Still in BAHRAIN!

We were all set to leave on Friday as planned. Arrived at the airport, checked in and went to Immigration. We were told, firmly, that we would not be leaving Bahrain- our residency visa had expired. Now, wouldn't you think that they would make us leave the country? No, instead, they cancelled our flights, returned our bags and told us to handle at the Immigration Office on Sunday. UGH. Today, Chris has his office people working on this issue and we hope to be on the 9:30 flight tonight--In SHallah (God willing!) This doesn't effect our arrival in the States but cuts short our time in Amsterdam. Only in Bahrain--and it feels quite weird not being allowed to leave....a feeling I don't like. We are all fine, but antsy, and will see many of you in a few days. personal note to Judy: we are arriving with 4 large suitcases!!

3 Days left in Bahrain...

What a week! I even forgot it was Mother's Days -Happy Mother's Day to all!! After the madness of our decision ( and what an emotional decision it was), we are now in the throws and logistics of yet another International move.Visa, passports, pet health clearances--all the order of the day. As if I didn't have enough to do, I found a baby kitten on the side of the road. At first, we felt a lot of anxiety about what to do with her-we couldnt take her with us. Luke and Layne became immediate surrogate parents and were amazingly responsible as they feed her, took her outside, and nurtured her. Luckily, my friend Lexi agreed to adopt her as their family pet and she will be returning to the states with them in a year or so. All the maids here think she is the luckiest cat ever!! The day after I found the kitten, I backed my Land Rover into a big hunk of concrete sitting in the middle of nowhere. I had just verbally agreed to sell it to my friend Sharon. So, now its in the shop and I'm carless. In a way, all these things have been a blessing-the kitten has brought us alot of joy these past few days and her primary care has been a priority and distraction for the kids. Not having a car has kept me at home and focused on my immediate reality- swimming with Luke and Layne, packing , and avoiding all the running around and goodbyes. I am greatful for the present.


The future, which is Friday, will involve a red-eye to Amsterdam where will will hibernate for 4-5days in an apartment. We will take the train over to Brussels to see my old friend Els from Singapore. It will be great to see her after 7 years, she was a wonderful friend to me there. Not sure if I'll get a chance to blog next week, but I'll let you know when we are stateside. Namaste

SECRET

1. Luke and his Rugby Team 2. Layne and Illiana

WOw! SO glad to hear so many are reading my blog. Well, not to keep you in suspense any longer-CHris has left Maersk after 13 years and has accepted a job in Germany! If you know Chris, you know he really likes his job, colleagues and Maersk in general. He was presented with a great opportunity which would have us living in Germany for 5+ years. I am so excited and proud of him for not resisiting change, letting go off any fears or insecurities he had, and just "going for it"! This all brought me full circle to all I've learned about change--people often resist out of fear, and thus hold onto security when in truth, security is only for insecure people and is truly not a reality. We don't know the exact time table yet, but its all happening and happening fast, so I'll keep you posted.

On the homefront, I am busy preparing for yet another international move! Once again, passports, visas, pet health clearances are the matters of the day. The biggest change for our family will be that the kids will be back in school. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, dating back to pre-WWII, although I expect to see this changing in the years to come. Actually, we are excited about the school we think will work for us which is the International School of Wiesbaden. It offers the PYP program which is very "whole child" "international citizen" and inquisitively based. (sound familiar Montessorians?)It is the primary program that preceeds the International Baccuelerate. Luke is very nonchalant--Im hoping... trusting my judgement. Layne insists she is NOT going to school. I have applied for her, but compulsory education doesnt start until age 6 1/2. I could keep her home one more year. Academically she is years ahead of her peers, but I think she'd enjoy the PYP style kindergarten and socially it would be a positive. We'll see.... The best news for Layne is her best friend here in Bahrain is also moving to Germany and will be about 20 minutes away from us. Her paretns both work for the State Department.

Took the kids to the German bakery today for some pretzels and we are singing the German drinking songs we learned at Oktoberfest at Busch Gardens last summer ( ha ha). More details soon....