The First Days

My first few days seemed to run together.  I kept asking everyone back home when I called, "What time is it there?"  I was often awake and on the phone at 3am because I was all out of sorts.  My phone showed local time and my tablet showed SC time and Alabama time.  I worried that I was never going to get these three time zones organised in my head.

But wait...let me fill you in on some of the happenings.  On the day of arrival, those us landing were greeted by the orientation team waiting patiently at Starbucks just outside baggage claim for us to clear customs.  Their smiling faces and cool bottles of water were a welcomed sight after two days of flying which included a 12 hour journey from New York to Dubai. (Shout out to Emirates airlines and the superb experience.  Food and beverage service was unending and $1 on-air wifi made it possible for me to use all of my apps to chat, text, and even call my family along the way.)

From the airport, we were whisked away to our respective furnished apartments and given a quick tutorial on how to operate appliances before being left to settle in for the evening.  The team had stocked our refrigerators with some grocery staples and left a welcome packet on the coffee table that included a prepaid SIM card with international minutes and a data plan.  I wasted no time swapping the cards, calling home and video chatting Camryn so that we could both settle our minds.  Shortly after, I headed to the shower and was off to bed completely exhausted.  The sun rises here fairly early so by 5am the skyline view from my apartment window is hazy but fabulous!

The View from My Apartment

The next day I met the other part of my school admin team: the principal, also new, and the middle school AP who is returning.  I will be the high school AP for the girls campus.  The three of us have been chatting via email since May and were eager to put faces to names over brunch.  I knew instantly this was going to be a great partnership when I heard loud knocking and unfamiliar voices in the hallway calling my name as I looked through the peephole to see all of this taking place at the apartment across the hall.  Meeting them was like being with old friends and hugs were definitely in order before we were off to brunch and a little shopping. I managed to get lost on the cab ride home, however, and felt badly for my driver who had to ride me around in circles for 5 minutes until I figured it out.  He must be use to that, though, because he gave me his card so I could call him in the future, and since he already knows where I live,  and I obviously don't, he will definitely be my guy!!

"Get busy living, or get busy dying!" - Morgan Freeman - The Shawshank Redemption

August 9th, I tearfully boarded that plane knowing I had just said goodbye to my fave girl, my chest tightening with every breath.  Was this the right thing? We were doing this all wrong.  I was supposed to be dropping her off not the other way around. Was she going to be okay without me.  More importantly, was I going to be okay without her!?  The tears just wouldn't stop coming.  I thought back over the last two weeks and realized how very full my life has been even with its ebbs and flows, it's highs and lows.  During those days, I focused my attention on Camryn, lining up all the things for her trek to college.  I constantly asked her if she was truly okay with this change.  We watched old home movies and laughed heartily at the foolishness that has always been our lives. We had our annual Lucas/Maybank Blowout (which doubled as my going away party), and I had a BLAST!!!   I spent time with my brother and sister and my niece and nephews, knowing that our interactions would soon be limited to phone calls, texts and video chats.  I hugged them both my siblings more tightly than I think ever have before. I wasn't going to see anyone for a year! I'd have to wait till next summer for spray chicken, vodka infused watermelon slushies, a rainbow of jello shots, and macaroni reminiscent of my grandma Helen Lucas's.  I texted my O'Neill cousins who wished me well and shared their  hopes for a safe journey.  I spent some quality time with my mom, eating our fair share of snacks and treats and vowing to make better choices with each bite. I awoke each morning (except one :-)) to the smell of childhood breakfast favourites - shrimp and cream of wheat, grits, bacon, sausage, and salmon patties - and being asked about dinner requests before I could finish eating.  I reached to hug her just because I needed to hug my mom.  I spent a few minutes with my sweet Sassi in her new home and knew she would be in good hands.

Of course, I missed my dad even more and went to the cemetery to make sure I still felt the same about my decision.  I knew if it wasn't right, he'd find a way to let me know, but that peace and serenity was as strong as ever.  And then I made my way to Charlotte to hang out with Camryn and my mom before boarding the plane.

I was nervously excited as expected and didn't sleep long before my alarm sounded, and then, I was off to begin this long awaited journey.  From Charlotte to New York to Dubai to Kuwait, I was watching my life's landscape change as if I were a patron at at movie theatre with only the tears falling from my eyes down my face to remind me that this was indeed my life, and so as I sit her at 1 in the morning on my bed in my new home on the other side of the world, I am comforted by the fact that I am definitely getting busing living cause I refuse to die with the regret of never trying.  #TAOA

Just Doin' Me!!

                                                                                               

From the moment I first heard "Just Do You" by India Arie, I knew these were words I wanted Camryn to hear, internalize, and live!!  This song is all about taking that calculated risk, exploring life, creating your own path, and controlling it, and I have had this song on repeat in her life ever since.  When I thought she was losing her way, I reminded her of a few passages from the Bible, and blasted this song.  When I felt that self doubt was kicking in, I played this song! When I thought she might be affected by the treatment or words of someone else, I played this song.  I have always known that she can be whatever she wants because she is absolutely smart, and witty, and personable!  I just needed her to know and continue to believe that.  

Then I thought, if this mantra is good enough for Camryn, then of course, these words are good enough for me.  So to those who have nothing but negativity to toss in my direction, who ask if I'm crazy, who tell me repeatedly how hot it is as a way to change my thinking, who are just not on my team, don't waste your time because I am just doing me!!!  Every story needs someone to write it, and I am absolutely excited about revising mine!!!!