6 Months

Six months ago today I was driven to O'Hare airport by my mom and brother.  It was a quiet drive down, for most of the way.  We stopped at Culver's so I could have one more Butter-Burger before leaving the country.  I didn't know what to expect; only that I was scared, excited and scared - oh wait, I already said that!

I knew that finding a job would be tough, as well as learning the language.  I think I was more optimistic and Carsten was more realistic in terms of my options and how things would proceed with regards to these two areas.  However, I have had three months worth of language class and both my teachers have commented on my progress and being advanced for only having three months.  I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist (I know, shocking) and I always want to be able to speak more fluently.  In about two weeks I begin my Integration Course which is 6-8 months in length.  In terms of a job that is still unclear, but considering the situation in the US I think I would have just as much of a struggle there as here.

One thorn through the past six months has been our lack of furniture, or more specifically a bed.  Thank you all for your patience through this and reading about my frustration of sleeping on the floor.  However, I am happy to announce that tonight Carsten and I are going tonight to order some bedroom furniture we found last weekend.  This will make our "big furniture" purchases complete, now we just have to wait the 8-10 weeks for delivery.  I think once these things are in place I will feel more settled.  I love living here, I think our apartment is great; the city is fun and beautiful, but sleeping on the floor and eating off of cardboard boxes just doesn't feel like home to me.  I know people have it much worse than me and I am so grateful for all that I do have, but I am also happy to be getting a bed!

So, 6 months are down.  Sometimes it feels like I just got here and other times it feels like I have been gone for a really long time.  The past half-year has been filled with many ups and downs, like every one's lives, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog to see what I have been up to.  Let's see what the next 6 months bring!!!