Embarking on my adventure!

So I’m currently in the air, flying to India, New Delhi, and then Shanghai, Pudong International Airport. I thought this would be the perfect time to reflect and write my first blog entry.

I’m quite frustrated that I didn’t start blogging a year or so ago, but hey never mind – better late than never!

It’s weird. I expected to cry when I said my goodbyes, like I did insanely last year (so much that the air hostess had to escort me in her arms onto the aeroplane – for some reason I literally could not stop crying), but I didn’t. I managed to hold it back, but I did find myself tearing up at various points during the day.

It’s undeniably an emotional experience, leaving “home” for a year. This time, however, it was emotional but nice as well as I was leaving “home” for another “home”. There are so many people I’m excited to see, foods to taste, things to see, places to walk and explore.

To be honest, it hasn’t actually quite sunk in yet that I’m on my way back to Shanghai, China. I had an amazing last meal with my parents and brother; consisting of flavourful Indian cuisine. We ordered a lamb dish, chicken dish, desi chips and naan. I’ll miss those flavours like crazy – but rest assured, I’ve packed my Indian spices!

The best part about coming back to China as a returning teacher, is that I knew exactly what to pack, what I needed, would desire and want whilst spending another year away from England, in Asia.

This is probably gonna be one of my most emotional blogs (potentially alongside my birthday and Christmas one where I felt slightly homesick last year). But, soon I will be loving life and ecstatic travelling around China and Asia!

Living and working in Shanghai, it reminds me of university in some ways, having a dual-life. I feel like I have two worlds, two realms, two lives, two countries… two homes. This is kind of how I felt during university, it being so weird when I’d return back to Birmingham, but of course England – China is a bit more of an intense difference to university.

I’ve not really blogged before, so I’m not entirely certain how long these things are supposed to be… but I’m starting to see the drinks trolly coming along so I’m going to stop here and have a drink… or two… or five… or TEN! (since its all included)

The next week or so will be occupied with apartment hunting, lesson planning and getting re-settled into Shanghai-life!

I’ll be in touch!

Sabrina Xxxx