How many times have you moved?

I'm still looking for my 'missing paperwork' from a previous blog entry. Time is running out. I am now looking in 'weird, no way in the world would I have put the missing paperwork in this location' location... because, truthfully... there are NO OTHER OPTIONS LEFT!

I have to find the missing paperwork, complete the forms, and turn it in by June 17th.

While sorting through 'old' paperwork... I have found odds and ends of paperwork (lots) from previous moves. When you work for the US Government... there is just a lot of paperwork that goes with the job- including paperwork to authorize shipping household goods/etc.

Of course, finding this paperwork... reminded me of previous places, people I hadn't thought about in years, and of course a large assortment of names and phone numbers of people that I don't even remember who they were much less remember meeting them.

I'm more of a visual person and I'm sure if they were to knock on my door- that I'd recall how and why I knew these 'mystery names' though.

So, while thinking about some of my previous locations... and moves... which is why I need this missing paperwork in the first place... I thought about seeing how often others have moved.

Myself personally? I like change and the longest that I have lived anywhere in the past 21 years has been for 3 years at one time.

I have been here for 3 years and I did apply for a transfer this spring- but, I didn't get one. There was only the slimmest hope that I would get one and I was aware of the limited likelyhood of getting a transfer to a new location...

I want to leave because the winters here are 7 months long, dark, damp, cold, and we always have snow on the ground. The snow might 'melt off' one or two times per winter- but, that's not much when you consider how long the winters are. I'm not a winter person in the first place- but, the long, damp, cold winters cause me to get pneumonia for 3-5 months every winter. I go to work sick on most of those days too-because I only have a few sick days left.

So, I was curious about how many times you have moved.

Secret Agent Man.. alias... 1973 VW Karmann Ghia

When my VW finally arrived from Seoul, South Korea to Germany... I had to get it tagged and registered on the military base with the German Government.. since, I am a US Government employee (another fancy word for: school teacher) and am residing and working in Germany.. my car has to pass the very strict German inspections...

At one point, the 'inspection guy' was hanging in the air from my car's suspension system. He told me later that since my car was so old... he was making sure that it was safe. I won't mention that he also told me that he was SURPRISED that my car passed the inspection.. Before I got my car inspected, I was told by many to not worry- because most cars don't pass the first time. Case in point: The 3 year old Mercedes in line behind my car did not pass the inspection.

Guess which car did PASS the inspection the first time! You got it.. my car did!

And the next step? You are eventually (lots of waiting in lines as there are at any car registration place) issued German car tags...

I love my Ghia and I've had this car since 1989 and she/he has lived in various countries as I move about for my job.

However, when I moved to Grafenwohr, Germany, it was impossible to find a place to live close enough to walk to work if the weather turned bad or I have car trouble- which is how I've usually managed in the past and there certainly wasn't any public transportation in the 'boonies' where I was living- so, since I have an almost 14 mile daily commute to work each morning and then again in the evening. AND, then when I found out that they did indeed have a lot of snow.   After driving to work a few times; experiencing all the curves and hills that I had to nagivate along narrow shoulderless roads (there are no shoulders on regular roads in Germany)- I knew it was time to buy a new car that was better equipped for the driving conditions.


Since, I'm single... and as a result... due to US GOVERNMENT/MILITARY rules... I had to get special permission to own 2 vehicles. How could they deny my reason? My car is 36 years old!


I purchased my first new vehicle in 20 years. I bought a Front wheel drive Jeep.
*Yes, I did want a red Jeep.. but, there wasn't going to be a red Jeep in country until the end of DECEMBER and I needed a new car before the snows started.

WHEN I went back to the car registration place on base.. to register the new Jeep.. I soon  noticed that the man at the counter was checking my ID/Name/Social Security number in his computer for what seemed like a long time.. I knew something was up by the look on his face.   And, I really KNEW that something was up when he called a couple other employees over to check the computer screen.  (I am if nothing else... able to notice the 'big clues')

After several minutes, he asked me if I had a VW car by tag# such and such.. of course, I didn't know my tag number- but, since he could look up my information on his computer.. I knew that he ALREADY knew that the TAG NUMBER that he was quoting me was indeed the tag number registered to my 1973 RED VW.

