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.