Life changes

[sancarlos]

I’m imagining Bob bringing a crowd of Swampers with him into the meeting with the big boss…

“Oh, these guys? They’re my advisory team.”

[Square Rob]

So the meeting went well. I pulled no punches and was very clear with my frustrations. He scheduled 30 minutes but we ended up talking for almost two hours. He was really receptive to my complaints/observations, and didn’t even try to convince me to stay in my current role. Made the point that I’ve proven I can do it to a high level and have ticked the necessary box. Then did offer me a three year expat contact and to move to France. Even let me pick location, so we are moving to Grenoble. Got the formal position offer from him last night. Obviously a whole lot to work out, and this won’t happen immediately, but everyone understands it has to be an expedited process. Wife is so excited she could barely sleep.

[Square Rob]

So this has turned into a lot bigger life change than anticipated when I started the thread.

It’s not public yet, and we have to figure out how message is conveyed, so please no Twitter comments.

I also have to tell other company, but I’m confident they will understand. It’s the one thing they can’t offer me.

[The Sybian]

Congrats, this took an interesting turn. I’m really hoping you let us live vicariously and post a lot of pics and stories.

ETA: the move probably won’t help your Bourbon scarcity issues.

[rass]

I think we're all ignoring the elephant in the room, which is nonlinear's expressed desire to take bob's job, run off to France, and then sleep with bob's wife...

[Rex]

Congrats! When you run alongside the Tour de France riders, will you be wearing a devil costume or the Borat swimsuit?

[sancarlos]

Congrats, Pentagonz!

[P.D.X.]

Hell yeah

[L-Jam3]

Congrats, Bobby P. Or as they would say in your future home, toutes nos félicitations!

[sancarlos]

And, I think Grenoble is like the Jackson Hole of France. You’re going back to Wyoming! (With better food and fewer rednecks).

[Rush2112]

There are rednecks everywhere!

Congrats 'Gonz, here's your bourbon source get it preordered for delivery upon arrival!

[Ryan]

Andre the Giant is from Grenoble! Oh, congratulations.

[Nonlinear FC]

I think we're all ignoring the elephant in the room, which is nonlinear's expressed desire to take bob's job, run off to France, and then sleep with bob's wife...

Let me have my dreams, man.

[L-Jam3]

Andre the Giant is from Grenoble! Oh, congratulations.

I think my French teacher in HS was there for a semester as well. I seem to remember her saying she was there either the semester before or the semester after they held the Winter Olympics.

[tennbengal]

hells yes, bobp. so happy for you and the missus.

[Johnnie]

Oh snap! Was not expecting to read this when I opened the thread. It's good to know that companies on the outside take care of you like this. I'm very excited for you! Congrats!!

Europe is amazing and I wish I could've stayed longer.

[Shirley]

Man, what a ride. And what an amazing life opportunity. You totally deserve it!

[EnochRoot]

Echo what others have said here. Also, the firm you're turning down had to know this was in the cards. I mean, yeah, offer letters get used to spin larger salaries at the old job, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that the spurned organization can only shrug and say, "NGL, I'd have done the same thing..."

[DaveInSeattle]

What a great opportunity for you. Congratulations! Grenoble is a great city from what I hear(there's a synchrotron facility there: https://www.esrf.fr/ and I've known people who work there).

My year abroad in Australia was under different circumstances (It was the only job I could find at the time, and it was only for a year) but it was one of the best things I've ever done. It was an amazing experience, and I look back and kinda can't believe it happened.

[cerranoredux]

Policier Pentagonez* has a nice ring to it… congrats!

*google translator

[A_B]

Good for you Robear Cinqagonz!

[bfj]

Mazel tov BP!

[Square Rob]

Quick update-

Things are now moving very quickly. It has taken weeeeeeeeeeks for some key things to happen, but I now have a definitive contract. 3yr gig with the possibility to extend. Visa applications go next week. We’ve actually already sold our house here, with the closing date 8/19. (Full list offer with no contingency, no appraisal, and they pay closing costs. List offer was 30% above what we bought it for. Nuuuuuts)

Our first official house hunting visit will be 8/13 - 8/20. This will also be the wife’s first time in France. We are incredibly excited. Expected relo date is mid September.

