Tuesday, June 4, 2013

I'm back!


It's been over a year since I left the beauty blogging world - and I have experienced cataclysmic changes to my life since February 29, 2012! A brief timeline:
  1. My partner ended our 16 year relationship on Leap Day 2012, while we were at our house in Muscat, Oman. I spent the weekend with a blogger friend in Abu Dhabi (you know who you are - and thank you again!). Flew back to London shortly thereafter.
  2. Unfortunately, I changed roles at my company at nearly the same time - not ideal, but I ended up getting a very good performance review at the end of the year. More on that later.
  3. Tried to buy a flat in NW London while hanging onto the Muscat house. Unfortunately, the banks would not accept that I was liable for only 1/2 of the joint mortgage, so that was a no-go.
  4. Decided I needed a break and took one last European trip - to Venice, alone.
  5. Spent March, April, and May in a zombie-like state. My brother was so concerned that he came to stay with me for 10 days. He supported me with daily Google Hangouts before his visit.
  6. After talking with my brother and his wife, I decided to return to the U.S. 
  7. Both the U.K. house and the Oman house were put on the market. An offer was received on the U.K. house in the Spring, but the deal did not close until September. Glad I'm never buying or selling a house in the U.K. again. The Oman house sale closed in early 2013. I now have a tiny mortgage.
  8. When my decision was made, I called the international movers, donated tons of stuff to charity and others. I called my boss and told him that I was going to stay in the U.S. for at least 90 days. He was extremely supportive. I called my old boss in Silicon Valley and asked him for a job in his organization. He hired me onto the U.S. payroll as of September 1, 2012.
  9. I arrived in Portland, Oregon on May 25, 2012 with two suitcases and a laptop bag. I spent the whole summer with my brother and his wife, and their late cat, working U.K. hours while I waited for my California job offer to be finalized.
  10. I bought a new car - a 2013 Kia Soul, in Oregon after I got the official U.S. job offer.
  11. On August 26, 2012, I drove down to San Jose, California to stay with my old friend from Adobe, who I've known since 1995. She and her husband put me up in their guest bedroom until I could buy a place. I started my U.S. Job on September 2, just after Labor Day 2012.
  12. I found a beautiful two bedroom condo in downtown San Jose and moved in in October.
  13. I adopted two rescue kittens, Heidi and Meg, who have been a source of delight and comfort!
  14. I visited Japan for the second time in November, 2012.
  15. I visited Vancouver, B.C. in December 2012.
  16. I am now working on my second assignment as an IT Program Manager for my company, and am very happy with my role.
  17. On-line dating sucks, but that merits an entire post - more about that later...
  18. I am grateful for the kindness and support that I've received from my friends, family and the international blogging community - and my ex-partner's family too!
I know that was a rather long laundry list, but I wanted to summarize the past 15 months of my life without rambling on. More details to follow!

This blog will be quite different - it's going to be more of a lifestyle blog, rather than strictly a beauty blog. Sure, I will have beauty-related posts, but that will not be major focus of my new blog.

I am glad to be back!!

Cheers,

Jamilla Camel

45 comments:

  1. Hi Jamilla, glad you're back! *internet hugs*. I'm typing this out with a big grin on my face. Also, doubly happy that things worked out for you so well in a such a short space of time. Blog more!

    - dom/domncroxd -

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  2. WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!! SO happy to be receiving updates from you again. I'm so sorry I can't chat with you regularly but at least this way I know what's on in your life (in a completely, non-creepy way, of course, haha!).

    Very excited to visit in September =D

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    1. Sheila Thank you! I am so excited about your visit! Can't wait!!

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  3. Welcome back! I've missed reading your blog posts. Looking forward to reading your posts. Although I've kept up with you via tweets, not much you can say in a short little tweet. Haha!

    *Kat*

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    1. Kat - *HUGS* I have lots to post - like a 15 month backlog lol!!

