One Year Later...

It was one year ago today that I got the e-mail that would change my life forever. Steve sent me an e-mail that said exactly this: "Just heard that I am suppose to be getting a call today to lead the HR Service Center in Beijing. We'll talk tonight." Well of course that would be the night that he had a work dinner and didn't get home until late. I think I paced holes in the carpet while waiting for him. When he did finally get home, he told me that he accepted the position in Beijing, and that we would be moving ASAP. What ever happened to the "We'll talk tonight" part? OK, to be fair, we had already talked several months before about the possibility of moving overseas, and he knew that I was willing to go wherever...however, this all came out of the blue and was totally unexpected, and we were both very excited! I don't think I got any sleep that night.

Anyway, here is a recap of my last year:

July 11, 2006...found out moving to Beijing, China
August, 2006...went to BJ for a week, quit my job
September, 2006...moved our dog and 2 cats to my parents, sorted and packed house, moved to Beijing, met new friends
October, 2006...went to Shanghai, China
November, 2006...unpacked our stuff in BJ
December, 2006...went to U.S.
January, 2007...went to Harbin, China, to see Ice and Snow Festival
February, 2007...finally sold Morton house, went to Vietnam
March 31, 2007...Steve asks me if I would want to move to Chennai, India...I said yes in about 2 seconds, but I think he thought I would say no this time, which is why he actually asked me
April, 2007...came to Chennai for a visit
May, 2007...went to U.S., celebrated a milestone birthday, took my mom back to BJ for a visit (her first plane ride, and my dad couldn't go because his passport hadn't came)
June, 2007...packed and moved to Chennai, said goodbye to a bunch of new friends (thank goodness for e-mail), met some new friends
July, 2007...this brings us up to the present.

I guess it has been a busy year. Steve and I have enjoyed every minute of it. We are looking forward to what the next year ahead will bring. I for one am hoping that it is a little less active (at least with the moving part). Anyway, I think this "new year" will be starting off on a good note as I have received word that our good friends, R & J, back in Illinois will more than likely be having their first baby in the next 24 hours. Congrats to them! (Which brings up another point to those of you who just won't let it die...I will NOT be having a baby anytime soon...or anytime in the future!)

As far as my next year is concerned, I'm starting it off with a trip back to Beijing. Steve was suppose to be going back there for meetings, so I bought a ticket to go with...after all, not too much happening here with us moving any time soon. Well now Steve is not going, but I decided to go ahead anyway and just stay with some friends. I leave late tonight...and unfortunately for all of you who are already addicted to my blog, there won't be any postings for a week. All of my friends in Beijing are not able to read my blog...we are guessing the government has some sort of block on these types of things. However, I promise to post something as soon as I get back in a week...hopefully it will be about how we have a lease signed on a house and how we will be able to move soon...gasp (sound of me holding my breath). Until then, everyone take care!