I am writing this from the plane. Friday most the hectic day of all. I had anticipated getting my hair cut one last time, picking up my suit, dropping off the rest of the small storage items, and some other things. I managed to do everything I wanted except picking up my suit from the hotel I left it at. However, Cara has volunteered to get it and take care of it for me. I love her. She is making life easier at this moment. Well, I am officially out of US territory. I am still an American, but I am not living there anymore. I don’t have a residence — just my sister’s address in order to get mail. Who knows now long this assignment will last. It is scheduled to last for 2-3 years, but IBM is notorious for cutting short international assignments when the need suits them. However, as many people have said, flexibility is required. And I will be flexible and practical within limits. The administrative details still have not been worked out, so in the meantime, I’ll be staying in a hotel in Norway for the foreseeable future. And another hotel once I get into Sweden until we can figure out how housing is going to work.

Man, driving to the airport, there are so many things that I saw as if I saw them for the first time — from buildings to people. Perhaps today I noticed the diversity of the city more than anything else. Where I am going, there are not many black people who are successful professionals. Many of the black people in this region are immigrants or refugees of one type or another. But I am sure that they will get used to it in time.

This is going to be a great experience…I am looking forward to it…

Ciao, Rodney