Dan's new job

Since most of you are aware of the past year Dan and I have had, I thought you would be interested in what's going on right now...

After a couple months of interviewing for a new position Dan has FINALLY secured one...in SAUDI ARABIA!!! Today the 38 page contract was signed and they sent him the list to prepare from. He'll probably leave in about a month. That's about how long it takes to secure his work visa. The contract is for two years and they have already talked about extending it. The company is Parson's. They have a local office but Dan will work for the Saudi spin off. The city he'll be in is called Yanbu. It's located about 4 hours north of Jeddah on the Red Sea. The project is building an industrial city (oil and gas). They have a port and are working to diversify the Kingdom. The city is largely conservative...Jeddah is on the other hand is more liberal.

Parson's would have moved all of us but, at this time Patrick and I are not going. Also the cats are staying here. Saudi's aren't big pet lovers and Yanbu doesn't have a vet. The nearest one is 4 hours away..The Parson's compound isn't real big and I would not be able to work, drive, go to the beach or even leave the country without Dan saying it was O.K. Oh, and I'd have to wear an Abaya (black robe) and Hijab (head scarf) are encouraged (but not mandatory)...Somehow I don't think I'd fit in. They have limited shopping and I couldn't go without Dan. Everything outside the compound is segregated so not much fun for women. We are already planning for Patrick and I to meet Dan somewhere this summer, maybe London (Patrick is hoping for Egypt). Otherwise he would have to wait 6 months to see Patrick and I'm not sure he would make it. We do plan on daily "Skyping" and I hope that helps to ease some of his and Patrick's loneliness. We all recognise the opportunity but the decision for him to go has been hard. We also know there really wasn't a way to say no. It was go or lose everything we have worked for...

So far Pat has been great. Last night he said "It'll be different having Dad gone, I'm going to have to make dinner every night". Don't I wish...That can only happen if I develop a fondness for chicken nuggets - YUCK! I'm glad he seems to realize that the two of us are going to have to work together. I'm so blessed he's a great kid! Patrick ruled out moving very quickly when he heard that the city only had one McDonald's. I thought maybe though, when I heard the company would pay for boarding school...Can you say Switzerland? - LOL!!!

Soooo, that's our big news. Dan and I are having to learn some important skills right now. Our learning curve is steep and we are sorta old but given the current choices we are trying to do what must be done... Stay tuned to further chapters. I'll e-mail as we morph the household...