By far, this has been the most difficult post to write. Actually, writing it wasn’t as difficult as accepting that it’s our final entry. For that reason, I’ve let denial delay publishing this post, which was written back in June before our one-way ticket brought us back to Ohio.

So, at long last…

With a heavy heart, we’ve come upon our final hours in Shanghai. We may be leaving, but this city will always stay with us: the people, the culture, and the travel during our time here have helped shape who we are. As we board the plane, our most valuable carry-on will include the treasured life experiences and lifelong friends that will keep us traveling the globe and reuniting for years to come.

Shanghai has forever changed how we see the world and how we relate to those around us. Such an amazing journey cannot be justifiably summed up in a blog, but over the course of our last year, I created a lengthy list of what life-lessons our family has learned during our time on this side of the world. Here are just a few ways we may complete the sentence, “Shanghai taught us…”

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED:

I always said that I’d move “anywhere but China.” In the end, the experience far-exceeded our expectations and leaving Shanghai was harder than we could’ve imagined. China seems to have a way of pulling you back for more. It’s filled with unexpected sights, sounds, and smells that become less of a surprise and more of an intriguing encounter; keeping everyday more interesting than the previous.

 

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO ALWAYS EXPECT CATS:

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO MAKE TIME FOR SINGING & DANCING: Whether it be in the backseat of the car, in the kitchen, or in the park.

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

MANDARIN: At least enough mandarin to get by. Perhaps equally important, Shanghai also taught us that hand gestures can be just as effective when language is a barrier. Speaking with limited mandarin in China is a constant game of charades, really.

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

BRITISH ENGLISH: Ironically, I now answer to “mum,” rubbish goes in the bin, Luke has loads of football boots and wellies, the alphabet is from A to ZED, and I’m wondering how long it’ll take before the kids realize that, in Ohio, their ‘rubbers’ are better called ‘erasers.’

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE DEFINITION OF ORGANIZED CHAOS: …is China’s traffic system! With minimal stop signs (I’ve counted two in our time here), constant u-turns, no pedestrian right-of-way, swarms of bicyclists, and intersections that have “suggested” stop lights.

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO BE GRATEFUL FOR GOOD HEALTHCARE:  This lesson has been really eye-opening. Abroad, without reliable healthcare and no reliable ambulance service (in Shanghai), you are forced to be your family’s medical advocate; researching and questioning doctors about every detail. The medical and social services available in the US far exceed anywhere else and we’ve learned to appreciate the reliability and quality of healthcare provided in Ohio.

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE SIMPLICITY OF PRE-CONSUMERISM: Although the face of Shanghai reflects a mega-city built from wealth gained in consumerism-driven factories, China-in-large remains decades behind the US in terms of a consumerist society. With limited access to TV shows, commercials, and big box stores, our kids weren’t targeted through marketing or influenced by advertisements. It’s been a beautiful, unexpected gift that in turn has driven us to be more mindful of how we are all persuaded through clever marketing once submerged back into the American consumerist society.

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

HOW TO ADD COLOR:

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE IMPORTANCE OF TOLERANCE AND PATIENCE:  Our culture impacts how we think and act, creating the gift of unity. With a variety of cultures, we are granted the beautiful gift of diversity. Keeping diversity in mind, it’s important to recognize that “our way” is not the “right” way and “their way” is not necessarily “wrong.” Sometimes, in order to understand each other, you just need to see things from a different vantage point.

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE DEFINITION OF CONVENIENCE IS RELATIVE: In the US, it’s easy to find almost anything by driving to a local store. In China, the stores are set-up daily on every corner and come to you by bike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

WHAT HAPPENS TO EXCESS HOLIDAY CANDY: The answer: It’s sold to desperate Shanghai-expats looking for anything to quench that homesickness. Here’s this year’s selection for EASTER candy:

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

HOW TO BARGAIN:  (and when to walk away).

From goods to services, proclaiming “tai gui le” (too expensive) can go a long way in receiving the best price.

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT:  Everyday in Shanghai we were aware of the impact we as humans have on our environment. Pollution was part of our daily routine that had us glancing at the sky to see if today was a “good air” day, made us unable to drink tap water, and created caution (and confusion) when deciding where to buy produce. The visibility and pervasiveness of China’s pollution crisis is a global threat and reality created by us all (especially consumerist societies fueling the Chinese-smog-heaving-factories). Climate change is not a hoax and our environment should take precedence to economic expansion.

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO RIDE A BICYCLE:

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING BALANCE IN LIFE:

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO SLOW DOWN: In the city that never stops, nap time is considered acceptable ANYtime of the day:

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

THAT JET LAG IS UNAVOIDABLE:

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO BE AWARE OF CENSORSHIP:  From google, youtube, CNN, Facebook, and instagram, censorship was evident on a daily basis. The prevalence in China has heightened our senses to the impact of all forms of censorship and the reality that every government controls the information reaching it’s citizens.

 

 

 

 

“SHANGHAI TAUGHT US…”:

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LIMITED TIME YOU HAVE WITH FRIENDS: The expatriate world is more welcoming and life-altering than you can imagine, but with it’s transient reality, you quickly learn to enjoy as much time together as possible. These unique friendships have become part of our Shanghai Family and will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, here are our individual realizations learned from our time in Shanghai:

Jack:  “The world is much smaller than it seems.”

Kate: “The world has more to offer than expected.”

Luke:  “Mandarin, PE, cursive, and reading. To count house points and go up on stage without being afraid. How to be respectful.”

John: “Each culture is more similar than different. We all just want to be happy and succeed.”

Julie: “Home is where you are.”

 

 

 

再见, 上海  :  Zai Jian, Shanghai  :  See you again, Shanghai home.