So, I had a mini breakdown today. This not working thing has it's ups and downs. For one, it drives me CRAZY to have to ask John for money to pay my bills. I would feel my time would be well spent using my skills creatively and productively. And being paid for those skills.
(For the record I know we are married and I gave up my practice to be with him and it's not unreasonable to have financial support from him. However. I would rather be able to contribute something. I'm sure I will feel like I'm contributing more when I'm creating small humans in my uterus.)
SO I started researching opportunities in Germany, as a chiropractor and as a general worker. I know that Vilseck has a chiropractic clinic, but I'm not holding my breath on getting a position on post as a DC. I'm pretty sure that the positions there are filled and being blissfully held by docs that get to live in Europe and treat American soldiers. But I shall see when I get there. As of yet, there are no job postings for a chiro anywhere.
I found out that there are NO regulations on chiropractors there. They take a general medical exam and are "lay practitioners" called "Heilpraktikers". This exam isn't easy, but it's not the training that DCs here in the States receive. Also MDs can take a 380 hour continuing ed course in "chirotherapies" and call themselves ... you guessed it, "Chirotherapists."
The bottom line is I'm still not quite sure on my options based on my in good standing Colorado chiropractic license, my degree from a CCE approved educational facility, or my passing National Board scores. I have read on a general ex-pat site that I would need a work visa. But, as a military spouse, I fall under the SOFA agreement.
I don't know what that means yet. OK, I have a general understanding of the SOFA agreement, but I'm not fully aware of how it applies to my profession as I have a specialty education.
In my research, I have also found blogs. Numerous numerous blogs from seasoned Army wives living OCONUS.
(that's Outside CONtinental United States to you civilian folk)
This one is great and she has a post about the cultural differences found when living in Germany.
So this is what I have to look forward to! Can't wait!
Enjoy!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Score!
About two weeks ago, I was so very proud of my shopping prowess. I guess I still am as I need to boast here on my blog.
John had won a gift certificate in a golf tournament for a local store here called Watermark Corners. They sell a lot of stationary, as well as custom orders for wedding and baby showers, etc, but also unique kids toys as well as artisan jewelry, specialty food, cooking gadgets, and certain dishware - some crafty stuff, and other pretty things.
It's a cool store. Kinda pricey. But fun to browse.
And I had a gift certificate! And then I looked at it for the first time in months. And, to my disappointment, the certificate expired in November. (gah!) The store is located very close to the Moline bridge access to the Island and so it was kind of a pain to get to - until the Moline bridge reopened.
But the expiration was understandable. John did win it in June. I think I've had my hands on it since the first week I lived here. However, I still held onto it despite it's potential worthlessness.
When at a luncheon that was located across the street from the store, I decided that I would have to browse the store again and look around for something to buy. But not to fall in love with any item in case they decided that I couldn't use the expired certificate. It's a local store and the certificate was hand written, so I was counting on the generosity of the store manager, as I was sure it was to be a local decision.
And I found some Casafina stoneware. (microwave, oven and dishwasher safe!) They have all kinds of cute stuff, and I just loved the color of the green. So, I found a plate that was ~$25 (my gift cert amount) and walked up to the cash register, braced for rejection. They informed me that the ENTIRE table of Casafina stoneware was 75% off!! And so I picked up a larger plate and a divided server as well.
I was getting very hopeful, and really anxious. I didn't want to have to fake ignorance about the expiration date on the gift certificate. And they noticed, but didn't explicitly point out the fact that this certificate was expired. The manager had to come up and she looked at me and said "You must have won this." I told her that yes, indeed, my husband won it in a golf tourney and I just haven't had time to get over here to use it but now that we were moving overseas, I thought I should come by. I failed to mention that I live about a mile away on the island.
This led to a question of where we were moving and why. I think she felt OK about ignoring the expiration date for an active duty military family, though she didn't mention that there was any need to override anything. She just instructed the clerk on what to do. She may have just wanted to extend a courtesy to a customer for all I know. It was a good business decision in my opinion.