I asked why.. (good question, right?) AND.. it seems that my sweet little innocent car had 'accidently' been given UNDERCOVER SECRET GERMAN POLICE CAR TAGS!

Of course, hearing the above statement and "Well, look at that, (as they check their computer data base) you're our 33rd millionth customer, and as a result your vehicle tag cost will be free for life!" are probably the least likely things that any CAR TAG employee is going to tell you, right?




Ok, maybe it wouldn't be the most 'easy to blend into the crowds' secret agent man car?

No wonder my VW's gas milage wasn't as good as I thought that it should have been.. my car was doing SECRET AGENT MAN missions at night.. while I slept peacefully.. thinking it was parked innocently in my driveway.

Now, if I'd only known...  I could have been really breaking the rules by parking 3 hours in the 1 hour parking spaces while having my tires sitting right on the white painted lines marking the proper space.  I drove for over 7 months with my German Secret Police car tags!

ok, sing along with me now.. (here's the actual song.. in case you have now started singing the song and you can't quite remember how it goes)

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Secret_Agent_Man.html

Anyone still out there?

I am finally in my house... with a phone and CONNECTED to the Internet! *Notice that I did not mention anything about being completely unpacked..

Whew! It's been quite the ordeal... let's just say this... I signed up for the phone service about 3 weeks prior to moving into my apartment and it was about 6 1/2 weeks before a PHONE LINE was installed in my new house.

When the '30 something' phone guy came to my house... we had to go 'floor to floor' looking for where the phone lines might be located... (all I had were little plastic disks covering holes w/ wires in various rooms in my 3 floor house.


WELL... well... imagine my surprise when ONLY ONE PHONE LINE was discovered... on the third floor and not even in the master bedroom. Yes, I said: ONE PHONE JACK

When I said something to the German guy about it.. he said to me in his thick, heavy, accent... "You have ONE PHONE- you don't need anymore!" I think that my mouth was gaping open and that I might have had to push my mouth shut.... lol


OK, Maybe not... but, I had the wide open mouth 'expression' in my mind anyway.


Here are some photos... (yeah.. photos... did I hear cheers in the back of the room?)

The moving truck arrived w/ 11 of the sea crates. It started raining - so, the plan was formed (by me) for me to move my car out of the garage... so, that they could unpack one crate at a time to the garage and then haul the contents inside the house.



Curious as to how the unpacking is going? Enough said... (I have done a lot- but, I just stopped doing anything for the past 10 days... but, will have a go at it again tomorrow.)




And thank you so much to my faithful readers... who are still checking to see if there has been a new blog entry posted. I have missed posting to my blog.

Still busy

Moving to a new place takes so much time and energy to get everything done. I am not good at paperwork in the first place-- Ok, the truth is... I am paperwork 'challenged.' Sometimes it seems that you go backwards and don't get much done in the first place... and trust me on this... when you work for the US GOVERNMENT... you do have paperwork to do! :D


Other news:
I do have a place to live and will move in on September 1. (photos of my new home are in a previous post) My household goods will be delivered on September 5. I will get a loaner bed, sofa, coffee table, dining table and chairs on September 1.

This will also give me a chance to: clean and figure out where I want the furniture to be placed a few days later- after all, it is a 3 story house and it won't be a simple drag things down the hallway or into another room if I get an inspiration to switch things around.

I hope that my new house will qualify for the American washer and dryer... not that there's anything wrong with the German models... but, I prefer the top load, larger sized American machines and ok, the big reason? You can do a load of wash in the typical 30 minutes instead of an hour and a half in the German washer. The American dryer dries much quicker and faster too. The office that loans us the appliances will determine which type I get to use (after they visit my laundry room in the new house), during my stay, and I'll know when they deliver the appliances. I had the European washer and dryers when I lived in Italy a few years ago. I AM ALSO SO EXCITED THAT I WILL HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM!!


