Taking some time off - should I learn Spanish?

When I first approached local HR about taking a few months off I was informed that this was only allowed if I was studying. I did not plan to study during my time off - just actually take time off and relax - but jokingly said that perhaps I could sign up for a Spanish course or something as a lot of people in DC only speak Spanish. Then my request for leave suddenly for approved without the study-requirement so I thought that was great!.
However, the house cleaners speak Spanish, the painters speak Spanish and the gardeners speak Spanish. Whenever I will need any services - I will need to know Spanish. I saw some guys working in the garden across the road the other day and decided to ask them if they wanted some more work - and do mine too. They did not understand me at all - not even simplest basic English. I thought - maybe I should ring up Alastair at work and he can speak with them, but that is not really an option for a supposedly independent Sissi, so I resorted to Google Translate. I typed in my message and asked for it to be translated to Spanish and printed it out. I then took the printout across the road and gave it to them. Then worried - perhaps they can't read? But the message made some kind of sense to them and they indicated I had to call the boss and gave me his number.
So, perhaps I do need to learn Spanish anyway. I really don't want to. I would much rather learn better Mandarin, or perhaps Korean? Let's see what I get up to over the next few months.
I have been granted leave from work from 9/9 for three months, which I will spend exploring DC and looking for local work, as well as getting the house in order. Visitors are Welcome!

Code-share annoyance

I hate flying United Airlines. I had the worst flight ever a couple of months ago going back to Washington from London. Rude staff and non-existing service. When I realized I have to change the return date (as the container was late) I went out of my way to try to ensure I ended up on a partner airline instead.  United's website clearly listed my options. Change to another United flight - or change to a partner airline flight. I picked a Swiss flight under the heading partner airlines. Swiss because I have not flown them yet - and I have done most airlines on this route by now and also because I had some good feedback about them. Now, this flight is listed as a United flight and with Swiss as a partner airline grrrr.
So - I am making the most of it by drinking as much free wine as I can in the United lounge.

The hunt for an offset screwdriver

Today I learnt what an offset screwdriver is and how to take the bus!
Well I knew what an offset screwdriver looked like - as I needed one - but I did not know it was called that. It is a screwdriver with a 90-degree bend at the end so you can unscrew things from the back in tight places. I found out that we had a highly rated hardware store near where we live - so I set off to get one, as I had managed to get the kitchen drawer with all utility thingys stuck - so I can't cook or eat. Unfortunately they did not have one, but understood what I meant and found out what it was called. Then they checked all the other stores and found one that had one in stock and reserved it for me. When they realized I was on foot they also told me how to take the bus there and where to get off. Not bad service.
The screwdriver place was in Glover Park and the bus took around 10 minutes. Buses are underrated. They only cost $1 wherever you are going, they have air conditioning and are nice and clean and you get a seat. Glower Park is great, between Tenleytown and Georgetown. There are lots of bars and restaurants. If you come to visit we might take you there.
Now let's see if the screwdriver make my problem a fixable problem.

A Walk not to - no in - but around the park

I was told there was a nice park a couple of blocks from the house so decided after daily chores (work, apply for jobs and prepare for the arrival of all the Sweden stuff), I go over there. However, I could not find the entrance so ended up with a walk around the park instead. Then I got lost but thought I knew roughly how to get back. Unfortunately all the streets are intersected by avenues that goes diagonally across the numbered roads (and alphabet streets downtown). I had borrowed Alastair's GPS so I could keep a track of where I had been and if I learn how to use it properly I can add where I started so that I find my way back. This is where I went:

Wednesdays - the good and the not so good

Wednesdays - are different days. They start very early (due to time zone diff with Europe) with conference calls at 5 am and 6 am and usually a few more after that. The good thing is then I can finish early and go for lunch in the city and take the afternoon off.

This time we went to Founding Farmers which is really nice, but you have to book in advance. Even if you arrive early there is usually a very long queue. They serve great food in a nice setting in the middle of the Business District. I specifically like their Lobster Mac'n'cheese.
It is funny, I rarely venture outside the Business district - actually rarely outside the borders of Washington Circle, DuPont Circle, Pennsylvania Avenue and Farragut Park, but I realized yesterday that I have lived in DC for 4 months but do not have a Hurricane glass. So after lunch I ventured into the "Scary Tourist" part to find Hard Rock Cafe. It was not the best of Hurricanes - really they do not measure things very well. The one in Maui had too much amaretto - this was just way too sweet.

I really have not noticed the Scary Tourist part of town previously, but it is there. Tacky stands selling T-shirts and mug and open-top buses etc. Perhaps if I get a visitor I will go there again - otherwise not sure why...
The rest of the afternoon was spent using the INTRA-net at the World Bank. I am allowed access if I am in one of the buildings so can check out all the job adverts that are not advertised externally.

