First of all, Happy belated Valentines Day! I hope you all had a peep-filled day of lovey-doveyness.
Second of all, Zeus and Zoey arrived safe and sound this morning. They sailed smoothly through customs without any problems. I wish the same could be said of our trip to Gatwick! I printed some faulty directions and got us sufficiently lost. Thankfully, Steve and Kim gave us an awesome map of South England for Christmas that saved my butt. We arrived late, but I don't think Zeus and Zoey noticed! Zeus almost beat himself out of his kennel with his tail, it was wagging so hard!
Third, we are moving into our new house tomorrow. Very exciting! It's been a busy week, and we don't have everything in order yet. (As in, we don't have internet set up.) So if you don't hear from us for a while, we are okay, just not connected yet.
That's all! Hope to be back soon!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
International Pet Relocation
It's a nice feeling now that things are coming together. We'll be moving into our new house on Friday, and we pick up the dogs from Gatwick on Thursday. Very exciting!
Of course, things have been so overwhelming and busy at first that I've been able to take my mind off of Zeus and Zoey for a while. Now that it's "crunch time," my mind is fraught with the possible terrors of international pet relocation. I've spoken to a number of pet-owners here, and almost all of them have different horror stories. One airline even lost a one of my husband's coworkers cats...FOR A WHOLE WEEK!
(Sidenote: WHY do people tell you these stories before your pets arrive safely? As if I don't have enough horrible scenarios playing through my head without the thought of my furry babies being lost for an entire week. It's enough to make me ill!)
So now that the time of doggy reuniting is at hand, I'm riddled with anxiety dreams. (This is not helped by the fact that we've been watching season one and two of Alias. I recently launched myself out of bed in the middle of the night to avoid an explosion happening in my dream!)
Last night I dreamt that I left Zeus and Zoey out in a cardboard box in an unidentified front yard. When I went back out the next day to get them, Zoey had run away, and Zeus was inexplicably smashed under the box. Zeus was alive, but lethargic and unresponsive. I know that this is my mind's way of dealing with the fear that my dogs will be somehow altered from the experience of being separated from us so long and the long flight. I woke up feeling like a bad dog mom and made Thomas reassure me that I'm a loving pet owner.
(Incidentally, I've had two dreams two nights in a row in which I was in sweltering, summer-like heat. In the first one of Tommy's family members accused me of stinking! And I knew he was right! In the second I just remember feeling that gross, hot feeling. I don't know why I'm dreaming of summer when it's cold and dreary and wet outside!)
Anyway, I know this whole dog-seperation/relocation thing is probably harder on me than the dogs, but I just worry about them. I worry that regardless of months of planning that something will go wrong last minute. Or everything will go smoothly and I won't be able to find my way to London-Gatwick. (The thought of dirving on British motorways so soon is enough to give me more anxiety dreams!) But by Friday, hopefully all of this will be just a memory and I'll have my furry little monsters at home again. Yay!
Of course, things have been so overwhelming and busy at first that I've been able to take my mind off of Zeus and Zoey for a while. Now that it's "crunch time," my mind is fraught with the possible terrors of international pet relocation. I've spoken to a number of pet-owners here, and almost all of them have different horror stories. One airline even lost a one of my husband's coworkers cats...FOR A WHOLE WEEK!
(Sidenote: WHY do people tell you these stories before your pets arrive safely? As if I don't have enough horrible scenarios playing through my head without the thought of my furry babies being lost for an entire week. It's enough to make me ill!)
So now that the time of doggy reuniting is at hand, I'm riddled with anxiety dreams. (This is not helped by the fact that we've been watching season one and two of Alias. I recently launched myself out of bed in the middle of the night to avoid an explosion happening in my dream!)
Last night I dreamt that I left Zeus and Zoey out in a cardboard box in an unidentified front yard. When I went back out the next day to get them, Zoey had run away, and Zeus was inexplicably smashed under the box. Zeus was alive, but lethargic and unresponsive. I know that this is my mind's way of dealing with the fear that my dogs will be somehow altered from the experience of being separated from us so long and the long flight. I woke up feeling like a bad dog mom and made Thomas reassure me that I'm a loving pet owner.
