My family of 4 will move from sunny Santa Barbara (California, USA) to Shanghai, China in exactly 7 days. Via this blog I hope to capture the ups and downs of this adventure and of life in general. So basically it is a cunning plan to turn all of those frustrating and annoying circumstances – that inevitably arise in life … and certainly more frequently when faced with living in a new country/culture – into fascinating material for my blog. I hope to provide photos and observations with a definite culinary-spin to share with any one who is interested.
“How Many?” by Lincoln Liechti
Writing a blog will also hopefully help keep me accountable to my intentions of maintaining joy, space and lightness in my life and of course, blogs are a great way for people who are far away to feel a little closer
So how am I feeling with one week to go before our move? I have very mixed emotions…. but the top 2 would have to be anxiety and excitement.
I’ve been meaning to start a blog for months – but I’ve never been good at making decisions and choosing a blog platform, theme, photo and so on was just simply far to0 overwhelming. This makes me think of a line from one of my favorite books, The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin): “...having too many choices can be discouraging. Instead of making people feel more satisfied, a wide range of options can paralyze them.”
Yesterday my wise sister quoted Sheryl Sandberg (of Facebook fame): ‘Done is better than perfect’ and I heard the message, made some choices and so now this first blog entry is officially done …… and most certainly not perfect!
ps. Do you like the artwork? It comes from a painted door just off State Street in Downtown Santa Barbara. I like all of the faces on the little people. “How Many?” by Lincoln Liechti, 2012 at www.lincolnliechti.com
Start with intention 
Bravo Jenni!
Yay, you did it! I’m hoping you’ll include the not so savoury food options in China, while unappetising they are intriguing. Best of wishes for a smooth but blog worthy move 🙂
Hey what did you eat when in China which leave such an impression? I believe that in the south the locals use EVERYTHING as a source of food but so far here in Shanghai… no unpleasant surprizes… very yummy!
I’ve only been to Hong Kong briefly. I was actually referring to my experiences in surrounding countries where spiders, bugs, dog, cat, rat, frogs, fertilised eggs, etc readily appear in markets and on menus. I think the old lady in Lao eagerly munching on a bag of spiders was my favourite and I thought China had a reputation for strange foods, maybe it’s only in the South. I’m also interested in new fruits, veggies, seeds, grains and nuts…like you’ve been giving. Loving your blog Jen xxxxxx
I’m so excited by this blog….and it is off to a perfect start! Awaiting more installments with much eagerness xx
I am thrilled to be the very first to leave a comment, Jenni. We whose lives seem at times to lurch from drama to drama know that it all turns out all right in the end. My family went from urban bliss in Brisbane to the middle of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, and now we find ourselves in the French Alps. Where we end up is anyone’s guess.
And it’s all good!
We’ll be following you four lucky wanderers (wandering with intent?) and especially looking over your shoulder as you eat your way across China. At least I hope you’re going to do that, hein?
big love,
Erin
I really appreciated you message Erin…. makes me think we will most definitely survive…. with a smile 🙂
OMG…how exciting! I am looking forward to read about your new adventures. Good luck!!!
Cool stuff Jenni. And be reassured: 1,2 billion Chinese live in China, and they seem to like it. Plus, they have abundant pork, alcohol, and cigarettes, and in my experience it is impossible to be miserable anywhere these commodities are readily available. Have fun following in the tracks of your illustrious Christian soldier ancestors !
Hi Jen, Well done on taking the plunge – in real life and online. I’m still feeling intimidated by Facebook and Twitter as I cant keep on top of my email let along add anything more to life… Hope the move goes well. I think I have a cousin living in either beijing or shanghai, maybe you would like to catch up ? He’s married to a local and is fluent in the local so might be a handy contact perhaps. Love to you and sebastien. sal and chris
Hey Sal,
How are you?
Did you ever find out if your cousin was in Beijing or Shanghai?
How are Sophie and Chris?
Kisses,
Jenni
looking forward to keeping tabs on your experiences. Great start, love the art and the quotes….i too have been reading the happiness project for a while..bit on and off depending when i have a chance! bon voyage and keep safe. xxx
yay! i am so excited for you and even more excited about your move – that is wonderful! i spent some time in china when i taught abroad in thailand and am so interested to keep updated about how the transition goes. loved reading more about you – bravo on starting the blog!!
Hi Jenni, Lovely, lovely, lovely blog spirit. I will be a fervent reader of your new adventures promising to be better than Tintin’s. Please keep on going. Mille bises. Dom
Hey Dom, How are you?
Funny you should mention Tintin, Blanche loves his adventures.
Gros bises,
Jenni