The beginning

Like the rest of the modern world, I have considered on many occasions writing a blog. Unfortunately, my 9-5 job never seemed to justify the existence of such a project. Nor have I had a strong inclination to write. In the working world, you get home, you're tired and it can be tough just to make dinner if you let yourself slip into that mode. An investment bank (where I've worked the past 2 years) does not lend itself to explosions of literary creativity.

But something interesting happened along the way to a plump 401k, a rich attorney wife, and a cushy VP job in a well respected corporation. Something that's actually worth writing about. You see, my wife C (LSAT genius that she is) was on her way to Duke Law School this fall. I, ever the "dutiful" husband was going to follow her down there and continue consulting at my current investment bank position for a rather generous hourly rate. Of course, it was actually me that was pushing to move south. My family hails from the south and I have been itching to get back. Something about experiencing my heritage. So I was pushing her to go to Duke, to give us an excuse to live there a for years - principally for the barbeque, partially for the southern accents, and finally for her to get a good education.

To be perfectly honest, it wasn't right. After we made the decision to go, every day seemed to make it more clear this wasn't what we should do. Oh, she was going to go through with it but it wasn't what she wanted. I kept assuring myself that she would come around and see what a tremendous opportunity it was to munch on pulled pork while camping out in Krzyzewskiville and studying Civil Procedure. Surprisingly, I was the one who pulled the plug. In addition to our general struggles on figuring out what law school C should go to, I have struggled with the wanderlust that seems to mark reasonably well off 20-somethings who are lucky enough to afford the notion. Although potentially lucrative, my position doesn't hold much for the soul. My coworkers are great and I work reasonable hours but I feel like I've become an adult too quickly. Combine that with a lack of obligations other than a stupid car lease - no kids, no mortgage, no sick parents and there is nothing stopping us from getting up and...moving...to...China.

C has wanted to teach English in China for several years now. I flat out said no. The idea of living, let alone working China was anathema to me. But love has a way of changing your mind. As does faith. One day, about a month ago, I came home from work after a particularly disenchanting day and I said "Let's go to China". I've seen how I will be spending the rest of my life. Doing work I don't love to pay off things I don't need and having a comfortable life to show for it. Well, I can't deny I want to be comfortable when I'm 65 but taking one year off isn't going to ruin my career. It was C's dream she thought would never be realized due to my stubborness and my conviction that dedicating every year of our lives to our careers was the right thing to do. But when you love someone and accept them and care about their deepest desires, it has a way of changing your heart radically. I can't explain how I went from sneering at her dream, to embracing it and making it my own, but it happened and I am grateful.

Life is full of energy again. I feel invigorated to get up everyday knowing the experiences we have ahead of us. To face this challenge with C at my side is wonderful.

And so on August 17, 2006, we will be flying to Dalian, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China to begin a one year contract as oral english teachers at Dalian Maritime University. This blog will detail our experiences there. It will also feature opinions and thoughts on various topics that come up throughout the process.