Major Life and Career Change
@DeborahDiane (40054)
Laguna Woods, California
October 4, 2018 5:02pm CST
This is a photo of two friends of ours who made a sudden major life and career change.
Until this past August, the husband was a successful financial advisor. The wife was an elementary school teacher in a charter school. They have a grown, married daughter with a new baby who lived near them. They also have a son who is a sophomore in high school.
In August, the couple announced they were selling their beautiful home, the husband was closing down his financial advisory business, the wife quit her teaching job, and the couple took their son out of his American high school so the three of them could move to a small apartment in NIGERIA.
The husband is now the principal of a school in Nigeria. The wife is teaching at the school, and their son is attending the school.
Since they arrived there, just a couple of months ago, the wife caught malaria, but has since recovered. Other than that, they have had no mishaps.
This all seems like such a shocking and sudden change for them, but apparently they are loving it.
The photo above shows them wearing outfits they made for Nigeria Day at their school. She shared the picture on Facebook.
I hope they continue to flourish there, but I will miss her.
She and I used to hang out together when our husbands were at various investment conferences. Just last spring, she and I went to the Getti Museum together, only a few months before their sudden decision to move. She never breathed a word to me that they were even thinking about it.
What an amazing life and career change!!
20 people like this
23 responses
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Oct 18
Way to go! that is awesome.
I am like this, just a couple months I was doing something else now I opened my own business (Another business)
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Oct 18
@andriaperry - Congratulations on your new business. I hope it goes very well for you. I always admire people who are willing to take a risk and try something new!
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane Sometimes you just have to go for it.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 18
@DianneN - I just posted a little article with a picture of the kids at the school.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 18
@DianneN - Yes, it was a shock to me, but obviously they must have been secretly applying and planning for it for a while. They seem very happy with their decision. I will post a picture of the adorable kids in their school soon!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 18
@jstory07 - I agree that they were brave. It is a dramatic change and they seem to be embracing it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458008)
• Switzerland
6 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane I am sure they are, you have to renounce to several things we get for granted, but you live a more natural life.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 18
@LadyDuck - That is interesting. I think modern life can be stressful for a lot of people. My friends in the picture seem to be very happy with their choice.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 18
@LadyDuck - Yes, I'm sure their life is very different, but their life will probably be calmer and more natural.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 18
@JudyEv - Yes, I think they do feel very fulfilled. I'm glad they did it!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 18
@JudyEv - Yes, they are making a difference and I admire them for it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane I think you would feel that you were really making a difference - at least to these people's lives.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
4 Oct 18
Seems like they're doing it as a missionary work.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Oct 18
@sunrisefan - She has not mentioned any religious connection, but it does sound like it may be a missionary school.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
4 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane Really seems like it because it's a life-changing decision. Hoping all the best for your friends, Ms. Deborah.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
5 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane Two of my friends, at different times, worked in Africa and both tell me it was the most intense and fulfilling work they've ever done.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 18
@DWDavis - I agree. They must have felt a real calling. I was certainly caught by surprise, however. I had no hint they were going to do that. They seem to be enjoying the experience, however.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 18
@DWDavis - I am sure it is very fulfilling to do something like that. I admire them both greatly for doing it. It took me totally by surprise, but they seem to be having the time of their lives!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Oct 18
@amadeo - Yes, I think it would be fun to visit our friends there!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Oct 18
Glad that they are happy with the change.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Oct 18
@wolfgirl569 - I'm glad they like it so far, too!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Oct 18
Well, they certainly look happy but my goodness, Nigeria that was certainly some decision. I sure hope they do enjoy their new life. Because you miss your friend you might be interested in this article about people who have moved to Nigeria
When considering a move to a new city, there is nothing more useful than hearing real life stories and experiences from other expats who are living there. We'd love to hear about your expat experiences. Please contact us if you live or have lived in Nigeri
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Oct 18
@Shiva49 that is interesting. I guess starting a new kind of life also give life more meaning and excitement.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 18
@RasmaSandra - Thank you for sharing this article. It is very informative! I'm amazed at all the people who have moved to Nigeria from the United States, Great Britain, India and other places. Fascinating! I had no idea.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
7 Oct 18
@RasmaSandra Interesting link, thanks.
