I have a lot of mixed feelings about this. I love living in Europe most of the time. I love being able to see so many things that I always dreamed about seeing and read about in books. I love expanding my list of countries I've been to. I love the food and the wine.
I do not love not speaking the language fluently (which I realize is my own fault, but I'm still working on it) I don't like only having AFN, the crazy Italian drivers, no good Mexican food and no closets.
If Sean stays in the Army, we both agreed we wouldn't mind another overseas tour. We'd both love to be staioned in Japan or even in Europe again. I think we'd both like Germany next time instead of Italy.
I'm in the process right now of writing up an introduction to life in Italy for Army spouses. Once I get it done I'll make a link available somewhere on my blog so that anyone PCSing to Italy can get an idea of what to expect. I really wish the Army would do something like that, but the info I got before we moved here wasn't the sort of info I really needed to be able to adjust to life here.
A little write-up about the post would be awesome!! I'm sure anyone headed that way would appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I only wish I had come across something like that for Germany before we moved there.
ReplyDeleteI think going to Japan would be fabulous! We have thought that it would be better to wait until our kids are a little older so they can enjoy it as well!
ReplyDeleteHalf way done already! I'm sure it's flown by, hasn't it? What a great experience. And I think you writing up that "what to expect" link would be so helpful!! Great idea. They should really do that for every post.. but especially overseas!
ReplyDeleteWe were in Germany for a year...we did not get our "three" because the month after we arrived, they decided (due to BRAC) that the 1ID would be headed back to Kansas in July of the following year. I had 13 months in Europe...my furniture had 6 (long story).
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Germany, you will truly enjoy it. Again, the language barrier is something to overcome, but the Germans are very eager to practice their English! We lived on post and were able to get AFN as well as several other stations (we paid a bit for that package)...but it was nice to have the option of some German channels, several from Britain, a French one...
I don't know if there's anything similar for the US military, but there's a website that's just coming off the ground here in the UK called One More Move (www.onemoremove.co.uk). You can submit information about your housing area - best coffee shops, good schools, sneaky shortcuts - for new postees. When it's fully utilized it's going to be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteIf there isn't one already, it might be worth looking into creating one! :)
PS - if you can't see it without logging in, let me know and I'll email you my login!
I love reading your blog and stories of Italy/trips. Every time I do I go and bug my husband about trying to get stationed overseas.
ReplyDeleteAre you putting your Italy review on militarydutystations.com? I know she is trying to get more overseas spouses to put up reviews of bases on her site as well.
I vote for another overseas PCS because I love seeing all your recaps of fabulous places!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea to make the introduction for Army transferees. I'm not in the service at all and that sounds like a really nice thing-- we lived in Germany for 6 months (non-military) for work and it would've been nice to have that for us as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great idea! Even though we aren't headed that way (as far as I know) I'd still be really interested to read it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so living my dream right now! We have been trying to get to Italy, but to no avail. :( I had the same problem as well trying to get ideas about Japan before we came here. Now that we are here, there is still a certain lack of information, I can't explain it. That's an awesome idea to do a write-up, I have been trying to think of ways to help people who might be moving here as well. Are you posting it on your blog?
ReplyDeleteI think info on Italy would be great! We're PCSing to Germany and plan on visiting Italy, and would like to know of some good places to visit off the beaten path.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have also talked about Japan... but we'll see after three years in Germany first!
I love your army wives guide to Italy idea!!! I wish we ha had one for beaufort when we first arrived.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's been a year and half since you've been there! You were one of the first blogs I started reading when I began blogging and it was shortly before your overseas move. Time certainly does fly!
ReplyDeleteI think the write up is a fab idea! When we moved there finding info was nearly impossible. We all just reached our halfway point here in the land of aloha. It's weird how sometimes time drags on and other times it flies on by.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you should try and stay overseas!
ReplyDeleteI want to, but I'm not sure my husband wants to. This base has unfortunately ruined my chances I think. :( I want to PCS to Germany, or Japan next too!
that is such a wonderful idea!! i'm also waiting for someone to publish a blog / book / article about WHAT TO EFFING WEAR to every military event! and i'm even hoping for one with a boho slant. out there, i know. :P
ReplyDeleteif we move overseas, i'll definitely be asking you a million questions.