How to lose weight...quickly

181 POUNDS. That's how much I weighed before coming to China. Now, a little over 2 weeks later, I've lost 12 pounds. Why? I've been asking myself the same question and I've come up with the following reasons: 1) Chinese people walk or ride bikes all the time and I walk 25 minutes to work everyday, 2) food portions here are smaller than the US, 3) the heat and humidity are ridiculous and I probably sweat-off 1 pound each day, 4) chopsticks are frustrating to use and I don't have the patience to finish my meal.

When frustration levels peak....

Things that are different:

1) Spitting. Men & women spit on the street all the time...it's just normal.
2) Cutting in line. Actually, forming lines is rare...even at McDonalds.
3) Personal bubbles really don't exist. In America, we have that sacred foot-and-a-half of personal-bubble real estate, but you're lucky to have 6 inches of space in the subway and at restaurants.
4) Sanitation is poor. In general, bathrooms have no TP or soap, people smoke in them, and many bathrooms only have a hole over which to squat. It's hard to watch a restaurant cook walk in and out of the bathroom next to you.
5) Chinese people talk loudly, in general.
6) Air pollution. I've developed a cough recently and my roommate's boyfriend said that it is common to have a smoker's cough. The doctor that gave me a medical check, in fact, had a cigarette in mouth. According to National Geographic, 57% of male doctors in China smoke!
7) Things are cheap here. A large bottle of Coke, for example, costs around .40
8) No tipping--even at restaurants.
9) Pedestrians don't have the right-of-way...seriously.
10) The internet sucks here.

4th of July Party for Expats: American soil may be thousands of miles away, but a group of expats decided to get together throw a party for the 4th. We packed into a small apartment for the celebrations and even decided to sing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Living a Dream. Coming to China was one of the most difficult decisions that I've made in recent memory. I've separated from my family, my friends, and my comfort zone. Frequently, I get this feeling of isolation when walking about the city. I can walk to work and not see any other foreigners; the language barrier can be frustrating; and the culture is incredibly different from the Western world--even here in Shanghai. With all that said, I'm living my dream to live in a foreign country for at least a year.

Reality is slowly starting to set in as well...that life is truly changing. Living so close to family, friends, and UNC after school, I felt as if my life as an alumni was still pretty similar to the college days. My best friends were within a reasonable driving distance and it provided a safety net, which I used to isolate myself from growing into the next life stage. Now, however, friends are beginning to separate across the world, new friendships are forming, and my sense of identity is...evolving.

My father's death, over 3 years ago, highlighted the importance of pursuing dreams. That means finding adventure for me. Reflecting upon my new life here in Shanghai, I'm reminded of his life and the spirit he had for adventure. I don't know what the future has in store for me. I may live another year, or another 70 years. There are a lot of things that are unsure. When I rest in bed, however, I can honestly say to myself that I've taken a step in the right direction.