Defining My New Reality

It's starting to get real.

Last Monday was my final day working at the American Chemistry Council (ACC). As I mentioned in my previous post, I absolutely loved my job, bosses and coworkers. We always managed to have a lot of fun while staying busy. I am not ashamed to admit that I have cried on 4 separate occasions and more tears are likely to come in the weeks ahead.

Just before my final work day, I told one of my coworkers about my tears and he told me crying over leaving my job to move to Paris was like someone being sad because they are a Princess - it's just silly. I got the point and shut up. Thanks Ryan!

On Tuesday, we learned that Mark's work permit for France had been approved. His permit was supposed to take 6-8 weeks and it was approved within 3. Now we just have to wait on our long term visas which should take 2-4 weeks, then we are all set to move.

Some of you might wonder about Lilly. She is, of course, coming with us and has already learned to obey French dog commands. Thanks to another awesome coworker, I learned that Lilly needed to learn how to sit and stay in French. I always knew Lils was smart but she learned to asseids and reste very quickly. Thanks Marie!

Lilly also has a Senior Pet Relocation Counselor working with her on the big move. (Thanks GE!) I have really been impressed with Kerry at WorldCare Pet Transport. She has been awesome and is making Lilly's move much easier on us. Honestly, out of this whole move, Lilly flying below deck on a plane all alone for 7 hours is what worries me the most. She is my baby. I know she will be ok during the flight but I can't say the same for her mother - hello red wine!!

My first two weeks of not working have actually been a lot of fun. Mark and I were both concerned about how I would react to my new found freedom. On my first day of not working I decided to join a 2nd gym. I know that probably sounds crazy but I promise the two gyms offer different classes and environments. I am quickly becoming a spin class and body pump addict. I did try Zumba this week and let's just say this white girl STILL can't dance!! I laughed for an hour straight so that was fun!

Over the last week and a half I have had a lot of time to think and I realized that I need to learn how to define myself in my new reality. For so long I have let a job or where I'm from define me, now I get to let me define me! Exciting and scary at the same time.

C'est la vie y'all. Thanks for reading!