Seven Months In And Context Is Everything
I highlighted our first three and a half months here with a post so I thought I should do the same for these last three months as well. Maybe highlight isn't accurate, more like a reel of the best and worst and all the in-between. The range of experiences has been vast. And continues to be so. I suppose that much is the same regardless of one's location. I heard a quip today on a popular television show that has struck a chord in more ways than one. Here it is, "I want to live in peace, not rest in peace". Amen. Not too sure how that relates to this post but I am certain there is a connection waiting to be unearthed. Let's see if we can get there.
Husband Jared and I calculated that since December 31st, 2017, the date which we arrived in Vienna, I have been stateside for almost one full month when combining two separate trips. I will once again leave Austria in September for a quick jaunt to NYC. I can hardly wait for that excursion! Anyhow, it is raining right now and the smell inside our apartment is one of my favorites. Summer rain. Nothing like it, no matter where you are. The sky opened up and sideways rain drops hit the window and I ran outside to take a big deep breath. People were scattered. Running from building to building in search of cover. Newspapers draped over heads, purses being used as umbrellas and now the slow, drip, drip sound of droplets pelting the metal frames. See how I digress? It's like a ping pong match in my brain right now. Anything to keep from focusing on the task at hand. Where was I? Oh, yes, my absence from home. Where exactly is home again? I guess it is in Vienna, after all that is where Husband Jared and our youngest Thing reside. And it is where I live too. All that to say I do believe that my extensive travel has played a massive role in my settling in and adjusting to life in Europe. As I've mentioned in this space before, these last seven months have been filled with so much transition, some expected and some not necessarily so. Regardless, here we are. This is our present and I will choose to embrace it.
These days I find myself with more down time. Husband Jared says I am acclimating to the European lifestyle. Slower paced, a calendar with margin and the freedom to make choices about how to spend that time. So many choices. I would love to tell you that I am out exploring at every opportunity. Finding secret gems hidden in the city. Speaking with locals and conquering the market. What I can say honestly is that I am trying. My understanding of German is coming along. Slowly and not surely. Context is everything. That I do know. I will venture out on my own. Sometimes only to the grocery and other times to a tourist attraction, museum, park, pool or window shopping. I am spending time pressing in and waiting to hear from Jesus. Actively waiting. Listening and trusting. Also, watching some movies. Listening to pod casts. Reading books. Writing. Learning. Spending time with Thing 4 and running again. We have access to a beautiful green space, think Central Park on a much smaller scale, right across the canal near our apartment. So accessible. I am truly grateful to be able to immerse myself in nature while being surrounded by the city. It's such a contradiction to city living and oh so good for my soul.
Perhaps the most obvious roadblock here is in my acceptance of our current station in life. Vienna. Three grown up children, all living thousands of miles away. One teenager at home with us. But not really. His football commitment is demanding of his time. I feel the weight of the year ahead with him and it is difficult. There's that. Again, brutiful. Family far away. No real community, YET, to speak of. And the language barrier. Before you go and try to make it all better. I don't need better. Thank you for your concern. I am not looking for answers or solutions. All is well. Truly. And yes, our daughters have visited and will continue to. We have made a pact that hopefully will be able to be kept that we would not go more than six months without being together as six. That is helpful for this Mama's heart. For now, it seems feasible. It may not always be but we will make our best effort. These people are worth working hard for and with. Goodness gracious, here we go again. I went off on another tangent. This might be the connect to the "live in peace" aforementioned. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. My actions should match the words I speak. So in an effort to accept and continue living in the present according to our family's values I will continue on. Searching for context. Making an effort. Being still when necessary. Grateful for the quiet and the change in surroundings. Accepting that where I am is exactly where I am supposed to be.
Because context is everything I need to move on to the updates on Husband Jared and our man child. Seven months in and they are both thriving. I think. Husband Jared is immersed in work. Developing relationships. Understanding the culture. Leading a new store team. And again, context is everything. Thing 4 is living the dream, or so we say. He is has the life of an only child, somewhat. His season is about to begin with SK Rapid, he reports for training on the 23rd of this month. There is some trepidation as to the unknown of this new commitment and all that will be required of him. The travel. Expectations. What to wear and when to arrive for matches, etc. I must brag on him though, he has embraced it all; Walking boldly into a room of strangers. A room where no one's first language is English and onto the pitch having to prove that he deserves to be out there. And then into settings on the daily where I might have just chosen to stay inside. Comfortable. He enters in and does so with such confidence and courage. In the process of doing this he has overcome fear and anxiety. Thing 4 learned to answer some questions on his own. Also, his German is coming along quite nicely. I am certain that having to practice everyday on the pitch has helped tremendously. Context and incentive. Nonetheless, I am proud.
