PRC - Here we come!

It is with some hesitation that I write this post...while Mike keeps reassuring me that it's definitely a "go" this time, I can't help but have a bit of doubt/denial keeping me from embracing our new move date. Our airline tickets are purchased and we will be leaving our Arizona home on Friday, May 15th. We are feeling blessed that the condo we chose in October is still available for us and they are getting it ready for us to move in! That's all for now - there will be more to come!

Finally...a successful trip to Disneyland!

We have made trips to Disneyland in the past and have had our challenges...sick kids, raccoon-like sunburns on both girls, hot weather, long lines, and a fire in our hotel, just to name a few. We decided to try it again and it was fantastic!  Here are a few photos...

Ahhh...sisters!  They got along rather splendidly on this trip.  Yippee!

Daddy and Emma are all smiles on the Dumbo ride.

Our longest wait was to meet the princesses but it was totally worth it. We had photo ops with Ariel, Jasmine, and Belle.

We had family rides on the carousel which is truthfully about as fast as I care to go!

Aren't they sweet??

Erin turned about five shades of red when she met Minnie!  She was really nervous!

Gotta have the family photo when you enter the park.

The bunk beds in our hotel room were a source of great excitement for the girls (even though they have bunks at home).  

There is no CHAI in CHINA...

I have an addiction...there, I said it...to some you may be shocked and dismayed, to others, this is old news.  My name is Geneal and I am addicted to Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Lattes.  

On both trips to China, we visited several Starbucks and there I would stand, searching...searching for my treasured beverage on the menu.  But alas, it would not be found.  Oh, I might soothe myself with a hot chocolate, but it would not replace my craving for my "iced venti nonfat chai".  So what would a rational, level-headed, future alien-resident of China do to remedy this problem?  Well, they would write to Starbucks China!  Here is my plea...

Hello, I currently reside in the United States but will be relocating to Dalian, China in May 2009.  I LOVE your Tazo Chai Tea Lattes!  Unfortunately, I cannot get this drink in China...any plans to add it to the menu?  I realize I can buy the product at retail stores like Target here in the states, but there is just something special about getting it from Starbucks...the cup, the good ice, the green straw...  Please help!  Thank you!

I am sick, right???  The bottom line is, when I make the move to China, I will suffer from withdrawls of many things...my friends and family, Mexican food, being able to read and understand the goings on around me, and now, also my beloved Starbucks beverage.  Here is the reply I received...

We are glad that you have interest in our products.  However, considering the special tasting, the Chai Tea Latte is more popular in U.S. and it is not the core item for us in China, so we may not have plans to introduce it to the Chinese customers recently.  

The Chinese to English translation is endearing :) but not what I wanted to hear.  If you need me in the next month or so, you can probably find me getting my fix while I still can at my local Starbucks!

China Moments

Things still look "on track" for a May departure date and we are starting to get back in the mode - well at least the very early stages - of getting ready.  We need to decide what we will take with us on the plane, what will be shipped via sea, what will be stored, and what needs to vanish.

Our relocation company in China asked me about our preferences for our driver:

- Do you want a driver that speaks English?..."Yes"

- Do you want a non-smoker?..."Yes"

- Do you want a driver that knows the streets of Dalian?..."WELL YEA!!!"

I could could see us now trying to communicate with our driver to agree on what location we are trying to describe, and them have him ask me where it is.  At this point I can find two locations really well; the hotel I always stay at and my favorite hot pot restaurant (which I can walk to from my hotel).  

Our friends that are already there have been telling us that it is still very cold (might get up to 32F/0C) but nice and clear.  Damon, if you read this...I was in shorts and a T-shirt working in the yard today.

- Michael