Things to take and things to leave behind....

Yup. Those are empty suitcases...four of them. Oh. And a box. And all my stuff. When I got up this morning, it occurred to me that I probably ought to put the stuff IN the suitcases. So, I went out and bought some more stuff.






When I got back with the more stuff, I had a momentary crisis. There's something final about putting everything you own in a suitcase (or four suitcases, even). I pack a lot because I travel a lot for IB. This was suddenly fundamentally different. I'm not traveling this time. I'm moving...big difference. So.... wait for it.... I sent the girls out to buy some more stuff.











When they got back with the more more stuff, I started actually putting some of it into suitcases. (I know. Isn't that novel?) After a couple of hours, it looked like this ----->

Thanks to the timely application of a bathroom scale, I'm fairly sure they're not overweight. (The difference between 70 and 71 pounds is $300.00. <.< ) Luggage tags are attached. Seems to be about done.



I'm leaving a lot of stuff here. I dont' think that's a bad thing. Four suitcases is enough stuff for anybody...don't you think?

Little Bits of Good

About three months ago, I came across a quote by Desmond Tutu that really resonated with me, "Do your little bit of good where you are: it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." I showed it to Torrie and told her I'd love to have a painting to go with it when I left for China. Then, I promptly forgot about it.

Last night, Torrie and her friend Emily, made this fantastic painting for me. Landmarks from Siloam are on the top - upside down - the gazebo, clock, and fountain downtown, and a dogwood tree. The bottom of the painting shows the hills of Hong Kong along with one of the huge skyscrapers that dominate the skyline and a cherry tree. Torrie included the quote and gave it to me this morning after she and Emily finished it.

I'm so proud to have kids who realise that I need to do my "little bit of good" a really long way from where they are right now and who are wise enough to realise that I'm not leaving them...in a very real way, they're going with me.

So, Torrie...I love you (Yes, Emily, I love you, too), and taking your painting to Hong Kong with me will remind me everyday just how much.

Welcome

Yesterday, in the middle of avoiding the 3 million things I need to do, I decided to start a blog about my move to China. Lots of people seem to be curious, and a blog has the advantage of being a voluntary subjection to the ins and outs of my daily life without the disadvantage of my spamming everybody's Facebook, Twitter...whatever.

So, thanks to Sara :), here I am. Feel free to ride along, if you like.