keeping it real

Sometimes I look back on my days here and realize just how different our lives have become since we move to China ten months ago. For example...

1. I'm beginning to believe that I'm actually quite tall, at 5'3".

2. I try to haggle over the $1.25 price of a scarf at the market.

3. I don’t leave home without toilet paper.

4. I’m no longer flinching every few seconds when I take a taxi ride.

5. I know how to re-set the power in my kitchen three different ways.

6. Although I will never think it’s okay, I no longer take a second glance at seeing a small child going to the bathroom on the sidewalk. Which also leads me to share the fact that people do NOT splash around in the puddles that scatter the sidewalks and streets…even when it’s raining.

7. We think nothing of a parent pointing directly at us, and in a loud voice that we most certainly can hear, saying to their young child “laowai, laowai!” (which translates “foreigner, foreigner!”).

8. Our options of transportation to get around town are: an electric scooter, a crowded bus, or a dirty taxi.

9. Getting groceries takes a minimum of 2 hours and 3 stops.

10. Receiving a box in the mail is the equivalent to finding gold at the end of a rainbow (thanks family & friends!!).

11. I might start a side business of charging the Chinese to take their picture with us. What? Our support could be cut in half!

12. We buy XXXL size shirts over here.

13. My definition of a western restaurant is any place in town that brings me a fork with my meal.

14. I browse the import aisle of our food store like it’s a new JCrew spring catalog.

15. We own a purple, two-headed, scooter rain poncho that we use often during rainy season. (and we laugh every time we put it on – quite a sight)

All of these things, in a funny way, warm my heart because they are becoming more and more like home to me. And as long as we can laugh, snicker and truly find the humor in these moments, I’m pretty sure we’re exactly where we should be.

i miss you

We lost something special this week...

our coffee pot died and you have no idea how much that can affect your mornings! The first morning i took it apart and promptly realized that i don’t have the slightest clue how to fix it. So now we have a real problem on our hands. We have been stalling to buy a new one because anything more than a 4 cup glorified barbie tea pot is too expensive. Finally, today I have turned to music to express my feelings and who better to borrow songs about difficulties in life from than Miley Cyrus. I have adapted her song, “I Miss You” to fit my particular situation. I hope you enjoy it.

I miss you

I miss your smile (your smell, your sound, your gold basket filter)

And I still shed a tear (and get massive headaches)

Every once in a while (every single morning so far)

And even though it's different now (we’re using the lame french press)

You're still here somehow (in pieces in the closet)

My heart won't let you go (and neither will Elissa’s)

And I need you to know (that i went to stinking kfc one morning this week for coffee)

I miss you, sha la la la la (blah blah blah)

I miss you (until we go to metro and replace you...hopefully tomorrow)