moving sucks

You guys, moving really sucks.  Moving overseas REALLY sucks.  And doing it alone while being away from your husband for three months REALLY REALLY sucks.  I'm very lucky to have some great friends who have helped me along the way, though.  And my parents and sister have been the best, even from Omaha.  I'm looking forward to my mom getting here Friday to help with the last minute stuff, and to just hang out my last day in Chicago.

My apartment is pretty bare right now.  I have no bedroom furniture, other than my bed.  No couch.  I have a pile of things for the Brown Elephant to pick up tomorrow and I've taken more than I'd like to admit down to the dumpster.  It's kind of sad and empty but also has a feeling of progress, which is much needed after three months of being asked, "ARE YOU ALL PACKED UP YET?"  And always responding, "no" while having a minor panic attack.

My last day at work was Friday and my coworkers gave me a really lovely send-off.  Now I'm officially a house wife!  WEIRD.

I did get a massage today, which I highly recommend doing during a stressful period like moving.  I'm really looking forward to a month in Omaha with my family, a week and a half in Spokane, WA with more family, and then finally starting my adventure in Dubai with Ryan and Renard.

Stressballs

I have a feeling most of my blog entries from now until shortly after we actually move to Dubai will be about how stressed I am.  Right now I am dealing with moving companies, figuring out how to get our dog to Dubai, and trying to sell a stupid pool table that Ryan had to have, but only played three or so times (I told you so!)

Ryan thinks we should ditch all of our stuff and buy all new things once we get there.  I am completely opposed to this idea.  We just got married and most of these items are wedding gifts from our lovely, thoughtful, and generous friends and family.  I am most certainly not going to toss it all out only to replace it all with cheap Ikea crap (and then have to do it all over again when we move back in five years.)

Plus, I'm just really attached to my stuff.  So American of me, I know.  Ryan is much better than I am about not getting attached to things.  I mean, he moved to Chicago from Arizona with all of his posessions in a Jeep Cherokee.  I don't think my clothes and shoes could fit into a Jeep Cherokee. 

Stuff aside, I'm really nervous about shipping our dog, Renard.  I don't want the trip over to be too stressful on him, and I also do not want to pay thousands of dollars.  But, neither of us can imagine life without him.  From what I understand (am beginning to realize,) the UAE LOVES paperwork.  Lots and lots of forms.  And I'm really bad at filling out forms.  So what if I check the wrong box and he ends up like one of those poor pups in an ASPCA commercial with Sarah McLaughlin playing in the background.  Poor guy!  :(



I promise once I get to Dubai these blog posts will be more interesting.  I plan to load them full of photos and tales of adventures, our encounters of culture shock, etc.  But for now you're going to have to listen to me whine and vent.  OK?  OK!