(Incidentally, I've had two dreams two nights in a row in which I was in sweltering, summer-like heat. In the first one of Tommy's family members accused me of stinking! And I knew he was right! In the second I just remember feeling that gross, hot feeling. I don't know why I'm dreaming of summer when it's cold and dreary and wet outside!)
Anyway, I know this whole dog-seperation/relocation thing is probably harder on me than the dogs, but I just worry about them. I worry that regardless of months of planning that something will go wrong last minute. Or everything will go smoothly and I won't be able to find my way to London-Gatwick. (The thought of dirving on British motorways so soon is enough to give me more anxiety dreams!) But by Friday, hopefully all of this will be just a memory and I'll have my furry little monsters at home again. Yay!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
AcciDON'T
Today I took a voluntary driving course from a British guy called AcciDON'T. It was very helpful and informative. After the class, he took the other student and me around to various driving challenges in the local area so we could esperience them with the benefit of guided instruction. I did pretty well, and he told me I was a good driver. I asked him to please send home a report card so I could prove that to my husband!
Then tonight, I had my first "find parking in town" experience, in which I did not know that there is a convenience parking lot next to the Dragon House, and instead tried to find parking along the street. In the process I got so flustered that I took most of Tom's car over a curb, and then proceeded to drive down the right (as in American) side of the road...straight into oncoming traffic.
It was bound to happen, I suppose. And it may not be the last time. Fortunately, I didn't hit anything (other than the afore mentioned curb.) But I was pretty frazzled to the point of near-shouting, "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE!" repeatedly for a minute or so. Fortunately the delicious crispy Cantonese duck and sweet and sour chicken at the Dragon House helped me overcome my fear of driving back to base.
The Base Housing office inspected our house today, and it passed "with flying colors." Tomorrow we sign the lease, and hopefully figure out a move-in date!
The dogs are scheduled to arrive next Thursday, and I'm SO excited! I miss those boogers and can't wait to have them "home."
Then tonight, I had my first "find parking in town" experience, in which I did not know that there is a convenience parking lot next to the Dragon House, and instead tried to find parking along the street. In the process I got so flustered that I took most of Tom's car over a curb, and then proceeded to drive down the right (as in American) side of the road...straight into oncoming traffic.
It was bound to happen, I suppose. And it may not be the last time. Fortunately, I didn't hit anything (other than the afore mentioned curb.) But I was pretty frazzled to the point of near-shouting, "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE!" repeatedly for a minute or so. Fortunately the delicious crispy Cantonese duck and sweet and sour chicken at the Dragon House helped me overcome my fear of driving back to base.
The Base Housing office inspected our house today, and it passed "with flying colors." Tomorrow we sign the lease, and hopefully figure out a move-in date!
The dogs are scheduled to arrive next Thursday, and I'm SO excited! I miss those boogers and can't wait to have them "home."
Thursday, February 01, 2007
To the Left, To the Left...
We have cars! Tom and I were both able to close on two cars (which from the outside are almost identical. A little matchy-matchy, I know, but it's kind of just how it worked out! We weren't trying, I promise!) Tom has 2000 BMW 323i, and I have a 99 BMW 318i. They are both blue. And they are both beautiful cars!
Now whether or not they will fit in our tiny UK garage is another story! (We've been told that yes, many cars will fit into UK garages! But don't plan on being able to actually open the doors and get out of the car once you are in the garage!)
Of course owning cars means more driving! I passed the driving test this morning. (I got an 84% - just over the required 80%. A little low for my academic pleasing, but enough to get me on the road!) We've both successfully navigated our way through numerous round abouts today, and neither of us have tried to drive in the right lane...yet!
I'll say this...when there's traffic on the road, or if you're heading straight, staying on the left is not difficult. It's turning onto a new road with no traffic immediately visibile that makes me stop and think. (It's so super dorky, but I find myself singing Beyonce, "To the left, to the left" to remind myself where I'm going. Ha!)
