We learned earlier this month that our time in Germany would be cut short. We’ll be PCSing (aka moving) back to The States sometime around April or May. We didn’t know where we’d be moving, but we do now. We’ll be leaving behind the lush landscapes of Germany…
for the not-as-lush landscapes of Fort Bliss (located in El Paso, Texas).
Honestly, it’s disappointing. Adjusting to life here has not been all smiles, but I’d like to stay longer. Less than a year in Germany is a let down. And to leave what has been quite the adventure to return to a state we’ve already lived in? Womp, womp.
I can tell you that I’ve never had any desire to go to El Paso. Not to live, not to visit, not to stop for gas, not to drive through at full speed without tapping the brakes. (In all fairness though, I’ve never been to El Paso. Maybe it’s worse in my mind than it is in real life.)
Alas, we go where the Army demands that we go. So Fort Bliss it is. In an attempt to stay positive here are some good things about our new duty station:
1. I’m already certified to teach in Texas, so I won’t have to take the certification test necessary to teach in another state. I’m not sure what the job market is like, but now that we know where we are going, I can start putting some feelers out for teaching positions.
2. It’s close-ish to our families. The Dallas area is where we hail from, and it’s a 10 hour drive between the two cities (according to Google Maps). Not a drive I want to make frequently, but it’ll be nice to be able to get home if we want/need to.
3. Our alma matter will be within driving distance.
Stephen, his grandpa, and one of his brothers at Texas Tech in ’07. We’ve been back to visit since then, but this was the last time we attended a football game.
The last time we were able to attend a football game at Texas Tech was 2007, the fall after we graduated. TTU has a special place in our hearts. (It’s where Geronimo was born!) We are excited to visit and re-experience the sports, the traditions, and the school spirit.
4. We plan to visit some new locations. Skiing in New Mexico, sight-seeing at the Grand Canyon, perhaps lounging in Cancun. While I’d prefer to explore Europe, there are places within range of El Paso where we can spend our time.
5. The PX has a good reputation. One of my former coworkers is from El Paso and would frequently rave to me about the PX. I haven’t been there yet, so I can’t say for sure, but I’m looking forward to shopping there and finding out first hand.
6. Linzi lives there! I’ve been following Linzi’s blog for a while, and I’m so thankful that I can turn to her as a Fort Bliss resource. She has graciously already shared so much with me via e-mail. It makes moving a little easier knowing that there is a friendly face waiting in that unfamiliar place. (And if you don’t already read Linzi’s blog, you should!)
7. I know a little bit of Spanish.
Si! Si! Yo hablo mucho espanol y yo necessito mas espanol en mi vida.
Linzi has told me that Spanish-speaking abilities are in high demand and very helpful. I’m not fluent, and I don’t even think I could say that I’m proficient at Spanish, but I for sure know more Spanish than German courtesy of three years of Espanol in high school.
El Paso doesn’t have the same appeal as Germany, but I’m glad we know where we’ll be heading. Like the saying goes, “Home is where the Army sends us.”
Is there anything else great about El Paso that I’m missing?*
PS “Paso A Paso” was the name of my Spanish textbook in high school. Go figure, I remember that useless piece of information and forgot half of what my teachers taught me!
It will be hot hot hot! Sorry, to hear you are pcsing and the stay in Germany has cut short but now it’s time to make the list of the places you absolutely want to see in Europe before you leave.
I bought a pricey winter coat before moving to Germany. I’m just glad that it’s cold now so I can get my money’s worth since I won’t be needing it in El Paso.*
Michael got a “welcome to El Paso” email over the weekend saying we were heading to the WTU there. I flipped out. Turns out it was a glitch and we are still Colorado Springs bound thank God!! But you know, every base is what you make of it. There are plenty of things near there. Michael just didn’t want to go there because he already spent 3 yrs there
Considering y’all are so close to moving, I would have freaked out if I got an e-mail like that, too! And going somewhere you’ve already been is no fun. That’s part of the blah factor for me. We could have ended up anywhere, but we’ll be back in Texas. Oh well.*
Ft. Bliss, huh? I was hoping you’d be joining me in Hawaii so you could be my running buddy. Bummer. We drove through Hell Paso once when we PCS’d from Ft. Huachuca, AZ to Ft. Meade, MD. (that was a long drive with an 18 month old) I always thought it would be awful to be stationed at Ft Bliss, but I’ve actually spoken to a few people who lived there and LOVED it. Go figure. I hope you two can make the most of your time left in Germany before you make the trek back to Texas. Believe me, if ever there was Army wife who can understand your PCS woes, it’s me.
