Monday, 15Mar98

T minus 15 days and counting...

We just wanted to let y'all know the latest news about our expected expatriation. We are going. In fact, we are leaving 01APR98!

For those joining the program late, a little background: Last fall, a friend noticed an e-mail from Lee Richardson, SAS Institute's Director of Asia/Pacific Operations, soliciting a volunteer to spend a year in Singapore, helping SAS/Singapore and the rest of region (SAS/Malaysia, SAS/Thailand & SAS/Indonesia) expand their ability to provide professional services. The unnamed friend assumed that Greg would have received several copies of this e-mail since he spent 4 years in Singapore during his adolescence. She obviously overestimated the number of our friends ;) since her's was the only e-mail received. Greg responded and asked if they were interested in 2 people. After meeting with Lee late October, Greg and Veronica received the good news that they had been selected! Unfortunately, the holidays and project work prevented a pre-visit visit until mid-January. The pre-visit visit is an opportunity for people considering relocating overseas to visit the foreign office, meet the staff and get a feel for the local environment. It also allows the local office an opportunity to see what they are potentially getting. The trip went well and we decided that we were willing to give it a try.

So, we are in the midst of taking care of the billions (and billions) of things that need to get done prior to our departure. We have committed to a year's stay and will rent out our house here in Bethesda.

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Have you always dreamed of a lovely house on quiet cul-de-sac in the prestigious neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland? This spacious home features: 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, den, 2 car carport, large fenced yard and hardwood floors throughout. The home is perfectly situated with Montgomery Mall, the Beltway and I-270 all within a mile of the front door. Grocery stores, restaurants, a library and schools are all within walking distance. If you are interested, or, know someone who may be, call Tammy Durbin at (301) 718-0100. Act quickly, this gem won't stay on the market long!

END OF COMMERCIAL.

While we will be bringing some essential items (clothes, CDs and few pots and pans), the bulk of our belongings will be safely and securely stored in an undisclosed location in the Virginia country side. In Singapore, we will be staying in a nice 2 bedroom apartment that we saw in January. Although we got the apartment we had requested; Veronica and I have been arguing over exactly what apartment we requested and what features it has. Should make things interesting.

This e-mail has already become too long; I apologize for the uncharacteristic verbosity. The movers pack us up 25MAR98-27MAR98 and we leave 01APR98. We'll be in the office for most of this week (the week of 16MAR98) although we are in a somewhat frazzled mode much of the time.

NOTE: This e-mail is the first in a planned series of regular updates on "Our Year in Singapore". Even more annoying than a constant barrage of jokes and urban legends, these e-mails will provide us with the narcissistic opportunity to tell you all every little detail of our lives. Two things may help you deal with it:

1) You can opt to be removed from the list of recipients. Simply send us an e-mail and explain that while you are deeply interested in our lives, your doctor has suggested that you minimize your time in front of the computer.

2) Greg has already been stricken with major performance anxiety--the Herculean task of sending regular updates AND trying to make them even vaguely entertaining may be too much for him. So, stay tuned; you may get something or you may not.