Major Life Changes and stress

If asked you to write a list of major life changes that are usually accompanied by stress what would your list include?

Moving, changing jobs, travel, death, marriage or divorce.....these could all be on the list. I'm sure there are even more.

Thankfully I am not experiencing the items I listed last. However, I am moving, I am changing jobs and I'll be traveling to do it. I'm not complaining but everyonce in awhile I just feel a bit out of sorts and I think it has to do with all of the change I'm working through. The "to do" list seems never ending.

I'm trying to find the fun in the process but there are certain things that just aren't fun....like making sure my files are in order, that the closets are cleaned, etc....

I'm sure there is a light at the end of the tunnel but right now I think it is blocked out by the pile of scrapbooking supplies scattered across my living room floor that I'm working to organize!

Medical Clearance

YEAH!

Today my primary physician signed off on my traveling to China. I am "O.k" to go. At this point I get to play a waiting game. I have to wait while my company puts together my visa packet that includes my medical clearance/test results, transcripts, resume, job description, letter of invitation to China, etc.... Once this is ready it will be passed on to the Chinese Consulate for review and approval. Keep your fingers crossed.

By the way, here are where the totals stand

# of needles: 7
# of x-rays: 1
# of trips to the Dr office: 4

I have seen more of my doctor in the past two weeks than what I experienced in the past 3 years combined. I'm thankful for it to be over.

....oh wait, I just recalled its not over. I need to get one more thing from him. Evidently when I fly to China I need to carry with me a letter explaining the prescription drugs I take and what they are used to treat.....just one more thing to add to the to do list.

5 Needles and more to come...

In college I traveled to Russia for 6 months. All of my memories of that time are wonderful. I don't remember any of the bad moments, or low points. Well, maybe I remember them, but I don't actively call them out of the depths of my mind for review. Yesterday though one of my bad memories from Russia came rushing back. Actually it was more like of a sense of deja-vu.

See, yesterday I had to see my physician so he could clear me to go to China. It was all very like the appointment I had before I went to Russia. They weight, take your blood pressure, draw some blood, etc...

The unfortunate thing is I forgot how many needles were involved in these screenings. Yesterday they used 5 needles - it took them three tries to get a vein from which to draw blood. These three "sticks" were then followed up by another 2 vaccination shots.

The unfortunate thing is I know there are more needles to come as I have to take a TB test next week. Also, the nurse warned me that they may not have gotten enough blood so they may have to take more when they do the TB test. UGH!!!

A New Adventure

Take a moment and imagine a scene from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. You know the segment where they head outside and ask random people on the streets questions that are so obvious you should definetly get them right. However, there is inevitably someone who struggles and doesn't come up with an answer.

I think I'd be able to do okay with most of the questions he asks. I know the capitol of the US. I know how many Senators represent each state in Congress. I know that Canada is our neighbor to the north and that Mexico is to the south.....get the idea, my common knowledge is good, or so I thought.

Yesterday I actually had to use Google to find the answer to a simple question. The question was "Where in Shanghai located?" I wonder if anyone reading this knows the answer. Forget about stating the obvious like "Duh Erika - its in China." That answer I knew without Google's help - but where in China, its a pretty big country! I found a map that helps to put it in perspective (see picture at right)

The location has become important as I have agreed to take a short term (6 month) assignment with Bobcat in Shanghai, China. I can gaurantee that my coming posts will focus on the relocation process and my initial adventures in Shanghai.