…joie de vivre…..

QUICK UPDATE …….

YALL! We are at the 2 Week Mark! This is so exciting. Things are going well. I am packed. I have my Passport and my Z-Visa! Just a few things left to check off my>>>Gotta do this in TX/The U.S. list … and then I’m outta here!

STAY TUNED…. AMAZINGNGESS IS COMING!

PELASURE-JUBILATION-TRIUMPH-EXUBERANCE-GLADNESS

We have to embrace the obstacles to reach our next stage of JOY!

Joy- DEFINED- a feeling of great pleasure and happiness – I really do feel JOY as I prepare to leave for Shanghai. There is nothing like having the FREEDOM to live life! I am single. I am healthy. I am childless. Not if I was not those things I couldn’t do this, but everything is set before me to GO. My life is wonderful. My family is beautiful. My friends are the best. Now—I get to experience NEW. There is nothing like New!

May you find Joy in your everyday moments. I have decided to choose Joy every single day of my life. Not to say that there are not other moments that are not with joy because sure I have those, but I focus on the Joy.

Countdown is on!!!!

__________________________________________

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

#ISSAProcess Cont….

Sometime ago I wrote to you all about the process and the journey that I have been on. If I timeline-d it out it would look something like this:

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

December 2016

Dec 5, 2016 – Apply to work for Disney English in China (online Interview) — eeek! What am I thinking?

Dec +/- 12, 2016 – (It was about a week later) Skype Interview — my first SKYPE interview!

December 21, 2016 – 3^rd Interview (Skpe) —– they want me they really want me!!! A 3^rd interview is a good thing. Right?!?!?!

December 27, 2016 – Merry Christmas To Me 😊 Accepted the offer to work for Disney English in China

January 2017- The process begins. I have written out a lot of it before but now it begins.

1. I begin my TEFLC Courses- All online.
2. I begin the initial paperwork process
3. Digital Photo – Sent this right away – Come on now?!?!? This is KMG. Yall know sending a photo was easy.
4. CV/Resume – Sent this right away
5. Copy of Passport Bio/Photo Page – Sent this right away
6. Copy of Bachelor’s Degree – that became a journey in itself – so I used my Masters – once I finished my program 5 months later
7. Employment Verification Letter(s) – Sent this right away
8. TEFL Certificate- Began working on this immediately. Finished the entire course in June.

Lots to do and this is only the beginning.

3. By January 31, 2017 I have finished Unit 1 of TEFLC. This was a must with the application process. I now have until I leave for China to complete the 20 units. I decided I wanted this done by June (which I did) so that I would not have to worry about it during the summer.
4. I also began the process of the following:
5. Degree Legalization
6. Police Clearance
7. Medical Check

February 2017:

1. Medical Check done – Later had to have this form authenticated
2. Police Clearance done- Easy Sneezy- Used Downtown Dallas Police Station – Later had to have this form authenticated

February-June 2017:

1. TEFLC – Work on 20 unit course. TEFLC – Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Children. Completed in June

March 2017– Started Degree Legalization Process – This process is in an earlier post.

APRIL 2017– Still need this degree legalized. Jenkies! About to graduate- Yeah!

MAY 2017 – Graduated from UTA – Maters in Education, Leadership, and Policy Studies

Degree Legalization process-  not complete

June 2017- Ready for it all to be over and to leave for China. Why is it so hard to get documents authenticated? Sheesh!

June/July 2017– Continue Degree Legalization Process/Authentication of documents- Police Check/Degree/Medical Form (This form did not have to be authenticated but it needed a stamp/seal from my doctors office)

July 2017 Still working on getting these documents authenticated. Lots of travel between: Dallas-Austin-Houston

1. Medical Check – Authenticated
2. Degree- Legalized/Authenticated
3. Police Clearance Form – Authenticated

July 2017– Sit around tired, exhausted, and mad wondering if its all gonna work out.

August 2017– Send documents to China. Original documents. Degree, Medical form, Police Clearance Form – ALL Authenticated documents

WAIT. I have now been told it’s a 30 day process to get your Invitation Letter/Work Permit.

So I wait.

….. wait

Wait……

And I

……WAIT……

August-September 2017– Wait for Invitation Letter/Work Permit to arrive from China

September 2017– Invitation Letter/Work Permit arrives. Apply for Visa. This Invitation Letter/Work Permit allows you to apply for your Visa.