Now there are moments, such as the other day, where Husband Jared and I make plans for the three of us to spend the day together. I think this particular instance we were going to go on a walk and then out to lunch. It was a gorgeous day. Silly me, I had assumed that Thing 4 would be thrilled to have lunch out and adventure with us. Ha. He promptly replied that he needed "alone time" and would like to stay at home. We were free to go on without him. Well thank you young sir, last time I checked we didn't need your permission, but yes, we will be going without you. And you know what, our bill will be much less expensive. OK, I didn't really reply in that manner but I was taken aback by his response. With it being just the three of us, day in and day out, I guess a little alone time is not necessarily a negative. In fact, Husband Jared told me we should be thankful he was able to articulate his need to us in such a constructive way. Ahem, that is exactly what I was thinking. No, I was sad because he didn't want to hang out with us.
Within the last month we have had some helpful lessons in European living. Rather, I should say in Vienna living and at least in dealing with the medical system here. We do not have private insurance. Thus we are in the system here with state sponsored health care. The protocol is vastly different than in the States and when Husband Jared needed to visit a GP for sinus issues we were quick to learn how it all works. No appointments. The doctor has limited office hours and you should definitely arrive about a half hour before the doors open. Then you will wait. In a large room. From our experience the doctors offices here are housed in altbaus, which translates to old house. Essentially, they are converted apartments. Read: no air conditioning. Ahem. Yes, I know, a very American statement. Context, remember? When it is your turn, you enter the doctor's actual office, sit at her desk and discuss symptoms. Then the assessment and appropriate prescriptions. I was with Husband Jared on his second visit when said drugs were not effective. A gamut of blood work was ordered, a referral to a specialist and now more "appointments". The specialist's office operated much the same way. A CT was ordered but before Husband Jared could go to center to have that done he needed a special stamp on the order. Then and only then would he be admitted for a scan. Similar to the procedure for his MRI he is scheduled to have. As for the lab work, same type of building. Oh, I forgot to mention the ornate chandeliers that adorn every medical building I have been in. Such attention to detail and in keeping with the aesthetic design of the architecture they all seem quite fitting. Nothing like I have experienced State side. Intriguing for sure. A few of my take aways from these encounters. It is for sure a bonus that we have not had to pay much money out of pocket, other than for medication. Which if they are doctor issued prescriptions then the maximum cost to us is 6 Euro. Nice. No cost for us for the extensive lab work or scans. What I mean to say is that the money has been paid to the system via Husband Jared's paycheck. No additional charges have been assessed. Outside of the dated paperwork system the doctors, specialist, and office staff we have been dealing with are quite helpful and patient with our lack of understanding for the system. Grace. So grateful for that.
Summer living in Vienna is different. I would think that all the seasons will be. We've now been residents for the latter half of Winter, Spring and now full blown summer. I was told that the residents and professionals alike would be fleeing the city come late July and August. That is a true statement. There are handwritten notes on the doors of cafes, offices, etc. with urlaub, or holiday, dates and return to business. Finding out that your doctor or dentist is not in office for the month would be no shock to the Viennese. I get it. The heat index is rising. It's relative and context is everything. Most apartments and homes here do not have air conditioning. City buildings seem to trap the heat and the swarm of tourists that descend upon the city in summer months causes an 80 degree day to feel more like 100 plus. An exaggeration? Maybe not. Maybe so. Who am I to judge? Our terrace seems to have a nice breeze most days, there are potted plants, candles and a wooden table with twinkle lights surrounding. The sun reflects off the building across from us and I would be capable of getting a sunburn if I allowed myself to sit just right. No complaints here though, we have AC.
There are days where I will be in the middle of a thought and then be arrested by the fact that we have been living in Europe for seven months. Seven months. Help me Jesus. Some days have truly vanished and others it's all I can do to not be counting down the days until our two year mark arrives. Context. All that to say, wowsa! Yes, I know my vocabulary is astounding and "wowsa" probably isn't a real word but it is in my vernacular. I mean it in the truest sense and enthusiasm it holds for me. Like if I could scream from the rooftops, I live in Vienna!, I would. Then tomorrow you might find me curled up under Nana's blanket consoling myself with a dark chocolate bar and hot cup of tea. Such is life abroad. Such is life anywhere. It is a brutiful unraveling of everything we thought we wanted and all that we have which is exactly what we need. Usually. We will continue on, giving pause for context and cultural differences. Calling to mind a phrase that is on repeat in our home, it's not bad or weird, just different. And it is. Different doesn't imply better or worse, sad or happy. Only different than what we've known up to this point. Now we are learning different. Friends, that is so good and so right for us.
