It's just not easy...

Ok, it should be known to all the people out there that moving to China is NOT EASY!! There is absolutely nothing that is easy about this process. I'm not even talking about all the "home" stuff you have to take care of, such as house, vehicle, storage, moving arrangements, utility shut-offs, etc. I'm talking about all the paperwork and 'things to consider' when moving to China. Granted, we are "newbies" when it comes to moving to any foreign country, but I honestly believe China has to be one of the hardest moves.

Just so you know...

You will need to arrange passports and resident visas (obviously). Also, if you're kids are going to go to school, you will need to fill out all appropriate paperwork for the application which usually includes an additional set of passport photos for each child, a chinese address, a chinese telephone number and a chinese contact name, immunization records, and a Chinese health certificate. I'm actually surprised they don't require your child to have a Chinese name as well (although they do have a slot for that).

Immunizations? I'll definitely be talking about THIS in the future.

If you're even thinking about the possibility of taking your own vehicle to China - think again. It's not going to happen. There are so many people currently residing in China that the government has "auctions" for obtaining license plates. I think one of the prices for a license plate when we last looked was about $4900 USD. It is also pretty difficult AND expensive to obtain a driver's license even if you do have a car available to drive.

Pets. *sigh* Another blog, another time...

Other factors? Yes, many of them! But, I will talk my way through all of that another time as well. The POINT? Each country has it's own specifications in making the "big move". However, China MAY feel like it's one of the hardest moves due to many factors. One of the most difficult of those factors is being able to converse in enough Chinese to get the job done. Since it is SO foreign, it just feels like [we] are always going against the grain.

So, let's recap. So far, my head is spinning with all of this "stuff" to think about, such as, schools, immunizations, passports, resident visas, housing, transportation, safety, pet relocation, movers, goodwill vs. garage sales, what's going?, what's staying?, job, friends, family, expenses, insurance, baby #3 - or not?, clothes, furniture, water bottle companies, adapters, food, security, vet visits, kennels, health certificates, dentist appts, teeth extractions, doctor appts, etc., etc., ETC!!!!! Just to name a few. *sigh* It's just not easy...

Deciding to post my blogs

Well, we did it. We finally made the decision to move to China. Yep. Now the fun truly begins...and I mean "fun" in a completely broad and liberal, not to mention obtuse and somewhat cryptic kind of way. Here we go...

I decided to create a blog site for a few different reasons. First (and not in any particular order), in the beginning of this process when we were approached with the idea of relocating to China, Allen and I started researching like crazy, through the internet. I mean everything. What I had found MOST helpful were the bloggers online who had already made the move to different parts of China who could explain what life was really like for an expat. I especially found one blogger particularly helpful because she wrote from a mom and wife's point of view...anything from her emotional journey to prices at the grocery store to navigating the local markets, to traveling, etc. So, if I can be just as helpful in my own perception of this adventure to other moms and wives, then GREAT! Secondly, my friends and family didn't really expect this kind of news from us. I really want to try my best to "stay in touch" as much as possible from half a world away and I'm hoping my thoughts, emotions and descriptions of our [temporary] move to China will help keep those lines of communication and ultimately the strength of our bond(s) in tact. Third, I love to write and I love to talk. The combination of "talking" while writing has an irresistable pull for me. What can I say? Lastly, I want a written record of our adventure for our kids to look back on when they are older. So, there you have it! :)

Ok, I think that about covers the title of this blog. Until next time...