Adjusting

I've spoken with others that have returned from the Teaching in China adventure, and we all agree that it does take some adjusting BACK to life.

At first I felt it was jet lag and stress, but it is more than that I think. For a start, as overwhelming as the crowds were in China, it is weird walking in a street at home in Australia and not seeing anyone. A sort of discomfort in a way.

The other thing that I can't get over is the obese people here. OK, I know I'm not skinny, but after not seeing many overweight people in China, is sort of screams at you here. Here it is over a month after returning home, and my eyes spy grossyly overweight people and I feel most uncomfortable. And I notice that so many of these grossly overweight people are doing huge piles of food at food outlets at the shopping centre. I see older grossly overweight women walking with the aid of a stick. Perhaps some have a genuine health problem that CAUSED their gross size, but I doubt it for most.

I've been visiting a hospital daily - my husband had open heart surgery a week ago - and I have seen so many grossly overweight people wandering around the hospital - inpatients and outpatients.

What are we doing. Yes "we" - as I too should lost a few more kilos. And I'm trying. I did in fact lose 13 kgs while in China - and I will struggle as usual to keep it off.

I'm still not sure what I want to do. I have spent so much time focusing on others in the last month that I have done very little for me, and it will be a while before I can settle down and makie some decision.

Everyone asks me if I will return to China. The answer is quite clearly, "yes, I do want to return" but it is not as simple as that. If it was only up to me, I'd go as soon as possible, but I have family and other commitments so I will just have to wait and see.

I'm keen to explore "nursing English" opportunities in China too. Maybe a short trip to have a look at that later.

In the mean time I just manage one day at a time, until such time as my husband is further advanced in his recovery.

From next week I will be able to get out and visit friends - something that I have not had the opportunity to do over the past few weeks.