I’ve got some news for you…
If you know a little about me, you know that I live in Iran, and that I have been planing to move to another country for quite a while.
Well, the news is… my long-time goal is finally becoming a reality! 
In the past 2 years, I’ve been trying every way under the sun to find a way to move to another country where there is bigger opportunities for my BIG dreams and goals.
Now Iran is OK… my family is here, my childhood friends are here, and it has very nice people (unlike what the media says sometimes - believe me, I’ve lived here my whole life).
There is just one problem…
Iran with the current system is like a bowl. If you are a small fish, you are OK with it. You can live your whole life and actually be happy in it.
But if you’re a BIG fish, a bowl is simply not the right place for you. You need to live in a sea… in an ocean.
That’s why I had decided to move out of Iran a long time ago… but what kept me so long?
Well, now that I was leaving my family and home country, I wanted to move to a great country with a great lifestyle, political climate, culture and people I really like.
So a place like Iraq (no thanks!), Africa, or Antarctica was not an option I’d consider.
The rest, wouldn’t easily give visas to Iranians… But here’s the great part…
But the good new is, after 2 long years of going up and down trying all different options, I finally found a great way to move to a great country.
(Did I mention how happy and excited I was the night I “stumbled” upon it?)
“So Ladan, which country are you moving to?”
Well, what do YOU guess?
I’m going to keep it a mystery for now but will reveal it shortly when my plans are 100% certain.
Who know? It might be YOUR country. 
“When are you going?”
In a couple of months. I’m still making plans to adopt myself to the lifestyle there, because you know going to a totally new country and starting a new life there is not very easy.
I’ll keep you updated on the latest news about this exciting plan.
Until then, warm greetings and best wishes for you coming “still” from the sunny Tehran!
Ladan
Buy Ladan a Drink! 
October 10th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Well I read on Michel Fortin’s blog at one point that you were considering moving to Canada, so that’s my guess! If you happen to be moving to the Toronto area I’d be happy to show you around (though I’m more a country girl but can make my way around the city). Congratulations on making that life-changing decision.
Angela Wills
October 10th, 2007 at 2:38 am
Hi Angela,
Actually you’re right. My plan is to eventually go to Canada - as I love the friendly people, open-minded culture, and the weather (yes, seriously - I like cold weather).
But at the time being, I am moving to another country for a temporary time until I get a visa for staying at Canada through that other country.
Because doing it directly from Iran takes seven years.
By the way, thanks for your kind offer of showing me around.
Ladan
October 10th, 2007 at 4:49 am
I Moved to Malaysia 1 month ago,
Malaysia is not as much modern as China and Canada and Australia are, but the lifestyle here is much better than it is the Mideast countries.
The country you are moving to might be Malaysia, in that case I would be very happy to meet you:D
October 10th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Ladan,
That’s great news! Let me know if you hit Los Angeles. I’ll let you know where the good times are to be had.;-)
Anthony
October 10th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Shahab,
Malaysia is a nice country. I have several good friends there and know quite a bit about the lifestyle there.
The first time I met several Malaysians in Singapore a few months ago, I was surprised how friendly and nice they were.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Anthony,
I’d love to visit LA. It’s on my list of places to visit as soon as I can.
Thanks for your offer to guide me where to go there.
As soon as I could make it, I’ll let you know.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Hello, Ladan!
I am sending you best wishes in building your new life. Yes, it will be a challenge, but I am sure that you are up to it. As an American for Peace, by the way, I must apologize for the actions of some of our governmental leaders. The American people overwhelmingly want and end to the current war and to not get into another conflict. But, our government is not listening.
Let me know if you ever come to Florida.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for your kind words.
I know how you feel about having your government not listening to people. Because over here Iranian people do not want to enter conflict with other countries at all - but seems like our government is not listening either.
By the way, I’d love to visit Florida some day as it’s very beautiful.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Dorothy, I respect your view, but Americans don’t need to go around apologizing. I would suggest the effort used in doing that would be put to better use condemning terrorists and other totalitarians who want to kill you, me, and everything we or Ladan might hope for in life.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I meant to add, best of luck to you in your move, Ladan, you are a great inspiration.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Hi Ladan,
Congratulations on your upcoming move.
My guess is you might make a temporary move to France or Spain. Logistically, I would’ve guessed Georgia or India since it is fairly close but given some of the other variables you mentioned, I’m going to guess France or Spain even though I am woefully ignorant of visa restrictions over there.
Should you make America part of your travel plans or residency plans enroute to Canada, please feel free to drop me a note. I have friends and family in nearly every state and major city in America who can help you get situated.
And as always, should you ever find yourself in Las Vegas, I’d love to meet you and be your tour guide.
Good luck with the move!
Michael
October 10th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
First CONGRATS on moving to a new country of your
choice, good ol US first and then Canada ?
It must be a bold decision to leave familiar surroundings
and people and moving to a new place.
But moving brings its own advantages. You meet new people
make new friends and learn a lot.
BTW Its been a long time since I received your newsletter
May be you are busy with your travel plans 
October 10th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!
My guess *would* be Australia, except for the fact that - why consider that a stopping place, it’s a pretty cool place to just stay.
Also, I second Anthony’s sentiment…if you ever make it out to LA, let’s hang out.
*melanie
October 11th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Singapore! But then my country is only getting far too crowded, it’s becoming like New York times 10! I missed it when it was 5, 10 or 20 years ago.
Anyway, enjoy life in your new country. You deserve it! If I were you - correction - WHEN I will be as successful or more successful than you, I will stay in Singapore as my home, heartland, motherland, homeland, etc, but I won’t be tied down and travel to any place in the world that I want, for as long as I want.
Who knows, I might die not in Singapore but in some paradise on Earth.
October 12th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Hi Michael,
Thank you. It would be my pleasure to meet you when I come to Las Vegas someday.
If it wasn’t for the difficulty (read impossibility) of getting a travel visa to United States from Iran, I would have come there several times by now, because there are several wonderful friends and people I know there who I definitely love to meet in person.
But one day soon I can do this from “that new country”.
So I’ll be there soon.
Hi primuskannan,
Thanks. I agree that it would be a great opportunity to learn new things and meet new wonderful people. That’s why I’m excited about it!
Hi Melanie,
Yes, Australia is a great place to live. If I were to live there, Sydney and Melbourne would be awesome places.
I’m planning for Canada (as my final destination after this temporary stay it the mystry new country).
But who knows? I may change my mind to go to Australia.
Hi Mohamad,
Yes, Singapore is absolutely a wonderful place to live (even though it’s not the country I’m going to).
During my 10-day trip there, I saw so many beautiful places, met friendly and kind people, and so much more that I will never forget the experience.
No wonder why it’s becoming so crowded.
Thank you everybody and have a great day!
Ladan
October 12th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
I like cold weather too, hehe. I’m actually from Newfoundland (which is still in Canada) where it never really ever gets hot and so being in Ontario it’s sometimes too hot for me… I can’t even imagine living in a place where you never get a break from the heat!
All the best with your upcoming move!
Angela Wills
October 12th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Yes, Angela, I can see how cold it is where you are in your picture.
The kind of clothes you are wearing in your photo is something I don’t remember wearing in a long, long time - probably my whole life.
Because it never gets so cold in Tehran.