Right time, right place

I've been in Europe since April 1, 2003 but have resisted setting up a blog since it was only supposed to be a temporary thing. Then two years was extended into another year and this month I signed a local contract which means that I am here indefinitely. What does that mean exactly?

• I am a now a "localized expat" with the same company. I am treated and counted like a German employee of the company, under a German legal entity. I get a German paycheck in Euros to a German bank account, German health benefits, German vacation (30 days!), etc. but I lose my American benefits like health and 401k.
• No, I am not a German citizen. I continue to get the exact same work permit paperwork which gets renewed once per year. Each year they put new stickers on two passport pages so when I enter or leave Germany I just show them those pages; then they do not stamp my passport.
• Germany and the US have a reciprocity agreement regarding social security. I pay into the German system, but as long as I stay here at least 18 months, I can claim that time as if I was in the US. Further, as long as I am here 18 months, I will qualify for German payments when I retire. Germany is in the same situation as the US regarding social security, so who knows if they will be there. Further, the amount I would receive on a check from Germany would lower my US payments by the same amount, so it's not a gain.
• Is there anything else you'd like to know?

Germany's unemployment is classified as a 'chronic problem'. Currently it is around 12%, so I am very fortunate to be able to work here as a foreigner.

I will add some more posts of my previous group emails and try this out to see if I am any good at regularly posting.