11.09.2008

The transition begins

Just as the new Obama administration works on taking the reigns of power and the world turns its rapturous attention away from U.S. politics, I have my own transition to begin to address.

You remember that little thing I mentioned oh so briefly the other week? Max accepted a promotion, which will move the Mandy clan away from the the rolling vineyards of Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany to the vibrant, port city of Barcelona, Spain. Wow. I can hardly believe that by February, we will start anew.

I have to tell you I am not the least bit weary of this move. Compared to the jumbled emotions I felt before we left America last year, I am positively serene. Maybe this is because I believe that with the initial move to Europe my expat survival skills have already been tested and proven adequate enough to handle the challenges ahead of us. Or maybe I feel a sense of optimism because living in southern Europe has always been a dream of mine.

Either way, I shouldn't get too cocky. Our family circumstances will certainly change with this move. In Max's new position, he will take charge 150 employees in 4 office locations: Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy. He will be required to learn both Italian and Spanish. Finally, he will have to travel much more than he does in his current job. With so much a Max's energy needing to be directed toward his career, I'll need to be much more self-reliant in Spain. I'll have to work more quickly to develop a network of new friends and, perhaps, go where I dared not go during our time in Germany--to the American or English-speaking expat organization.

But before I get three steps ahead, I need to stay focused on all that needs to be accomplished in the here and now. House-hunting, organizing and cleaning in preparation for the move, building up my Spanish vocabulary skills, and remembering to take a moment to breathe. Yeah, I need to remember to breathe.

16 comments:

Sizzle said...

I hope you learn to dance the flamenco when you are in Spain. Then I can live vicariously through you! ;-)

P.S. My word verification is "dimplese" - tee hee.

kenju said...

I read a blogger named Mar from Barcelona, and you and she would probably hit it off. I'll send you the link to her blog.

kenju said...

http://maremag.blogspot.com/

Check her out!!

Anonymous said...

I'll be making a life transition right along with you, leaving North Carolina behind to return "home". The change is going to be a bit protracted, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Of course, West Virginia isn't SPAIN, for cryin' out loud...

;-)

swenglishexpat said...

Diane, how wonderful for you! No more Hausfrau, una seƱora! As long as you keep blogging I won't complain. Good luck with all your preparations!

Unknown said...

You'll do fine. I think you can adapt to anything and I have no doubt you'll be finding friends left and right. I hear the Spanish are nice! And the food is nice. And the city is really cool. And you're right on the water.

Any chance Charlie needs a nanny??

And yeah, keep blogging!

Connie said...

The most important thing I've learned about moving is that things will either go well, or they will not go well, or they'll accomplish some combo of the two... but they will go... probably.. or maybe not. But you'll end up somewhere. So why worry about it? Get Zen.

jaded said...

You're becoming a pro at this. Nothing like jumping off a cliff to learn how to fly.

Jill said...

I agree with you that the second expat move is so much easier than the first... and the third is virtually a piece of cake!

Good luck with your upcoming move - I so look forward to reading your new adventures.

I'm quite sure that with your personality (that completely comes through in your writing), that people will flock to you once you get to Spain.

vailian said...

You will love Barcelona.
My daughter and her mother lived there for 4 years and so I have visited often... we have quite a good connection with the German school there (there is also an American school) and they sometimes need teachers..
Barcelona is noisy and expensive, and they speak Spanish as a second language (Catalan is first).

christina said...

I'm sure you'll just ease right into things and you've got a wonderful new city to help you do that. Barcelona! Whee!

egan said...

Already? I'm excited to hear you're not too nervous. I think it would be tough to move so soon after you got settled in Germany. What a great experience and opportunity. My wife loved Barcelona when she visited there, therefore it has to be awesome.

Suvii said...

What an exciting move! I look forward to reading all about your adventures in a new city! And if you need any help with your Spanish, I'm happy to help! That's kind of a bummer about Max needing to travel so much more!

Miss M said...

My parents lived overseas for many years doing the expat move after move and they do get easier the more you do them. But my mom, and I when I lived overseas, belonged to the American and English speaking expat groups and they were great.
We did lots of stuff and it was great to have some people to get together with that were in the same situation as you. They are really welcoming and help the newbies to the city out with everything.

Dianne said...

breathe

OK

it is all very exciting! and congrats to Max on his promotion'

will moving Charlie be traumatic? quarantine or nasty shots?

Sue Jacquette said...

I think my family and I will be in Barcelona for the Tour De France next summer. You'll have to advise me on where to go and what to see.