1. We had an international moving company come to give us a quote on sending our belongings to France. We love our couch and ottoman, it's big and comfy and the ottoman is a multitasker. (See pic) Yes, we know they make these kinds of things in France, but we're partial to ours so we considered bringing the beast along with us. Along with Taylor's bed, a few shelving units and some boxes of kitchen stuff, books, and linens. WELL, what a wake up call that was, a $13,600 wake up call. If we re-bought all the stuff in France plus everything else we'd need to furnish a home we'd only spend about $10,000. So, plan "B". UPS will send small boxes at 20-30 pounds for about $100-$150. So, we decided to be RUTHLESS (did you notice that ruthless is now in capitals!) and only take 10, yes 10 boxes. (we'll add one or two if in dire need)
MORAL: Either make sure you're being sent by your company so the move is paid for or say goodbye to your "things" and relish the idea of big shopping sprees on the other side.
2. Taylor decided to try and leap over a small jungle gym at school and broke out his three front teeth. When I entered the school to pick him up, unaware of the true damage, I was met with a line of school personnel. Tip off that this was not just a little boo boo. As we made our way to the Nurse's office, the Vice Principal said that the accident involved many teeth and I would probably need to consult a Dental Surgeon. My heart sank and my mind raced, I didn't know a dental surgeon and if he needed one right away, what was I to do? We had recently been to a new dentist near our house so I called them immediatley and they took us right in. In the end he didn't need surgery, what looked like bone fragment hanging out of his gums was actually one of the teeth. The whole sight was pretty gruesome but cleaned up well and in the end wasn't so severe. But, it did make me realize that if we were in France I wouldn't know what to do or where to go or who to call. (Note to readers...T is doing just fine!!)
MORAL: As soon as you get to your new country, maybe even before, find the local doctors who speak English (cause if it's me on my own without James to translate then I'm in trouble with a French only Doc.) and meet them and get their numbers into your phone. AngloInfo.com is a good place to start the search. AND know what number(s) to call for emergencies at any hour of the day. When we were there this winter I didn't even know the number for the Police or the Fire Department. Pretty silly of me now that I look back on it.
3. Went to the French Consulate here in NYC to try and get a work permit. I attempted a "Competencies and Talents" visa but was turned away. Not for that visa in particular, but because supposedly as a wife of an EU citizen I don't need a work permit. WHAT????? Now I told Sami, my consultant at the French Consulate, all about my meeting with the lovely lady at Cadam in Nice, France. He looked at me stunned and said he'd never heard of such a thing and that she didn't know her laws. OK, now I'm confused. Does anyone know the truth here??? So, another lady, the one he kept excusing himself to go and consult with regarding the info I was giving him, came out of hiding and backed him up. She said to look up the EU agreement and see what it says. Well, I found it. It states very clearly that I do not need a special permit to work. That I have all the same rights as my EU spouse. I was hoping it would even say that I was NOT the junk in his trunk to show the nice lady at Cadam, but that particular phrase was no where to be found. Darn. Now, you'll just have to stay tuned to see if indeed this works on the workers at Cadam. (Note to readers...if you feel lost, read the post "I'm the Junk in His Trunk" to catch up on my visit to Cadam in search of a work permit)
MORAL: When it comes to French policy and politics, nothing is as it seems. Be ready for what you believe to be the truth to not actually be the truth. And so it seems that if you're feeling confused, you're doing everything right. Can someone say "run around?!" Next window please...
We invite you on our journey, the door is always open!!
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Thanks!
Hey, I'll buy your couch and ottoman! That way you can visit it when you return. How about it?
ReplyDeletehope the new week is a bit better than the last one!
ReplyDeletexoxo