And, yes. I have tried to get in the passenger's side door more than once today. And I reach for my seatbelt on the wrong side. And I reach to shift on the right before I realize it's on the left.
It will certainly take some getting used to! But hopefully if we are cautious and alert we'll be able to avoid any craziness!
On the house front, it looks like we'll be moving into the house on or around February 9th. Our household goods have arrived, so we're just waiting on a housing inspection and for the landlord to finalize some details on the house itself. Very exciting!
Now whether or not they will fit in our tiny UK garage is another story! (We've been told that yes, many cars will fit into UK garages! But don't plan on being able to actually open the doors and get out of the car once you are in the garage!)
Of course owning cars means more driving! I passed the driving test this morning. (I got an 84% - just over the required 80%. A little low for my academic pleasing, but enough to get me on the road!) We've both successfully navigated our way through numerous round abouts today, and neither of us have tried to drive in the right lane...yet!
I'll say this...when there's traffic on the road, or if you're heading straight, staying on the left is not difficult. It's turning onto a new road with no traffic immediately visibile that makes me stop and think. (It's so super dorky, but I find myself singing Beyonce, "To the left, to the left" to remind myself where I'm going. Ha!)
And, yes. I have tried to get in the passenger's side door more than once today. And I reach for my seatbelt on the wrong side. And I reach to shift on the right before I realize it's on the left.
It will certainly take some getting used to! But hopefully if we are cautious and alert we'll be able to avoid any craziness!
On the house front, it looks like we'll be moving into the house on or around February 9th. Our household goods have arrived, so we're just waiting on a housing inspection and for the landlord to finalize some details on the house itself. Very exciting!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Swinging Back to Hopeful
It's amazing the difference a day can make.
The landlord for the house we wanted agreed to allow pets AND to complete the fence. Thetford, here we come!
We've found not one, but two vehicles we really love. As of tomorrow they will be ours. Still hoping to sell the Mustang and Xterra back in SC really soon, though!
I should be taking the driving test tomorrow (or later this week, if that doesn't work out.) Most of the theories behind their laws are almost identical, so it should be too hard. And a lot of thier signs are very similar. Of course, theories and signs are one thing...getting out on the road is another!
The landlord for the house we wanted agreed to allow pets AND to complete the fence. Thetford, here we come!
We've found not one, but two vehicles we really love. As of tomorrow they will be ours. Still hoping to sell the Mustang and Xterra back in SC really soon, though!
I should be taking the driving test tomorrow (or later this week, if that doesn't work out.) Most of the theories behind their laws are almost identical, so it should be too hard. And a lot of thier signs are very similar. Of course, theories and signs are one thing...getting out on the road is another!
Feeling a Bit Deflated
I'm realizing in these early days that it's easy to go from overwhelmed to hopeful to discouraged and back through the cycle at least twice in a week. Things happend a little slower and what my American mind considers a little backwards here.
We went back to the house yesterday. We were originally told the back yard fencing would be completed and the landlord would take pets. After we complete the application and paid the administrative fee, the real estate agent then called the landlord to ask if he'd consider pets and to check if the fence would be completed. I was a little surprised. I thought we had made it clear up front that those two were our only non-negotiables. But I guess that's just kind of how things work around here. We should find out today if the landlord will accomodate us or if we have to start looking again.
It's hard for me not to get riled up, like I might have in the states. So many things are so different! We bought sandwhiches at a little bakery/deli, and said we'd take them to go, but then changed our mind and looked for a table. When we sat down, we were informed that there is a charge for sitting down! I felt pretty foolish. We took our sandwhiches outside and found a bench. I have a feeling that won't be the last time I make some silly mistake!
We also had our first driving experience yesterday. SCARY. We test drove a BMW that a used car dealership near base is selling. It's a beautiful car, but may be more than we can afford right now. But it was so WEIRD to be driving on the other side! I kept repeating to myself, "Drive on the left. Drive on the left. Drive on the left." We only drove about three or four blocks in a low-traffic area, and we both did well. But really...it was no test of our driving skills. There were no round abouts, no real traffic. We'll see how it goes when we really hit the road!
