Adjustment Phase Still Happening

Adjustment

Noun:

-a small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result.

 

synonyms:	adaptation, adapting, accustoming, accommodation, accommodating, acclimatization,

-the process of adapting or becoming used to a new situation.

 

whoa! 1300 Hits!!!! That’s exciting. Thanks for rocking with me the past 91 days …. I have almost hit my #100thDayInChina

 

Yall know I am still adjusting, right? TO EVERYTHING. The food. The culture. The People. The City. Taking The Metro everywhere. The horrible air quality. Everything.

On Sickness/Air Quality: A fellow American coworker and I commented on how we have been sick / with cold more here than ever at home. She arrived in Shanghai in August so a few months before I did in October. We have been sick and its like nothing helps. I brought lots of medicine with me here from home as did she but it keeps coming back. So, I am working on being as healthy as possible. The air quality is awful here. Most days it’s really bad. I have an app (of course there is an app for that) so that I can check the air quality each day. I never even considered needing to check it at home before. So now I check it at home too and its always, well, “Excellent”. The AQ is even worse in Beijing so I am glad that I am not there.

On The Food: Of course what we eat in America and call Chinese food is not Chinese food here in China. Do I miss some of the things I would eat at home, of course I do! SO adjusting to the food here is, well, still and adjustment. I am able to find some items from home but there are very expensive because they are imported in to the country. I definitely splurge every once in awhile so that I can eat things I enjoy. I am slowly finding some Chinese items I enjoy and I hope to show you pictures soon!

On The Culture/The People: Shanghai is a big city with a lot of people. When I think about home we often (of course not everyone and not all the time) say, “Excuse Me” “My Bad” “OOPS” “Im Sorry” “I didn’t mean that” or something of that nature if we bump into someone or do something by mistake. That’s not happening here. People go about their day and business without so much as a word to someone else. That’s been hard to adjust to because I’m like, “Did you see me” ??? “I’m right here” “Oh I guess I’m invisible”!!! But that’s just how they roll! Also I don’t see people cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. It’s just out there in the atmosphere – so in my classroom we learn how to do that properly and to use always use tissue and clean our hands after sneezing and coughing. Personal space is non-existent – that’s just that. I have definitely met some great people- and I am always in shock when someone does move out the way, holds a door, or even offers me a seat on the train.

On Using The Metro: I literally take the train everywhere I go here. It’s a way of life. You can take a DiDi (which is China’s version of Uber) if needed or get a cab. But the train will get to almost any place you need. Some days I am just exhausted from walking through huge train stations, standing on the train, and walking to my destination. I am enjoying not dealing with a car and all that comes with it (gas, insurance, registration, oil changes, upkeep – all that jazz) but I have moments where I miss being able to get into my car, drive to where I want to go and just come home. I think long and hard about what I need and how I can accomplish getting everything while I am out.

The City: I absolutely love Shanghai! I do. It’s a big city with so much to offer. I have only seen a small piece of the city so as it gets warmer I plan on getting out more to explore the city more. There is always something to do here which is great. You can find just about anything. There is a small club/lounge really close to me that I go to on Monday nights to hear live music. That has been fun to do. — Whatever you enjoy. It is here.

On Working For Disney English: Its okay. It is totally not what I expected, but at the same time I did not have many expectations because I have never taught a language to kids in an other country. I have taught reading and writing to kids who speak the same language as me who were raised in the same country as me and speak the same language as me and speak the same language as me and speak …. Well you get it. So the teaching part is okay. It is nothing like teaching at home. NOTHING LIKE IT. I don’t really feel like I am teaching so much as I am giving some information each day that I hope they can remember and repeat the next time they see me. Sounds like teaching, right? Eh! It’s something. It’s hard to explain and put in words, but I miss teaching my kids back in the States. Yep! I do. At the same time the experience is extremely NEW. I just got my own classes last week and we are all adjusting to each other. The kids are adjusting to a new teacher – and a new brown teacher so that’s a lot for them. I am adjusting to having 8 classes with Chinese students and teaching them a language that I hope they will really use!

With all of this being said – I really do like living in Shanghai! It is my first time living in another country. I have made friends from all over the world. Literally all over the world. I am paying down my US Debt which was/is a BIG goal of mine while I am here. I am traveling more than ever. Well I haven’t yet – but I will! And that is exciting. I tried CrossFit Body in Motion which was great. CrossFit really overwhelmed me back at home but this Body in Motion class was great. I plan on going back soon. It has been cold, but I have been running. I try to watch the AQ when I run so that I don’t get super sick.

Today it is snowing. Flurries but still snow. BRRRRRRRRR!!!!! I don’t lie being cold. 

Yall! I’m in China. Like for seriously. I live in Shanghai and it’s pretty amazing that I did this. Some of my friends and family from home said that I did something that they could never do. Move and give up everything I know to live in another country. I am still very basic with my Chinese so I am trying my hardest to practice the language when I can. Taking a class doesn’t fit into my schedule right now so I am practicing with friends.

If any of you want to come to China – and I see deals all the time on Groupon/Travel Zoo/ and lots of other travel sites just let me know!!! IF you get email updates from airlines you may see deals that way too. I would love to have you here! I work on the weekends and in the evenings and my weekend is during the week. I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. Doesn’t mean I can’t hang with you and we can’t see the city together. There is always something to do at night and once we move through winter it will be warmer with lots more to do.

Last year was tough. It was. So many wonderful things happened last year and so many not so wonderful things happened too. I pray that whatever goals you have set for 2018 you have set realistic steps to meeting those goals. If you didn’t meet some goals in 2017 you still have time to work on them this year. Be easy on yourself and work towards success.

Mistakes are just proof that you are trying.

Keep trying. Keep pushing. Keep Going.

You are so worth it.

 

….. im just here adjusting….

I owe you all pictures. Can you believe I really haven’t taken any lately. Here are a few though (below)!

A Big Thank You to the mail that has come from America and the care packages. So Awesome. If you would like my mailing address I can email it to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#eatsleeppartyrepeat    

My birthday is coming up. You know if I was home I would have multiple parties and get togethers planned. Well this year let’s donate to one of my favorite charities. The Birthday Party Project. I can’t find the link from yesterday, but I did share it on my FB page. Here is a previous article about them and a link to their site. I just love Paige and the work that she is doing. If you are led Please donate. I am turning 35 so I am donating $35.00 to bring JOY to kids who deserve it. I would love it if you joined me in this! Donate whatever amount you choose – check out the site- or volunteer if they are in your city. The best parties ever!

 #joychangeslives

Here are two links for you to check out! 

https://www.today.com/parents/woman-helps-homeless-kids-celebrate-birthdays-they-deserve-be-celebrated-t49136

https://thebirthdaypartyproject.org/

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I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #EatSleepPartyRepeat #GivingIsGood #JOYChangesLives #Joy 

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

 

James Fortune: I Forgive Me