      Can't wait to see you and the girls in December!

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  4. Welcome back! I love seeing pictures of Heidi & Meg on FB and Instagram. :)

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  5. Thanks, Steph! I promise to post lots of Kitteh pics!

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  6. Welcome back!! So happy you are back - especially after the last year! Looking forward to all your posts!

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    1. Thanks, Justine!! I hope you can visit in October - you'll get the grand tour!

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  7. I'm soooo glad you're back!
    Wow! That is so much things happened to you, so may things changed!
    But I'm more then sure you're doing absolutely amazing now! I love you cats pictures btw :)

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    1. Hi Anastacia! Thanks! I've been following you every day on Facebook - thanks for the amazing nail art!

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  8. Hi dear, I'm glad to hear from you and see you blogging again.
    hugs

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  9. Welcome back ;) Missed your blog posts!

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    1. Missed you too, Mona! Still wearing your jewelry too :)

      Can't wait to see you in NYC in September!!

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  10. Welcome back!! You've been missed. :)

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  11. Hi Jamilla! So happy youre back! I miss your blog posts! Wow, what a long 15 months! Glad everything worked out in the end. Totally following you again and I cant wait for your new posts! Welcome back dear!

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    1. Thanks, hun! Yes, I've emerged alive and am enjoying life in the Bay Area!!

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  12. Welcome back, I'm so happy to see that you're back blogging again and that you've settled down somewhere much lovelier. Gotta love that California sunshine and the ocean on your doorstep! Hope our paths will cross again one day. Stay strong and I'm looking forward to all of your new posts to come :-)

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    1. Haru, thank you so much for your kindness and support when I was feeling so awful! It's people like you that maintain my faith in humanity!! I do expect to get to Europe and Singapore sometime, so I am sure we will meet up again :)

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  13. Glad you are back! You do not know me, but I do "know" you (via your blog, of course). Ooooh, San Jose!!! Beautiful! What a year with ups and downs! Glad you are okay again!

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    1. Hi Doraemon! Thank you!! Yes, I am enjoying life again in the Valley :)

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  14. Oh, welcome back and please don't let the bullies hit you again! I missed your old posts!

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    1. Thanks, Citrine! This blog will still have beauty topics, but will be more lifestyle oriented - I'm going to avoid posting my face ;-)

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  15. Hello Jamilla,
    Great that u are back and thanks for sharing what happen through for the last year, nevertheless, it is great to have you back in blogsphere. *hugs!* stay strong and happy!!! :)

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  16. Aw Jamilla, you went through so much in such a short time. I am so happy that you are back on track relatively quickly. Because that's a lot of change!! I am glad you are so powerful. And I have a feeling that you are better off and continue to get a more improved life!

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  17. Hope this is not too late, welcome home and glad that everything falls in place nicely and though you been through up & down ... well can safely said its over and more importantly now you looked glowing and happier! Welcome back to blogging world and cant wait to read more on your posts!

    Hugs :)

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    1. Jessying - thank you!! I am so glad to be back - and loved your most recent post about DP - you look fab in that black dress <3

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  18. Hi Jamilla. I'm glad you are back and well! :-)

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    1. Thank you Renata! I am enjoying life in California :)

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  19. welcomr back !
    I am glad your back and doing better
    hugsssss

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  20. LipstickBoulevards - THANK YOU! :) I am happy again.

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    1. Thanks! and thanks for letting me know about Mitsuwa :)

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  22. Hi Jamilla! So happy you're back! I missed your blog posts!

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  23. WELCOME BACK!!! I've been your blog reader for years (albeit mostly silent) and have missed you. Glad to know you are doing well.

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  24. I will most probably enjoy the beauty posts more than your other updates, but I'm thrilled to see you back.
    Happy to see you're doing fine now - just talk to us (your readers/folowers) if you need words or forms of support, there are plenty!
    We love you (and your cats) :D

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