September 2, 2013

"Abu Dhabi"

Dear Reader,

My family is moving from Tomball, Texas to the city of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

I'm not going to sugar-coat anything, y'all. Moving to the Middle East is not going to be physically or emotionally easy for me. As I write this, I feel like my heart is breaking. I truly love Texas and all of my friends here. I thought that it would be much easier than this to just leave, but I'm surprised at how difficult it really is. When I first found out that we were moving, I was very excited. VERY EXCITED. And don't get me wrong....I still am very excited. But these past few days have really hit me hard. I guess that it really never dawned on me that I was actually moving. Actually leaving all of my friends. Actually getting on a plane to a foreign country.

But I really am moving.

I'm very grateful for all of my friends here in Texas. I cannot express how much I appreciate all of your kindness over the years. You've made me feel loved, and I hope that I have been able to return the favor. I will miss you with all of my heart.

You shouldn't feel bad for me, though. The fact is...this is an opportunity of a lifetime. I will learn and grow and change in ways that would not have been possible if I had remained in the U.S. It's my dream to work as a Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat) for the U.S. Department of State, and living in the Middle East will help me prepare for my dream.

If you want to say anything to me before I go, just find me in the hallway, send me a message on Facebook, or email me. I would like to be able to personally say goodbye to each one of y'all, but because I'll be leaving really soon, I don't know if that will be possible. Just try to understand that I am moving across the ocean and that means that I have to do a lot of things before that plane leaves the tarmac. If I don't get to see you before I go, don't take it personally. Time is short. We're leaving on either this Friday or Saturday. And Sam and I aren't going to school after Tuesday.

In closing, I would just like to challenge all of you to treat everyone with kindness and love, because for all you know, they might move somewhere far away on short notice.

With all of my love,
Nicholas David Merrill

P.S. Do not worry about my safety in the UAE. It's a completely stable country. I promise you...I'm safe. (As long as I look both ways when I cross the street.)

P.P.S. Abu Dhabi is not Dubai, and Dubai is not Abu Dhabi. They're two separate cities in the same country.

P.P.P.S. When I move overseas, it will be increasingly difficult for you to understand what's happening in my life. For instance, if I wrote, "Had a great time exploring Khalifa City A!" you probably won't understand what I'm referring to. Don't worry. I'm still Nick Merrill, I just live on the other side of the world.

P.P.P.P.S. The UAE is not Saudi Arabia. Nor is it Oman. Nor is it Egypt. Nor is it India. Google it.

P.P.P.P.P.S. The city of Abu Dhabi is where that red circle is flashing.







3 comments:

  1. Hahaha I love the PS's. I lived in Doha, Qatar (which is not the same as Dubai or Abu Dhabi :P) for three years and it was an interesting experience. The culture was completely different but I'm so lucky I had the opportunity. Have fun!

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  2. Abbie NorrisSeptember 02, 2013

    This is so exciting; what an awesome opportunity for you! I'm really glad that you're excited. I'm sad to see you go, but at least I'll always remember how you were the only one who made me cry when Millie closed :P Live long and prosper, my friend! And don't lose touch while you're hitting up Khalifa City A :)

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  3. AnonymousMay 10, 2014

    These are awesome entries and I don't even know you are but your life is so interesting.

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