Hello friends,
Yes, I've hit the 4 month mark now. Yesterday was the official anniversary. What a crazy ride it's been! I feel like a different person . . . don't know why, but something has changed. Maybe it's my perspective. Living abroad is NOT easy. The language barrier and the constant figuring out how to do anything here is hard to get used to, yet I love the traveling--it makes it worthwhile. Who knows where I will be next year? I'm considering my options . . . besides that, I honestly don't know what I really want to do with my life . . . is this my mid-life crisis? :)
It's definitely been an adventure, but yes, I am anxious to come home in February. Today, during our morning assembly (yes, outside in the cold--
ok, it's not that cold--yet!) I was thinking how interesting it was to stand there and watch a flag be raised and not feel anything. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed spending time here--I'm seeing places I never knew
existed . . . cause you never know when you'll be back, you know?
So, enough of that . . . what have I been up to lately? Well . . . not much. Just working, hanging out with friends, and shopping for Christmas presents. I managed to end up in three secret
Santa groups--fun, fun. Those of you who know me well know I call it "Secret Satan" but whatever, it's been good. Also, yesterday (Sunday) a few friends ventured into
Puxi to go to an international church there--it was awesome! It was only open to foreign passport holders (as the bulletin stated--twice) and normally you have to show your passport. Odd, for sure. It was a great service---people from everywhere! After the service, we went to a classic Chinese noodle place (spicy!) and I teased "Crazy Christine" (
haha, you reading this post, Christine?) about how all the Asian people here knowing EVERYONE in China! It's
sooooo true. Especially all the Californians--they all just say, "Oh, you went to blah blah blah school/church? Do you know so-and-so?" And they realize the world is just too small. That hasn't happened to me just yet . . . who knows! Amanda, you would fit in well here! :)
Anywho, what other exciting tidbits do I care to share? Well . . . I'm sick--again. There have been several swine flu scares here. The school almost had to shut down, but didn't . . . the CDC said we couldn't all gather in one place, so our high school speech competition was postponed. There have been
sooo many kids out sick. Scary! Also, the government had everyone accept or decline the free vaccination. I was going to, but then I chickened out (I mean, who KNOWS what was in it!) and I declined. I don't think it was the same vaccination as the States! That freaked me out, and I'm really very glad I did not risk it. I am sick now, though, but just the normal hacking
bronchitis cough--typical, no worries. I did try some cough syrup stuff from the local pharmacy--interesting. Syrupy sweet concoction of herbs and stuff--not bad. It did help my sore throat.
On a happy note, I am looking forward to Christmas in Thailand. I'm happy to get out of the country (fresh air, anyone?) and see my dearest friends again. It's now ONE week away. Oh, and yes, I've been sucked into yet another trip--this time, up to Harbin, close to the border with Russia! It's REALLY super duper cold there, but there's a cool ice festival there, so we will be going the second weekend in January. I have to keep busy or those few weeks before I come home will be absolute torture! So, to recap--Thailand for Christmas,
Hong Kong for New Year's, Harbin in January, home in February, and then heading to Israel the third week in February. WOW. Are you jealous yet??? :) Oh, was I supposed to be SAVING money here? HA!
So, that's life--same old, same old. Teaching has been fine--lots to grade. BLAH.
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year! BTW, 2010 is the year of the TIGER! :)
Love to all,
Susannah
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone
else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." (Steve Jobs)
Left: A fun shopping street!
Left: Yummy desserts at Whisk! 
