Sorry for delay

But we moved in yesterday to 811 Town and Country Blvd app 337. Yes from today we are settled down in our new apartment that will be our home for the next 2-3 years or so. Some furniture missing, but we will survive until all the furniture us in place. Now it is easier to see what is missing of those smaller items like lamps and carpets and the outstanding items in the kitchen for me to make the dinner. I love by the way the grocery store, not that I will use it so much, but perfect semi finished product that just need the extra touch of creativity to make a perfect dinner to my wife and me.

Now after a week I see those things that could be challenging for an "ex-pat wife" like me. First of all social security number, it is needed for some important issues like cable TV. It is not in the deal with “Relocation”. Had a chat with AT&T yesterday so be aware cable and cell phone. Cell phone they (at least AT&T) will charge you $ 500 in deposit the first year as soon as you get a cell phone, ok first you need the social security number and according to company it will take 4-6 weeks after you have visited the local authorities for your application submission.

What will we do? We can live without until then; we have been used to the one channel of NRK before. Plug in the laptop to the TV and watch the Norwegian news and “Nytt på Nytt” or whatever is possible to download.

Another issue is some local rules in US for driving, most goes fine, but when you are to choose who is driving first when all four sides have a STOP sign, not easy. I understand it is forbidden to use the horn so just follow your stomach feeling of who is right or wrong; no one should honk the horn at you. What I will do is to take a course for local driving, I need to get a local driving license so best to prepare, I have time for it.

With regards to driving I have my comfort zone until now. I am within Kathy Freeway in North, to Westheimer Road in South, Texas 6 in west and West Loop in East. Get to know our neighbouring area by driving some on Memorial Drive East and West crossing most areas we are in to.

Than next challenge for an "ex-pat wife", what about the car? Best not say too much, but efficiency is not a top priority. The company had a list of pre approved cars, with long delivery, so second option was to find one ex stock and submit the application. The company that arrange the lease need to contact the dealer you have chosen to arrange a deal that are within your car allowance. That take a week, so if it is not, you have to start all over again. There should be a figure of a selling price for a car indicating the lease cost for an 18 or 24 months deal for lease to avoid the uncertainty in waiting for the good or bad news. Hope that we have the good news today. We have another week to go with the rental we have now, what happens next week. Picture will show you later.