Sick of Being Sick

Hey there. Well I have made an attempt to write a bit more frequently! As you can tell in my title I have been a bit crook. Mainly with a cold. My fourth since being here!! As well as a bit queasy form morning sickness. Together they have made a wonderful combination. My immune system is really suffering and I seem to catch everything! I'm so over it.

Have been feeling very homesick and wondering whether I can last three years. The weather has been cold. 10 degrees and financially things have been tough with Cigna not paying for Lachy's treatments and the falling exchange rate making things even tougher. We are pretty devastated. We realise we won't be able to do the travelling or enjoying of our lifestyle as much. In a way we are in a worse financial position as back in Australia at least Lachy's therapy would be 50% covered. With each treatment costing about $250 Aussie its costing us a fortune but what can we do. He's making great progress.

Having a friend Cassie come over for lunch today so that will be nice. I made vege lasagne last night so will serve leftovers. Anyway will write soon. xx Bron

Six Weeks Pregnant

So I am six weeks pregnant. Hence probably why I have been so bad at keeping this up to date. Morning sickness is just setting in for me like it did last time at six weeks. Although not throwing up yet just queasy a lot of the time. So what's been happening I guess.

Well since I last wrote it has got much colder and almost depressingly so. I am not looking forward to winter and am very pleased to be heading back to Australia in Jan for 3 weeks for warm weather. I will be about 13 weeks preggo then so may be a nice surprise for a lot of people.

Lachy is settling in well at school and I am pleased to say the biting has stopped. He is now having three types of therapy and is really starting to make some progress. We have worked out that he has a mild sensory processing disorder and I am convinced it is this that can set of his behaviour. So now he is seeing an Occupational Therapist who will teach him how to slow his engine down and not to be so distracted by sounds. His speech is really coming along now. And he can say his name correctly - Lachy rather than Gachy when prompted. His behaviour is improving too. The only disappointing thing has been the insurance agency that is refusing to pay for Lachy's treatment. We are having to cut back his therapy to twice a month now and I am hopeful of even stopping his behaviour therapy by April. It is costing us a fortune ($250 Aussie per treatment session) . When we go back to Australia I am getting him assessed for an Autism Spectrum Disorder as then we will hopefully be able to get some money back when we are back there in Jan and July and August each year. Not that I want him to be diagnosed with this and if he is it will be mild I know but at least we would get back some cash for the treatments.

I have been keeping busy and most weeks really only have about one day to myself where I haven't organised something. Having lunch with a girlfriend on Wednesday actually. And Lachy has a play date with a little girl 4 floors down. Life here is great but I am really homesick, and feeling sick and bit wanting the lovely Melbourne air! Gotta go. Till next time.

Wagas - My Favourite Restaurant

I have just got back from lunch at Thumb Plaza which is our local centre about a 10 minute walk. My favourite restaurant there is Wagas which is actually run by Australians. The food is fresh and and yummy and they have toys set up for kids. I end up going out for lunch about two times a week with Lachy. It's nice to actually take Lachy out and have him sit there for about 20 minutes or so. It's only recently that I've been able to do this. Don't get me wrong it's not exactly a totally relaxing experience but it's nice to get out.

At Thumb Plaza they have about 20 great restuarants, shops, a carrefour as well as outdoor areas including a big pool that kids can go paddle boating in. The area is really well set up for kids. Lachy loves going in there although was getting a little rowdy today and started splashing another kid! I wasn't too pleased! He then bit me as I led him forcefully away. The biting is a concern. For the last 2 weeks Lachlan as well as a number of other kids have been bitten by a boy at school. Jase and I are going to the school on Monday to complain. I am worried his being bitten will make him start biting other kids or make any behaviour issues with him worse. Generally speaking Lachy's behaviour has really improved since coming to China and with effective use of time- out and rules for discipline he is really doing well. I don't need issues at his school regressing his behaviour.

On Monday we have a tour with the British International School. We are thinking of putting him in from Sep 2009 as he will need to go 5 days and I really want him at a school where they speak predominantly English - especially with his delayed language skills. The school has a great reputation. Only downside is the cost. Jase and I will have to chip in about $10,000 of our own money! And that's with 2/3 of tuition being paid already.Very expensive. But that's the way it is with any international school in Shanghai.

I need to start uploading some of my pics from local hangouts. I need to remember to take my camera!

