104; feels like 124

WHEW! They have arrived in their new city and have settled into their cozy hotel on one of the major thouroughfares in the city. Upon arrival, the two searched the hundreds of people for the name placard bearing their family name. None was to be found. After going through customs and weaving around other arriving passengers, E stayed by the curb outside while C whet back into the airport to inquire about transportation to our hotel. E wasn't too worried...at least she had her ALL of her luggage which was 100% different than her experience in SY the previous summer.

C has finished his first day on the job and leared that the academy has over 65 nationalities employed as faculty and staff. C found it much easier to call his collegues by the name of the country of origin rahter than trying to pronounce some of the names. He said it was interesting to The complex is the largest of its kind int he world! His classroom will be given to him in the next few days...then E ha to come up to the campus and assist in decorating.

Yesterday E took care of purchasing mobile phones and C took care of renting a Honda City for the month. It's a safe car (a bit larger than an accord) and doesn't smell like smoke. Most used and rental cars smell like a tobacco factory, So C & E settled on renting the 2007 model...never been used.

The weather is HOT! It's tempting to stay inside all day, just so the heat doesn't melt glasses to a pers on's face. If you would like to know what 124 feels like---fly on over! Or you could just turn on your oven to 125 and leave the door open to see how warm it is outside. The inside temperature is anywhere from 65-75. Nice and cool!

C&E got to enjoy a nice regional meal last night with some new friends. The lamb was fantastic and the hummus , mattable, and fatoush (salad) were the perfect compliment to the meal. The evening ended with hot mint tea and cream caramel So much for loosing those extra 'newlywed pounds'!

E is touring the oceanfront this afternoon with another American and hopes to take C out this evening when it is much cooler. Tomorrow C goes back to work and E goes back to househunting.

Points to ponder:
--YES! We arrived safely with all luggage
--THANKFUL: We have a place to stay and a vehicle for one month
--Jet lag: it's a nasty beast and needs to be GONE from our systems in order to us to function at full capacity
--E locates a 2-3 bedroom flat (apartment) before Rmadn begins on / near Sept 13th
--C continues to build relationships wih those at the Academy...adjustment to the new position.

14 hours until departure

At this point, C&E should be snoozing away and resting peacefully in the guest bedroom of the Caplinger's home. Instead, they are still up, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Caplinger, as they experiment with creative packing techniques. Apparently it is cheaper to have excess weight in a 'checked bag' than it is to pay the expenses of an extra 'checked bag'. Even Houdini would be impressed with the ways they stuffed clothes, books, DVDs, Cd's, cookware, educational material, shoes, sports equipment, and a painting into 13 checked bags. Oh yes...it's 13! They began with 16 checked bags and have weened it down to only 13. Thanks to friends loaning C&E a 15 passenger van, they will be able to load everything to the airport in one trip.

The past several days have been stressful for the couple. It is never easy to uproot from one location and transplant life into another time zone. Emotions run high and energy runs low...real low at times. For instance, it's 1am and the update is just now making it off the 'To Do List', but at least it is being done!

C&E would like for family and friends to please lift up their stamina for the next several days. Although they will arrive in country on Saturday evening, C begins work the very next morning at 8am. While he is adjusting to a new time zone, new culture, and new occupation, E will be scavenging the city (population:300,000) for a home and a vehicle. They will also be adjusting to how to live with one another within the boundaries of a more conservative culture.

Points to Ponder:
--our family members who will be learning to communicate via Skype rather than in person
--our friends who will be learning to go through the weekly events without C&E around
--our new home: location, neighbors, large enough to host friends!
--C's new job: flexibility, understanding, and connection with co-workers
--E's new role: full-time house wife...it's a NEW ONE for her!!!!!
--our new fellowship: connection with like-minded people

One week to go!

The BOGS (Big Ol' Garage Sale) was a huge hit! It was unbelievable to watch people arrive even an hour before the sale was supposed to begin. They were blessed beyond their prys and were even able to help a local charity with nice women's clothing.
They are meeting with friends and family everyday and filling footlockers with belongings. It's a tedious process emotionally and physically. The plan is to be out of their duplex by Tuesday and staying with friends until Friday morning. Their flight leaves on Friday afternoon and they will arrive in their new city on Saturday morning (US time).
This is a short one due to time and tasks to be accomplished. Thank you for your prys, support, and encouragement. They could not do this without it!

And the lucky number is...24!

There is a bit of peace over C & E as they have just heard word from the Academy concerning their flights from the US. The official departure date from the US is Friday, August 24th and with the arrival in their country being Saturday, August 25th. Before landing in the capitol city of their final destination, they will stop in Illinois and Germany. When it's all said and done, the total trip time should only be 19 hours. Any bets that might be extended?

We're Leaving on a Jet Plane...

It's official! C & E have FBI clearance and an official invitation from the Academy to move to their new country. In earlier communication with the Academy, August 24th was the tentative move date. From a brief email yesterday, C & E learned the Academy had reserved tickets for them leaving on August 17th! This put them in a bit of a tailspin, but they are working feverishly to have the date moved back to the 24th. Check early next week for a brief blog update concerning their last day in the US.

Today is E's last day at the University and it has been a tearful one for sure. The week has been full of faculty, staff, and students dropping by for one last time. How appropriate that Ms. Rebecca was the final student to drop by the office. She was the very first student that E met at the University. It has been an amazing two years of learning, leadership, and service.

C is still out sweating in the sun as he diligently manicures local lawns. He continues to study more material and make lesson plans for his class. Information about the classroom technology was sent to him and it looks like he will have absolutely anything and everything a teacher would ever dream of for his or her classroom. To E it looks like something out of 'Minority Report'.

This next week C & E are focusing on a HUGE MOVING SALE. When looking around their home at items, they have to decide to sell it, ship it, or store it. If it can be stored for a number of years, why not sell it? If you are looking for some good items to buy and live in the area, stop by their sale.

Points to Ponder:
for C: new job as a teacher; build good relationships with employers, students, and co-workers; the Father would build bridges between C and the key people he meets; sell his truck within 2 weeks;
for E: patience...need lots of it when dealing with paperwork to close out life in the US and begin life overseas; healthy emotional stamina in saying so many goodbyes to wonderful people; thanks for connecting her with a new American friend living in their new country