Slowly, we are getting moved in. Most boxes have been unpacked and the upstairs of our home is relatively organized and somewhat livable (I finally unloaded the boxes with my shoes last night). The downstairs, by contrast, is a disaster. Piles of books, furniture, stuff everywhere...and we won't even get into the garage yet (but at least I can fit my car in!).
So, a few observations on this expat move...
- Far less emotional stress this time than last. It helps that I came back to a group and job that wanted and valued me. It also helped that we moved into a neighborhood that values individuals rather than the 'collective'.
- Money spent is about the same. Sad to say, but when we moved back in 2001, we ended up writing checks for close to $30K in just a couple weeks with the purchase of beds, appliances, house, car, etc...moving into our new place. This time, we already had the cars and house...but, the money spent seems to have been the same with repairs and replacements of things in the house. Mind numbing when you see that much savings being sucked up ever so quickly...
- Although we are moving into a completely new city and neighborhood this time around, it feels far less alien than our move did in 2001...I can't explain it. Clearly in 2001, we weren't ready to come home, so maybe that has something to do with it. Moving from a large metropolitan city to a small town may have been too much of a shock...although we are still in a small town, but its much closer to the city (although the city is still a tiny village compared to the Pearl River Delta cities).
- Knock on wood...but, the allergies that always pestered me throughout the summer don't really be hitting me as much...except when I visit my Mum's house...which is sorta strange. Maybe I'm allergic to her...gaaahhhh..Nooooo.
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