We went back to the house yesterday. We were originally told the back yard fencing would be completed and the landlord would take pets. After we complete the application and paid the administrative fee, the real estate agent then called the landlord to ask if he'd consider pets and to check if the fence would be completed. I was a little surprised. I thought we had made it clear up front that those two were our only non-negotiables. But I guess that's just kind of how things work around here. We should find out today if the landlord will accomodate us or if we have to start looking again.
It's hard for me not to get riled up, like I might have in the states. So many things are so different! We bought sandwhiches at a little bakery/deli, and said we'd take them to go, but then changed our mind and looked for a table. When we sat down, we were informed that there is a charge for sitting down! I felt pretty foolish. We took our sandwhiches outside and found a bench. I have a feeling that won't be the last time I make some silly mistake!
We also had our first driving experience yesterday. SCARY. We test drove a BMW that a used car dealership near base is selling. It's a beautiful car, but may be more than we can afford right now. But it was so WEIRD to be driving on the other side! I kept repeating to myself, "Drive on the left. Drive on the left. Drive on the left." We only drove about three or four blocks in a low-traffic area, and we both did well. But really...it was no test of our driving skills. There were no round abouts, no real traffic. We'll see how it goes when we really hit the road!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Settling In
I'm sitting on a wicker couch at the end of the hallway in our TLF (hotel) uploading pictures from the last two weeks. The fact of the matter is that I take WAY too many pictures. And the sad thing is that I've deleted a TON that were blurry, or had people with closed eyes, or just turned out boring. And still it's taking me hours to upload these. I wouldn't mind so much if I could do it from the comfort of our room and watch a little TV, too, but what can you do?
Our first week in England has been very educational. We're so fortunate that Tom met some guys from our base during his deployment in Iraq. One of the guys and his wife have been so helpful. They've driven us around to look at cars and houses, and even drove us to Cambridge last night for dinner. We ate at a Portuguese restaurant called Nando's, which was very good! Plus the bathrooms were clean and spacious, which is not always the case in Europe!
We've found a house that we're in love with, but we haven't signed the papers yet. Tomorrow morning, we have to put some money in our Pounds Sterling account so we can write the check for the admin fee and deposit. It's a gorgeous, brand new house that was just built in the town of Thetford. Thetford is about a 20-30 minute drive from base (depending on traffic), and it's so adorably British I could squeal. It has a little river that runs through the town square with geese floating along. Very story book!
If all goes well tomorrow, we could move in within a week or two, depending on how everything goes with the housing office. We've heard some housing office horror stories, so we'll just have to see how that goes!
We've picked up cell phones. It's nice to have some means of communication, even if it's not reasonable to call back to the states on them. We've also looked at some used cars and will be test driving at least one of them tomorrow.
I miss my family, and I miss my dogs. They should be joining us a few days after we move into the house, which is perfect. The house does have an enclosed rear garden (Brit-speak for fenced-in back yard), so they'll love that! Hopefully their trip will go smoothly.
We had a chance to go to Bury St Edmunds, a market town about 20 minutes from the base. Tom and I had our first real British fish and chips. I also bought a pair of gloves at the market. It's been chilly since we got here, and we've even had a few very light dustings of snow.
I guess that's it for now. Hopefully by the end of this week we'll know our moving date for sure, and may even have a car! Of course, I need to pass the driving test first. YIKES! I'll keep you guys updated. :)
We're Here!
(Originally posted on my MySpace blog on 23 Jan 07.)
Here we are. Almost a year after we received word of our orders, we're finally in England. It's chilly and cold and gray, just like I expected. I spent the two hour bus ride from Gatwick thrilled with the adorable houses along the country side.
Our arrival at Mildenhall was a little disappointing. The TLFs (military hotel) that we're staying in are a total downgrade from…well, any other TLFs I've stayed in. Instead of a kitchenette and dining room that I'm accustomed to, we have a microwave and mini-fridge. It's bizarre that they think we can cook ourselves meals in a microwave for up to 30 days while house hunting.
