The more things change. . .

What a wild couple of weeks! Lots of ups and downs -- most annoying was that my internet connection was perpetually down. It spends days down and minutes up, and I'm sure we're not finished with this yet! For almost three weeks now it has been unavailable for days/weeks at a time, then returning -- perhaps -- in 30-minute spurts at random times. Reminds me of inserting coins for heat in Great Britain.

One of the things I remember very clearly from an article discussing Culture Shock sent to me as I finished my certification was, I believe, Step 3: Becoming annoyed at things which don't work as you expect. And of course my mental response was that I wouldn't let it happen to me. Frankly, I'd been annoyed enough (mostly quietly and usually only to myself) at things in Durham that I wondered how that could possibly be a problem. Well -- take away my connection and I quickly find out! It is a lifeline for me mentally and emotionally. My family is on the other end, wherever they may be at any time. My friends are around, even when we're not in constant contact. And, of course, it is my connection with information I need from StJ as well as an opportunity to research topics needed for teaching.

This object lesson in the importance of connection and communication has reminded me over and over of my incredible, wonderful grandmother -- homesteading twice in Oklahoma as it was opened for settlers. (Never mind the people who were already living there. And, by the way, some Czechs mentioned our past with the Indians just this week. What could I say . . . ?) What a difference in my choices and hers. My goodness, I can actually see Alexander as we talk on Skype. Almost no one is very far away, when I have a connection, that is.

And an up? I now have all of my visa completed! Hooray. We were notified the processing was complete, and one of the young women from the StJ office made the trip to Vienna to pick them up at the Embassy for Kim and me. I believe I'd already mentioned we couldn't leave the country then return in fewer than 90 days unless it was complete and in our hand. After she received them, we had three days to get a stamp from the Foreign (aka Alien) Police. Of course, they were closed on one of those days, and we had to save the other in case something went wrong. There are lots of stories about how much can go wrong and how awful the day at the FP can be. So at 4:45 a.m. Monday we joined a great hoarde of non-Czechs, some of whom had slept there overnight to be at the front of the line, which at that point was a long distance from where we stood. What chaos. There were even several imitations of a military-style regimentation from a couple people who had obviously taken money from a long list of people on the promise that they would be put at the front of the line. Fortunately, there were others who helped us stand our ground. Actually, just describing the people in my immediate vicinity and the varieties of humanity, humour, and helpful/lessness would take many pages. Police arrived to keep order about 6:30 and the doors opened an hour later. The crush was unbelievable, even with what small semblance of order had been restored. With all the right paperwork -- and StJ made sure everything was in order -- groups of 20 or so entered at one time to receive a number. Sort of a deli counter without food! All the numbers for the day had been given out before 11!

To make a long story with lots of twists, turns, and very interesting people short - - - in only eight hours I was out of there, new visa firmly affixed to my passport. And my words to the young woman who joined us from StJ (just in case we needed any translation) were, "I believe I've waited 18 years for this." It was, indeed, a happy moment. I've been "legal" since arriving, taking required steps at the right time. It's just that now it is all together in one very important place. What a wonderful moment.

I've also learned about hospitals and medical insurance recently. Proof of medical insurance is required for the visa. It took one very long morning, lots of running around, and a significant amount of money to get that completed. The man who did my paperwork was a delight to work with -- gave great explanations and went out of his way to make it all work just right.

You guessed it -- only a week later I needed it. My foot (what else do I need more than my feet for all this running around, huh!) was really severely injured when a woman knocked me off balance and then hit my weight-bearing leg with her little pull cart. Oh my it hurt. One more shortened story -- StJ gave me all the right information, checked out the insurance process, got everything in line for the hospital, where I had to go to the Foreign Office. (There's that word again!) Apparently this hospital is especially good at dealing with EU and other non-Czech speaking folks. I cannot believe how smoothly it all went, almost no waiting, extremely helpful and solicitous people, a great woman doctor who gave good information and instructions. Could not have been better, including the fact that their English was great and they took care of insurance coverage without having to go through reimbursement! Nothing was broken, though it still doesn't work right. I came out with one heck of a wrap that I'm to wear for five days. And I can get around quite well. I am SO blessed. So you and I continue to travel on together.

Oh yes, other changes. This is the time of the year for saying goodbye to new friends and colleagues. Over the past several weeks colleagues who had become new friends have left for other, not necessarily greener pastures. A couple to grad school, a couple to continue their retirement, some looking for another country they want to visit. And yes, there are empty spaces even though our differing schedules meant that we didn't see each other regularly. Certainly the hiring process is in full swing, and there will be other new faces in the fall. But I feel fortunate to have met some really lovely people and gotten to know them even for a short time.

The leave taking and summer break for the client companies combine to bring about a lot of schedule changes. I'm so grateful that the Client Managers have given me some great new people to work with and many of my regular students/companies are continuing through the summer. I just have to get the different routes and times changed mentally. Oh, yes -- this is a right turn, not a left turn today!

As for change - - - it is indeed the constant. Even when the schedule and the days look as though they will be the same or very similar, something wonderful happens. Here it is a new week -- wonder what it will bring!

Travel in peace and with joy - - -