Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Here we go again....

Well, it looks like it is time to revive this blog.  Got the call last Thursday afternoon....husband says we're going to Vienna as I was busy documenting at work.  I said "oh that's nice" thinking he was talking about us going out locally in Vienna, VA.  He then tells me, "Vienna, Austria, hun".

Now mind you, I always knew that moving was a possibility.  But my husband only applied for the most coveted of spots: Vienna and Rome.  There was one job for his discipline at each locale and multiple qualified applicants. When he drove me crazy this year (as he does every year) with the possible offerings for the following year, I gave my two cents along with my blessing and he applied, never imagining that he would actually get one of these spots. We were both fine if we had to stay put.

But, when he said those words that set my life into another trajectory, I can't even begin to explain the feelings that went through me: elation (at the thought of moving to a place I have wanted to live in before I even met my husband), sadness (at the thought of leaving a passion that I call a job and all the patients who have taught me so much over the last couple of years), and overwhelmed (by both the move before us, the practical loose ends that need tying as well as the opportunities abound) to name a few.

On a positive note, I have 15 months for my mind to catch up with reality. Last time around, our assignments got switched from Stockholm to Warsaw within months of moving and we had to do all the planning from FL which isn't helpful when all the people responsible for the different aspects of the move are located in Washington DC.  This will be a much smoother move (so I hope).

My husband broke the news to my son before I had a chance to say stop.  The boy needs much care in transitioning to yet another move as he is the sensitive type. However, we felt better when picking him up the following day from school. His after care providers shared that he was telling everyone about moving to Vienna.  He has already requested a trip to the Lego World (a conference in Denmark for Lego fanatics) while we are there. Makes me feel better! We also looked up his potential school as well as Tae Kwon Do studios there and he was excited to see that his life will be somewhat normal with a German sound track.

The little one is about the same age as her brother was when we first moved overseas.  She remembers some people from her toddler life, but I don't think she quite understands.  I am not too worried about her though.  Her personality will help her immensely.  Plus, it makes the decision about kindergarten next year much easier - I'm paying for private K to keep her where she is at so she does not need to change schools twice in two years.

But before the adventures begin, lots of prep is required, beginning with gaining some functional knowledge of the German language. Auf Wiedersehen for now!