It's been a crazy week. I wish there were more poetic or exciting ways of describing it, but let me just tell you, when you're moving abroad, you have to make a decision. You can choose to get frazzled by the things that make your trip seem as if it's falling apart and won't happen, or you embrace them as part of a bigger story to tell about the crazy things that happen when you try to apply to move to another country. I've probably done a bit of both this week. My poor parents have gone through the ringer with me the past few days as the roller coaster ride of "Will she or won't she make her flight?" kept us all enthralled and busy calling the U.S. Embassy, my Chinese visa agent, and FedEx on repeat. Moving abroad is not for the faint of heart (something I'm repeatedly reminded of) and things WILL go wrong. The lesson I'm walking away with is that things will work out eventually, possibly in your favor or perhaps not, and you really don't have much control over it. I've been lucky this week. The cards were in my favor in more ways than one, and yesterday, 18 hours before I was supposed to board a plane in Orlando, my Visa arrived overnight from Washington DC. (I could have hugged the FedEx guy.) Yesterday was jam packed with last minute shopping, packing (and repacking) and tying up all the loose ends that needed to be dealt with before jetting off today. We left my parents home at 3:30 this morning for the airport. I was wired from too much caffeine the night before, so sleep has continued to evade me. I slept little on the first flight from Orlando to San Francisco, so I'm hoping I will sleep well on the flight to Hangzhou. We jetted off to the airport, and again, things worked out in our favor on what was an incredibly hectic morning at the terminal. Now if all of my luggage arrives in one piece, I will be a happy girl! I assured several of you that I would share my China address here for those who were interested in it. All mail is going through my school. Please send me letters! ;) Michelle Dierker c/o Hangzhou International School No. 78 Dongxin Street Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 310053 This girl's off! Wish me luck, friends! When I have internet access and a good VPN, I'll be sure to post more updates! Until then, Farewell :) (Did you know that if you pay the curbside service guy $20 bucks and you're traveling internationally alone, they'll get a massive cart for you, cut you to the front of a monstrous line, and check you in themselves? Best money I've spent all day!)
5 Comments
Jess
7/30/2016 12:47:01 pm
Gosh, I'm going to miss you so much! Wishing you safe travels! I love you, friend! 😘
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Michelle
7/30/2016 06:36:11 pm
I love you friend! <3 I'm going to miss you TONS!
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Susan
7/31/2016 07:55:54 am
I am mailing your invitation tomorrow. Let me know when it arrives!!! Safe travels! Love you!
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Pam
7/31/2016 08:53:09 am
Michelle!!! It's really happening!! I'm sooo happy for you, it's going to be an amazing adventure. Thanks for keeping us posted as I love to read your writing! Love you!
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Breanna
7/31/2016 04:07:30 pm
I am so excited for you....and excited to read your blog for the next 2 years!!!! You are an amazing woman and teacher and I wish all the best for you!
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AuthorMichelle is an expat and globetrotter, currently residing in Augsburg, Germany. Originally from the US, she has called Guam, China, and Germany home. Her passions include collecting children's picture books, reading, writing, traveling, and trying to remove coffee stains from freshly cleaned shirts. Archives
February 2022
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