Mother's Day

HOLIDAYS WITHOUT FAMILY

George Burns once said, “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” But I say holidays SUCK when they can’t be shared with loved ones. We have three terrific growns (pictured) and today I miss them more than ever. Traditionally for Mother’s Day the kids manage to find their way back to the nest. They cook, present me with silly cards and wonderful gifts, and they indulge me by playing Scrabble or other board games. I just realized I didn’t pack my Scrabble game…

At any rate, I'm making the best of the day by chillaxin'. As I blog my husband has ventured via taxi to the nearest KFC. Today I’m in the mood to dine on something familiar – it’s much more of an emotional need than a real craving for the greasy fried stuff. I’ve requested sauce-less spicy wings. My husband tried in vain to place an online delivery order, but we *think* the error message read we had an invalid address or we were beyond the home delivery area (the message was in Mandarin). YES, folks – KFC and McDonalds DELIVER in Shanghai for a mere $1US service charge (and no tipping). Home delivery service is a huge business here - anything you can imagine can and will be delivered to your door for a very nominal fee.

Back to the holiday and family topic. Before this weekend we were planning a trip home this fall, but having assessed the holiday situation and the kids’ schedules we will be waiting to make a family trip back to the states at Christmas. Expat life is a privileged adventure and something my husband and I enjoy very much, but absolutely nothing is more important than our family; children, parents, siblings and dear friends.

14? Days and Counting...

Roller Coaster Ride

So, if you're reading this and doing the math - um, yeah - our departure has been delayed, again. OK - technically, we have never had a confirmed departure, just tentative departure 'goals'. Our new goal is March 26th - we'll see. However, if we had the opportunity to fly out tomorrow, there's no way we could go - we're still very much unprepared in every way. But, beginning Monday I am going into relocation warp drive.

I've done my first series of pouting (see last post - or don't). I'll schedule a follow-up wallow when I'm in Shanghai with nothing to do - right now I've got to pack! Plus, I'm really getting excited about living in Shanghai. My husband has been ready way before he was hired for the position.

A little about us: Once upon a time my husband, then boyfriend, coaxed me to ride a roller coaster. He rode the coaster with great abandon; wide-eyed, wide smile, and arms extended to the heavens. When the ride was over he was exhilarated. On the exact ride seated beside him I rode with great apprehension; eyes closed, butt clinched in utter fear, white-knuckling the safety bar. When the ride was over I was exhausted! ~ Such is telling of our adventurous spirits.

Over our 35 years together we've ridden many life coasters, I've learned to loosen up (pun intended) mostly because my husband has learned to ride with his arms around me (yeah, life's all rainbows and roses - NOT). Nonetheless, I will forever be in awe of my husband's spirit of adventure, and I believe he is grateful to have found a willing partner who is up for just about anything despite her natural affinity for merry-go-rounds.

All this to say, I'm psyched and I'm buckled in for what is sure to be an exciting ride!

24 Days and Counting...

Family and Goodbyes (written while traveling yesterday)

We're traveling I-26W headed towards a sister's home after a lovely trip to my parents' home in Charleston, SC. This weekend we're visiting family to say our goodbyes.

My husband and I live 1-5 hours away from all immediate family members (excluding the growns). Living in the states full-time we manage to see most family 3-5 times a year, but we communicate several times weekly via mobile phone, email and/or facebook.

Our choice to live as expats at times is a touchy subject for the stay behind family. Contrary to our reasoning and lack of inhibitions, sometimes our parents, adult children, close siblings and best friends experience feelings of separation and a genuine fear for our safety of the unknown in an unknown environment. We're taking care to reassure our loved ones by making every effort to continue normal communications.

This weekend I opened my mom a free Skype account and installed all numbers to reach us. For less than $9.00 she bought a mic and she's now ready and armed to VOIP!

Even though we're a mouse click, speed dial, or facebook entry away from our loved ones, the fact is we're living on the other side of the planet. So, as busy as we are preparing to leave, visiting loved ones and saying our proper goodbyes is one of the most important "to-dos" on our list.

35 Days and Counting...

Ni Hao and Welcome!

I bought a new computer today - not the MAC I was hoping for, but an HP that will meet my needs nicely. The new laptop is my first official preparation for the anticipated move.

My husband and I are feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point. I'm in the process of ending a small web design business, and my husband is busy training locally with a company that hired him to be the GM of a manufacturing facility. He's very pleased to be working with the new company and we're both excited about the move. But the excitement is tempered very much by the many lists of 'to-dos' that must be accomplished before we can feel comfortable boarding a plane for the other side of the world.

My husband and I are in our early 50's, we've three beautiful grown children who will be staying in the states. We're southerners through and through hailing originally from South Carolina, but we're fortunate to have called the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina our home for over 21 years. We are seasoned expats having lived four years in south central Mexico once upon a time. We are also not new to moving - this move will be our 17th relocation!

Because we are not selling our current home, the move to Shanghai should prove much less stressful than someone who must cart or unload all their worldly possessions. We will be packing our 'puters, clothes and grits and we'll be on our way. But there is still very much to be done. Stay tuned!