almost two weeks in and the sun came out

Just doing a little late Friday night banking, etc. phone calling back to the U.S. (glamorous, huh? Love that 14 hour time difference. . . ) and thought I’d post a quick note before bed to let you know I’ve jumped the hurdle of Acclimatization Wall #1, and am feeling much better than on Wednesday.

We had a fun night out on Thursday to bid farewell to one of our German “flatmates,”, who was off this morning to travel SE Asia before he heads back to Germany. We met him and a few of his friends at this total student/backpacker-type place called PERRY’S that reminded us a lot of Ali Baba’s in Tianjin, if any of you Nankai people are reading this. Very funny vibe–sharpie writing all over the walls, a light sculpture made out of bottles from the bar, Bob Marley posters–you can picture it–and Sean arrived from work in his suit, which was pretty hilarious in that setting. (Think daily special of “buckets” of rum and coke.) (I did not partake in a bucket). But it was a fun young vibe, with Chinese students and foreigners, not too expensive and not in anyway touting luxury brands–which was nice for a change! Also our flatmate was in good spirits and excited for his adventure, and that is always nice to be around.

And today, well today, once again morning class was way too early, but luckily, in the middle of class, the SUN CAME OUT. After days and days of rain, cold and gray. Praise the heavens! Thank goodness. I had lunch after class with Katarina from Sweden and Olga from Russia, and got to hear lots of good stories about past visits to Shanghai, upcoming Malaysian weddings, and adventures in Chinese living. Then a nice walk home in the sunshine. While walking around I thought about photograph collections I’d like to make (young men’s hair fashions, colors of buildings, 101 styles of UGG boots) and also, a list occurred to me. So here it is:

A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO….

I moved to Shanghai!

I thought it odd that people walked down the middle of the street in our neighborhood. Now I do it, too, without even thinking about it.

I didn’t know how to say “also” or “breakfast” or “basketball” or “big brother” in Chinese, or the rules for stroke order in writing a character.

I hadn’t seen nearly enough gold or sequined UGG boots in my lifetime.

I’d never lived on the 30th floor.

I was not accustomed to days and days of rain in February

I hadn’t met Sean’s boss, George.

I didn’t have a metro card.

My pantomime muscles hadn’t been flexed in awhile.

I didn’t regularly have a whole weekend off.

I hadn’t walked in a Jesuit Chinese garden.

I’d never had a government ordered medical exam. (right?)

I didn’t know there’d be a dude around the corner who MAKES SHOES.

I’d never seen such a large stuffed Hello Kitty, and not been allowed to photograph it.

I didn’t fully appreciate how cheap most things are in the US.?I thought it was generally easy to find a mailbox nearby.

I wasn’t quite sure what, exactly, I was getting into, or what would happen next! (This is still true.)

Thanks for all your notes and thoughts of encouragement!

Xie Xie!

hugs,

–J