See You In Shanghai!

It's today. After all of the anticipation, discussion, debates over what to pack, vacuum sealing (SO FUN!), cleaning and preparation, we are leaving! At 11pm we will depart  Heathrow Airport and with a quick stop-over in Mousekawitz Russian(not it's real name) aiport, arrive at 11pm the following evening in Shanghai.

Last time I left to work in China, I brought a backpack with exactly two shirts, one pair of shorts, a toothbrush and my camera. I was calm and confident and strong. This time I am packing two suitcases full of "just-in-case" clothes, respectable interview uniforms, kitchen supplies, and binders full of boring papers regarding various boring elements of my life. Essentially, I am traveling like a bag lady, sans empty soda cans. I am traveling like an old woman.

Well, I guess with old age comes a sense of clarity about how I want my life to be. I want Tony with me, I want us to be happy and secure, to never lose the sense of adventure and look back on all of this one day and smile. I think we're off on the right track with this China business. 

So we're going to get off the plane in Pudong and start searching for my job and our apartment. That is step one. Wish us luck. I have never had experience dealing with a Chinese rental company, and I think we will need lots of it, and patience...and a few bottles of alchohol.

Goodbye London! Hello Shanghai!