I received an email this morning from my future boss, Kjell (pronounced shell), that a decision has been made by the Swedish immigration department. However, the decision was not stated!
I will hear the decision first, but through the San Francisco Consulate General office, which is the closest one to me. I waited by the phone all afternoon. I will call later this morning (the 16th), because if accepted, then we will probably make arrangements to go directly from Africa to Sweden. The $500 fee for changing the flights and some payment for extra bags will be less expensive than buying one-way plane tickets for both of us at $2,000.
I’ll keep you posted on what I hear!
Meanwhile, Anya and I are in major sorting and packing mode. She is more ruthless than I am on getting rid of stuff. I think this reflects on the reality that she has had more things and nicer things come easier to her in her life. As a missionary and pastor’s kid in a family of six, we made due with what we had. Our needs were always met, but it meant that things beyond needs were treasured.
So, the closest thing I get to gambling is gambling with stuff. If I save an item and later find the perfect use for it, jackpot! The payoff rationalized the other myriad of things in my garage (though my car did fit in my garage until the moving began). The intermittent reinforcement is actually more powerful for reinforcing this behavior! So, I’m undoing 51 years of conditioning!
With blessings,
Beth