September 20, 2017– Visa is ready.

September 25, 2017 Aunt picks up Visa in Downtown Houston.

September 27, 2017 Aunt drops Visa off to me in Dallas

September 27, 2017 KMG filled with immense amount of excitement and JOY

September 27, 2017 – #ISSAVisaInMyHand

My beautiful aunt finished up this process for me. A couple weeks ago she dropped off my passport, invitation letter, and work permit to the Chinese Consulate/Visa Office in downtown Houston. This office is quite, well, inconvenient to say the least. But- family is amazing. She did it anyway. Well- the first time she went the office was closed (Been There- Done That- So Annoying -aaaargh), she went a second time, dropped it off, went back when her scheduled allowed and picked it up, and brought it to me here in Dallas. Whoa BABY. She didn’t have one issue with her part of the process. That is a blessing.

Ise- Hype- Yall.

I think I covered it all … whew!

It has been almost a year long journey for me. This is month 10 since I started the process. When I leave it will be month 11. I will say this- every journey towards living/working overseas is different. I had a lot going on and a very busy year when I started this process. I was teaching full time, I was in Graduate school full time, I was an overnight nanny, I was working on my Teachers Certification program (an online course for Texas Teachers to be certified), and I was working on my TEFLC. All of that – with working on moving overseas. Some of the things I had to during this 10month process meant traveling to Austin and Houston and I needed to schedule those travel dates around school holidays or take off work. Your schedule may allow for easier travel. You probably will not be in 3 academic programs at the same time. I am sure that you are probably not an overnight nanny. So your TIME will be different than my TIME.

What I can say is that it is all done! I did not do it on my own. Without the help of amazing family members and fantastic friends I would not have gotten half it all done.

BUT GOD— I prayed a lot. God has been with me on this journey. My church family has been praying for me. My ministry partners have been praying for me. This wouldn’t be if God did not want it to be.  I am so thankful to God and His Word. (Psalm 119:11)

Althea has listened to me babble and babble on and on about going to Shanghai. She even took a trip to Austin and Houston with me.

Aunt Annie and Cousin Ashley listen to me blahblahblah about Shanghai. I stayed with them on more than one occasion in Houston and they even finished up the last steps of my Visa process for me.

I could not have completed this process without Althea, Annie, and Ashley and many others who have helped me along the way.

If you ever decide to move overseas, travel overseas, or work overseas in a country that requires a visa never compare someone else’s experience to what yours will be like. You can use it as a starting place to know what to expect, it can help you by informing you of what someone else went through, but it doesn’t mean your experience will be the same step by step nor does it mean that your journey will take as long. I had a friend leave for China months before me and her journey was quicker and nothing like mine. She did not have the hold-ups that I had nor the delays. This was my JOURNEY. I am happy to share it.

What I will say is this- GO FOR IT! If you wanna do it or ever thought of it- Just go for it. If you are healthy and able to do it, take the LEAP and go for the experience of a lifetime. A week overseas may be all you need to come back home with a renewed mind and fresh perspective. Working with people from another culture may humble you and move to being more grateful than you ever were for the life you live. Living abroad may just jump start your life so that you are fearless and open to everything the world has to offer you. BE: SANGUINE – just-BE!

Let Us: Fill our lives with adventures and not things. Lets: have stories to tell and not just stuff to show.

I absolutely love who I am. I love being Karla Marie. Someone asked yesterday at Life on Life Women’s Bible Study (@OCBF) what are you most PASSIONATE about??? I did not get the chance to answer out loud but I will tell all of you. I am most passionate about bringing JOY to others. That is not as easy as you may think. Some people don’t want your JOY. Some people are happy living their non-joyful existent lives. One day I realized how living a life of JOY really changed my life. This is not to say that things are not unpeachy for me or that everything goes just perfect all the time. Tis False. My life is not perfect. I am more than anything passionate about being a woman who believes in the truth of God’s Word and living a life that shows I am HIS CHILD. Phillipians 4:8 has always been a great place for me to start. Titus 2 and Proverbs 31. I want people to know who HE is because of the life that I live. And I want HIM to be glorified through my life, words, and actions.

I am thankful to be a daughter of the King.

________________________________________________

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE* 

…..until next time yall….

PAZ!