And so. I was able to walk away with 3 pieces of Casafina stoneware that retail at about $90 total for absolutely FREE.
Woot! I am so excited! I hope to be able to use it somewhat. I took these pictures, then promptly put all the bubble wrap around them and put them in the closet. I need to make sure that stuff gets properly packed!
Along with our wedding china. I'm starting to wonder if we should take the china. Trusting movers overseas...I dunno. But then again, it would be just as bad trusting movers anywhere. And at that rate, we would never unpack the stuff until John retires.
John had won a gift certificate in a golf tournament for a local store here called Watermark Corners. They sell a lot of stationary, as well as custom orders for wedding and baby showers, etc, but also unique kids toys as well as artisan jewelry, specialty food, cooking gadgets, and certain dishware - some crafty stuff, and other pretty things.
It's a cool store. Kinda pricey. But fun to browse.
And I had a gift certificate! And then I looked at it for the first time in months. And, to my disappointment, the certificate expired in November. (gah!) The store is located very close to the Moline bridge access to the Island and so it was kind of a pain to get to - until the Moline bridge reopened.
But the expiration was understandable. John did win it in June. I think I've had my hands on it since the first week I lived here. However, I still held onto it despite it's potential worthlessness.
When at a luncheon that was located across the street from the store, I decided that I would have to browse the store again and look around for something to buy. But not to fall in love with any item in case they decided that I couldn't use the expired certificate. It's a local store and the certificate was hand written, so I was counting on the generosity of the store manager, as I was sure it was to be a local decision.
And I found some Casafina stoneware. (microwave, oven and dishwasher safe!) They have all kinds of cute stuff, and I just loved the color of the green. So, I found a plate that was ~$25 (my gift cert amount) and walked up to the cash register, braced for rejection. They informed me that the ENTIRE table of Casafina stoneware was 75% off!! And so I picked up a larger plate and a divided server as well.
I was getting very hopeful, and really anxious. I didn't want to have to fake ignorance about the expiration date on the gift certificate. And they noticed, but didn't explicitly point out the fact that this certificate was expired. The manager had to come up and she looked at me and said "You must have won this." I told her that yes, indeed, my husband won it in a golf tourney and I just haven't had time to get over here to use it but now that we were moving overseas, I thought I should come by. I failed to mention that I live about a mile away on the island.
This led to a question of where we were moving and why. I think she felt OK about ignoring the expiration date for an active duty military family, though she didn't mention that there was any need to override anything. She just instructed the clerk on what to do. She may have just wanted to extend a courtesy to a customer for all I know. It was a good business decision in my opinion.
And so. I was able to walk away with 3 pieces of Casafina stoneware that retail at about $90 total for absolutely FREE.
 |
| This is the original plate I was looking at. |
Woot! I am so excited! I hope to be able to use it somewhat. I took these pictures, then promptly put all the bubble wrap around them and put them in the closet. I need to make sure that stuff gets properly packed!
Along with our wedding china. I'm starting to wonder if we should take the china. Trusting movers overseas...I dunno. But then again, it would be just as bad trusting movers anywhere. And at that rate, we would never unpack the stuff until John retires.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Otis update
Otis has fully settled in. He enjoys sleeping in John's office chair, or in his pet bed on my desk. He also really REALLY enjoys food. Cat food, people food, it really doesn't matter. He inhales his cat food and makes himself out to be a starving cat an hour later. He likes yogurt, cream, ice cream (of course), but also like tomato sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, bacon, eggs, syrup, and chicken. And steak.
Not that we feed him mass quantities of any of that. He just gets sniffs or maybe a finger swipe through the leftovers to see what he'll eat.
Turns out, it's quite a bit.
