I was going to label this post "on the road again", but that is not an entirely correct title.
We are instead travelling, or rather moving back, to Abu Dhabi shortly which is super exciting.
After almost twelve months back at work (Tara) living a relatively sedate life in our small coastal town, we are leaving all that behind for the lure of the Middle East. The prospect provokes mixed feelings, guilt at leaving a school community and dragging Amelia out of pre-school and sadness at the friendships left behind. With the end of the second school term yesterday, emotions are high and I'm feeling raw. Our house is full of gorgeous flowers, gifts and cards containing beautiful words. (Many of which I cried over yesterday). It's funny how quickly you can develop connections with people, and true friendship can spring up unexpectedly. Saying goodbye yesterday was tough, I love the children, community and most of all my staff. Working with such a dedicated professional team has been a joy. If any of you are reading this- thank you!
And yet through all the turmoil, an excitement is growing as we prepare the house for the renters. Packing things away carefully, labelling boxes etc it's like reliving the full extent of our life in fast forward. Finding an old teething toy yesterday was a novelty to now 5 year old Amelia- "what's this thing?" Old photos remind us of youth and times gone by. Funnily enough we have so much more to store this time around, which is seriously hampering my ideals of minimalism! But our local opportunity shop is doing quite well out of our situation so that's one positive.
Also, our house is looking good, with all the external painting complete, we now have a paved entertaining area, a front path (soon to be joined by a gate) new carpet and a functioning laundry. The place is looking fantastic mostly thanks to Chris's efforts. The garden is improving, weeds removed and the massive agapanthus which was overtaking our carport being reluctantly replaced.
Planning for the move would only be more fun if we actually knew travel dates. We are waiting in limbo, having stopped working in Victoria and with nothing definite as to start dates, besides knowing the Abu Dhabi academic calendar 2014-2015. But, we love a challenge and change is our friend so we prepare as best we can whilst waiting for notification. We fondly remember the mad rush associated with our last stint overseas- we had five weeks between signing contract and departure. Five weeks in which to sell cars, rent out the house (in a presentable condition) and sort our affairs. Those weeks went in a blur, complete with many farewells and more than a few tears. And here was are again...
So here's to the unknown and a life full of adventure.
