I was watching a very interesting episode on Oprah once. The title of the episode is Everybody Has a Story. For awhile after watching the show on it's original air date I would go to an unsuspecting stranger and asked them what was their story~~I will admit that I did get some crazy looks from some people. Quite a few actually obliged and told me their 'story'.
Here's a portion of my story...
When I first decided to moved back to Germany, my friends and family thought I was CRAZY. I was stationed here in the Army from 1995-97 and absolutely loved it! Once I left here, I was stationed in Georgia from 1997-99. When I decided to get out of the Army the only thing I knew for sure was that I DID NOT want to move back home to St. Louis.
I found an awesome job as a consultant, testing hospital equipment in preparation for the millenium. With this job, which I started in February, I lived in Denver (awesome city), and Davenport, IA. The only good thing about living in Davenport was the proximity to Chicago. In May, I visited my friend Rose that was still stationed here. This job was basically over in July, and I decided to move to Albuquerque with my brother. But after about 1 month, I decided to move back to Germany.
On 23 August 1999 I bought a round trip ticket to Germany. On 15 Sept 1999, I left the US with only what I could carry and about $400. When I say with only what I could carry~~I MEAN ABSOLUTELY THAT!! I had in my possession: 3 bags of clothes, my snowboard (how could I leave Luna behind??), my passport, and a round trip ticket.
My family in St. Louis STILL thinks I'm CRAZY for packing up and leaving~I am NOT an expatriate!! I still pay federal taxes, still have a passport, and one day I WILL return to the US. I've been here 8 of the last 10 years, and in that time only my sister has come to visit me here (and that was in Jan '04). I visit the US 2-3 weeks each year, mainly so P can see the family. I am trying SOOOO hard to show my family that there is SOOO much more to the world than St. Louis!!
Moving back here was just 'one of those things I had to do'. One of the most popular questions asked is: How have I been able to survive in a foreign country? My answer is ALWAYS 'DON'T HAVE A PLAN B!' (more on that in a later post)
That is a portion of my story.
Oh, and I've been to Davenport, IA. Uh huh. That's all I will say about that.
Grayse
: 5:04 PM