Finally - Wednesdays ends with Beer Club. It was started by the male spouses, but now everyone is welcome (i.e. female spouses and staff). It is a nice initiative and you get to share experiences and can discuss daily issues for a couple of hours in a nice pub.

Coming home, new BBQ has been delivered and was waiting on the porch. 1st BBQ on Sunday - let me know if you like to come. You will need to bring your own chair as furniture has not arrived yet.

Lunch and Expat wife syndrome

After my usual work with Swedenland & the Baltics - this morning started early early around 2am by a phone call from someone who did not know or remeber where I live - but tomorrow I get to sleep all the way until 5am - great - I decided to take a walk and have lunch somewhere between here and Friendship Heights. I found a nice Thai restaurant with tables outside.

However, moving that way inevitably made me listen to 3-ladies-who-lunch. The main conversation was about how much to spend on nails. I cut mine once a week or so, and that seems to work. They were talking several $100 for someone else to deal with them, and expressed a preference for toenails painted white. Not exactly what you need to hear whilst eating, but also a completely not my style.

Anyhow - after a nice meal of crispy duck with pineapple I continued to Friendship Heights in search of light bulbs & Dinner ingredients (no - I am not a desperate house-wife - I always cook dinner - Alastair deals with other things). What do I run in to? More Expat wives - one even speaking Swedish with her daughter, not thinking anyone would understand... The shops around there are all "Expat wife" scenery, expensive, exclusive, boring... but there is a bus station in the middle - can't believe any of them (except the Swedes) will take a bus anywhere. However there is a nice Chinese Restaurant, Whole Foods and a Wine Bar.

Moving into the house

I now own a piece of the U.S. We received the keys to our new house on 38th Street NW on Saturday evening. Then we had spent most of Saturday packing the first load in our U-HAUL with stuff from the apartment. Fortunately we are only moving 4 blocks, so we did not wrap things very carefully, just shoved it in boxes.

Sunday we did a few more trips and then it was only the big furniture left. We had booked a removal service for the sofa, bed, chest of drawers etc. Booking it was a nightmare. We prepaid 2 hours through a special offer, but when we wanted to book it they said minimum 3 hours and wanted to charge much more than the stipulated "extra hour cost" was. I complained to Amazon Local, who supplied the deal and after that they agreed to come, but warned us the time was too short to move anything.

Well, after 6 minutes the living room was empty and 10 minutes later it was all in the van. I rode with them up to the house, they unloaded each item in the correct room and carried up the mattress as well. All done and gone in 45 minutes. 

Now we have a few days to sort everything out until the load from Sweden arrives. The ship has arrived in Baltimore so just need customs clearance and delivery. We hope they will get it done this week, as Alastair is in Lima next week, but it may take too long.

Spouse Kick-off

I have been asked to attend the WBFN (World Bank Family Network) Introduction coffee morning a few times, kindly but after the latest phone call I felt I should at least show up.

For those who know me well - it is not really my thing. To begin with - I do not drink coffee and absolutely hate the smell of it in a crowded conference room. Then, I don't really mix with "spouses". I can't see that I have that much in common with wives that follows their husband around the world taking care of the kiddies and goes to coffee mornings. And, finally - they expect me to show up at 10am ETS, which is prime working hours in Europe (and I am still doing my old job remotely).

However, I did make the effort. Brought my own bottle of coke, wifi -password (so I could check work mail) and tried to look interested. As I have been around for 4 months I already know quite a bit about DC living and being a " World Bank Spouse", but was hoping to get a question or two in at some point.

The meeting started off as expected. Several people were late (including presenters) - no meeting etiquette here. Most were female spouses, but a few men had made it and several brought their kids! Presentation was mainly focused on what had been sent out as introduction material previously and what could be read at the website. They tried to promote volunteering for various groups and in general spending your spare time helping out with organizing activities. However, after the first 90 minutes it got more interesting. A lady from HR came to talk about their program helping spouses get work and how we go about applying for jobs in the World Bank Intranet! How to get an access pass that gets me into all World Bank offices in DC including IFC and IMF without having to be escorted (I have one) and using the World Bank WiFi, library and computers.

Then this American lady (who just returned from France and Switzerland - so still was considered new) asked about Social Networking, on-line discussion forums and similar practical issues. That brought up the fact that there is a knowledge exchange forum which I think will be very interesting once I get access. So all-in-all it was a useful couple of hours and I quite enjoyed the finale.

Blog Re-start!

For those who remember I used to write the OZ-Adventure Blog a few years ago when I lived in Sydney.
After a (too long) spell in Sweden I am now on the next Adventure. 3 years in Washington DC.

You are welcome to follow and comment on my daily life, ups & downs as well as all the trips around we are planning to make.

Cheers,
Sissi