Stick with what you know!

What's that expression, "Out of necessity, is born invention."?? Or some such thing! Well, apparently, "Desperation feeds friendship!" haha There is a yahoo groups called "Shanghai Mamas" and I decided to put "it out there" that I'm new here and asked if anyone wants to get together for playgroups or something. I got a little nibble...AND RAN WITH IT!! haha

Today, I met and had coffee with a woman from Ohio (originally from Argentina). She has two beautiful little girls, one 7 months and the other almost 3 years old. I think we both recognized the same "look" in each other's eyes about living here so far..and instantly connected! It was great! There is just something wonderful about meeting up with people who feel, think, and act like you...who have the same level of recognition about certain things and understanding about other things. We have both lived in the States...we just "get it".

It turns out she is as freaked out about the same kinds of things, like meat, veggies, cleanliness,water and typical "standards" we are used to in the States...versus NOT having them here. I happened to witness her oldest daughter having an "episode" not unlike what Brandon did to me the week before (although hers was much milder). Mom (looking familiarly frazzled) ended up mumbling things like, "transition", "difficult", and "needs playmates". MUSIC TO MY EARS!!! hahaha

She is about a week behind me in living here and she just got her cell phone yesterday. Out of ALL the cell phones out there available to buy, she ends up picking out the same exact cell phone I have and ends up choosing the same exact ringtone as mine! She "gets it"! hahaha

We ended up finishing our coffees and walking around the plaza, talking, shopping and having a great time. When we were done, we were hugging like we had been friends forever...both of us soooo relieved by each other's presence! People like to stick to what they know. :) Even her little girls were happy to see a western woman...they responded to me like bees to honey.

Speaking of sticking to what you know...

I arrived home and the ayi had already made my lunch. I was so hungry from my day's activities, I couldn't wait to dig in. She set my plate before me and I definitely had to take a second glance. haha I think I will instruct my ayi to keep making us those wonderful 'western chinese' dishes...to stick to what she knows. In a wonderful and sweet attempt to make me a "western" meal, she made me a sandwich. An egg and banana, with mayo, sandwich. I have never seen that combination before! haha Out of politeness and the fact that she was standing to the side of me...I ate it. :) Hey...not bad...but not something I want to have again. haha It was truly sweet of her...I think she put the banana in it because one day, we were rushed to get the kids some lunch after returning home from running lots of errands. I quickly made them a PB, honey and banana sandwich. She is very observant and watches me like a hawk to see what my preferences are, for everything. So, I will have to keep that in mind from now on. :)

Coffee Bean:
When I went inside Coffee Bean this morning, the girl actually recognized me and rang up a Chai Latte already. hahaha Pretty soon...they will know me by name! :)