Monday – Max scored very high on a recent company evaluation for EIDs, Executives in Development. Until being invited to the evaluation center several weeks back, he didn’t know he was part of this elite group (the top 1 percent in the company) and discovered he is vying for a director position with his next move--whenever or wherever that might be. As part of his evaluation, Max met with one of his observers from the evaluation center--a company vice president from a different division, who offered him some advice: Network. Network. Network. Despite his high marks, apparently the old adage is true. It’s not necessarily what you know, it’s WHO you know.
Tuesday – The.Taxman.Cometh. Fresh off vacation and our company-provided accountant had to kill our buzz. Thanks to extra relocation money given to us by Max’s company for moving to Germany, we owe Uncle Same $8,100 this year. Bad? Yes. But it gets even better. We will also have to pay taxes in Germany for the one month we lived in the country with a tax rate based on our entire 2007 income. We won’t get this figure until later this year, but I am already getting warm fuzzies just thinking about it.
Wednesday – I’m not ready to start German classes again. I’m not ready. I’m not ready.
Thursday – Sick with a nasty head cold, my first since leaving the U.S.
Friday – Still feeling gimpy, I must press on and get the house in tip-top shape. We have guests coming tonight (See Monday’s headline). Network. Network. Network. Please don’t let me become a Stepford wife, ok?
Showing posts with label recap recap recap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recap recap recap. Show all posts
4.11.2008
3.27.2008
What I didn’t blog about this week
Dedication: For karey m.
You know I have to be a peep if I wake up at 6am to make this post just for you.
Sunday – I am an experienced traveler, but very nervous flier. So, you can imagine my dismay to learn that my return flight from Raleigh to Dulles was via a prop plane. Eeeeeek! Can someone tell me why these planes are still in use anymore?
To add insult to injury, Max flew home on a separate flight because his trip was technically for business and the company made his arrangements. Did I mention that while I was white-knuckled and cramped in coach, Max flew business class?
Monday – A snowy welcome from Deutschland. Max and I braved the weather to pick up poor Charlie, who really did seem to miss us. I know that some people say dogs don’t feel the way humans do, but my little guy surprises me with how emotional he gets when he sees either me or Max after a extended absence. I hate having to leave him again.
Tuesday – My return to life as a hausfrau. It’s amazing how dirty a house gets when you are not even home to make a mess. I cleaned for 4 hours, napped for 2, and made Max bring dinner to me on his way home from work. What a life!
Wednesday – I am not homesick. This fact surprises me because I really thought I would be. However, my life is here now. I accept this and look forward to making this time the happiest I can.
My landlord and his girlfriend, Ingrid, welcomed us back with dinner at her house. They are a lovely couple, and Ingrid’s three children are about the most social teenagers I have ever met. Even Charlie had a good time playing with Ingrid’s three little dogs. Because we knew the evening would include plenty of wine, Max and I rode to the event with our landlord and took a taxi home at the ripe hour of 1 a.m. I love the fact our driver didn’t even blink when Charlie jumped in the taxi with us.
Friday – Max and Mandy aren't here right now and won't return from their Italian holiday until April 5th. If you'd like to leave a message, please do so after the beep.
BBBEEEEPPPPP!
You know I have to be a peep if I wake up at 6am to make this post just for you.
Sunday – I am an experienced traveler, but very nervous flier. So, you can imagine my dismay to learn that my return flight from Raleigh to Dulles was via a prop plane. Eeeeeek! Can someone tell me why these planes are still in use anymore?
To add insult to injury, Max flew home on a separate flight because his trip was technically for business and the company made his arrangements. Did I mention that while I was white-knuckled and cramped in coach, Max flew business class?
Monday – A snowy welcome from Deutschland. Max and I braved the weather to pick up poor Charlie, who really did seem to miss us. I know that some people say dogs don’t feel the way humans do, but my little guy surprises me with how emotional he gets when he sees either me or Max after a extended absence. I hate having to leave him again.
Tuesday – My return to life as a hausfrau. It’s amazing how dirty a house gets when you are not even home to make a mess. I cleaned for 4 hours, napped for 2, and made Max bring dinner to me on his way home from work. What a life!
Wednesday – I am not homesick. This fact surprises me because I really thought I would be. However, my life is here now. I accept this and look forward to making this time the happiest I can.
My landlord and his girlfriend, Ingrid, welcomed us back with dinner at her house. They are a lovely couple, and Ingrid’s three children are about the most social teenagers I have ever met. Even Charlie had a good time playing with Ingrid’s three little dogs. Because we knew the evening would include plenty of wine, Max and I rode to the event with our landlord and took a taxi home at the ripe hour of 1 a.m. I love the fact our driver didn’t even blink when Charlie jumped in the taxi with us.
Friday – Max and Mandy aren't here right now and won't return from their Italian holiday until April 5th. If you'd like to leave a message, please do so after the beep.
BBBEEEEPPPPP!
3.07.2008
What I didn’t blog about this week
Saturday – Max and I were invited to an Arabic night at a local community center and really looked forward an evening of belly dancers and Arabic music. What we didn’t realize was that the program was actually a 3-hour dance recital for belly dancing wannabes from the ages of 15 to 60-years-old. While I admired the dancer’s gumption, the program was really as bad as it sounds.
