relocation
The Familiar
Many folks back in the states seem to react in shock at times about our decision to move to China. I still meet people here (at work) who are visiting from the States : “Hey what are you doing here? (Cause they expect to see me in Seattle not Beijing) “I live here.” “You do?” … Continue reading
The Last Logistical Bits
The last logistical bit of relocation bureaucracy is complete, our air shipments were delivered today at our apartment in Beijing. I’ll review a few details and things that I understand better now. Here is a tour of our Apartment Beijing Apartment Tour from mbgriffi on Vimeo. I wrote the about the process of getting permits … Continue reading
School in Beijing
I attended a focus group this morning at Beijing City International School where our kids go. It was an interesting experience and offers an opportunity to spend a bit more time writing about the kids educational experience. For the kids I think they have adapted the fastest here in Beijing, the routine alone has been … Continue reading
Settling, Settling, Settling
Well we have finally moved into our permanent home in Beijing. Â Its been a busy couple of weeks but we are finally feeling like we are settling in. Pee in a Bucket Last Saturday I went shopping for the last “big” purchase for the house. I was sick and tired of shopping at Ikea and … Continue reading
Shopping Hell
Relocating yourself halfway around the world with a limited amount of space to bring your lives along and attempting to settle into an unfurnished furnished apartment means that you need to buy a crap load of stuff. As we left Issaquah, divesting ourselves of all our worldly possessions (car, house, etc) and packed away the … Continue reading
Relocating – Part 3
Well we have keys to our new apartment; Our apartment is largely empty. Here’s what’s happened since my last blog. Friday Night we visited SanLiTun, this is where the foreign embassies were relocated in 1949 when the new government wanted them out of the inner imperial city. Since that time there are many western bars, … Continue reading
Relocating – The First Few Days – Part 2
Day Three – Wednesday I woke up around 4:30 am; jetlag sucks. It was Sofi’s first day of school. We met Driver Wang downstairs and I accompanied her to school. We got there 40 minutes too early and waited in the lobby. Some paper work to fill out for her bus and I met her … Continue reading
Do you know where your gallbladder is?
I’ve never been asked before where my gallbladder is but today I was. There are a number of (and I think silly) medical tests to be done in order to get a work visa in China. Because I am the spouse of someone working in China I had to have the same tests done as … Continue reading
Relocating – The First Few Days – Part 1
Departure Day – Saturday Since I have jet lag and I am up at 4 am I thought I’d jot down a few notes on the transition and how things have gone since we arrived. We were originally supposed to leave San Francisco (after Disneyland) on Friday, but Stac and Miles both had a bad … Continue reading
It’s like Stadium of Fire minus the Osmonds
We arrived in Beijing Sunday night(the 6th). That flight is bearable until about hr 7 and then you realize you still have over 5 hrs until Beijing and then some claustrophobia can start to settle in, for me at least. That’s when I pop a pill that my lovely doc back in the states gave … Continue reading