No need to rush.

Kirsten just celebrated her 23rd birthday. Really??!!! Am I old enough to have a daughter that old?
She is amazing. She moved to Kansas City this fall, started graduated school in Speech Pathology and just loves her life. I know she misses some friends and Owen every now and then, but over all she has just spread her wings and taken off. I am so proud of her. I love when we talk about our clients and compare notes. We are on a different level than before and she is so supportive and knowledgeable in her field already. Of course we still talk about shopping, what to eat, how to cook something, Owen, friends, parties, all the everyday things, but I love where our relationship is going. She is still my baby girl, just growing up....Slowly I hope!!  There is no need to rush, as we know time already passes to quickly.

Trying to feel like like home

I just finished unpacking the last of the boxes. Our apartment is a good size for here in Shanghai, but the closet space is a bit of an issue. I have plenty of hanging clothes space, so I decided to add some shelving. Anything we do in the apartment needs to be run by the management office, so today the engineer came. He, two assistants and the office manager showed promptly at 3:00. Only one spoke english. The 5 of us stood in the tiny closet for 20 minutes. I drew a few pictures and in a few days I will have their sketch. I am looking forward to this drawing as Mike's large sweatshirts and sweaters along with my excess shoes and boots need a home.
Our pictures were hung as well. No offense to Mike but hanging anything,  even a shower curtain was an ordeal. This gentleman showed up today with his toolbox. I showed him where to hang each picture and he had them hung within minutes and beautifully. I highly recommend this. He marked, measured, hammered, drilled, and hung my paintings or pictures. It really feels like home now.

I go to work with E tomorrow. She's my client who has Autism. She loves Elmo and today at the International Book Store I found some Sesame Street workbooks. This is very exciting as E loves her I pad and can identify many of her letters and even trace them with an application that was downloaded. I need to get her to transfer this skill away from the I pad. I hope the workbooks help.
I may also have another client. A girl with selective mutism. She is 3 years old and has very good language skills at home. She is very verbal at home where she is comfortable and for the last 8 months in preschool no language/speech at all. I will meet with the teacher and parents next week.

On the social end. Mike and I got up early Sunday to watch the LSU/Bama game. It was 8:00 am for us, like college days. Eggs and Kegs. Mike had a couple of beers with breakfast and I had a Bailys with mine.  I do miss my college football.
Let's see this week ... I have a coffee / jewelry class.... a Chinese Cooking Class.. My Art Class... A Luncheon,  Ladies night out and I am going to the Flower Market on Friday. Plus I tutor E for 2 hours on Tues. /Thurs. I even workout 3 to 4 times a week at 6:45am. Yoga when I can fit it in at night.

Even though I stay busy. I still miss home. I miss my family, my sister, my mom, my kids, and my friends.
Maybe thats why I fill my days up so much.
Peace.
 
 

Tokyo, Japan

I left after Art Class on the 27th to meet Mike in Tokyo. I have been flying International for while and have made a quite a few trips solo, so this is nothing new. Not speaking Chinese or Japanese does present some issues at times. Thank goodness Mike was waiting for me and I did not need to figure out the transportation. Getting through customs and security was enough. We used the bus and subway system all weekend mostly by choice. I say this only because on Friday morning Mike had set up a tour for me as he had meetings until 3:00. That was so thoughtful! Only problem was he did not realize that the tour ended on the other side of Tokyo. Only a 30 minute bus ride from the main bus station and then a 2 block walk to the subway and another 25 minute ride to the Nikko Hotel where we were staying. Again, I have traveled quite a bit with Mike on business and I am use to touring foreign cities on my own. I even get lost from time to time, but this was a whole new ball game for me. Thank goodness the tour guide spoke enough english and saw I was on this tour alone. He got me to the main bus station and I figured it out from there. Do you think Mike was trying to loose me??...It didn't work. I was waiting for him in our room when he got back at 3:00.
We had a great weekend. We had wonderful meals, one at the famous Kill Bill Restaurant. The wait staff there was so much fun. They shouted out friends names as they come in, much like on the old CHEERS show ("Norm"). We meet Mike's old high school friend Jeff Zink, who is the dean at the American Expat School in Tokyo.  He has been in Tokyo for almost 5 years and most importantly knows how to order off the menu. We was a fun evening.
We eventually nailed the subway system and could get anywhere we wanted. We saw temples, statues, Palaces, tourist sites, many stores we could not afford to shop in, restaurants we did and did not want to eat in, high fashion, questionable fashion, the bay and beach volleyball. This is by far one of the cleanest cities I have ever seen. The people are so polite, friendly, and respectful. It is crowded, but very orderly and neat. It is hard to believe that less than a year ago they experienced such a horrific earthquake. I know Tokyo is miles away, yet the city had effects from it. We heard many stories. No transportation and many walked home for 4 to 6 hours. Stores had to shut down with no power to check out and shoppers would have carts filled with groceries, the shoppers would put all the items back on the shelf before leaving. They did not leave full carts or see it as an opportunity to steal. The stories go on and on.

