Before we spend too much time in London, let's review those last few weeks of the previous packout, which was the most difficult of the six we have done in fifteen years working for the State Department.
I can't even deal with the overdose of cortisol that is this move.
Mark divorced my mom and today, at age 98, Adult Protective Services put her on a plane with one suitcase to move her into an assisted living facility we've arranged for her in California.
In addition, I'm separated from Peter while he's doing a tour in Pakistan. After not seeing each other for 14 months, we finally got in a visit, but now it's back to living on two different continents.
In addition, Peter can't figure out how to pack out the 200 carpets he bought in Islamabad.
In addition, dealing with Airbnb renters to the Tahoe house who can't figure out how to turn on the dishwasher.
In addition, coordinating the pack out of the house here, which is happening this weekend. I'm hiding all my haram perfumes, and Stefan wants me to Saran wrap all 300 of his legos sets so pieces don't get lost.
In addition, using my tons leave days after my last day of work was refused, even though it's encouraged by the State Department.
In addition, the car needs body work before I can sell it to the buyer who is waiting. I had to get the car to the embassy guy who kindly drove it to Ruwi, and a rental car is being delivered to me tomorrow--hopefully. $60 a day so I don't miss my supervisor's weekly section meeting. Ends up I think I was scammed by someone in Facilities not named Siraj. I asked Siraj what the next step is and he said for me to send him Peter's driver's license, the registration "mukia" for the car, and Peter's MFA. Um, hello? I sent all that eight days ago. Now we wait for MFA approval to sell the car.
In addition, a new July 14 CDC deadline now restricts importing dogs from Oman into the U.S. Bea is visiting the vet every few days for vaccinations, having 14 teeth pulled, dropping off her records, and final health check.
In addition, it's 105? 110? 150 degrees? during the day and I have to wear a long dress with long sleeves and a high collar when I go out. Going from the car into work yesterday, I had sweat running down my legs. After talking to the motorpool guy because I couldn't find where the guy who took the car to be painted had left it my hair felt like I'd gone swimming. Car was parked right in front of the embassy.
Here's me pretending to be relaxed and that I enjoy that it's 99 degrees at 7:45 in the morning.
In addition, I've submitted five job applications for London, had three interviews, gotten three "we have not moved your application forwards" emails, and two more interviews in the next four days. After they take away my desktop computer and I have to switch to the laptop.
In addition, Stefan extended his lease on a crappy apartment in a crappy neighborhood. At least it's cheap.
In addition, because of the super high Covid rates in Oman, Kumari's flight, and all flights into Sri Lanka, were cancelled until July 13 and maybe beyond. She can't leave until after I go, and now I have to get her a new plane ticket. Then it looked like I needed to find her a new sponsor and a place to live until Sri Lanka decided to let in people from the GGC. Then Sri Lanka LIFTED THE BAN. I believe in the power of prayer and magical thinking now.
Yesterday 90% of the Embassy housing was out of electricity for a day. Have I mentioned it's 150 degrees? And today, a city-wide main water break, all water turned off until further notice.
In addition, my baby dog died.
In addition, I decided now is a good time to buy a new dog whose shipping has to be coordinated.
I'm basically working at home in a nightgown all the time, angry crying, except when I put on hard clothes and go into work with sweat running down my legs.