The new kitchen already has built in cabinets, including a refrigerator- I was fortunate in that respect and I also did decide to request an American refrigerator to be placed in the basement- so, that I'll have a larger freezer space. I don't even know if this particular German model has a freezer in it or not? All, I know is that it was a little shorter than I am- so, it is possible that it doesn't have one or if it does-- it will be small in size. AND, I'll be truthful, I'm from the south and I need ice in my drinks- even in the winter. In Europe, you don't get ice in any drinks unless you ask and even then -- they might give you 2 or 3 cubes.

I am in a nice hotel and it's been fun to have meals with my new co-workers who are also staying in the same hotel and other hotels in the area-- however, I have been here for 3 weeks and I am ready to be in my own house and have more than one room to walk around and have my own things around me too. I am looking forward to sitting outside in the last days of fall on my patio. Of course, there is the question if I sent my plastic table chair set to storage or did I send it to Germany? While I know that my plastic table and chairs are perfectly serviceable- There is that part of me that wants something really nice for my patio too- after all- I have a wonderful backyard to gaze upon... and you know the kind of patio sets that I mean... metal chairs with cushions and a glass topped table? Maybe even a fire pit to chase off the early fall cool air??



I have also purchased a cell phone. I bought a cheapie brand... about $28.00. In the foreign countries that I've lived in so far- you can just buy a phone and purchase minutes that you can put in your phone and then buy more minutes when you run out. They also have the fancier cell phones with all sorts of calling plans/etc.



However, right now, this basic type of phone is good for me- since, I've only managed to answer any calls to my cell phone 3 times. Not a good track record for over 12 calls that have been placed to my phone. Of course, it would help if: I could find the phone before it stopped ringing or even had the phone with me in the first place. Let me say it this way, it is very doubtful that you'll ever find me, walking around with one of those phones stuck in my ear all day long... looking like I'm talking to myself.

I realize that I am cell phone challenged. Is there a support group for this? And will someone do my paperwork for me?

I did IT!

I passed my German Driver's License TEST! Whew! I am now legal to drive the streets of Germany.

I've lived in several different countries now and this was the hardest test that I've ever had to take... So many different signs and rules.


But it is done... I have that little piece of paper in my wallet and the 'real license' will arrive by mail in a few weeks.


NOW, if my car would only get here.... and pass the German inspection for registration and then I'll be able to get the new car tags so that it is legal to drive. Sigh...

My bags are packed

Ok, truthfully, as it stands... there is no way that I'll be getting on any plane with all the stuff that I have in my hotel room. I have items to mail, items to give away, and a whole lot of stuff to 'sort though'..

I will be leaving on a jet plane... in a week. I'm Crossing fingers hoping that I'll get a plane with the video screens in every seat... because, I'm telling ya... those forever and a day flights take a long, long time to end. I do have my portable DVD player as a back up 'entertainment' option. I usually read, knit, and watch videos... and the videos come in handy... especially in hour 9 of the flight that seems to never end... because, I am one of those people that CAN NOT sleep on a plane.

The movers did manage to get my household goods packed up and put in the sea crates... Ok, they forgot to pack an oscillating fan and my newly purchased micro-wave from the blog entry: the fire that was and wasn't...

and let me just say this..

I now know that I have a lot more stuff than I thought I had... that's what happens when you have it all stored away... doesn't look like so much until you see all those boxes everywhere.. Maybe a couple of times every year.. I should just drag everything out of the closets, shelves, and other storage containers/etc. so, I can actually 'see' the stuff.

I am using the 'pay for the Internet' at the hotel... and the server isn't as fast as what I had at my apartment... and as a result, I couldn't download photos on this blog entry.

Oh how times have changed...

Once upon a time, this was my bedroom... and not too long ago either...
Did you notice the broken piece of wooden furniture? That is a Korean Rice Chest.. made out of solid wood- almost 2 inches thick... and yet, somehow it got the front busted out in my move back to Korea.


However, there has been a slight change... called: GETTING READY (ok, trying to get ready) to move... and as a result...
This is the same area... and slightly out of focus... to protect the viewer from excessive trauma and sensory overload.

