Hola, México!!

Goodbye, America!

Hello, Mexico 

We arrived in Mexico four weeks ago. I can't believe it took me this long to blog. This is always my favorite time to write about- when everything is new and exciting. However, it was pretty hectic and stressful at the beginning. We arrived without my husband, who is in Spanish training at FSI (he accepted a CA-AEFM visa adjudicator position, and we are so happy it includes Spanish instruction, but it was really hard to arrive at post without him). So all those things we usually divide were handled by yours truly, some better than others. LUCKILY, my brother came down for a week and provided a lot of help as well as comic relief. So I survived. But moving to a new country every few years is not for the faint of heart.

First taco meal- things started feeling better

Amazing market near our house

Mexico City is ridiculously awesome, especially the neighborhood where we live! We have restaurants, playgrounds, grocery stores, and seriously everything we could possibly want within a few blocks. Honestly, I can't believe I live here, and I already don't want to leave. People are so courteous and friendly and the weather is divine. Our apartment is gorgeous and huge. We are in a building with tons of other Embassy families and I feel like we hit the housing jackpot. The job is overwhelming, but great. The learning curve is super steep, but I'm slowly getting the hang of things.

 We have only done a bit of sightseeing, but we're looking forward to getting out there more. Mostly, we've been enjoying the food (first priority: seek out the churros) and I've been scheming about how to decorate my apartment.

More soon, I promise.

Moving on

Wow, it's time to go. I leave in six days. My husband and kids are already in America, soaking up some family time and clean air. I will have three weeks alone until I meet them in the US.

It's both hard and easy to believe that two years have passed. On the one hand, I think, wow, two years already? On the other, I think back to when I arrived and I see how different I was.

Leaving a place is always bittersweet. I'm so excited to see my family and be back in the USA. I haven't loved China as much as I loved the DR. But on the other hand, Guangzhou has really grown on me and I feel like it took me longer to settle in here. So now that I'm settled and have made some good friends, it's time to leave. There's more regret this time.

I remember when I arrived, I was terrified to open my mouth and speak Chinese. Now, I manage the cab drivers with ease, but only as long as we stick to basic commands/conversation. Same with visa applicants. Give me a typical situation - "we're going to see our daughter in school in the US"- and I can adjudicate the heck out of that- fluently and efficiently. But anything unusual, and I'm back to day one...need an interpreter. Lately, applicants have been complimenting me on my Chinese, which is ridiculous, but gratifying- I've mastered the basic interview, and that, at least, feels good.

I'm conflicted about ever returning to China. The air pollution and the distance from home are the biggest factors for me. In addition, I'd have to take another year of Chinese and I would probably be quite behind since I have not done any reading since I got here. But as I leave here, I think that maybe I could have become pretty good at Chinese...and maybe it's not too late. The schools are excellent in China and so are the travel opportunities. We'll see.

I plan to blog about our recent trips, but for now, have to run to the fabric market one last time.

Happy 2016!!

It's 9:30am and my kids only just woke up. Not bad at all!

When I look at 2016, I don't feel that same excitement about change and moving that I used to. I think after 5 years in the FS (our anniversary is this weekend!), I'm getting used to all the movement. I am definitely used to weird FS habits like using up products in the pantry. In fact, it's been bugging me for a good six months (beginning a full year before our departure) that we have a bunch of bags of lentils, beans, and cornmeal that need to be eaten.

But this year will be a big one! We are going to try to travel a bunch before we leave China. Then we will have a whirlwind home leave in the US, and then on to settle into our new home in Mexico!!

Here are the photos that I think best represent 2015 in theory. Having adventures together as a family, and wishing for good health and happiness for my kids.

 And 2016? When I think of moving to Mexico, I see more color, music, beaches, and vibrancy in our lives. And of course, more time with family! 2016 looks more like this:

50 books in 2015!

6 days ahead of schedule, I met my goal of reading 50 books in 2015! When I set this goal, (~1 book/week!), I didn't think too much about it. I figured with all my traveling, I would easily reach it. But around September, I realized I was way, way behind. And I realized I really wanted to meet this goal. Not sure why, but I did.

I learned a lot about myself and the world over this last year. I most love books that give me a glimpse into a world I have never experienced, whether it's a different country or a part of America/group of Americans I've rarely encountered. This year, I experienced a lot of new worlds.

I also learned I am an even pickier reader than I thought (my DR book club friends would not be surprised, as I always disliked our books!). Even though I was mostly choosing books that I was interested in and that were recommended, I only loved or really liked a handful of them. There were quite a few books that I really disliked, and yet I forced myself to finish them because I was already halfway through. After suffering through a book I hated (Lila), I decided not to do that anymore. So I started abandoning books I was not enjoying.

I have to mention e-books and U.S. libraries here. I am so grateful for the advances in technology that allow us to borrow e-books from the library all the way from China! Especially when it comes to my kids, who read a book in a few hours! I would be broke if I had to purchase all those books. Now I make a list on the library website, put the most popular ones on hold, and also use Kindleunlimited ($10/mos). I am so grateful for U.S. libraries.

In case anyone needs some book recommendations, here are the ones I most enjoyed. Not that I'm necessarily a good judge!

The Light Between Oceans * by far my favorite. I thought about this book long after it was over.
The Snow Child
Me Before You
Girl in Translation * this was my second favorite, not because the writing was great, but because the story was so compelling and connected to my life right now. This is the story of a young Chinese immigrant, very gifted in math, who moves to NYC and struggles to survive and excel in school.
The Invention of Wings
Mudbound
Orphan Train
When the Moon is Low
One Plus One
Harry Potter series of course

I really love being able to look over my year and see what I read. I liked having a goal, but 50 books added some stress to my life that was unnecessary. Next year I am shooting for a smaller number.

You have read 50 of 50 books in 2015.

• Your 2015 Challenge Books
 Date Read Rating

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