Getting Settled

For the longest, one word described my recent job hunt best: frustration. I started looking for jobs and applying as soon as I had my SSN (wich was in mid-July). However, I did not even get an interview until mid-September. I sent out over twenty applications in less than six weeks and no word from anyone? Now that is what you call frustrating.

You can probably imagine how happy I was when I was invited for an interview. So of course I went and hoped for the best. I must have made a pretty good impression, because I did get the job. After all, I am finally back in the work force.

At times, I felt so useless and my self esteem took some serious hits from my job hunt, as I started to feel that no employer would even be interested in me, despite my skills and qualifications. I knew it was going to be hard to find employment as an immigrant and I assume that many American employers had no idea on how to interpret my German education and training. I decided to have it evaluated and I should receive my evaluation soon.

Meantime, I was finally able to start working. I had a lot of paperwork and screenings to complete before my start date. However, my biggest worry was finding child care. I was very relieved when I found a solution for our family and I know my children are well taken care of. It is an adjustment for all of us, but it is worth it.

Having work is priceless to me. Besides finally being a dual income household again, it simply gets me out of the house and I am meeting people. Being in a foreign country and missing your family at home is hard enough, but the hardest part for me so far was not knowing anyone over here for the first two months. It takes time for me to warm up to people, which does not make it any easier.

We do have some really nice neighbors across the street and I also met with another German lady who also lives here on post and our husbands actually work together. It seems things are finally working out, it just takes time. One thing I am definitely learning is being more patient. Not everything can happen overnight, especially not the really good stuff! :-)

Oh, in case you were wondering: I am an administrative assistant in a daycare center. So I get to work my kind of job and get to be around children which rocks!