First blog post, no really, it’s my first blog post

Posted on by thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany

So, here it is, my first blog post.  We have been here in Germany for five weeks. So I have been a little slow on getting this thing started.  So much has happened during this first month, where to start?

We arrived without issue.  Dirk and Cheyenne came in the middle of July, they were Team Start up.(They arrived to Germany first, and set up the new living space.  They also made sure we had Wi-Fi on our arrival!).  Sierra and I arrived on August 1st, we were team Clean up. (This job sucked rocks!  We had to clean up the apartment that we had been living in for 4.5 years.  It is amazing how much junk a person can accumulate in such a short time!  And clearly, I never dusted the entire time we lived there.  A big thanks to my cousin, Lisa for stepping in and finishing the clean up.  I would have been lost without her!).  Neither team really won any awards for efficiency, but we are here, so that’s all that counts.

We are living in an apartment for the first time since I was 18, and the first time ever for my daughters.  It has been an adjustment to say the least, there are 4 flights of stairs…4!!!.  I break into a sweat by the 3rd floor every time.  On a positive note, Dirk and Sierra have both lost close to 20 lbs, and Cheyenne and I are at the 10lb mark.  The stairs still suck, but I have to get back to the apartment somehow after going to the bakery for breakfast goodies each and every day!

The language barrier is an issue.  Many people here do speak quite a bit of English, but learning the language is still a big priority for us.  We started German language school this week and have 2 classes under our belts.  We can now introduce ourselves, say where we are from and announce that we speak English.  (Like that isn’t more than obvious!).  We have picked up a few other phrases that help us get around, but we have A LOT to learn.

The most exciting news is that we have found a location for our new tattoo shop!  Art of the Needle will be located in Brühl, Germany.  It should be up and running by the end of September.

The Family at the Cathedral 2017

 

103 thoughts on “First blog post, no really, it’s my first blog post”

  1. You are going to have so much fun here 🙂 Especially with the language! My tattoo German is shit but feel free to drop me a line when you don’t understand the pillows, recycling system or anything else – I’m a profi now 😉

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  6. What an adventure! And nice to meet another registered nurse blogger. I am an RN, too, and started my (mostly) humor blog in 2015. I have had a great time doing it and writing is my new passion. I just started working part-time as I gear up for retirement and love having more time to write. Are you retired from your nursing career at this point? Easy to get burned out – I’ve been at it for 38 years.

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    1. I like to say that my nursing career is just on hold for the moment. I plan to apply for my UK nursing license next year and possibly take travel positions in the UK to supplement our income as well as allow me to see some of the UK. But. for now I am very happy and satisfied being the Haus Frau that blogs about my new life.

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      2. It wasn’t too hard for me to walk away. I had stepped away slowly from the ER, still did some PRN work in ER’s but worked full-time as a Transfer Coordinator. Then, I took the big plunge and left that position to work in an Ortho office. Major culture shock! But by then I wasn’t having the ER withdraws like had had at first. Now, I am able to think of all the very fun times I had working in the various ER’s…but still dread the Office environment. Triage Phone Nursing is one of the 7 levels of Hell.

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      3. I have worked in a lot of environments and the last nine years in a primary care office. I have never done triage I am happy to say. Not cut out for the ER ever in my career. Takes a special person to handle that stress!

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      4. I worked for 12 years in various ED’s, did some time in the Jail(I worked there!!), Transfer Coordinator, Patient Placement, and then Ortho phone triage. Honestly, the phone triage job was the most stressful of all of my jobs. It totally took me over the edge of loving being a nurse, to looking for a job at the local Walmart to be the greeter,

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  17. ‘announce that we speak English.’ Ha ha ha ha, that’s the most useful thing in terms of people learning a new language. And GOSH, so true about the dusting. It just materialises out of thin air!

    Your posts are always such a refreshing change from the everyday 🙂

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    1. I do think it’s funny that they taught us how to say we are from America and that we speak English. I often feel like we have a little sign strapped on us that says we are American. (Mostly because we live in a small village and everyone knows everyone. Word got around quickly when we moved here)
      I am glad that you enjoy them! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

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    1. I feel frustrated at my progress. But, in truth I really am getting better. It’s just not fast enough for me. I would love to be able to go out and actually understand everything that is being talked about. I know that it will take time, and I do have time…but I want to understand it all NOW. 🙂

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      1. I’m Dutch, living in France right now and learning French. I learned English easily, but I’m having lots of trouble learning French. I comfort myself by thinking that it’s good for the brain to learn another language, even if I never get fluent!

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      2. The studies all say that learning new languages are good for your brain. At this point, I do not even mind if I never become fluent, I just want to feel more comfortable when I am out and about. I am getting better, it’s just a very slow process for me. Good luck with your French!!

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  25. Congratulations on your move. Germany is a wonderful place to be and I am sure you will marvel at the little towns in the county. I spent 18 months with my then new wife, traveled as much of Europe as we could. If you get the opportunity, visit Ulm and the small town of Schwaebisch Hall. It is a University town that sits on the banks of the Kocher River. Best wishes and enjoy Europe.

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      1. While the large cities aew interesting to see , please make time for the small villages as well. I also fell in love with the Mediterranean coast and islands. Good travels to you.

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  27. Learning the language is always difficult in the beginning (and in the middle and probably never really ends if you are anything like me) but it will be hugely rewarding as well! The first time you manage to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation on the bus is hilarious 😉 Best of luck for your new adventure! 🙂

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      1. I am the same, I just figure that when I can understand what two Italians are saying to each other then I can understand the language. When people speak with me they are usually kind and speak slowly 😉 I am also just a little bit nosy…

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  29. I’ve come here after leaving a Tweet. By now you must have added more German to your acquiring language. A few low-German phrases are sprinkled through my Mennonite memoir in progress. Nice to see you here. Best wishes as you continue to adjust.

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  33. I’m excited to follow along on your new journey. From reading your first blog post, I think you could also run a weight loss camp! Sign me up!

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  39. Both my husband and I have lived overseas. Although it is fun, especially bringing family, it can be different and difficult at times. Both husband and I were alone at the time in foreign countries. I wish you the best. Germany is a country I have not visited but the husband, retired military did and lived in. I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing of your journey and learning German!!!

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      1. I wish I had been married to my husband when he lived in Germany but I was in New York on my own and when I was in Korea, he was in Hawaii. It is nice to have family nearby to remind you of your routes. Thank you!

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Published by thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany

Born in the United States, living in Germany, telling stories about my adventures.