09.21.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:31 pm by Melissa
Well, the movers came today and packed up 200 kilos of our things. Our limit was around 226! There was only one man who came and didn’t speak any English.
The good thing is that I was pretty organized (of course, staying up late, but not nearly as late as our past moves), and all he had to do was to pack a few things in boxes (books, clothes, misc.). The rest I had packed in suitcases the night before. The whole process took the mover about 2 hours.
The hardest thing about any move is being organized and going through the endless stacks of paper, magazines, etc. Fortunately, Germany recycles almost everything.
Lastly, we have to clean the apartment and the kitchen. Of course, we’ll have fun the last few days of our time in Deutschland.
Speaking of fun, Carrie and I went shopping today. I will really miss hanging out with her and Asuka.
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09.14.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:19 pm by Melissa
It’s the word for expats returning to their home country. For me, it’s also getting re-acquainted with life in Texas. My brother and I were talking the other night (afternoon for him) about how to acclimate back into the Texas culture. So, here are some of the things I’m looking forward to (and will need to diet or at least check my cholesterol after): BBQ, Freebirds WorldBurrito, Texas Toast from Dairy Queen (along with chicken strips and gravy!), Shipley’s Donuts. I also look forward to my Mom’s cooking and my Dad’s chicken salad — a true labor of love.
Most importantly, I look forward to being in one state with my immediate family for once. I look forward to attending Zachary’s events — can’t believe he’s 6! I look forward to seeing Christian again. He’s grown so much since I last saw him in May.
I will not, however, be looking forward to the heat. The saying that always pops in my head when I think of the heat in Texas is from Seinfeld — “The heat…my God, the heat!” Of course, they weren’t talking about Texas in that episode. The other day, my friend Carrie, said she thinks it’s that time of year when the temperature falls to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Wow!
I know Jason’s looking forward to college football. We’re already scheduled to go to an Aggie game the first weekend we’re home.
Well, that’s all for now.
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09.11.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:56 am by Melissa
As I read my brother David’s entry for today, I teared up. The memories of September 11, 2001 will always conjure up so many emotions and visions.
As I recall my day, Jason was getting ready for work and came running into our bedroom telling me that something has gone terribly wrong in New York. We watched in horror as the day unfolded.
After the initial shock, I thought immediately of family members who live in New York. Everyone in our family survived. I, at the time, did not realize David was in New York, and then in dawned on me that he might be there for work. I was so nervous as we could not get a hold of anyone to know where he was. When I finally heard his voice, I felt such relief as I do not know what I would do without my brother or anyone else in our family.
As the weeks went on, I remember actually fearing going to work. I was in sales at the time, and I would occasionally have to cross the Bay Bridge. I got nervous each time I saw a white, unmarked van. I feel for those people in other countries who live in fear every day.
I also traveled some for work, but Kraft had grounded all employees.
In October of 2001, my Mom had an emergency heart surgery, and I remember wishing so badly that I had never moved away. I left immediately, but the fear of flying had set in. That was one of the longest flights of my life. I had never feared flying until the events of September 11. I also didn’t want my Mom to worry about me, so I didn’t tell her I was coming.
I remember going to church and seeing the strength of a woman whose brother was a firefighter who perished in New York. She had the strength to serve in church that day.
One of the family stories that shocked me the most, and something I didn’t discover until months later, was that our cousin, Arnell Prato normally flew on United Flight 93. He was supposed to be flying that day, but for some reason, thank God, he was not working that day. He was a flight attendant. My Aunt Esper was unable to hear from him for days due to the traffic on the phone lines, and she thought for sure that both of her children perished. Our cousin Winnie was supposed to be working downtown that day. Arnell was finally able to get through. My heart goes out to him as he lost some of his dearest friends on that flight. He has since resigned from United and is now in dental school in Ohio.
May God Bless the world today as we mourn the victims of this tragedy. Let us always have the victims, their families and the heroes in our hearts.
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09.04.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:20 am by Melissa
After our summer vacation to the Caribbean in July, Jason and I moved into a new apartment in Radebeul. It took a while to get internet access which explains why I have been offline for so long. I got tired of paying for internet cards. I will update my blog as much as possible. The most up-to-date news is that Jason and I are finally returning to Texas on September 24. Hope everyone back home is having a wonderful Labor Day Holiday. Be safe! Jason’s blog is more up-to-date, if you’d like to see what adventures we’ve been on.
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