Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Reporting to duty, MAM
I didn't intend to write a blog tonight because it was my first day of work and I even tho' I am energized, I expected my mind to be too full of facts that it would interfere with creativity. However, I remind myself that this is a blog of information sharing and not necessarily one of journalistic publication (or correct spelling) and I will proceed as such.
Lt.Col.Snyder and I have immediately connected in both a professional and personal way. Conversation is easy, real, informative and not defensive. It is strange to me on many levels that I feel relaxed and sense no tension or competitiveness in a work place after feeling only the negatives for over 5 years. And, this is the MILITARY for crying out loud. Also strange for me is the comfort and joy I felt when walking across base. This is the most beautiful environment, verdant, beautifully manicured, quiet, friendly, organized and most like an elite collage campus. My office is very large and I share with no one because they respect that I will be dealing with distraught families and will need not only privacy for the client, but a place to recharge my own emotional batteries. Imagine.
Jennifer, I only have to include her title when in public places, is 45 and has an artist husband who stays at home with a 15 y/o son and 17 y/o daughter. She will retire in 2 years and I am already sorry that she will leave. She is lively, petite, has a wonderful sense of humor, and balances being in charge with a very caring nature. Today was mostly walking to building to building, completing forms that had been previously filled out, taking pictures, getting yet another security badge, trying to set up a post box for me. I have my choice of 2 large gyms which she suggested I use at lunch hour so as not to prolong my day (AGAIN, IMAGINE such a concept!) but we didn't have time to tour them.
Tomorrow morning she will pick me up at 9am and drive me around to look at apts/houses. I suggested that we spend the time looking at villages rather than actual apartments so I can get a feel for where I want to live. I keep thinking of Landstuhl and met a woman who lives there and takes the bus in every morning, but I'm also thinking of KaiserSlautern (a colleague lives there in city square and would consider nothing else.) KaiserSlautern is around 100,000 and Landstuhl is about half the population. The first is 30 minutes away and the latter 10-15. The largest train hub is in Landstuhl and the "ice train" is 2h 28 m to the center of Paris. There is a huge beer/circus/fair in KaiserSlautern this weekend (7 days to be exact) and I have the telephne number of the woman who lives there with her 16 y/o daughter and am committed to finding the train station in Ramstein, navigating the system and spending the day with her on sunday,
Tomorrow evening I have been invited to a going away party at "Schnapps Resturant" for a person I have not met but will gladly go. I am being picked up at Hotel Europa from another someone I don't know. When i inquired as to the appropriate dress I was told " I will be wearing what you wore when you got off the plane. jeans." I hope hers are clean!
This was my first workday in Ramstein, Germany and I eagerly await for more.
Lt.Col.Snyder and I have immediately connected in both a professional and personal way. Conversation is easy, real, informative and not defensive. It is strange to me on many levels that I feel relaxed and sense no tension or competitiveness in a work place after feeling only the negatives for over 5 years. And, this is the MILITARY for crying out loud. Also strange for me is the comfort and joy I felt when walking across base. This is the most beautiful environment, verdant, beautifully manicured, quiet, friendly, organized and most like an elite collage campus. My office is very large and I share with no one because they respect that I will be dealing with distraught families and will need not only privacy for the client, but a place to recharge my own emotional batteries. Imagine.
Jennifer, I only have to include her title when in public places, is 45 and has an artist husband who stays at home with a 15 y/o son and 17 y/o daughter. She will retire in 2 years and I am already sorry that she will leave. She is lively, petite, has a wonderful sense of humor, and balances being in charge with a very caring nature. Today was mostly walking to building to building, completing forms that had been previously filled out, taking pictures, getting yet another security badge, trying to set up a post box for me. I have my choice of 2 large gyms which she suggested I use at lunch hour so as not to prolong my day (AGAIN, IMAGINE such a concept!) but we didn't have time to tour them.
Tomorrow morning she will pick me up at 9am and drive me around to look at apts/houses. I suggested that we spend the time looking at villages rather than actual apartments so I can get a feel for where I want to live. I keep thinking of Landstuhl and met a woman who lives there and takes the bus in every morning, but I'm also thinking of KaiserSlautern (a colleague lives there in city square and would consider nothing else.) KaiserSlautern is around 100,000 and Landstuhl is about half the population. The first is 30 minutes away and the latter 10-15. The largest train hub is in Landstuhl and the "ice train" is 2h 28 m to the center of Paris. There is a huge beer/circus/fair in KaiserSlautern this weekend (7 days to be exact) and I have the telephne number of the woman who lives there with her 16 y/o daughter and am committed to finding the train station in Ramstein, navigating the system and spending the day with her on sunday,
Tomorrow evening I have been invited to a going away party at "Schnapps Resturant" for a person I have not met but will gladly go. I am being picked up at Hotel Europa from another someone I don't know. When i inquired as to the appropriate dress I was told " I will be wearing what you wore when you got off the plane. jeans." I hope hers are clean!
This was my first workday in Ramstein, Germany and I eagerly await for more.
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