Up Up and Away

My airline tickets arrived today.  My new employer is paying for me to fly to Dubai in order to take my licensing exam, which they also are paying for.  No, I am not flying first class, but I am not complaining. I am not used to all this attention. I leave in three nights which is hard to believe. I won’t miss all this rain and cold weather in Portugal. We have already burned through all the firewood for the season. I’ll be gone for approximately 10 days to take the examinations and check out the new job. I can’t wait!

My new desk at "work"

Here is where I am spending a productive 8 hours a day for one more week before flying 4 time zones away to Abu Dhabi.  It’s quiet and my brain retains more here than at home. The library even has a small cafe where I can tank up on caffeine all day if needed.

Silves Library

This is where I am spending all my waking hours for the next 8 days preparing for the examination that will get me my license in Abu Dhabi. I talked to a future co-worker from Argentina who passed the examination last year. I’m glad I did as it turns out, I am studying too many things that are not going to be on the exam. Apparently, the exam is not as difficult as the one I took 30 years ago in California.

The library is very modern with free WiFi and power points at every desk and table. I can hook up to the Intenet and research everything I need to study.  I found a great head and neck anatomy program that allows me to visualize the important structures in 3D. Never had this 30 years ago. OK, off to study now.

Retired Portuguese Men

It’s official. I am, as of Friday, retired from work in Portugal. Since I am officially a Portuguese citizen, I guess I could join the ranks of my new colleagues you see in the picture.  However, there is no time for that as I must study study study for the upcoming exam in Abu Dhabi.  Retirement here is a blessing in disguise as I can now devote all my time to pushing information back into my head that I haven’t used in 30 years.  Would you like to know which cranial nerve controls your upper eyelid?  I knew that yesterday but can’t think of it off hand at the moment. Guess I’ll go back to studying.

Sometimes the stars truly do line up in your favor. I have been approached and am being recruited for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity. One catch, though. I would have to move away from Portugal and to The United Arab Emirates.  The great part is that there is an opportunity for me to eventually incorporate my consulting business into the regular career.  The deal is not signed as of yet. I have to pass an examination in Abu Dhabi in February.  I’m actually going to have to study!  Wish me luck!  Please leave a comment by clicking on the comment balloon above.  I will answer every one.