Moving to Ireland

woo hoo! :)

Sandra, wow - I'm out of the loop for a while and look what you're up to!!! Congrats to you, and let me say that now you are going to be closer to Turkey, I expect to see you here. There are real cheap packages from Ireland to Bodrum, like dirt cheap...we get a lot of Irish tourists....
I am looking forward to hearing all about your experience getting settled in etc., at least you are not going to a third world country. My best friend in bodrum is an Irish gal, she goes home for the winter and comes back in january...
keep us posted girl!

pebble - OMG, I'd love to come see you. Wow, what an opportunity...*big grin* - It'll be the first DG roundup in Turkey. *hehehe*

See!!! This is why you are so lucky! :)

angie - yup - I am looking forward to the ability to travel and meet people.

I do worry a bit about Doug staying behind - he's more the homebody. His job is shaky - but, he's reluctant to just pull up roots and move over with me. Heck - I told him he can be a "kept man" - errr, that didn't go over well.

My guess - the first year of the job is going to be quite tough. The woman who is to be my subordinate is often working until 7 or 8 pm at night regularly because of the complex workload. But, I hope as we standardize and streamline the work, the days should be more normal.... we'll see...*wry grin*

Sandra, with your organisational skills, the problem will be how to look busy after lunch!

This really sounds meant to be! Im not sure why you think you'll be saying goodbye to places forever?.... A few years is really just a few seasons... and if for some small chance you didnt come back it would only be because your life was SO TERRIFIC!!!!
You sound like your situation is one of oppurtunity and fortune, what a blessing that is! You should feel VERY POWERFUL! Sometimes when things get exciting and strange its good to say "you gotta just ride that train" and on a different note, when they get strange and wierd its " you gotta ride that wave"
Good luck, I hope you have a good digital camera. Greta

greta - the goodbyes are probably because I won't find another job in this area. My guess - I won't be moving back here. I'll probably have to follow the next job. I think I was just feeling a bit sentimental. I just received my visa yesterday, so I'm off. I leave Wednesday morning.

Thank for your encouraging words. :)

John - You're too kind. I wish it were that easy. I was down in CT for a meeting yesterday afternoon to get the US team's version of what needs to be done. That coupled with what I know from the folks in Europe, I almost ran screaming from the room. It's now double what I was anticipating - everything is possible but not all at the same time. And, some of them have hard deadlines and no dedicated resources...*grin* - You available to go to Germany until June 30? :) I just heard about a great project there!

Everyone - thanks for enduring me on these rambling notes. I think writing this down helps me work through some of the thoughts and keep a lighter perspective.

Good Luck,Sbarr! You won't be sorry.

Germany? High on my list of places to visit!

Anyway, Sandra, not saying it won't be hard work, but somehow you will rise to the challenge and bring order from chaos, with time left over for a Guiness or a Liebfraumilch!

(I wouldn't mind being Patsy to your Edina...)

Hugs,

John

Sandy, We go where life takes us, enjoy the journey and much good luck! I admire your inner strength and adventurous spirit. Once you get over there, I'm sure you'll methodically put the pieces in order. God bless you on this journey and have faith that your issues back here will be resolved.

Best of luck to you Sandra ... post lots of photos.

Sandy...............you go girl!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

"eyes"

Sandra, I will be waiting for your post when you get there. I hope you post plenty of pictures of that beautiful corner of the world. What an adventure you are going on!

Good luck and God speed my friend till we meet again.
Lani

You go Sandra! Just give me a buzz if'n you need some grunt work done :) I quit a few years ago to stay home with DS, but I miss the feeling of being involved with work (if you know what I mean).

Wishing you the best of luck and the best advice I rec'd was "to listen a lot!". I'm sure you'll manage the priorities once you've arrived and gotten the full picture :)

Phew - back in the states for a week. It's certainly been an adventure - everywhere from Dublin, to southern Ireland to the far tip of Northern Ireland to London to Copenhagen to Hannover, DE since April 7.

I've learned a lot of things - the first and foremost - carry on bags in the US are not carry on in Europe. So much for the suitcase I bought before moving. Bought another one yesterday and should be receiving it by Thur before I leave again.

I've definitely enjoyed the adventure, tiring as it is. The amount of work and organization needed is overwhelming. But, I'm enjoying the challenge. I've enjoyed the Irish bread, Guinness and friendly people.

Garden-wise, I lucked out. I rented an townhouse with a small backyard and a courtyard for either parking or...ummm, BRUGS! Car can stay outside the courtyard. I am debating about how to get my plants over there - I was hoping to bring some rooted plants, but will probably be easier to bring over some woody cuttings in a coat pocket. I might be begging for donations come Fall. ;-)

Sorry no pictures yet - I took my camera, but not the charger - hope to have some when I get back there.

An interesting revelation - I have far more belongings than I need. I was able to live quite well out of two suitcases for a month (in a hotel then a furnished townhouse). It's making me reflect on how much we collect, but don't really need - so I'll be spending a lot of time this weekend throwing things away, etc. If I don't need it in the next few years, do I really need it? It did feel so much "freer" with no clutter, etc.

Sounds like quite an adventure so far, Sandra!

(And I'm with you about too many "things" LOL!)

darius - oh yes. I'm learning a lot about being outside my comfort zone and just "going with the flow" - I arrived in Hannover last Sunday, not speaking German, found an Arab cab driver whose English was "iffy" and didn't take credit cards...fortunately I had enough Euros to get to the hotel - (at 180 kilometers/hour) - that was an adventure.

Then yesterday, unbeknownst to ME, receiving an invitation to Madrid in early June (umm, that's only a few weeks away) - and when I confirmed with my boss, he said yes, that he recommended me. Not sure when he thought he was going to tell me. Fortunately, I don't have to prepare for it, just be there. It did make me feel like a pawn in a very strange chess match - living in Ireland, visiting the US, getting an invitation to go to Spain and confirming with a manager in the UK. Oh well...

Enjoy the ride while you can. I am so happy for you and that you will have a chance to do things that others can only dream about.
Are you sure you want Brugs in Ireland? It sounds like you might be turing into quite the "jet setter" and might not have time for gardening. Ha, Ha! Once a gardener. always a gardener. Just think of all the unusual plants you will be able to bring, "smuggle" home when the time is right.
Alll the best. Enjoy the experience. Work hard, play hard - that has been our motto for years. Just drink (literally and figuratively) in all that culture and the unknown out there - you'll keep us here at DG's entertained for months with all you experiences.
Isn't it amazing how 'little' one really needs to have to survive on and still maintain a clean, presentable presence. Really through me for a loop the first time I had to live such an experience on such a short notice before departure. A duffell bag really holds all you need doesn't it?
So glad things are turning out well as I know you are missing home. You'll probably be so busy that sometimes days will fly by before you realize it.
Looking forward to reading your posts when you get a chance to visit us. D