Even more disappointing is how difficult it is to access the internet – and how spotty the connection can be. If I'm online far less and don't respond to messages, that's why. (Let's be honest, it's probably a good thing. I'm such an internet junky.)
Tom spent this morning in-processing with his unit. This afternoon we attended a safety seminar on driving in England. It makes me nervous to think about it. I have to admit there were a few times on the bus from the airport when I'd look out and see a car coming from what I remember to be the wrong side, and my heart would start pounding…until I realized what side we were on. It'll take some getting used to, that's for sure!
What's most surprising to me, though, is how homesick I've been. I really didn't anticipate being emotional about leaving my family and friends back home since I haven't lived there in more than two years anyway. The problem, I think, is that for right now, we're very isolated. We don't have a home yet, therefore, no phone. I've already mentioned the disappointing internet connection. I keep thinking of things I'd love to tell my family and friends, but I can't.
It's also kind of weird to have no car. I don't mind walking around base, but it'd be nice to shoot off base and see some of the area. Not that I can yet. I haven't passed the permit test. But it makes me feel young and slightly helpless to have no transportation and no steady means of communication.
It also makes me realized how spoiled I am. I'm reminded of how difficult it was to stay in touch even 20 years ago. I've become dependent on my cell phone and email. This is probably a good challenge for me, but it's new and uncomfortable, and quite frankly, it makes me sad. I just MISS everyone. Especially my family.
But these are all temporary woes. We meet with housing tomorrow and will start that hunt this week. We're looking for a little beater car to get us around town. And if I can ever get a decent internet connection, I'll start looking for a decent job. In a month or two, I hope everything's kind of fallen into place. It'll be easier to enjoy all the incredible surroundings if I have a place to lay my head and a way to stay in touch with everyone.
Here we are. Almost a year after we received word of our orders, we're finally in England. It's chilly and cold and gray, just like I expected. I spent the two hour bus ride from Gatwick thrilled with the adorable houses along the country side.
Our arrival at Mildenhall was a little disappointing. The TLFs (military hotel) that we're staying in are a total downgrade from…well, any other TLFs I've stayed in. Instead of a kitchenette and dining room that I'm accustomed to, we have a microwave and mini-fridge. It's bizarre that they think we can cook ourselves meals in a microwave for up to 30 days while house hunting.
Even more disappointing is how difficult it is to access the internet – and how spotty the connection can be. If I'm online far less and don't respond to messages, that's why. (Let's be honest, it's probably a good thing. I'm such an internet junky.)
Tom spent this morning in-processing with his unit. This afternoon we attended a safety seminar on driving in England. It makes me nervous to think about it. I have to admit there were a few times on the bus from the airport when I'd look out and see a car coming from what I remember to be the wrong side, and my heart would start pounding…until I realized what side we were on. It'll take some getting used to, that's for sure!
What's most surprising to me, though, is how homesick I've been. I really didn't anticipate being emotional about leaving my family and friends back home since I haven't lived there in more than two years anyway. The problem, I think, is that for right now, we're very isolated. We don't have a home yet, therefore, no phone. I've already mentioned the disappointing internet connection. I keep thinking of things I'd love to tell my family and friends, but I can't.
It's also kind of weird to have no car. I don't mind walking around base, but it'd be nice to shoot off base and see some of the area. Not that I can yet. I haven't passed the permit test. But it makes me feel young and slightly helpless to have no transportation and no steady means of communication.
It also makes me realized how spoiled I am. I'm reminded of how difficult it was to stay in touch even 20 years ago. I've become dependent on my cell phone and email. This is probably a good challenge for me, but it's new and uncomfortable, and quite frankly, it makes me sad. I just MISS everyone. Especially my family.
But these are all temporary woes. We meet with housing tomorrow and will start that hunt this week. We're looking for a little beater car to get us around town. And if I can ever get a decent internet connection, I'll start looking for a decent job. In a month or two, I hope everything's kind of fallen into place. It'll be easier to enjoy all the incredible surroundings if I have a place to lay my head and a way to stay in touch with everyone.
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