An Overdue Update

I think I will just stop apologizing for my dismal lack of posts. There is almost too much to say, and while I think about it often, getting it down in writing seems overwhelming at times. But here I am, and it is on my to-do list to post more often. This is just a very surface summary of our first month. 
Yes, we have been in Hengyang for 3 1/2 months! That in itself is pretty amazing. Rereading my previous post I see that I did NOT boast about my good luck with jetlag... and it's a good thing because shortly after I posted that I was sick for a month. That is not a great way to introduce yourself to new teammates and to launch into a new work. I know it had been coming for awhile, and I just needed a break. Our US trip did not lend itself to the rest and peace that I really needed, but thanks to a very understanding team here in Hengyang and a sweet daughter I finally took a much needed break and am doing much better. 
On my good days I was able to spend half-days at "the Center." (Also known as "the Centre" because most of our team uses British English.) That's what we call the building that houses the ICC project here in Hengyang.  I sat side by side with the teens and young adults in the craft workshop and in the recreational craft classes. I watched what they were doing and gradually learned their names and discovered a little bit about each one's personality. 
Home life that first month was pretty much about surviving. Since we didn't have an apartment yet, we shared one of ICC's guest apartments with a physical therapist from Canada who was here for 6 months. It was great to have Emily around to help with our adjustment and to hear about her experience here. The guest apartment is large and well furnished, but it was hard to feel at home without our own things in our own place. Since I was often ill I didn't venture too far from home. Kristen and I learned the way to the grocery store and also took a couple of trips into the main area of the city for Starbucks and McDonald's. So I think that pretty much catches you up on our first month here! 

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