So much to do in the next few weeks. Just applied for our passports so hopefully they get here soon because we’re going to have to drive down to Chicago to apply for our Chinese Visas at the consulate there. We decided on Shanghai btw. Why Shanghai? I don’t know. We want to go somewhere different, but still have the modern necessities. We would have loved Tokyo, but I think it’ll be too expensive. We don’t really want to live in a studio.
Another thing we have to take care of is the furnace. The inspection turned up cracks in our furnace, and the buyer wants a new one. We aren’t too happy about it, but if we say no, it’s just going to come up again in another offer anyway. It’s going to cost us about $2500 to replace the furnace. Yikes! At least there’s a tax rebate for it. All in all, we pretty much sold our home for what’s left on our loan, which was our goal. I swear, never selling a home again. Too stressful & lots of work even though it did sell quickly.
We have looked at eight or nine homes so far, and haven’t found anything we really liked. I have a feeling we won’t find anything this winter. There are more ugly than nice homes in our price range. If only we were millionaires. We’re closing on our house at the end of the month, so we’ll probably stay with my parents until we leave for Shanghai. Help my mom feed her chickens. Really looking forward to that.
Apparently in Shanghai, we can get a decent condo that comes furnished close to what we’re paying for our mortgage. The one pictured below is actually less than what we’re paying right now. So all we’ll need are dishes & a rice cooker. We’ll probably stay in a hotel until we find the right place though. Our main concerns are proximity to the subway, safety & kid-friendliness.
I have been putting several things up on Craigslist for free. Like 60 plastic hangers. A new booster seat. A baby carrier. Curtains. People really like free stuff. I did sell our dining set. Made $125 off of it. Yesss. I have more stuff to sell like a vacuum cleaner, a high chair, a car seat… Lots of stuff I can get rid of. I think I may end up giving it all away to Goodwill because I don’t have time or want to deal with the emails & people not emailing back.
We also might sell our car because we don’t have anywhere to store it. Buy another one when we come back. I guess there’s more than just letting a car sit in a garage. You have to prepare it for storage like take the battery out, make sure the air isn’t too humid, etc. We don’t know anyone who’ll have time or space to take care of it.
I haven’t cooked a real meal in weeks, so it was nice to eat a home-cooked meal two days in a row. Yesterday, we had pho for my sister May’s birthday at her inlaws. Then my mother-inlaw cooked a dinner for my birthday tonight. So yummy. Thanks again Vicky! We are mostly eating sandwiches & ramen noodles for lunch, and then going out to eat for dinner. I swear, it’s really hard to eat for under $15 without resorting to fast food.
Comments
OMG!!! I can’t u guys are leaving soon! I’m so excited!!! I hope you love Shanghai. Never been there, but I hear it is insane. We’ve been hoping to go over seas soon, and it can’t come soon enough! If u get a chance, I definitely recommend touring southern China. It is beautiful, and in popular areas, u can get basic luxuries….even decent hot chocolate :) Shanghai is going to be awesome and can’t wait to hear all about it!
I will take care of your car. =D
Omg. I just realized u said u r moving to shanghai! Omg. Pls adopt me. I want to come too!! How long will u b staying? Is it for work? I’m so excited for u. I was just in Asia a few weeks ago & loved it. Pls keep me updated. Congrats on the selling of your house! We want to put ours up in 1-1/2 yrs. Gotta get out of milwaukee.
Dawn: if we really like it there, we might stay indefinitely. :) the longest we were planning to stay for is 6 months. Not moving for work. Just wanted to experience living in a different country since Max is still young & Mike can work anywhere that has Internet. Especially now since we were able to sell our house. Did you stop by Shanghai during your trip?
Wow Minna! Mike’s not moving to China for work, but the family’s just moving there for the added adventure? that’s so aweseome! You must have so many things on your mind! Holy, I wish I could convince my husband to move out to South Korea! You are so blessed! Keep me posted!
Minna, good luck on your adventure! You are envied by all of us. What does your husband do for a living? How awesome it is to be able to work from anywhere!
Hey Minna… Your so luky. I wish I can just pick up and move anywhere in the world.. Will have fun with your new adventure.
By the way. I’m always up for FREE STUFF… Call me…
Bye and be blessed.
Part-time chicken farmers, eh? And the car, just leave it at mom and dads.
omg. How can I see your Craigslist items? I would be very interested in seeing what you have up for sale if you are willing to mail to WI. I could use some 60 plastic hangers. Email me!
wow how nice! our friends are in shanghai rite now and they love it! its their second year there. =) the food looks amazing and shopping is so great!
Ok, I want your vacuum cleaner. Email me. :) I’m gonna miss you when you’re gone but I’m sure I’ll get lots of fun souvenirs out of this, right?
Hey Minna,
My sisters were in Shanghai and they said it was super busy!! If you want to be in a busy spot with lots of business folks, Shanghai is the place to be. So, it looks like you guys chose a great spot!!! I’m so excited for you three!!!!
Minna,
Ya’ll are so adventurous! Shanghai sounds exciting. I have a friend currently vacationing in that area. Her picture updates are very lively and colorful.
Wow…no fair! What a great adventure! Someday…I can keep dreaming.
We loved Shanghai. It combines the old with the new China. Max will love the maglev train. It’s the only one in the world. Runs between the airport and downtown. Don’t miss it. I’m so proud of what you are doing.
We loved Shanghai. It’s a great combination of the old China and the new. I am so proud of you for taking this important step in your lives. I lived and worked in Europe for three years after college. What an experience. Go for it. Max will probably be speaking Chinese in no time at all.
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