24th August - 30th August 2011

Checklist:
Ate smelly tofu - Fermented tofu
Climbed a pagoda
Celebrate my 20th birthday in CHINA
Welcomed my mum to Songjiang

Mum arrived and left in a blink of an eye. 6 days crammed packed. Many adventures, late nights, much mischief and early mornings.
Although we did a lot, we didn't do everything and I'm excited to still be able to show mum new places in December when she returns to Shanghai with dad.

Before the midnight strike we celebrated with many drinks in the local, Red Bar. Much laughter, with spirits high, the night ended with mum refusing to allow me to sleep on the bathroom floor and putting me in the shower, clothed! So much fun.
I wished myself a happy, happy 20th birthday as dressed up in traditional Chinese attire in Fangta Park and climbed up a steep pagoda, to look out across my hometown, Songjiang. 'So what did you do on your 20th birthday?' I will always look forward to responding with, 'Oh, only climbed up a pagoda in CHINA!'
That evening we went to watch the best acrobatic show in China - ERA Intersection of Time. We sat there mouth wide open for the whole performance. Impressive, outstanding, amazing, how do I sum it up? Simply the best show I've seen!

I was pleased mum was able to see some of my classes. To understand why 5 year old Judy is so cute when she responds to the question, what food do you like, "I like bamburber" or how tiring it is to control cheeky Stanley and other wee kids.
"I was just exhausted watching you" Indeed mum.

It felt different this time when seeing and leaving mum at airport, compared to Uganda. Although I've missed mum an awful lot, it felt easier this time, almost normal. I guess it's different when you say goodbye to your mum at the airport and know you're returning to a difficult day ahead in a third world country. I guess that must be quite comforting for a mother to know where I was returning to this time?..

7 months of communicating through the telephone or over Skype, explaining why I was so happy or why I was struggling with certain aspects of life here. Now, finally someone from the 'outside' can understand.

It wasn't a goodbye, but literally a see you later. Roll on these final few months when I can have both of my great parents here by my side x x

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Living in a world full of water. My head immersed in a bowl of warm water with each step I take, my breathing, my speaking amplified but everything else, everyone else around me muffled.
At school, I don't hear the children's answers straight away and I realise I'm playing the songs too loud when children sing along but with their hands over their ears.
Many sounds tests at the hospital and subscription of drops and antibiotics - I have an ear infection of the otitis media.
I feel isolated…