Last night I picked up a book called Diplomatic Baggage: The Adventures of a Trailing Spouse by Brigid Keenan. It has been recommended to me by a variety of people and the bookstore near me finally had it in stock so I picked it up. So far, it’s incredibly depressing. The loneliness that’s amplified by language barriers, the feeling of not having a life of your own, and the frustration of not being able to work. It’s eye-opening. I mean, I never thought it would be a glamorouslife; I knew it would be hard. But lonely? Isolating? Sad?
At least now I have my XBOX to keep me company while BF is working and I’m at home, trying to communicate with the maid who doesn’t speak English.
(I’m not being too serious. I don’t plan to sit at home playing games all day. I have my morning swim, and then hopefully full-time language classes for 2 months, and then hopefully some contracts at the Embassy…)
Still, I have no idea what to expect; other than it won’t be easy. BF and I are still trying to figure out a way of organizing our finances in a way that makes sense to both of us. I’m of the ‘All Money in One Pot’ person, while he wants to maintain separate accounts, ’so that I can have my own money.’ Well, if I’m not allowed to work, I won’t have my own money anyway so what’s the point? My earning potential is diminished in the long-term; I won’t be able to put as much away for retirement. Basically, I’m going on blind faith that he and I are a team and that we’ll look out for each other when we’re old. These are details that still need to be worked out (hopefully before children come along).
And so my life is consummed right now with finishing our inventory (we only have two free nights left before our departure; tonight and tomorrow) and we MUST finish the inventory. Apart from that, seeing as many people as I can before going is #2 in terms of priorities. Starting a travel blog that friends and family can check in on is #3.
I feel being at work is such a waste of time because there is really so much to do and I can’t do it from my desk. I end up playing games all day and being bored out of my skull. Thank Baby Jesus that my last day is on August 8th.
Only 15 days until take-off. Then the sandy beaches of Thailand. And then… the unknown.
