The Return

Those of you who know me in person know that I try to always look for the good in people and situations. I try hard not to complain about the bad stuff (although a good complaining session now and then is helpful). I try hard to look for the good and concentrate on the happy things.

After 24 hours of traveling (with the kids but without Mike), little sleep, noisy planes, and dragging around too much stuff; the fact that my driver didn't show up at the airport sealed my bad mood. I don't think I had one happy thought on the 80 minute drive home from the airport. The contrast between Orange County and Dalian is stark anyway...but the bad mood just made it bubble and boil. I hated China for that 80 minutes...boy did I hate it.

Now, 2 days later, I've simmered down. We've reconciled with the driver (the communication problem about the time to pick me up was equally our fault). I've had 2 days to decompress in my "bubble" house (the bubble of Campus Village that isn't really "China"). The kids have enjoyed the freedom to wander the neighborhood and play with their friends. And Mike went to the store for me (big smile!).

The 500 pounds (!) of stuff we brought back from the US is put away. Life is back to normal (well, China-normal).

The stuff:

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