I’m standing at my manager’s door about to knock. I’m hesitating. This is it I guess. Here goes nothing.
*Knock Knock Knock*
“Come in!”
I step inside. He’s at his desk, and he doesn’t even glance at me as I walk in. His eyes are glued to his laptop screen. He’s absorbed either in a highly important Email, or a dumb YouTube video. I’d put my money on the second.
“Do you have a few minutes? I need to talk to you about something”. I’m trying to throw some urgency in my voice tone.
“Have a seat” – his eyes are still glued to the screen.
I’m used to this kind of treatment from him. As much as I admire his work ethic (he always gets his job done, YouTube or not), his distant attitude with his team puts me off.
It’s all good though. I’m about to drop a bomb shell.
“I’m leaving the country. For good.”
……………………………………………………………………..
The result of my interview in Dubai had come through. They said they liked me. They offered me a good position and I accepted it. So simple, so quick. but also, so life-changing . I love it.
I’ve lived in Riyadh for a good 15 years of my life. In my mind I think of it as home, more so than my real hometown. My family and best friends are all here. But I’m heading out on a Final Exit Visa. (“Final exit”..pretty dramatic name for a visa, eh?)
No turning back after I leave. I’m going out on a limb. Excitement.
At the time of writing this though, I’m still not feeling anything. Guess the whole idea hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m in waiting mode now. Waiting to see what the next chapter will bring, as the story of my life unfolds.

This is so exciting! I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you Cece!
I can’t believe you’re leaving!!!!!
I’m so happy for you, though. Don’t disappear, okay?
We’ll miss you here <3
Thanks 7ala! Well aint a thing gonna change. Instead of tweeting from here I’ll be tweeting from there. No one will feel a difference… except for maybe more exciting stories?
best of luck bro…
i guess we’ll be having coffee in Dubai then
Or we can have it before I leave man. Its not too late yet.
I remember when I made the final rush out of Saudi. I was still in college and going to and fro to renew the residency. Then things changed and I would have to leave what I called home for 18 years for good. It was a Monday when I was about to go out with my best friend before my flight on Wednesday. My dad called and said he found a plane ticket 40 minutes from now… I said OK… I barely had time to pack and couldn’t even say a proper goodbye to the villa I called home.
I took out my camera and started randomly taking photos at objects, couches, corridors… then left.
lol sounds the prologue of some book
15 years is an awful long time ..!!
I guess the “moment of truth” will be on your way to the airport,,,
Hope you the absolute best of luck ..!!
Man reading those posts gave me goosebumps.
I’ll be graduating in June 2011 and though I am sick and tired of university and have been patiently waiting to graduate, I keep realizing that “this is it… this is when all the life changing decisions will start…”
I’m exhilarated but simultaneously apprehensive… Funny feeling.
[Goosebumps again :p ]
May God grant you success in all the facets of life