Other likes:
food
playing in the folds of the covers
biting my hair
string
jingle toys
cat nip
the printer (when printing. he's fascinated by it. after it's done printing, he sticks his paw into the space where the paper comes out, as if he's trying to figure it out)
open windows
birds at the bird feeder
his scratching post
chasing lasers
chasing feathers
chasing anything else that will dart away from him
having to wait to be fed. (he will "chirp" at us as early as 5:30 am to get us to get up and feed him as well as purposefully misbehave when he wants to point our attention to the fact that he needs to be fed)
the shredder
the vacuum (takes off the minute it comes out of the coat closet)
a dirty litter box
when his felted mice toys get stuck under the furniture
having his claws clipped
But he preferred to stand. Maybe he thought he was being sneakier. He thought he would observe those critters outside and then he would sneak up on them.
I think he fancies himself a sneaky little thing. But after all, we do call him Ninja Cat. It may have gone to his head.
Spring!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Another late night and early morning
I feel good today. I really do.
Even though yesterday John and I swore we would get to bed early to make up for our lack of rest the night before, it didn't quite work out that way. Oh, we got to bed alright. Then we read Harry Potter. (We both wanted to re-read the series. He finished the 7th book last night while I am working on the end of the 6th.) Then we said good night and turned out the light.
Then we talked about Germany for about an hour.
And then we slept.
I'm way less scared and overwhelmed, and way WAY more excited!
I have talking to people here and every single person LOVES Germany. It helps that the Germans love Americans. I have heard of one spouse who hated Germany, but I think she was just so closed minded that she couldn't get over everything she missed in the States.
Everyone here is jealous because they have been to Germany and can't wait to get back. Our friend Linda who is an ex-spouse, but civilian worker here on the Arsenal, told me she spent 4 years in Germany, never visited the States, and was not ready to leave when it was time to PCS again. I met a gal at the last FRG Steering Committee meeting, and yesterday (at the most recent meeting) learned she had just come from Vilseck! It was interesting to learn because most people will PCS to bigger towns/camps in Germany. My friend who is a chiropractor in Switzerland had not heard of the town and had to map it.
(as an aside, who cool is it that I have a chiro friend in Switzerland? Not only a contact for the occasional adjustment, but a local contact for when we travel! She was excited to learn I would be coming and figures she's about 4.5 hours away by car.)
Anyway, the first thing my new Vilseck contact mentioned was a fantastic wine bar that I had to try. Nice!
In the past 24 hours, a lot of questions have been answered through advice of others, and we are feeling way more comfortable with the whole process.
Monday night was kind of tense as we were just dumbstruck by the amount of things that had to be accomplished in the next four months and because we weren't sure about so many decisions.
Since then, we have come to unofficial conclusions that
-we'll be shipping my car over there. (NO one drives big trucks in Europe. a) we would stick out like a sore thumb and b) we wouldn't fit down many streets as they are so narrow. However we will blend right in with my little Volvo.) John is going to miss his truck dearly. He loves it. But has come to the conclusion it probably has to be sold. However, we may have already found a buyer....
Once we get there, we'll probably buy another car. Or lease one.
- It has been recommended to live off post. But in government housing, if available. If not, there are plenty of houses that are leased by the Germans. They get a lot out of us in their economy, and are usually glad we are there. Mostly because we are fun too. And the soldiers, at least, have to learn German. I would like to learn as well. They appreciate someone trying to speak their native language even though many speak English. I need to start learning.
- We've gotten paperwork started and sorted for the various things we need, such as paperwork for Otis, and medical clearance for me.
- We've gotten great advice on cell phone usage out there. Plus, we're looking into magic jack for a nice US based phone number.
- We've started research on driver's licenses and road signs.
- We're making progress on the process of getting "Command Sponsorship". Which means, they will pay for me to go as well.
- We're making lists and mentioning places we would like to go. Our main concern being we will be completely overwhelmed with the awesomeness that is the history and sights of Europe.
I also have another minor concern.
I have brands that I am loyal to here in the States. Not very many, but a few. I am thinking I have to get some basic items stocked up before we leave. Another part of me thinks that I am just being a hoarder and that I will survive with the products in Europe. I am thinking mainly of clothes. As I am part Amazon. (the other part, incidentally is German, so I should blend somewhat.)
I'm sure I have so much more to learn and more information to collect between now and then.
Exciting stuff, dude. Exciting stuff!
