homesick.

In preparing us for leaving for China, we were told in our program that we would go through stages of cultural shock/emotional change: fascination, irritation, accommodation, depression, and adaptation. I think I'm actually in between the depression and adaptation stages.

not quite depressed, not completely adapted.

mostly homesick and missing California.

the sun doesn't really shine out here in Shanghai,

and I sure do miss that sunrise glow.

p.s. i went to starbucks in search of a pumpkin spice latte...

and no luck.

missing those pumpkin bagels & schmear from Einstein's, too.

so if you're reading this, please have latte & bagel for me.

i'll be reading this book and thinking about home.

Two weeks.

we've lived in China for over two weeks.

and honestly, it feels like we've been here for months.

by God's grace, I survived the first week of teaching.

this week has been rough,

 but i'll take it on faith that i'll be able to face the challenges of the rest of this year.

there's something about a complete change of location that's causing me to rethink my values, what I want out of my life, how I spend my time.

that's shaking up my goals and expectations and attitude.

i really am excited to see how God works in our lives this year

and the ways in which He'll provide for us.

we miss winston.

we sure do miss our little bean.

he really wanted to come.

he even packed his own suitcase with all of his toys.

(though we think he's actually pretty happy at grandpa & grandma's 

with all of that filet mignon and cuddles).

they sure do love small doggies in our neighborhood,

and every time we see one, i can't help but think of Winston.

shanghai studio.

if i had to sum up what i've learned about life in China so far,

it would be:

let go of your expectations.

prior to coming to Shanghai, we planned on renting a two-bedroom apartment in Pudong (the suburban area of Shanghai), right next to my school.

instead, we'll be living in a studio villa (all we could afford) right off one of the most popular streets in Shanghai in the former French concession.

and this place feels like it was made for us.

(i've secretly always wanted to live in a studio).

(but dave is not so secretly a hoarder, so normally, studio living would not be an option).

newly renovated, with its own entrance on its own floor (practically an impossibility in the city of high rises and walk-ups), a gracious landlady, two minutes from the subway station, a Protestant church down the street, tree-lined streets, authentic local eateries, and according to guides, some of the city's best nightlife.

as one of my classmate's put it, after a long day of teaching, it's nice to have someplace that you love to come home to.

so hello new home.

we're happy to have you.

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!