Full Circle

Looking at a globe today, we traced the route to Kunming from Michigan. So many miles! It's hard to believe, that only one year ago, to us, Kunming was only a small dot on a map. Now, it's a place that represents many memories of good times, friends, and places that are dear. A year ago, we were in the process of stepping into the unknown - a bit nervous, a little scared, but fully excited about the possibilities. And we're glad we took the plunge...

The adjustment to coming home certainly has been much easier than adjusting to life in China! We're in full swing - playdates, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, etc. The biggest adjustments? Where is everybody?! And those we do see are so tall! The stores and streets seem so empty. Traffic is orderly - and omg! - everyone obeys the traffic laws! And the very best - we can now read everything!

Two things I miss most about living in China:

• walking. I love to walk, but I need a specific destination. In China, one walks everywhere, everyday. Up and down and in and out.
• good, cheap food waiting for us at one of the university dining halls, a dumpling dive or at a choice of restaurants.

Thanks to everyone who joined us throughout this journey. It's much appreciated. I tried to show our everyday, nothing fancy life. A goal of ours was to live a simple life on a Chinese teacher salary. We purposefully didn't mega-travel and limited our Western "needs". A main goal was to give the kids a language immersion experience by attending a Chinese school. We are so thankful that C. and E. had a wonderful, fun-filled school year of making friends while becoming quite proficient in Mandarin. That, in itself, was worth any "discomfort" experienced.

Now it's time to end GACE in China, but not an end to blogging. Please join us at our new blog - www.gaceathome.blogspot.com starting soon. It'll be mostly photos (with a small amount of text) updated once or twice a month for family and friends. Please do visit!