….its a lot of words yall…. a whole lot of words

The Process – Disney English

If you consider moving abroad to work in another country it is definitely a process. I will be going to China soon so here is a detailed step by step process of what I had to do:

Disney English is a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide’s Disney Learning division that specializes in English language training for young learners, ages 2 to 12, in China using Disney characters. Wikipedia

Headquarters: Shanghai, China

Founded: October 2008

Number of locations: 6

Parent organizations: The Walt Disney Company,

KMG’s JOURNEY to DISNEY ENGLISH

1. The Application Process:
2. Apply Online – The easy part! After researching teaching abroad online, I used teachaway.com – I decided to apply for DISNEY ENGLISH. I knew this would be different, amazing, a one of a kind opportunity, – and its China!

There are many lists for ‘7 Wonders of the World’ but “THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA” is one of the most recent lists. Why not live in a country where you can find one of the 7 Wonders ?!?! Im going for it!

2. Follow Disney English on FB/Linked In/Social Media – Follow online for updates and information.
3. Be sure you have a Passport– that is up to date- In 2004 I got my first passport. I decided to get it so that if an opportunity was presented to me I would have nothing holding me back. I didn’t have a plan, or a place to visit. In 2006- I went to Central America and absolutely loved it. I love travel and I have kept an up to date passport ever since 2004.

IF YOU STAY READY YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET READY.

4. Research life in China – When moving anywhere it is important to research. Life will be different. Everything about life will be different. The land, geography, people, language, weather, food, – EVERY-THING!!! Research is vital.
5. Online/Virtual Interview- Skype– I did an “Online” interview where I answered a series of questions and my answers were submitted right to Disney – after my initial application process. These questions were randomized about you as a person and how you deal with people, life, and various situations. +/- 72 Hours later I received a response and had a SKYPE interview! Whew. Era of technology. My first SKYPE interview – ever- and I was to have a mini lesson prepared. It went well. (Clearly)
6. Receive Offer – if all of the above goes well – you will receive an offer letter. I don’t remember how much time I was given to respond but you have about 2 weeks I believe to think it all over and respond to the offer letter. If you decided, yes, you will have a longer SKYPE interview where you can ask more in depth questions.

IF you make it through steps 1–6 AMAZING – keep going on the journey!

1. Prepare for the Journey

1.Gather Documentation– There is lots of documentation. More than you may ever think. The moment you decide YES- begin your documentation process.

Documents/Required Items:

IMPORTANT: The Chinese Labor Bureau has very strict requirements regarding all document submitted. Please review the attached Document Requirements Guide-Shanghai and Sample Employment Verification Letter carefully to ensure that your documents meet the very strict standards for obtaining your Invitation Letter(IL) and Employment License(EL).

I had to keep reminding myself of this when I would have issues with documents/processing

COLOR SCAN EVERYTHING! – Keep a copy of everything in a folder, on a drive, in a safe place 😊

Digital Photo

– Photo requirements: Head and neck image (A passport style photograph)

–1 inch x 1 ¼ inches ( 3.3 centimeters x 3.3 centimeters) against medium blue or gray background.

Updated (Most Recent) CV/Resume- Keep it up to date. Upload your most recent CV/Resume

Copy of Passport/Bio Page- Color Scan and upload. Be sure this passport page is up to date.

Copy of Degree- Color Scan and upload.

Degree Legalization-

• Notary (Notary office/Personal Notary)
• Certification (Secretary of State)
• Authentication (Chinese Consulate)

Step 1: Notarization (There is a fee: Free- $10 – $10 at the most) This step is rather inexpensive – I used UPS

Location: Any location or individual who notarized documents

You can get a document notarized in several ways:

A: Individual notary that you may know or that someone recommends

B: At your local bank

C: UPS Store – Very convenient with all of their locations

D: Notary office in your city/town

E: Funeral home (I found one in Duncanville, Texas that will notarize your documents for free- just ask nicely with a smile).

Step 2: Certification of your document(s) $15.00

Location: Secretary of State’s Office- Austin, Texas

This is to be done at the Secretary of State’s Office in Austin, Texas. You can mail this form in and wait about 5-14 days for it to be mailed back to you. I learned that Texas can only certify documents from Texas.

You can do this in person. Wait is usually short. You will get your document right away.

Step 3: Authentication ($25.00)

Location: Chinese Consulate- Houston, Texas

Your documents are “Authenticated”/” Legalized” at the Chinese Consulates office in Houston, Texas. This must be done in person. You can’t mail this document in.