Even though yesterday John and I swore we would get to bed early to make up for our lack of rest the night before, it didn't quite work out that way. Oh, we got to bed alright. Then we read Harry Potter. (We both wanted to re-read the series. He finished the 7th book last night while I am working on the end of the 6th.) Then we said good night and turned out the light.
Then we talked about Germany for about an hour.
And then we slept.
I'm way less scared and overwhelmed, and way WAY more excited!
I have talking to people here and every single person LOVES Germany. It helps that the Germans love Americans. I have heard of one spouse who hated Germany, but I think she was just so closed minded that she couldn't get over everything she missed in the States.
Everyone here is jealous because they have been to Germany and can't wait to get back. Our friend Linda who is an ex-spouse, but civilian worker here on the Arsenal, told me she spent 4 years in Germany, never visited the States, and was not ready to leave when it was time to PCS again. I met a gal at the last FRG Steering Committee meeting, and yesterday (at the most recent meeting) learned she had just come from Vilseck! It was interesting to learn because most people will PCS to bigger towns/camps in Germany. My friend who is a chiropractor in Switzerland had not heard of the town and had to map it.
(as an aside, who cool is it that I have a chiro friend in Switzerland? Not only a contact for the occasional adjustment, but a local contact for when we travel! She was excited to learn I would be coming and figures she's about 4.5 hours away by car.)
Anyway, the first thing my new Vilseck contact mentioned was a fantastic wine bar that I had to try. Nice!
In the past 24 hours, a lot of questions have been answered through advice of others, and we are feeling way more comfortable with the whole process.
Monday night was kind of tense as we were just dumbstruck by the amount of things that had to be accomplished in the next four months and because we weren't sure about so many decisions.
Since then, we have come to unofficial conclusions that
-we'll be shipping my car over there. (NO one drives big trucks in Europe. a) we would stick out like a sore thumb and b) we wouldn't fit down many streets as they are so narrow. However we will blend right in with my little Volvo.) John is going to miss his truck dearly. He loves it. But has come to the conclusion it probably has to be sold. However, we may have already found a buyer....
Once we get there, we'll probably buy another car. Or lease one.
- It has been recommended to live off post. But in government housing, if available. If not, there are plenty of houses that are leased by the Germans. They get a lot out of us in their economy, and are usually glad we are there. Mostly because we are fun too. And the soldiers, at least, have to learn German. I would like to learn as well. They appreciate someone trying to speak their native language even though many speak English. I need to start learning.
- We've gotten paperwork started and sorted for the various things we need, such as paperwork for Otis, and medical clearance for me.
- We've gotten great advice on cell phone usage out there. Plus, we're looking into magic jack for a nice US based phone number.
- We've started research on driver's licenses and road signs.
- We're making progress on the process of getting "Command Sponsorship". Which means, they will pay for me to go as well.
- We're making lists and mentioning places we would like to go. Our main concern being we will be completely overwhelmed with the awesomeness that is the history and sights of Europe.
I also have another minor concern.
I have brands that I am loyal to here in the States. Not very many, but a few. I am thinking I have to get some basic items stocked up before we leave. Another part of me thinks that I am just being a hoarder and that I will survive with the products in Europe. I am thinking mainly of clothes. As I am part Amazon. (the other part, incidentally is German, so I should blend somewhat.)
I'm sure I have so much more to learn and more information to collect between now and then.
Exciting stuff, dude. Exciting stuff!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sleep
John doesn't sleep well when he has a lot on his mind. I can fall asleep fairly easily, but when I get woken up, my mind immediately starts thumbing through everything I need to do or that is going to happen and I can't get back to sleep.
Needless to say, we both slept poorly last night. OK - he had it way worse than I did as he fell asleep around 3:30 this morning. Then the cat wanted to be fed at 6 am. And I've been up ever since.
Off to make some coffee.
Needless to say, we both slept poorly last night. OK - he had it way worse than I did as he fell asleep around 3:30 this morning. Then the cat wanted to be fed at 6 am. And I've been up ever since.
Off to make some coffee.
Monday, March 7, 2011
So now we know.
