Later!

With Jarin taking off to Shanghai soon, the good-bye's and farewell's have started. We have taken the time to hang out with so many friends and family whether for breakfast, birthdays, a hockey game, bowling or a full night out!

Maybe we should pretend someone close to us is leaving more often. Seriously. We have had so much fun!!!

The farewell's have not been sad or depressing as I'd imagined. Everyone is full of energy and enthusiasm for us. People have really come to embrace the idea that we'll be in Shanghai for a couple years, living a life we never thought would be possible. There are so many questions that everyone is interested in knowing ... when will you be back? where are you living? how long will you be there? what are you doing with your house? what are you gonna do there? do you know the language? will you learn it? will you have a driver? will you have house help? can the kids play sports or dance? what's the school year like? can you travel?

The crazy part is... we don't know the answers to half of the questions... and they seem so basic! Truly, in the last couple months, I've really tried hard to relax, go with the flow, be flexible, and adaptable, and patient. That's a hard task for a mom of three who is over the top organized and adamant that things should run in the fashion that I outline them in. I don't have much say in this process! So, it is what it is. My control lies in the get-togethers that we enjoy before the departing happens. And, let me tell you, so far so good!