To have your document “Authenticated” you have to HAVE COMPLETED steps 1 and 2. You will also need to have copies of your documents that are being authenticated, each page, a copy of your passport, and the Authentication application.

If you have not completed steps 1 and 2 there is a chance that you won’t even be let in the building. I was stopped at the door and asked to see if I completed Step 2.

IF you are let in the building, you will proceed to your specific window for assistance. The employee will check all your documents. Hopefully you have everything you need. If you don’t there is a coin copy machine that you can use, and they have some blank applications. I was a little frustrated that the applications were behind the window. I had to wait in line to ask for the application, but they let me fill it out at a seat then come back to the front of the line, so that was nice.

You will turn this document in and it will be ready in 4 days. When you return to pick it up be sure to return with the slip that they gave you so that they can easily find what you gave them a few days before. You document will have a colored seal on the back of your certified document. Now you have a legalized document. There will be a certified form, stapled to your original document, with a Chinese colored seal on the back of the certified document. (If that doesn’t make sense you can always ask me about it later). Don’t remove the staple at all.

Police Clearance– Visit the police station of the county that you live in. Ask for a background check. This is a simple form to prove that you are not a criminal. They should notarize it there. This was $3.00 at my local police station – Downtown Dallas.

Medical Check– Disney will email you the proper form to use. Your doctor can give you a full physical and fill the form out for you. You doctor will need to sign the form in the signature box, where it says “suggestion” – you doctor will make the suggestion that you are “Fit to work” “Okay to work” “Healthy and well to work” – a statement of sorts that’s suggests you are healthy enough to travel to another country and work there.

I missed this. My doctor signed my form but I was unsure of this box. It is important. The hospital/doctor’s office will also need to stamp your form with a stamp from their office. The stamp should have the hospitals name/address. – This stamp should also be next to your doctor’s signature!!!  The location of the stamp is vital.

The STAMP is so IMPORTANT.

Employment Verification – This is a letter from your employer verifying that you were/are a teacher – and specifically (NOW) that you teach English. Be sure to have your employer print this for you on colored letterhead and sign it.

Everything that you upload to your HR site should be in color – and on official letterhead if available.

There are fees- and fees- and more fees – Keep all your receipts. Keep copies of everything in your email, on a drive, and a hard copy!

2.Sign Up for TEFL Courses– Disney set up my TEFL course – Teaching English as a Foreign Language. 1 Course- 20 units. All online. Comes with deadlines. Get it done!

3.English applies for your documents– If you have completed 1 and 2 Disney will apply for your documents for a Work Permit/Invitation Letter/Employment License. You will need this before you can apply for your Work Visa (Z-Visa)

4.Invitation Letter & Employment License– You will mail documents (specific documents- originals-Diploma (this hurt- eeeeeeeeek!!!! my original diploma)- legalized degree- legalized police report– medical report) to China. Once received- Disney will apply for your Invitation Letter/Employment License. Once you receive this you can apply for your Z-Visa in America – where you live. The Invitation Letter & Employment License gives you permission to work in China.

5.Apply for Work Visa – If you have steps 1-4 completed you are no ready to apply for your Visa. This isn’t so bad. Depended on where you live – VISA office is only in certain cities. Here in Texas, where I live, it is only in Houston. The fee -currently is $140.00, it takes about  days to process your Visa and it has to be done in person. You do not have to be the person to do it, but it has to be done in person. You can have a Visa service do this for you, or a friend/family member can do this for you.

6.Book Your Flight – DISNEY will book your fight! YAY! STEPS 1-5 MUST be completed before you can have your flight booked.

7.Pack Your Bags – This is different for everyone. I created a very detailed list of what I would need to pack as I prepare to move overseas for a little over a year! If you ever want to see this list I have it saved. The amount of bags you take may vary. Be sure to check airlines – baggage fees, weight requirements (it may change when you are in a different country- and the unit of measurement may change to- be ready to covert numbers).