After months of not knowing what the next step was for us, we finally have it.
The next step.
All the way across the Atlantic!
In an entirely different country!
We are (at this point) going to Vilseck, Germany!
I know, you're saying "what do you mean 'at this point?'" Well, orders can get changed last minute due to not getting all your paperwork ducks in a row, or due to the Army just plain changing it's mind. But, that said, we'll probably get it all together just fine as we don't have many issues.
So, now, everything is going through my mind.
I mean, everything.
What to pack? What to store? Where to work? When to have kids? How often will we come back to the states? Will we see my parents much? Will we come home for any Christmases? Do they have Mexican food in Germany? (We're not far from Italy, so I'm excited about "real" Italian food.) Will we be able to get ingredients to make all of our favorite dishes? Will we want to live off post or on post? How rural is rural Germany? Should we sell my car? How will Otis fare the trip over? How much brand name make up and beauty supplies should I stock up on? Should we get another GPS? When should I end my cell phone contract? What number should we get magic jack through? Will I get to see my brother and SIL and the twins before we leave? How much German should I be learning before we leave? How much time do I have to learn how our fancy schmancy camera works?
But now we know. And we can start to prepare.
As we will be there in FOUR MONTHS.
I'm sure I'll have lots to say about the whole process of PCSing as well. John said he's going to make me do all of it now so I have experience as I may have to do it all by myself at some point.
The next step.
All the way across the Atlantic!
In an entirely different country!
We are (at this point) going to Vilseck, Germany!
 |
| This is where we will be. This image was taken off the Vilseck HS's web page, believe it or not. |
So, now, everything is going through my mind.
I mean, everything.
What to pack? What to store? Where to work? When to have kids? How often will we come back to the states? Will we see my parents much? Will we come home for any Christmases? Do they have Mexican food in Germany? (We're not far from Italy, so I'm excited about "real" Italian food.) Will we be able to get ingredients to make all of our favorite dishes? Will we want to live off post or on post? How rural is rural Germany? Should we sell my car? How will Otis fare the trip over? How much brand name make up and beauty supplies should I stock up on? Should we get another GPS? When should I end my cell phone contract? What number should we get magic jack through? Will I get to see my brother and SIL and the twins before we leave? How much German should I be learning before we leave? How much time do I have to learn how our fancy schmancy camera works?
But now we know. And we can start to prepare.
As we will be there in FOUR MONTHS.
I'm sure I'll have lots to say about the whole process of PCSing as well. John said he's going to make me do all of it now so I have experience as I may have to do it all by myself at some point.
Learnings
I had an educational weekend. I learned (via google) how to add fringe to the scarf I am working on and I ventured into the world of bread baking. I purchased this book...
So. Having purchased said book, it was time to get baking. I also made a creamy white chicken chili (that I for the life of me cannot remember where I got the recipe from ,but it's so frickin tasty, it's ridiculous) so the bread was all warm and crusty and went REALLY well. I was excited that it had turned out so well!
So, the book claims that if you can make a brownies from a box, you can make bread. I, however, found that to not *exactly* be the case. Brownies don't need a broiler pan. Or a method of transferring the dough from a cookie sheet to a hot stone not unlike to whipping the table cloth out from under the dishes. Or a specific (but easy) way to measure flour as to not get too much. (scooping vs. spooning)
And yet. I persevered. The slash marks I made with my serrated knife didn't quite give the "blow out" appearance I was looking for (see pretty picture of uncut bread on book cover), but it was crusty on the outside and warm and soft and not gummy in the middle. And very delicious with cream white chili!
Aha! I just discovered where I got the recipe. My sister-in-law's mother (or my brother's mother-in-law) sent it to a bunch of people. It's wonderful.
I'm going to post it here.
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into 1/2 cubes
1 medium onion chopped
1 & 1/2 t. garlic powder
1 T. vegetable oil
3 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
2 - 14 oz can chicken broth
7 oz can of chopped green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
In a large saucepan saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and whipping cream.
Yield 7 Servings
Ok. I actually did some things different here.
