After nervously avoiding my manager for the first half of the week I made myself book in a half hour catch up with her on Wednesday arvo to finally break the news. I caught up with my project leader in the morning over coffee as I wanted to tell her first and she calmed my nerves for a few hours. The anxiety was making me feel sick and while part of it was definitely the fear of telling my manager that after four years I was leaving, I think the majority of it was the frightening reality that this is really happening. For me it’s one thing to tell friends and family but when I’m actually telling people at work to expect my resignation, that’s when it gets real.
One thing that seems to have worked in my favour is that I’m not just taking a new job, I’m not just moving overseas… I’m taking a new job and moving to Saudi Arabia! The look of surprise I get is actually quite encouraging. How could you be mad at me for doing something as crazy as that? I haven’t told anyone else at work yet. There’s a few people who I really want to tell first, some I’m excited to tell, others I’m more sad to break the news to but I don’t want them to find out via someone else. I’m not really in a rush tho so I’ll just wait for the right opportunity to arise.
I have more news on the visa front. My police check arrived and I’m proud to say that I still have no criminal record. I had an appointment with a doctor and he provided me with my medical clearance report. Tho he did express his concern at the vague response I requested as it seems the extensive testing avenue is more popular. I emailed a scan of the letter to my agent to be certain it was acceptable and she agreed, so I guess that’s all I need. I’ve heard rumours you have to get all that testing done again when you’re in Saudi so I’m glad I didn’t have to fork out the $200 here as well.
My manager has agreed to assist me with my experience certificate. Tho I learnt that for whatever reason, my manager is not allowed to give out written character references to former employees. So she’s gone to HR to see what she can and can’t do. Hopefully whatever she can will be adequate.
The next step, now that I have most of my documents in order, is to get everything stamped by the authorities. I made an appointment to see the Medical Board of Victoria to have my medical report stamped next week. Unfortunately that means a morning trip to the middle of the city (Lonsdale St). Then it looks like I’m required to visit a Notary public to have all my documents authenticated. Conveniently one such person happens to reside in Box Hill South, avoiding yet another early morning trip to the city. After that round of stamping tho I’m due back in the city to get further stamping and authenticating from DFAT. Phew. They don’t make this real easy do they?
And lastly, on a totally different note… it’s 43ºC in Riyadh right now! Madness.
Very nice blogwork Stacy. I may create my own since it seems like a good way to "diaryize".I'm having quite a different experience…in case anyone from the US is following your blog.My police report was pretty easy. But my medical report is looking to cost about $800 all told, including a couple items that neither the doctor's office or testing lab have ever heard of. I can hardly believe it's going to be that expensive but that's what it is. I haven't heard anyone else comment on that and my sponsor at the IPA in Riyadh just says "Don't forget…you save a lot of money living here!"My university records are a similar hassle. The Cultural Ministry in Washington DC posts a list of the requirements which are often bizarre and arcane — identification of a "courier agent" for example and a written statement from both universities, along with "copies of the degree" (whatever that means).