move to Singapore

So I think I can safely say that we’re moved in. Chip has a job offer that he’s likely to take. Our car should be coming next week. We still have some nitty gritty details to take care of and we still have a few boxes lying around to be unpacked as soon as we get one or two more items of furniture. Work is begining to feel not new anymore and I’ve been on a business trip to Ho Chi Minh city. I think it’ll still take time to decide whether the life change is “worth it” but I’m enjoying the experience so far.

1. We have rented an apartment near my parents place in District 10 (ouch). Housing prices are going up so anyone wanting to move here, be prepared to pay, especially if you stay in popular areas.
2. Our furniture arrived – it took about a month to get here after we sent for it. I figure there were a lot of ships lying around empty in Seattle after depositing all the xmas cargo to the US. We’re unpacked enough to live in our new place. Still some new furniture and appliances to get.
3. We would like to get a car. You can get around in Singapore pretty well without a car but with a little kid its just easier to have one. Also, its been an insane monsoon this year so its been quite wet without a car.
4. I have a job – I’ll be working for Yahoo!.
5. Immigration issues for husband and daughter have all been resolved – he is now a PR and she is a citizen. Its fairly straightforward but expect to spend a lot of time in line. The process could be more streamlined, I think. Also, its easier if at least one of you has a job lined up rather than coming to Singapore cold.
6. Alexa starts preschool next week at a place down the street.

So firstly, fingers crossed that Chip gets a good job soon. Aside from that, I think in about a month or two we’ll have a real Singapore routine down and I can truly say that we’re fully moved. Secondly, we still need to finish sorting out finances – local accounts, investments, insurance, wills updated and all that. Its not really part of the day to day routine but its important and I won’t feel comfortably settled until that’s taken care of.

Its been a week, we’re just about over jet lag. We’re almost done closing out our lives in Seattle. I won’t mark this task done yet though until we have a better sense of how we’ll earn our daily bread and where we think we’ll be living when we’re not staying at my parents place. It may take a few months since we’re planning to take our time about figuring out our work/career strategy. As for the reason why we moved here – the interaction of my daughter and my parents is awesome to watch.

1. The house is sold
2. The cat will go to a colleague this weekend, who will foster her until we can find a permanent home. At least we won’t be making arrangements to put her down.
3. I’ve started working on my new gig. Its not official yet so I won’t go into details until it is.
4. Ticket is booked.
5. Sorting stuff to sell. Yard sale will probably happen the 26th.
6. starting to sort out the things that we will send to Singapore in advance. Trying on business attire to make sure it fits – I haven’t needed formal clothing for many many years.

1. The house is on the market. Fingers crossed that it sells soon => http://mls.lakere.com/srch_mls/detail.php?mode=agoff&LN=26108335&t=&l=
2. The cat was given away but is now back. Looking for a no-kill shelter.
3. My replacement takes my place on August 1. She’s already done a dry run when I was on vacation
4. Completed obligatory visits to husband’s family before we disappear from the country
5. Booked movers

Next:
1. Book ticket (probably will fly on August 31)
2. Nail Work logistics (fingers crossed)
3. Plan farewell shindig
4. Continue selling stuff, including some stuff that we’ll only want to deliver at the very last minute (like the air mattress that we will sleep on after our bed has been shipped but before we leave)
5. Pack and ship the things that we will send to Singapore for use until we find a place to rent (the rest will be in storage).
6. Pack our suitcases

We hope to get our house on the market in July. All our major projects are done. Now its all about cleaning, decluttering and staging.

Our plan is to be there by Sept 2006.

I just had a baby and would like to live nearer to my family while she’s growing up.