I used one (large) chicken breast and 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs. (is it me or are chicken breasts just huge these days? I remember when 1 lb of chicken breasts would be about 4 breasts. Now, it's like 3 chicken breasts are 1.5-2 lbs! I have trouble buying chicken breasts the way and weight I like them, so I purchased a big thing of chicken breasts, and some thighs, and repackaged them in ziploc bags for the freezer. And this was the package I grabbed.)
I boiled the chicken instead of sauteing it and grabbed the water to use fresh broth instead of canned. I then sauted about a half an onion and some fresh garlic in oil and then added the chicken after I had pulled it out of the water and shredded it.
I only used one can of Great Northern beans and one can of jalapinto beans. Have you seen this? Pinto beans with jalapenos and even some bacon. The can of green chilis I used was only 4.5 oz, not 7. Then I added all the seasonings and cooked it as stated in the recipe. I don't think I used a full cup of sour cream either. I just finished whatever was in my container.
Still. Yummy, creamy, deliciousness.
Looking forward to lunch. And I had it for lunch yesterday too.
Alright, off to clean.
 |
| image borrowed from Amazon.com. |
So, the book claims that if you can make a brownies from a box, you can make bread. I, however, found that to not *exactly* be the case. Brownies don't need a broiler pan. Or a method of transferring the dough from a cookie sheet to a hot stone not unlike to whipping the table cloth out from under the dishes. Or a specific (but easy) way to measure flour as to not get too much. (scooping vs. spooning)
And yet. I persevered. The slash marks I made with my serrated knife didn't quite give the "blow out" appearance I was looking for (see pretty picture of uncut bread on book cover), but it was crusty on the outside and warm and soft and not gummy in the middle. And very delicious with cream white chili!
I'm going to post it here.
Creamy White Chili
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into 1/2 cubes
1 medium onion chopped
1 & 1/2 t. garlic powder
1 T. vegetable oil
3 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
2 - 14 oz can chicken broth
7 oz can of chopped green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
In a large saucepan saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and whipping cream.
Yield 7 Servings
Ok. I actually did some things different here.
I used one (large) chicken breast and 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs. (is it me or are chicken breasts just huge these days? I remember when 1 lb of chicken breasts would be about 4 breasts. Now, it's like 3 chicken breasts are 1.5-2 lbs! I have trouble buying chicken breasts the way and weight I like them, so I purchased a big thing of chicken breasts, and some thighs, and repackaged them in ziploc bags for the freezer. And this was the package I grabbed.)
I boiled the chicken instead of sauteing it and grabbed the water to use fresh broth instead of canned. I then sauted about a half an onion and some fresh garlic in oil and then added the chicken after I had pulled it out of the water and shredded it.
I only used one can of Great Northern beans and one can of jalapinto beans. Have you seen this? Pinto beans with jalapenos and even some bacon. The can of green chilis I used was only 4.5 oz, not 7. Then I added all the seasonings and cooked it as stated in the recipe. I don't think I used a full cup of sour cream either. I just finished whatever was in my container.
Still. Yummy, creamy, deliciousness.
Looking forward to lunch. And I had it for lunch yesterday too.
Alright, off to clean.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Snoring
Apparently I have learned to snore on my side. Isn't that really hard? Doesn't the temporary relief from snoring occur when you roll the offender on to their side?
Well, apparently, I'm a master snorer. Yay.
The other night, John confessed that just after we turned the lights out, I started snoring. I fall asleep on my side. He rubbed my back gently and said "Jen...Jen, you're snoring."
And I replied "No, I'm not. I'm just resting."
I have no recollection of these events.
But I did then stop snoring and all were able to sleep peacefully.
As far as I know.
Well, apparently, I'm a master snorer. Yay.
The other night, John confessed that just after we turned the lights out, I started snoring. I fall asleep on my side. He rubbed my back gently and said "Jen...Jen, you're snoring."
And I replied "No, I'm not. I'm just resting."
I have no recollection of these events.
But I did then stop snoring and all were able to sleep peacefully.
As far as I know.
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