Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Emotional Rollercoaster

This evening has been a bit of an Emotional Rollercoaster. In fact, I know the next few months will be like this. sigh

I had a Council Meeting tonight and part of the agenda was talk about whether or not to fill my vacancy when I leave...not that I'm getting pushed out or being asked to tell them an exact date but as soon as I could tell them an exact date would be great. In fact, I even had one person say the sooner the better because they thought that I would need time to prepare for my move. Ummmm - let me figure that on my own, K?

I think we spent 20 minutes discussing: If I should be replaced, how I should be replaced, when I should be replaced. It made me a little sad and a little powerful feeling all at once. Nothing happens until I resign. I don't know when I'll resign and only I get to decide when I will resign. But, still a little sad to know it's all part of the process of me leaving.

Then, I attended my monthly Heritage Society Meeting. During announcements, I mentioned that I was moving (several were already aware thanks to the newspaper article and KGMI radio bit) - but after the meeting I had several people come by and tell me that they would miss my "voice of reason" on there. (I swear that would've been my campaign slogan for my election this year - either that or "vote for me to help keep all those men in line"). Once again - made me feel sad, happy, grateful, humbled all at once.

Then, I headed home and checked my mail. A book arrived that I had ordered January 11th. It came from the UK and apparently took forever since someone swam it over or something. Well....I opened the package....and it made me cry.....



I'm really leaving here and this is my guide to my new home.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Reinvention

Have you ever wanted to reinvent yourself? I'm thinking that with a big move only a matter weeks away (not sure how many weeks exactly, but a matter of them) that it would be a good time to think about it.

The question is: How?

What do I want to change about how I am?

How do I want to be perceived?

If I could alter people's perception of me, how would I alter it?

Starting to ponder.......

Friday, February 18, 2011

Getting Information

I'm finding that I'm getting a little excited, mixed with a little nervousness about the upcoming move to Abu Dhabi. I've been lurking on some chat forums for a few months, getting the feel of some other people there. I posted a few questions and am getting responses and feeling cautiously optimistic about settling in. If only the slow moving government that is my husband's employer would move to a speed more to my liking.

Information is power and an anxiety-reducer. The more I know, the more in control I feel......always a good thing.

It's Official....we're moving

It looks like our family will be moving.

Brian applied for a job back in August and after several months of working through the governmental process he was officially notified today that he was offered the position.

There is a chance Brian will be leaving sometime in April or May and we will follow sometime in June or July after the kids get out of school.

We will be gone for about three years and our hope is to return to Ferndale.

We will be moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE. I have been researching the area for months and am a lot more excited about it than I first was.

FAQ
CLOTHING: No, I will not have to wear a Burqa. I can wear shorts & a tank top if I want to but in certain areas it will be best to cover my shoulders and knees.
LANGUAGE: Plenty of people speak English.
DRIVING: I can drive (in fact we are planning to have our car shipped over there)
SCHOOLING: The kids will be registered at the: American Community School (http://acs.sch.ae/acsvipers) The kids will be bussed there and we won’t have any tuition for it.
HOUSING: The government will provide a furnished home for us (similar in size to what we have now). It will most likely be a villa in a compound with a pool and with Americans nearby.
MEDICAL: There is a doctor & nurse at the embassy that we will be able to see and if we need more than what they offer we can get in with a doctor at the hospital the same day.
CURRENT HOUSE: Our plan is to rent for the three years we are gone.
WEATHER: Yes, it’s unbelievably hot there in the Summer. However, it’s a wonderful 75 degrees in the Winter. There are more than 330 days of sunshine a year.
ACTIVITIES: The kids have soccer, gymnastics and more available there.
ENTERTAINMENT: Countless. There is the largest indoor amusement park there and the fastest roller-coaster (http://www.theyashotel.com/area-attractions/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi) There are dune buggy rides in the sand (http://www.emiratesadventurestours.com/tours.asp)
GYM: Yes, I will have a gym – yeah! Granted, there’s more to it than my gym here…. http://www.adhfc.com/index.aspx , unless I can find something else
MY TIME: Ummmm – obviously I can’t get involved in local politics and I don’t have a desire to spend all my time doing high fashion shopping (http://www.abudhabi-mall.com/) so I’m not sure. There are mommy & me coffee groups and maybe I can get involved at the school and go to the gym. I guess I’ll find out.
FOOD: It looks like we can get lots of American stuff there (from McDonald’s & Starbucks to Ritz Crackers).
ROXIE: Considering we are moving to a place which is unbelievable warm and humid and Roxie is an outdoor dog….we will be looking for a temporary home for her (this is Brian’s mission)…..if anyone is interested though, let us know!

There are lots of wonderful things about the area. It is very safe and clean and there are clearly plenty of things to do. I am working hard to focus on the positive and not the idea that I’m leaving wonderful, amazing, friends (and my MOM) behind Isabella is very excited and ready to start packing right now and Alexander is not looking forward to leaving his friends either. Brian’s new boss actually has a son Alexander’s age who will be in his class so we are hoping to get them connected before heading out there.

We will share more information and details as we have it but this is what we know for now.

Love to all,
Connie