Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Are we really doing this?

OK, Christmas is over, time to start the MOVE PROCESS. So far we've filled out (not sent in yet) our visa applications for living in China and moving in and out of the country. We've made arrangement to sell a bunch of our furniture and applicances, plus we've cleaned out a few closets. We've gotten a van, villa and school in China. And, as of today, we are the proud owners of one-way tickets to China. OK, when I got that airline confirmation email from Tim I almost started to cry, then I almost threw up. Yep, we are definetly moving. Everything I know right now will be different. I kind of just want to curl up into a ball and make it all go away. BUT, I have to go back to my Moving to China Mission Statement: "One must move OUTSIDE (way the heck outside, in this case) one's comfort zone in order to grow." And growth is good, therefore change is good. Strip away all that doesn't REALLY matter to see what remains. Time for some big-ass growth, y'all.
Truly, I don't know how I'm going to live so far away from my parents. And my church. And my tae kwon do class, which I love. Oh, the house, the kitchen, my big, soft bed.
This is Freaking Out Day, I guess. Tomorrow will be Gosh, I'm So Excited To Move to China Day, I just know it.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Our House in the Middle of our Street

So, it looks like we have a house - an actual house, too, not a high-rise. It's got 4 bedrooms, a nice play area, a dining room, a big kitchen with a -ta-dah! - full-size oven and refrigerator! Yippee! Plus a washer/dryer and dishwasher. All of these things are UNUSUAL. Usually in China the kitchens are tiny; most do not have an oven, just a cooktop and rice steamer. Most of the nicer apartments that DO have ovens have little dinky ones but this is a regular-sized one. Tim will hopefully be taking care of the lease and all that this next trip to China.

The house is right near the International School and the SOS International Clinic and the English-speaking church.

So, we have 2 1/2 months left to go. We started "purging" out stuff we don't want or use anymore, and are now working on toys. Christmas will be a bit of a challenge this year, since we don't really want a whole lot MORE stuff to store or move. We're getting creative with Christmas gifts for the kids.

I am all of a sudden meeting some really cool people; doesn't that figure that I start all these interesting friendships so shortly before we move? Ah, well, can't get too comfortable now, can we? On to the next adventure!! : )