Starting the Week

Greg left this morning to take his 7th grade mentor group on an Outward Bound trip for the week so I'm fending for myself until Friday. I don't envy him though because he'll be out in the Alps and it's gotten a bit chilly.

As a start to my week, I went in with my work permit application. The company who is hiring me for the part-time mini-job of manager for a U.S. online community had to fill out the application. The hardest part for them is to persuade the German government to give an American a work permit rather than a German. Due to high unemployment, this can be difficult, and often work permits are denied because of it. I think because the job requires a native English speaker I have a stronger application though. But we'll see in a couple of weeks.

I thought it would take me all day in the Auslaenderbehoerde office, but it only took an hour and half. Most of that time I was getting lost in the corridors (the signs were not helpful) or waiting for my turn. I feel bad for the people that work there because it was such a drab office and there were so many foreigners like me, messing everything up or getting confused a lot. Maybe I should lead expat volunteers in painting that office or something.

On a good note, my grandma, Safta Tzipi, is coming for a visit tomorrow. I'm going to stay with her and my aunt Na'ama for a few days. I'm not sure what we'll do yet, but a daytrip might be in the works. She'll be here for a couple weeks so Greg'll have time to see her when he gets back, too.

And then next week we're in Istanbul for 4.5 days!!