If you are at this step– it is really happening 😊

1. Arrival to Day 1 (So clearly I don’t know this yet—but this is what is to come. I have asked lots of questions).
2. Arrive in China – whoa baby! If you are arriving in China you just finished a super long flight. The flight is anywhere from 13-15 hours! That’s a lot of sitting. I hope I get a flight that takes off at night so I can sleep through a percentage of it and later watch fun movies, read, snack, journal, talk, and hang!
3. GO to assigned hotel– DISNEY will have a hotel assigned to me. DISNEY team will meet at airport and assist with travel to hotel. – Enjoy 21 days in a hotel while connected with a realtor to find your housing while you are in China.
4. Meet Your team– Get Excited. The journey is really beginning. You will meet the individuals that you will be working with. Be open. Be open. Be kind. Be flexible. Be patient.
5. Training and Onboarding begins– Get Ready! Time for onsite training and onboarding. Lots of information.
6. Assigned MUSHU Mentor– Ask your mentor lots of questions! Its happening sooner than you think.
7. 1 – Get ready for your first day as a Disney English Foreign Language Trainer! Disney Journey is upon you …..

Whatever documents are needed from you keep a copy of everything. Some will be easier than others. Some will take longer than others. Upload to your individual HR site as soon as you have something needed. Email it also just to have a backup with a date. Degree legalization took me the longest- doesn’t mean that it will take someone just as long. COLOR SCAN EVERYTHING!!! Keep all of your receipts. Be prepared for fees upfront and you will be reimbursed later. Yes. You will spend a lot… but the payoff will be worth it… hopefully!

Start your process – the moment you say YES!

I have had a headache working on all of this. I look forward to it all being behind me! Friends who are abroad remind me of this- once you are there- you will forget about what it took for you to get to that place. Getting your Visa is tough. I am close! So Close.

Having the opportunity to live and work abroad is one of a kind …. I am so glad that I am able to take this opportunity.

O! I’m learning Mandarin Yall!

?????? Questions ??????   —— respond to this post!

She Believed She Could >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

________________________________________________

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE* 

…..until next time yall….

PAZ!

kGLAD TEXTS: THINK ABOUT SOMETHING GLAD AND HANG YOUR HOPES HIGH ON IT!

Someone recently asked me to explain “Glad Texts” since I end every post with them.

Polly (1989), directed by Debbie Allen – is a musical adaptation of the book “Pollyanna” set in the 1950’s in which an orphan tries to use gladness to unite the people in a small southern town

The first time I saw this movie I loved it! LOVED IT! I was young, hopeful, full of love, joy, and “GLADNESS”. My parents always called me “Care Bear” and my sisters later nicknamed me “Holy Ghost”. I have lived my life with the pursuit of doing for, caring for, and showing love to others.

You will need to copy and paste this link (yeah-yeah-yeah I know – I need to figure this blog thing out so you can just click links and such- be patient with me- writing all these words is a lot in and of itself).

Polly- Glad Texts- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7GKBb-OZ4

:48

Rev G: “And How long have you been listening?”

Polly: “oooo just until you found the right thing to say.”

Rev G:“I suppose I look pretty silly to you. Out here ranting and raving in the middle of nowhere.”

Polly: “Oh NO! I use to be my daddy’s congregation when he practiced sermonizing.”

Rev G: “Right. You father was a deacon or, a minister in Detroit.”

Polly: “Yeah. He loved sermonizing. Except when he didn’t think they were getting the word.”

Rev G: “And that part sounds sadly familiar. Tell me something Polly. Did you father ever find a solution to that little problem?”

Polly: “Oh sure! He just started basing all his sermons on the Glad Texts. That’s what daddy called them.”

Rev G: “Glad Texts??”

Polly: “Yeah! Like, Make a joyful noise until the Lord. Shout for joy. Be glad in the Lord. DADDY said that there are 800 Glad texts. Did you know that?”

Rev G: “I did not. I do not…..”

___________________________________

1. glad

[ɡlad]

GLAD- ADJECTIVE

gladder (comparative adjective) · gladdest (superlative adjective)

1. pleased; delighted:

synonyms: pleased · happy · delighted · thrilled · overjoyed · elated · gleeful ·

gratified · grateful · thankful · tickled pink · over the moon · willing · eager · happy · pleased · delighted · ready · prepared

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I am “Polly” – or that I love this move a lot! If you find me not smiling, not thankful, and not eager about something- something is probably terribly wrong. What would life be like if we really did live by the Glad Texts? At least those of us who are Jesus followers? How great would that be!?! If we really believed in the truth of God’s Word and lived our lives as though He is going to come through on what He said. A couple years ago I dressed as ‘Nancy’ (from Polly) for Halloween- tweeted it and Debbie Allen/Vanessa Bell Calloway responded! That was so cool!!!