Now, remember... if you ever feel like your bedroom is a mess... just come back and look at these photos and take a break... relax, read, knit, watch a movie.. because... your mess doesn't look as bad as this does! ;D lol


AND DO NOT FORGET TO LEAVE COMMENTS AND BE ENTERED IN THE CONTEST on my blog that ends on May 31. (scroll down a few blog entries for more details)

And this is my antique cast iron bed. It used to be this color:

But, I asked a friend in the states to send me some black spray paint and those big plastic sheets that you put down when painting... now, I do realize that usually one should do 'spray painting' outside... but, not possible when one lives in a high rise apartment building- we don't really have a 'yard area' and I know for a fact that dragging my bed down the elevator, to the park areas, or stone walkways and then start shaking that spray paint can... would not have been OK to do!

How well did this 'indoor spray paint adventure' work? Let's just say: It's a good thing that I had put the plastic sheeting down everywhere otherwise, there would have been the same 'black mist' of paint all over the white walls (wall paper-ed mind you) and the off white floors... I looked like one of those chimney sweeps from England with the black soot all over me.

I think that it looks a lot better now... the soft peach color that it was painted was purchased, years ago, to match a color in one of my grandmother's antique quilts that I used as a bedspread. I made a dust ruffle and bought the bedspread here in Korea. And, by the way, is it always called a bedspread? Duvet? A bed covering? A quilt was a much more 'all purpose' word for bed covering.


Here is the knitting project that I've been working on for a few weeks- and of course haven't worked on it recently either. This is a wool yarn that I found that changes color for you... soft and a constant surprise as you knit it up.


I only need to make a few more squares and sew them all together. I had purchased enough of the navy blue yarn to knit a border between all the squares and on the outside. I'm not sure if I'll still do that or not and if I don't - I'll have to knit a few more squares to make it longer to use on the couch.


So, what do you think looks best? Knit more squares and keep it as it is... just sewn together... or knit a navy border between the squares and an edging in Navy too?

No MORE chicken....

You realize about a month prior to leaving the actual place of residence... that you need to 'start eating' the food that is in the cabinets and the freezer. You mentally acknowledge that... but, you still go to the grocery store... because 'eating' items from the freezer and the cabinets would include: COOKING


AND.. I don't have time to cook right now and it almost makes me wish that I had some convenience foods in the freezer... like some frozen pizzas/etc..


So, another week goes by... and you open the freezer and realize that you really do need to eat some of this frozen stuff. You dig around... not a package of hamburger to be found... none... not even a tiny little package. (I tend to take the unfrozen hamburger pound package and divide it up into smaller packages before I put it in the freezer.)

So, you dig around and see the package of frozen chicken breasts and the package of frozen chicken breast tenders. And, you think to yourself... now, I could bake those in the oven and have 'almost ready' meals... for dinner and for lunches to take to work.

This is a good plan for the first 3 days... by the third day... you find that you no longer want to eat chicken... and are only eating a 2 inch piece of the chicken tender and calling it done. And, you wake up in the morning and discover the freshly baked pan of seasoned chicken still on the counter! Was I really that busy, tired, have the excuse that I was working in the back room 'sorting' and that is why I left the freshly cooked chicken on the counter? Or was something more sinister at work here? After all, I had only cooked 4 chicken tenders... 2 small servings of chicken... or at the rate of my 2" pieces of chicken consumption per meal... maybe it was really about 10 meals that I had in the pan and I just couldn't face 10 more meals of chicken? I won't mention the morning, that I woke up to find the thawed chicken still on the counter either. I think it all says that I have had my fill of chicken for quite some time.


Now, you move on to another plan... empty the cabinets of the canned goods that you just know that you aren't going to eat in the next 3 1/2 weeks... and give it to a friend. Problem is, I have a kitchen with very little cabinet space... and the canned goods are pretty much limited to: chicken stock, tomatoes, soup, a few cans of pineapple, and some cranberry sauce and pumpkin left over from the holiday baking. I decide that since... I only have 1 egg, limited flour and sugar... and no plans to buy anymore... that I will let all of the canned pumpkin go... since, I just don't see myself having enough time to 'bake pumpkin bread or a pumpkin pie' right now.


Now, I'm in the final phase of the 'get rid of the food plan'... I decided a couple of weeks ago- that I can only buy: bread, milk, and yogurt at the grocery store.