Husband Jared and I calculated that since December 31st, 2017, the date which we arrived in Vienna, I have been stateside for almost one full month when combining two separate trips. I will once again leave Austria in September for a quick jaunt to NYC. I can hardly wait for that excursion! Anyhow, it is raining right now and the smell inside our apartment is one of my favorites. Summer rain. Nothing like it, no matter where you are. The sky opened up and sideways rain drops hit the window and I ran outside to take a big deep breath. People were scattered. Running from building to building in search of cover. Newspapers draped over heads, purses being used as umbrellas and now the slow, drip, drip sound of droplets pelting the metal frames. See how I digress? It's like a ping pong match in my brain right now. Anything to keep from focusing on the task at hand. Where was I? Oh, yes, my absence from home. Where exactly is home again? I guess it is in Vienna, after all that is where Husband Jared and our youngest Thing reside. And it is where I live too. All that to say I do believe that my extensive travel has played a massive role in my settling in and adjusting to life in Europe. As I've mentioned in this space before, these last seven months have been filled with so much transition, some expected and some not necessarily so. Regardless, here we are. This is our present and I will choose to embrace it.
These days I find myself with more down time. Husband Jared says I am acclimating to the European lifestyle. Slower paced, a calendar with margin and the freedom to make choices about how to spend that time. So many choices. I would love to tell you that I am out exploring at every opportunity. Finding secret gems hidden in the city. Speaking with locals and conquering the market. What I can say honestly is that I am trying. My understanding of German is coming along. Slowly and not surely. Context is everything. That I do know. I will venture out on my own. Sometimes only to the grocery and other times to a tourist attraction, museum, park, pool or window shopping. I am spending time pressing in and waiting to hear from Jesus. Actively waiting. Listening and trusting. Also, watching some movies. Listening to pod casts. Reading books. Writing. Learning. Spending time with Thing 4 and running again. We have access to a beautiful green space, think Central Park on a much smaller scale, right across the canal near our apartment. So accessible. I am truly grateful to be able to immerse myself in nature while being surrounded by the city. It's such a contradiction to city living and oh so good for my soul.
Perhaps the most obvious roadblock here is in my acceptance of our current station in life. Vienna. Three grown up children, all living thousands of miles away. One teenager at home with us. But not really. His football commitment is demanding of his time. I feel the weight of the year ahead with him and it is difficult. There's that. Again, brutiful. Family far away. No real community, YET, to speak of. And the language barrier. Before you go and try to make it all better. I don't need better. Thank you for your concern. I am not looking for answers or solutions. All is well. Truly. And yes, our daughters have visited and will continue to. We have made a pact that hopefully will be able to be kept that we would not go more than six months without being together as six. That is helpful for this Mama's heart. For now, it seems feasible. It may not always be but we will make our best effort. These people are worth working hard for and with. Goodness gracious, here we go again. I went off on another tangent. This might be the connect to the "live in peace" aforementioned. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. My actions should match the words I speak. So in an effort to accept and continue living in the present according to our family's values I will continue on. Searching for context. Making an effort. Being still when necessary. Grateful for the quiet and the change in surroundings. Accepting that where I am is exactly where I am supposed to be.
Because context is everything I need to move on to the updates on Husband Jared and our man child. Seven months in and they are both thriving. I think. Husband Jared is immersed in work. Developing relationships. Understanding the culture. Leading a new store team. And again, context is everything. Thing 4 is living the dream, or so we say. He is has the life of an only child, somewhat. His season is about to begin with SK Rapid, he reports for training on the 23rd of this month. There is some trepidation as to the unknown of this new commitment and all that will be required of him. The travel. Expectations. What to wear and when to arrive for matches, etc. I must brag on him though, he has embraced it all; Walking boldly into a room of strangers. A room where no one's first language is English and onto the pitch having to prove that he deserves to be out there. And then into settings on the daily where I might have just chosen to stay inside. Comfortable. He enters in and does so with such confidence and courage. In the process of doing this he has overcome fear and anxiety. Thing 4 learned to answer some questions on his own. Also, his German is coming along quite nicely. I am certain that having to practice everyday on the pitch has helped tremendously. Context and incentive. Nonetheless, I am proud.