I can’t say I’ve enjoyed the last two months. It’s really hard to get up and go into a job each day that you quit months ago. Some of this has been terribly frustrating at how slow it has moved as we wait approvals. That said, while they have had lots of euro expats come over here, I’m the first to go the other way. All of that said, it finally feels real.

[sancarlos]

Good stuff, Bob!

[L-Jam3]

Tres bien, mon ami!

[A_B]

You hiring?

[sancarlos]

You hiring?

A) would be moving from American South?
B) works in old-line industry?
C) affiliated with something called the Swamp?

Ding! Ding Ding!

[Rush2112]

Fantastic Bob!

Our neighbours are building their retirement home some 90 minutes south of Paris. I'm jealous of both y'all.

[Pruitt3]

That sounds amazing!

[rass]

...I’m the first to go the other way...

Aw yeah you are.

Good luck man, this sounds amazing.

[Steve of phpBB]

Okay, holy shit. This thread is the best thing I’ve read in a long while

[The Sybian]

Okay, holy shit. This thread is the best thing I’ve read in a long while

And way overdue for some updates!

ETA: never mind, just saw the updates in the moving thread.

[Giff]

After yesterday, it's time for us to finally make a decision one way or another. We don't want the oldest to start high school in a new place, so we've given ourselves a deadline of summer of '24. We most likely will have to take my MIL into consideration so that narrows it to Illinois and Michigan due to family/family friends. If that wasn't the case, we'd expand the search to Colorado and New Mexico with the latter being my overall #1 choice.

[duff]

After yesterday, it's time for us to finally make a decision one way or another. We don't want the oldest to start high school in a new place, so we've given ourselves a deadline of summer of '24. We most likely will have to take my MIL into consideration so that narrows it to Illinois and Michigan due to family/family friends. If that wasn't the case, we'd expand the search to Colorado and New Mexico with the latter being my overall #1 choice.

Split the difference and join me in northern Indiana! More bang for you buck and slightly less repressive than TX.

[Giff]

After yesterday, it's time for us to finally make a decision one way or another. We don't want the oldest to start high school in a new place, so we've given ourselves a deadline of summer of '24. We most likely will have to take my MIL into consideration so that narrows it to Illinois and Michigan due to family/family friends. If that wasn't the case, we'd expand the search to Colorado and New Mexico with the latter being my overall #1 choice.

Split the difference and join me in northern Indiana! More bang for you buck and slightly less repressive than TX.

It's imperative we are close to family/friends if the MIL is involved. She'll most likely be following us wherever we go and we cannot handle her without her having other people to spend time with. That may also play a role in our ultimate decision to stay as well. We're not staying in Texas after the girls graduate high school anyway so maybe we risk another 10 years here before moving wherever the hell we want.

[The Sybian]

After yesterday, it's time for us to finally make a decision one way or another. We don't want the oldest to start high school in a new place, so we've given ourselves a deadline of summer of '24. We most likely will have to take my MIL into consideration so that narrows it to Illinois and Michigan due to family/family friends. If that wasn't the case, we'd expand the search to Colorado and New Mexico with the latter being my overall #1 choice.

Split the difference and join me in northern Indiana! More bang for you buck and slightly less repressive than TX.

It's imperative we are close to family/friends if the MIL is involved. She'll most likely be following us wherever we go and we cannot handle her without her having other people to spend time with. That may also play a role in our ultimate decision to stay as well. We're not staying in Texas after the girls graduate high school anyway so maybe we risk another 10 years here before moving wherever the hell we want.

How is Texas going to turn blue if you leave?

[Giff]

I don't think our two votes are going to matter.

[mister d]

[waiting on Ryan to nail this setup]

[sancarlos]

We most likely will have to take my MIL into consideration so ...

The parents factor will most likely delay any move for us, even after I get my Canadian passport. My father is 87, my mother is 83 and it is going to be up to me to step in when needed, because my brother probably won't be much help.

[Square Rob]

The fast and slow process of moving abroad just sped up significantly. Finally got our visa’s yesterday. Move ~19th, just in time for Christmas. Would have been significantly quicker if I worked for an efficient company, but nonetheless, it’s finally happening!