Be Careful What You Wish For

So, several weeks after we were supposed to be arriving in China the kids and I are still in little ol' Salmon River and Tim is in Bridgewater.  Michelin China has had our documents for over three weeks and we haven't heard a word.  The kids are going shack-whacky, I am stir-crazy and I'm not sure how to describe Tim as I don't see him enough.  Our stuff is packed and ready to go and the movers called last night to ask me what is happening - I had nothing to tell them except that I have no idea when we are leaving.  This is the same thing I tell everyone who asks "When are you leaving?" or "Aren't you supposed to be gone already?".

Even with all this, I am proud of myself for not once saying "I wish".  As in "I wish they would hurry up", "I wish we were gone already" or "I wish I wasn't sitting around twiddling my thumbs when I could be exploring a big, beautiful city...".

When I was around fourteen and "wishing" that I was sixteen so I could drive, my grandmother gave me some advice.  She told me not to wish my life away.  I have learned over the years how right she was and most of the time I do pretty well being content with the status quo, even if there is something big on the horizon.  A couple of weeks ago I faltered and said to the kids, "I wish I could have just one day where you two wouldn't fight with each other".  Well, it was two days later that I got my wish.  No fighting that day, unfortunately because Ryan was too busy throwing up all day to bother with anything that Nicholas was doing.  Again I was reminded to be careful what I wish for.

So for now I have written to the powers that be to ask for an update but otherwise I am being as patient as my mind will allow.  I am doing well with the Mandarin lessons and should know enough by the time we get there to ask for a drink of water or an apple.

Zai Jian everyone!