Joys of a Military Community

Yesterday I blogged about one of the Woes of the Military and that was the housing issues. Today I want to let you know about the joys of living in a community like this. Many of you may have never experienced anything like this but those of you who have ever been a part of the military community know all about this....

It is the ease with which you can make friends. Not only the ease but how others go out of their way to meet you, help you and make you comfortable and part of what is going on. One example I already gave you and that was Ann coming by and meeting me because a friend we made via the internet asked her to. Then she helped by taking me grocery shopping (so I wouldn't have to walk back to the hotel while carrying bags of groceries - not really far but those bags get heavy after a couple of blocks.)

Another example: My good friend "K", emailed me about her friend "T". "T" and I then corresponded via email. (I am using ititials because I don't have permission to give out my friends names - forgot to ask). I corresponded with "T" for several weeks or maybe even a couple of months while in Indiana and then several times here. I was supposed to be getting to meet her but unfortunately her father passed away and she went back to the US for that. However, before she left for the US, she asked two of her friends, "D" & "K", if she could pass their info on to me. Both are getting ready to move back to the US and said yes she could. Then I emailed both of them. "D" called me the next morning and said, "Hey, I am on base would you like to meet?" So she came by the hotel and we just visited for awhile. Then she asked me if I would like to come to her crafting day with some other ladies. I said sure. So on Friday, "D" came back onto the base to pick me up and take me to "T" (penguin lover)'s house (different "T" than the first one). I took the stamping supplies that I had brought in my suitcase with me. Two of the regulars were unable to make it. But I should be meeting them next week. Later in the afternoon, "I" came by and we visited with her as well.

So here is what I wanted to explain to you...In the non-military community you are considered the new person for a really long time. You are not always readily accepted and people tend to hold you at arm's length for quite a while until they know if you are a steady fixture in their life or not. Sometimes it takes years to break into a community - as my aforementioned friend "K" knows. ("K" tells a story in her blog about going to a homeschool meeting or classes and one person points out another person to her and refers to that person as the new girl. "K" having only been there 9 months asks well how long has she been there? The answer? 4 Years!!!) This does not happen in the military community. I have been on base for 13 days and I have already met several people who I would consider friends.

Even though "D" is leaving in less than 2 months, she has reached out to me. She invited me to a friendly crafting day with her friends. The person's house that we went to is also going to be moving soon as well as the third friend that arrived later in the day. Yet, not one of them wasn't interested in forming a friendship with me just because I was coming in while they were on their way out. Not only that but they welcomed me with open arms. Shared their thoughts and opinions with me, offered me help, readily gave me their cell phone numbers so I could call if I needed anything. In addition I was invited back for next week's Play Date (ladies crafting time) and any field trips they take. That is a great welcome when you arrive in a new place and a NEW COUNTRY.

"D" even brought me a bag of books that will be helpful here Italy. Language books, touring books, etc. She also emailed today and asked if we would like for her to come get us so that we could get off of the base for awhile. Since we do not have a car yet we are quite limited on what we are able to do and this will be a welcome change.

So, thank you. Thank you ladies of the Vicenza military community. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to invite a new person into your group and make her feel like she is welcome. I appreciate being welcomed in even by those who are busy making plans and preparing for their own move out of here. In many places, especially those not associated with a military community, people who are in the middle of a move are too busy to even try to make new friends. Not here. Here, they welcome you in, introduce you to their friends and offer you all the help you need to get started in a new community.

What a blessing! Thanks ladies! I love it!

Ciao for now.

Angy

Housing Woes....

Yes, I am posting multiple times today. Trying to catch the blog up with my thoughts.

I have been to Housing twice, James at least double that. We found one house to look at so far but it was too small. Would have been okay but one of the bedrooms was almost too small for a twin bed in it. And no bedroom was big enough for the boys to share. Plus, the master bedroom barely had room for our bed and no dresser. The living room looked okay but then we realized it didn't have room for our beautiful German schrunk. As a matter of fact we didn't see any place that it would fit. Bummer! It was only a kilometer from the base so James getting to work and Caleb getting to the high school would have been awesome. (Jared will be going to the middle school which is on Villagio - where the military off-post housing is - it is about 3 kilometers from the main base).

James has been going daily to see if anything else has posted for us to look at. We have an appointment on Monday to see a 4 bedroom home. However, after that one they will not allow us to look at any other 4 bedrooms. The reason??? WE only have 2 kids we don't need a 4 bedroom. (The main reason we wanted a 4 bedroom was so the boys could have separate rooms and we would still have room for a guest room - we can adapt and have the boys share or store the guest German bedroom set) Shouldn't they have told us this info at the onset? When we signed in and had the Housing briefing? Wouldn't that be a good idea? Wouldn't it be a good idea for them to let our sponser know what we are allowed to look at so we know whether to store more of our furniture or not? And why does a single woman, a captain, get to look at 3 bedrooms? She doesn't have any children at all? Why is she entitled to more space for her family per person than we are? I understand the reasoning for us - 4 bedrooms are difficult to find at times and those who have 3 or more children need the room but really???? A single person with a three bedroom is acceptable but a 4 person family in a 4 bedroom is not?

