It's Time For Moving On My Friend

There was a song my high school back in Ohio sang at every graduation called It's Time For Movin' On by Don Besig. I remember graduation being bittersweet as we were excited for what lied ahead, yet sad for what we were leaving behind. I am not sure why, but the past few weeks with the upcoming repatriation of some of my closest friends, I have really been thinking about the lyrics of that song. I have to admit, the song is a wee bit cheesy. However, it still seems to sum up how I have felt the past few weeks.

We've travelled a long, long time together
And there have been alot of good things on the way,
But now, it's almost time for leavin'
And the things I feel inside are very hard to say.
 

But it's time for moving on, my friend; hold back all the tears and sorrow,
It finally is time, to go our separate ways.
And I want to wish you well, my friend,
As we search for new tomorrows.
Go, as you must, but please,
Don't forget the yesterdays.

Remember the dreams we dreamed together,
All of the joys we shared at getting to today.
Now just one time, before you leave,
Reach out, and take my hand,
And help me walk away.

For it's time for moving on, my friend; hold back all the tears and sorrow,
It finally is time, to go our separate ways.
And I want to wish you well, my friend,
As we search for new tomorrows.
Go, as you must, but please... Don't forget the yesterdays.

When you are an expat, those around you become more than your friend –– they become your family.  We are thrown into a situation where we live 10,000 miles away from our family and friends and only have each other to rely upon. When our child is sick or we are missing our family back home, it is those around us that swoop in. When we are struggling, it is those around us that carry us through those trials. When we feel like we don't fit into our old life anymore, it is those around us that can sympathize. (I promise I will not burst out into the song "We Are Family", although it really would be an appropriate time) When these people leave, our support system is broken. A family member is missing. And to be honest, it just. plain. sucks.

It is hard knowing we may never see some of the people who are leaving ever again. Many times they live in a different country, where visiting may be nearly impossible. Luckily there is technology like Facebook and Skype that can help ease the distance. Others we promise to visit or keep in touch, but as everyone settles into their new lives, busyness sets in and keeping in touch becomes scarce.

I am not sure why this year is harder than last year. Maybe it is because I have been here another year and had that time to grow closer to people. Maybe it is because I see how some of the people leaving will deeply affect my kids. Maybe it is because my one of my closest friends here is leaving, and I will be all alone in the Scarab Heights compound. Maybe it is because this year was a hard between my injury in Vietnam and the disaster in Japan, which made us all lean upon each other more. Or maybe it is because I fear next year we may be the ones saying goodbye.

So to all those who are leaving this year, all those who are about to embark upon a great, new adventure, Go, as you must, but please... Don't forget the yesterdays.

Homework He-Double Hockeystick

When deciding to have children you may take things such as finances, housing, where you live, etc into consideration. One thing no one thinks about is homework when the kid gets older. Right there alone is reason enough to consider not having children.

After a summer off I forgot just how much I loathe homework. And now my kids are all at ages that no longer is it just practice your name 5x and read for 15 minutes, but rather worksheets, projects, book reports, podcasts, Power Point presentations, math problems and spelling lists. Even Sami comes home with three homework assignments each night. And to be honest school has changed since I went all those years ago. Now the kids come home with rubrics and matrixes that many times I need cliff notes and a "Rubrics for Dummies" to understand. And they throw words like Moodle and PowerSchool into the mix and I am lost. I hope Japan offers some good dental discounts because I think I may have chipped a few teeth banging my head against the kitchen counter in homework frustration.

I understand homework is important. I have no problem with homework. It is a great way to review and practice concepts. Just as a parent it sucks. And as a parent of three kids, it really sucks.

Going, Going, Gone

This afternoon I was given notice that as of Wednesday at 4 pm I will be laid off from my part-time, on-going, contract job. This is with a company that I have worked with since 1998 in various capacities. For those who do not know, I am a freelance/contract writer for this company and others as the need arises. I do anything from press releases, website copy, media kits, magazine or newsletter articles, product bulletins, and sales kits to media relations and speech writing. Basically if it needs written I do it.

All contract employees for my division have been laid off. This decision is final and they cannot say the longevity of this. I do not work full time and we do not depend on any money that I make to survive. I work from home, make my own schedule and am able to stay home with the kids. Frankly, I have been very blessed. I cannot imagine what some of the others given this news are feeling. Frankly I think it is pretty sad that they have been given a 2 days notice, especially right before Christmas. While I can understand with the tough economic situation our country is in, it still just isn't fair.

To be honest, for me it is a pride issue. When I give so much to my kids and to my husband, this is the one thing that is mine and mine alone. And right now when I feel like I am giving so much to everyone else, this was the one constant thing I have that is just "mine". It did make me feel better that one of my co-workers not affected by the layoff called this afternoon and told me how much he enjoyed working with me, how sorry he was and how I am on the top of the list when/if they are able to bring people back. He said it is always sad when good people are let go for reasons beyond their control.

It is not often that I have a pity party for myself, but I have been parenting 3 kids for the past 2 months alone, I am moving 7,412 miles away, I haven't seen my husband in 2 months, all my belongs will be packed and on a boat starting Thursday not to be seen for 6 - 8 weeks, my kids are grating on each other and myself, my oldest child hates me on most days, Sami hasn't slept through the night in months, I still have a huge list of things to do and pack before Thursday, 3 of my close friends are going through things that are breaking my heart and it hurts that I will not be here to hold their hand, I am not near ready for Christmas, I miss my daughter even more during the holidays, frankly I am tired and now I have been laid off. I think I am entitled to have a pity party for just a few minutes. But I promise it will be just a few minutes. I know that God has a plan, and I know that the plan will be great. Maybe I will get that book written after all.

So to those who have been affected by this downturned economy my heart goes out to you. For those who received bad news today my heart breaks for you. I pray this recession is short-lived and that our nation will soon be on its way to being even better than before.

Preschool Lottery

We lost. There just aren't enough preschools for the 25 THOUSAND new people that move to Wake County each year. So unless a wait list spot opens, I guess Sam and I will get to enjoy each other alot for the next 18 months.