Still Life Without Stick

Stick left today, which was just as miserable as the last time he left China. Airport goodbyes don’t actually get any easier with practice. We had a really insane 36 hours getting him ready to go. Finally, as he was stuffing the last few things in his bag, the seam popped! I sewed it back together, hopefully my hasty stitches will last till Raleigh…

Manfred and Xuemei called later, to ask if I’m ok and if I want to stay at their place. It was so sweet! I’m really going to miss them.

I’ve got to say thanks for all the kind emails, comments and Facebooks you’ve sent me. It’s awesome to know I have computer friends! Thanks so much.

I don’t know what’s next for us. My school says they’re able to get me a visa, but I don’t know if that’s true. Anyway, that magical Z-visa comes with a year’s employment contract, and I don’t want to take it if Stick can’t live in Beijing with me.

I’m hoping we can keep living abroad, maybe teach in another country, maybe even come back to China when things are more normal. Maybe I’ll spend a couple months in the US, I’d love to see my family and my home friends. I know in a few months, I’ll be on my feet again and I’ll be posting about how great it is that I ended up where ever I am, and how having to leave China worked out fine for us.