Today is the day we were SUPPOSED to fly out, but I’m already getting a little feel for the Australian culture.  The relocation agent forgot to book the movers.  How do you forget to do your job?!?

I’ve been very clear for weeks that we need to be out of our apartment on 10/31, so the movers must come on 10/29 because the cleaners are coming on 10/30.  Last Wednesday evening, I receive an email from the relocation agent stating that the movers will be coming on 11/4.  Very matter of fact, like this won’t be an issue at all.  Naturally, I fly off the handle a bit; I write her back a strongly worded email indicating that this is unacceptable and the movers must come on 10/29.  She proceeds to inform me that I’ll need to extend my rental period until 11/5, without regard for the tenants that may be scheduled to move in on 11/1.  Fortunately, the landlord didn’t actually have someone lined up to move in yet, so he agreed to extend our lease until 11/5.  Or so I thought.

Fast forward to Saturday morning: I’m tired, crabby and a little hungover from our going away party on Friday night.  The landlord informs us via text message that we need to move out on 10/31.  WTF? We have an email agreement that we’re moving out on 11/5.  Naturally, I fly off the handle again.  He avoids my phone call, probably because he already thinks I’m a bitch.  Finally, I get him on the phone and explain to him that it is not my problem that he forgot to tell his wife that he rented the apartment to us until 11/5.  He’ll need to get in contact with the people his wife rented to starting on 11/3 and work it out because I’m dealing with an international move and customs in two countries.  I am not relinquishing keys until the 5th, unless of course, he wants me to cancel the cleaners that I can expense.  Then cleaning carpets, ovens, cabinets, etc. will be his problem.  I’m sure if the new renters are crazy about nail holes, they’re going to be even crazier about cleaning.  Now we really do have it worked out.

I can’t believe the relocation agent still is being so causal about this whole thing.  This move is costing Target AUS much more than it needs to because of her lack of urgency.

Now the movers come on Monday, the cleaners come on Tuesday and we fly out on Wednesday.  Wednesday is the day that I was SUPPOSED to start my new job.