Virginia Real Estate and Musings: December 2007

The call came in the middle of October.  "Just say no" he said.  "Say no to what?" was her reply as she multitasked and didn't pay too much attention to what he was saying.  "Just say no" he said again.  "The company has asked me to go to India for 3 months over the holidays".  She heard him this time.  Then, she stopped everything she was doing and began to think back.

She thought about all of the times he waited patiently for her at dinner; only to get a phone call, "My clients want to write an offer so I'm going to be late.  I'll be home later".  She remembered the all of the weekend plans postponed due to a rescheduled closing, obnoxious clients or just "needing to get work done".  She thought back to their wedding, scheduled in February, during her "slow" season so as not to interfere too much with her business.  She took the time to reflect on when their son was born and how her husband had taken leave to stay home with the baby those first few months so she could go back to work.  Yes, these were decisions they made together; however, her career was the one that was inconsistent and unpredicable but could be so financially rewarding.  He had a "normal" job; he could deal with it.

Then she recalled the last trip to India.  He had worked for a different company then and had gone by himself with just 48 hours notice.  The travel plans were disorganized, just like his company.  He was a country boy from central Virginia and not exactly a seasoned international traveler.  His visa was incorrect and he was deported from India back to Europe for a week while the US Embassy corrected the visa.  His credit card companies froze his cards when they started seeing overseas charges.  He got sick and managed to lose 20 lbs. in 2 weeks.  When he stepped back on US soil, he swore he would never return to India.

But this time it was different.  He worked for a well respected, large company that cared about it's employees.  It was an international corporation sending a hand-picked team over to India and they had offices and departments set up to make sure their employees overseas were as comfortable as possible so they could get their jobs done most effectively.  It was an honor to be asked to go and it was a great opportunity for him career-wise.

"I can't say no", she replied.  "It will be ok.  We will go with you".  After a long pause that seemed like an eternity, he laughed and said, "I'm going to hang up and call my wife now.  I obviously have a different person".

We've been in India for almost a month now.  I spend most of my days in our little 1 room efficiency with our 4 year old son while my husband works.  We go to the market, we "do" lunch and work on his preschool lessons.  We play games he makes up, build very cool forts and have conversations one can only have with a four year old.

They don't really celebrate Christmas in this neck of the woods.  There won't be a Christmas tree nor any decorations for us this year.  I bought some presents before we found out about our trip - but honestly, have no idea anymore what I bought.  We have a small advent calendar I brought from home that my son and I open each day as we count down the days until Christmas.  Santa sent him a letter yesterday telling him that since we weren't in Virginia this year, he would be sending us on a trip to Abu Dhabi for the holiday.  Our son is excited that he will be able to play in the sea and ride the water slides with mommy and daddy. 

I'm still working remotely from India and I have 3 agents covering for me while I am away.  Thus far, my clients have been very understanding and supportive.  I know I will lose some business, but that's ok.  We will all be together for Christmas.....and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.....from my side of the world.