This post is one of those screaming posts. It is too early/late to call anyone in the U.S. thus my poor blog is the victim of my ranting and panics. The panic as of late: moving, again.
This is our fourth move in one year. Fourth (Manila, Park City, Arlington, Brussels house #1). None of them have been pretty, all of them have brought me to tears at one point, but I admittedly confess they could be worse. For example, the DOS has been kind enough to hire movers and packers the day of the move. That doesn't change the five days prior to the move where I was making piles of junk and running around like a zombie mom. However, the day of the move is usually the least stressful because I just need to watch the movers come and pack and take away the fruits of my labor.
Some of you may remember when we came to Brussels we were put in temporary housing. We were expecting to be here for two months but the word on the pipeline is we are out of here as of next Friday. Hooray! A light at the end of this state of year long temporary tunnel. A home to call my own for 22 months.
But no journey is without trouble, certainly not when your life is controlled by a giant bureaucracy. A giant bureaucracy that is even bigger here because it serves three missions and THOUSANDS (plural) of U.S. government/military families.
So I suppose I shouldn't have broken down into tears (yes, again) when I was informed that I had to box up my own UAB and have my temporary home in tip top shape. And since they gave us all of a week's notice of the move (we called them, they didn't call us) it isn't like Seth is able to take off gobs of time to help me.
Which leaves me, Sunny, your hero, alone, to somehow watch a two year old, four year old, box up 1100 pounds of our belongings alone (without any tissue or packing materials or tape, only boxes). And somehow in the middle of having my little ones at my feet and all of my worldly possessions boxed up I am going to pull out my magical broom from you know where and clean our temporary apartment to a Marriott standard of living. You know, because I have a vacuum (oh, wait I don't) and all of my cleaning supplies (hmmm, nope don't have that. Does Windex count?) Nevermind that they have a make-ready team that comes and cleans after me to get it ready. If it isn't clean enough, we are fined.
So who do I make the check out to?
I know my blog has been viewed before by folks at Main State with appreciation and criticism for talking about these sort of issues. This time, I hope they are reading (and lets put a disclaimer here, this is the non-employee talking not the employee). The family takes on a huge burden by giving up everything to follow the spouse and organizing these moves. However, it is not right to make them pick up the slack for their inability to get us into our housing in a timely manner. I don't mind temporary housing but I do mind having to do the packing myself to get into the permanent home. And I also mind the expectation that I have to do a move-out standard checkout twice, because the year and a half notice that we we gave them of our arrival wasn't enough time for them to work out a place for us to move to.
So... for those who think the developed world is all chocolate and castles please note there is always a flip side.
11 comments:
I teared up a little reading this. Everything looks great on paper, but reality is a little different isn't it? We just found out we will be in temp housing until the end of July. Four months. At least. Someone else said getting a European post is like having a hot boyfriend. He doesn't have to call you back or bring flowers because he's so good looking. Feeling your pain, and wishing we could have a chat on the phone. xo
boo :(
We had to do the same thing in Egypt, but thankfully our UAB hadn't arrived yet. It was obnoxious enough with just suitcases (and welcome kit, which we had to haul along with us) and my housekeeper to clean after us. I can't imagine doing it by yourself with your UAB, too!
We just found out we are doing the temp housing thing when we get to post. With no UAB and in a hotel. You are right...this totally sucks sometimes...(hugs) from a stranger who feels your pain.
In Beijing no one mentioned me having to clean anything and they did send workers to move us - but they just threw all our UAB into big Chinese plaid plastic bags and hauled them over to our house. I think there may have also been bicycles involved. I think I have blocked it out somewhat...
We've only had to deal with a temp housing move once, and we had to do it, but fortunately we lived in a place where all the laundry guys in the area got together and *poof* we were moved. I carried the baby, but other than that, I barely remember what happened. On your own.. eek. Do you have a CLO who might be able to help you contact some kind-hearted peers? I know I'd help out if you were at our post and I heard about your situation.
Sunny - my two cents: push back with housing / GSO / and the CLO, politely making the points you raised regarding no packing materials, no cleaning supplies, and the fact that you are in this situation due to post's constraints and not your own fault. Other posts do provide movers and/or put you in a hotel so that cleaning is not an issue, so I suspect that your situation is not State Dept policy but rather post practice. Bonne chance, and looking forward to getting our families together in a few weeks time, Jonathan
Heh. Sounds familiar.
When they kicked us the f**k out of our temporary housing, I got a call from my wife (the FSO) stating, "Good news! We're moving to our real house! Bad news: you have 45 minutes before motorpool gets there because the new Management Officer needs the apartment." Luckily we were still living out of suitcases, but I had my 2+ year old and 33-going-on-8 year old sister-in-law to corral, clothes to pack, food to (hopefully) conserve and pack, etc. Stressful barely scrapes the surface of how that was.....
So so sorry. Add to the fact that I think the first month at post all emotions are multiplied by ten..it's a big hill to climb. I do wish there was more motivation for them to get us into our houses when we get here. I've been discouraged to see how often people have to go to temp housing. Even if it's only a week--especially if it's only for a week--is it worth it?
Sunny, thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog!
I'm so sorry about the stressful housing situation you're in. You will never hear criticism from me. This lifestyle is tough.
Wishing you the best with getting everything sorted.
Ugh. I want to give you a big hug and baby sit for a while. I honestly want to just buy a house and stay in Arlington forever. This transient living thing sucks.
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