Now there are moments, such as the other day, where Husband Jared and I make plans for the three of us to spend the day together. I think this particular instance we were going to go on a walk and then out to lunch. It was a gorgeous day. Silly me, I had assumed that Thing 4 would be thrilled to have lunch out and adventure with us. Ha. He promptly replied that he needed "alone time" and would like to stay at home. We were free to go on without him. Well thank you young sir, last time I checked we didn't need your permission, but yes, we will be going without you. And you know what, our bill will be much less expensive. OK, I didn't really reply in that manner but I was taken aback by his response. With it being just the three of us, day in and day out, I guess a little alone time is not necessarily a negative. In fact, Husband Jared told me we should be thankful he was able to articulate his need to us in such a constructive way. Ahem, that is exactly what I was thinking. No, I was sad because he didn't want to hang out with us.
Within the last month we have had some helpful lessons in European living. Rather, I should say in Vienna living and at least in dealing with the medical system here. We do not have private insurance. Thus we are in the system here with state sponsored health care. The protocol is vastly different than in the States and when Husband Jared needed to visit a GP for sinus issues we were quick to learn how it all works. No appointments. The doctor has limited office hours and you should definitely arrive about a half hour before the doors open. Then you will wait. In a large room. From our experience the doctors offices here are housed in altbaus, which translates to old house. Essentially, they are converted apartments. Read: no air conditioning. Ahem. Yes, I know, a very American statement. Context, remember? When it is your turn, you enter the doctor's actual office, sit at her desk and discuss symptoms. Then the assessment and appropriate prescriptions. I was with Husband Jared on his second visit when said drugs were not effective. A gamut of blood work was ordered, a referral to a specialist and now more "appointments". The specialist's office operated much the same way. A CT was ordered but before Husband Jared could go to center to have that done he needed a special stamp on the order. Then and only then would he be admitted for a scan. Similar to the procedure for his MRI he is scheduled to have. As for the lab work, same type of building. Oh, I forgot to mention the ornate chandeliers that adorn every medical building I have been in. Such attention to detail and in keeping with the aesthetic design of the architecture they all seem quite fitting. Nothing like I have experienced State side. Intriguing for sure. A few of my take aways from these encounters. It is for sure a bonus that we have not had to pay much money out of pocket, other than for medication. Which if they are doctor issued prescriptions then the maximum cost to us is 6 Euro. Nice. No cost for us for the extensive lab work or scans. What I mean to say is that the money has been paid to the system via Husband Jared's paycheck. No additional charges have been assessed. Outside of the dated paperwork system the doctors, specialist, and office staff we have been dealing with are quite helpful and patient with our lack of understanding for the system. Grace. So grateful for that.
Summer living in Vienna is different. I would think that all the seasons will be. We've now been residents for the latter half of Winter, Spring and now full blown summer. I was told that the residents and professionals alike would be fleeing the city come late July and August. That is a true statement. There are handwritten notes on the doors of cafes, offices, etc. with urlaub, or holiday, dates and return to business. Finding out that your doctor or dentist is not in office for the month would be no shock to the Viennese. I get it. The heat index is rising. It's relative and context is everything. Most apartments and homes here do not have air conditioning. City buildings seem to trap the heat and the swarm of tourists that descend upon the city in summer months causes an 80 degree day to feel more like 100 plus. An exaggeration? Maybe not. Maybe so. Who am I to judge? Our terrace seems to have a nice breeze most days, there are potted plants, candles and a wooden table with twinkle lights surrounding. The sun reflects off the building across from us and I would be capable of getting a sunburn if I allowed myself to sit just right. No complaints here though, we have AC.
There are days where I will be in the middle of a thought and then be arrested by the fact that we have been living in Europe for seven months. Seven months. Help me Jesus. Some days have truly vanished and others it's all I can do to not be counting down the days until our two year mark arrives. Context. All that to say, wowsa! Yes, I know my vocabulary is astounding and "wowsa" probably isn't a real word but it is in my vernacular. I mean it in the truest sense and enthusiasm it holds for me. Like if I could scream from the rooftops, I live in Vienna!, I would. Then tomorrow you might find me curled up under Nana's blanket consoling myself with a dark chocolate bar and hot cup of tea. Such is life abroad. Such is life anywhere. It is a brutiful unraveling of everything we thought we wanted and all that we have which is exactly what we need. Usually. We will continue on, giving pause for context and cultural differences. Calling to mind a phrase that is on repeat in our home, it's not bad or weird, just different. And it is. Different doesn't imply better or worse, sad or happy. Only different than what we've known up to this point. Now we are learning different. Friends, that is so good and so right for us.
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