Moving Violation
You may have noticed I am not as engaged with the blog right now. Truth is, I have a lot on my mind. As with many expats, this summer will bring a move from Kuwait, and moves take a lot of energy, both mental, emotional and physical.
I do some of the packing myself, because having something to do helps me fight the sadness I feel about leaving, and also because the things that the packers don’t see, don’t disappear. I know that sounds cynical.
This is my 30th move. In one of my early moves, two packers arrived with great big bags. It did occur to me that was rather odd, but I was a sweet and trusting young woman. When I arrived at the other end of the country missing two sterling silver cups engraved with my son’s name and the date of his birth, I started to get wiser about moving. To this day, it hurts me inside that someone would steal cups given to me to commemorate our son’s birth. It isn’t the cups. It’s that they were celebrating a very special event. It still hurts.
The second illumination was arriving at my destination to discover my riding boots packed with my formal gowns. it wasn’t the dresses. It was that someone cared so little that my worn, dirty boots would be packed with those filmy, fantasy creations. It was almost hostile. I still remember it, and it has to be over 20 years ago.
One move, each piece of tupperware was wrapped individually. One salad bowl – plastic – was wrapped in one large box. Even though the government was paying for these moves, not me, it sent a strong message. Someone was stretching the square footage of the move. Now, I pack my own tupperware, and it easily ALL goes in one box, and no, not a lot of wrapping.
One move, three boxes just never showed up, and they contained things of no value to anyone but me.
I have a thing about putting too much value on things. I don’t want to miss things – I want to let them go. I am good at letting go of things I choose to let go of, and I find I am not at all good at letting go of things taken from me when I had no choice.
And it’s a whole lot easier for me to focus on packing things, and thinking about things that have gone missing than to allow myself to experience the PAIN of all I leave behind every time I move, the sweet friendships, the church, the teams I play on, the sights, the smells. Sometimes I think all my photos are an attempt to hang on to something I know I will have to leave behind.
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30 moves? My God.
I though I was bad with about 7!
Kuwait will miss you. I will continue to read your blog – please keep writing about wherever you end up going… Good luck.
Now I am depressed. Bitzer leaves; you leave. I guess it is in the nature of the beast …
I have loved reading your blog and exchanging ideas. You have inspired me to do more than just sit out my time while I am here. You have introduced me to people I would have otherwise never known about (I checked out Bu Yousef’s site and photo’s just today).
Thank you for sharing – thank you for being you!
God speed and a safe journey where ever your next home may be.
Looking forward to reading more as your adventure continues,
bj
So where are you going next? What I miss most when I leave, of course, is my friends, people I may never see again. I have friends the world over, but few where I’ve pitched my tent right now. Sometimes I think what I want to do when we’re ready to find a more permanent perch and fold our wings, is to start an ex-expat community for all my rootless friends — somewhere warm and cheap 😉
If your or anyone else knows of such a community already, do e-mail me!
Miss Footloose
http://www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot.com
My heart is with you, my friend, as I celebrate not having to move this year (or ever again at someone else’s whim). I’ll pray for a smooth move for you with no loss. Hope to see you this summer.
Intlxpatr ;
You are leaving ??? Says who .
You are staying and that’s an order .
Who will tell us whats happening in Kuwait after you leave ??
Who will call the police station and yell at them to come to yet another car accident???
Who will discover the off the main throughway restaurants ???
Who will tell us whats the weather outside before we go to work everyday ???
Who will get upset at the stupidity of our actions here in kuwait ???
Who will alert us to new Warden’s notices issued ??
Who will fight crime in kuwait and report odd and funny crimes ???
Who will pick on our local news reporters for lack of writing skills and “Red handedness ” and “Hailing” syndrome???
Who will support the Women’s issues locally ???
Who will engage us in stimulating religious discussions without losing our respect for one another ???
Who will take us on romantic getaways and date nights every now and then ???
Who will below the whistle on whats Adventureman is up to ???
Who will share their holiday outings and discover new make up brands for the ladies here and at fantastic prices too ???
Who will try to get us to read worthwhile books and novels again in the age of quick pop culture induced by the internet ???
Who will tolerate my almost crossing the line and odd comments and publish them without editing ???
It has been a pleasure knowing you through the cyberspace
and good luck with your 30th move
God bless you and your family
looking forward to your new posts from your new Location
WHAT! You are moving? 😦
may i ask where are u moving to ? 🙂
You make a mark Intlxpatr. You really leave a mark. Please don’t stop blogging from wherever you go.
Its indeed sad to hear that you are moving. I’m sure glad I found your blog and in turn found many others. You’re in my RSS reader so I’ll continue to visit wherever you are.
Kuwait will be missing a really good blogger.
Wish you all the best in your new location and keep posting those sunrise shots. 🙂
oh!! thats bad news! 😦 For kuwait and those who reside here! shall miss all those updates – be it your views or the latest news! a slice of kuwait every day, and the sunrise(s)! sigh!!
then again, wish you have an uneventful packing and upacking this time around! and may you have a wonderful life wherever you are heading for! the place is sure lucky to welcome you into its folds. au revoir!
one good thing, the best thing being (assuming) you will keep us all updated on your moves, from wherever!
Good luck!!
Kuwait will miss u for sure, I hope you will visit back. and I wish you and your family all the best.
What sad news!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and really hope that you continue to blog wherever you move to so we can learn about the new place you are living in.
HI!
Alot has been going on since I last spoke with you. My son had an emergency appendectomy ( He’s fine now) and we are now getting ready to move as well. I still need to find a good moving company ( looking at Global Freight Systems) as I’m afraid of ‘lost’ items too. Will heed your advice about doing my own packing though.
Maybe we’ll be on the same flight out. =)
BTW Delta is stopping the direct flights to the U.S. this July.
Good luck with everything!
Im starting to get hooked on your blog, keep the posts comming!
well I join the others (13 don’t reflect your numbers of readers surely) who will miss you in Kuwait!! God Bless you in your move and beyond. Take Care
NWB
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Whose going to comment on my blog entries?!
Whose going to allow me to comment on their blog with miles and miles more words than the actual entry contained??!
Well, I guess that could still continue provided there is internet where you’re going ;p
Dawn- Global Freight Systems was amazing at the packout. They sent 12 men and were done in 4 hours. Record time. I won’t be able to tell you how our things arrived since we won’t see them til July but the pack was great! Good luck with your search