Repatriation

What I find overwhelming about living in the US again:

•the selection of stuff (laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper, to name a few)

•coupons...I almost feel like I'm an American in a chinese market getting ripped off again because I don't have a coupon. I also feel like I should buy something just because I have a good coupon for it. Never mind that I might not need it right now.

To be continued..

The beginning of the end

This picture was taken on the path along the Rhein River on a run from the kids school into the city. The ISD running group does this a few times per year, once at the start of the year, at Christmas, and at the end of the year. It is an easy, picturesque 10k with lots of laughter along the way. 

This group has changed so much even in the 2 years that I have been here. But the same feelings ring true, these runners are lifelines for each other in this crazy expat life. 

I think maybe it's the feeling we get from running and the comeraderie that makes all of us seek out other runners when we eventually move on to our next adventures.

Today was my last Aldstadt run. God blessed us with a great day full of sunshine and just the right amount of breeze.

Sundays on the Rhein

Sundays in Germany were difficult for us at first. Nothing is open. No stores specifically so there is no grocery shopping or menial errand running.  Coming from the fast pace of Shanghai, this was a bit boring.

Sunday morning and afternoons here are spent strolling (spaziergang) with family and friends. It's actually a brilliant idea. Slow time, just meant for focusing on being in the present.

Today's Sunday has bikers, babies, jiggers and Elizabeth and I rollerblading. Perfect for chatting about our next move!

 

Such a shame

One of my good friends here in Dusseldorf has a blog. I'll put in a link to it once I get more tech savvy on posting. I enjoy reading it and other blogs of traveling moms. 

I was telling her that I used to keep a blog when we lived in Shanghai. She asked me to send her the link and when I did, I went back and looked at it. Such a shame that I have not done our European experience justice by continuing to post. 

Why haven't I? Not even one good reason. We have continued to travel and I am not working so I should have plenty if time...... I think with the increased use of Facebook, it's easier just to snap a picture, make a comment, and post. However, in Facebook, you can't ramble on about the random sights, smells, and general experiences that you have like you can with a blog.

Like many other good habits that I try to attempt, eating better, not drinking so much, not picking my cuticles....continuing to post has fallen to the wayside. However, like all of the above, I will continue to try. Not so much for other people but for us and our kids to look back at to relive some of the best times of our lives!

Dusseldorf - 1st month - 1st post

Time to start blogging again....
Still trying to unpack and organize things here.  I really thought I would not miss Xiao Zhu, but I definitely do!  So many things she did that we took for granted :0.

Kids have settled in well and I've started German lessons.  I'm taking an intensive course through a state run organization.  The most amazing blend of a group.  There is a lady from Ecuador, a man from Spain, a lady from China (Shenzen), a lady from Hungary, a lady from the Philippines, a lady from Japan, a lady from Spain, a man from Argentina, a lady from Poland, a lady from Brazil, a man from Greece, a lady from China (HongKong), a lady from Romania, a man from Bulgaria (who is very stinky), a lady from New York (originally from Jamaica), a lady from China (Shanghai), and a lady from Venezuela.  Our teacher, Jasmine, lives in Germany but is Armenien.  I'm really enjoying it so far.

The one thing I can say about Dusseldorf is that it is Green.  In more ways than one.  First and foremost, the landscape is amazing.  We live 5 minutes walk from the Rhine River.  And there is a bike/walk path that goes for miles and miles.   This photo was taken along a path parallel to the river that goes for miles.  I can take this from my house to the town of Kaiserswerth.  So cool.  So different from Shanghai.

The other way it is Green is with the recycling.  They recycle everything.  I have 4 different containers outside my house with different days for pickups. I honestly think this is the most stressful part about being here:)

Still miss Shanghai, but we are in a good place!

NFL Experience

Every year, a little more of Americana moves it's way into Shanghai. This year, the NFL brought some to Shanghai. We went to Puxi to the Sports Center with Joe, Joey, and Matthew Taverna. The kids got to meet Tony Dorsett, the San Fransisco 49er cheerleaders, and participate in some different skill games. We also watched our local elementary and high school kids play football. Check out Joe and Kirk with the Coors Lady. Elizabeth wanted her pic taken also.

We took the cub scouts to the local Fire Station to see the trucks and meet the Firemen in JinQiao. The Firefighters are part of the People's Army. The station looked just like a station in the US. Many of the trucks were built in the US. The boys got to try on the special fireproof helmets. These were made in the US and cost $1000. The boys got to try out the fire pole and really enjoyed their visit.