That went fairly well.

It is just a matter of choosing the right time when letting someone you love know that you are leaving.  So, using a teddy bear as my buffer - I told her, the bear that is, not to cry; this of course got the intended attention I needed from my mother.  (Bears and cats have, and will, play an important role in my family).  I told her that I had definitely been offered a job in China; she asked if I had accepted it; I said yes.  We had some discussion about when - soon; money - haven't figured that out yet; what sort of lists we need to make to make her routines tick along fairly smoothly. 

The thing is, my mother is far from feeble.  We had already entered the phase of her calling me if she needed me to do something.  I can leave all my troubles behind and head on my merry way to the middle kingdom.  Of course, there is still the problem with finding someone to take Mozzy.  Working on that.  I am sure I will miss him most - who else needs me everyday?

As for money, working on that too.  If only what I am going to get could be here before I leave.  Difficult to do when it is my going that will generate the money.  For anyone contemplating an extended stay in another country, or countries for that matter, with limited resources, I say throw caution to the wind.  I wasn't quite so willing to throw my car - thoughts of what if's rising from the depths of doubt; however, at the prompting of my oldest daughter I listed it on kajiji.  Now to see if I get any nibbles.  If not.... well, none of know that yet.

Onward to my adenture, tomorrow I head to Vancouver for my visa.  Earlier I checked into airfare at the university travel place - expensive.  I spent much of the time talking to first Elizabeth about her scholarship to study in Shanghai (just applied) then Rachel about a scholarship to study in the States.  By next Autumn I wonder if any of us will be in Victoria.  It will always be homebase - the ocean, mountains, heck the island call to all of us.  We know we will be enveloped in the misty Fall, the sounds of music straining in the Summer harbour, the rather wet winters and the flower count before Spring.  Leaving is wonderful because it is so sweet to return to perfection.