THE GOOD . . .

Okay, so I know it seems like all I've done is to complain about China.  But there are a lot of good things here as well, so I thought I should share those with you too. 

Being from the States, we're in a group known as "Ex-Pats."  It's the group of "westerners" that have been transplanted to Shanghai.  There are a lot of us.  More than I would have expected.  And we're all scared.  And yet, we're also a little excited.  And curious.  And scared.  (Did I mention, scared)?!  But there's a level of compassion that I've never seen anywhere else.  When you walk out the door and you see someone that looks "like" you, you notice right away.  And you talk to each other; something you probably wouldn't have done in the States.

If you meet someone that's just arrived, as you have, they understand what you're going through, because they're going through the same things. They share what they're learning, because they know you'll need to learn them too. They ask for advice and opinions on the things you've learned.

If you meet someone that's been here for awhile, you notice that they take you under their wing.  They become concerned about you.  They ask how you're doing.  They ask what you need.  They ask what they can do to help you.  They give you advice on what TO do, and what NOT to do.  They call or e-mail just to check on you.  They invite you to dinner, or down for a chat.  They really care.  

Friendships and relationships develop very quickly here.  You don't have anyone else to depend on, so you learn to depend on others.  You don't have anyone else to share your problems and fears with, so you learn to share with them.  You don't have anyone else to open up to, so you open up to them. 

Yes, being a way from home is very hard.  And I miss it every day.  But I'm also very thankful for the experience our family is having to live in another country.  Most people never have this opportunity.  And I think we need to embrace it, and learn from it, and enjoy it.  And yes, we're going to miss home, and we're going to miss our family and friends.  And that's okay.  But we're also going to make new friends that we never would have made if we'd stayed home.  And when we leave here next summer, I think it'll be hard to leave them behind.

Shanghai is a beautiful city.  And we've only got 1 year to experience it.  So I plan on learning as much as I can.  I plan on enjoying the sites.  I want to meet new people.  I want to experience a new culture.  I want to take it all in, and enjoy the opportunities we are going to have over the next year.

PICTURES . . .

Here are some pictures that were taken right before we left.  I thought I'd post them, eventhough they aren't a part of our trip! 

This was from our last trip to the lake. 

I'm not sure what she's doing here.  But it looks like she's getting ready to fly!

Sarah driving the boat.  She thinks she's hot stuff!

The weekend before we left, we went to my cousin's wedding. 

Andrew and his goofy smile!

Andrew and Alex.  Not sure what Andrew's up to!

Sarah Beth and Uncle Scott.

Uncle Scott and Sarah Beth.  With some extra effects added by me!

I LOVE this picture and Sarah and Nanny!

DIFFERENCES . . .

It's really funny being so far away from everything you're used to.  You walk out the door and everyone you see looks different than you.  No one can understand you, if you attempt to talk to them, which you usually don't because you know they won't understand you anyway.  There's not a McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, or Taco Bell in site.  You can't get in your car and go wherever you want, whenever you want.  You turn on the TV, and nothing really looks and sounds familiar, and if it does, it's from years ago.

FOUND PRETZELS . . .

Some of the things that are so easy and cheap to find at home, are very difficult and/or very expensive here.  One of my favorite snacks is pretzels and peanut butter.  And before you laugh at me, make sure you try them first!  Anyway, finding pretzels around here has been very difficult.  I've found some at Carrefour, but they were very small bags and not very good pretzels.  Today I went to The Pines, which is the international grocery.  It's one of those places that might have one thing one week, and then not have it the next week.  Well today, THEY HAD PRETZELS!!!!!  And Rold Gold Pretzels to boot!  WooHoo!!  I was so excited.  So I bought 2 bags.  And they are put up high where the boys can't get to them. 

Do you think that makes me a bad mom, that I won't share my pretzels with my kids?!?!  I wonder what that says about me?  Nevermind, I don't think I want to know!  I'm not sure I'll like the answer.

SATELLITE UPDATE . . .

We were on our way home from school yesterday and I told the boys the Satellite was going to be installed after we got home.  Jason said, "Yeah, like that'll happen!"  I asked him what he meant, and he said, "remember how long it took for the internet to be set up?!"  Well guess what, he was wrong!  It actually was set up in like 10 minutes!  Of course there's nothing on here that's new from home, but at least I can watch TV and hear English instead of Chinese.  There's a Crime and Investigation Channel, which is right up my alley, so I'm sure I'll be watching that a lot.  It also has Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network for the kids.