Chinese Consulate

Traveled to the Chinese Consulate in Houston to apply for Judy’s “Z” visa (the visa needed to work in China).  Arrived early so we could get the “rush” service and pick up the visa later the same day (according to the Chinese Embassy website).  After a quick trip to a Walgreen’s for copies (needed copies of some of the documents sent from China to Judy), we were able to complete the process and told we could pick up the visa the next Tuesday.  When we tried to pay for the “rush” service, according to the embassy website, we were told it no longer existed, and hadn’t for a year.  Guess I’ll return in a few days, when my paperwork arrives, and pick-up Judy’s visa, then I’ll get to travel back again when my visa is completed (assuming my paperwork arrives in time).  The Megabus and I are about to get well-acquainted.

Extra fun moment of the day:  When we finished, we drove next door to Einstein Bagels.  As we left, we decided to walk back to the Consulate and get a picture at the front door.  Took two quick pictures, and walked back the 1/2 block.  When we arrived, our car was in the process of getting towed.  Apparently when anyone walks off the parking lot toward the embassy, someone is watching a camera and contacts a waiting tow truck.  We were gone 3 minutes.  Driver unhooked us and turned us loose.  Whew!  That was close!

Gordon

School is out and we have officially retired from teaching in Texas.  It was mentally and physically exhausting to close out our classrooms and say goodbye to colleagues, and for me very sad.  Beckham Elementary has been my home for a long time and I will miss seeing my friends.  I couldn’t believe I was walking out of the music room for the last time!

We are both relieved to have a small break from school duties, but there is still a lot to do to get ready for our move.  Getting the proper visas involves quite a bit of paperwork, but our schools in China are helping us with it.  There are also lessons to prepare and training to attend.  In spite of all that, we plan to relax and enjoy living in downtown Ft. Worth for the next few weeks!

Judy

Here are some pics from our two moves:

Arlington house sold! Moving temporarily to Ft. Worth.

Packing for Move #1

Loading truck for Move #1

Our condo on 7th Street in Ft. Worth:

Love living in Museum Place

We have a balcony that overlooks the Cultural District

Packing Arlington house for storage:

Protecting the furniture

Organizing for storage

Boxes piling up

Everything must fit into this truck!

Empty house

Good-bye to our house in Arlington!

Timeline Of Events:

SEPTEMBER 2012 – Decision made to seek overseas employment as teachers.  Submitted info to an online job search company.

JANUARY 2013 – Judy accepted a position as a music teacher, grades K-7 at Beijing International School (B.I.S.S.) in late January.

FEBRUARY 2013 – We began the process of selling our home in Arlington.  Attended a job fair in San Francisco, and heard several Beijing school presentations.

MARCH 2013 – Began Mandarin lessons, hoping to learn a little before making the move.

APRIL 2013 – Busy month, Gordon hired part-time at Beijing #4 High School to teach Music Appreciation and sponsor an after-school instrumental club.  We move to a small condo in Fort Worth (practicing for apartment life in Beijing).  We move everything else we own into storage where it will stay until our overseas careers are finished.

Gordon