Now, that I realize that I'm going on vacation in 3 days... no more grocery store purchases are allowed at all and when I return, I'll only be in my apartment 5 more days before everything is moved out. Let's just say it this way, there are going to be some 'strange food combinations' in my future. I had better enjoy the food on my vacation and I assure you- that I won't be eating a lot of chicken either.



Anyone want to trade some frozen chicken for some laundry detergent? Or maybe you'll trade laundry detergent for some cranberry sauce?

I am tired...

and all I want to do is have enough 'free time' to:


Knit, watch a movie, read a book... even reading a magazine is like an unlikely luxury for about 5-6 more weeks. Maybe, there's even less time than that left- I'm afraid to look at the calendar to double check-- because, if it's less time... it just means that I'm EVEN MORE BEHIND!


I need to get busy- it's 6:30 and I've not started anything for tonight's sorting adventure. Sigh...


Oh, did I mention that I'm going to: Singapore and Bali for Memorial Day holiday? I'm also taking 3 days off from work-- we'll be gone for 8 days... and, when I return.. it will be on a THURSDAY night, I'll teach the next day (Friday), have that night, and the weekend... before the MOVERS COME to pick up the first shipment the following Monday. Which is sort of why... I'm worn out, have too much to do, etc.. I have to have EVERYTHING almost finished by MAY 22. And, I don't have to look at the calendar to know that I don't have much time!

I've always wanted to go to Bali... I'm sure it had something to do with watching that movie: South Pacific when I was a kid? I have lived in Korea 3times and I decided that, since I have NO PLANS to come back this way again... that it is time to go to Bali before I move. Of course, the plans for Bali were made and paid for 'before' I got the transfer. I'm glad that we did so then, because... as it stands now... I would have been awfully tempted to NOT TRAVEL TO BALI because I have too much to do before I move. However, I'm glad that I'm keeping my commitment.

So, if you haven't read all of my blog postings... this would be a good time to do so. Go now and get caught up on your reading. Find out how I was 'shunned' by a cat, found frisky mannequins while walking in the market, discover strange Korean foods, learn which job that I thought would be neat when I was a kid, and read about the enduring love that we can only hope to experience in our life. There are a lot of stories here and the unique ways that I look at life. I think I can honestly say that I tend to 'find the humor' in the most everyday events.

The blog started in October 2007.

Also, don't forget to leave a comment on the blog to be entered in the contest. (read the previous blog entry for more details) Thanks to all who have left comments- it's nice to read them. SEND me an email with your real email address so I can contact you -- if your name is pulled out of the plastic bowl, or plastic bag as the case is likely to be.

My email address is: knitknitknit2007@yahoo.com

Let's talk: Storage

Someday, I'll finish up my vacation photos... but, in the meantime... my world has focused on: THE MOVE TO GERMANY!

And, when you move to Europe storage is something that you think about. Or maybe I should say 'Lack of storage' is something you think about. You see, in Europe, it would be a rare find to rent any home with kitchen cabinets or closets. So, part of renting a place is you have to buy cabinets or have furniture that will work for 'storage'...

So, today... I went to a local Korean furniture man that I've purchased furniture from in the past- except this time, since I have already lived here (Seoul, Korea) 3 times for a grand total of 9 years... Although I have enjoyed my time in Korea, I DO NOT PLAN ON RETURNING again. This frees that frugal part of one's mind to 'buy, buy, buy' the furniture that you really, really want... because, buying it now is: Cheaper than having it shipped to you, buying it in the states (and to get the quality of furniture that we can buy here-- I just wouldn't be able to afford stateside prices for it anyway) etc.

So, I present... (some) of my new furniture...

I'm going to use this in the kitchen. Maybe set the microwave on it? Some dishes?


Isn't this beautiful? It's probably a buffet? I'll use it somewhere- I just thought it was beautiful- and am thinking that maybe I shouldn't have purchased it and exchange it for something else? (the items won't be shipped to my apartment until the end of the month) I know that they have a tall cabinet (kind of like the first photo) with doors on it for storage. It would be more useful- since, I might end up in a small apartment and going vertical is always a good plan... and besides that... I do already have the buffet made out of Italian walnut in storage... humm, I need to think about it. What do you guys/guyettes think?



