Mid-December, Chebbar applied for a job in the field of his freshly-completed schooling. Just before Christmas, he was asked to come in for an interview (but not until the New Year). The interview seemed to go well, but he never heard back about the conference call that was supposed to take place.
We went on with our day-to-day lives. He started applying for any job he could find.
Last Friday, he was offered the job. In Edmonton. 1,000km (660+ miles) away from where we - and both of our families - currently live. He was then asked to come in on (this past) Monday to meet with the president of the company. He was told they'd fly him out that day if he was ready to go.
He (read: WE) wasn't.
Tuesday, we hopped in the car and drove to Edmonton. We had some of the worst winter weather we've seen in years - we're talking three feet of snow, going 30km/hour behind semi trucks that couldn't navigate the blowing snow and drifts. The 12-hour trip took us 14 hours. We got in to Edmonton at 11:30 Tuesday night and collapsed into the (so comfortable, I woke up with NO PAIN both mornings) hotel bed.
Oh, did I mention that Edmonton was having its coldest snap all winter? -40 Celsius with the wind chill? Yeah, that.
Our mechanic called us to report that the car did NOT have a block heater and that we needed to get to a dealership ASAP before our antifreeze, well, froze. They were able to get us in because the other people who had appointments from the day before still hadn't shown up because it was too cold to start their cars and tow trucks were taking 8-12 hours to get to calls.
We tried to book a rental car so we could go look at rental properties while the car was in the shop. No one had any cars available because the people who had them couldn't return them because they couldn't start them because it was too cold.
We ended up getting the car back early and went to look at one townhouse. It was a winner. We paid a security deposit half an hour after touring the place.
We were up while it was still dark on Thursday to head back home (for now). This time the trip only took 12 hours because the roads were better.
We will be spending the next few days seeing family and friends and packing up all our shit so we can load a moving truck and hit the highway again next Friday.
I'm... a mass of emotions. Excited. Scared. Stressed. Curious. Worried. Sad. I'm going to miss my family. It's going to be weird to be so far away: I've never lived more than 10 minutes away from my parents.
It's going to be good, but it's going to require a lot of breathing and a lot of faith.
Them thar hills be The Rockies, dudes.
Keep on breathing. Deeeeep breaths. Phew! Now, y'all are going to have an amazing time there. It's nice to have the experience of living in different places. I've lived all over the state of Texas, California & now Kansas. It's a grand adventure!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you'll be happy and a badass there too. *travelling hugs*
Man, I'm glad it's you and not me. I don't think I could do another long distance move to save my life, at least not right now. Mega hugs to you!
ReplyDeletewhat an adventure! The one you just went through, and the one you're about tp indertake. You, my dear, are going to be all right. You are a tougher cookie than you think. Much love!
ReplyDeleteIt's good! It's all good. Just think of it like a big adventure, and it's not forever. My most gorgeous Aunt Pat lives there, can't wait to visit again. I would love to have an adventure like that one day but it's never going to happen. But I understand why you'd be stressed out too. xxx
ReplyDeleteMoving over 3000 miles away from my parents was the best thing I ever did. Eventually I moved back but I needed the space to grow.
ReplyDeleteThere will be visits, phone calls, emails. You'll make new friends, find new restaurants, the cool boutique/thrift store, it's an adventure.
This is so exciting. A life-changing adventure! A fresh start! Love you chibi!
ReplyDeleteExciting! Scary!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to following your adventure...
You'll make it. It might be bumpy, but you'll come out to the other side just spectacularly.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be just fine, I promise! The first time I moved away, I thought I was going to vomit everywhere (and I might have *ahem*) but it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Same with the following times I made a big move. This is an adventure, enjoy every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled for you both!! I predict great things ahead on all fronts...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like such an amazing opportunity. What an adventure for you guys! The picture is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to kick ass in your new town. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it! It's going to be a fantastic adventure. Enjoy every moment of it :)
ReplyDeleteThis is gonna be so awesome. You're gonna love this adventures. All of it. Every ebb and every flow. It'll be a wonderful chapter of learning.
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap indeed! Talk about whirlwind! I'm sure it feels exciting... terrifying... and like everything is happening all at once but it sounds like things are falling into place (minus the -40 weather... I feel your pain on that one) and that's always a good thing! Plus you'll be within driving distance of me (and not 12 hours worth of driving either) ;) So exciting! Take lots of deep breaths... and pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou got this, yo! (Virtually) holding your hand!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting!!!! I totally know how terrified you must feel but it's going to be great. In a way, I'm a little jealous. I want to move to Vancouver from Winnipeg. But I don't HAVE to move. Things are great here. Love my job, love my condo, have some friends. I would just like to magically have a job in Vancouver. Hahaha - I need to grab some courage.
ReplyDeleteOMG -- I just reread this and realized you are moving next FRIDAY!! I am so so excited for you and I look forward to reading about the progress and your new life!
ReplyDeleteWow, and wow! That is awesome! Good luck with the new job and new place. The Mister and I moved that far away from our families too. It's worked out pretty good.
ReplyDeleteWow! Much excitement going on! If you're one of those (like me) who believes everything happens for a reason, it seems like your last few months have been building toward this big and fast change. :-) excited for you!
ReplyDeleteHow fricken exciting! And how SOON! (Also? I can't believe you made that drive in crap weather). It's only another 3500km to Ottawa *g*
ReplyDeleteIt's going to turn out great, even if the journey along the way is a difficult, scary, path! You can definitely do it, though!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be such a wonderful adventure! I would think it would mean something was wrong with you if you were not scared. Everything you feel right now is correct. Best of luck to you both. And if I can do something for you, lease let me know. xo
ReplyDeleteWow. That is some amazing news! I can't get over how things can change SO FAST. Your head must be on a swivel trying to get everything done before you leave later this week. I'm so happy for you & Chebbar both. I know you've wanted him to be contented in his job life as well as his home life. You will love learning about your new hometown and province. What are you doing doing for work? Is the townhouse you got dog friendly? I know you wanted to get one before and weren't able to due to where you were living. Everything will work out as it's supposed to so TRY not to worry! xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh sure...NOW you effing more to Alberta.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
That's how I went....10 days notice to move a household to another province.
IN THE WINTER.
From BC.
OMG.
Good luck...Edmonton isn't my fav...but it's still pretty cool. You'll like it I think.
xo
How exciting! I'm so happy for you guys. I know it's terrifying and it's going to be super stressful, but you can totally do this. You are amazing and you can handle this challenge. I'm sending you lots of hugs and wishing you both all the best. Can't wait to hear more about this adventure!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Sounds really exciting but I can imagine how terrifying it must feel too! I think it will be great though. An adventure as others have said... I'm sure there will be hard times but overall I think it will be great for you both!! Sending lots of luck and hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteThat's great (well, not the car and weather crap)! What an exciting journey you two are headed on, I hope it is very fruitful :)
ReplyDeleteI'd be super nervous to make such a move, but maybe I'm a chicken. I think it can be a great thing for you guys! New space, new adventure!
ReplyDeleteYay. What a gorgeous photo.
ReplyDeleteUnrelated, can I turn off your sharing bar on the right? Because I increase my text size to avoid eyestrain, and then I can only read the full width of your post in the ~1 inch of space between the top of the bar and the bottom of the bookmark bar. Which is doable, but not ideal. [and if you don't have time, DON'T worry about it!]
:D