Living from the Glad Texts has changed my life! I have decided to CHOOSE JOY in all situations. I do not wish to give the picture that my life is perfect and peachy – and come off as though nothing bad ever happens. Far from it. But when you live with the perspective that God is in control and you trust His plan your days are not so bad.

I am tickled pink about my future! Yes I really am.

(Mrs. Conley)-‘More Gladness – what’s gotten into your girl? – (Polly) Its just a game my daddy taught me. Think about something glad and hang your hopes high on it.

I Hope that today, you can hang your hopes high on something glad. I PROMISE there is something for you be GLAD about! If you think otherwise, message me.

What are you GLAD about today? Please respond to this post and let me know!

She Believed She Could >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

________________________________________________

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE* 

…..until next time yall….

PAZ!

Je Ne Sais Pas –

A lot of you keep asking “When do you leave?” And I really don’t know. It is a process and all I can really do right now is wait in the process. I am scheduled to arrive August 10, 2017 and that can still happen. I don’t know when I’m leaving so I am just enjoying my time with friends and family.

3 Weeks!

We are 3 weeks away from my scheduled departure date.

It has been a crazy time with Z-Visa paperwork (which I still don’t have by the way).

I completed everything that I could possible do on my end here in these Ole’ United States of America. Paperwork has been notarized, certified, and authenticated. I have sent it to HR in China and I am currently waiting on an ‘Invitation Letter’ (which comes from China) so that I can apply for my Z-Visa. Everything has led up to this. Once I receive my Invitation Letter I can apply for my Z-Visa. Once I have that I can get my ticket for Shanghai. It is closer than I think.

I am waiting.

wait·ing

Noun 1.

the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens.

During this waiting period I am working. This week I am on a week long college/museum tour with a great group of high school students on the East Coast.

So far this week we have been to:

Cheyney University

Howard University

Morgan State University

US Naval Academy- Annapolis

White House Tour

Capitol/Library of Congress Tour

National Mall

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tomorrow-

Arlington National Cemetary

Marymount University

Mt. Vernon (George Washington’s Home)

Saturday-

Great Blacks in Wax Museum

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Travel home to Dallas

As you can see it has been a full week! Full of first time flights for students, new states, new cities, lots of information, lots of walking, lots of heat and sweat! I am always so thankful for these summer experiences with my students. I am really thankful that I was able to visit NMAAHC.

That was definitely an emotional experience that everyone should enjoy!

My summer has been busy, but excellent. Enjoying my time at home with friends and with family. I will be working up until it is time for me to leave. So many things I will miss about home, but I am looking forward to this new experience of living overseas.

She Believed She Could >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

__________________________________________________________

I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE* 

…..until next time yall….

PAZ!

……..issa process…….. (long post- lots of information)

Monday, July 10, 2017

PROCESS: proc·ess

präˌses,ˈprōˌses/ — noun — a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.

Dallas>Austin 189 Miles

Austin>Houston 165 miles

Total – about 305 miles – Give or take – lots of traffic. Im. Tired. Yall.

I really don’t know how many days I have left yall. I have been trying to complete this Degree Legalization process since March. I have spoken to some of you about it, and others of you may be wondering- ‘Degree Legalization’ – huh? What is that???

A Big Reason for legalization: (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/legal-matters/academic-credentials.html)

Bogus Credentials

It is important to note that the authentication procedures outlined above are not intended to verify the content of the underlying documents, but rather they authenticate the seal and signature of public officials, in this case notaries public. An authentication on a transcript does not certify that the person named on the transcript completed a particular course of study, rather it authenticates the signature and seal of the notary who witnessed the registrar’s affidavit. Persons relying on academic credentials should be aware that there are individuals and groups who issue fake academic credentials for a fee. While these documents may be attested to in a notarized affidavit and thus authenticated, persons with concerns about credentials emanating from these “Diploma Mills” should attempt to verify the accreditation status of the school where the documents originated.

Well… it is a 3 step process that I must complete in order to get my Z-Visa so that I can work in China.

Z-Visa- This is a work visa required for people who want to work in China for pay (clearly—me😊)

Step 1: Notarization (There is a fee: Free- $10 – $10 at the most) This step is rather inexpensive – I used UPS

Location: Any location or individual who notarized documents

You can get a document notarized in several ways:

A: Individual notary that you may know or that someone recommends

B: At your local bank

C: UPS Store – Very convenient with all of their locations

D: Notary office in your city/town

E: Funeral home (I found one in Duncanville, Texas that will notarize your documents for free- just ask nicely with a smile).

