We made it to the other side! The move went off without a hitch, thanks to a competent moving company and the fact that the thunderstorms with hail and torrential downpours waited until after the furniture was safely unloaded and in the new apartment.

We spent the remaining three and a half days of last week unpacking everything and re-assembling some furniture. By Sunday night we had finished the kitchen (stove, oven and fridge from the old kitchen installed in the new one, some other minor changes), the living room and André’s office. My office will have to wait a little while longer, but I won’t need it until I start my new job in February. Right now I’m sitting at an improvised desk in our old place, which feels strange and different without all the furniture.

After the long wait for my transfer reality is setting in and I’m starting to realize that I will have to say good-bye to my colleagues and students at the old school in three weeks. Even though I’m really looking forward to living with my husband full-time again and being much closer to some dear friends I’m going to miss a lot of people and some other dear friends, and my last day at my old school will be bittersweet.