It's becoming a reality

This weekend we did nothing really. But the weekend before that- we were in Munich. We looked at 5 apartments. out of them there were only 2 that I would really move in to. One of them was too small and there were many people looking at it- so we had less chances to take it anyway. The second one was really nice. Big, airy, with lots of light, full and big kitchen, big bathroom, little storage room, big bedroom and a nice big living room. It's in a good location- right next to a subway station and next to a train station, the tram goes just on the road and there's everything we need in the area. It's in the attic of a building- which makes it really cosy too. But there's one catch. It's on the sixth floor. No elevator.

If you know me you're probably thinking to yourself: so she probably didn't take it. She wont take a place that's in the 4th floor without an elevator- so sixth???

Wrong. I did.

We liked it so much that we decided to do the deed. We'll take the chance.

Going up there three times showed me that it's possible. Just that it'll take me much longer to get home from the moment I got in the building, compared to this apartment that's in the second floor. And hey, worse case I'll be in better shape!

We thought that if we really hate it and can't do that anymore- then we'll look for a new place in a year or so. For now we like it.

***

Other than that there's nothing new. I still don't know how I'll get a visa after this one is done- but I guess I'll just take more German courses. That will give me some air for another 4-5 months.

Oh and I obviously passed my German exam- and got in to the university here in Dresden, which is really ironic- coz I don't really wanna study here, rather don't really wanna study this masters. I'm going to sign up anyway- coz this is what I have in my hands now, and I have time until the 30th of September to decide what to do with it.

so... Have a nice week you all,

I'm here- not doing much.

First days in dresden

We got here 2 days ago, and rented out a small apartment, to have a place to stay. This place is a one room apartment- that is so full of stuff it's a bit disturbing. It looks like the woman renting it out - still lives there some times, it's her personal place, and when ppl come to stay there- she just goes to her boyfriends house... She's Russian and it totally looks like a Russian grandma's house. Lots of little stuff everywhere, you can hardly see the walls. But the place is rather comfortable, it's close to uni and all so it was useful. The first day, Wednesday- we saw 2 apartments: one was in the center of town, where all the pubs are, in a really old building, with lots of character. But- this place was not renovated since the 1930's probably, and that's how it looked like. The bath was in the kitchen, right across from the sink... Very weird. The second apartment was a bit far away for us, but not terrible, and it was lovely. It had a full kitchen in it (in Germany the apartments are usually totally empty- and you need to buy the whole kitchen including the cupboards and everything), and big nice rooms. The building was a really nice European building, but the price of the apartment was a bit too high. We were both really tired that day, I was a bit overwhelmed with coming here after China, it's very weird to move- and not to where you know. It's all new to me here, and it's a bit confusing for me. I'm still dealing with the language barrier, and with the unfamiliarity of the city. All that adds up to the fact I was almost 7 months in China, and that I haven't been to Israel for that whole time. I miss Israel, especially my family and friends, and even though I'm happy I came here- I know myself well enough to know that it's gonna take time until I get used to this. The problem was to explain to Rob exactly how I felt. He understands me on the one hand, but on the other- I think he just really wants me to feel good here, and get along, and I felt as if he's pushing me to do things I'm not ready to do yet. Thursday was a bit better, I came here (I'm at Rob's uni now) and read a bit online, walked here alone a bit, and started getting used to the language around me. Still I need time, and as always- there will be a certain point where I'll be more independent, and try to do things on my own. We saw another apartment yesterday, was in a nice building, and nicely renovated- but it was very small, and the kitchen- was just tiny. It was also on the 4th floor- in the attic, which was a lot of stairs to climb- but had a special something about it- coz it was under the roof. But we said we'll keep on looking and that's what we did today. We saw 4 more places this morning- 3 of them in the same area- and they look the same, just different buildings, they were perfect. Big, a lot of light, renovated, and there's 2 of them on the 2nd floor. We're probably gonna end up taking one of them, just that we have 2 more to see today, and 2 more on Monday- so we still have some choices. Now, for the time being, we're a bit more relaxed about it- coz we know we already saw something that will easily suit us.

