Country Mouse goes to the city.

I am here. In this new house, in a new compound, in a new city, in a new country, 9,000 away from home. There are a lot of new things about this experience. The fact that I have never lived in any area that could remotely be called a city, is one of the bigger ones. It's a different country, and for once in my life, I'm the minority. These are not bad things. Just challenges.

I have been in Shanghai for just over 24 hours, and I already know how to get 3 places! Today Chrissy showed me around a bit. I saw the Community Center; which happens to be about a 3 minute bike ride from my house. Yes, I ride a bike. Which, I am positive that to everyone who isn't me, it's hilarious. The blonde American who can't seem to handle riding a bike up a street. Ha, I'll catch on, hopefully before July, right as I'm getting ready to leave. Anyway, after seeing the Community Center, where one of the youth groups is held, we went to Chrissy's apartment, and then we went to CarreFor. Which is a French version of Wal-Mart in China. It's the store that has it all. Everything from washers and dryers to shark heads on ice. You want it, they got it.

All in all, I felt like I learned a lot today. It doesn't really seem like much, but when you know nothing at all, its a good start.

Couple of random things:

-There is a LOT of imported American food in China. I could go and get Rice Krispies Treats whenever my little heart desires. It'll cost me, but I could.

-Light switches are backwards. Up is off and down is on.

-They drive on the right side of the road, just as we do.

-People don't say excuse me, they just push you and keep walking.

-Carrefor is so so so so crowded even at 11 o'clock on a Thursday in the middle of the work day.

-The Golden Week, is the week of the Chinese New Year. Everyone in the entire country gets off for the whole week.

Now for the fun part; here are pictures! Not many right now, but there will be more soon. I don't want to be the white girl taking pictures everywhere. And hey, I've got time.

The streets of my neighborhood which is call "Greenhills." When I'm here, it does not feel any different than being in Towson.

Home Sweet Home...

My room...I plan to put pictures EVERYWHERE....and clean up that huge mess on my bed.

...and the mess on the floor.

When you're at the front door, and look right, you look straight down to my little balcony/porch/thing. Inbetween the lights is the door into my room.

My ride. I feel like a Korby or Bob Decker would be very very proud of me. Haha.

I will write more later! Thanks to everyone is praying and supporting me. It really means the world to know that back home there is such a big team of people pulling for me.

Lots and lots and lots of love.