Hello
friends and family -
I hope
this letter finds your world full of love and laughter and the chance to sit
down and have a rest! I am so feeling the need for a rest right now. The Ali
Family has been on the move for what seems like the last six months. In all
reality, it hasn’t been that long but, still, this past summer was full of
movement and transitions. We left Djibouti in July and spent (almost!) two
glorious months in the US and Canada doing all the amazing things I associate
with summer in Seattle – blackberries, coffee, parks, friends, family, dinners
on the porch, views of Mt. Rainier. It was a pretty heavenly time for us.
September
found us leaving on a jet plane bound for Sofia, Bulgaria. We are three months
into our three year stay and so far we are settling in and finding our groove.
Every day is full of adventure – like learning that not all white cheeses are
the same and that it’s ok to drive 55mph down a dead-end street and that
Bulgarians nod their head up and down when they mean no. Not to mention, the
gray skies and rain!
Orion has
continued in the Lycée
Français and
is in the equivalent of first grade. This year he
has a male teacher named Yvon and there are 25 kids in his class. He’s very
much in love with “recreation” at his school; which he
wants you to know he gets three times a day. His favorite thing to drink is
milk and his favorite color is pink. O Boy loves Legos and his best friend is
named Edward.
Eric is knees deep into life here
already; he’s made friends, found a great music scene, scoped out all the best
places to grocery shops, started seated massage at the embassy and table
massage to routine clients. Not too shabby for three months. He’s playing Santa
Claus at the embassy Christmas party this year and I can’t wait to see how he
does in this new role.
I’ve got my hands full work-wise
with a new job and new colleagues but I gotta tell you, it’s so much less
stressful than our last two countries. Bulgaria has a reasonable medical system
and it’s a relief to know there is a real ER to use if I need to. I’m loving
the food, the return to nature, the movie theaters and the ability to stroll
around on cobblestone sidewalks. Not to mention, the history! This place is
OLD!
We’ve got
a great house with a guest room in an interesting neighborhood that is just
itching for some visitors; so…consider this your invitation to come and explore
Bulgaria (and give the Ali family some loving at the same time!)
Peace
and Love from our family to yours xoxo
