In mid-November, the family separated again. Matthias flies back to Germany (his enthusiasm was boundless, by the way) to sell the remaining things, give them away or place them with relatives. Celina and Andrea stay in their new home to settle in, start school and take care of other organizational things. It is not easy to part without knowing exactly when we will see each other again. Initially, the idea was that we would all fly back to Germany and then start over together in Austin. But mainly because Celina would lose even more time due to starting school, we quickly scrapped those plans. But we had plane tickets for all of us.
The day of departure came, and we drove together to the airport. Matthias checked in and dropped off the two completely empty suitcases (the clerk was just surprised that the suitcases together weighed only 11 pounds). Then we spent a few more minutes together in front of the security desk … then we said our brave goodbyes (showing strength / crying is for sissies), and with that, another couple of weeks of separation lay ahead us.
Matthias in Germany
After 1 hour at the airport was the check-in to the plane and the 9-hour flight to Frankfurt started, followed by a 3-hour train ride to Erfurt. Here he was picked up by an acquaintance and driven to Weida. Arrived at the house, there were only one, no two, no three things to do … first call family, then drink a beer and then sleep, because the next morning he went back to work with jetlag of 7 hours time difference. In the following days, we developed the ritual, which consisted of a morning phone call (at 3 am CET) to inform each other about the latest happenings (without masses of coffee, this probably wouldn’t have been sustainable). Afterward, Matthias went to work, and after work, he sold, sorted, and threw away. On the weekends, he went to our parents or parents-in-law with a car full of stuff we could still use but couldn’t take to the USA to store it there. It’s incredible how much stuff has accumulated over the last 20 years, mainly how many things have not moved for years.
And there was simply no end to it. Particularly surprising was the finding that, contrary to our daughter’s assertion that she had no socks, a total of three washing machine loads filled only with the same were brought to light by the clearing out (i don´t know why I washed them since they were then transported to thermal recycling anyway). At some point, one only sorted and packed without knowing what one was sorting and packing. Then, after three weeks, everything ran only automatically, and one was not least because of the lack of sleep, partly as in a film on the way.
The food variety was pretty one-sided during those weeks in Germany alone. Mainly there was pizza, except on the weekends. Then was the cooking of the finest, not by Matthias but by the parents. At this point, again, many thanks for the support and help.
But still, if you think about what we had everything so (including two cars, three motorcycles, an RV, a house, countless books, and so on), we are already happy that we have largely gotten rid of everything. And from today’s point of view, we miss almost nothing! The only thing that Matthias did not get rid of was his long hair because it was impossible to get a hairdresser appointment. So they were inevitably allowed to come along.
December 17, 2019 … the last day as the flight left for Austin to join the family on December 18.
Getting up was, as usual, at 2:30 a.m., from 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., the obligatory phone call, and then to work. Here it was a matter of cleaning up the workplace, saying goodbye to dear colleagues, and clarifying how the working relationship would be realized in the future. Afterward, an acquaintance drove Matthias to his trusted car mechanic to give his Lexus in commission. Again short to the house, the last things grabbed, front door key in the mailbox for the new owners and then on to Erfurt to the station. The last personal goodbye to a German acquaintance and then by train to Frankfurt to the airport. Arrival was at midnight, which meant still 10. hours on the airport spend. And nothing was going on there, hardly any people and no business open. Sleeping was not possible because you could not even check your luggage. So stay awake and hold out. Finally, around 6.00 a.m., life slowly came up, and you could buy coffee and check in your luggage. 8.00 a.m. security check and then again 2 hours wait. Then finally, into the airplane, and after 9 hours of flight, one was again in the warmth. Now to get luggage and immigration. And there they were … Celina and Andrea… (of course, chic in Texas look). Finally home, but totally knocked out. Still, a short trip to Oasis and a little drive through the Christmas-decorated neighborhood had to be. But then it was closing time … fall over … Bed!
Celina and Andrea in Texas
Even though it was not easy to say goodbye, we now had to tackle the challenges with full vigor.
Point 1 – register the child in the new school
Point 2 – furnish the still quite clearly equipped apartment
Point 3 – clarify everything else that needs to be taken care of
Point 4 – have the newly acquired vehicle checked for oil loss
Point 5 – enjoy the autumn weather (full sun and 77°F in November)
Point 1 – Regelschule Weida vs. S.F.Austing Highschool
Since we decided at short notice not to go to the planned initially International High School, the decision was made: Celina will become a Maroon at AHS = S.F. Austin High School! That meant for her from the small 290-student regular school in provincial Weida to the 2,900-student school in the middle of downtown in the capital of Texas! English language… well, rather mediocre… but it will be alright!
