The main impetus for this blog grew out of my plan to go to China and teach English for a year after I retire. My friends and family insist that I have to keep in touch, and a blog seemed the logical method to use. When IABC came along with this great offer of Xchange, I decided to use it… and to start early because there would probably be a few “glitches” during the “get acquainted” stage. I thought it would be desirable to have relatively easy access to “help” of various kinds, particularly since I’ve also purchased a new MacBook as my primary computer for my travels (after a decade of using PCs at work and at home).
So far, as anticipated, the blogging experience and the MacBook are both offering the expected (and unexpected) challenges… as is the paperwork required for both retirement and travel:
1. Paperwork to do with pensions (and a divorce) - As I worked my way through the application for my company pension, I discovered that, by law, my estranged spouse has what are called “survivor rights” IF we’re still “legally married” when I retire.
I’m familiar with the origins of the law. Thirty-some years ago, I was active in several of the women’s rights groups that worked to get it passed The intent was to recognize the contribution made to a family’s worth by stay-at-home spouses. The consequence that I didn’t anticipate was that the spouse from whom I’ve been separated for 13 years still has a claim on pension credits I’ve accumulated since we split… unless we’re no longer legally married. Hence, the divorce that wasn’t a issue before IS an issue now…
2. Paperwork to work in China - My prospective employer requires documentation before they can send me a contract (proof of my qualifications; proof of my physical health). The latter requires a physical… which required a doctor’s appointment.., not something you can arrange in a day. Once all the paperwork is provided, the university in China will send me the contract. Once that’s signed, I assume there will be more paperwork to get a visa. Since my existing passport will expire while I’m out of the country, there’s paperwork needed to renew that before I leave. Since I need health insurance to cover me while I’m out of the country, there’s more paperwork involved to get that.
Like I said, paperless society, HA!
