Laowai

We had a sweet little family day on the last day of 2009. What a big year. Brian got a promotion, I got pregnant, we had some great vacations and we decided to move to Switzerland. I do feel blessed!

We had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants – Tapas Barcelona – here in Evanston. Later we went swimming. Then we made a little feast for ourselves. Fruit, veggies, dips, sausages, olives and to celebrate our move: cheese fondue. I gave Brian the fondue pot for Christmas. Mmmm – it actually turned out great. I could eat melted cheese on bread all day long. After dinner we had a little Wii Super Mario tournament and then Bea wanted to dance. Brian put some music on and we danced around the living room. While we danced it felt like a last celebration in and for this home. I thought about all that has happened and how quickly our last five years have passed here. I will be sad to leave and at the same time excited for our future in Zurich.

And now it’s time to bring on the chaos. I think it will be six weeks or more before we start to feel settled. A man from the moving company came today to review all the stuff that we will be shipping by sea and all the stuff we will be storing. Our sea shipment packing day will probably happen in about a week and a half. So I’ll be sorting things into piles for the sea shippment, storage and a few things to take on the plane with us. Basically I’ll be spending my time turning the house upside-down. While the man from the shipping company was here Bea followed us around and heard us telling him which items are going and which are staying. She started piping in that she wanted to pack her blankie and her Pinkie (a stuffed dog) and some other toys. I told her of course we would take those things. I felt bad for a moment because she can’t understand completely what is going on. I try to explain what is happening in terms that she can grasp, but I know the next few months will be somewhat stressful for her. 

Happy New Year to all our loved ones. May your 2010 be filled with good times.