Still Living, Still Changing, Still Challenging.

 We are settling in the new office in London. I have been vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19. On arrival Zahir played a "funny" joke on me. We took a cab and headed into a place called King's Cross. We stopped in front of this narrow barge like boat and he announced, "We are home!" 

 When I tell you it was small, I felt HUGE inside it. The bedroom section barely fits a full size bed. I guess I got used to being able to spread out. I was missing the house in Amman. When I forced to smile Z saw right through me. "Baby this is temporary. It is just until the new flat is fitted for you." Then he told me it was just joke and only for two nights.

 

 The next morning we went and toured the new flat in Nine Elms. We can see the U.S. Embassy from the master. It is in walking distance. We have everything in walking distance. This was a mandatory item for Zahir. When I work from home, I stay in the flat. If I need anything during the day, I have to go through the concierge and it is brought to me. I miss being able to escape to my garden in Amman. I know he is all about "Baby's" safety, after all that is why we left Jordan. Still it is lonely.

 

 The threats when he came out were bad enough. Then there was the coup attempt. To say that the Bedu love their king is a monumental understatement. I have no doubt that if the foreign backed coup was "successful" Jordan would have fallen into open civil war. I know Z is not happy having to move, but I know he would move the earth to keep me safe.

 

 Then came the big surprise. When he opened the door, I realized it was an apartment that I re-designed on paper three months ago. Back then it was made to appear that I was dealing with the most vague client in the world. I was given a spec sheet and a basic floor plan. Our boss told me, "He wants you to just make it smashing! Strip it to the studs and rebuild. Let yourself go!" 

 

 There is a private guest suite for his mother when she visits. Z says that will be often. I am still rushing to fully unpack, my Aunt Meg, Meemaw and Pawpaw will be visiting in a few weeks. In July we will be going to  meet with another surgeon, this time in Leipzig, Germany. Yes, Zahir has found me a new therapist who I see once a month or as needed. 

 

 I pass by Buckingham Palace and Hyde park to attend church. Zahir and I have joined a gym, a skydiving club, and a few business organizations. "It is all about the connections Baby." I seam to recall he said something similar when he and the Boss pushed (guided) me into accreditation.

 

 My sweet Kaleeb traveled with us and was in health isolation for a few weeks. I do not know how much paperwork Zahir had to do to bring my baby, but I am grateful. We got to see him daily while he was in lockup. We have chosen a dog walker who has experience with Malinois. Arba'ah's company vetted her thoroughly that alone took three weeks. She is a university student studying chemical engineering. I have offered to help out if she needs it. She picks Kaleeb up from me at the office or the flat. Z doesn't want me out on my own in this city."We are new here. You cannot even call-out for help." I know he is worried for my safety but this is a bit over the top. In time he will mellow.

 
 This is the second country I've lived in outside the United States. It is so different from Amman that I'm having no small measure of culture shock. Still the people are welcoming and nice. The dampness is causing a problem, I am silent more often than not.

 

 That has brought up another issue, I am going to have to learn another sign language. British Sign Language is greatly different from ASL. The sign for mute drawing the tips of your index and middle fingers to your lips. Zahir teases me saying it looks like I am asking for a smoke.

 

 I have tried to use the glove based speech translator. It is not well received, so I will muddle through and adapt. My big goofy guy says we will learn together and he will be my voice. He can read my fingers when I use ASL and Levantine Arabic Sign Language (LASL).

 

 Some would ask why bother to learn BSL? We have on occasion had a deaf client and it was I who became Zahir and the Boss's voice. We are living in Great Britain it would be wrong and rude to force MY language upon them. Finally, experience has proven there will be times when I have to speak for myself.

 

 Our German, Dutch, and British clients are over the moon that we opened the new office, even if Brexit does muck up the works a bit. We will start crossing the Atlantic to consult with our American (North, Central, and South) clients.