Step 2: Certification of your document(s) $15.00

Location: Secretary of State’s Office- Austin, Texas

This is to be done at the Secretary of State’s Office in Austin, Texas. You can mail this form in and wait about 5-14 days for it to be mailed back to you. I learned that Texas can only certify documents from Texas.

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Georgia so they could not certify my diploma. Ugh. Sadness. Bummer.

I did try to certify this document, but after learning that I could not I waited until graduation, and for my Master’s diploma to arrive in the mail.

Repeat Step 1

Attempt Step 2

Step 3: Authentication ($25.00)

Location: Chinese Consulate- Houston, Texas

Your documents are “Authenticated”/” Legalized” at the Chinese Consulates office in Houston, Texas. This must be done in person. You can’t mail this document in.

To have your document “Authenticated” you have to HAVE COMPLETED steps 1 and 2. You will also need to have copies of your documents that are being authenticated, each page, a copy of your passport, and the Authentication application. If you have not completed steps 1 and 2 there is a chance that you won’t even be let in the building. I was stopped at the door and asked to see if I completed Step 2.

IF you are let in the building, you will proceed to your specific window for assistance. The employee will check all your documents. Hopefully you have everything you need. If you don’t there is a coin copy machine that you can use, and they have some blank applications. I was a little frustrated that the applications were behind the window. I had to wait in line to ask for the application, but they let me fill it out at a seat then come back to the front of the line, so that was nice.

This is my 3^rd time in Houston in the past 2 weeks.

7-01-17 – Althea and I drove to Austin and Houston in the same day. When we arrived in Houston the Consulates office was closed. Ugh!

7-08-17- I decided to take MEGABUS to Houston to complete the process I started with Althea. My family reunion would be the next day in East Texas and that is a lot of driving. So, I figured why not sit back and ride? I was told that my degree from Georgia wasn’t certified properly. Yes- after not being able to have it certified in Texas I ordered a certified diploma from Georgia State. It arrived. I was happy. Thought nothing of it. If you have never seen a certified document before how would you know if it wasn’t done properly or not? YOU WOULDN’T!!!! This was frustrating sigh

7-10-17- Again. Start Again. I drove to Austin and Texas today after arriving back to Dallas from my family reunion in East, Texas. I arrived with my notarized Masters diploma. I was told- NO! WRONG. The notary did it incorrectly. So, I drove to a close and got it notarized again – returned to the SOS office. Wrong- again! What is going on? Why don’t the notaries know how to notarize documents?!?! I am driving around downtown Austin- dealing with parking and meters – so that I can drive to Houston by 3:00!

O! Did I tell yall?? The Consulate makes it difficult to get anything done. They are open from 9:00-12:00 and then from 1:30-3:00 …. Who isn’t open during the lunch hour when people are off?!?! And why do they close so early!!?!?? That’s frustrating. I have also tried calling, but it is hard to get through. SO, you know – I called every single extension until someone answered… @any rate …  I made it. I got to the Consulates office at 2:34 …. Whew! So, close.

Today – they accepted all of my documents. Now I wait for them to be returned to me then I can apply for my Z-Visa!

I am one step closer. This Shanghai experience is gonna be something amazing. It just has to be. I am exhausted just getting ready for it.

SO ALL OF THAT TO SAY … the process is not complete yet. I felt quite defeated on Friday when I took the bus here after coming the week before, but it is looking a little better now.

I tried to muster up a little smile in today. But – the real smile will come when I have my Visa – because then I can get a plane ticket- then I go to Shanghai. MY new adventure awaits me in China. I don’t have a job here in Texas. I sold or gave away most of my belongings. I moved out of my apartment. I need to go to China yall … or start over here in Dallas! Maybe Kessler Park, finally!?!?

This post was focused on Degree Legalization. Hope that information was helpful or interesting. Thanks for reading …. holla!

She Believed She Could >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

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I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! 

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE* 

…..until next time yall….

PAZ!

I could literally JUMP FOR JOY!  

44 more days … 44 yall!!!! Four-T-Fo’ – quarante-quatre-cuarenta y cuatro-(for-tee-FOR)

…. i could leap – hop- skip – bankhead bounce like my homey Donald from Georiga State- knuck if you buck- dab on em (if I did that) – all of it …. yeah!!

