It’s 4:57 on Tuesday afternoon and we just heard a shuffling noise outside our front door. Turns out it’s an electrician who is here to install a new light fixture in Isla’s nursery. We asked a coworker to arrange for the electrician to come to our house sometime this week, but never heard back from him. And now, the electrician is here. That’s the way things seem to work in Shanghai. No confirmations or communication. Sometimes your needs are immediately met, and other times getting tasks completed is next to impossible. It’s a strange place, and sometimes so far from the organized western world where we grew up.
Heavy rains have been falling on the city, as Typhoon Fitow moves along the eastern coast of China. The steady downpour, coupled with clogged gutters, caused our 2nd floor balcony to look like a swimming pool this morning. I haven’t been upstairs to check on it, but sure hope the water didn’t make its way into the house. After waiting 20 minutes in the rain for a taxi this morning we gave up and walked to work. Not the ideal situation for a waddling pregnant woman, and now every bit of the lower half of my body aches as if I were beaten with hammers. Ouch! As we neared school we found Xiuyan Lu was completely flooded, and the water that rushed like a little river atop the sidewalks was well over ankle-deep. Luckily I had my rain boots, but poor Isaac had to take off his socks and shoes and walk barefoot. Initially my insides burned with frustration and annoyance at the situation and overall lack of convenience we often experience living in Shanghai. But, a sweet man struggling to maneuver his motorbike through the flooded roads, all while making the most hilarious sound effects, began to turn my sour attitude around. I used the remainder of the walk to think of all of the good things about this situation… I have two working legs that allow me to walk… I was getting in some exercise… at least we live close enough to my campus to walk to work… I have a job I love… I am carrying a healthy baby girl who will soon join our family…all this rain is sure to clear the air, which will improve the air quality for Isla’s arrival… By the time I made it to my classroom, completely disheveled and soaked, I was feeling surprisingly positive.
I wore my leopard print rain boots all day… over my lovely lint-speckled compression hose. I was quite the fashionista, I must say. It took Isaac several minutes to pull the boots off of my swollen feet and calves when we got home this afternoon… literally minutes. Thank God I have such a thoughtful and helpful husband! I deposited my exhausted self on the couch, where one toe began itching like mad. It took me nearly three minutes to get one compression sock off by myself so I could itch my toe properly. I gave up after that. The other sock is still on hours later. This growing belly is definitely inhibiting my flexibility and dexterity… of course, the inconveniences that accompany pregnancy are all totally worth it, but I do look forward to being able to bend down to tie my own shoes without huffing. The best part about that future time is our Isla will be here too. While we still may be weeks away from seeing her sweet face in person, my body is letting me know, through joint pains and mild cramps, that it is preparing for her arrival… so crazy.
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Isla’s new light fixture is now installed. Isaac had to bike over to Ty and Francis’ house (thank goodness they’re just two streets away) to borrow money to pay the electrician… since, you know, we had no idea he was coming and didn’t have any cash on hand. I’m so thankful for sweet friends who are willing to help us out at a moment’s notice. They’re the best part of life here. Having an electrician come to your house and install a new light fixture for under $10 is pretty cool too.
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Now Isaac is making this broccoli cheese soup, as I read the recipe to him from my perch on the couch. He’s so cute when he cooks.
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Candles are flickering, our favorite Bill Evans album is on, my belly is full of delicious soup. Isla’s kicking up a storm… she must love the soup too. It’s a cozy fall evening snuggled up in our home away from the rain, and I’m so thankful to spend it curled up with my sweetie, enjoying life at this moment.
