Back From India

Well, we are back from India and I have to say, it was an amazing trip. With over 500 pictures to go through, I regret to say it will be a little while before I can get our photo album posted for you to see. For now you can see the few pictures I put up to the right.

We arrived in Shanghai late Sunday evening after 24 hours in transit. Phil went into work Monday, and on Tuesday we celebrated Christmas at home. Christmas in Shanghai was a very strange thing. Being in India the entire week before, combined with the fact that we live in a country that really only started celebrating Christmas recently, made for a surreal experience.

I haven't even unpacked our luggage completely and I am already onto the next thing- planning our trip home to the U.S in February. The tickets are booked and we are on our way home! Phil and I are both really looking forward to it. It is definitely past time to see our family and friends and just get out of China for a while.

Well, just a quick update here. I promise to post many pictures and stories from our trip in India. Have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

Phil and Jen

Mom Says It's Time

Just today my mother lovingly reminded me that it was time for a new post. She's right. I will try to stay away from telling you the same old "life is busy here in Shanghai story". I will try instead, to creatively and artfully weave together some delightful story that creeps up on you in the end and effectively communicates the very thing I had promised not to do. Alright, I won't do that either. Or did I already?

In any event... As I type this post, I am standing in my kitchen cooking dinner. I would love to say I am off in the city exploring areas untouched by foreigners, taking advantage of grand photo opportunities, having charming encounters with locals... but the reality of daily life prevails. And here I stand in the kitchen, trying a new recipe for pork tenderloin- an ancho chili rub of sorts. When I am done with these preparations, I will begin my studies for the mandarin class Phil and I have tonight.

Fatigue tempts me to cancel our class this evening and play hooky, but the desire to break through the communication wall that stands so firmly between myself and real conversation with locals, prevents me from doing so. I find that Mandarin class can feel like a necessary evil at times. It is after all, an integral part of learning this, or any other language.

Other than our daily life here in the city, we are preparing to go to visit our friends Uma and Moreshwar in India next week. I have a hunch that living in China has prepared us for some of the unique logistical and digestive issues that foreigners face while traveling in India. I can hope anyway....

I do have much more to blog as well as some photo albums that I want to post. I think realistically that will happen when we return from India. I intend to have many stories and pictures from that adventure as well.

We wish you well and hope that you are aware of and enjoying the blessings that surround you at this holiday time.

-Phil and Jen