New Beginnings! Intriguing cover picture, isn’t it? What is going to emerge from the cracking egg? A tiny bird, a baby iguana, an intriguing snake or a surviving dinosaur? There is an infinity of possible outcomes, some predictable, some seemingly impossible.

The same array of possible “new beginnings” occurs in our life almost daily. It depends on us to grasp the opportunities, to accept the challenges, to be open to changes.

Browse through this month’s Mosaic articles and you will share the turning points in Annemarie’s life when—against her own forecasts—she began to get involved and volunteer at WBFN; in Belkys’s and Daniela’s lives while expecting their first child in the U.S.; and in Asmin’s life when she made the decision to start a new life overseas and become a “trailing spouse.”

In our own lives, there are unexpected meetings, surprising opportunities offered. But there are also the changes that we ourselves make happen, the ones we decide upon. “Resolutions” to make a change for the better, to begin a new direction, do not belong only to the month of January!

Study the WBFN calendar of events at the back of Mosaic: what class could you attend (like our online “Budgeting Class,” for example)? Don’t wait until your WBG spouse is about to retire to get organized for retirement. It is never too early to come to our “Pension Seminar” (old and new plan) to get information about your World Bank pension and learn how you can begin to maximize it—starting now! And, don’t you want to meet new people from all over the world at our informal “Get-Together” and begin new friendships? New to the area—or not so new—why don’t you join us at our “Welcoming Coffee” or at our one-day “Spouse/Partner Orientation Program;” you’ll be introduced to many important aspects of our WBG community.

Speaking of events or programs not to be missed: maybe your child(ren)—3 to 17 years old—would like to participate in our “Children’s Art Competition.” Do not miss the deadline either for applying if your teenager wishes to participate in our “Teen Summer Program.”

And, of course, “Relocation,” which is at the core of WBFN’s mission, brings its own array of “new beginnings,” of all kinds—beginnings that can be exciting, but also challenging. As you will read in this issue, the Jakarta Country Office has recently embarked on a new initiative; it has enlisted “Country Liaison Officers” to assist newcomers with settling into life there. WBFN applauds all efforts to help our members going through those crucial first steps in a new country. All of us WBFN members can pitch in, one way or another: just get in touch with us to learn how.

“Good new beginnings” to each and all of you!

Anne Folliet