SIDE NOTE: I was able to tour a new friend's house today. She is moving at the beginning of July and she has a THREE (yep 3) bedroom house. Master is downstairs with the nice open living room, dining, kitchen, bathroom, pantry, storage are and huge entry. Upstairs there are only 2 bedrooms a loft and a bathroom. However, one of the bedrooms is really long and would make a good room for the boys to share (she has two kids sharing it using IKEA bookshelves covered with fabric as a dividing wall) and the loft is very large. She has shrunks and a nice curtain dividing that area into a loft and a bedroom. Very nicely laid out with beautiful wood floors upstairs and a gorgeous ceramic tile on the main floor and in the basement. The basement has a whole other living area with a door to the garage that is underground. The garage has room to park in and a storage area for bikes etc. It also has a yard and nice patio and a great view of the surrounding farmland. We are hoping to get James a trip to see it and then chat with the landlord (who lives in the other 1/2 of this duplex and speaks excellent English) and see when he would have it ready and would he be okay with us being his next tenants. My friend has already ascertained that he will be renting it out again so that is great. Fingers crossed and prayers going up. Perhaps this will be our home. And they are moving out around the time our household goods arrive so while we would have to live in the hotel a little longer we wouldn't have to live in a house with nothing in it. Definite plus!

I am sure I will have more to share when I think on things some more. But this is about it for now.

Ciao for now!

Angy

Driver's Ed

On Wednesday afternoon James and I had to sit through a mandatory drivers education briefing. Basically letting us know information that will assist us in passing the SETAF drivers test (our version of the Italian test but in English). Apparently, it was also the place for the no drinking and driving lecture also. We went over fines, blowing hot, what could happen if we get a DUI, etc. I think this was mainly for the soldiers because he also went over what they are supposed to do if they are out drinking and do not have a "safe" ride home. I could really have done without that hour long lecture. Especially since it was smokin' hot in the classroom, we were packed in there like sardines and there wasn't really a breeze at all. Add to that the uncomfortable chairs and you make a pretty miserable and boring afternoon.

However, there was a bright spot for me! When I realized we were moving overseas I put my USAREUR drivers license back into my wallet - so that I would have it to drive in Germany. It is still valid for another year. I found out that with a valid, non-expired USAREUR (US Army Europe) license I wouldn't have to take the test for the SETAF (Southern Europe Task Force) license. This test is easier than its German counterpart so I wasn't worried about passing it. But, who takes a test when they don't have to???? Not me!! And I didn't. I took my Indiana license, USAREUR license and my slip saying I attended class and got my SETAF license right there. HE did confiscate my USAREUR license (supposedly the SETAF one is good in Germany? - have to check on that) and he will give me a certified copy of it so I can renew it. Perhaps when I renew it I can keep it since he will still have my old one? One can hope.

Unfortunately, I thought James had his USAREUR license with him but he did not. So today he had to take the test. He passed the test this morning so we are now BOTH legal to drive in Italy. Now, if we only had a car....

Ciao for now!

Pizzeria

my sweet boys

Caleb & Bella

On Tuesday we ate pizza with our new friends Titus (center), Angie (in white, left corner), their daughter Bella and Ann (right corner). We met at Titus and Angie's home and walked to the local pizzeria for dinner. When we arrived we were the only ones there. Typically in Italy and Germany most people don't go out for dinner until around 8 pm. So us arriving at 6:30 or so put us there really early.(we forgot to take pictures so this is the only picture we got of our new friends - hopefully we will do better the next time we are together.)

The owner Piero told us about his special that day. 10 Euros per person got us all a drink and how ever much pizza we could or wanted to eat. He chose the toppings but would welcome our suggestions. The first 2 pizzas were partially cheese for Caleb and then meat for everyone else. The next were veggie. He brought out two pizzas at a time. Surprising I thought we could eat more pizza then we actually did. Finally when he brought the last pizza out we remembered to take a picture. That pizza was especially for Angie and I. She wanted veggies, I wanted red and yellow bell peppers and gorgonzola cheese. Oh and just cheese portion for Caleb, of course. Man was that tasty. No one else wanted our veggies. That was okay with me.


Wish I would have taken pictures of our walk back to Angie & Titus' home. Bella, who is not quite 2 years old, walked in between Caleb and her father, holding both of their hands. I walked behind them and watched as her little head turned up and just gazed at Caleb so adoringly. It was priceless and just precious. I told him that he had an admirer. What sweet boys I have - when we returned to Bella's house, they walked around and talked with her, looked at her books with her and when she pointed to the couch and told them to sit - they did. So cute to watch. I think she already has them wrapped around her finger and they have only known her for a little more than a week.

