I cannot believe that our departure date is nearly upon us. Jon's initial 72 hours have been filled with a foreign language, meeting patients, unexpected cold temps, washing clothes in a bidet, hanging clothes on a drying rack, experiencing Rome traffic, skype, magic jack, grandor, FOOD, and the anticipation of "living life in a foreign language".
I have to be honest. The past few weeks have not been easy, and the preparation of moving abroad long term has not come without a lot of prayer, hard work, sleepless nights, lots of take-out (I must feed the children), dear friends, and paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! Amidst the tasks at hand, the juggling, and overwhelming meltdown moments, there is a sense of calm in the storm.
Sorry for the breviary of this post, but I must complete my inventory list for the International movers, prepare to transport items to storage, invade my Mama's house with "more" boxes, vet, dentist, hair, and accounting appointments, and a lot of good-byes! I will blog once we are "living our foreign language" and will miss you all!!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Packing "101" or "911"
Most of us have experienced moving at least once in our lives, and having a few to my credit, I consider myself somewhat organized and capable of handling all essential tasks. Stuffing a suitcase to its maximum potential while using brute force if necessary, bestows to me a "pat on the back" for a job well done. I have to tell ya, preparing for our annual trek north to the Jersey Shore could be a playbook for Packing "101". You see, if approached in a conclusive and methodical manner, packing doesn't become laborous or inflict duress upon us. It is merely the commencement of a well deserved vacation, a fresh start, a new beginning, or for some unfortunate souls, a mandated penance.
Approaching our move to Italy with all of the details involved has unleashed a side of me that, well if I were to be 100% honest, is NOT in "my" playbook! I know several of you who may be reading this blog that have taken a leap of faith and moved internationally, and lived to tell about it.....how in the world do I decide what to take, what to consign, what to store (my poor Mama), do you get the picture? Our pre-move survey is rapidly approaching and my decision of personal belongings, or beloved treasures, "making the cut" is perpetually looming.
While attempting to sort various items one afternoon, Jon and the children strolled into the garage and casually asked if they could assist me. "Sure", I replied, this could be a family event with take out in my future, since "breaking" is not an option. BIG mistake.....I quickly discovered that MY FAMILY cannot discard anything. A stained, floppy ballcap from undergraduate school does not "make the cut", nor does an outdated Randall Cunningham Eagles Jersey. With everyone's best interests at heart, my decisions continue to vacillate...I am at an impasse...a "911" packing emergency...
Approaching our move to Italy with all of the details involved has unleashed a side of me that, well if I were to be 100% honest, is NOT in "my" playbook! I know several of you who may be reading this blog that have taken a leap of faith and moved internationally, and lived to tell about it.....how in the world do I decide what to take, what to consign, what to store (my poor Mama), do you get the picture? Our pre-move survey is rapidly approaching and my decision of personal belongings, or beloved treasures, "making the cut" is perpetually looming.
While attempting to sort various items one afternoon, Jon and the children strolled into the garage and casually asked if they could assist me. "Sure", I replied, this could be a family event with take out in my future, since "breaking" is not an option. BIG mistake.....I quickly discovered that MY FAMILY cannot discard anything. A stained, floppy ballcap from undergraduate school does not "make the cut", nor does an outdated Randall Cunningham Eagles Jersey. With everyone's best interests at heart, my decisions continue to vacillate...I am at an impasse...a "911" packing emergency...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Taking Risk or Seizing Opportunity
I have decided to become a blogger. I know what you may think, and I question myself as well. I want to chronicle being a Carolina girl living in a "foreign language" (I borrowed that one). I cannot believe that Jon and I, along with the children, are actually moving to Italy. Jon is following his passion and who am I to deny him his dream. Well I have given the idea due diligence, and I may not have been so agreeable if his passion led us to a remote jungle in east jabip...you get my point.
We, or should I say Jon, has always been a risk taker, a gambler, an adventure seeker. He enjoys scuba diving in the Virgin Islands and Hawaii, flying solo (yes actually flying), and playing blackjack. Now, I have never been to the Virgin Islands nor Hawaii, and I have actually flown with him...ONCE...and made him rent the biggest plane in the hanger. Now that was a scary ride. As far as blackjack, I always go shopping while he hangs out in the Casino and lands another win. It used to upset me when he would go to Atlantic City on a whim, but I quickly realized that I benefit from his game playing.
Taking risk or seizing opportunity....which brings me back to Italy. Living with a risk taker for over twenty years has taught me a few valuable lessons. Some have not come cheaply, but most have enriched my life and if nothing else, made me laugh out loud! When Jon first mentioned Italy, I was on board from the beginning. Sure I had a lot of questions, and moving meant leaving everything and everyone behind....starting over, giving up Jon's practice, uprooting our children, leaving my Mama! We have sought wise counsel and after many long nights down on our knees in prayer, we know Italy is where we belong.
As I sit outside with my cup of tea on such a beautiful morning in Carolina, I am going to miss everything about this place. There is still so much to do before we move and a lot of good-byes that will bring many tears. Although uncertain of MY readiness, I hold confidence in my "Risk Taker" and anticipate expanding my little corner of Carolina....join me!
We, or should I say Jon, has always been a risk taker, a gambler, an adventure seeker. He enjoys scuba diving in the Virgin Islands and Hawaii, flying solo (yes actually flying), and playing blackjack. Now, I have never been to the Virgin Islands nor Hawaii, and I have actually flown with him...ONCE...and made him rent the biggest plane in the hanger. Now that was a scary ride. As far as blackjack, I always go shopping while he hangs out in the Casino and lands another win. It used to upset me when he would go to Atlantic City on a whim, but I quickly realized that I benefit from his game playing.
Taking risk or seizing opportunity....which brings me back to Italy. Living with a risk taker for over twenty years has taught me a few valuable lessons. Some have not come cheaply, but most have enriched my life and if nothing else, made me laugh out loud! When Jon first mentioned Italy, I was on board from the beginning. Sure I had a lot of questions, and moving meant leaving everything and everyone behind....starting over, giving up Jon's practice, uprooting our children, leaving my Mama! We have sought wise counsel and after many long nights down on our knees in prayer, we know Italy is where we belong.
As I sit outside with my cup of tea on such a beautiful morning in Carolina, I am going to miss everything about this place. There is still so much to do before we move and a lot of good-byes that will bring many tears. Although uncertain of MY readiness, I hold confidence in my "Risk Taker" and anticipate expanding my little corner of Carolina....join me!
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