I know many from India stayed on for years as they got used to the place and learned the ropes to survive.
Once you are in a place for a while, we feel we belong in there!
One British colleague of mine told me how children used to follow him around in a village he was based on. As most had not seen a white person they were amused and some took courage to rub his skin to see whether the white comes off. He used to do likewise to them too. That was much before computers made their presence, not to speak of other gadgets! siva
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Oct 18
@just4him - Yes, judging by the comments I read on her Facebook posts, I think a lot of people were surprised!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@just4him - No, they are not missionaries, because this is the American school and I do not believe it is affiliated with a religion. No mention of religion has been made, at any rate. I do not know why they made the change, but it is pretty drastic! They sure surprised me when they decided to do it!
1 person likes this
@just4him (306113)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane I'm sure it was a surprise to a lot of people.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
12 Oct 18
It is an amazing change, but I've heard of other people doing the same thing. They want a life that's completely different then usual. A different life style and everything that goes with it. Kind of like these tinn houses so many people are buying. they want to be closer as a family without all the distractions.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Oct 18
@RubyHawk - Yes, those tiny house are a good example. One of my daughters is always saying she wants three of them on one lot ... one for her and one for each of her teenage children! I don't think she is serious, but you never know!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Oct 18
@RubyHawk - Wouldn't that be fun ... to have two little houses? I wonder if people will ever decide to have little collections of homes on a lot, rather than one big house? It would work very nicely in temperate climates, like California and Georgia.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
15 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane Thst wouldn’t be a bad idea. I would like to have two together. One for bedroom, closet and bath and the other living room and eat in kitchen. That would be about the size of our apartment.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
7 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane
What motivated them to move to Nigeria? That is certainly a change.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@Hannihar - I would think that if anyone would have tried to talk them out of it, it would have been their adult daughter who was seven months pregnant when they left. If she couldn't influence them to stay, I do not know who could have. It seemed impulsive to me, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@Hannihar - It was a HUGE change and I don't know how they even found out about the opportunity. They seem to be having the time of their lives, however!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
8 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane
Maybe they thought you might want to talk them out of it so they did not tell you and did it.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
7 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane
Adjusting to a new country is not easy. Not surprised that she got malaria. What made them want to take off and go lie in Nigeria?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@Hannihar - I have no idea! It was a surprise to me. They have a married daughter in the US who just gave birth to a new baby. I would have hated to miss being there when one of my grandchildren was born. They seem to be happy with their decision, however.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
9 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane
I guess people cannot understand why people do what they do.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
18 Oct 18
It seems a great time to have an adventure in their lives and be enjoying it.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Oct 18
@GardenGerty - You are right. This was the perfect time for them to do this!
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
5 Oct 18
Wow, that is quite a change! I wonder how the son is liking it?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 18
@snowy22315 - The mother has said her son likes it. I hope that is true. It must be a huge change for him!
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
9 Oct 18
We know several who have left the country to do what they wanted to do elsewhere! This is something we are seriously thinking about. Why not? We only live once-may as well go for it!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Oct 18
@PatZAnthony - Yes, I think a lot of people do that, and they love the experience. I agree you only live once and you might as well try everything you want to do! I was surprised our friends chose Nigeria, but they seem to be having a great time, so far!
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@Shiva49 - I agree. I love the expression that it is passion in action!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 Oct 18
@Courage7 - Yes, it has been a major change for them. I hope they still enjoy it in two years!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
3 Nov 18
@CarolDM - Yes, I always admire people who are willing to take such a big risk in order to help others!
