Love and Moving

 Hubs won the "keep your cool" award yesterday.

But, I do think that after reading the story of why I lost my cool, you'll all understand. And, spoiler alert: everything is all worked out and fine now. As per usual.

So, yesterday was moving day. Again. It's strange, I've had some big moves, in fact, I think I've moved every year for the past six years. All were miserable, as anyone who has ever moved knows, and this one turned out to be no exception, despite the fact that we only have four duffle bags to move. We were told by our temporary apartment people that we would have to be out by noon on Tuesday and when we asked if someone would be waiting for us at our new apartment, we were assured there would be. At noon. So, we made the necessary taxi arrangements, packed our bags and thought everything would be taken care of. Easy peasy.

Our taxi driver was so wonderful. Probably because he didn't speak English, so we couldn't understand snarky comments, even if he tried, but thats ok with me. There aren't many perks to not knowing the language in the country you are living, this is one of my favorites. And he was very gracious considering that the main road that our new apartment was on was completely blocked off due to holiday. (another blog entirely about how I don't understand Russian holidays...) We found the apartment and waited for someone to meet us. The phone number Hubs had been given for our apartment was no longer in service and we had no one to contact.

This is when I start to get a little nervous. (and by nervous, I mean furious) Hubs has taken care of everything and done all that he could, but I still couldn't help but want to ask more about what we could do, or what we could have missed or where else we could be or WHY ISN'T ANYONE HERE TO MEET US WHEN THEY SAY THEY WILL?!?!?!!?! After an hour of saying not kind things about everyone involved in our entire move to Moscow, Hubs suggested I go across the street to Starbucks and see about finding a phone number. He didn't specify who I should try to find to remedy the situation, I think he may have just wanted me out of the picture, because I was probably making him and the taxi driver nervous with my pacing, mumbling, and sometimes outright yelling. Not sure going to my favorite coffee shop would be a good idea, especially since I don't know how to order skinny drinks in Russian yet, therefore getting loaded on caffeine AND sugar, but like I said, it was probably better that I was out of the picture.

Once I got online, I did find a number to the main office and with all the sweetness I could muster (had to really scrape the bottom of the barrel...) I explained to my new friend what had happened. I believe that no matter how angry you are, you should always be nice until you get what you want. I waited tables, so I know this to be a good rule. So, the guy is shocked, or as shocked as a Russian can be (which isn't very) and says he will call the manager, and he will be there in ten minutes.

You know how when something makes you mad, then the solution turns out to be really easy, so you just get more mad?

So, I walk back, tell Dan that someone will be here in ten minutes, and we wait. For another half hour.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I call back. Front desk dude is shocked (again) and says he will call the manager. Again. Twenty minutes later, I call again. Turns out, dude had just walked past us while talking on the phone and headed up to the apartment without noticing the two very tall, very out of place, VERY disgruntled Americans next to the taxi outside the apartment building and went straight up to the apartment.

So now, two hours later, we're all settled in to our new apartment, which we love and that makes up for some of the days events. That, and the fact that Hubs let me fly off the handle. (within reason, of course) and didn't get mad, didn't get stressed and just let me have my moment. In a way, it was probably a big combination of all the stressful things that are new and different that we're getting used to and I just needed to get it all out. Journaling, blogging and talking to my mom are all great ways to cope with some of the stuff, but sometimes you just need to wave your arms wildly, use some descriptive words you wouldn't normally and stomp off in public.

Anyway. I couldn't get to crazy, because this is yet another temporary apartment and we may have to do this exact same thing on June 1st. *sigh*
Cheers to those tantrums we throw, whether they get results of just feel good.