Plugging along...

I'm still here, just plugging along with Mandarin. I think I have adapted to the pace and rhythm of our program, after a rough first month. A few weeks ago, I was moved to a different class (at my request), and it's a much better fit for me. I was feeling stressed and embarrassed that I could not keep up with my classmates' speaking pace and (most of all) character retention, and it was very demoralizing. To be totally honest, I'm not used to being at the bottom of a language class, and it was hard on my pride. Once I moved to the new class, the pressure and stress decreased dramatically, and now I can say that I'm enjoying learning Mandarin (most days). I feel like I'm making progress!

I'm starting to devour books and movies related to China, so please let me know if you have a good one to recommend. Lisa See is my current favorite author and I'm re-reading her novels with a greater sense of understanding. I have a long list of Chinese movies on my Netflix queue.

I have also, inexplicably, decided that now is the time to learn to cook Asian food. Now, when I finally have Thai food at my fingertips. When I have the center of Vietnamese food right next door. When I have so much free time. Don't ask me why, but I finally stopped being intimidated by the long recipes with unfamiliar ingredients and bought an Asian cookbook. I made my first Thai coconut curry a few weeks ago, and it was darn good! I am getting really excited about exploring Asia, one meal at a time.

Today I ventured to Grand Mart for the first time and came home with some basics for my first few meals (the cookbook explained the ingredients and helped me know what to choose and where to find it- super helpful).

The kids, after years of pickiness, are starting to branch out and at least TRY things. I'm determined to have them eating some Chinese food before we arrive- otherwise, it will be a rough cultural entry. And they are doing pretty well in their Chinese classes!

Life is good in our neck of the woods. Hope the same for all of you.