Moving To The Philippines: The Countdown Begins

We are down to our final days on the island!!!

No, we haven't packed. Still.

We have been too busy maximizing our healthcare benefits, so to speak. Come to think of it, we typically do such things in certain circumstances such as switching employers or in this case...moving to another country.

Earlier this week, I couldn't understand why my husband was in such a rush to get me out of the house. He wanted to go out for a scenic drive around the island...after all, we only have a few days left to soak it all in. As I got in the car, I found myself pleasantly surprised...

Gourmet chocolates and coffee from Padovani's Chocolates!!!

My husband had purchased this edible, heart-shaped candy tray just for me. Isn't it pretty??

Note: This is an unsponsored blog post.

As I was eating some of the chocolates, our drive was accompanied by beautiful hues--the colors of sunset along Kamehameha Highway approaching Haleiwa. We will truly miss our drives around the island as a family and as a couple!!!

This almost sounds like a goodbye-Hawaii post!!!

As I write this, my husband is in the process of boxing up his stuff at work. He has already said his goodbyes and sent out his farewell emails.

Such a bittersweet moment...

As we bring things to a close, we often get asked,

"Where are you moving to?"

We get all kinds of reactions after telling people that we are moving to the Philippines.

"Why?" This is the question that follows, almost always.

When they learn that we will be attending medical school there, again, we get varied reactions and responses.

Of all the doctors / specialists we have met on island, we have not heard anything negative. As a matter of fact, they all seem very excited for us and are looking forward to our return. They are very familiar with international medical graduates (IMGs), and they have all worked alongside them. Actually, there were a few Philippine IMGs doing their residency at the hospital we recently visited...you know, while we were "maximizing our healthcare benefits".

Of course, we would also get the typical worried reactions...

"Be careful out there..."
"Be careful with what you eat..."
"Will your degree be recognized here?"

We have sought The Lord about our move, He has guided us this way, and we trust that He will provide. We know that He is in control.

Regardless of all the reactions and whether or not we get to finish packing, we are ready to go!!!

Who knows where I will be typing my next post -- it could be here in Hawaii, maybe California, maybe at an airport somewhere...hey, maybe we will already be in the Philippines by next post.

Until then!! Aloha!