As promised, I won't write unless I have something to say and I'm thrilled to report that I signed the contract to work in the UAE yesterday! It is for two years, through 2014. I'm expecting to hear about travel arrangements soon. Yoohoo!!!
I began this month retired. Can you believe that? I have to say I would have done this a lot sooner if I knew how much fun it would be.
Of course, it wasn't all fun and games. I packed up my home and moved out. What a chore that was! Before moving to Sacramento, we moved every three years, so I was in the rhythm of moving. We have lived in Sacramento for 22 years! In fact, I've lived here longer than my home town of China, Texas. Crazy, right? Anyway, the things you, OK I, can accumulate in that time is staggering. Hopefully this experience of having to deal with all of this stuff will cause me to live lighter.
With 98% of the move completed, I headed to New York City to visit with my son Frankie and his family. Zadie Faye is 11 months now and is a doll! She and I had a great time exploring the city by subway. We visited Grand Central Station, Coney Island (accompanied by Alisha, my niece who also lives in the city), and the Central Park Zoo. We had a blast! Z is a beautiful baby, very friendly and engaging. With her waving at the strangers on the subway, even the hardened native New Yorkers melted in her presence.
HUGE kudos to Cara, Frankie's wife, for her warmth, kindness and graciousness as I visited only days after they moved into a beautiful Brownstone. I was originally planning to stay less than two days, but after arriving and seeing "my girl" I opted to stay longer. Changing the ticket proved a nightmare and resulted in my extending even longer. While there, I cooked. Yes, me, who hasn't seriously cooked in years. In fact, I cooked more during my visit, than I have in about ten years. Thankfully, no one got sick.
My last Sunday there, Frankie and I went to a Broadway show, The Mountaintop, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. Yes, SAMUEL L. JACKSON! You know how much I love that man. (Frankie made up for the fact that I missed seeing him as the commencement speaker at Vassar, Frankie's alma mater because he (Frankie) was on the five year plan). We had terrific seats, too. I was in Broadway heaven! We walked out of the theater into the frenzy of Times Square where folks were being entertained by a naked cowboy and cowgirl singing to the crowd. Only in New York. OK, maybe California, too.
I'll be spending my remaining days in Sacramento visiting with friends and resting. I'm sure that when I get to the UAE, things will be moving fast.
Oh, while I was in New York, I purchased an abaya, the traditional dress worn by women in Arab countries. You know, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
If you've made it reading this far, God bless you!
I thought turning 50 was fun. Who knew 55 would be even greater.
Thanks again for joining me on this ride.
