Germany News March 2009

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well and that the economy in the states isn't hitting you too hard, for those of you living there. For those of you living outside the states I know there is an economic recession hitting all over Europe as well, so I hope you are not getting hit too hard especially if you are an expat. It seems the expats are some of the first to get laid off.

Firstly, the kids are all good. Nikki is 9 mos now and has 2 teeth. Anais will start 1st grade in the fall. Getting her into school in Holzkirchen looks like a no-go, so she will probably have to go to school in Dietramszell, the local village school. She will have an in-school prufung to see if they think she's ready to attend. She already had an exam by the speech therapist who said that Anais is more or less ready for school. Her German is still coming along. The teachers say she has no accent. She is starting to correct my pronunciation, which I do need help in. Austin is flying along in German. I think he might be gifted in terms of languages, or perhaps just gifted in general. The speech therapist said he has the same German capacity as that of a normal German 3 yr old. The difference is he's been in school only for 7 mos.

We are still very unstable and not sure where we are going next. Xavier has been laid off. We received no bonus this yr and salary will officially end in 1 week. He looked for jobs with companies for awhile to no avail. He had a job interview in the south of france which went nowhere. He is setting himself up to become self-employed and getting his company ready. Yesterday, Xavier got contacted by a company located in Aix-en-Provence (south france) for a job and he will be flying there wed and staying for a week. This one looks very promising. It will start mid-April if it does happen, but he will take a pay cut, but it will still be much higher than unemployment, which will not suffice for our basic needs.

I have been looking for jobs here in Germany and have had 2 interviews so far. Both interviews have passed with flying colors. However, they are both for free lance work and will not bring too many hours. But at least, if I can work, I know it will help us eat. I will be teaching English and perhaps French as well. The jobs are with 2 different companies, both private foreign language schools. I have a wonderful niche here having English as a mother tongue. I've been teaching the english class at the kid's kindergarten for the past 2 yrs now and I feel very confident with my capacity for teaching 5 yr olds and have taught a little private English for adults. I really want to teach business English because that's where the money is and that's where I lack experience. My last interview was today and I offered to teach French as well. The owner was hesitent because I had only studied French. Then we started speaking in French. Yes, she is German who is fluent in English and French. Well, after that conversation, she's got me on the list to teach French as well. She told me I have no accent in French. I said, "you're very kind." So in perparation for today's interview I bought my very first suit this week. I got it used and it still smells like someone's basement, but it fits. All my business clothes are hand-me downs from highschool. I think it's time I invested a little in updating my wardrobe, even if it's from second hand stores. My body has changed a lot after having kids (mostly for the worse), so my clothes don't fit right anymore. I hope to start working soon. Xavier just might get this job in France, who knows. No matter what happens, I plan on having the kids finish this school yr. I'm not going to get my hopes up for this south of France job, though I wouldn't mind living in France. I plan on going back to work no matter where I am. I love my kids, but I need to have other activities outside of them. Anais' kindergarten is also giving us foreign mom's a German course for 10 weeks. I went to the first one wed. I enjoyed it. Half the women are from Turkey, 1 from India, 1 from Italy, 1 from Croatia. 1/2 speak German well. The other 1/2 hardly speak German at all. I'm actually in the half that speak well, but I totally identify with those who can't speak. That was my life 4 yrs ago and it's horrible. There is no worse feeling than not being able to function within your immediate environment. You are really handicapped and only a lot of time and some work will get you past it. It always takes more time than you want. It is very frustrating. I am finally at the level where I can make small talk with other moms. I have found that I am relatively well known, considering I spoke so little with people in our area. There is something important to having contacts here. Everyone knows everyone else and when you are tri-lingual American, you do stand out, for the better. I think it will help when I try to get work, especially if I work for myself in the area. The more contact I'm getting with the locals, the better off I feel. It's odd, but there is immediate results to networking here.

I suspect we will have much more good news to come shortly. We shall see. Or starvation.... : )
I have learned some things in Germany. I've learned the true meaning of competence. The entire country is competent. When a German says they will do something, they do it. If you make plans next week on Wed, expect them at your door at the exact time discussed. They have complete follow through with work, even if you need something from someone who is absent. Their collegue can leave them a little sticky note and my God it will actually get done. There is a total pride in everything and things are done to the utmost perfection. Homes are kept up with orderly and cleaness (ok, mine aspires to that but still has a long way to go). It has had a positive effect on me. There are things I've tried to adapt to myself, things that I feel I lack that I want to be, like competent and reliable and perhaps to a lesser degree, keeping a perfectly tidy house.

So that's the news for now. I have to say, I'm feeling very good about myself and very positive and I haven't felt this way in a long time. This unfortunate situation of Xavier's has really afforded me new possibilities for the first time, especially in terms of working. Xavier can watch the kids and help when I have interviews. I didn't have that luxury before. I was totally on my own without knowing a baby-sitter. It's a totally different situation when your man is available to help you, and there is no greater motivation than when you're facing imminent starvation. : )

I hope you are well and I give all of you my love.