Significant deliberation went into this decision. I recognize the timing is far from ideal. Dropping such news, with several weeks remaining, in the school year will be devastating! Optimal opportunities often present themselves with limited time. My gut tells me to go for it! Hence, it’s a full send, to begin working as a professor at The American University of Iraq - in Baghdad, in just a few days!
I went back in forth with the ‘go’/’no-go’ dilemma for almost a month. Ultimately, family facilitated the tipping point. I have family working abroad at an American Embassy. My beloved brother, is undertaking an extraordinary challenge. He could really use some help. I’m the only one of my brothers or sisters that can so it’s incumbent on me to act.
There are few things I can say with a sense of certainty - the most fundamental of which is; ‘change is the only constant’. Hence, things are subject to change, but here a couple goals.
One; help out family, by being Uncle Lane, as I take the little ones off my bros hands for at least a half day adventure. Two, undertake this opportunity abroad for 2 years. I’ll reassess after two years, but in the long run, I intend to return to the United States. Three, alas, get my memoire “Survive and Thrive” published!
My departure has been delayed, because additional requirements had to be met, for a ‘multi-entry residential work visa’ in Iraq. However, the matter has been sorted so my flight will be lifting off in less than a few days!