From the Mouths of Babes... or at Least Middle Schoolers

When I tell adults I'm moving to China, there are two typical reactions.
1.  Wow! You must be excited!
2. Why would you move to China? (Really very few times have I heard this)
Totally normal reactions.  Typical and expected.  I have become really good at saying in a variety of ways, "Yes. I am excited.  I am also nervous. It will be an adventure."

Today I told my students.  We played a game called "Where in the World is Ms. J Moving".  They were given atlases and the directions that I would only answer yes or no questions. After guessing correctly, we talked about it.

Here is how middle school students react...

1. Why?
2. So, will you teach here next year?
3. Will you have the right to bear arms? (Trying to prove his knowledge of the Bill of Rights and that China doesn't have one.  Actually, I was kind of impressed by this question)
4. Is this for real?
5. What kind of food do they have there, besides Chinese?
6. Will you have a bed? Or will it be like, a cot?
7. Does anyone else know?
8. Will you tell them about us?
9.  Will you come back?
10. How do you feel?

From the mouths of middle schoolers... so great.

Plan of Action

I am not good with fluid due dates. 

When someone says, "Get this done ASAP." to me it means, "I don't really care when you get this done. Just do it please... sometime."

There is only one solid date on my calendar.  Sunday, July 31st.  At 7:23am I will hop a plane to Chicago where I will settle into an insanely long flight to Hong Kong.  I will arrive at 5:10 pm on August 1st. 

I've got a lot to do between now and then.  And I'd sure like to enjoy my last few weeks here. 

One of my co-workers asked if I had a plan to get things done.  He said that when his family moved, they planned to be finished with everything ahead of time, so they could enjoy their last few days with friends and family. 

Huh. A plan you say?  What a capital idea!  I should try that. 

So, a calendar has been printed, events are logged. Here is what I have so far.

May 20th- Play, "Where in the World is Ms. Jarr Moving?" An interactive game I will play with my class wherein I will reveal my big news to my students.
Memorial Day Weekend- I will go to Iowa and celebrate all things American with my family in my mother's hometown. An injection of good old fashioned patriotism before my move to China.
Week of June 12th- Sell my Subaru. 
June 17th-18th- Have a yard sale to get rid of anything left over in my house.
June 20th- Trips to Goodwill to jettison my leftover leftovers.
June 30th- Empty house.  Hopefully to be filled again soon by a new renter (owner?).
July 4th- Pancakes and Parades.  Booster shot of  'Merica.
July 24th- Trial run packing.  I will pack my life into 3 suitcases and 2 carry-ons. 

I feel good having a plan, a checklist. a mission...

Even if it is written in pencil.