As of today we have officially been in China for one month. We stepped off the plane on January 27th with no idea what to expect and now exactly one month later - here are 3 things I have learned about myself:
1. My geography is terrible! People ask where are you from? I say, "New York" The response is typically Wow - I have been once I loved it or I have always wanted to go. Then I say "How about you - where are you from?" Wellington - Now I have no idea where Wellington is - so my response is ?? "I have heard it is lovely there in the summer?" It could be in Antarctica for all I know so that is not a safe response. I listen for the accent hoping to get a clue, but it is just too hard to tell. So I usually just say "Oh nice - how long have you been here?" Quickly changing the subject to avoid anymore geography trivia. Then I race home to goggle and find out that Wellington is in New Zealand. We really need a world map! Mum needs some serious help!
2. I am not too good with math in my head. (I need my dad- we would quiz him all the time on car rides -What is 2345 +7819? He is the fastest math guy I know!) I need a cheat sheet. I come from the time of calculators and my brain is just slow. People probably think I am crazy as I do math problems in the air - trying to carry the one. To get the price in American dollars you have to divide the RMBs by 6.76. I always feel rich when I take money out of the ATM. I withdrew about $120 and the machine gives me 8 - 100 Yuan - I can't help but think - wow $800! No such luck. When a box of Ian's favorite cereal Lucky Charms cost 80 RMB! Mum needs a calculator!
3. I am not good at understanding or speaking Chinese. Yesterday I got a furniture delivery. As the guys brought in the couch they started asking me something in Chinese - I said "no comprendo". Now why I thought they might understand Spanish when they don't understand English - I have no idea. Since the only other language I know any words are in Spanish - I chose to speak Spanish - which gets me no where! Mum is in desperate need of Mandarin classes!
When I was speaking to another Mum at pick up the other day she said "Shanghai is an exhausting city - don't push yourself." What is the saying - Rome wasn't built in a day. Well neither was China - and I have 29 more months to figure it out.
Hi Pam! I don't think we have ever met, but my name is Rebecca Stryker, and I am Barbara Libath's daughter. I went to HS with Mark, although he was ayear older than me. Anyway, my mom shared your blog link with me, as I went through a similar experience as you about a year ago. We moved to England with my husband's job, and will be here for 3 years total. I know... England is not nearly as far and different as China, but a lot of the emotions and circumstances you've been describing are similar to mine. I too am keeping a blog. Feel free to visit (www.strykerinvasion.blogspot.com), or email (stryker4th@hotmail.com).
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