Everyday is a day closer to this Shanghai, China adventure. I told you all last week that I had 10 courses to finish for my TEFL-C and I finished today! 20 Units- 1 Course – Advanced- Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Children. I did it yall!

In the past two years I have taught full time (which is like 6 jobs by itself), I completed Graduate School (UT Arlington), was an overnight nanny for a little over a year for a family of 5, completed all coursework for Texas Teachers Certification (will take certification test when I am back in the US after Shanghai), volunteered at church with OCBF KIDZ, interpreted on Sundays/Wednesdays/Special Services, and now … completed TEFL-C! WHEW . That’s a lot. I can barely believe that I did it. It has been tough. I have been Determined and Dedicated this entire time. I have also been tired. Very tired. I feel like I haven’t slept in 2 years.

I know. You are probably like, she has talked about this before. She is telling us this again? Well, I am learning to CELEBRATE every single step of this journey. It has not been easy, but somehow I am still excited about what is to come. I still have to get my degree legalized which is a serious process in itself, but that is my last step, unless any other surprises occur! So – the PRAYER – is that within the next two weeks all of my paperwork is complete, I will have my VISA and in August I will be off to Shanghai.

I am so glad that you are following my Journey.

I will be uploading pics and videos while in Shanghai. I am learning how to edit videos and pictures now! Until I can add them on my blog I will upload to IG and FB.

  She Believed She Could >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

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#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

So my handy dandy countdown app has so kindly shown me that I have 51 days until I am scheduled to be in Shanghai, China! 

thankful.excited.thrilled.nervous.restless(@times).glad.attentive.pensive.happy     at peace.joyful.thoughtful.ready

Yeah you read that right. Shanghai. China. Some 7,352.68 miles away from my love-

Oak Cliff Texas – I mean The Gurley’s, my friends and family, Fuel City Tacos, my sisters couisn KMG … you get it- home!!!!!

So much has happened since the last time I was able to join you all here. My last blog was about 34 days ago. I really wanna blog twice a month but life has been BRAZY (thats busy and crazy- Thanks Onetta) & I don’t feel like it’s slowing down at all. My second year as a full-time teacher ended. What a year it was. I got scores back from state testings and I was not happy. We worked really hard, the scores don’t show it, but I know that I gave my students 100% of me! I wish them all the best in 5th grade. These state scores are such a big deal. I’m so sad for my kiddos. I’m a little sad for me. Ugh!

My dad is worshipping in the heavenlies. What a JOY – an unexplainable JOY that must be. I won’t forget the moment. Saturday. May 27, 2017. I was in Dallas, Texas. @a wedding @ White Rock Lake. Standing outside at Winfrey Point. My uncle called me with the news. I quietly walked through the reception room, found my brother, and collapsed into his arms. My life has not been the same since.

As my sister said – “My father was not just the teacher, but the entire lesson” – that he was and forever will be. There will be a post soon dedicated to him. Just know that My life is different everyday. It has not been difficult (as many people have messaged me saying it must be), but it has been different. For me, as a believer, there is a special peace in knowing your loved one is resting well with the Savior. Doesn’t mean you don’t get emotional, cry, or miss them, but it means…. eh…. everyday is a JOURNEY!

I am still completing TEFL-C courses. Yall I thought I did unit 10 already. boooooo—I did it tonight. 10 down and 10 to go. WooHoo.

I am still working on this VISA. Degree legalization is serious business. Pray with me that everything is done in time for my August 10 start date. Or we may just have to move it back some. Sigh. I’m ready to go to Shanghai.

So. I am working part-time this summer at Interfaith Family Services. My happy place. I have some fun travels coming up to see family and friends before I leave. I am thankful for the experiences. I am thankful that I have moments to make memories with friends and family. Life is short and meant to be enjoyed.

The closer August becomes the more anxious I become. The food. The people. The language. The culture. The clothes. Learning to get around. Subway life. Not driving (as much as I have a love-hate relationship with driving).  Race. Standing out. Travel. A new life for 14 months. All of it. It is becoming very real. REAL

And I am going to #bebrave and embrace it all. LIKE NEVER BEFORE. 

She Believed She Coud >>>So She Did …. this is me. I believe I can so I am

____________________________________________________________________________________________

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJOy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller