it's (almost) moving day!

[my dad's loaded up truck, on the way to the airport]

gosh, we're so excited.

i hope that i can sleep tonight.

i've (re)packed our bags for tomorrow's move to the other side of town.

we're praying that there are no unexpected hiccups,

as there sometimes are,

especially when dealing with a completely different country's system.

God-willing, tomorrow at this time,

we'll be unpacked and settled in,

new residents of the former French Concession.

Ni Hao, Shanghai!

the year-long Shanghai adventure has officially begun!

not going to lie, I cried the first day here. and maybe the second day too... and the third. we felt so blessed to be sent off in prayer by our family and friends, but so sad that we had to say goodbye. things that made the initial transition even harder: 

not having a fur baby to cuddle with

not having a working VPN to keep in touch through facebook/instagram/blogs

the total absence of California sunshine.

but now that we've been here a few days, I think we've adapted a little bit.

we've had our first...

 xiao long bao 

metro/bus/taxi rides

sighting of babies who don't wear diapers (just pants with strategically-placed holes)

panda visit at the Shanghai zoo

stroll along the Bund

bootleg DVDs

Chinese Coffee Bean/Pizza Hut/McDonald's/Starbucks

apartment visits...

this week has been a whirlwind.

i'm so thankful that Dave and I have each other

and the most supportive family & friends we could ask for.

even though I oscillate between homesickness and awe,

i'm thankful to be here.

ni hao, Shanghai!

Goodbye for now, California. (We'll be back).

Gosh, I can't believe that at the beginning of this week, we were in sunny and beautiful California surrounded by family and friends. Now we're in Shanghai! (We've actually been here since Wednesday, but VPN issues prevented me from posting). We sure do miss the beach, sun, sand, and sunsets, but we have started to settle in a little bit. Pictures of our adventures thus far will be posted soon! In the meantime, I'm catching up on Facebook, Instagram and the blogosphere. Xoxo!