I Love my Kindle

So thanks to my amazon prime account, I got my kindle the day after I ordered it. Which was awesome. I went for the model with WiFi and free 3G. This means that I can download books from anywhere at any time. LOVE IT!

I already downloaded 50+ books, but it's ok because it holds 3500. Also, amazon keeps a record of everything I purchase for it, so if I delete if off my kindle, it's still available on the internet.

I used to hate on the e-readers, but now I take it all back. This thing is completely amazing. I read all the time, and one of the best things about reading is curling up on the couch with a good book. Sometimes this involves laying on my side, sort of balancing the book in one hand, clearly seeing only one page at a time. And that's only if it's a paperback. If it's a hardcover book, or something giant (like Harry Potter), there is really only one comfortable way to read and that's sitting with the book balanced in your lap. The kindle solves all the reading position problems. Only 1 very light weight thing to hold, easy to read at any angle. And unlike my husband's iPhone, it does not make your eyes tired by looking at the screen for hours on end because of the electronic ink inside.

I realized immediately that I needed a cover for it. Something to protect it from the keys, coins, and loose bobby-pins in my purse. There were some for sale on amazon. At $40 a pop. Waaaaay too much. I figured I could make a better one for less money. And I did. This cover cost me about $15 and I made it one day.

I highly recommend this for anyone who a) intends to travel a lot, or b) reads a lot. The kindle makes both processes easier due to it's size, weight, and ability to hold an entire library of books.

And no, I was not paid by kindle to write this post.

German Hospitality

I was shopping the other day for beads (stocking up before the trip) and the lady at the counter told me that German people hate Americans. And so do French people. I realize that may be an exaggerated statement. But I have recently learned some interesting facts about the German government's views on immigrants.

"'We hope the word 'foreigner' will soon become a foreign word for you', which seems slightly opaque until one consults the German original and sees that "foreign word" refers to 'Fremdwort', a concept which does not actually exist in English. The fact that German even has a word for 'Fremdwort' (according to one definition "a word which has been taken from another language … and which is seen as foreign") says something about German attitudes to the 'Other'.

Elsewhere in the [pamphlet on moving to Germany], German attitudes to nationality and immigrants are clearly illustrated. "Today, more than seven million foreigners live in Germany, almost nine percent of the population," it states in the 'History of immigration to Germany' section, adding that "one quarter were born in Germany." The idea of being born in Germany but still counting as a foreigner is perhaps itself foreign to many people.

Similarly 'Spätaussiedler' (ethnic Germans, generally from eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, descended from 18th and 19th century emigrants) are described as "immigrants of German origin", which also tells the prospective immigrant something about German attitudes to nationality."

http://www.expatica.com/de/essentials_moving_to/essentials/the-expat-instruction-manual-abrthe-german-governments-official-guide-to-living-in-germanybr-22242_9920.html

All in all this makes me a little apprehensive regarding our reception in Europe.

Red Tape

Moving to another country is not an easy task. There is paperwork from your country of origin and paperwork for the destination country.

When spending 90+ days in Germany, one may need a Visa, but the German website is a little confusing, so I'm still not sure if I need one.

When we come back to the U.S. we have to declare things that we're bringing with us, so they suggest that we keep our receipts for any purchases.

Lots of paperwork and red tape. It's sorta like getting married. To Germany.

Packing

Packing for an overseas move may seem like the most daunting step, but it doesn't have to be. I'm actually more concerned about finding stores I like. But this is what I have been doing.

Only a tiny tiny fraction of what you currently own can come with you, and if it plugs into the wall, its easier (in most cases) to leave it behind. The circuitry in Europe/everywhere else is not the same as in the US, so you have to check your plugs and read what the voltage says. If it will work overseas, you need an outlet converter. If the voltage is different you need a volt converter box (a much bigger contraption). Long story short, the crockpot and the dehumidifier are not joining us abroad.

I am currently in the process of setting aside what I want to take with my, keeping in mind the limitations of even my largest suitcase. After that everything else goes in a box. It's pretty simple.

Everything in a box goes into storage. I'm voting for a climate controlled storage unit at the moment because I think we're more likely to find out stuff in the same condition we left it in.

Some stuff we're going to keep at my in-laws place because I want to know that it's safe, and I want to know where it is at all times. Things that fall into this category include our photo albums and my wedding dress. I think Joe's records may end up there too.

Still working on a plan for the cars, though I'm leaning toward storing the blue one.

European King Bed

At this point we don't have a place to live (technically). So I do not know what the kitchen is like, whether there is a washer and dryer, and (if it's furnished) what size bed we'll have. Last night we were talking about bed sizes, and I said "I hope it's not King bed because what would I do with the sheets when we moved back?". Joe gave me a look indicating he had no idea what I was talking about, so I informed him that I like soft comfy (modal) sheets, and expected to buy some when we get there. This prompted a discussion on bed sizes, and Joe said maybe we'd get a "European King" sized bed. I said it would be the size of a twin bed (I had Ikea in mind when I made that statement). He countered, no, it would be much bigger because Kings in Europe live in castles. Take that California King.

Thank God I'm Not Allergic to Cardboard

Over the weekend we moved the process of packing from in our imagination to in our living room. When packing in advance, you only pack up stuff you don't expect to use in the near future. It's like taking apart your house piece by piece leaving the important stuff for last so it still looks like you live there. Or it should. Not in our case though. It looks like we live in a cardboard castle. Which is appropriate I suppose, since we're moving to the land of castles. We're also doing it sort of haphazard, stopping when we get bored or tired. So it's a mess in progress. That's probably the most stressful part; it looks cluttered and messy. Moving to Europe in month? It's a breeze. Dealing with weird scattered parts of your home all over? More complicated.