I think I did a decent job of preparing myself before moving over here. I checked immigration websites, blogs, etc for any information I could find before I left. I thought that the verlo- and I were doing the responsible thing by going to City Hall and changing his address to our new apartment and my address to the same. 

After being sent back and forth between a few departments, we finally got a number to wait in line. Apparently, the verlo- could have just gone online and changed his. Something new to keep in mind if you are living here in The Netherlands. After waiting an hour, we were finally called. But unfortunately, my name is not on the rental agreement so they could not register me. So much for being responsible. The lady was really mean too, that famous Netherlander service I've heard so much about. 

It is not too big of a deal, we just had to call the apartment people, and they have sent us a form in which we have to fill out and the process could take weeks. We called IND and they said it was ok, I just have to report within 3 months of landing, not the 3 days that I had originally read. So, at first I had a freakout, but now I am ok! We just didn't read anywhere about the rental agreement so I thought I should tell you. Other than that, things are going good so far. I have just been busy trying to get our new place ready to move in!  

Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I leave on Tuesday, hard to believe I know! I feel like we have all been waiting so long for me to move and now, it is finally almost here. I don't know that it has hit me yet. Atti had his last vet appointment today, we just had to get the airline form filed out. I also had to buy him a bigger carrier because he grew again! As for me, all my stuff is packed. I ended up buying another giant duffel, which actually turns into a backpack! Now Loek and I can maybe go backpacking through Europe one day. I am checking both of those, bringing a weekender and Atti on the plane with me. My mom is bringing my summer clothes when she comes to visit in January. Since, I am basically ready to go, I am just going to hang out with my mom for these last few days (She is having a really hard time, I am her only). 

As for the apartment, Loek is working hard on it everyday. But since there is so much to do, we probably won't be able to move in the weekend after I land. Which is okay, I will just get to help get it together. I don't know if I will get to update this again before I leave. But just in case I don't: Thank you for reading about all my prep to leave! I promise there will be a different, but equally cool (or cooler) focus to my blog. 

This past weekend was amazing, and more action packed than any one weekend has the right to be! My last day of work was on Friday and Loek got the keys to our brand new apartment! Look for a ton of posts about us making it into our home. Saturday was my going away party! Sunday was my bridal shower and today, I was asked to be a Godmother! This weekend could not have been better. I will fill you in with more details this week. 

Tomorrow, I have a ton of laundry to do and I am meeting my work friends for one last lunch. Sorry I have not been updating this as much as I would like. I am just preparing to move, you know. I leave a week from tomorrow!

This week has been pretty strange to say the least. Yesterday, marked weeks until the day that I get on the plane to leave for The Netherlands. I know, I can't believe it is that soon either! Today, I learned that my company is not going to keep me on board after I move to Europe. It's fine, but I was expecting for Loek and I to have that as extra income, and it would have been nice to know before a week and a half before my last day. So, it is a little shocking to suddenly not have a job, like I planned. I didn't mention the possibility before because, I didn't want to jinx it.

I could dwell on this, but I can't help but, be so excited for the time to really get to know my new country, before I can get a work permit for a Dutch company. In 20 days, I move to Europe, and in 21 days I get to be with the love of my life. It has been 6 months since we have seen each other, so needless to say, we are excited! Loek gets the keys to our new apartment a week from Friday. So, my time before I leave will be spent wondering what it will look like when he is done. I will have to help him move the bulk of his stuff the first weekend I am there. That will be interesting, we don't own a car. 

Anyways, I plan to spend my new found freedom, learning nederlands, making use of my museumkaart, cooking the verlo- dinner, and learning to ride my bike. I could not be more ready for the next phase of my life to begin. I plan on spending the next few weeks going out with a BANG! 

I can hardly believe it, I leave a month from today to go live in Utrecht, The Netherlands. It feels like it took a long time to get to this point, but it also feels like everything is happening so fast. I am sure this month will be a blur. There is so much to do! 

My fiancee was offered a new job this week, which is exciting and thankfully we meet all the IND criteria for him to sponsor me that he is able to take it. If you don't have a 12 month contract, they look at past employment so this is his last month of work at hive ins current company. This is also my last month in the office, my last day is the 23rd. So, three more weeks. On my last day in the office is also the day Loek gets the keys to our apartment , so he has a ton to do to get it ready to live in. 

This month is not all work and no play though, I am having a going away party and a lingerie engagement shower before I leave. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family all gathered together for one big weekend of awesome. This also means that my mom and best friends have a ton of planning to do. Because, I want it to be epic! We have so many people coming in from out of town and I am truly grateful to have so many amazing people in my life. 

As far as prep goes, the last thing for Atti is, I have to send in his papers to the USDA. And, of course, I have to pack, and pack, and pack. Those of you who have been reading for awhile, know that I am an avid planner and occasionally do packing trial runs. I plan on making a video so you all can see just how it is done.

People keep on commenting on how well prepared I am, I don't think you ever can be for a life change so drastic as this. My whole world is going to change. I am incredibly happy with my decision to move to be with my love, but I would be lying if I didn't admit to a moment of panic a few times a day. But really, I can not wait for my adventure to begin.

I also plan on keeping my blog updated everyday until I leave.