Hell Paso! Ha! I’m going to have to remember that! Trust me, commiserating with you is one of the few things keeping me going through all my PCS highs and lows!*
Oh my goodness…Hell Paso! That made me laugh! So far it’s not that bad!! But it will be an adjustment coming from the amazing land of Germany. My biggest issue is the lack of greenery here.
These are some definite positives! Do you at least feel better knowing instead of things being up in the air?
PS – I remember my textbook’s title too (and I remember very little in life so this is strange). It was Ven Conmigo!
Knowing is so much better. I am starting to imagine what my life will be like, looking up races, googling housing options. At least I can do something (even if it’s not really much). When you don’t know, you can’t do anything but stress! At least, that’s what I do.*
My boyfriend is stationed out there. I spent 6 weeks there over the summer and it really wasn’t as bad as i expected it to be. Not a huge running community that I could find, but there is a Marathon there in February and a few small other races that I noticed. Definitely not as cool as Germany though, but I hope you like it when you get there!
I remember you blogging about being there during the summer. (And I remember you mentioning hills! Not looking forward to running on those!) I’m glad to hear that it wasn’t as bad as you expected.*
I was selfishly hoping you would be moving closer to me, but El Paso isn’t that close. Hopefully it will be better than you anticipate.
That would have been fun!*
Well as I look at it, El Paso will be what you make of it! And since I’m there to pal around with I think it’s going to nothing short of AWESOME!! LOL! But in all reality, El Paso is definitely a world of it’s own. It doesn’t really feel like Texas, but maybe that’s not a bad thing? You will know better than I since this is my first Texas experience. One thing to note, the food here is delish (as long as you like spicy Mexican food), and I am starting to find a lot more races to run here. The El Paso Marathon in Feb, and there are two awesome hard half marathons in Oct/Nov. Not to mention how close it is to New Mexico, so that opens up a whole world of possibilities! I’m sorry your Germany trip is going to be cut short, but I’m excited that we will finally get to meet up and run together — as long as you don’t mind a baby stroller in tow?!
I’m so glad that we’ll be there together! I’d probably be a lot more pouty about the whole thing if there was no one that I know there. And of course Baby Alabama can hang out with us! As long as you are okay with the fact that I’m super awkward with babies! Ha!
I’m so looking forward to the food. When I told my dad we got Bliss, he told me that the best food he’s ever eaten was there. (And he’s been around, so I take that as high praise.) And I’m looking forward to the running community. If I do any races, that’s more than I’ve done here.*
LOL! You don’t think I’m awkward with babies? Omg, freaking out about the whole thing! Oh yes, by the time you get here I will have at least a few good places to eat pegged out for ya!
You should try to remain open-minded about El Paso. My roommate Ally lived and worked there for almost two years before she came to Yale and although she was wary about the city at first, she grew to love it and the kids she taught. If you want, I can ask her to email you and tell you about her time there. I’m sure she’d be happy to do it.
Plus, EP is in a beautiful part of the state so you and Stephen can escape to the mountains or New Mexico or Mexico (when it’s safer)! You’ll find ways to make it feel like home, just like you’ve done with Germany. Texas welcomes the Bermudezes back with open arms
I am excited about our proximity to the western half of the US. (I’ve already demanded a trip to the Grand Canyon – Stephen’s never been!)
I’m trying to be open-minded about EP. I think it’ll be easier once I’m there. For now, I’m just going off what I’ve always assumed about it, which is that it’s somewhere I didn’t want to go. Ha!*
Well darn! That’s definitely frustrating. But good for you for making the best of it
thanks, I’m trying!*
You forgot #8: Paula travels to Ft. Bliss for work every now and then.
I didn’t know that, Paula! Blogger meet up!*