A Dream Deferred is a Dream Denied...not me!

As I continue my wait, I thought I would share with you a poem by Langston Hughes.

A Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore - - and then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over - - like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

I will not be denied my dream of moving to Paris. Still playing the waiting game but more information soon to come.

Wait...wait....now wait some more!

Right now I'm in wait mode.

I applied for this GREAT job in Paris and the job closes on June 12th, so I'm waiting.

I'm waiting for my application process to the American Graduate School in Paris to wrap up.

To be honest, they're kinda waiting on me right now. I'm getting the final paperwork in to them...but I am waiting on the letters of recommendation that I have to send them.

And I am STILL waiting to hear back from Book Your Paris about the apartment. I don't know what's up with that.

If I get this job, that would bring so much joy to my life, so I don't want to jinx it.

I need everyone to put me on they're prayer list, cross they're fingers, toes, eyes...whatever works.

So, I wait.

News, News, News

Ok, I previously mentioned that I had contacted the French Consulate in Houston, Texas (closest to me) to find out what kind of visa I would require given that I would be still working for my current employer in the U.S.; that was on April 14th.

As of this morning I had not heard back from them, so I decided to email them again. Two hours later I got a reply. For myself and my son, I would be able to get long-stay visas and because he is a minor his dad would have to give authorization for me to take him to France (no problem). Once I am in Paris if I find a job there, I would have to return to the U.S. to file for a work visa. For my daughter, because she will be attending college in Paris, she would get a student visa and that it would permit her to work 60% of legal time.

Well damn, I'll be going to school too to pursue my Ph.D., so I will be able to get a student visa instead and legally work 60%. Yay!!!!! How awesome is that?! So now I'll be able to keep my current job (for a while) and work legally in Paris with a student visa. That would give me an opportunity to network and eventually find a permanent position and acquire a carte de sejour, which is a residency permit that will allow me to legally work in France 100%.

I'm feeling better now and can now proceed with my plans. I'm waiting to receive information about this apartment I found through Book Your Paris. Hopefully that will work out. I've found several interesting apartments through their site that are within my current budget and a good size for the 3 of us.

I'm excited....more to come!

Mwah!

As the wheels turn...

While planning to move to Paris I've also kept a backup plan in the works. I had been looking at other jobs in the US and also a promotion in my current job was highly possible. As much as I want to move to Paris, the right job offer with the right salary could tempt me to postpone my move.

Well, much to my surprise and disappointment it looks like the promotion is not going to happen, which means I have no room for growth in my current job (there's a back story there). So, that pretty much seals my decision to make the move. Hopefully the offer to allow me to work remotely will remain and I will still have the option of being able to continue teaching my classes since I teach them online anyway.

We live and learn.

So, what can I say? Well, I'm disappointed but life goes on. I'm also feeling good about 2 possible jobs in Paris. I need ya'll to pray for me that one of them works out.

Anyway, I'm still waiting to hear from the French Consulate on what visas we will need and I'm looking at apartments to try to be prepared.

Until next week.... au revoir... mwah!

Staying motivated

Since making up my mind to make the move, one thing that I've noticed is that people are starting to irritate me more easily than before.

For things that I've previously shown patience, I now think "I don't even care, I'm moving to Paris anyway!"

I smile a little at the thought, but I have to remind myself that I will be working for my current job, at least for a while when I move to Paris.

I am still waiting to hear back from the French Consulate regarding the type of visa we will require, from Century 21 in Paris regarding an apartment and my friend in Paris regarding possible job opportunities in my field.

I'm staying motivated and on task because I know these things take time...I've got time.

I'll keep you guys updated on the progress.

Until next time...au revoir!

Eiffel Tower at night!

Preparations continue

Now that I have made a decision to move forward, several things have occurred.

I am making sure that my current job will be established for me to work remotely. So far that is turning out fine.

Because I will be working for my current employer, I was unsure as to what type of visa I would actually need. I started by checking the Consulate website (www.travel.state.gov/visa). There is a section for Americans traveling abroad, which had specific requirements by country.

It also recommended that whether planning to visit, work or live abroad that Americans register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which in case of emergency the US Consulate will know you are there and how to get in touch with you and/or evacuate you in case of an emergency. You can also supply information for an emergency contact back in the States; which I think it is a great idea, so I took care of that.

There was information on contacting your local French Embassy to start the visa process. In Texas, the French Embassy is in Houston. I sent them an email explaining my situation to find out what type of visa I would actually need since I will technically still be working in the U.S. I also inquired on the types of visas I would need for my kids.

I've also been doing apartment hunting research, because at some point I am going to need to supply a Paris address in the visa process.

So, things are moving forward. More soon to come.