Welcome to the expat life!

I'm going on my second international relocation as a wife. We moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil, about 3 years ago and now we're moving to Mexico City, Mexico.
As I know very well relocating is not easy but it is a choice. So, even with all the issues we have I'll try to make the best out of it!

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Broken Heart

We've been telling the kids about the possible move. Possible because there are other possibilities: Finding a job with another company in FL, finding a job with the same company in FL or continue the super commute.

My daughter has a pretty good attitude regarding the move as long as we move somewhere where it snows during winter. She was so young when she left the northeast that she can't remember and would love to start having, once again, White Christmas.

My son, on the other hand... He is older and his memories are of leaving his friends behind. And he keeps asking me to stay. Telling me he doesn't want to do it again. Heart breaking, isn't it??!!

It took him two years to adjust. And now, another move. He keep wondering: when is it going to end?? Is it ever going to end?? As the sole parent handling this discussions I get really anxious, hoping for HR to have mercy and make a decision. I also can't help but wonder: Why don't this questions arise during the weekend, when his dad is around?? What is the right answer to give to my son?? What will benefit him the most - super commute or another move??

Decisions, decisions, decisions... It is that time of my life again...

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Limbo

Once again we're at that time when things are getting decided and we have no control over what will be offered to us - I call it "Limbo". And, boy, it is not easy being in limbo. Even being like, the 10th time, I'm still not used to it. But this time I must admit I'm a little bit less anxious. 

The problem with being in limbo is that I have no idea where and when we'll end up next. I do have an idea but I'm not sure yet. And I also have no idea how long limbo will last.

Yes, we narrowed down our options - New York or Warsaw. Maybe Dubai or Tokyo. Not Athens or Sao Paulo, anymore. I also decided on my time frame to move - June or July because I won't take the kids out of school before the end of the school year. Of course, this can all change, although I really hope it doesn't. See, this is how limbo feels like: uncertainty, my world is upside down.

On top of all this, there will be the actual job offer. Will the job be good? Will the compensation be good? Will the career plan change? Will my husband be happy with the job? Questions, questions and more questions...

I'm already thinking of the logistic of the move, particularly, transporting our pets and finding a good school for the kids.

It is breaking my heart thinking that if we move to NY we will have to sell our home and move to a much smaller apartment or move to the suburbs where the commute will be around 45 minutes each way. But at least I'll be in or near NYC. And this is pretty good! I love NY! I just don't love the cost of living there. 

If we move to Warsaw we'll keep our home as a home base but I'll need to find someone to take care of it for us. This way I'll have sunny Florida to come back to mid winter, when it gets extremely cold over there. It will be nice to tour Europe with the kids. I'll also be close to some friends. So it won't be bad.

As you can tell I am not anxious - or so I claim - but my head  is spinning. For a control freak, like me, there is nothing worse than this phase we're in right now. The one thing I know for sure is that the move will be for the best. It always is - this is my mantra and I'm sticking with it! Time to wait...