I am a prolific list-maker. Making lists is a big part of my planning process, so, not surprisingly, now that the idea of "moving" to Germany has settled into my head, I have begun making several lists. Some of my lists are public - those I want others to contribute to (or extract from!)- and many others are more private - kept secret, perhaps because of a fear of being seen as too obsessive-compulsive.
The first set of lists I made are meant to be shared with the family, particularly the girls, as we think about our adventure: "Places to See", "Questions", and "To Do". I have them each on a piece of cardstock which I plan to post where everyone could add to them and find topics to research, as well as helping the girls see what preparations go into a trip to a foreign country. So far, I am the only one who has done anything with these lists, but I think once I find a more prominent place to post them and the trip feels more eminent (or inevitable, for some) we will have other people's handwriting filling the pages.
My second set of lists is of the more private kind, right now, so they are kept in a spiral notebook within my usual pile of "active" books and papers. Yes, I admit that I am already starting to think of what to pack! Besides clothing and personal items, as we would normally pack for a vacation, I have to think about what household items need to be brought along: If I can only have ten of my favorite kitchen gadgets/tools, what would they be? Which two or three cookbooks would be most useful? What am I better off purchasing there, and then discarding, than lugging across the ocean? Do they have thrift stores?
Along the clothing line, I have growing kids and two seasons to consider: What is cool/uncool for teenagers to wear? I know to expect smaller laundry machines, so how often will I be doing laundry? What size will O be wearing in the spring? Do they have thrift stores?
And, what should we bring along to help us feel more "at home" in Germany and yet be open to trying out new customs, activities, and taking the most advantage of the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a new culture?
So, to ease my anxiety and follow my Girl Scout motto of "Be Prepared", I have begun making lists five months in advance!
I've always loved your lists, and I'm impressed at how you can organize your thinking so well. I've fallen out of the habit of lists so much that I often feel as if I can't even make a good one anymore, because so many other thoughts stray across my mind and get in the way of thinking about one issue!
ReplyDeleteI do know Carina mentioned to me that there were not a lot of thrift stores in Sweden; perhaps Germany will have that in common? Perhaps there are students or employees at OSU that are recently arrived from Germany and would be willing to answer questions over coffee? Wouldn't it be lovely if you and Tom could have a week to visit Luneburg and see the setting for yourself and explore it a bit before you had to navigate it with three children in tow. :) I can dream for you, right?
Anne,
ReplyDeleteYour my #1 fan....so far!
I inherited my list-making from my grandmothers. I always remember them having a list on the kitchen counter (an well-used pencils, right down to the nub!)and I can picture their writing in my mind to this day even though they have past away several years now.
Sometimes I sit down and make a list in one sitting, preferably when I have time and quiet to really think. But sometimes, like these lists for Germany, they evolve over a period of time and I jot things down as I think of them or when a particular subject is on my mind. If I break them down by topic, that also helps me to focus. For example, I have a separate list for each of the kids(in my notebook), since they have different needs. I can sit in O's room and just look around to help me think of the things he has/uses. As I am doing this, I might think of something for another list, so I just jot it down and come back. If I get sidetracked by other thoughts, I can also jot down a note to myself to come back to that topic later. I guess they call that campartmentalizing?!
Yes, it would be great to have some free time to get our bearings before we go!
The German Language School has several natives, including my instructor, whom I can possibly talk with about what to expect. My instructor is already thrilled that I am moving there and has promised that there will be plenty of talk about culture and customs. We have already talked about eating with knife and fork, never a spoon (except soup or dessert) and not switching the fork to the other hand after cutting!