Ciao for now!

Italian worship services

On Sunday, Ann & Titus met us outside the chapel gate to the base and took us to church. It is in a small building downtown (I think). The Italian Church of Christ has about 40 Italians, 2 from Venezuela and one from Peru plus 7 Americans (including us). There is also a congregation of about 80 Ghanans who meet for services right after Sunday School. Normally the entire service is conducted in Italain - though Ann did tell us that the first couple of weeks she came Titus translated in English as well. We were fortunate that Abraham from the Ghanan congregation was the guest preacher. In the Ghanan congregation their services are conducted in Twee but most also speak English. So Abraham preached in English while Titus translated into Italian. During the song service Titus also sat behind us and told us the song numbers. The Italian song book has a little area at the bottom of the page that tells what the song is in English - very helpful because many were tunes we knew - Standing on the Promises, I Love you with the Love of the Lord, etc. We did our best to follow the Italian but I must admit that a couple of times I sang the song in English. (another lucky bonus for us is that this coming Sunday Dan Reeves who was the American missionary here for 10 years will be there for combined worship services -both Italian and Ghanan - so one way or the other the lesson will be in English and Italian) After church we had bible classes. The boys went to theirs and James and I stayed in the adult class - their were about 7 people in class. I sure wish I understood more Italian because there was a very heated discussion going on about divorce. Much like our bible classes their at Columbus Avenue we only covered 2 verses for the day. Franchesco, our teacher, who spoke a little English said that it may take 2 years to finish Ephesians. We told him that wasn't a problem we were used to studies like that. (No offense Gary or Barry ;>)) James and I and the boys all see this as a great way to encourage us to learn Italian. Very exciting to be in this situation and what a great way to step outside our box and grow. Particularly since the entire Sunday school class was taught in Italian - though Franchesco did tell us where to turn in Ephesians and Matthew for the current study.

Maybe this coming Sunday we will be able to take some photos of the church. Although with both congregations coming together for joint services it will be very cramped and probably standing room only. Glory to God! Standing for Christ!

I did find some good material at the library to use for learning Italian in addition to the Italian language CDs we already had. One of them has written work as well so the boys and I use it for part of our homeschooling day. Hopefully, we will learn to speak and understand Italian fairly quickly. I know the immersion technique works best so having our worship services and bible class in Italian should spur us on. And we have already spoken to Titus and Angie about getting together for a mid-week English speaking bible study. Now we just need to advertise and see if we can get more people together. Of course, if the English speaking portion of our congregation grows there is also talk of adding an English service to the church services on Sunday. I don't mind going to the Italian service though. That is a great incentive to learn the language so I can better fellowship with the people.

Ciao for now!

Pictures of our "home"

So my great friend Brandi, hi Brandi, told me I needed to add photos so you can really get a feel for how we are doing. So that is today's or at least this morning's post. I hope to add more later.

The first photos are of our bedroom and the living room (Caleb & Jared's bedroom).

Here is our tiny kitchen - near the stove-top you will see a cabinet - that is actually our refrigerator.


Not sure if you read the previous post but now I will show you the key to our room

This key not only gives us access to our room but it allows us to get free cappuchinos and hot chocolates from this wonderful machine.

Here is the Italian translation of the English on the actual buttons.
My favorites are #14 cappuccino with chocolate and #43 hot strong chocolate (dark chocolate). And here is the tiny cup of cocoa/cappuccino that I get from the machine. Not the oversized American cappuccino as you can see.



Today we will be exploring the base and maybe even venture off base. James will be taking photos outside so I hope to have more photos to post later. Our new friends, Titus & Angie (American missionaries here at the Italian church) will be picking us up for church tomorrow. Titus does the preaching in Italian, sometimes there is translation into English. We will see how it goes tomorrow. But this will give us a great incentive to learn Italian quickly so that we can understand the lessons and assist in the services. Plus, Titus and I were talking yesterday about possible bible classes we could have for the English speaking part of the congregation. It looks like, with the addition of our family, that the number of English speakers will be 9. But since Titus and Angie's beautiful daughter isn't quite 2, I think that number is really 8. This will be an interesting and exciting opportunity for us.

Closing for now so we can go explore. Be sure to check in later.

A

Just waiting...