Tuesday and Wednesday Emergency baby-sitting. My friend’s 2-year-old got a nasty stomach bug and had to be taken to the emergency room due to dehydration. I made a midnight, hour-long run to watch her twin brother while the parents tended to baby girl. I felt happy to help a friend in need over the two-day ordeal, but my service came at a cost. Max ended up with the same stomach flu. I’m just hope I’ve escaped the virus because I leave for the U.S. tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Tuesday and Wednesday Emergency baby-sitting. My friend’s 2-year-old got a nasty stomach bug and had to be taken to the emergency room due to dehydration. I made a midnight, hour-long run to watch her twin brother while the parents tended to baby girl. I felt happy to help a friend in need over the two-day ordeal, but my service came at a cost. Max ended up with the same stomach flu. I’m just hope I’ve escaped the virus because I leave for the U.S. tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
1.01.2008
It’s a new year and a new post!
I hope each of you enjoyed a memorable end to 2007. For our New Year’s Eve, Max and I enjoyed dinner at a castle, which sits on the side of a small mountain. I kid you not! After dinner and just before midnight we grabbed a bottle of champagne and went outside to watch no fewer then eight different fireworks displays from all the little towns that are nestled in the valley below. It was a magical moment!
Although I’ll admit, aside from last night, I have felt more like Cinderella after her carriage turned into the pumpkin! Max and I have been busy settling into our new home, unpacking boxes, assembling furniture, and cleaning. Where’s a fairy godmother when you need her? Each night I have been too exhausted to even think about posting. However, now that we are settled, I have many things to share over the next days and weeks ahead.
In addition to the New Year and moving into a thousand year old house, I experienced another milestone—the arrival of the 11th anniversary of my 29 birthday. For the occasion I requested a low-key celebration. Max complied by treating me to a desperately needed spa day and dinner at a quaint Italian restaurant. Originally these events were going to include my friend Jules, but her trip had to be rescheduled. She claims that she couldn’t find her passport and was unable to get one in time for the trip, but I think she realized I’d have her unpacking boxes right along with me. She’s one smart lady, ya think?
Although I’ll admit, aside from last night, I have felt more like Cinderella after her carriage turned into the pumpkin! Max and I have been busy settling into our new home, unpacking boxes, assembling furniture, and cleaning. Where’s a fairy godmother when you need her? Each night I have been too exhausted to even think about posting. However, now that we are settled, I have many things to share over the next days and weeks ahead.
In addition to the New Year and moving into a thousand year old house, I experienced another milestone—the arrival of the 11th anniversary of my 29 birthday. For the occasion I requested a low-key celebration. Max complied by treating me to a desperately needed spa day and dinner at a quaint Italian restaurant. Originally these events were going to include my friend Jules, but her trip had to be rescheduled. She claims that she couldn’t find her passport and was unable to get one in time for the trip, but I think she realized I’d have her unpacking boxes right along with me. She’s one smart lady, ya think?
10.10.2007
What a difference a day makes
Today I ate a tossed salad and grilled steak.
As hard as I try not to simply recap the daily on-goings in my life, I can’t avoid a simple summary these days. My life is just too hectic to take the time I need to reflect on my life and relationships in any meaningful way. And without reflection, I can’t even begin to write a coherent paragraph. For this, I apologize.
But I do have some news to report. My home was shown for the first time since early September and the feedback I received was positive—something along the lines of “the client LOVED it, but thinks he needs one more bedroom. You have a beautiful home and I think it will sell very quickly.” No, it wasn’t a sale. But least I wasn’t told the home is priced too high, the paint job is gaudy, or otherwise defective. The other bit of good news regarding the sale—a woman I showed the home to weeks ago called to tell me she was seriously interested in buying it, but had to make sure another property closed three weeks from now. Again, the call was not a signed contract, but it taught me not to become too anxious. Sometimes things can happen very quickly. Any day can bring a change.
Speaking of the difference a day can make, I can share even more exciting news. After fourteen years of living and working in the United States, my husband has been granted permission to become a citizen. He will be sworn in before month's end. What a huge relief to us both!
As hard as I try not to simply recap the daily on-goings in my life, I can’t avoid a simple summary these days. My life is just too hectic to take the time I need to reflect on my life and relationships in any meaningful way. And without reflection, I can’t even begin to write a coherent paragraph. For this, I apologize.
But I do have some news to report. My home was shown for the first time since early September and the feedback I received was positive—something along the lines of “the client LOVED it, but thinks he needs one more bedroom. You have a beautiful home and I think it will sell very quickly.” No, it wasn’t a sale. But least I wasn’t told the home is priced too high, the paint job is gaudy, or otherwise defective. The other bit of good news regarding the sale—a woman I showed the home to weeks ago called to tell me she was seriously interested in buying it, but had to make sure another property closed three weeks from now. Again, the call was not a signed contract, but it taught me not to become too anxious. Sometimes things can happen very quickly. Any day can bring a change.
Speaking of the difference a day can make, I can share even more exciting news. After fourteen years of living and working in the United States, my husband has been granted permission to become a citizen. He will be sworn in before month's end. What a huge relief to us both!
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