Last night I had dinner with 3 of my January A-100 classmates. We are all so different- lawyer, media professional, teacher, and health care administrator. Different ages and life stages, definitely. Fellow blogger
Career Diplomat is about to buy a house in Florida (perfect for home leave rentals!). S. is about to get married and hasn't had much time to think about A-100 prep. N. is teaching in a Long Island school and working on the forms. I'm the only parent in this group. But we had a terrific time. I am really going to enjoy getting to know my A-100 classmates. Everyone has such fascinating experiences to share and an interest in the world.
But meeting up with them also made it more real. We were talking about Istanbul, and suddenly, I just had to duck my head and take a few deep breaths for a minute. It's one thing to be doing this by myself. But when I think about taking my kids around the world, every once in a while, I freak out. I wish I could describe what I feel, but I can't seem to put it into words. I just want to snatch them up tight and hold them. I can only imagine what I'm going to be feeling on Flag Day or departure day.
Of course, I had to get a picture for the blog! Forgot my camera, but luckily CD's phone saved the day.
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| Career Diplomat, N, Bfiles, S |
9 comments:
It was fun! Good to meet some of the new A-100 class - looking forward to getting started in January.
I still feel that way about having my kids around the world sometimes. Like bad things are bound to happen far from home...I know it's irrational but I think it's a Mom thing!!!
Looks like a fun time!
I can certainly understand your freaking out regarding the kids. It's all getting very real for you. But that's good!! :-)
There are plenty of people who have done this before. Hopefully they can be your guides and support.
I don't know that it will offer any comfort (I hope it does!), but we always felt much safer (yes, safer) living overseas. In fact, we had a much harder time coming back to the States as there were so many more rules and issues to deal with than there were overseas...could have just been the places we lived, but still...
So glad you had a chance to meet with your new classmates!
They all seem very young, that is encouraging!
I'm joining the Jan A-100 too, and also have little kids (2yr old boy & 3mth old girl). Your comments about needing to take some deep breaths & wanting to snatch them up ring very true for me too. I look forward to meeting you in January!
thanks for the nice comments, folks! Jen- It's VERY comforting to hear your words.
Team Traille- not sure if you're male or female, of course I'm glad to meet you either way but it would be great to know there is another mom in our class. So far, I've only met dads. Would love to connect w you at bbsunnydays@gmail.com
I was a basket case about taking our kids overseas but I am so glad we did. in so many ways the life of a foreign service kid (or diplobrats as my husband calls ours) is a 1950's Happy Days kind of existence. They are not bombarded with the pressure to grow up fast. They have the freedom to just be kids. It really has been a wonderful experience.
That's great that you got a chance to meet some of your classmates ... it makes it all seem so real!
And ditto to what Jen said. I've never felt safer with my kids as I have in the last 7 years overseas...
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