Adventures . China . Family
All things new
On September 27, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampWe landed just after midnight on Tuesday morning and were picked up from the airport by 2 graduate student assistants named Mia and Rudy. Mia and Rudy proved invaluable over the next 48 hours. They helped me get registered with the local police, get new SIM cards for our phones, set up our internet services,
Adventures . China . Travel
Away we go…
On September 22, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampMaking time for reflection is crucial for a healthy life. It has been important for me anyway, to stop, remember recent happenings and consider their effects. This doesn’t have to be anything special. What I mean is, there is no special place or theatrics needed. Just a pocket of unhurried time and your own Self.
Adventures . China . Family . Getting Ready
Things to do in Guangzhou!
On August 21, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampTraveling with kids is a superb experience. We’ve traveled to many countries with our children and really enjoy learning about the world with them. For the last two trips, we’ve asked the kids to create a custom list of “things to do in…” This exercise helps the kids take ownership of their experience by inviting
Adventures . China . Getting Ready
Visa
On August 12, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampEarlier I wrote about a visit to the consulate. My second visit was for “pick-up”. The consulate officer told me my visa would be ready in 4 days. That is the “no-rush” regular service. Speedy. On Monday I applied. On Friday I returned to 1 East Erie for pick up, paid the $140 fee and
Adventures . China . Travel
Visa application
On August 5, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampA consulate visit always means adventure. I have stories from time spent in consulates in different countries and for different reasons. Consulates are places where new stories are born. Last Monday I woke up to a broken down refrigerator, an absentee Airbnb guest and the normal responsibilities of my life. What to do? Prioritize. First
Adventures . China . Getting Ready
Picture Day
On July 30, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampLast Friday I visited a local Walgreens to get my photo taken for the visa application. The China Consulate website has meticulous rules for how the visa applicant’s photo ought to look. A detailed 11 point bulletin is posted to the consulate site to help applicants with the procedure. It is accompanied by the gentle
Adventures . China . Travel
Chloe
On July 24, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampChloe is a sleeping bear. Her eyes are always closed. She is a round and plush, pillowy soft comfort. I sorely underestimated what she would come to mean to our family. One of the sweet gems of travel is collecting things: experiences, recipes, friendships. Chloe fits somewhere in the friendship category I think. My daughter
Adventures . China . Getting Ready
Permit Approved
On July 21, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampThis past week my Work Permit arrived! This means I can begin applying for the visa. There is an extraordinary amount of paperwork to gain permission to work in a foreign country. This process is making me want to cry poignantly aware of process, of waiting, of order, of entrusting others with my family’s well-being.
China . Resources . Teaching
Bad form!
On July 18, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampCaptain Hook is my favorite villain. Something about his utter self-absorption reminds me of Peter Pan. In the boy we find the attitude charming. In Hook it is gross and evil. Hook’s rules for self-governance are in accordance with what we are led to think is an higher authority and his staunch adherence to the
China . Getting Ready . Teaching
The Schedule
On July 16, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampI received my schedule. The plan is for me to teach one course, a comprehensive English class for graduate students. It will be 12 teaching hours per week, from Week 3 to Week 17. Because the work visa I have applied for will apply for only permits me to be in country for 90 days,