Karin's Adventures - 04_new_start_in_indiana

Finally! Got my drivers license!

noreply@blogspirit.com (Karin Brenig) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:05:00 -0500

It took them four months to check my background (again?) and send me my learner permit. Maybe the address change inbetween, when we moved from the rented apartment to our own house, made it especially difficult to track me down.

I had to hold the learner permit for 60 days, before I could schedule a driving exam - so I scheduled that for today, 60 days long over.

I must admit I was slightly nervous, but not as bad as for my first exam 30 years ago. The examiner was a very friendly, older guy. He told me to take a deep breath and relax.

He wanted to see my German license, even though that still isn't considered a valid document in Indiana. Then he made me drive around the block for about ten minutes, asking questions about Germany, and why I moved to Fort Wayne.

I made only two mistakes: turning left onto the right lane (must be instinct, from years of driving in Germany) instead of the left. And then, when turning left from the middle lane (which doesn't exist in Germany), I slowed down before switching lanes. Should have switched lanes at normal speed, and then slowed down after I was on the middle lane.

So, now I am legally licensed to drive cars and boats in Indiana.

Received my first big paycheck

noreply@blogspirit.com (Karin Brenig) — Wed, 5 Apr 2006 11:00:00 -0500

Now, not having to get up in the mornings, having lots of time to get yourself organized and keep the house clean, can be fun for a while. But being able to support yourself and your family definitely is more fun than that.

So I frankly admit I'm proud to be making *real* money now. My very first paycheck from Office Team was in the mail today. I'm going to the bank tomorrow after work to deposit it. And the best thing about it? Only 15% taxes were deducted. Another 15% I will invest in health insurance for my family. Makes it 30% of deductions, not 47% like in Germany.

My first day on a new job

noreply@blogspirit.com (Karin Brenig) — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 01:00:00 -0500

I had been looking around for a while. Ads on job-offer-websites, ads in the paper, job postings on several big companies' websites...... Finally I was hired by a staffing company: Office Team. And they sent me out on my first assignment with one of their customers: Lincoln Foodservice Products.

Today was my first day at work. Full time, with a one month commitment to start with. My title is *Administrative Assistant* and I report to the General Manager of Merco Savory.

Something completely different from what I've been doing before, back in Germany. I think it will be fun, once I get a computer, a telephone, and some real work to do.

The house is our's

noreply@blogspirit.com (Karin Brenig) — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:00:00 -0500

Today was that big day: closing on our house at the title company. Boy was that exciting! This is the nicest house I've ever lived in in my life. And it's officially our's now. Even Tom dared to get excited about it after a while.

We went over there right away, invited Penny and Nancy over for some chili. Well, they brought the chili. And Tom carried me over the threshold (after I reminded him that this was supposed to be done).

It'll take a while until we get used to the idea of this huge place actually being all our's to live in.

Karin's Adventures - 04_new_start_in_indiana

Finally! Got my drivers license!

Received my first *big* paycheck

My first day on a new job

The house is our's

Received my first big paycheck