In a little over a week, Kim, Aubrie and I will be initiating what I like to call Phase 27 of the process of moving to China.
Trip prep
Phases 1-26 started months ago. Kim began researching how we relocate there, not for vacation but for business AND pleasure. We will teach English in public schools, where the Chinese are eager and excited to learn our language from native speakers. Aubrie will be finishing her last year of high school online, helping us develop the blog and venture into a little vlogging. Hopefully she’ll also be learning Mandarin quickly enough to help us toddle through the country.
I don’t fully understand the layers and layers of paperwork that Kim has completed on our behalf. I can’t comprehend the hours she spent staring into her laptop and phone to learn what tasks needed to be completed by certain dates. Sometimes she starts verbalizing a thought, to herself but out loud, and then simultaneously answers her question and begins a new thought before I can even say, “whaa?” I’m just here to write and carry heavy stuff.
Knocking out the to-do lists
Since the time we have broken the news of our voyage to family, friends and coworkers in June, we (and by “we,” I mostly mean “Kim”) have/has done the following:
- organized, sorted and sold 97% of our belongings, including our cars, kayaks and clothes both online and through two yard sales,
- filed the appropriate paperwork to apply for work visas, tourist visas, FDA approval of our Japanese Chin/poodle mix Booker to accompany us,
- booked flights for August 11,
- packed two bags to check on the airplane that weigh no more than 50 lbs as well as one carry-on and one personal item,
- scheduled and completed two doctor’s visits where I have received a round of Hepatitis A, polio and two rounds of Hepatitis B vaccinations. Also took a round of typhoid pills that come with VERY specific direction.
Just a tiny box o’ typhoid - driven a road trip/farewell tour that went from Camden, Maine to Rutland, Vermont to Harrisburg, then Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After 23 hours in Pittsburgh, we went backward through the same route with an added two-hour stop to do the first round of visa application in New York City, all in one week’s time, and
- stashed a couple totes of sentimental things that we don’t want to part with but don’t need to tote with us halfway across the world.
Tying up some loose ends
With just eight days to go until we go wheels-up, we’re working on finalizing our packing situations and saying the last good-byes to our friends and family.