Fond Farewells

Today was my last day at work.  Lots of people came by to wish me well and give me hugs.  Only one bout of tears, on the way out, after one special hug good-bye.  I've gotten progressively less weepy as time goes on.  When I watched the shipping crate pull away from my house filled with all our worldly goods, I felt a sense of excitement and didn't cry at all.  Now that we have a house and we'll be in for Christmas, I am more and more anxious to finally get there.

People ask what I'll be doing between now and the 19th, when we fly.  Going out for lunches and dinners would be the answer. Not to mention going out for coffee with a couple of potential clients.  Now that I'm no longer a "Virtusan," I need to find my own form of gainful employment.  Gotta love the Accenture network.

Nicole's farewells haven't really kicked in yet.  Maybe it's hard for a 15-year old to truly "get" that we are moving to the other side of the world?  Or maybe, to a 15-year old, the world is such a small place, connected by so much technology, that it doesn't have the same sense of impact. 

Lunch tomorrow with Patty K.  Coffee Thursday with Dave S.  Coffee Monday with Ernst R. Dinner with the neighborhood women Friday night.  Godfather night on Saturday.  My Fond Farewells continue!

You CAN go Home Again

For the past week, I've been living with my parents and sharing a room with my daughter. On the first night, I was informed that my hair is too long. I also listened to a 20 minute debate on whether the US had a Victorian Era or whether on Britain and the Empire could lay claim to that term.  While growing up, my parents didn't argue much. They are making up for it now!

During the week, Larry went house shopping in Australia and FOUND A HOUSE that he rented within 24 hours of seeing it.  It looks fabulous online: http://mcconnellbourn.com.au/buying/NSW/North-Shore-Upper/ROSEVILLE/House/1P0754 and I can't wait to move in.  Looks like the timing will be perfectly aligned to when Nicole and I land.  No hotel time for us; we'll be in for Christmas!

3 weeks to go - the coming weeks will be filled with lots of farewells and goodbye lunches.