1st day

Today we went shopping. Went to Home Depot (believe it or not) and bought a bunch of stuff for our apartment. We even bought a lamp with the wrong colored lamp shade so we get to go back and exchange it. We have 7 days to return things at Home Depot here. In addition to Home Depot we went to a department store called "E-Mart" which also has groceries. We walked around looking at stuff we couldn't identify for a couple hours. We also bought a bunch of stuff at E-Mart. We now have a whole bunch of stuff sitting on our apartment floor waiting to be put away but we haven't cleaned the place yet (we had to buy cleaning supplies today) and we're too tired tonight. Wes and Pat went with us. They are officially in the saintly category because they accompanied us and stuck with us as we tried to decide what we "really needed" now and what could wait without complaint or visible impatience. They provided advice, spoke a little Chinese when needed and negotiated around the city with taxi drivers. Tomorrow, more shopping and cleaning - sounds like home. There are things we feel we must get done before Wes and Pat go on pilgrimage at the end of next week. Everyone else in our building is gone right now. It feels empty and is really quiet, which won't be how it is when the semester begins in a few weeks. This is a good time for us to acclimate a little. -James
Today, the sun was out but it was cold out. 10-20 at most. We did some walking to catch the taxi mainly. They drive fast and all over the place and honk alot. There's cars, bikes, and people on the roads going every which way! It was a bit overwhelming having so many decisions to make in one day (about what to buy). Then we bought rice for dinner to go with the veggie stir-fry and it turned out to be barley (we think). It really was good regardless of what it was. James and I actually had fun cooking and doing the dishes together tonight. (I can hear you, Janet) I am definitely learning to have a sense of humor here and often remembering why we are here and that it does not have to be forever! We are still adjusting to the time change. I am looking forward to feeling wide awake at the appropriate time of day. Off to bed now for us at our normal 9 PM time.
Love to you all. We are working on a list of must haves in the form or care packages. We will let you know. -Linda
Linda