On Monday we will really start testing our new driver as I will be taking him over to Puxi. We had to sack our last driver as he kept getting me lost and would pull over on the road and ask complete strangers where to go! On Monday I have to get a dress fitting in Puxi and its also where the Yu Yan Gradens are. I plan to do some siteseeing while over there! I am getting a strapless red silk dress made for the Australian Women's Group Melbourne Cup social function. The whole thing is costing me about $75 Aussie. I will remember upload some pics of me wearing it!!

Home Away From Home

Wow I can't believe I have been here 2 months already. I have been extremely slack in updating this. I have so much to say and just haven't got round to saying it. Between emails and Facebook I don't have time to update it. However, I will now make this more like a diary and make an effort to update it.

Jase is in Canton and the moment so Lachy and I have been on our own - although so far so good. I feel like I have been here for ever and so I guess I have settled in rather well. Lachy is in school 3 days although I have finally got him into speech therapy so I will pull him out for half a day on Fridays. We have also got him a behaviour therapist for attention issues and are looking at an Occupational Therapist too. I don't know if he needs all of this help when he still hasn't been formally diagnosed with anything yet but I would rather be safe than sorry. I will probably wait until I go back to Australia for more formal testing. I think he definitely has sensory processing, speech and attention issues but whether this will get a more formal diagnosis I don't know. His symptoms are fairly minor but still need addressing. Given it has been less than 6 months since I have found these things out, it has been a whirlwind of emotions. Amazingly I have met some great people here who have supplied a lot of resources and I'm lucky - in a way I feel less alone with Lachy's issues than maybe I would be at home.

I have just got back from a lovely lunch with my friend Teresa. Her daughter has an mild to moderate autism spectrum disorder and has been a wealth of information. It is so nice having time for myself. Although admittedly a lot of time is also spent finding and organising specialists for Lachy - so it hasn't been the lazy lifestyle a lot might think!

We are off to Jiuzhaigou next week, or the Valley of the Nine Villages and I can't wait! I will definitely write about it and I hope the weather is nice too. We had an awesome time at Sanya (a beach resort located south of Hong Kong) although it rained for a few days too! Like it always does on our beach holidays! I have uploaded some pics.

So we are busy trying to make another baby! Although Jase being away a bit makes it hard. I think I have to be patient about how long it will take as I'm now 35 and no spring chicken! Will keep you posted! Till next time...

Finally in Shanghai

Hey There. We'll it's been a while since I wrote. We are finally in China. All in all the flight was pretty good although just before I left I developed the cold from hell. I still have it a bit and am hoping Lachy doesn't get it. Luckily Jase flew over with me as 10.5 hours on the plane on my own the way I was feeling wouldn't have been good!

The weather is extremely humid at the moment. It was a bit of a shock and Lachy also didn't like it but he is starting to get used to it. The apartment is awesome and Jase did a great job. Heaps bigger and more modern than thought. It has 4 bedrooms, dining, living room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a maids room and is basically the size of our house and home in Australia, although being an apartment doesn't feel like it. Lachy likes his new bedroom. Today is my first day on my own as Jase has gone to work. It feels a bit weird. I am just hanging out at the complex today and will take Lachy to the pool and playgrounds and for a ride on his bike. I might even walk up to the local shopping centre so he can have an icecream. Yesterday we went shopping at City Shop and the local Carrefour for some basics. It was interesting seeing all the live produce in the supermarket. I think it will take time getting used to everything as eveything or most things are in mandarin.

Anyway will update soon....

5 Weeks to Go!

Hey well it's been a while since I wrote last. Much has happened. The air frieght was packed yesterday so I am left with the bare essentials until I move out of the house on the 28 July. Yes and we did finally find a tenant. A couple in their early 60's with no kids or pets. They are building around the corner and want to be in our house for up to 18 months which is great.

Things have been a tad stressful with me finding out Lachy has a mild to moderate speech delay as well as possible social behaviour issues. I am hoping his behaviour is more the result of the move to China and Jase now having been away from us for over 6 weeks that has made him unsettled rather than a more serious ADD type diagonosis. Must admit the thought of finding good speech therapists and child psychologists in Shanghai is daunting. He has been so defiant lately. I feel like I am constantly disciplining him. And his has developed this habit that gets him attention which is growling like a tiger. Topical cause we just took him to The Lion King but he seems to be doing it more and more when he is angry with me or doesn't get his own way. Outbursts are not unusual as well. It has me worried. Although admittedly he was like a new child tonight after Jase skyped us. I am thinking of aksing Jase to fly back for a week so we make the move to China together. I think he will be a lot more settled.

