Another chill week here in Shanghai. We are all a bit “sad” about winding down our summer break and excited to go back to our home to sleep in our own beds, get back to our routines, have more space, and a simpler life.
Highlight of this week includes a visit to the local market with Lizzy. I usually go to pick what we will eat for the day after my morning run. This tuesday, my non-run day, I asked Lizzy to go with me. The moment she got in, she complained about the smell. She was the only little person in the market, and I was the only person below age of 60s. Usually wet market is frequented by elderly.
Lizzy’s eczema got worse while in Shanghai. I took her to my Chinese doctor and got her some Chinese herbs. She had fun playing with Sofia while waiting for the doctor.
My left hip is getting better with twice a week acupuncture with moxibustion. I get so relaxed during the treatment that I always take a nap. One of my favorite things to do while in Shanghai, getting these treatments!!!
The husband had his first-ever facial. hahaha… I laughed out so much when I told the therapist that I’ll get a body massage and he’ll get a facial. You can imagine the look of the therapist.
Sofia went on a run with me on Monday and was so happy to meet this little cuttie.
A friend invited us for lunch. He still remembers that I was vegan so he reserved the fanciest vegan restaurant in town. So fancy that the girls didn’t want to eat as the food was too pretty
I took the girls to visit the building where I grew up. It is on 6th floor without elevator, very old building. The kitchen is in the corridor, shared by 2 families. They couldn’t believe where I came from
We watched Barbie and really enjoyed it. Each liked it for different reasons. Sofia thought the movie is hilarious. Lizzy likes that it’s so pink. I really like Ken, how at the end all he wants is Barbie’s love.
Thoughts on friendship. Specifically, why are we meeting childhood friends? Both my husband and I have been meeting with old schoolmates. I go to meet them without thinking about what I want to get out of it. Why am I meeting them when I know our lives are so different. Is it to remind a period of life and a version of myself? Is it to know how we all turn out, whether anyone turned out not as we expect? To rebuild friendship? I guess a bit of all these.
Yet, most of the time, I leave the gathering feeling empty due to a lack of connection because our lives are so different. I don’t relate to them. They don’t understand what my life is about.
Until yesterday. We haven’t met for at least 5 years and did not keep communication. We know little about each other’s life. She’s the CEO of a big international company in Shanghai, very successful. I didn’t expect her to respond to my message, yet she did, and we agreed to meet.
The two hours went back so fast. I felt the connection the instant I saw her. While our life circumstances are not the same, we share many things, especially our values toward family, marriage, and the kids. We agree that next year, if we come to Shanghai, our husbands need to meet, and our kids can go to the same summer camp. What a wonderful encounter!!!
During this holiday, I realized I lost a friend to who I was very close for years (due to her changing life circumstances), and I regained one as she used to be one of my closest friends in school.
Friendships are harder to keep, but it is worth to keep pursuing. Good friends inspire me, comfort me, and expand my horizon and mind.
Our New Journey 
A wonderful update. Especially love that you took the girls to see the building where you grew up. I hope to do this when we go to Russia and visit the town where I was born. Also appreciated your honest thoughts on friendship. It’s hard to make friends as adults but it’s critical to maintain already existing connections.
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Oh, that’s wonderful that you showed your daughters where you grew up. I am sure a good life lesson… and what a special treat to reconnect with an old friend that you had lost touch with. You’re right, it’s interesting and sometimes surprising the friendships that fade away and the ones that can be reignited.
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Hahaha, your husband getting a facial! That’s so funny! Good for him for not being ashamed to try new things. 🙂
Sounds like a really nice time! I’m impressed you’ve done such a good job making the efforts to see so many old friends. I feel like I am not so good at that.
Have you been working remotely or just completely off during this time? It seems like it has been a very special trip.
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I worked the first week and then took 3 weeks off. 🙂 super nice and relaxing summer
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My husband would NEVER get a facial! I love that your husband did. My husband also won’t get a massage. I’ve told him he is really missing out but he has no interest in getting on. Oh and you had asked about his swimming – he does swim often in the summer. He is part of a swim club and tries to swim twice a week. The swim is about 0.75 miles long. We started doing it together back in 2015 when I was training for a triathlon. He loved it so much that he kept doing it on his own. I do NOT enjoy swimming like he does!
Friendships are tricky – some stand the test of time, others don’t. I had a chance to see my cousin on our last morning at the lake. I only had an hour but we could have kept talking for 3 hours. I don’t remember the last time we sat down and could focus on each other. Between the pandemic and me having young kids, I rarely have time to just sit and talk with her. We are only 11 months apart and grew up together so she’s like a sister to me. She’s the only friend from my childhood I have stayed in touch with/want to stay in touch with. I didn’t have much in common with the kids I went to school with and I did not have great friendships besides the friendship with my cousin. I lived in a tiny community with only 500 people and there were 28 people in my class! So there was not enough diversity for me to find people I really clicked with, but I developed many wonderful friendships in college so that made up for my lack of friends during my childhood.
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