7-17-10 ~ Going Away Party/Happy Birthday Kevin!

Kimberly is going to China and Kevin is turning 50! Yeeha!
Thank you Kevin and Michelle for your friendship and a fabulous party!
I love you bunches!

The Kimberlys and Michelles!
Michelle (my dear friend of 33 years!), Kimberly, Michele (my dear sister) and Kimberly (Michelle's daughter and my name sake)

Frank and Lise, Michelle's parents

The McCarty/Blake/Franklin Clan

Kimberly reading to Chamesa

Robyn, Uncle Mark and Grandma Grady

High School Buds ~ Kimberly, Tori and Michelle

Brother and Sisters : )

Greg, Michele, and Lesley (my neice)

College Buds ~ Cari, Kimberly and Tony

Tori and Jimmy

Uncle Matt, Aunt Deb and Grandma Grady

Karin and Kimberly (Kevin and Michelle's daughters)

Uncle Mark, Robyn and Kimberly

Karin and Kimberly ~ slip and slide fun!

Kimberly, Michelle, Hilary and Karin

7-12-10 ~ Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles

Aunt Deb picked me up bright and early this morning at LAX and, after having breakfast, we headed straight to the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China to have my visa processed.

It was like being at the DMV...take a number, have a seat, and wait!

Behind us was a huge banner for World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. Cindy, Lucy and I are making plans to attend the Expo in October! : )

Deb and I had a great time talking about this amazing adventure, being silly, giggling, chatting with the people around us, and waiting for number 118 to come up! We'll return on Thursday, July 15 to pick up my passport with a stamped visa to enter and work in the People's Republic of China.

7-3-10 ~ Celebrating with Friends

As my departure date nears closer and closer, each day brings a new farewell. Last Saturday my dear friend Craig joined us in a gathering at Adam and Lois' house with our cruising buddies, Linda and Jared. As we sat there eating a delicious dinner of shrimp parmesan loving prepared by Lois, we realized that is was exactly two years ago that we met on board the Brilliance of the Seas cruising the Mediterranean! We had a great time polishing off the ouzo Linda and Jared brought back from Santorini, laughing our heads off, dancing, and simply loving the fact that the Universe aligned so perfectly and we all became friends. : ) I'm going to miss them tremendously!

Ahoy, Mateys!

I love ya, Linda! (Also known as my Donkey Buddy!)

Kimberly and Craig

OK, we're having way to much fun...or too much ouzo...don't know which!

Linda and Jared gave me this great card along with a Space Pen that will write anywhere...including China! : ) I love you guys!

7-6-10 ~ A Slow Boat to China

My new friend Raul from Guardian International Shipping just loaded my 55.5 cubic feet (not bad considering I had 100 cubic feet of available space!) of very important stuff onto the back of his big ol' truck! My things are on their way to China! Another milestone complete. And soon I will be on a flight (glad it's not a slow boat!) to Beijing and then on to Dalian. Every step of the way has been an incredible learning experience. Next milestone...get the house rented!

7-1-10 ~ My Visa Application and Work Permit Arrive!

Shannon, Carol, Ali and I were all in my garage getting ready for the big garage sale when the FedEx truck pulled up. I knew in an instant it was my visa application and work permit from the Dalian American International School, so I ran for the camera to document this incredible milestone in my journey to becoming an overseas teacher.

Thanks FedEx Man!!!

Ta-da!! Words couldn't express how excited I was!

I had tears of joy in my eyes as I read the application.

I AM REALLY GOING TO CHINA!

My Work Permit ~ I am going to be a second grade teacher at DAIS!

I am so blessed.

6-15-10 ~ Last Hurrah in Tahoe with Christiane

On June 15, 2010, my dear, dear friend Christiane and I met in Tahoe at my favorite place, the Franciscan Lakeside Lodge for a girl's week of fun in the sun and shared good times before I head off to China.

A room with a view....

This is my favorite place on planet earth...my dock at the Franciscan Lakeside Lodge. I have spent many, many hours in peaceful reflection sitting at the end of this dock watching the moon and stars, sunsets, sunrises, and waves crashing into the shore. I was ever so happy to be there with Christiane!

Long arm shot!

Ahhh...Tahoe!

Does it get any better than this?

Whooo hoo! Lookin' good girl!

Best of Friends! Love ya, Christiane!

I love my car...Mom's car...soon to be sold car...I'll miss her!

Walk down to Shunk Harbor

Go, Chritiane, go!

Christiane and I had a fantastic time with the macro setting on our cameras. It took us forever to get to Skunk Harbor because we were so up close and personal with the beauty of nature.

Smile!

Skunk Harbor was actually very skunky...with thousands and thousands of bugs--massive bugs, green bugs, flying bugs, ladybugs. Christiane and I had never seen anything like it! We thought we were in for a nice relaxing picnic on the beach...not a chance! Too many bugs crawling and flying around for our liking! (When I got home there was even a ladybug in the trunk of my car!)

It sure was a beautiful view though!

That dark stuff along the edge of the lake...bugs!

What an awesome week Christiane and I had! We hiked, shopped (till we dropped...literally!), and talked up a storm. I am so glad we had this special time to share before I leave for China. I appreciate you so very much, Christiane! Thank you for your friendship and for being you! : )