Just to let you all know (if you didn't already), that we are back in Vancouver... and if you also didn't know, that we have signed a contract to go back to China for another year at the end of August. Also, the reason for the lengthy blog hiatus is that China has blocked the blogger website for the past couple months (due to the 20-year anniversary of the Tianamen Square incident), so I couldn't post anything (or read anyone else's blogs which I was almost more upset about!) during that time. I sure don't like being cut off from home in any way!
Anyways, enough about that... now onto our summer so far (if you're at all interested). We got back two days ago (June 28th) and went straight from the airport to the Nairn's (Andrew's parents) for a big welcome home BBQ... my family was also there, along with my grandparents, which was great... SOOO nice to see everyone. It was so kind of everyone to make such an effort on our behalves and we really felt welcomed home!
Since Monday we have been super busy getting our life back on track... things like getting our car started again (which proved to be NO simple task), Andrew's passport renewed, checking on our tenants, etc. We have a LONGGGG list of stuff that needs to get done before we can really relax for the summer.
Being back in Canada has been fantastic so far! I think the biggest "adjustment" I've had to make so far is that of being able to drink water from the taps again. In China I was so incredibly careful to NEVER drink from the tap (b/c you'd end up in hospital!), and now I find myself instinctively looking around for the jug of filtered water every time I'm thirsty, or even just to brush my teeth. It almost feels "sinful" to drink from the tap here! But I'll get used to it I'm sure. It's a good adjustment to have to make.
The other thing is that I've been going for runs every morning here in North Vancouver... if anyone knows North Van they'll know that it is ALL hills... and steep ones at that. Although I've been working out at the gym all year in China, I guess it's still not the same as the real hills. Anyways, I am limping around town like an old grandma now... especially whenever I go down stairs or hills. I think I'll give the running a rest tomorrow to let my muscles chill out.
Alrighty... we are being summoned for dinner now so I must go (nice to be living with Andrew's mum... a super cook!).
Hopefully I'll be able to keep you updated on our summer as we go along, and even more hopefully China will have un-blocked blogger by the time we get back so this blog doesn't have to die!
~Corinna
