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!