Goldie Lockes in the Middle Kingdom

(now if only I had blonde hair...)

Yes, yes...life is settling itself here in "middle country" (more commonly known as China). After being here just a little over a month I have finally settled back into life and some sense of routine-ness is beginning to develop.

I have decided to rent a "service apartment" for the next 5 months. I tried to find a place I wanted to live in that was a normal flat, but nothing made me feel like I was "home". After having spent the past 8 months with Jean, Jen and Nina in a house, all the spaces and places here lack character. Everything I looked at just seemed to be too ... well ... too. Too small, too big, too dirty, too fancy, just too... This, compounded by the fact that Mike is still inBeijing so there is just me and my 3 suitcases (and a bicycle) means that I don't want too... I want just enough (not too big, not too small, not too hard, not too soft, but ... just right).

Service apartments are great if all one want is a place to sleep, shower, eat, read and watch a little DVD from time to time. Plus, the one I am in is less than 15minutes walk from work, close to the lake, close to a starbucks, close to a supermarket and close to the football stadium ... all the important things in life.

I have finally been able to unpack my suitcases ... we shall see how long I can sit still for this time.