(no subject)

[lizzybennet]

The weather has turned cool. It happened so quickly. On day it was in the 90's and the next the 60's (or so it seemed...) I soon realized that I didn't bring enough winter clothes for the boys. Yesterday they were all wearing shorts. As far as I've seen, as soon as the weather changed all the locals put away their summer clothes and brought out their winter clothes. Not only are they in long pants, but almost everyone is also in a jacket. When they see the boys in shorts, they are sure to tell Chris that our kids need to be dressed more warmly!

I'm starting to get used to this bluntness that is a part of the Chinese culture. I like it. I don't have to wonder what people are thinking about me, they will simply tell me. In the states, if my kids were under dressed for the weather no one would say anything although they would be thinking it. Here, people just tell us right off. Also, when Yun and her son were at our home the other night, she surprised me with a bit of bluntness. Out of the blue, she asked me if I liked to do yoga. When I said yes, she said "I'll get you a dvd so you can get fit." Gee, thanks. No, really. Thanks! She called me today from the bookstore to tell me that she was picking up the dvd. I know I need to lose weight and I know anyone who looks at me knows it. For people to just be up front about it, I like it. It feels much better than people saying "No, you're not fat" when you know good and well that you are. Does any of this make sense?

We bought a few more winter clothes, although I think we will need some heavy duty stuff before the year is over. None of us own any sweaters or anything heavier than a long sleeve T-shirt. Hey, it's already colder here than it got all year round in Arizona :)

I'm really struggling to find time to do my classwork. All my time is consumed with home school and the boys, not leaving much over for me to do my reading assignments and postings for my own classes. So far I've been able to make it work, but I'm certainly not enjoying my classes like I usually do. I just feel like I have to stick it out and get it done. If I can do it, I'll be finished with my BA at the end of the Spring semester. BTW, my classes this semester are: History of the Soviet Union, Caribbean Cultures in the US, and The China Century (about the Chinese economy and how it affects the USA).

Comments

bluntness

[(Anonymous)]

It's so funny to me that some of what you are experiencing is what we are experiencing too. New Englanders are very blunt and abrupt. My father in law even said the other night when we were discussing this that now I should understand that he wasn't being mean, it's just a cultural thing. It really does explain so many things. A few people at church though have a hard time being told they shouldn't be late, not talk so long and should have brought their scriptures. Nothing warm and fuzzy about the people here.
Our weather has turned off cool too and thankfully our friends daughter brought over 5 bags worth of clothes. All the girls are set with pants and sweaters. I am liking the cooler weather.