It’s time for change again, and this time a big one. After 2 weeks of intense discussions, planning and waiting – it looks like we are definitely going to be moving to Beirut in July. The initial excitement (OMG BEIRUT??!) has waned off slightly, in exchange for some real concrete happy moments with every little new thing I learn about this foreign place. Like today, after spending a day strolling in the sun and our lovely Brussels town (including. some nice fried gambas by St. Catherine and healthy dose of second hand shops) I came back and started looking browsing around Beirut-related content online. One blog lead to another, and after an hour I’ve acquired yet another set of knowledge and resource to feel confident that the move is going to be a great one.
This change is going to be great, in both qualitative and quantitative sense. Great, because it is big! Yesterday I finally told my work that I will be leaving, and it is one step closer to the end of my office career. I’m ready for retirement. Great, because it’ll be so awesomely good for me. I will now have the opportunity to do whatever I want to do, be it graphic design, photography, writing, learning a new language & culture and traveling. Or why not immerse myself entirely in studying the Middle East and to understand what drives the conflicts that have been raging in the region for the last 60 years? I no longer have to occupy 40 hours a week of my life to respond excellently to customers, managing databases and coming up with marketing materials for a industry I have no real passion for. Yes, I do feel certain amount of relief. I think life will become just a little bit more meaningful.
We have been immensely lucky, and I am determined to make the most out of this opportunity (although I can’t promise I won’t be lazying out in the sun now and then, or disappearing to some wine valley or the beach). This change has opened up doors and a new world. Or it is the same world just more accessible. Earlier this year I was waiting for something, a change that would be big and wonderful – and here it is. Beirut. So, after another month in Brussels, and one more month traveling, we will be there. A new start.
