OT: Want to know where we're moving to next?!

It'll be cold there...but I think I'll feel it even more now.  Since the WLS, I get cold easier than before...I guess less padding to keep me warm.  A year and a half ago when we went to Egypt in December, it was 50-55 degrees and I thought I was going to die of hypothermia!  I may have to use the coat as a blanket too...and put my cats on my feet when I sleep!

Were you in Ankara or Istanbul, Turkey?  I thought about Ankara, but wasn't sure about the schools there, so didn't apply for it.   I like Ankara...it's a little slower than what I'm used to (NY, Kiev, Brussels, Jakarta), but LOVE Istanbul...except the traffic. there.  I'll be close enough to drive to Istanbul...and know we probably will, because we all loved it there.    A year ago when I went to a conference in Clarksburg, West Virginia, I was surprised that I actually liked it.  Sort of slow there...but actually doable.  I think the fact that I could like a slower pace like WV is a hint that it's time to settle into one town, one house...and try that life for a bit.

I totally understand thinking it'd be weird to live in the same town your whole life...know the same people your whole life...have people who have known you since you were in diapers (not family) living next door.  I'm also w/you re in-laws making you batty...but in my case, it's not the in-laws that make me batty - I love them..it's MY family that makes us both batty! 

This is going to sound pathetic and sad, but I am oblivious to where things are located out side of the US, Canada and Mexico.  Pathetic huh?  Anyway, your adventure still sounds exciting!!  Just think, when you are done you could always move to Arizona because we can pretty much wear flip-flops all year here!  (I can't because I get so cold but I used to be able to)

Trust me...When I moved from Oregon to NY, after talking to someone in our office in New Jersey, I learned how lacking most people are in knowing geography or U.S. history.  One of the questions she'd asked me when she heard I was from Oregon was if the Indians in Oregon still live in tee-pees (she was dead serious).  Then when I mentioned the time zone differences between the West Coast and East Coast...I can understand not knowing how much the time difference is between East and West Coasts if you've never traveled...but the woman didn't even know the WORLD operated on different time zones.  She thought it was the same time all around the world.  Then when I went to a bank there in NYC to cash a traveler's check - it was my first time traveling across country or using travelers checks - the cashier asked me for ID.  I gave her my Oregon driver's license...and she asked for my passport.  I said 'Passport?  I don't have a passport!' in a panicky little voice thinking I wouldn't be able to cash my traveler's checks and would have no money for the rest of my trip....until she told me, 'Well...if you're going to cash traveler's checks from a foreign country, you have to have a passport!' in a snotty little voice.  I paused for a minute...bit my cheek so I wouldn't laugh at her, then calmly told her that Oregon wasn't a foreign country when I'd left it the week before...and asked if something had happened that I hadn't heard on the news.

Arizona?  Eh...little TOO hot there.  90 degrees 365 days a year is good.  Having some days go up to 120 is not so good.  I freeze to death w/AC - I have goose bumbs right now because of my office AC - but don't want to whither up to a prune after 10 minutes in the sun.  My sister lives in Vegas and is always trying to talk  me into moving there...then she'll tell me the temperature and that reminds me why I don't live there. 

Bulgaria would put me about 10 hours ahead of you (you're PST, right?), versus right now, I'm 14 hours ahead of PST...15 when PST changes, because we don't change time, which I don't think you do either...?

ACK! I just realized the post didn't happen. Have fun in Bulgaria. I would love to vist anyplace in Europe. And what's up with Ramadan? I thought it was fasting for 30 days during daylight hours. I am thinking it would be harder after the move but I am prolly wrong. Good luck at the new post!

HIjack...

Hey Kathy,
Ramadan is fasting with no food/water from sun up to sun down....so for example, here in Texas for me, it is from about 6 am to 8pm since summer hours and no daylight savings has taken effect. I think the 4am to 11 pm she mentioned was in her previous location in Ukraine but better in Bulgaria.

Ok, I was wondering why it would be easier there instead of where she is now.

If you get adventurous and decide to go to Europe on vacation...my favorite place there is Rome.  I haven't visited the rest of Italy...but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rome.  I was all set to put in for it a year or so ago when my husband decided he didn't want to go there because it was too expensive (ie more expensive for day care - in the event we eventually need it - is really what he was looking at).  Someday, I'd love to go live there.  Brussels is OK...not a lot to do there...Paris is OK, lots to do but the people aren't always the friendliest.  Amsterdam is interesting and worth the trip...but Italy just has a vibe to it...and the food...nothing good for a WLS patient...but man oh man...the gnocchi w/four cheese sauce...my mouth is watering.  I may have to go online and order some gnocchi or just up and make some myself for this weekend?!

Samara is right re the time...I was mentioning how long it is in Ukraine.  It varies depending on where you're at in the world. ie...right now in Buenos Aires/Australia, etc...it's winter time, so they're likely getting less daylight hours than we are in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Northern Hemisphere has extended daylight hours.