First of all, a lot of paperwork for the registration. And, which academy should she go to? No idea what do they mean by an academy? The lovely lady explained that the school is divided into four academies…. “as in Harry Potter.” We chose the AGS – Academy for global Studies – for topics like world culture, environment, languages, and international/intercultural topics and relations. We didn’t quite understand the others, but “global” sounded very good and fitting. At this point, a big thank you to Katja v. R., who was very helpful.
And then it was: Close your eyes and go for it! And off to new adventures with the Yellow Dog (the typical yellow US school bus), as shown in so many teen movies…
Celina received a lot of help from the school to settle in. The students offered support, teachers helped with the language integration… and after only a few days, we had a proud high school student who also brought super grades! What more could you ask for? AHS Maroons – loyal forever!
(there will also be a separate article on the topic of schools soon)
– Academy for Global Studies –
Point 2 – The apartment
Now we had a nice 3-room apartment, and the first pieces of furniture were a TV (of course for the child!), two air beds and a table, without a couch… Since you have walk-in closets here, a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom furniture reduced costs, and we saved legwork and time.
So on to our favorite furniture store ever… on to…? Well? Sure, IKEA! (Yes, the friendly yellow-blue furniture store is also trendy here, and let at least some European style move into our apartment with us). So there were, first of all, the furniture necessary for the school procured, dining table and chairs organized via online portals, a couch ordered, and various decorative (yes … also pointless) odds and ends purchased …
After about two/three weeks, a certain coziness had set in, although the vacation home feeling still prevailed in the beginning.
Point 3 – What else?
First of all, I tried to get a Texas driver’s license. This is your ID card here and, therefore, essential to have. At this point, again, a big THANK YOU to Christiane B., who has squatted several times with me at the DPS, to then unsuccessfully again to go because you have to be 90 days in the country to get the same.
Job search also had to be organized. So I made an American “resume” out of the classic German resume – translation, different structure, and a different approach than in Germany to find a job. But that will be fine…
Point 4 – The loss of oil
After a few days with our freshly purchased used car, we noticed the first alleged defects. The vehicle does not start properly (so as we know), and underneath are always small oil spots! So, again off to the dealer, and let’s check. Ok, new battery installed… “the oil loss is not dramatic,” said the gentlemen.
But as environmentally conscious Germans, we do not accept this and look for an independent workshop. So here, the vehicle was checked and tested; various fluids were exchanged, some dyes were put into the engine, the work was diligently billed, and… of course, nothing was found!
In the meantime, we have learned – also thanks to our lovely Egyptian and Palestinian car mechanics – that one does not worry about such small things here in Texas… it drips thus still!
Point 5 – Enjoy the country and weather
Even though there was a lot to do, excursions were not to be missed. We went to Maifield Park with a trip to Mt. Bonell and Lake Travis, to a wolf reserve, and of course, to the shopping malls. After all, we could only take two suitcases each and had to equip ourselves “American.”
The local November weather with cozy 77°F and the Spanish-Italian flair of Hill County – or as it is called here, the Texan Tuscany, with a lot of wineries – made sure that everyday life was more like a permanent vacation, and we spent every free minute outside. And we had to get used to having sunglasses as the most important accessory when leaving the apartment, not the umbrella.
Oh yes…
and then, quite spontaneously and shortly before Christmas, a company had to be set up for professional advancement since employment in Germany without German residence and due to the tax circumstances was impossible. But how does one proceed? Trade office? Tax office? Tax consultant? Legal counsel? What form of company?…
Of course, these were all topics that none of us had dealt with before, because… yes, because…? But since you don’t do anything yourself here in America and have an agent or an endeavoring consultant for everything, we also went the more expensive but certainly easiest way via an assistance office. And so, even before the future business owner’s arrival, we received the founding documents of the future “afm Matthias W. Kuehne Consulting LLC,” bound in a very chic red folder package and provided with our own embossed stamp. Our new Indian tax consultant Rhunjet has been looking forward to our visit every quarter since then.
And so the ladies were not bored in their new home either.