expectations

I absolutely LOATHE packing. This is my worst nightmare. (Actually, my worst nightmare is a bike or mattress falling off someone's car in front of me during a rainstorm and I slam on the brakes, unable to control the car as I careen into oncoming traffic. But I digress.)

I'm attempting to wrap my mind around packing for Melbourne for a week, then for Germany in a different suitcase until our boxes are shipped. Add in Mike's suitcases, plus divvying up kitchen and bathroom items that cannot be shipped because they are open containers.

Then throw in "These items go to storage. These will be shipped. These to Mom & Dad's. And these to Goodwill" and you've got yourself one overwhelmed puppy who needs a break to eat Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Bagel Bites, and blog on the porch. And yes, I'm in a "What if I can't eat these things in Germany?!" stage, which is silly because I haven't craved either of these items since college.

Again, I digress.

The real reason for this warranted break is to document my expectations, or maybe not expectations, but rather my understanding of how this next year could possibly be. I'm pretty sure that when I read back over this posting in a year, it will have been nothing like I could have imagined, the good and the bad. Here it goes... an interview with myself:


Challenges?
      Part of me fears a communication barrier, although I'm going in with the assumption that most people will have a basic understanding of English. I mentioned this to someone who lived most of her life in Germany; she laughed when I said this and pretty much shut me down. We'll see.
      I fear being lonely, as a year is not a ton of time to make friends. Or not finding a church to plug into. I know these are lies and that God will provide, but it's still unsettling.
      I'm hesitant about our tight living quarters-- I don't think it will be a problem and could actually be nice to work with less, but I really don't know what to expect.


What will you crave that you assume you won't be able to obtain?
      Good pizza and Mexican food. This is probably hogwash because I'm moving to a big city with multiple cultures represented; I'm sure I'll find an excellent representative.


How do you see yourself spending your time? 
      I've always pictured myself working at a coffee or bookstore, but then again the language barrier is a wee problem. I'd love to blog or work in some type of position that involves writing, but who knows what would be available? My latest endeavor was applying as a substitute at the American school. That could pan out; then I could choose when to work if I had visitors in town. But does it even work the same way as it does here? And do I want to take on a teaching position?



Who knows. I should get back to packing and cleaning and whatever the heck else needs to be done.