Wow! I've been here for 2 weeks now!!

Wow! I just completed my second week of being here. I cannot fully believe how time flew by quickly. And I am very thankful that it was an eventful week with no maladies recurring. That's truly a relief as I did struggle for a couple of days during the first week. Well, a quick re-cap of my exciting second week...

1. Experienced the local church here these past two sundays. It was good but I didn't understand a word they were saying. Definitely need to work on acquiring that language proficiency.

2.The joy of being able to dwell at home and do things there (i.e. laundry, cooking, cleaning) as I gradually am purchasing a few major appliances. Now I can wash my own clothes, cook my own meals and stay warm. Aaaahhh! who would ever thought this would bring such delight in one's life.

3. I got evaluated for my Chinese language skills:
Good news is that I am not starting at the beginning level since I am able to actually read a fair amount given that I take my time. I can actually translate a simple article at a decent level.
Bad news is that I cannot say anything properly (because Cantonese and Mandarin are so different); nor do I know any Chinese grammar and pinyin. So, I would have to learn those basic foundations from square one. My director basically told me that they would enroll me into school and toss me out there in the intermediate class, and I would either sink or swim. This challenge will begin probably next week or so as the University works out my application. Hope that I can begin my language study soon.

4. I've experienced our agency's first retreat. It was great because I got my first taste of the team. It was 3 days worth of knowing one another better and building one another up for encouragements and support. As one of the team building exercises, our whole team (all the expats ) went out to the rural area and help lay bricks for the church's pathway. I got to experience first hand what's it like to be a brick layer. It was hard work but it was tons of fun. I was told that the brick layers for the roads in U.K. make lots of money. After that day of work, I can see why! Hard work!! Now maybe that can be a new skill on my resume. Mmmm, that's a thought!! (Pics will come at a later posting)

5. Wal-Mart isn't just crazy and crowded in the U.S...but it is also crazy and chaotic here in CN. I went to Wal-Mart on Sunday after I came back from the retreat to pick up some bedding since the weather quickly changed. Temperature dropped drastically and now I am in need of wearing warm fall clothes. Kinda wild considering that a week ago, people were walking around with T-shirts and shorts (well, our team members were). However, by the time I came home on Sunday, it was rainy and cold. Good thing I brought over a few pairs of thicker pants and some sweaters to tie me over this 'little' cold for now. Once winter hits, it will drop clearly down to sub zero degree in celsius, as I was told, equivalent to our temp. dropping to the 'teens' degrees. Burrrrlaaaa!! I am thankful that I will be heading out to Singapore and HK for some training/orientation at the time, so hopefully I can avoid the dry, cold winter while you are missing out for a little bit.

6. Yea! the guy came and connected my phone. And attempted to connect my computer...but no luck since the technician didn't know anything about Apple computers. Now I have a working phone but still spotty wi-fi for the internet as I mooch off my neighbor's wi-fi. I hope I will get mine up and going soon.

6. Mission accomplished in getting my appliances! (a microwave, a convection oven, bread machine) Now, home feels much more like home given that I can be doing some of these things at my own leisure versus needing to go over to friends for food and wi-fi. I am very thankful to my team mates. The next challenge.... is for me not to get anxious when trying to accomplish groceries shopping from street vendors and/or supermarket. It can trigger the stress factor since the two prices may vary quite a bit. So, in order to get a good find. I gotta be strong and courageous to speak up.

7. More shopping to go! Furniture shopping tomorrow.

Shop, shop, shop till you drop. I think the first two weeks are always filled with orientation, shopping, and socializing. I can't wait till I complete my major shopping which I am nearly done. Life will become much more exciting and nice once I am able to dwell in my own place. It certainly is tough when language is the barrier that prevents successful cultural exchange. I've been do my best to just walk in stride in all circumstances (including being told that I am not American but I am Chinese because I look it) Well, whatever!! Here's to new life & culture!! Cheers!!

Thanks!!