For future reference, pre-move entries might be boring for many. But I'm going to start doing them for one simple reason. Okay, two. One, I have lots of friends who have moved overseas, but their memories of the pre-move process is incomplete. If I could read their thoughts during that time, it would help me organize mine. So, maybe one day, some friend of mine will tell me they're moving overseas and are feeling overwhelmed, and I'll just forward them a link to here and presto, they can read it all and see how hard or easy it might be. They can figure out what to expect at least. And two, its my blog and I like to ramble about the boring things I do, so there.
Today I visited our Relocation Office. I wondered if they'd think I was strange for coming in for the low-down a whole year in advance. She said I was smart, and having time to get it all figured out would certainly make it easier. And she also said that it would really be good if we can make it to the pre-move briefing next week. They're offered monthly, so I wondered if I should put it off, but she said to come on!
She gave me a ton of information. I have a CD that apparently has a link on it which will take me to a ton of information about the base and moving there, etc. It better not be the plain old site that I could google and find on my own. (because I found it to be quite underwhelming.) I also have the following brochures/magazines/xeroxes:
PCS-TDY (*I'll teach army lingo in a minute) EUROPE - moving to europe mag with info on cleaning your quarters, filing a claim, and driving in europe.
GERMAN - A 31 page xeroxed list of German words. It's in 3 columns, and the 3rd one got cut off, which could be problematic if this was my only German-learning tool.
Importing Pets, Plants, and Hunting Trophies into Germany. Which I just glanced through and will probably never look at again since I own none of the above, at least, I'm not planning to move my lavender bush, so it's not an issue. You should know, however, that you are not allowed to import crocodiles. (okay, it is also good to know that you can't take even reptile leather or some seashells over, but I don't have any of those anyway.)
Sponsorship Gateway to Europe - Michael can request a sponsor already living there, and they can help us out along the way.
Adjusting to Germany - a booklet with the basics about life. Topics include many I'd wondered about already - What's different about living in Germany, German Residential Laws, Trash and Recycling, Transformers, Appliances, and Telephone Usage and Billing. Did you know that Germany has "quiet hours" daily from 1-3pm? Nice! And German doctors are not used to having to explain why they're recommending any particular treatment, they expect you to just accept it. Whoo boy. Our microwave won't work and the transformer won't make it work. Other small appliances like toasters and hair dryers are better bought in Europe as well. It's not discussing big appliances though, but I'm assuming I can't use them. Speaking of, anyone need a fridge?
Dining Out and Shopping in Germany - Ah - you have to pay for condiments in fast food places. Good to know. And, something I'd wondered about... See, I read that they have tiny refrigerators, and I wondered, "but where do they keep their food then?" It seems it's common to shop very often, even daily, for fresh foods. At the back is a list of German shopping vocabulary words. I like this one - Reformhaus - Health Food Store. And Konditorei - Confectioners. Yum.
Drivers Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany - yeah, I'd already heard to start studying this sucker now. I'm told it's a pretty hard test. We get a special US Forces German permit. This is a pretty huge booklet.
Tips for a Successful Move - This has all the basic info about moving. All the stuff I've heard before but didn't retain. Stuff you forget about from your last military move that you need a refresher on. Allowances, household goods weight limits, vehicles, etc.
Shipping Your POV (car) - A few pages of info. Most of which makes no sense to me, it's all legal sounding and I think they left a page out here and there. I just read it and understand no more than I did before I picked it up. I just want to know: when and where do I drop it off, can I leave carseats installed in it, and when and where can I pick it up. I also have to figure out what to drive after drop off and before pick up.
Last, and perhaps my favorite, The chart with the Dislocation Allowance Rates. That is, the amount of money that they pay you to move. It's a "sorry for the inconvenience of moving, here, have some cash!" allowance. The 2008 chart isn't out yet, but we'll get at least $2,154. Really, this is to offset security deposits and utility turn-ons.
Watch for Part 2!
*Alphabet Soup lessons (Army lingo!)
PCS - Permanent Change of Station (or, as permanent as it gets in the military)
TDY - temporary duty ____ I have no clue what the Y stands for. maybe less than a Year? Not sure. I know it means short term assignments.
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