some lavender bushes in the flowerbeds by the front windows. It is very warm and humid here, it will probably take a few days for me to get adjusted to this climate. I am glad that I generally handle heat better than cold. :-)

Starting tomorrow, I will be unpacking my 37 boxes I mailed over here. LOL. I hope everything survived the long journey across the ocean. Some boxes look pretty bad, I will find out when I open them.

update

I received my visa today! :-)
Looks interesting... a big colorful sticker in my passport. Has a picture and my data on it, of course.
I will try to fly next weekend, this way I will make it there this month still. Yeah! Hope all works out.

progress report

I finally had my visa interview in Frankfurt today. Yay! I should have my visa within the next two weeks... :-)

Last Friday I already went to the doctor for the exam that I need for the visa. Everything went well, both the doctor's exam and the visa interview. The people at the consulate were very friendly and helpful. I was a bit nervous about the interview, because I did not know what to expect. However, the consular officer was a very nice lady, and I was stressing out for nothing. I brought way too many documents to my appointment, but I am rather safe than sorry. I did not want to risk having anything missing, so I was double-checking my folder a couple of times to make sure I would not forget anything.

Woohoo! I am so excited that I will be holding my visa in my hands soon. Once I have it, I will book my flight and off I go... Baby, here I come!