From teary goodbyes to new beginnings

Greetings from USA!

It's our second day in Redwood City and I am still missing everyone from SG madly. A horde of people came to send us off at the airport on Saturday and I've never been more thankful for the show of care and concern from family and friends. I broke tradition and didn't look back and wave until I crossed the immigration counters, because my eyes were already getting red. Goodbyes are hard when you are leaving behind great people.

My favourite girls in the world, Mom and Sis.

 

Little Jovan came to say goodbye. He puked on my jacket as a farewell gift.

BIL with little Jovan fast asleep.

Our final bye bye to everyone on the plane before we flew off.

Transiting at Seoul. A pity that I didn't get to do any shopping during the short stopover.

Meanwhile in SG, Almonn stationed himself on the gigantic slipper bed that used to be in our house. He must have really missed us because he never liked to rest there.

We finally arrived in San Francisco after 17 hours of flight. Except for the occasional bouts of turbulence, the flight was comfortable and I managed to catch a few rounds of sleep. The five big pieces of luggage we brought also looked like they had a smooth ride - despite being stuffed like overweight thanksgiving turkeys and threatening to burst any moment, all arrived in San Francisco in good condition.

Mr. Jang with Abner, Raphael, T-rex, Mandarina Duck and Backpack. Yes we named all our bags.

We were also reminded of God's grace for us the moment we landed. He sent a giant rainbow - the largest I have ever seen - to welcome us as we neared the hotel. And I know that we don't need that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because we already have the One who blesses richly.

Our photo didn't do justice to the giant rainbow. It was so big that the buildings around looked like small lego bricks.

Yvonne and her hubs were very kind to drive down from where they live and meet us on our first day. It was Orientation 101 - we went to Target, Marshalls, Walmart and Ranch etc so that we could stock up on necessities like water. On the second day, they drove us to T-mobile (so that I can finally be connected to the world!) and also to the Great Mall to get a sense of where the good buys are. Really thank God for them.

With Yvonne at Ranch

I am happiest when I see Asian food!

Superb weather on the second day

Getting ready for Black Friday where shopping madness begins!

 

Tomorrow, we will be meeting people from Mr. Jang's office and going for house viewing. Praying for a decent house that is clean, accessible and within our budget. Thereafter, I really want to start looking for a church - Uncle Johnny recommends Menlo Park but if it's too far away, I will try to find a nearby one as I spotted a couple of presbyterian churches around. With that settled, I will start to hunt for things to do.

 

Looking forward to this new phase in life, for I know God has everything under His wings.



'Boys' night out

1.45am: Still acting like we were in Sec 2.

 

 



Friendship is really priceless.

It was everything combined that made me feel very grateful to have these two boys in my life - two bestest guy friends in the world.

Thank you A for the present and JY for the dinner treat before I fly off next week... and most of all, for teaching me how to pump petrol, jumpstart a car and pump tyres in case I need to do so myself in US. (They probably have no idea how fortunate I feel to have the two of them explaining all these 'life saving' skills to me and letting me have hands-on experience at the petrol station.)

The joke about throwing me a pineapple for luck at the departure gate was hilarious, but I am really touched by the care and concern. You guys really rock!

T-12 days to relocation

Mixed feelings. 

I have always dreamed of moving to another country to stay. France would have been ideal of course but the States is not too bad either. Now that we are relocating in less than two weeks, I should be feeling very, very excited.

There's apprehension, no doubt. Of a somewhat unknown territory, a different culture and (gasp!) not working. Despite the inevitable i.e. assuming a new identity as 'the wife who's tagging along', I don't intend to be a parasite and my plan is to study/work so that I can use my time constructively!

Lastly, the emo side of me is starting to rear its head - ugly or not, subject to debate. Having moved places more than a few times in my life I am quite used to goodbyes, so I thought. I'm already starting to miss my parents, sis and most of all, my little buddy. Will he still be around when I come back?

:( 

Despite the mixed feelings, I'd like to put on record my thanks to wonderful friends who have been giving us many rounds of farewell, church friends who prayed for us today and mom who's been very helpful and patient in helping me pack! Not forgetting gugu, gu cheung and dad who flew down to see us before we go. You guys make going off difficult... even if it's only for 1-2 years!