Plugs for Things I Like
For the remainder of our time here in Mexico, I have decided that I am going to try my best to put in a few plugs for things that have kept me informed and amused during a time of major changes. For tonight, though, a bit of rambling dialog is in order.
Before Emily joined the Foreign Service, I was a productive yet frustrated IT guy, making good money and working too many hours. I left that job, learned a *very* little Spanish, helped prep our house in Manassas for rent, and then moved to Monterrey in the first stage of this grand adventure. I left behind job, family, and friends, although my best friend was right there by my side the whole time: my wife, Emily. She does her best to keep me sane and put up with my idiocies, er... that is, idiosyncrasies.
All I can say is, thank goodness for decent internet! If internet wasn't available here, I couldn't have gone back to school, kept in touch with friends and family (by email and phone - Vonage), or maintained my sanity in all likelihood. This is a subject of considerable concern in Albania, although we've heard some favorable news on that front lately.
As we prepare to pack out for training in the States followed by two years in Albania, I am trying to remain philosophical. I may be able to continue my studies in Tirana; chances are actually very good. I'm beginning to really feel that I need to contribute more, however, so I don't know how much longer I can do the full-time student gig. Do I want to go back to IT? I've worked in it for 10 years and loved computers for many years more, but maybe it's time for something new. We shall see.
I'm giving up nearly all my beloved science-fiction and fantasy books; most are packed for Freecycle and a few will be donated to the Consulate library. I have set aside a few books that either hold special meaning for me or that I've found hard to find in used book stores. All my signed first editions (not many, but a few) will go to storage. I'm currently debating about some certification books. Should I ship them back to the States and hope to find the time to actually use them? Should I give up on it for now and just give them away? I really don't know.
I'm giving up my regular computer; it'll be cleaned up and given to my brother before we head out to Tirana. I'll replace it with a laptop, a breed of which I'm not overly fond. I gave up my server, spare computer parts, and nearly all my cables. What's a guy without cables?! :-) That's okay; the computer stuff has gone to a good home. Hopefully Gerardo will put them to good use.
Well, I'll put this aside for now. Tomorrow I'll start my plugs, hopefully frequent, for Things That Keep Me Sane.
About Me
- Trailing Male
- I worked for about 10 years in the IT field in the Northern Virginia region and lived in Manassas for about 11 years. My wife, Emily, achieved her long-time (and hard-fought) dream and started with the US Foreign Service in 2006. Our first posting was in Monterrey, Mexico, where we spent two years. As soon as I knew where we were headed and when I could get Spanish training, I gave notice and quit my job. After two years in Mexico, we spent a while back in the US learning Albanian for our current post in Tirana. I am currently not employed and have resumed my college studies (I WILL finish a degree one of these days!). I’ve taking up blogging to keep friends and relatives up to date. My blog is also an outlet to express the pleasures and frustrations associated with living abroad on behalf of the US government. My long-term goal is to hone my writing skills to the point where I can earn a living as an author and editor. In the meantime, I am a trailing male – the male spouse of a female Foreign Service Officer, a student, and, happily, a kept man.
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1 comment:
I had to donate a lot of my SF and Fantasy books when I moved to NYC - there just wasn't enough room for them in the new place. I held onto Terry Brooks and JRR Tolkien. Everything else went.
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