In-country

This is the update from in-county, we have arrived. I will start at the week before departure. Our packing went very well; we shipped 2 large boxes (140lbs) by FedEx on the Friday before our Sunday departure. Our shipping allowance of $800.00 covered this cost (we hope). We had a Friday night dinner with 4 of our friends; it was very special that they went to the trouble for us. It was greatly appreciated.

On Saturday morning, we went down our check list of items and most everything was taken care of. I did go by the Bank of Athens ( they have been great) for Travelers Checks and cash for the trip. We finished our packing, which included 2 large suitcases each, a carry-on bag and a computer bag, which doubled as a carry-on for some things which wouldn’t fit anywhere else. We weighted the large bags as we were limited to 70 lbs per bag. All were about 65 lbs so that was a go.

Sunday morning our daughter and son-in-law arrived to take us to the plane for an afternoon departure. Getting everything loaded even in their SUV was a little tight. Oh, did I mention the golf clubs, we decided to take them as extra baggage, if the airlines would let allow it. If not they would go back home, but it was cheaper to take them as extra baggage than ship them earlier.

We got to the flight about 2 hours before departure which was good because we had “prepaid tickets” which they only process a couple of times per year, so it took reading a manual for the USAir staff to make it happen. The first scare was when I placed the bags on the scale, the lady told me they were 15 lbs overweight, no way, I had weighted them at home and they were only 65 lbs and we were allowed 70lbs per bag. After I finished panicking because I had no clue what to do with the extra stuff at this stage, we figured out that on International flights, the limit is 70 lbs and we were OK (50 on domestic). The next incident was almost as much fun; we got the full TSA inspection experience because we had one way tickets purchased in the Middle East. Think about it, makes sense, but why me? This adventure starts at 2:45 EDT when we leave our home airport. (Remember that time)

Counting Down

It is getting close to departure time. I have the boxes for shipping, suitcases for packing, paperwork together (I think) and most things organized. Our flight schedule is good, we don't have to fly coach and we can take 2 large suitcases each plus a couple of carry-on's. Looks to me like we will have space to take most of what we want, hope so because the golf clubs will be the first thing to stay home if we don't.

Got our International Driving Permit, hope it helps till we get the Qatar permit. Got Skype setup with all the add-ons for phone service.

Working on what I have forgotten, I just don't remember it yet

Department Chair

We decided that taking the Department Chair offer was a good idea. The department is made up of the computer and university success (study skills) classes. There are 5 faculty members plus the Dept Chair. This will just add to the adventure.

I have finally heard from the shipping agent, looks like the pickup is scheduled for the week of July 21st, with arrival in Doha after Aug 1st. We need to be in the country when things arrive.

New idea

In the last week I have found out that the Department Chair for the Computer Department is leaving and I offered my help in the transition. I have now been asked to consider becoming the Chair for the Computer and University Success Department. Little more money and a little less classroom time but all the administrative duties of supervising the other faculty members (about 6) and reporting to the Academic Dean.

My wife and I will discuss this change of events and try to make a quick decision. Becoming part of the administration may require being on campus a little earlier for the administrative meetings. I am going to try to talk with the departing Chair for some background and give the program an answer by tomorrow. As others have told us, working overseas requires a bit of flexibility.

Would you believe??

We still have not been contacted by the shipping company. With 7 weeks till departure time, we have not started major packing. We have found out that it is best for the shipment to arrive after we are in the country and can accept it, so our plan is to ship about July 20th. From everyone we have talked to about what to bring, clothes and a few personal items are it. Most everything else is available in country cheaper than the shipping cost.

Another surprise, I just found out that the head of the Computer Department is coming back to the states after a 4 year stint in Qatar. I don't know what this does to the planning and class organization as it seems rather sudden. I would think that finding her replacement may be a challenge, especially at this late date. Flexibility seems to be the word of the day.

Some of our local friends are planning a going away party before the big day, either glad to see me go or they will miss my wife in the neighborhood. Either way, it is a very nice idea and we are grateful for the thought.

