I don't know about you but some of my best thinking comes from relaxing in a bubble bath or while taking a shower. Since the shower is out of order, the bathtub wins. This morning I was thinking about some of the stuff we left behind and was playing "when was the last time I did that?" Mind you, none of this is earth shattering, solving the world's problems kind of stuff. Just the beginning of making changes in your life.
So here's my list:
1. Paper Towels
I was the queen of paper towels. I can assure you, no other family used as many paper towels as we did. Whether for cleaning, cooking, art projects, a creative need for just the tube, ect. I didn't bother buying them two at a time, I bought them a dozen at a time. My family used paper towels for everything. I'm sure since we left the country Sparkle Paper Towel Co. has had someone on their staff to try to determine the drastic drop in their sales. Yet in my time without them, I have learned that you can actually wipe up a spill with a wash cloth and put a "hot dog" on a plate in the microwave. And your children have to get more creative with the sail for their boat or the banner for the old art sale.
2. Soap Operas
Hi, my name is Karen, and I am a soap opera addict.
Chinese soap operas aren't as interesting to me mainly because I can't understand the words. Oddly enough, they have John Black's pensive look down to a T. Funny how soap opera facial expressions can break through any language barrier. Anyway, I use to while away the hours just waiting for Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives to come on so I could while away a few more hours watching them. Finally I would while away the whole do and get nothing accomplished. Until today, I haven't thought for one second who killed Stephano - not that I really believe he is dead mind you - or if dear sweet Paul is going to be charged for the murder of his own psychotic son. My mother is most proud that I have had to leave these obsessive, mind-numbing shows behind. She thinks they cause you to lose brain cells. She's probably right.
3. Driving Privileges
I really, really hate that I just can't jump in the car and go visit Linda at Red Door or Missy at The Antique Mall on a regular basis. Going to the grocery store and Wal-Mart, not so much. Living without my vehicle has certainly been an adjustment. As Rob likes to put it, traveling has become an event. We have to plan around his work schedule, the vehicle maintenance schedule, and the time of day because of traffic. I may not be able to go to the Hongiao Flower Market the second I think of it. In fact, like today, it had to get postponed until the flat tire got fixed. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about that. Our driver, Jacky, takes care of all things car related and when he can fit me in the schedule, takes me to get my shopping fix. Plus we are fortunate to have an extensive taxi, subway, train system to get around Shanghai pretty easily. We even have a family scooter. I just haven't had a strong enough urge to drive to take it out for a spin. For now, I leave that up to Rob and his junior co-pilot.
4. Air Conditioning
Yes, we have air conditioning in China. It just costs twice as much to use it during the day as it does at night. We sleep in lavish cool comfort and we manage not to melt during the day. We have managed to live with floor fans during the day to help manage the sweltering heat. Also the beauty of having a three story house. The main floor stays pretty cool while the playroom looks and feels like a ghost town. While the temperature isn't any different than living in the mid-west or south in the summer time, the humidity is a whole different story. I have sweat more in the three weeks that I have called Shanghai home than I have in my lifetime. That is not an exaggeration. Think New Orleans in August. Air so thick you can't breathe at 7:00 in the morning. The kind of sweat that soaks through your clothes and they just hang on you. Then when you hit air conditioning, a chill runs down your spine and a shiver along your shoulders and you spray everyone around like a dog shaking off excess water. Ladies and Gentlmen, it gets nasty hot here but there is always a breeze.
5. Seven Pounds
For years I have carried around extra pounds and eventually, they had a few more friends join them. Now I am proud to say I've lost seven pounds and hopefully some of their friends will leave with them. It's a combination of things that my doctors have been telling me for years. Move more and eat less. Somebody please tell Dr. Shepherd that I said he was right all along. We have also eaten less sugar, drank more room temperature water, and consumed more vegetables than meat. In China, they believe that drinking cold water is not good for your body so you should drink warm water. I have found when it is miserable hot and you are sitting in front of a fan drinking room temperature water, you are just not as hungry. Also helps that a box of Froot Loops costs $13. Do you know what I could get at the pearl market for $13? I'm a big opportunity cost kind of girl and I just don't want to throw my money away on something like Froot Loops that only give me momentary joy.
So I guess that I have shared all of this just to say if you can live without something for three weeks, then just maybe you could try four.
Changes don't have to be the huge, overwhelming, wish you weren't teaching in this place kind.
They can be small, grow over time, and make a huge difference in your life kind.
The kind that let's you see different people and learn something from them.
No comments:
Post a Comment