Life at 4.5 months in Beijing

I've been in Beijing since the beginning of June with the exception of a brief return trip to the USA in August. Those two weeks seem like they were in a previous lifetime and I'm finding it harder and harder to remember what life is like in the USA. I'm still having a hard time adjusting to life in Beijing and my frustrations with the language aren't helping. I'm struggling to hear the different tones and sounds of the words. What I hear isn't actually what is said and it doesn't help my flailing confidence.

There are some frustrations about shopping for clothes in Beijing. Mostly because all the girls here dress like they are fashion-istas. Which is great, if you can find clothes that fit you. Grrrr. Pants? Can't find ones to fit unless you buy men's pants. Shirts? Plus sized shirts, old lady shirts or men's shirts. Lingerie? Forget it! Underwear like panties and thongs are easier to find for any woman but if you don't belong to the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee", then you are S.O.L. for finding a bra. I'm looking at different options because my bras are failing and it is looking like I will have to order from the USA or Australia for a proper bra. Memo to all women potentially traveling to China for long term visits! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PILE OF BACK UP BRAS! Take the time to find bras that fit you properly and that you have back ups. You won't find your favorite bras here in China.

Life in October

So much has changed since July. I wish I could have recorded some of these changes, but there is so much to share.  

I made friends with some of the lovely ladies at the Beijing Guild. These ladies are knitters, crocheters and in general, crafters. Each one is a sweet heart and has her own talents. I have to admit that they help me keep my sanity just by going to the weekly sessions. I usually go on Tuesdays during the middle of the day because I want to spend time with DH on Thursday evenings when he is home.  

Being a 外国人 (wàiguó rén, foreigner) does make things hard when I go around the Chaoyang and Dongcheng Districts, but I'm learning to understand more of what people say. Even if I still have a hard time trying to say anything. Sometimes, the mere inability to speak with the locals has me frustrated when visiting morning market for produce or the grocery market for meat, flour and other foods. I can't ask 妈妈 (māma, my husband's mother)  to help me as I know she would because I have my pride and hope for myself. 

Finding classes to learn Chinese is important for me in the long term, but I don't want to put any financial strain on the budget. This limits me to trying to find free/inexpensive classes that don't chew up all of my time. 

I still find myself nervous about living in China, but the crowds on the subway and buses don't bother me as much as they used to. They still bother me when I'm alone, but I try to avoid instances where I have to use busy bus or subway lines. The whole thing makes me feel that I never realized how much I really like my personal bubble to be left alone. Standing in line at the grocery store is a great example, you could fit two people in the space between the two people at a grocery store in the states, but the Chinese have no problem with standing so closely that you can't move without bumping the person behind or in front of you. Don't even think about swinging your basket! No matter, the experiences here in China have taught this Western 女外国人(Nǚ wàiguó rén, foreign girl) to just take things one day at a time!