Last night, Kevin returned home after work and told me that his boss had asked him if we would consider moving to China for 6-9 months so Kevin could oversee the relocation of the Singapore operations to the Chinese facility. After repeating the conversation with his boss to me, Kevin asked me, "So what do you think?" I lunged at him, grabbed him around the neck and started strangling him until he finally gurgled, "It's ok, we don't have to move again, I'm sorry I brought it up!"
I'm obviously exaggerating a bit. In reality, all the blood drained from my face, I felt dizzy, and I started stammering like Rainman, "China definitely won't have my favorite TV shows, definitely no "Lost," I definitely won't be able to eat my favorite foods, definitely no margaritas and burritos, and we definitely can't take the animals with us." I think Kevin realized that the idea of moving again (halfway around the world, no less) was enough to send me careening toward a padded cell, so he quickly assured me that he had no interest in taking on the project, and he was just as shocked and horrified as I was that his boss would even suggest that we disrupt our life so dramatically.
I was still feeling a little twitchy after our talk, so I decided some retail therapy was in order. We bought some gorgeous new patio furniture and an outdoor fire pit. The shopping spree made me feel much better, but I did mutter, "We definitely don't want to leave our lake house this summer, we definitely wouldn't have a patio with comfy furniture, a cozy fire pit and amazing lake views in China!" all the way home.
About Me
Hi, I'm Emily! My husband Kevin and I (and our cats and dogs) recently relocated back to the central New York area after 15 months in Norway. We're thrilled to be home and we're having a great time renovating our new house, reconnecting with old friends, and best of all, relaxing by the lake.
If you would like to read about our Norwegian adventures, click here: http://emilyontopoftheworld.blogspot.com
If you would like to read about our Norwegian adventures, click here: http://emilyontopoftheworld.blogspot.com
12 comments:
Wow - I think Kevin's boss needs to learn that timing is everything. How could you possibly even consider moving somewhere else now? It is all just so overwhelming. Plus, like you said the animal issue in China is a deal breaker.
I told Mike I won't go anywhere where we can't bring Sable. I think that rules out China (they have funny restrictions on certain breeds).
Just as you have found a little order in a new house the Boss wants you to move??! Incredible.
You must have had quite a shock, poor you!
Is the man Freakin' Nuts???!!!
Craig
Victoria, even if I could get the animals in to China, Kermit is 10, Nekko is 14, Sylvester is 10--I would never put them through that long of a flight again, especially for only 6-9 months! Plus, the company hardly has a stellar track record when it comes to relocating people--we might end up in China only to find out we're homeless or something!
Astrid, I know! And although we haven't finished all the home improvements we want to do on the new house, it's really coming along...I love it and don't want to leave, even temporarily!
Craig, are you talking about Hans or Kevin? Either way, yes, maybe a little! Emily
Mostly, Hans. Kevin a little bit, but mostly Hans. Totally nuts!!!
Like everybody else, I'm surprised that the boss has made that request so soon after you guys just finished being relocated.
And a little bit surprised Kevin didn't say "no" immediately. Maybe he'll be doing a lot of travelling to China and would rather come home to his wife every evening, at least.
Hi,
I just read your last series of entries.
I am certainly glad you are not moving again.
It's too hard to keep track of you guys as it is.
Don't the Chinese do something weird with pets, like eat them? Or maybe that was when I was a kid after WWII.
Love ya,
Kev's Dad
Keera, I think Kevin is just getting exhausted from all the traveling he's required to do, so in some ways this move would reduce stress for him (well, not really, as dealing with a basket case of a wife would be pretty darn stressful!)
George, honestly, I find it very hard to vacation (let alone live) in a place where animals are treated badly, and while I have never been to China, if reports of bears being kept in tiny cages while bile is drained from their livers for use in traditional medicine, or dogs being beaten to death by police due to rabies scares are true, then China would be a very difficult place for me to live. Of course, with Norway's long and unapologetic history of whaling and clubbing seals, I did have some reservations about living there too. And there's the horrific sport of dog fighting right here in the U.S., but at least the majority of people here are against it. There are so many awful things done to animals in so many countries, including the U.S., that if I think about it too much I'll burst into tears...yeah, I'd be a sobbing wreck if we moved to China, good thing we're not! Emily
Hi Emily! Wow, Kevin's brave to even bring up that subject! I know he wouldn't ask you to move again so soon, so he must have just been makin' conversation. Still, he's brave. :-)
I understand perfectly what you're saying about cultures and animals. I read a sickening article in the NYT this morning about the huge problem of abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico and, perhaps illogically, felt glad I'd never visited there.
The U.S. has a lot of problems but, in general, pets are treated very well there. Score one for the home team! :-)
Michele, there is brave, and then there is foolish risk taking--I believe Kevin suggesting a move halfway around the world falls in the second category! He's lucky I was in a good mood when he decided to bring it up, otherwise my blog entry might have read something like, "Today I ripped Kevin's head right off his neck and kicked it around like a soccer ball!" Emily
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