The Kids have learned! and other stories..

Havent done one of these posts in awhile but here we go.

The Kids have Learned
The boys, after a long and hard struggle, have finally figured out that when they say 'Not My Problem' it invariably is their problem! So 1-0 to me. Instead now they say sorry! They slip back now and then but its okay, as I just remind them and its all sorted.

Time Off
Wooo! Im getting holidays! Yay! Next week the boys are going to Essen to their grandparents from Monday to Sunday!Yippee! I think I still get paid, will have to confirm that. I am thinking of going on a Day trip to Bonn on wednesday or something. We will see how it goes.

Illness Strikes
Not me! yay! No both the boys have bad coughs and the mother has the flu. I just have a runny nose, so i got off lightly. Now if people will stop ringing and texting I might get over that one!

What, What did you say??
Thats right, I've gone partial deaf! I have a lovely sudsey water stuck in my ear since this morning and its showing no sign of coming out with the wax. Went a poking earlier with q-tips (55c from DM) but thats only blocked it up more. Feck, apotheke tomorrow. Whats the German for Waxol?

Thats all for now, hopefully, I will be back to 100% hearing tomorrow!

Things to do when I arrive in Germany

I thought I write out a little to do list for moving to another country. This is one for when I arrive in Germany on the 4th of January!

1. Find and Book into hostel!

I have it booked thanks to hostelworld. €20 per night not bad for the city centre like! I'm staying in Cologne-Deutz Youth Hostel on Siegesstrasse 5. (Anyone know anything about it?)

2. Get a mobile phone and German number

This way I keep my Irish number, so people here can text me cheap and I can text people in Germany cheaply! the question is which provider!

3. Register my EHIC Card

see post on the EHIC

4. Set up a Bank Account

same as #2

5. Explore Koln

I have to get my bearing somehow

6. Meet the family

When it all begins!!!! :D

That All Important Card - EHIC

Well as Im going to Germany for 6 months (thats an important fact) I have reapplied for my EEuropean Health Insurance Card which will entitle me to free medical care for the 6 months I am in Germany as I am ordinarily resident in Ireland!

Now I have dealt with these crads in work and they entitle you to free doctors appointments, hospital visits and prescriptions so they are hand if you are visiting any of these countries for 6 months or less.

Other member states of the EU or EEA:

* Austria
* Belgium
* Bulgaria
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Italy
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Liechtenstien
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* The Netherlands
* Norway
* Portugal
* Poland
* Romania
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain (including the Canary and Balearic Islands)
* Sweden
* United Kingdom

Other states

* Switzerland

Obviously it wont work in Ireland!

You can now apply and renew your crad online at EHIC.ie which is a great service (pity about the website!)

So this is the information i go about Germany from the website

Germany

Information

Any insurance company, including Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK) and the Ersatzkasse (substitute health insurance fund). These companies are generally open from Monday to Friday.

Doctors, dentists and prescriptions

You should present your E111, European Health Insurance Card or Temporary Replacement Certificate to the insurance company to receive the appropriate form. Ask for a list of the doctors contracted to the insurance company and then take your form to one of the doctors on the list. You will receive free treatment from these doctors. If this is not possible, go directly to one of the contracted-in doctors and present your E111, European Health Insurance Card or Temporary Replacement Certificate. You may be required to pay a fee but this can be refunded on production of the required form as issued by the insurance company.
Medicines prescribed by the doctor can be obtained from any pharmacy in exchange for the prescription. You will be liable for a prescription charge depending on the size of the packaging. These costs are non-refundable. For minor drugs and medicines, such as painkillers and cough mixtures, you will be charged the full amount.

Hospital treatment

Hospital treatment is usually provided following consultation with a doctor. If you are admitted to hospital as an emergency and do not have time to approach a doctor or the local insurance company in advance, present your E111, European Health Insurance Card or Temporary Replacement Certificate to the hospital administration and ask them to obtain the required form for you.

So if your going abraod get this card!

(for info on other countries see this page)