I've been going a little nuts lately with trying to figure out what should be my next move with the BIG move we're untaking... I kinda feel like I'm in limbo- so much to do but don't where to start while other things can't begin because other things need to happen first... Ugh.
But, finally a step in the right direction, my hubby's friend has a shipping company he uses for his business and they, Alhumdulillah, have an excellent rate with shipping goods overseas so InshaAllah, this is the company I'll send my things with- that was a HUGE relief! Now, I spoke to my contact in Cairo earlier today and he's finalizing who he will deal with on that end to get my things from Alexandria to Cairo.... he's going to give me the details tomorrow, InshaAllah!
So.... here we are.... getting closer.... bags are being packed slowly.... finding out what's left to be bought (probiotics, vitamins, kid medicine, etc.)... last minute things to sell.... things to give away as charity.... buy my tickets.... get together with my girls before I leave and they leave for their destinations (Saudi, Australia, Florida and such)... make my rounds for my goodbyes to my family and friends.... take my kids to their last Disney show in New York.... call those I won't see to tell them I'll contact them when I arrive in Cairo via phone or after I get internet service (which I hope will be ASAP- I must have a computer at my immediate disposal!).... and the list goes on.
I really don't expect to have any entries about anything exciting until we actually get there- I'm sure that's when the REAL fun is going to start (yeah right) ;)
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16 comments:
Do you have an actual moving date set? I really wish you all the best, can't wait to hear your adventures!
and I thought moving 20 minutes away outta my parents house was tough... wish you all the best inshaAllah!! things are probably only getting more and more hectic at home!
Mona- we have everything tentatively set for the very end of January / first week of February, InshaAllah... so hopefully, nothing will come up!Adventures? I'm SURE it will be.... (banging head on wall)
Lazeena- talk about this place being crazy at times! The kids see stuff I bought them for over there and their eyes light up.. "Mommy, I wanna open this! And this! Oh, Mommy open this one, pleeease!"- the house has stuff everywhere, boxes stacked with stuff, suitcases packed in the livingroom... some days absolute chaos! lol
Yeah moving is verrrry stressful, and I can imagine far more when your moving abroad, take a deep breath sis, make plenty of du'a, and it will all go well insha Allaah.
Oh yes! you got to have a computer/ internet when u get there, that's one of the things I think about, when thinking of leaving this country, I hope we can get internet wherever we go insha Allaah.
Will make du'a for u insha Allaah, if you haven't done so already, write everything down you need to get done, highest priority towards the top, and check them off as u get them done, but I'm sure you've already done this. I'm the kind of person who normally organises things in her head, it's too much though, and it's so much easier to get it down on paper and see what needs to be done.
Insha Allaah you will love it in Egypt, My friend's daughter who is 4 went there about 5/6mths ago, and is picking up some of the arabic already, she goes to a small school run by a sister, who apparently only speaks arabic to the kids, insha Allaah you will all benefit greatly.x
Umm Khadijah- had that list made months ago! lol And I just keep revising as things progress- we're getting there!
Yes, I wanted my princess to start school this past term but with trying to tie up all loose ends here since I've lived my whole life here, I just couldn't leave but InshaAllah, I want to take my time when we arrive and find a school to put her in just so she can get use to a classroom setting so it won't be such a shock when September rolls around again... and yes, their minds are like sponges when they're so young, I can't wait for both of them (her and my 2 yr old son) to get into a program, InshaAllah!
Make LOTS of dua for me sis that all goes well, InshaAllah (Ameen)
Good luck sis, in your upcoming move!
Assalamu Alaikum~
I am very happy with the program my daughter is in! Their bus service also goes to Rehab. I have met many sisters whose kids attended Young Companions. Unfortunately, they don't pick up the arabic as it isn't mainstream. I will give you the deets of my daughters school if you like. Umm4mokidz
Anon... hey! I replied to your email you sent me last time- did u get it? Yes, Young Companions is where I told you I pre-rolled my daughter but I thought she wouldn't take her so late in the school year- actually, it's funny the owner Kamillah, sent me an email last night to ask when exactly are we coming- she still has her spot open! But give me the details on your daughter's school- I want to learn equally academics and arabic. Send it to my email...
Did u call that contact I gave you for a flat? Let me know....
