I can't believe it has been almost 5 months since I left Germany. The last post was back at the beginning of May. I guess you can say I have a LOT to catch up on and that I sure have been busy. Well, I'll tell you it has. But also, it is more about continuing things you did when you were away from family. Now, I have shared much of what is going on with family and friends I see, that I don't get around to repeating it on the blog for those I don't talk to all the time. I have wondered if I will keep blogging now that I am back in the States. I am going to, but I'll tell you, it won't be as often unfortunately.
In May my parents came over to Germany to help me pack up and move. We had movers from Chris' company pack and ship our stuff, so it turned out not to be a lot to do. Besides cleaning and organizing what items are mine versus my landlords, we had plenty of time to explore one last time and say goodbye to places I probably won't see again. It was a very strange feeling. Saying goodbye and remembering all the things we have learned and discovered was sad but fulfilling as well. We went up to Copenhagen for a three day weekend to visit some friends of my mom. It was one place Chris wanted to go, but again, he missed out as he was already in the States by then. We went to Salzburg again, as that was one of my favorites and my parents wanted to see. My mom left with her load of suitcases after two weeks. My dad stayed with me and flew back with me to the States. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to have my parents come at the end like that. It was great to share what I experienced. My dad, being there a whole month, really got to feel what it was like living there. He explored a lot while I was at work. He came to my work on my last day when the parents put on a good bye party.
Now that was hard. I was in a very different spot that day. I was fuzzy with all that was going on, me packing and moving back, leaving Germany, saying goodbye to the kids, parents, and co-workers. I was giddy and non stop talking, whereas everyone around me was crying and sad. It was such a mix of emotions. I was very impressed with the farewell. I have never in any prvious job had such a touching emotional goodbye. Looking back on it, I really think a lot of it has to do, other than the fact that this group of parents were such wonderful parents, was that Melanie and I were the first teachers these kids had. It was a brand new Kindergarten and all the kids were in the same position. Most classes have a mix of old students and new, but this was a fresh group that has never experienced being away from parents. And it was two years, a long time for kids. It was very touching to see how each kid said good bye to me. Some attached themselves to me and wouldn't let go, whereas others ran away and did not want anything to do with me. In each their own way, they said goodbye. It all fit their personalities and really showed me the importance of goodbye.
The last days were a bit stressful and went in a blur. We had the movers from Chris's company come to pack up. They didn't bring enough boxes so they had to come the next day. Needless to say, they forgot to come. Luckily, they left a phone number to reach them in case WE were running late. They were lucky that we saw one last box they forgot to bring to the truck before they left. It all arrived fine in the States, so I am happy. It was just weird reading my book, as much as I can with them around, while they were busy packing. I am not used to that service. I would have rather do it myself but they required their movers to do it. Benefits to our liability scared world, I guess.
Chris has been enjoying his new job. It took a while to adjust to the differences of academic and the industry world, but he has gotten to like it. I started working part time at my father's office. I didn't want to start a new job with kids as we found out I was pregnant on Father's day. I told Chris I was pregnant by saying Happy Father's Day. So, as most of you know I am 5 months pregnant now. My estimated due date is February 25th. We are not finding out the sex. We want that as a surprise. We are loving this new experience. I have had a non-complicated pregnancy. No sickness, just the usual tiredness. I am feeling the baby move and am really enjoying that experience, maybe not for long. :)
I didn't think a new job would like me leaving in 8 months, plus I didn't want to have to say goodbye again after a short time with the kids. I also wanted part time to allow me to look at houses. And we now are living in our new home. We moved in at the end of September. It is finally coming along. We have been working on it a lot. I think we got a lot done. With me working on unpacking during the week and both of us in the evening and on the weekends we have accomplished a lot. It was in good shape to begin with so we really didn't have to do much in repair work. I was loving opening up all the wedding gifts finally. It is great to finally get to use the stuff we got two years ago!
Chris and I have continued to take time to explore or just get away. Things we miss about Germany- trains and walking through parks and gardens. One weekend we got the craving to go on a train as it had been a while! So we took the BART to San Francisco for the day. It was fun. Nothing like the trains in Germany, but it satisfied that urge. We walked through the park and botanical gardens, so got a little of what we miss.
Over Labor Day weekend, we needed an escape as we had been very stressed over purchasing our house. So we went to a bed and breakfast inn on the coast of Elk not far from Mendocino. We spent four days walking. We walked along the beach, along the cliffs by a lighthouse, through the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg. It was nice to get away in this beautiful landscape. We enjoyed the break. Once our main computer is set up, I can post pictures.
One week Chris had a conference in Monterey. I tagged along. I got to enjoy walking around Monterey, sitting on the beach, riding a bike along the coast, reading my book while Chris was at the conference. Another wonderful three days in a beautiful place.
Now I am itching to go on a plane ride. We have a trip to Arkansas for Thanksgiving week. I am looking forward to it. I am not sure if it to see Chris' parents, getting away for a break, or the plane trip that I am so excited about. I think some of it is the travel urge that I thought would have gone away now that we traveled for two years. Maybe it will never go away. I hope it won't in a way.
One benefit we love about being back in the States, is being around family and friends. We went camping with some friends one weekend. I have gotten to be with my friend's new baby, and we enjoyed a day with my extended family at our family reunion get together.
So, I guess you can say we have been busy when I lay it all out like this. It has been a great 5 months. Two unfortunately were very stressful with the buying of the house, but now we are loving every bit of life.
