Mission accomplished
Jul 10th, 2006 by Peter
Saturday the 1st July we moved to our new home. Everything went smooth as can be, considering the could-have-gone-wrongs. A few good friends and some family helped on the day. The actual move lasted 4 hours, including 2 breaks for breakfast and lunch. The guys were a great help, and busted their humps to finish the task. My brother’s girlfriend helped out with by bringing some lunch. Thanks to all who helped. We appreciate it.
One week before the big move C. and I started packing and gradually move some of the 25-30 boxes on a small red cart borrowed by the janitor. Then all Saturday was spent moving furniture, the last boxes and start assembling the most important furniture like the bed (and of course the computer table). Sunday we spent cleaning the old apartment before some workers came to paint and what else is needed to make it inviting to the new renters. Then my 1 week vacation started Monday. Well don’t feel much like vacation, when you use the whole week to unpack, mount lamps, place pictures, drill holes for cupboards, shelves, cords and unpack. But hey – now we finished, and it feels good. It feels like home.
As one could expected the phone and internet was not working from day one. Turns out the painters somehow broke an essential cord while doing their thing. A quick call to TDC (the ISP and phone company), and 2 days later a technician came by and fixed it. Ahh… Feels like when you are underwater for too long, and come up to breathe.
This Friday we finally got the much awaited letter from the Foreign Service Department with C.’s residence permit. It lasts 2 years, and should be quite easy to renew. Well, easy compared to getting the initial permit at least. The whole application procedure lasted 3½ months, which is very fast by normal standards here in Denmark (the normal time to process an average case is now in the area of 9 to 11 months!!). The permit is extremely important to C. and me as it means free hospitals, free personal doctor, free schooling, the right to work, tax deduction and basically everything that is included if you are a Danish citizen (which is the next step and only possible after 7 years in Denmark). Most importantly it allows C. to attend the local school for learning Danish by August, which will spice things up for some potentially boring days when I am off to work.
Today, I went back to work. Not the most desirable thing on my to-do-list, but there is no way around it. Later I will grab myself 2 more weeks, but until then I must keep slaving. Sure could do with some extra time for relaxing, but that have to wait.
I plan to post some pictures of our new home soon.