***

I found out that I accidentally put my papers from learning German in summer in the bag I gave my dad. So that means I'll have to learn that again online- but that might actually be a good thing, coz I don't really remember most of it- and it'll be a good occupation for me until I go back to Israel. It's so nice that the sky is blue most of the time, and even if there are clouds- you still feel that the air is clean, and the streets are clean, and the ppl are normal! LOL China is so different than here.
For the first day or two, and maybe even now a little bit- I felt a bit misplaced, as if someone took me as a little doll and picked me up and put me in a different country again, not my own. It's a weird feeling, that makes me very unfocused - it makes it hard to understand where I am and hard to learn the streets and how to get from one place to another. I'm still a bit shocked by the move, and I'm still very jet-lagged. Every morning I wake up early- as if it's the middle of the day, but when the afternoon comes- I feel so tired, and the fact that there's a lot of light (until almost 21:00!!!) makes me even more confused. Usually I love it that the sun goes down so late, but now it's making me feel like the day is so long, and I just feel more tired.

***

We're gonna go back to Rob's parents' place tonight, for the weekend coz we don't have anywhere to stay in Dresden in anyway, and we have no plans here for this time. We're gonna come back here early on Monday morning to see the other 2 apartments, and then we will be able to decide for sure- which one we wanna take. We already took a lot of our stuff here in the car, and we'll leave most of it with one of Rob's friends here- and this way next time we can bring even more stuff to put in our new apartment as we move.

Apartment chosen

Today Rob saw another apartment. He sent me the pictures, and we immediately decided that we want to take it. It's big enough for both of us, one bedroom and one living room, everything looks so clean and nice, and it's in our budget, and it's 5 minutes from the metro station.
It's so great that we're already gonna have a place of our own when I arrive... Rob so did all the hard work for me in this case...
Now all I have to do when I get there is go to the university and try to register. I got an e-mail from them saying to come there as soon as I'm in Shanghai. Our apartment is about an hour away from where Rob's gonna work, and it's gonna take me kinda the same time to get to uni. So I feel like we compromised well on the location of the place.
Can't wait.
Can't wait.
Still have so much to do.

The race begins

Had a really busy couple of days. 2 days ago I went all the way to Ashdod to my dad's factory, coz he found someone that was interested in my car. After a few hours drive, and a few hours there- we sold the car. Then I had to drive the car to Tel-Aviv to give it to that person's daughter. Then I took a train back to Haifa. Was so tired that day that I actually fell asleep at 22:30...
Now, after selling the car- I have the money for all the arrangements that I have to do- and the race begins! Selling my car was almost the last task before my flight to China. I can't believe it's so close... 12 days... Its gonna go so fast...

***

Rob's already in Shanghai for a few days now. He started looking at apartments for us. He sent me pictures of 2 of them that are an option. The one is really nice and big and clean- but a bit more expensive than what we thought to spend (but we might spend that much if we really like the place), and on the 5th floor without an elevator. The second apartment is smaller, not as nice and not so clean, but in our budget and on 7th floor- with elevator. Dilemma...
I told him that I think he (or we, when I'm already there) should look at some more places. He's going to that area now- to see if he can find some more real estate agencies.

***

Last night I met some friends of mine from the virtual community I participate in. It was such a nice evening. We were 4 girls and lots of food (always good!). The thing that was really nice was that all four of us have a partner (either boyfriend or husband) from a different country.
When I joined the "Mixed Couples" forum online, I did it coz I really needed to talk to people that are in the same situation as me. I felt like even my best friends couldn't really understand what I was talking about- even though they are all supportive of me and very happy for me with this relationship. I needed something more than that. I needed someone that has actually been through all this before, or going through this right now. Since I'm a part of that forum- I feel a lot stronger, and a lot less confused about my life. Well... At least less confused about questions that regard this relationship.