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Showing posts with the label hurdles

The Shipment Equation

Our shipment has been a complicated math problem. While complicated, it might simply be expressed simply as  s=d I'll define the variables:  s=shipment    d=drama Every few days a new point on the graph is added.  On again.  Off again.  Up a little.  Down a lot. Up a lot, down a little.  The plots on the graph definitely reflect a roller coaster ride rather than a smooth glide on a serene pond.   Here are just the highlights of the plotted points. 🎢Point A:  While still at home:  review the long list of prohibited items to be taken into China.  Unpack many things we had wanted to take.  (mostly food items and seeds for herbs, tomatoes etc.)  Re-itemize every single item that goes into the boxes (tedious!!). 📈Point B:  Fly to Dallas and only after obtaining permission to fly into China do we summon the movers to pick up our boxes. ⊶Point C:  Make arrangements for the shippers to meet Chandler at h...

My Heart's Desire

What I really, really want is to have someone over for dinner.  It is something I think about every. single. day.  Back home it was what made me tick and that hasn't left me, but here there are just so many hurdles.... ❇ I'm very happy to eat Chinese.  I want to learn to cook good Chinese food, after all that is what is cheapest and most accessible.  But I *am not* going to feed Chinese people Chinese food when they come to dinner.  Just not going to do that. (But, dear friends, when I come home, I will be able to feed you some pretty yummy Chinese food, and I'm very excited about that!) ❇My ability to find foods from home is challenging.  Ingredients are hard to come by.  Dairy is especially hard--good cheeses, Greek yogurt and sour cream.  Good meats.  Fresh herbs.  Some produce items such as avocados. Condiments (US mayo and dijon for salad dressings).  Chipotle peppers and canned tomato products...I could go on and on.  Tho...