Heading Home

July 8. This is not an extraordinary date, nothing national scheduled for this day. Any holidays are restricted to small areas of the world. Off the top of my head, I can think of nothing happening on July 8.

Oh wait, yes I can.

July 8 is the day we leave China. That is right, my friends, we have a departure date and it is only four days away. After three years and eleven months, uninterrupted, knowing when we're leaving, instead of vague comments that we should be leaving at so-and-so a time, is such a relief! So four days, great for our sanity, and then not. Our apartment isn't big, but we've found ways to use every space for something, which adds up to more belongings than we knew we had. Even four days before departure, so much remains.

a friend of four years (Muslim Market)

saying goodbye

June 28 and 29 we had a moving sale, which cleared our apartment of some possessions, such as DVDs, furniture, craft/school supplies, et cetera, but still it all seems like SO MUCH. Hopefully more stuff will find new homes in the few days left. Until then, we're up to pack-pack-packing our apartment in suitcases.

To avoid the expensive cost of overweight baggage, and incredibly overweight baggage in general, we're using eleven boxes from Seven Seas Worldwide, a company that ships wherever you need to go. Yesterday they collected our boxes. The airline allows each of us, including Matthew, one 25-pound carry-on and two 50-pound suitcases. There are six of us (Dad, Mom, Jenna, Emma, Abby, Matthew), which means we can pack up to 750 pounds on the plane,s excluding the personal bag each of us is also allowed (should any family have 750 pounds worth the stuff). 

The airline is Korean Air. Our first flight is from Xi'an to Seoul, and the connecting flight is Seoul to Los Angeles. Because of the wacky time change from Asia to North America, we'll be landing in Los Angeles on the same day we leave Xi'an. Brodie (our poodle-bichon mix) has presented the most difficulty in our flight plans. The first ticket that was seriously considered had to be abandoned because that flight wouldn't accept dogs.

tai chi （太極拳）

not an everyday sight

Traveling with pets is a new experience. Only two or three pets are permitted on each flight, so we had to ensure he had a reserved place after we booked out tickets. Brodie is small enough to fit in a carrier to be placed under one of our seats, the safest option for him. He's required to have medical paperwork that says he's healthy, certifications that he's had the necessary shots, and all these lovely technicalities we've never dealt with before. (Good news we got all of Brodie's documents today for travel)

Brodie

Once we arrive in LAX, we'll have to deal with even more concerning the dog's entrance and Matthew's immigration, but I'm certain they'll pass whatever official evaluations L.A. needs to orchestrate without much trouble. Brodie's so spry and healthful, I don't know why he wouldn't be allowed. Dad and Jenna have contacted several friends who have traveled with dogs or know people who've traveled with dogs, so they know what Brodie needs and what to expect. As for Matthew, so long as all his paperwork is correct he should be fine, fine, fine. (As you can tell, I'm very optimistic about this particular area of the future.)

Once we step out of the airport the late afternoon of July 8 (or early/mid evening, if there are delays in flight, immigration, etc.), the future is as uncertain as the weather next week. We can have our predictions and expectations, but in the end we have to wait and trust in the Lord.

the view

Bell Tower

apple cart

We look forward to seeing all of our friends and family!

Post done by Rick & Abby