Last Friday, a man from an international moving company came to my apartment to look over my worldly possessions to determine what size pod is needed to ship our belongings across land and ocean from Texas to Sweden.
Since I live in an efficiency, there isn’t much there, and Russ had his own clean sweep before moving, so he also has little to ship. However, the biggest pain will be when I divide what’s going to Sweden and what’s not between my future in-laws’ place (where the moving company will pick everything up) and my parents’ house.
I think it’s time to start getting rid of things now. Anyone in need of a food processor, some lamps and various other things that won’t work without a converter in Sweden?
Plus, I need to make room for all those wonderful new marriage things from my bridal shower on Saturday. That chip-and-dip platter is well worth the extra weight.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sweden -- to Tennessee?
Yes I’m as shocked as you are, but Russell’s first business trip will be to Tennessee. After going to the country music capital, he’ll take more high-profile trips to Santiago, Chile, and then Lima, Perú.
But the best part is I’ll be able to see him in Nashville during a three-day weekend in April. While going to Latin America sounds more appealing, especially since a good friend and future bridesmaid is in the Peace Corps in Perú, I’ll settle for the less expensive while planning for a wedding choice. Plus, since it’ll be five weeks since we’ve seen each other at that point, I can guarantee we’ll be more focused on spending time together than local sightseeing.
We’re now approaching the three-week mark since he left for Sweden on March 6, and it reminds me of when I was in India for a month this past February for a Group Study Exchange. An Indian we met told us about when he went on a GSE trip to Brazil, and it was during the third week that it got really difficult for him, especially since he wasn’t able to communicate much with his hosts. His hostess was playing the piano one night during that week, and he joined her, and then he started crying and she did as well. It was their way of communicating through music, despite the language barrier.
OK – so nothing dramatic like that has happened, but I will forever call times when you miss someone you’ve been away from for three weeks or more “piano moments.”
Creating the blog during our third week apart is significant because I have been missing Russell more and more as the days go by, and the blog helps make this journey seem more real to me when I’m still living and working in the area I only left for a long period during college.
So in a sense, the blog is my way of coping with those pesky third-week piano moments. But I’ll continue to blog in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.
But the best part is I’ll be able to see him in Nashville during a three-day weekend in April. While going to Latin America sounds more appealing, especially since a good friend and future bridesmaid is in the Peace Corps in Perú, I’ll settle for the less expensive while planning for a wedding choice. Plus, since it’ll be five weeks since we’ve seen each other at that point, I can guarantee we’ll be more focused on spending time together than local sightseeing.
We’re now approaching the three-week mark since he left for Sweden on March 6, and it reminds me of when I was in India for a month this past February for a Group Study Exchange. An Indian we met told us about when he went on a GSE trip to Brazil, and it was during the third week that it got really difficult for him, especially since he wasn’t able to communicate much with his hosts. His hostess was playing the piano one night during that week, and he joined her, and then he started crying and she did as well. It was their way of communicating through music, despite the language barrier.
OK – so nothing dramatic like that has happened, but I will forever call times when you miss someone you’ve been away from for three weeks or more “piano moments.”
Creating the blog during our third week apart is significant because I have been missing Russell more and more as the days go by, and the blog helps make this journey seem more real to me when I’m still living and working in the area I only left for a long period during college.
So in a sense, the blog is my way of coping with those pesky third-week piano moments. But I’ll continue to blog in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Alice in a new wonderland
Along with composing our love sonnet for the Swedish government, I also need to consult a veterinarian about the required paperwork for my cat, Alice.
According to the Swedish Department of Agriculture, I must follow all instructions for “dogs and cats from non-EU countries that have effective rabies control.” These include a microchip (check), rabies vaccination (check) and proof that the animal has enough antibodies against rabies (must look into this). I’ll also need to get poor Alice dewormed against tapeworm.
The last step is obtaining a veterinary certificate confirming that these procedures have been completed.
Some of you may think it’s cruel to take a cat all the way from Texas to Sweden. But for one, I plan to take her with me in the plane’s cabin and pay an extra fee (about $50-$100), and two, isn’t it better for her to stay with a loving family than be one of the many in an animal shelter?
I’ve also done my research to make sure she’s as comfortable as possible.
A quick Google search really can find you anything. I discovered a Web site with a “case study” about flying with your cat from the U.S. to Sweden. David, the site creator, uses Sweden for this report because “they’re one of the hardest European countries to import animals.” Hooray!
While I’ll need to confirm with my vet if these things are useful, the site has some helpful tips, such as using acepromazine instead of a sedative, which are discouraged for animals at a high altitude. He also notes that the deworming must be done less than 10 days before every entry into Sweden, so I better set up an appropriate appointment now.
I know Alice is a unique cat because she follows me around and wants to cuddle on the couch and bed. I hear this is an unusual trait for felines, so I don’t want to leave her behind.
According to the Swedish Department of Agriculture, I must follow all instructions for “dogs and cats from non-EU countries that have effective rabies control.” These include a microchip (check), rabies vaccination (check) and proof that the animal has enough antibodies against rabies (must look into this). I’ll also need to get poor Alice dewormed against tapeworm.
The last step is obtaining a veterinary certificate confirming that these procedures have been completed.
I’ve also done my research to make sure she’s as comfortable as possible.
A quick Google search really can find you anything. I discovered a Web site with a “case study” about flying with your cat from the U.S. to Sweden. David, the site creator, uses Sweden for this report because “they’re one of the hardest European countries to import animals.” Hooray!
While I’ll need to confirm with my vet if these things are useful, the site has some helpful tips, such as using acepromazine instead of a sedative, which are discouraged for animals at a high altitude. He also notes that the deworming must be done less than 10 days before every entry into Sweden, so I better set up an appropriate appointment now.
I know Alice is a unique cat because she follows me around and wants to cuddle on the couch and bed. I hear this is an unusual trait for felines, so I don’t want to leave her behind.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Proving our love for a Swedish residency permit
After this independent, career woman agreed to not only marry him, but also move from warm Texas to Sweden for his job opportunity, I knew Russell must be my true life partner.
But before I can join him in Scandinavia, where he is already considered a permanent resident, I must convince the Swedish government that we are indeed engaged, very much in love and plan to marry in June.
The process begins by filling out two lengthy forms, including a full background of myself (upbringing, education, work, leisure interests, etc.). It also asks for details of when, where and how the referee (Russell) and I first met, as well as our plans for the future, such as where we’ll get married, live, have children, etc. I don’t think either of us is focused on the children aspect as of yet (give us a few years!), but I’ll do my best.
Along with my detailed account of our love, I also must include photographs of us together, a copy of our engagement announcement and other documents that say yes – we’re legit.
After my passport goes from Texas to Washington, D.C., and then to Sweden and back, I do hope the government is as convinced as we are of our commitment. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
-- Angela
But before I can join him in Scandinavia, where he is already considered a permanent resident, I must convince the Swedish government that we are indeed engaged, very much in love and plan to marry in June.
The process begins by filling out two lengthy forms, including a full background of myself (upbringing, education, work, leisure interests, etc.). It also asks for details of when, where and how the referee (Russell) and I first met, as well as our plans for the future, such as where we’ll get married, live, have children, etc. I don’t think either of us is focused on the children aspect as of yet (give us a few years!), but I’ll do my best.
Along with my detailed account of our love, I also must include photographs of us together, a copy of our engagement announcement and other documents that say yes – we’re legit.
After my passport goes from Texas to Washington, D.C., and then to Sweden and back, I do hope the government is as convinced as we are of our commitment. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
-- Angela
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