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The Global Dispatch (#1): From Dubai to the Open Road
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Hi Everyone! After months of planning, and several especially hectic weeks, the moment we’ve been anticipating is finally here. We’ve wrapped up our life in Dubai, landed in the United States, and are just days away from officially launching our year of family travel and worldschooling.
DEPARTING DUBAI
Our final stretch in Dubai was equal parts celebration and controlled chaos. Eva finished the school year with her musical (Peter Pan Jr. where she played Tiger Lily), end-of-year class parties, and the exciting milestone of graduating from Grade 5. Jordan also wrapped up 3rd grade on a strong note and enjoyed the last few soccer games and practices with his team that he’s come to love so much. At the same time, our Cub Scout community gathered for its closing ceremonies and graduation, marking the end of an important chapter for both kids and for our whole family.
Then came the practical side of leaving: closing the apartment, selling or giving away nearly everything we owned, deciding what would travel with us, packing and shipping our remaining personal effects, and saying goodbye to the city we had called home for so many years. It was hectic, emotional, exhausting, and exciting often all at once.
This transition also marked the close of two important professional chapters, as Kelly left AIG and Matt left GE Vernova. We wanted to ensure smooth handovers for our teams and responsibilities, and we left with deep gratitude for the people, partnerships, and meaningful work we’ve been part of over the years.
A TOLEDO RESET
Toledo has given us a welcome chance to catch our breath and reconnect with family before the road trip begins. We have taken many neighborhood and Wildwood Metropark walks, joined the library’s summer reading challenge, celebrated the Fourth of July, visited the Toledo Zoo and The National Museum of the Great Lakes, and enjoyed plenty of swimming, family meals, movies, and too many local ice cream treats at Handel’s and Mr. Freeze.
Eva and Jordan also spent a full week at historic Scouting America Camp Miakonda, where they jumped into swimming, outdoor skills, fishing, crafts, games, and Scout traditions. It has been a wonderful bridge between the community we left in Dubai and the adventure ahead.
A FOURTH OF JULY AT SAUDER VILLAGE
We spent an unforgettable Fourth of July with the grandparents at Sauder Village, exploring its historic pioneer town and bustling 1920s Main Street recreations. Watching skilled artisans at work, including potters, glassblowers, woodworkers, even broom makers, was fascinating and a lot of fun. The highlight was witnessing an official naturalization ceremony in which 20 people from 14 countries became U.S. citizens, which was a moving experience that connected perfectly with pieces of Eva and Jordan’s worldschooling curriculum on the founding and ongoing story of the United States.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week, the trip officially begins. Our first stop is Akron and Cleveland, with highlights like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, followed by Cuyahoga Valley National Park for hikes, waterfalls, and a taste of the great outdoors. We’ll continue on to Niagara Falls, where we’re excited to get up close to the roar and mist, and then visit the hydroelectric plant to see how the river’s force is converted into electricity that powers the region.
From there, we’ll head through Vermont and continue to the great cities of the East Coast with a special focus on U.S. founding history, immigration, and civics: Boston (Revolutionary-era sites), New York City (Ellis Island/immigration stories and civic institutions), Philadelphia (Independence Hall and the Constitution’s birthplace), and Washington, D.C. (museums, monuments, and how government works today).
We are excited for historic sites, museums, nature, new learning experiences, and all the surprises that come with traveling together. The planning phase is nearly over. Now the real adventure begins, and we cannot wait to share it with you!
with gratitude and excitement,
QUICK LAST ASK...
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