Americans can live in Slovakia for 90 days without papers.  So once we get there we’ll have to apply for a work visa and temporary residency.  To do that over there, over here we need to get a copy of our criminal records, certified copies of our birth certificates, proof of insurance and a passport for Skye.

Once we get there, Michal is still not quite sure where we’ll be staying temporarily until we can find a flat (oooh, I’m already so European!).  Because we’re taking Sam, things are infinitely more complicated.  We can’t stay with him because they just got a kitty.  We can’t stay at the Academy, because they are the size of my bathroom.  We may be able to stay at his sister’s summer house, but we’ll have to see, since we have a dog and she may not approve.  So we might have to stay at an apartment/hotel that allows dogs for about $60-100/night.  This isn’t so bad except Michal thinks it may take us about a month to find something we like in the area we’ll want.  So that could get pricey.  Also, apparently, to rent a flat they require 3 months rent up front.  Eek, that’s like $3500 right there.

Traveling with a child is also about ten times more difficult.  Will he buy a seat on the airplane for her? What kind of car sear should we buy that will accommodate air travel, will fit it on an airplane seat and in European cars, be front-facing as well as a rear-facing convertible since she’ll grow out of it within a few months, and doesn’t weigh a thousand pounds nor cost an arm and a leg?  How will she do on an at least 24 flight itinerary? How much bottled water for formula?  How will she and us sleep? Etc….

And don’t even get me started on what to pack.  We’ll basically be taking 2 suit cases per person (hmm this is per Michal’s input, so maybe he is planning on buying Skye a ticket so she doesn’t have to lap the whole way).  Our entire house and it’s essentials have to fit inside 6 bags: linens, clothes, shoes, coats (since we’re moving in the middle of winter and it’s cooler there), kitchen tools, few days worth of dog food, baby clothes, diapers,formula, toys, blankets…and everything else I’m forgetting.

Not to mention the fact that we have to build a half-wall downstairs for storage, find dependable renters, find someone to help maintain the renters, figure out what to do with our mail and bills we’ll still be paying on, find a cleaning service to clean in between renters and move valuables to someone’s house – yet to be determined.

Oh, and sell the car.

Oh, and hope my stomach pain doesn’t come back.

But even with this almost comical list of things to do…I’m getting more and more excited of the adventures we’ll have while there, the opportunities that may come of it, getting lost in a new culture, meeting new people and just experiencing it all with my awesome husband, beautiful daughter and our side-kick dog, Sammie.

Here are some pics from a coworker/friend that has already moved to the other side of the pond.

Ha! Wow, anyways, yeah, the big 3-2!  Well my 30th bday was a little rough emotionally, but what a difference 2 years makes.  My life is full, and I can sincerely think of nothing I want, but continued good health for my family and friends.  Maybe that’s why I am taking on Europe.  I’m finally at a place where I can ask the universe, what else does this big world offer, now that I have it all?  A strange little country on the edge of the world?  OK, we’ll try that.

Here’s to the next two years being as full as the last!

When he first proposed this to me a few years ago, we were pretty apprehensive.  Along with my mom’s poor health, Benjam’s work and trying to conceive, it didn’t seem like a good idea.  Now, I’m kinda really excited for the adventure and culture shock!