Two Weeks In

Still in the honeymoon phase, as we are constantly reminded. The last week or so has been pretty busy!

We enjoyed having Kyle in Shanghai -- our first visitor, and we haven't even been here a month yet! Though, technically, he wasn't *our* visitor, and we only got to see him a few times, but it still was fun to see him and pretend like we knew where to take him. The kids had their first real Chinese food dinner while he was here, and while John didn't eat a bite, Betsy gobbled up everything she could get her hands on.

We also went out one night with Tommy's group, and this time both kids enjoyed some of the food, especially the "stinky fish", which wasn't stinky at all -- it's just the best translation Zyan could come up with for a traditional fish dish that is salt cured outside before it is cooked. No, really. It was good! At that meal, Betsy charmed the people at the next table so much that they gave her a little stuffed ox, the symbol of the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Tommy and John made a return trip to the Science and Technology Museum, and then on Sunday morning we walked over to Century Park. It's Shanghai's largest park and is maybe a 10-15 minute walk from our place. While it was cool and overcast, we had a great time. They have a little amusement park there with rides, a bouncy house, and the even the same playscape as our beloved Amasia Park! Pictures coming soon, but let's just say that if you thought carnies in America were questionable, you'd really get a kick out of the people working this place.

We met even more Texans on Sunday at church -- seriously, why are all these people here?!

Monday was delivery day and a playdate here (yes, we are getting spoiled here -- online grocery shopping and an indoor playground in our apartment complex :-))

Tuesday was a different kind of adventure -- our official government medical exams, that will determine whether we can stay in the country. It was assembly-line medicine, where we went room to room and had ultrasounds, EKGs, X-Rays, eye exams, general health check-ups, and bloodwork. Surreal, but all of the people at the clinic were courteous and efficient. Since we had to fast all day before the bloodwork, we were STARVING by the time it was over. We were way out on the west side of town near Hongqiao, the original expat area, so we decided to indulge in some expat food. Tony picked out Faith's Diner, which served all-day breakfast platters and huge burgers. The blackboard advertised New England Clam Chowder and their stereo was playing Dolly Parton's Jolene. Just the way to round out a really weird day.

Which brings us to today! I went to a monthly ministry of the church we've attended, called The Vine. It's held at the Community Center Shanghai, a big organization that offers support and classes to expats. The church rents a room and hosts a speaker, people volunteer to bring in baked goods, and they set up tables with hundreds of books to check out -- we can return them at church or at the next monthly meeting. From there I went out near Tommy's office to check out a school where we might send John. And where were the kids? They were at home with an ayi for the first time. No one seemed traumatized when I got home, so we'll just consider it a success.