Shanghai: All over but the flight.
Well that will do it from Shanghai. It has been an amazing three years living and working here. If you ever get a chance to visit, don’t miss it.
Chinese people are great, I’ve really enjoyed living among them, getting to know their culture and watching them grow as a nation.
Living in a foreign country is so different from just visiting a place. I still smile when I’m passing tourists on the streets, with their Lonely Planet Guide in one hand and their camera in the other…and that look. It’s the look of not really knowing where they are, where they’re going…but thinking that they are headed in the right direction (been there many times myself!).
They stop and stare at what is common every day living. People walking around in their pajamas, clothes hanging from any available line, be it power, telephone or a rope that someone has thrown up between two trees.
Some good friends of ours came to visit the first part of May. As we were talking about traveling and people around the world our friend made the comment:
“People are people!”
I hope we never forget that!
Kids are kids and people are people. All of us trying to make it in the world, trying to find our niche in society. Daily living may be different but at the end of the day we are all people of this planet doing our best to make it.
I’m looking forward to spending some time in the States, if feels as foreign to us as any other country at this point. We’ll be spending about 5 weeks catching up with friends and family and preparing for our next adventure in Thailand.
So that’s it…time to push publish and head to the gate.
Thank you Shanghai American School for the opportunity.
Thank you Shanghai for the amazing experience.
Thank you China, may you continue to grow and prosper.
Sounds like a great experience! Happy travels!
You will have changed a great deal yourselves as a result of living abroad. Be prepared for the possibility that you might never feel truly ‘at home’ again. You may feel slightly out of step even among the people and in the place you think of as home. You may be frustrated by the attitudes of those who have only ever lived in one place and who assume that their way of doing things is the only way.
This has been a major adjustment for us living as foreigners abroad. Fortunately, since this has been reality for my husband ever since he can remember, he is a great comfort to me!
Jeff…
A big thank you to you as well. Not only have I learned much about shifting the story of learning from you, but I have also learned much about China and Asia in general from your reflections. You have piqued my interest.
I am sure SAS will agree that they are better off having had you on staff, and ISB are lucky to have you coming there. Good luck.
Sorry I won’t see you at NECC…just not able to swing it this summer.
Later,
Jeff
Jeff and Daneah;
That picture looks like the awesome view from your apartment. Bet you’ll never forget that!!!
Best wishes on your new adventure! Look forward to our paths crossing again in our ever-shrinking world 🙂
Hey bud aka Mr. Scofer!
I’m just honored to have been there with you with and share a few of the ‘that look’ moments with you and D.
I think we’re all headed in the right direction. Always glad to tag along on an adventure with ya. And read over your shoulder about all yours.
ganbatte! ãŒã‚“ã°ã£ã¦ï¼
See you soon/