Time is moving on!

We have started to put together the items we think we want to pack and ship. We have gotten the advice to compare availability and purchase price overseas to shipping fees, fine, except I can't find the price of everyday items in Qatar so I can't get a comparison. We are getting our International Driver's Permit from AAA, this will let us rent a car and drive until we get the Qatar permit and purchase a car.

Have setup the online banking and bill payment option for most everything. We are also getting all the important numbers and copies of everything to our daughter, our family attorney, and my brother. Surely with things in three places, if something is needed, somebody can handle it.

With the nice weather now in East Tennessee, we hope to enjoy some of the summer before our departure to the great "hot" middle east. August temps can be around 120 degrees, a little adjustment.

An Answer

We finally got an answer to part of the shipping question. Our allowence will cover 100 to 120 Kg, about 300lbs. That will take about 3 weeks to arrive, so I am planning for a July 1st ship date.

Next question is what to take. One thing we have heard from the area, take sunscreen because it is expensive in county. That may be the free market at work because if anything would be needed in a county that only gets 3 to 5 inches of rain a year, it would be protection from the sun.

The "List"

As promised, here are a few things to put on a list when you have to prepare to be gone for an extended period of time. This has been a good exercise and hopefully will shorten our list of last minute crisis.

1. Updated wills and a Power of Attorney so someone can handle problems if they arise.
2. Put all our important information in a file and leave copies with family members and our attorney.
3. Passports renewed.
   
4. Visa requirements met so we can get into the country.
5. Arranging with our local bank for money transfers, etc.
6. Setting up all the automatic payments needed because we will not get our local mail in a timely manner (if at all).
7. Getting someone to pickup and check our local mail that we will not get.
8. Suspending newspapers and magazines.
9. Making sure that Health Insurance coverages overlaps.
10. Getting phone and other utilities set to the minimum charge.
11. Setting up Internet phone service (Skype) and making it work before we leave. This will allow for free or very low cost phone calls.
12. Making sure that arrangements are made for property taxes to be paid.
13. Making sure that I am removed from jury duty, which I am serving on for the next year. How’s that for timing?
14. Getting all the outside things winterized.
15. Arranging for the yard work.
16. Renew licenses that will expire during our time away.
17. Make sure that banks and credit card companies know that we will be away.
18. Getting the shipping dates, timelines and weight allowances.
19. Deciding what to ship.
20. Make an inventory of each packed box contents.
21. Get an International Driver’s Permit from AAA.
22. We will need 30 passport type photos.
23. Get copies of prescriptions including eyeglasses.
24. Get a copy of application for absentee ballots.

That is our start at our “to do” list. I better not show it to my wife quite yet; it could be a full time job for the next few months.

Just like a Fl vacation

Have you ever thought about all the things you have to do to get things in shape to be gone. I have a new understanding of all the old people who pack off to Florida for 6 months. Somebody has to handle things here while you are there. We are getting everything together, but the list keeps growing. Later on I will give you a check list so if you ever have to be away, it will be a place to start.

I am sure that someone has posted that type of list somewhere on the web, I just have failed to find it, yet. We are working with our shipper on how much, in Kilos, we can ship as part of the $820, we are allotted. I don't yet have an answer on how it needs to be packed, or how much lead time (I think about 4/6 weeks) we need.That means that the packing and shipping has to be done some time about June 20th. As they say, we still have 2 months, what could go wrong.

We are sending the final paperwork, medical forms, etc, this week so we will see what the next steps are in the process.

Spring

We are starting to have spring weather in East Tennessee and with everything blooming, nice weather, etc., now would be the time for buyers remorse. Have we made the right decision, sure we have, time to start down the yellow brick road for our grand adventure. Our different view of the world and how we do things is starting to come out, one of us is making lists and getting organized, one of us is going with the flow. There is still plenty of time for getting everything done, why rush it. After 37 years together, some things never change, we will work this out and deal with the increased stress over time.

I sure do hate lists of jobs but time to go with the flow.