Oh, right. We're Moving.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 8:10AM Remember that time that I was moving in less than two weeks from now?
Yup. It's still happening.
And that's right, I'm still in North America.
So anyway, here's a little update on this totally bonkers situation that I call my life.
We're moving. To Jakarta. We know that we have to be there on the first of August. But beyond that, that's about it.
Well, we also know that Stella and I are heading back to North America on Thursday. And that we'll be back in Japan on Friday. And that the following Monday or Tuesday, we'll have to go to Tokyo for some sort of visa fandango. We'll fly up and back in the same day. Because why not!? It's not like we'll be jet lagged or anything.
And then, a couple of days later, Mr. Chef will fly back to Tokyo to get our visas. Also, somewhere in this mix, our stuff will be put in boxes, I'll make critical decisions about what things will go in the tree suitcases that we'll be living out of for two months, and the movers will come and put our stuff in a container and it'll get on a ship and sail off towards the equator.
Oh, and I also have to fit in a hair appointment, because there is no way on Mother Nature's Green Earth that I'm moving and meeting new people without pretty hairs. I have my priorities and stuff.
In the interim, I'm worrying about such important issues as the correct wardrobe selections for our new life (to bare shoulders or no? Should I have gotten another sun dress, or can I have one made there?} Why could I not find that pair of violet shorts I so wanted??! Should I have substituted the neon green ones instead? Do I have enough anti-diarrhea medicine to last a calamitous street food incident? Will I finally learn to spell the word diarrhea? Should I have gotten my Chef another pair of shorts? Probably. What's the bacon situation like? How can I eat all of the tacos in the world between now and tomorrow? How will I fit a wooden balance bike into my luggage? Can I take it carry-on? Pushing my toddler though Chicago O'Hare airport on two wheels?
Gah, so many important issues to consider.
I can barely focus on the fact that I'll have about 7 days to organize the move.
Oh, wait, maybe that's the point.
expat life, moving
Reader Comments (7)
Guuuurl, I admire your strength and courage. Because seriously? I cannot imagine! haha. You must be so excited about the new locale though, can't wait to hear all about it once you are finally settled in Jakarta!
I have just caught up on your big news!
Since you changed your blog you haven't been coming on up my updated blogs list.
Congrats on the move.
And well done for not panicking and shortening your trip to the states or anything!
We are moving too! Also on August 1st. So far, zero has been organised.
Good luck with it all.
@Laura, thanks! Yeah, I kinda botched my blog move a bit, I think. Anyway, good luck with your move! I didn't realize that you were on the move as well! Moving buddies! (it seems like EVERYONE and their brother is moving this summer. There must be something in the air.)
Good luck on the move! And... I would avoid bared shoulders in Indonesia. It's a Muslim-dominated nation, and even if you don't adhere to that or any of the other majority faiths, it always puts you in good sway with the locals by dressing conservatively. You can then always relax your wardrobe later. Personally, I find salwar kameez amazingly comfy (I'm in northern India) over Western clothes. Indonesia's a bit more conservative than here, from what I'm given to understand.
Especially avoid bare shoulders when you first arrive as it is currently the fasting month of Ramadan. Even quite liberal folk get very conservative at this time of year. Not drinking or eating for 14 hours at a time in tropical conditions will do that to a person! In my experience of international moving what needs to get done will happen. It may not be pretty and you may have some major what was I thinking moments when you open your shipping but it will happen whether you worry or not. There is not much you cannot get in Jakarta although real bacon may become something you don't see. My friends based there tend to fly to Singapore to get their fix!
So funny. I couldn´t help but to laugh when I read it.(maybe because I know it is all true).
Totally agree with the hair appointment. Major priority ;)
Have your ass there tomorrow, amiright?