Moving on

Wow, it's time to go. I leave in six days. My husband and kids are already in America, soaking up some family time and clean air. I will have three weeks alone until I meet them in the US.

It's both hard and easy to believe that two years have passed. On the one hand, I think, wow, two years already? On the other, I think back to when I arrived and I see how different I was.

Leaving a place is always bittersweet. I'm so excited to see my family and be back in the USA. I haven't loved China as much as I loved the DR. But on the other hand, Guangzhou has really grown on me and I feel like it took me longer to settle in here. So now that I'm settled and have made some good friends, it's time to leave. There's more regret this time.

I remember when I arrived, I was terrified to open my mouth and speak Chinese. Now, I manage the cab drivers with ease, but only as long as we stick to basic commands/conversation. Same with visa applicants. Give me a typical situation - "we're going to see our daughter in school in the US"- and I can adjudicate the heck out of that- fluently and efficiently. But anything unusual, and I'm back to day one...need an interpreter. Lately, applicants have been complimenting me on my Chinese, which is ridiculous, but gratifying- I've mastered the basic interview, and that, at least, feels good.

I'm conflicted about ever returning to China. The air pollution and the distance from home are the biggest factors for me. In addition, I'd have to take another year of Chinese and I would probably be quite behind since I have not done any reading since I got here. But as I leave here, I think that maybe I could have become pretty good at Chinese...and maybe it's not too late. The schools are excellent in China and so are the travel opportunities. We'll see.

I plan to blog about our recent trips, but for now, have to run to the fabric market one last time.

Goodbye, stuff!

Packout is over. Can I get a hallelujah!? I almost didn't make it. There is practically nothing more miserable than the night before a move or packout, when there is stuff all over the house and you are so tired you can barely keep going. I just wanted to cry about all the mess and all the stuff that still needed sorting. If it wasn't that important, ok, I could let it go. But our desk full of important papers and other stuff? I couldn't really let the movers just throw it in a box. My husband has been scanning like crazy and soon we won't have this problem (though there is always paper...). Honestly, I have given so many things to my housekeeper and driver over the last two years that I can't believe we still have so much stuff.

So, our strategy:

• We packed our suitcases, for the most part, and moved them and the carry-ons into our bedroom, which we kept locked at all times. The suggestion to put these items in a closet, bathroom or car is comical to me! We needed the whole room! What a mess. We are taking more carry-ons than we vowed we would this time around, but we have some new bags and D just wanted to be sure we'd have enough room for all the last minute stuff. 
• In the living room, we designated an area for UAB, or Unaccompanied Air Baggage, the only stuff we'll have with us in Virginia. It's also the stuff we'll send to China first, so we needed to add things like linens, which we won't actually need in VA. The UAB became a huge mess, as I threw stuff into the pile. I did try to keep the most important items in the front and know what they were, since it was soon obvious that we had more than the 700 lbs allotted to us. The movers let us tell them what should go into UAB, so that worked fine (they weighed the boxes right in our house), but we are sad about some peripheral stuff that we just couldn't fit. Luckily, the boy-sized stuffed shark will be with us in VA. 
• Here's about half of our UAB pile. See the shark in the upper right hand corner (upside down)? The other half of UAB was large plastic containers in which I like to pack our clothes and linens. I feel more safe that way, but the containers themselves add some weight. 

Here are our 8 UAB boxes, ready to go. I liked how they wrapped them with plastic AND metal belts.

• Our HHE (Household Effects, which will travel to Belgium, I think, and wait for us until we arrive in China) was in another part of the living room. We also had some HHE items in the other rooms. The kitchen was confusing, because we had welcome kit stuff there, in addition to HHE, and I was worried they would pack everything. (The Embassy gives us a welcome kit containing basic linens and kitchen items, and it's used before our shipments arrive and after they leave. We will donate it when we fly out). So I pulled out the HHE kitchen items and put them on the dining room table for them to pack. It's hard to think we won't see this stuff for possibly 18 mos. It's just stuff, and I can live without it, but I'm slightly bummed about not having my serving dishes and other items I use for entertaining at Oakwood. I guess it's just as well since I won't have much room- entertaining will be casual. I'm planning to buy a new set of light-weight melamine dishes, including serving dishes! That will be super fun. Going forward, I won't stress about the nicer stuff, I'll just know that the melamine stuff goes in UAB and that's that.

The movers were really quick and complimented us on not having so much stuff. Hah! I feel like I have WAY TOO MUCH.

So, it's off! Goodbye, stuff! Please make it safely to your destinations!

Goodbye Dappy

Last week I traveled to MD to say goodbye to my grandfather whom my brother and I called Dappy. He was 94 and lived a long and fulfilling life. I am so grateful I was able to be there for his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. He was a WWII fighter pilot and so his burial proceeded with full honors- it was very moving. He is now together with his wife of more than 50 years- my Nana, who died in 2003. Rest in peace, Dappy.

I'm so grateful he was able to meet both of my children.

Tomorrow we're off!

Taking a break from the chaos that is my bedroom. Really, the night before leaving on a big trip (or a permanent move) just sucks. Luckily, my brilliant husband insisted we take the later flight to San Juan, routing us through Miami, rather than the 6am non-stop. Thank goodness for that.

The kids have been doing pretty well. Friday was the last day at daycare, and we all cried, including the teachers. When we left, M stood outside his classroom, peering in the window, with tears streaming down his face. It was so precious, and I'm so proud of him for being able to face those sad feelings (he's not the grandson of shrinks for nothing!). The kids have been clingy lately, but mostly pretty darn adorable. We're hoping the good behavior continues, but are prepared that it may not. M wanted extra hugs tonight, and was able to tell me that he was both sad and excited.

So, tomorrow we start our journey! I can't really believe this day has come. But enough deep thoughts; I have to get back to work.

We'll check in from Puerto Rico if we can! Thanks to everyone for the kind wishes and support!

Goodbye New York

This week, I said goodbye to New York. Of course, I'll be back again, but it won't be the same.
Just want to take a minute to say goodbye.

So many wonderful things happened while I was living in New York. There was this...

My husband and I met at Penn Station 9 years ago and that's where he proposed 

We had a beautiful destination wedding in Mexico

And not too long after, there was this...

And two years later, this too...

I was lucky to make some wonderful friends, including but not limited to these great women...

These lovely ladies are from my MPH program...even though I'm leaving the field, we'll always be able to talk shop.

This one moved to CA a year ago. I am so grateful that I can count her as a dear friend.



I've known this one all my life, but she moved to NYC ~5 years ago, much to my delight



This one saved my life at one of my jobs.  I am so grateful we became friends.

I am using a different computer and don't have access to my photos right now! So if I missed you, it's not intentional! I have many other friends who will be missed.

We have wonderful family members here, who have joined us for every birthday and other celebrations. We've loved spending more time with them over the years.

I know that we will be back, both before we leave and during every trip back to the U.S. And I know my dear friends and I will stay in touch. But for now, goodbye NY and everyone dear to us, we love you!