1/2 a year complete

1/2 a year complete!!! WOW! The time really does fly when you’re having fun – or living abroad – or traveling the world – I guess all of it!

April was a busy month. Work keeps me busy. Work is exhausting – when I am not working I am hanging with my friends, running, or traveling!

1/2 a year down … i am in month 7 … 7 more months to go….

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What can I say about my 6th month in China? It was a busy month…. but that’s not new… as I look back at my photos in my gallery on my phone I am reminded of what I did during April!

I started the month with a trip to Disneyland…..

I know. I know. You’re probably like- so what’s new??? …. hey….its free! might as well use these perks– ya know??? A friend was in town from Beijing so I took her and her b/f to the park and I stayed for a short time until I had to go to work! That’s love yall. Going to the park – before work! Whew!

*if im honest though – these pictures are from my trip to Disneyland at the end of the month* for some reason the pics I want – wont post ): looks like I went to Disneyland a lot in April!

In April I visited 2 new countries- South Korea and Hong Kong

I went to Seoul, South Korea (there will be a post soon dedicated to my travels)

Yo! I absolutely loved Seoul! I had Seeeeeoul much fun! Seoul was my first international solo trip (if you don’t count me moving to Shanghai from America). I loved it. It was fun and spontaneous. I researched many things to do in Seoul, made a plan, and a schedule for myself and when I arrived I threw it all out the window. I explored. I asked people in the hotel and in town what I should do and see and I went with their recommendations and that made for a really great time. The food was amazing. The people were very nice. The cherry blossoms were in bloom. I shopped a TINY bit and just enjoyed my time away. Seoul, was great!

I went to Hong Kong-HK (I explained in an earlier post why HK is considered its own country) 

HK was great! If I am honest. I only wanted to go to HK to go to Disneyland. I am working on being a Disney completist by visiting all of the parks (Orlando-check. LA-check. Shanghai-check. Hong Kong- check. Japan- this summer. Paris- soon!)…. Also. THE BLACK PANTHER character is not at the Shanghai park so I took a trip to HK – to see a new park and get some pix with BP. (can someone tell T’Challa I’m committed to #Wakanda) I also got to hang with some Disney English ladies who work in Guangzhou.

We had a blast at the park!

We had our first meet up for #doubledutchsquad

You’re probably like – #doubledutchsquad — WHATS THAT??? Yo! We have come to Shanghai and started a double dutch group and I’m so here for it! We meet every other week – to do what? JUMP ROPE! Not with just one rope- but two! The on-looking is serious! We draw a crowd every time we meet at the park to jump, but were having a blast!

Visited Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town- #ZAWT

#ZAWT- this was a great day! The weather was beautiful and I spent the day with my Shanghai Ace- Yolena! We decided to explore some of the city so we went to #ZAWT, which is right outside of the city. It is the second to last stop off of metro line 17 – a new metro line here in Shanghai. On the way to ZAWT a guy named Ben asked Yolena and I where in America we were from because he heard our American accents. Ben spent the day with us exploring ZAWT. He was meeting up with is tour group later in the evening but had the day to explore. He too- is an American, like us – and is Chinese – so it was nice having someone who knew the language. The water town was great, but was super busy and full of people. We were exhausted by the end of the day and very tired from all of the walking, but it was so nice to explore SH some.

…almost met my April challenge of 500,000 steps in the month – I did 498,472

soooooo about this challenge! I didn’t make it yall, – honesty is good- but I came close! I was in a fitness challenge with a group of friends here. The challenge was to do 500,000 steps during the month of April. I knew that this would be a challenge  and I was up for it. I am pretty active so I was ready to give it a try! I am excited I came so close. I was sick for a couple days and the doctor told me to “have a rest” so I did just that…. I had some very low movement days… so getting as close as I did is great … 498, 472 is HUGE! HUGE!!!!

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I have so many thoughts about my time here in Shanghai. I went to dinner with some friends a couple weeks ago and they were shocked to hear that I don’t plan on renewing my contract with Disney English.

I definitely miss my life back in Texas. I am not a fan of China — but I have had some amazing experiences while I am here. I have made some wonderful friend and built some relationships that I know will last a lifetime. I have traveled and I have been to Disneyland more times than I can every count.

I don’t take this opportunity for granted … but yeah … I am looking forward to coming home soon.

It will be a lengthy post so I wont add it here, but I will share very soon my likes and dislikes re: my time in China. This has truly been  – quite – the – EXPERIENCE. 

^one of my favorite snacks here in Shanghai^ — if you know me — you know I am picky! …this treat right here is so tasty…

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I have another spotlight coming soon. I am so excited to share it …. and another friend is sharing about her experience here in Shanghai! I will post her interview here before the end of the month!

Again. As always. Thanks for following me and joining me on my blog!

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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-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music) — 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 #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

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

*I choose ADVENTURE*

 

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Yall know I’m a PJ fan!!!! Seriously … if you didn’t know … now you do!