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.
Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Adjusting to life at home.
It is just three weeks since I returned to Australia from China, and I've had a very hectic time, although have done little for ME. Housework was a high priority and gardening.
I confess to having some challenges adjusting. One thing that I find quite confronting is seeing all the FAT PEOPLE. It is something that we see little of in China. The majority of people there are small and there is little of the obesity problems that are common in Australia.
When I go to the shopping centre, I feel quite angry that people have allowed themselves to get so obese. I know I have been overweight, but never to the extent that I see some men and women. So many older women are walking with the aid of sticks - again something that I did not see much of in China.
On the personal front, I know that I will have to continue to work to maintain my newer body shape after all the walking in China, and so far so good.
And other things change. Roads and buildings are not the same - so it will be a while before I am familiar with my own territory again.
I have been driving the new car - again something to get used to. I had to put petrol in the car on Friday but could not find how to get access to the petrol tank. I spent ages looking for a button to press, like our old car, and as I was on my own I had to scratch my head a little and try a few things. I could have opened the instruction book which is in the "glovebox" but I managed to work it out alone.
The remotes - we have four to manage for the TV, DVD player etc. I have had a few hiccups, but have mastered it now.
I am also going through things in the house - especially my wardrobe and putting aside all the clothes that I no longer want. Some clothes are being discarded as they are 3 sizes too big for me. Will I throw them out or hang on to them in case I do put on weight again?
I think I will be positive and discard them.
I confess to having some challenges adjusting. One thing that I find quite confronting is seeing all the FAT PEOPLE. It is something that we see little of in China. The majority of people there are small and there is little of the obesity problems that are common in Australia.
When I go to the shopping centre, I feel quite angry that people have allowed themselves to get so obese. I know I have been overweight, but never to the extent that I see some men and women. So many older women are walking with the aid of sticks - again something that I did not see much of in China.
On the personal front, I know that I will have to continue to work to maintain my newer body shape after all the walking in China, and so far so good.
And other things change. Roads and buildings are not the same - so it will be a while before I am familiar with my own territory again.
I have been driving the new car - again something to get used to. I had to put petrol in the car on Friday but could not find how to get access to the petrol tank. I spent ages looking for a button to press, like our old car, and as I was on my own I had to scratch my head a little and try a few things. I could have opened the instruction book which is in the "glovebox" but I managed to work it out alone.
The remotes - we have four to manage for the TV, DVD player etc. I have had a few hiccups, but have mastered it now.
I am also going through things in the house - especially my wardrobe and putting aside all the clothes that I no longer want. Some clothes are being discarded as they are 3 sizes too big for me. Will I throw them out or hang on to them in case I do put on weight again?
I think I will be positive and discard them.
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