So, even though the travel business is down, they are still screwing us at every turn with our money. We are finding that things in travel are changing - it used to be that the best thing to do when making a purchase in a foreign country, was to use your credit card. We were just informed that our credit card company charges 3% for each purchase made in a foreign country! Same with our ATM card. Awesome.
And to exchange currency here, they charge you for that too (on top of the terrible rate the dollar is getting right now). I'm so frustrated and there doesn't seem to be a good way around any of it. Waiting until we get there (like we used to) seems to not be the best answer any more.
This is not my favorite part of trip planning.
I'm going to the bank on my lunch to learn about 2 things - wire transfer (to pay for our apartment in Rome) and exchange rates for our bank.
Another note - even though I told our credit card company that we'll be in Italy for certain dates, they told us it's very possible they'll put a hold on our account in case of suspicious activity. Something else to look forward to. Good thing we have good friends who have lent us their international cell phone. Looks like we're going to need it.
I can't wait to be on that airplane and done with the planning.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
a picture's worth a thousand words
Chocolate covered bacon at the Wisconsin State Fair!
Been waiting 15 years for this moment!
Company picnic at the TimberRattlers game
In the Redwoods
Labor day joy!
Monday, September 14, 2009
so many words...
Things have been crazy good for us lately. Really fun summer - great family adventures - great friendships and conversations - and plenty to look forward to. With all of that, I have had a hard time narrowing down what to blog about - and then end up not blogging at all.
So here is the run down - I joined a gym (which, for the first time in my life, I'm loving). Joel is working at Fastenal part-time to get the lay of the land, while still applying for other work. I spent Labor Day weekend in Chicago while Joel celebrated Eric's birthday in California. I got a much-anticipated promotion at work. Joel helped our friend's, the Strattons, build the most amazing treehouse - seriously. I finally applied for my teaching license in Wisconsin, which is no easy feat.
Those are the highlights - here are some details of the slough of blessings being passed in our direction:
- Joel celebrated his 29th birthday on Wed. surrounded by old friends, goods drinks, and a pretty good dinner. Saturday we put his new grill together, and tonight we will break it in with Joel's favorite, Italian Sausage.
- The other night I received an email that I have been selected to be a "community reviewer" for the Performing Arts Center in Appleton. This means that I will (with another person) get to attend a handful of shows this season, and review them online. If you know me, you will know that this is about as good as it gets in my book. I LOVE THEATRE.
- Joel and I received a phone call from a friend of mine from work on Saturday offering us tickets to the Packer/Bear game at Lambeau Field at face value for Sunday night's game. Though the Bears did not look good - we had a great time! Warning to Bear's fans - bring a friend.
- ITALY! We are now at 31 days and I couldn't be happier, more excited, anxious, and ready. We have wonderful and generous friends who have lent us many travel books, converters, backpacks, man-bags, etc. Now we just wait, and wait, and wait.
As for everything else, we are just flat out blessed. Though lost in our search for church, we are not alone. Many of our good friends are just as lost. So we are attempting to band together. At least pray for one another. No matter how frustrated I can be at the church, it never makes me want to run from God. He is definitely not the issue, though not being in community really challenges my ability to think of Him first. We sat with friends this weekend and shared life and prayed and it was very lifting.
And 10/4 is just weeks away - happy one year to us. Marriage is what you make of it. We have had our fair share of challenges, a few tears, and many moments of compromise, but we have come out stronger, and if I may say so, more in love than we both thought we could ever be. I didn't know a year ago that I was marrying my best friend, but now I truly know that I did.
So here is the run down - I joined a gym (which, for the first time in my life, I'm loving). Joel is working at Fastenal part-time to get the lay of the land, while still applying for other work. I spent Labor Day weekend in Chicago while Joel celebrated Eric's birthday in California. I got a much-anticipated promotion at work. Joel helped our friend's, the Strattons, build the most amazing treehouse - seriously. I finally applied for my teaching license in Wisconsin, which is no easy feat.
Those are the highlights - here are some details of the slough of blessings being passed in our direction:
- Joel celebrated his 29th birthday on Wed. surrounded by old friends, goods drinks, and a pretty good dinner. Saturday we put his new grill together, and tonight we will break it in with Joel's favorite, Italian Sausage.
- The other night I received an email that I have been selected to be a "community reviewer" for the Performing Arts Center in Appleton. This means that I will (with another person) get to attend a handful of shows this season, and review them online. If you know me, you will know that this is about as good as it gets in my book. I LOVE THEATRE.
- Joel and I received a phone call from a friend of mine from work on Saturday offering us tickets to the Packer/Bear game at Lambeau Field at face value for Sunday night's game. Though the Bears did not look good - we had a great time! Warning to Bear's fans - bring a friend.
- ITALY! We are now at 31 days and I couldn't be happier, more excited, anxious, and ready. We have wonderful and generous friends who have lent us many travel books, converters, backpacks, man-bags, etc. Now we just wait, and wait, and wait.
As for everything else, we are just flat out blessed. Though lost in our search for church, we are not alone. Many of our good friends are just as lost. So we are attempting to band together. At least pray for one another. No matter how frustrated I can be at the church, it never makes me want to run from God. He is definitely not the issue, though not being in community really challenges my ability to think of Him first. We sat with friends this weekend and shared life and prayed and it was very lifting.
And 10/4 is just weeks away - happy one year to us. Marriage is what you make of it. We have had our fair share of challenges, a few tears, and many moments of compromise, but we have come out stronger, and if I may say so, more in love than we both thought we could ever be. I didn't know a year ago that I was marrying my best friend, but now I truly know that I did.
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