I enjoyed my learning experience in Tokyo.

Chin Up

This weekend we got our crate. It's exciting to finally get your stuff. The bummer is...most items of importance were damaged or broken, and many were not replaceable. Life's lesson here..  in a few days you learn that letting go is more important than hanging on to things that just cannot be changed or fixed. Again living in the moment and adjusting your attitude really does make a difference. Right now all I see is a comfy couch, a great reading chair, my awesome desk, a couple of warm rugs, and a few fix it projects. I do hope Shanghai has a great glass shop. One fragile piece that made it was my crucifix, go figure Jesus made it without a knick or scratch.
Speaking of keeping your chin up...  I have sighed up for this Art Class that last like 12 weeks and I have 5 under my belt. So far I am pretty bad! Each class Miss Monica teaches a new medium and I keep thinking I will be good at this new one she introduces. Well, I am not!! I am in this class with 7 other ladies who are amazing and their work is beautiful. Mine is about at a first grade level. I always have a messy station, paint, pastels, water, you name it on my clothes, in my hair, and on my face. Yes, again I am the only adult who is a mess. I try to tell myself ... it is not what the others are doing as long as I see progress. Well, I go to the car with my still life of pastel fruit. Thinking not bad as I had shadows and highlights, so feeling pretty good about my artwork. Johnny, my driver said "Is that an apple and fruit?  I think..... it is o.k." I just laugh. One thing Johnny does not do is sugar coat anything. That is why I like him so much. This week's class is watercolors.... Thank Goodness they wash off easy!!

Hey.. I did go to a Pearl and Knot Jewelry making class today and I am good at making knots. A little harder than you might think. Don't ask me to teach you. I can't remember. God help me. I tried to show my neighbor when I got back and let's just say I ended up giving her the necklace it was easier.  Chin up! Cheers My Friends

Good Book/Amazing Little Girl

Anyone looking to read a good murder mystery...I went to a Luncheon yesterday and our guest speaker was the author Paul French of the book Midnight in Peking. He recreated the murder of Pamela the daughter of a British Consult set in 1937 Peking.  After much research he brings the investigation to a close after 74 years. He was a quick witted Brit and I enjoyed his story on how he came to write this book. It is getting good reviews.

Yesterday I went to observe a 4 year old girl who show signs of autism. E was an amazing little girl, she has already been labeled, and I am afraid correctly. I say that because here it is very hard to get the resources one needs. Speech, Occupational, Behavioral, and Emotional therapy just do not exist here. If it does it is very limited. There are no IEP's, if this word is still used anymore. I go back to the classroom on Friday for more time with E and to meet with her parents on a home visit. I am now looking for my own resources, using the public library, Duke University has an office in my compound/building, NYU is in the process of getting a 4 year program here, but for now it is just a Study Abroad, and of course the internet.
I had no idea life would take me in this direction,  and here of all places.

Making Friends

I have joined two different social groups the Shanghai Expat Association (SEA) and the American's Women's Club of Shanghai (AWCS). I could be involved in an activity of some sort every day of the week. I have already gone and visited several villages, coffee meet and greets, ladies' night out, and spa days.  Through SEA I met Kerstin who is from Sweden living on the Pudong side with her husband and 13 year old son.  She is on my face book page and will post pictures I am sure from time to time. Margene is from Kansas City and well it was easy making friends with her. We both walked into the 4 Season's Hotel at the same time not sure where to go and found our way together. We ended up going to lunch after the coffee and guest speaker. We both just moved here about a month ago. She has 3 in college and one in the marines. Here husband works for Coke. We are both going bike riding tomorrow, that will be a great post!! While working out, I met a neighbor in my building, her name is Paige.  She is from Columbus, OH. Again...to easy!! We made a play date to shop and do lunch. We went to this awesome Hotel Market. It's all kinds of kitchen stuff sold wholesale, 4 floors. Liked that so much continued on shopping,  made time for lunch and a quick foot massage. Just something we do here. Tough life.
 Lastly, I met Nichole who owe's a pre-shool, as we talked she found out I used to work with behavior disorder children. (Yes, I told her it was YEARS ago.) She now would like me to help her with one of her students. We trying to set up an observation/evaluation. Here, once a child is labeled it is very difficult to get schooling, let alone placement and a good education or help of any kind. It is so limited. My Art Instructor's husband is connected with NYU so I am hoping she can hook me up with some resources. Duke University has it's office in my compound too. I also internet. One day at a time.

