We had lots of festivities planned for today =) First we went to see the movie Hoodwinked at Regal Henrietta, then we swam at my mom's house for a few hours (the temperature was over 90 degrees again today). We came home and played a little bit, then Dan made Audrey's meal of choice for the evening: Pork chops, corn on the cob, stuffing, and applesauce! She definitely upgraded from last year, in which she requested spaghetti and meatballs. We had cake and opened presents... it was a purely enjoyable day! The next kid's birthday I celebrate my son will be turning 4... I am pretty positive that I'll be freaking out when that day comes!
I can officially post something on my blog now: There is a possibility that Dan and I are moving.... to
Abu Dhabi. I haven't said anything about it on my blog before because I never know who reads it. I actually think NOBODY reads it, but just in case I have had to cover my tracks and not talk about it until my phone interviews have been completed and I have spoken to my family about it. Now that I have done all of the above, I can speak a little more freely about this.
I guess I'll just answer the basic questions people have asked of me, which includes the 5 W's:
WHY?- Well, currently I am only subbing, and Dan is stuck at a dead-end job, so right now we really have nothing holding us back. I hate living at my dad's house when I know he is financially struggling. Kim lost her job 7 months ago, and he really can't afford to pay our mortgage plus all the expenses at her house. It's not fair to him. Trust me, he hasn't ever complained or asked us to leave, but I hate knowing that his life could be better if I weren't such a burden. If I were to teach abroad, they would pay me approximately $4,000 per month TAX FREE and also pay for our residence. (Plus, check out how beautiful it is!!!)
WHO?- We all would go, leaving our house and cars behind. Dan would be on my work Visa and allowed to work the day we arrived, which is nice. Audrey would either have to go to an International School or be home-schooled, and we are leaning towards homeschooling her. International Schools are very expensive, plus Audrey is already quite advanced past where she should be, so we don't know if an International School will be able to give her everything we hope she would get.
WHAT?- Well, the position I have been tentatively offered is a Kindergarten job. Obviously that can change, but from what I hear they are in desperate need of Kindergarten teachers over there. I think it would be fun, yet challenging all at the same time.
WHERE?- Abu Dhabi is located in the United Arab Emirates, East of Saudi Arabia. It is approximately a 20 hour plane ride, and costs about $2,000 per plane ticket. Luckily, if/when we go, they will pay for 1 round trip ticket per family member a year, and we would plan on spending the summer back home to visit family. We also might end up in Al Ayn, which is a smaller city than Abu Dhabi. They place a lot of families in Al Ayn because it is less congested. Either way, I'll have a job and a home.
WHEN?- Well, they initially wanted me to leave this August, as in a month from now... that was just NOT happening! They asked about January, but I still feel like that is too soon. So we have agreed upon next August, 2011. There would be way too many arrangements to make, and I just don't feel comfortable leaving sooner than a year. The teaching contract is for 2 years, with an option to continue on after that 2 years. After talking to my dad, he has come to either 2 decisions: Either he sells the house when we leave or he lets Julie and Jeremy live here. Either way, we will be forced to put ALL of our personal belongings into storage. Literally our whole house would be put into storage because Julie and Jeremy have their own stuff, or because new owners wouldn't really want to hold onto our stuff.
There is so much other stuff to consider, and it's really hard to decide what is the best move for our family. Audrey already has a solid educational start here, and she's involved in many activities outside of school. We'd have to sell our cars and then purchase one over there. And we wouldn't have a place to go once we decided to return. However, is that enough to hold us back? My family seemed to support the decision when they first heard everything, but now it's a little different. My mom said if we go she'll kill us (nice thought), and my dad seemed distressed that he wouldn't see the kids. Jen seems to think I'm not going at all, and literally told me at Audrey's soccer game to "shut up" because "You're not going anywhere". However, in a shocking twist, my sister seems totally indifferent (can you sense the sarcasm?). Her words to me were "Sweet, I'll get the house?". For the record: Yes, Julie, you will get the house. Don't worry that your sister may be moving and you won't see her or your niece or nephew for a long time (not that she cares about them anyway), just worry that you get the house. Typical. Ugh, whatever.
I wish I had a crystal ball that was telling me the right decisions to make. That would make life so much easier. Oh well. Even if we decide to move, and it turns out to be the worst decision ever made, at least I know that I tried. No matter what I will have Dan and the kids by my side, and that is all that really matters. It's almost exciting, knowing that our possibilities are endless if we just have the faith to leap. Who knows what will happen? We may end up loving living in another country and exploring the cultures of other countries and decide to keep traveling! We may love being away but come back to the US, and we'd have complete freedom over where we decide to live because we wouldn't have a home in Rochester anymore, so we could go anywhere. We might not end up going at all, and our future can be bright as ever in Rochester.
Wherever my journey may take me, I just want to experience the whole thing fully, with my family by my side <3