Salaam! I came across your site from Yaasmine. I was wondering how were u guys able to just get up and move? Did it take you a long time to find a job/house/etc? My husband and his family are trying to find a way to travel to Saudi for the sake of educating my daughter, however, we have no idea where to start..OH btw im married to a pakistani and I'm from syria, as well =) I also live in Queens, ny!!
Have a pleasant and safe trip moving there! Shifting places require a whole of work. Unpacking the stuff, will be part of the 'fun' I suppose. :)
Jannah- This is something that we've thought about for over 5 years... we agreed when I was pregnant with my daughter, whose now 4, that we would leave when it was time for her to attend school. I had known many friends who had already left for life in Cairo- so it helps when you know someone living there. I still stuck with Cairo as in comparison to other places now, it's still cheap! lol
The issue with Saudi is that it's not so easy to gain a visa to stay-unless ur husband applies for a job with a company AND they accept his entire family to sponsor (they don't have to) but if YOU apply for a job than they have to sponsor everyone (you must have a mahram). If you chose to go the investor route (which is an indefinite stay)(work visa are up until ur contract is finished or renewed by ur employer)you'll need access to 100K US in a bank account and ready to use- not just shown... a few of my husband friends have gone this route... to me, too costly.
I would suggest looking for a job first- there are a few reputable on line recruiters based here in the US who are linked with Saudi businesses and then take it from there. Two of my girlfriends and their families recently moved there- I heard it's definitely different (in Mecca).
Me, I'm in South Ozone- where are you?
And oh, on my visits to Cairo I searched for apartments but didn't find any I liked but just the other day, my contact found one in the area I wanted to live so that one is a go! I had planned to rent a furnished flat for a month to look aroud and find something suitable for the kids (you know they need space to roam and I need greenery- lol).
Some of my friends still think I'm nuts for choosing Cairo over other countries but I want to educate them (I have 3 right now) in a place where I know they can receive proper Islamic and academic knowledge without going broke... Cairo was the answer.
Hajar- oh yes.... unpacking is going to be a blast...(not!) :0
I'm soooooo not looking forward to that part but I plan to recruit a few friends there to make it as painless as possible (and I have ALOT of stuff)..... *** sigh ***
Oh waoowww! Good luck Empress, your hands will definetely be full!! This is a huge move for you and your family, I hope that everything goes as planned inshAllah. I would help you pack, but I myself hate packing and unpacking. I still have boxed to unpack while I moved to my new place about 6 months ago lol. It's just so hectic grrrr. Anyhow, good luck sister.
Wow, thanks for the info! I am def going to pass this info on to my husband, maybe we will look into Egypt. I have a lot of egyptian friends and they go back every so often, however, they say its just like america. (In the sense with your half naked women, liberal-ness, etc) NOT that saudi is any better because of the gov and what not, but it is a little bit more conservative =) We have one daughter who is 18 months, we agreed to move after my husband finishes his studies which will inshallah be in a year or 2. The only problem is we have no contacts and no where to start.. Btw, I am in Richmond Hill, probably not far from you =) Where are you from?
Jannah- Richmond Hill is 2-3 blocks up and over from me! We're neighbors!
I mean be prepared, Cairo is very dirty and noisy if you elect to live in the city- I chose the outter part called New Cairo... perfect for children (greenery, open space, less noise, no filth) but you can manage- it's all the mindset you have. Just like anything else, it won't be easy in the beginning but as I like to look at it, I'm going for a purpose so you kinda gotta take the good with the bad- definitely NOT like where we both live right now!
When you're ready or just to get updates as to the situation there (which I did for over 2 years with my friends making sure things didn't drastically change) you can email me: cococherokeegirl@hotmail.com and we can converse that way when I leave, InshaAllah, and if u email me now, I'll give u my home phone so we can talk...
As for me, I was born right here in Forest Hills, Queens and moved to beautiful, lush Long Island from a tot where I grew up and finally left there when I was about 31(!) and relocated to Rosedale which is Queens but still Long Island like living- huge backyards, in-ground swimming pools, clean, nice friendly neighbors and uber clean streets... geesh, I'm gonna miss that!
Email me....
Hijabee- yes, my hands will definitely runneth over.... but it looks like when I arrive, InshaAllah, my best girlfriend from Saudi will still be there... yeah! So maybe it won't be too bad-I plan to have a eat-n-help unpack party! LOL
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