Making Friends Here....Not so Hard.

The Weekend

Mike arrived from Amsterdam early Saturday morning and we spent the day looking for a baseball mitt and cleats. He has the chance to play on a men's softball team and of course we didn't pack his mitt in the crate.We went to a store much like Dick's and they had soccer cleats that will work, no mitt, but a kids nerf bat.
A little disappointed we gave up as we had trouble explaining to Johnny what it was we were looking for.
We headed to the Camel Sports bar for beers and dinner. Mike crashed early on the coach, not for long as I woke him at midnight to walk over to the Big Bamboo (another sports bar) to watch the Michigan / Michigan State game. What I won't do for the Great Divide game. Not happy with Michigan as I stayed up till 3:30 am for THAT game....REALLY!!
After sleeping in, we went to the Farmer's Market in our compound. Great food buys. Homemade Perigees, BBQ wings, ingredients for fresh Salsa, fresh made cheese and Habanero Pepper hot sauce. Of course I picked up a piece of homemade cheesecake for later. Who said I was going to loose weight here?
We laid by the pool, took a walk, and shopped a bit too!! What is this a vacation?

finding a little happiness

Nothing is better than a 5/10 minute phone call from your kids even if it is to tell you HI, I got 97% on a test, I did pretty good in practice, we had an awesome party last night, or just wanted to see how you are doing?It makes my day.

I had my first drawing/art class yesterday. It was very basic and thank goodness. We used 3 pencils and that was plenty. We drew a bowl and a leaf and did some shading. I was pretty good, glad I took the class. Johnny my driver was impressed... he is quickly becoming my BFF.

Yes, I have a driver. If you saw the driving over here you would understand. I am so lucky, he speaks great english and has shown me the ins and out of the city. He also got me the Lady Antebellum CD for the car one reason for my blog name. Driving at night over the bridge from Pudong into Puxi American Honey came on and I missed Nashville, my home, family, friends, and Yes,  the tears came.
I guess it was having to leave what was comfortable and everything I knew. Leaving what was safe, easy and convenient. Yet, just outside my window was a city full of life; vibrant, and exciting. I just needed to be willing to embrace it. I hope to do that ... one day at a time.
I found that music really helps. I have it on my computer, i phone, and i pod. It can really adjust my spirit and attitude. I even find myself dancing on the treadmill every now and then.

My first month in Shanghai

I have to say that my first month overall has been rather easy. I think my cultural training course was a huge help. Thanks Brant. Especially preparing me for sensory overload, that was huge. Knowing what it was when it hit was important. I am learning that my keen sense of smell is not a plus here. I am in a big city and big cities just smell and the Chinese also cook some interesting things and they smell too. I have been told in time this gets better, until then I carry perfume and use often.
I have learned the chinese people do not like waiting in lines either. They tend to crowd you at the registers and want you to move quickly, if you don't I swear they hover and swarm so close it becomes almost life threatening.
I too have learned so much from my Chinese friends. We recently just celebrated National Chinese Holiday and was a guest for dinner with Mr. Wu. I ate hairy crab which is in season (yum), dumplings, and glazed pears. I also had this amazing fish that is very rare which you cannot have in many parts of Asia. Another guest at the table was from Hong Kong and she was sharing with me how rare it is to have this fish and why. Later I noticed that Mr. Wu got up and insisted that she have the head of the fish. This is usually reserved for the head of the table in this case Mr. Wu. After some quiet disagreement, she accepted, Mr. Wu took what was left of the fish and finished that. They later exchanged smiles. They are very close friends with mutual respect.
I have come to know Mr. Wu after many dinners, in his own quiet and subtle way, he is a very kind and generous man.
I have also learned from my visit to Hangzhou that there is a China rhythm, a pace one falls into. The amount of people here can be overwhelming and especially when on holiday. Imagine yourself at Disney during spring break add a half million people all walking the streets of the park. You find a rhythm and join the crowd. It becomes more peaceful somehow. Mike and I managed our second day.

Don't worry friends..I have my stories.
This is my first blog. Trying to look good.