So we are here in the Ederle Inn on the Caserma Ederle (base). They have recently updated their id card process. It is supposed to be more efficient yet the process has gone from getting your id the second you step on base to 5 days later. This does not seem efficient to me. Especially since everything you do on base requires an ID card. Absolutely everything from getting mail, using the library to shopping requires you to show your military ID card. There is NOTHING that you do not need it for. So that severely restricts what we are able to do currently. I have been blessed though because I have "begged" several people and was allowed to borrow things from the ACS Lending Closet, get a temporary library card and pick up packages at the mail room. We need to go to the MP (Military Police) station and sign up for a long term pass though so that we can go off of base and NOT have issues when we return. It took about 15 minutes to get us on base on Monday because our sponser wasn't signing us on (this would have been no problem) but just wanted to take us to our hotel using official passports and military travel orders. The MPs and Italian guards wanted us to have ID cards or get them immediately. Should have just gotten them immediately but alas we did not. So we are a little stuck right now.

Fortunately tonight is the FREE Toby Keith concert and that occurs right here on the base just a block from our hotel. We plan on going if it isn't raining too hard. Hasn't rained yet today but it was sprinkling around 3:30 pm. Hope that is all there is going to be. Should be a fun time.

I spent the afternoon in a newcomers briefing mostly for new inprocessing soldiers but it was still good info. Good thing about the military that many of you may not know is that they really take care of you in many instances. All kinds of welcome classes and information so that you know exactly what is available to you should you need it. Next week there is a Ben Venuto class (welcome to Italy) for Army spouses. I will check and see if I can attend that as well. It doesn't all apply to me since we are civilians but there are still a lot of resources that we do qualify for. Tomorrow, I will also be filling out the application for volunteer work. In the military you can't just volunteer you have to sign up for it so they can track your hours. They have quarterly and yearly ceremonies honoring their volunteers. And, in order to track that, they need to have you fill out the paperwork. Oh well, it will be giving us something to do while we are waiting to find a home and living in the hotel. Then perhaps we can volunteer at least once a week like we did when we lived in Garmisch Germany.

Things here are slower and can take a lot more time. Here is an example that I heard about today. Sometimes the electric company only checks your meter once every 6 months. So instead of getting a montly bill for 200 Euros you would get nothing for 6 months or so and then one for 1200 Euros. Or in the example they gave us it was 3000 Euros. So that is something we have to be aware of and budget for. Very good thing to know ahead of time. But now that we know we can make arrangements for that in our budget. May drive me crazy though since I am so anal about bill paying and making sure it is done in a timely manner. Plus that part of me really likes to "plan" and have a set "budget". Guess I will have to get over that.

Oh and I forgot to tell you about our good fortune the other day. On Tuesday we receive a knock on our room door. There is a young woman standing there and asked if we were the Hughes family. The boys and I had just gotten back from the library (where we did the aforementioned begging and were able to obtain a library card). So we were already pretty pleased. Then Ann, the young woman, tells us that Titus and Angie sent her. (They are the missionaries that we told most of you about already). She said she didn't want to STALK us but Titus sent her so she came. She already had a note typed up to stick under the door. I think she was really nervous about coming to see us but she was so sweet. Anyway, we start talking and she offered to take us, well me really since the boys are (YEAH) old enough by military rules to be here by themselves, to the Thrift Store, ACS and Commissary. WooHoo. I was getting ready to start walking to those places to check things out. I wanted to see if there was anything I could borrow from the ACS (Army Community Services) Lending Closet. SIDE NOTE HERE: While our hotel suite comes with a tiny kitchen with a 2 burner stove top, microwave, fridge, sink and dishwasher it only came equipped with 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 knives, forks and spoons and TWO (yep 2) TINY PANS. Like I could boil water for one cup of tea and fry one egg. Who did they think I could feed with that? Silly people. Anyway, I was able to go to ACS and borrow a laundry basket, mixing bowls, cooking utensils, can opener, potato peeler and masher and pitcher for tea. Oh and a toaster, colander and large cooking pans. So now I can cook in the room as well. Which is good because no one (except maybe kids)would want to eat every day at the Food Court. YUCK! Again I had to beg since I do NOT have an ID card but the lady there was very helpful. Ann also took me to the commissary where I had to beg again but they also let me shop. All in all it was a SUPER welcome and such a blessing. I was able to get library books, groceries and borrow items so we could cook in our room. And was welcomed by a new friend who will also be taking us to church on Sunday. Can't wait.

Finally, I want to add a little about the church. Ann and her husband attend the church with Titus and Angie (missonaries) and it is an Italian church. There is no English spoken there. Ann said it was all in Italian but she is quickly learning because of that. She also said that even though many of them speak no English they are very friendly and she loves the Italian service. James and I plan on getting very involved in this church with the kids. A great way for them to learn Italian, learn how to share their faith and be a part of mission work. How many of us to get really participate in the day to day or week to week work of Christ by being involved in a mission like this? Not many. I personally feel that this will be so wonderful for us. A great way to grow our faith and for the boys to really develop "their" faith as opposed to just riding our faith coat tails. I will keep you updated on the joy and pain of that growth as well.

Love and miss you all! Leave a comment so I know I haven't lost you yet ;-)

Angy