The bulk of the items we're taking were packed (yes packed) and moved out a few weeks ago and are currently crossing the ocean on a freight ship. The moving company had one of those big metal shipping containers on a truck cab back into our driveway! We didn't take much of our own furniture, just a couch and loveseat for the basement there; our bed; and Griffin's bed (Ethan wanted something new there). We took tons of books and toys; clothes; and pots & pans, though I'll pick out some new cute dishes there. Our home computer and Wii should be easily adaptable to the different plugs/voltage there, but small appliances like toasters and irons will have to be bought new - it's not worth buying a $20 converter for a $15 toaster. This past Monday the smaller shipment was packed and taken away that will ship via air, so we're improvising a little with the things we have left here at the house.
Also, last week a Cultural Consultant from Berlitz came to our home for 4 hours to help us prepare for the move. Overall I'd say I felt more confident about the transition after she left, and she thinks Scott and I will do fine, but the two things causing me most anxiety are parking and politics. There is a lot of city parking which means parallel and small space parking, which is NOT my strong suit, plus I'll most likely be driving a manual, which I haven't done in at least 15 years, and will make it all the more challenging. Also, the Consultant said that German people are typically not confrontational, but they love to discuss and argue politics, especially American politics - again, not my strong suit. Luckily, they seem to love Obama and my political leanings are toward that side, so hopefully I won't find myself in the middle of a "discussion", but I think I'll brush up on my politics just to be sure I have some intelligent things to add.
