Man, so it has been a while since we've blogged. Honestly there was just so much going during our last weeks in China that we didn't have much time to sit down and type. Our goal was to "finish well," so we were trying to do everything we could to focus on students. It's now been about 10 days (if you count the time change) since we left China and it feels like we haven't hardly had time to sit down and take a breath. Life here in America already seems to move much faster than life in China! So, here is my "10 for 10"... a list of the top 10 things that we've experiened in American culture in our first 10 days back. It should also serve as a quick update on what we've been up to!
1. We bought a car! After spending 2 years riding in taxis, trains, buses, and tuk tuks, on our second full day in America we bought a car. It was a quick reminder of both how expensive it is to live in America and how much personal cars are an essential part of our lives here.
2. Emerson rode in a car seat for the first time! When she was born in Bangkok she rode home from the hospital in Allie's arms in a taxi, but her first car ride here required a car seat. It was a huge relief that she actually seemed to like it.
3. Family reunions! One of my favorite parts about being back in the States has been spending time with our family. We've been able to see our parents and most of our siblings (we're still anxiously waiting to see Justin and Mandy) and it has been great.
4. Flushing toilet paper. Yeah, you read that correctly. In China you're supposed to throw you're toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it (because the plumbing isn't so great). I have actually been tempted to buy a roll of toilet paper and flush the entire thing down the toilet just because I can.
5. Eating not-so Chinese food. It was great to be reunited with my old friend, General Tso. His chicken is simply amazing! Sadly, he was nowhere to be found in China. After ordering my food I remembered that I still had some Chinese money in my pocket. I pulled it out and talked to the owner of the restaurant about our time in China, as well as his journey from China to America in 1984.
6. Friends! Two of our great friends got married this past week and it was amazing to be a part of that. One of the perks was that many of our friends from college were there as well. It was awesome to see them after so many years!
7. Wearing our shoes inside. In China everyone has a shoe rack right when you get through the front door. People don't generally wear their outside shoes inside so they have what we called "house shoes." In China, when people enter your house it's culturally appropriate to give them a pair of house shoes to wear.
8. Drinking tap water. When Allie and I first got to China we brushed our teeth using bottled water. By the time we left I still wouldn't even drink boiled water and often would only cook with bottled water (even if it was to be boiled).
9. A glass of wine in the evening (by Allie). Not saying I am chugging a box of wine an evening, but it has been very nice to enjoy a glass of liquid relaxation in the evenings. Besides, it gives me something other than coffee to drink while sitting out on the porch. I am all about the uppers and the downers apparently.
10. Getting an apartment. We always thought that our aparment in China was cozy, but it didn't really sink in until we measured it for a family that will be moving to Changsha next year. We learned that our 2 bedroom apartment in China was about 480 square feet! The apartment we're moving into in Raleigh is more than twice that-- it's going to feel like a palace!
It's been quite a busy (and exhausting) 10 days, but we've enjoyed our time back so far!
SO EXCITED YOU ARE BACK!
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