This is a traditional Korean piece of furniture. A step Tansu made in a new style of the open cut work showing the four seasons. The top can flip down and you can use it as a vertical or horizontal piece of furniture. *Which is why I think that I should change my mind about the buffet... sigh...



And, now I present something CUTE..... These little tea cups were from Japan and I found them on-base in the Base Exchange. I loved it so much that I bought a few for some teacher friends. They just make me smile and I think that they'll be something worth having at school for those days when you need a little something to 'make you smile.' AND just look at the cute, cute lid!! There were 3 different designs- but, I loved this one the most and I bought them all like this one.

Oh, it's so difficult

To sort one's possessions... after all, I do live/work in foreign countries.. it's not like I can hop down to Wal-Mart or some other department, hardware, or other store and just pick up another 'whatever' it is that I no longer have. There just aren't garage sales every weekend (ok, there just aren't garage sales period) that I can pick up other's no longer wanted possessions.

HOWEVER, I know that I need, NEED, NEED to get rid of some things. I was really happy to find out about the 'once a year' garage sale for our base that I participated in on Saturday. I would have liked to find out about it with more than 3 evenings notice.

I think one of the biggest problems is- I'm not just sorting through regular stuff that would be in any house... but, I'm also sorting through items that had been in storage for about 14 years! After that long, you either feel guilty for not having them with you, or you don't want to get rid of the 'storage items' because, you're not tired of them-- because, they have been in storage!

I think that the biggest problem that I have is that I am RIGHT-BRAINED DOMINANT. I have to haul everything out.. see what I have.. sort it, get rid of it, repair it, give it away, etc. and doing it that way takes time and should I say it? It's overwhelming doing it that way- especially without any help (not married) and working all day- sometimes it's just a little hard to keep the momentum going. Add in the fact that I'm sentimental about things... and put all that together and.............. "Houston, we have a problem."


To show that I am making some progress, here are some things that I did get rid of..

*A wooden box that I was going to paint, apply pretty fabric to the inside and outside and use it as a gift box for this winter's Barbie doll and matching sewn and knitted wardrobe.. (made by ME) to the local orphanage. The base has a toy drive every winter for this good cause. *I'm sure that my new base will do something similar, so- I'll buy a Barbie and knit/sew the doll some clothes and just make a 'fabric drawstring bag' to store everything in- same purpose and less weight and space taken up.

*An extra foam cushion for a guest bed in my new location. (I'm giving it to my sweet house girl- if she wants it.)

*Some clothing and hair accessories (they were in the storage shipment). I don't have long hair anymore. I sent all of this to the orphans in Afghanistan.

*A couple of silk flower arrangements. (They'll be given to my house girl too.)




But, here's kind of how my mind has been doing during this 'sorting' process:

*The guy will be the 'get rid of it side' and the gal will be the 'oh, keep it side'

Guy: "Get rid of it! It's taking Gal: "This will come in handy in your
up space! new location."

"You haven't used this in years!" "Well, it's been in STORAGE for
years!"




AND, after all of this gets done? I have the days long job of opening up every box of 'classroom teaching materials' (I usually teach 2nd or 3rd grade. I am currently teaching art and will be teaching art at my new school too.) I have boxes and boxes of the stuff on my bedroom balcony. (Korea has enclosed balconies.. so, it's more of a mini narrow room off the bedroom than a balcony.)

I need to do this.. because, this stuff weighs a lot and I won't need it for a few years- while I'm teaching art. And, if I go back into the classroom again- I'll leave enough to teach in the classroom. I just wish that I had known that I was moving into the art position last year.. because, I could have given away or thrown away the items that I found that I really didn't use.. as each month went by. However, I didn't find out about it until August before the new school year started.

Did I mention that as I'm sorting I have to decide:

*What goes with me to Germany

*What goes with me to Germany- but, is the 100 pounds of items that are flown
there .. that you will need immediately: bed lines, more clothing- usually a
coat since your household goods can take 3 -4 months to arrive, etc.

*What goes to storage (this will be sent to the states and I won't have access to
it.)

*What to throw or give away


I hope that I don't start dreaming about this. lol
ETC.. etc.. etc..