Well, I am officially unemployed. This is the first time in my life that I am without a job. It is a feeling that I am having a hard time adjusting to despite all that needs to be done before we leave for China. I left International Paper on Thursday, June 15th. I did the usual with Human Resources- returned the key to my office, returned all of the Company issued equipment and signed the termination agreement. It just seemed so anti-climatic to me after all the months of anticipation of the final day. I was the last one left in my department.
I met with my former colleagues on Friday evening at my former boss, Andrea's house for a farewell dinner. It was great to see everyone again and we've even made plans to have a final dinner before Matthew, Tony and I leave for China in July. The next day, Matthew and I went to my friend, Margaret's home (she is one of my nearest and dearest friends. We experienced a lot together on a trip to China many years ago) for a farewell lunch that turned into a farewell dinner as well. Matthew had a great time playing with his little buddy, Nicholas and they even engaged in a water fight and involved two other kids up the street as well. Needless to say, the two of them came back sopping wet and needed to be wrung out and dried.
A lot will be happening this Friday. Tony will be coming home to help with the final move and Matthew will finish school. I will be throwing a farewell party at the elementary school in the morning and a ice cream party at Piper's Hill in the afternoon. Nothing like sugaring up the kids before I send them home for the weekend.
We will be vacating our home on June 30th and will be moving to a hotel for the balance of the time period. We have found a corporate tenant for the next two years. Our home will be rented to a couple transferring to the U.S. on assignment from the Netherlands. Things are falling into place. My car has been sold, my plants have been moved to new homes and now all that's left is the balance of the packing and a prayer that all our items will arrive in China.
