Well, I guess it's safe to say that I have reached the point of no return. All the paperwork is just about complete. I have my passport. I have had my physical examination. I have turned everything in to the people in China that they required. The contracts have been signed. I have received my letter of invitation and work permit. The only thing I lack at this time is my visa, which should be here by the first of August.
I turned in my notice at my full-time job on Wednesday, July 15th. I think it caught both my boss and HR by surprise. Not that they didn't think it would ever happen (I think it was a well-known fact that I wasn't particularly happy in my current position), but just that I actually did it. My last day at Charlotte Pipe & Foundry: Plastics Division, the place where I have worked for the past 24+ years, will be Thursday, August 6.
Today was my last day at Food Lion. Leaving there was perhaps the most difficult. Other than an 18 month stint as a waiter at a buffet restaurant, I have been at this store since the summer of 2000. I met a lot of wonderful people there, both customers and coworkers, people who I will miss. My last day at my other part-time job will be Sunday, August 2. I leave for China on Tuesday, August 11.
People have been asking if I'm excited about getting ready to go to China. At this point, I'm not really feeling all that excited about it. I think this is mostly because there is so mush to do before I leave. I think at some point, though, I will be able to say that I have done everything I needed to do. Then I can relax a little and really look forward to the future. I think that is when the excitement and anticipation will start.
The purpose of this blog is to keep family and friends updated with what is going on, especially once I reach Tianjin and start teaching. It will save me from having to compose multiple emails and answer the same questions over and over again. It will also provide a forum where I can share pictures of my experiences.
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