As I watch Monday Night Football, I’m reflecting on the changes that lay ahead with my move on Friday to China.  I’m wondering what I’ll miss the most besides the obvious-family & puppy.  I’ve been really appreciating tap water and milk since both are questionable in China.  Limited TV choices may not be a bad thing since Thom feels I rot my brain with some of my reality TV choices or my guilty pleasures as I call them.   

I originally thought great coffee would be hard to find but there are coffee shops on every corner-Starbucks, Costa, Gloria Jean’s, Coffee Bean, etc.  Very happy that the coffee bean reigns supreme even in China! 

Food is going to be an issue even though everyone thinks the food in China is delicious but after two bouts of sickness last trip, one ending with an unfortunate episode into a potted plant at Shanghai airport (yes, right out of a movie), I think I’ll be losing weight and eating lots of Cliff bars.  Everyone reassures me that my body will adjust and nothing will bother me soon.  Here’s hoping but I’m now packing a bag with me at all times so no more potted plants have to suffer because I ate a slider.

This past weekend we went to a family wedding in Michigan so Hannah and I had a short road trip.  As I got lost driving through Chicago, which always happens to me there,  it struck me that this would be the last time I would drive for the foreseeable future, not that I would want to drive in Shanghai where there are no rules of the road, just guidelines to be ignored  and absolute chaos is the norm.  I don’t think I’ll miss driving all that much as I’ve had some stress disorder since the Subaru was totaled.  

So, I’ll circle back on this topic after I’m there for awhile and weigh in on what I’m homesick for the most.  My boss says he brings back ribs and cheese in his luggage and has never has an issue with customs.  Who knows what I’ll be bringing back from my first trip home but I’m betting it’s Trophy Cupcakes!