Anyway Jase has now moved into our apartment in Yanlord Town and its half furnished. The remaining furniture should arrive by the time I get there in mid August. He has been pretty stressed but coping ok. I think he wonders if we have done the right thing moving to China now with Lachy. I just hope its better in one way as I can spend more one on one time with him as I won't be working...

Last Day of Work

Well today is my last day of work after seven long years. I thought I would feel more sad but I don't think it's really hit me. I guess I have been wanting to leave for some time as I just wasn't challenged anymore. I will miss all the people in my team though who are great people and made my working at Centro a much more enjoyable experience. I'm looking forward now to enjoying being a stay at home mum in China and having more time to myself when Lachy is a kinder. That's until the next baby comes along of course! But as I'm not pregnant yet that won't be for a while.

About to head off for my farewell lunch and then having a farewell party in a month's time at Strike Bowling in Prahran. Should be a good night. And I have an hour booked in the karaoke room! Everybody knows how I love to sing!

Still no strong offers on the house to be rented. I really thought we would have had some more definite offers and I wonder if we have the rent too high. I guess I will just give it a couple of more weeks. I wasn't planning on moving out of the house for a few more weeks anyway. And can always extend that if needed. But as I won't be getting paid it would be nice to get the house rented sooner than later. Jase is doing ok in Shanghai and moves into the new apartment on Tuesday. He is just trying to negotiate a driver. He's a natural salesman so I'm sure he'll work out some good deal.

Anyway time to go so stay tuned!

Getting by on my Own

Wow its been a while since I last wrote. Jase has been in Shanghai now for two weeks and I've been doing the single mum thing back in Australia. It's hard work. My hats go out to all the single parents out there. As I'm still working I have to do all the drop offs and picks ups from childcare on my own plus get Lachy up in the morning and get dinner at night. Most nights Lachy hasn't got to bed until 9pm and by the time I unwind, clean up, check emails, pack etc I'm not in bed until 11pm and asleep until midnight. I finish work in two weeks though so that should help. I can't complain too much as Lachy has been really good. We are just having some difficulty with his toileting which has gone slightly backwards! Oh well I guess it could be worse. It's just so frustrating.

Looks like Jase has found us a place to live Pudong, a place called Yanlord Town. It has 4 bedrooms and is on the 17th floor. They have agreed to get some new furniture. Hopefully the landlord signs the contract tonight. I really hope we get it as the location is ideal. And I could walk to many nearby amenities as well Century Park where I could go for a run. It's also in between the kindergarten and school we are looking to send Lachlan. So just over 9 weeks to go for me until we join Jase in Shanghai. It is still so weird and surreal. But i guess that's to be expected.

Three Weeks to Go

Oh my god. I can't believe it is only three weeks till Jase leaves for Shanghai! We still haven't sold the car which is a pain as it may mean we are out-of-pocket by about a grand. Will have to hope someone buys it soon.

Also had confirmation of Lachy's schooling which is great. He will initially be attending kindergarten 2 days a week, possibly 3 depending on how he goes. They teach 2 days in Chinese and 3 in English which will be interesting for him. I'm sure he'll pick up the Chinese really quickly. In fact he already pronounces some Chinese words better than English! He still doesn't understand that we are moving to a new country, new house and new school and that Jase will be away from us for a couple of months. I think its probably better I don't bring it up as it might make him more distressed. He just so loves it where he is at childcare and has heaps of friends there. I just hope he has that in Shanghai too.

We had a successful day last Thursday doing packing and this Thursday will be taking most of our stuff up to mum and dad's property where we bought a shipping container. Also need to book in for vaccinations etc. Still not sure when I am finishing work. Was hoping they may let me finish in June but pay me for an extra month. But still haven't heard. Would like to find out soon though as it sort of dictates when I will move out of the house.

Busy Packing....

We have finally appointed a real estate agent to look after our house while we are in Shanghai for three years. They are called the Professionals and think we could get $450 per week for the house, which would be great as it would help cover 90% of the mortgage. We have also put our beautiful Suburu Impreza on carsales.com.au. I'm very sad to be selling it but we sort of have to as its on Jase's novated lease.

This weekend will see us doing more packing. We also have a farewell dinner with Jase's family tomorrow night with his sisters and parents but not the kids, so that should be nice. Also started getting more RSVPs for our farewell party in a few weeks. We have decided to have it at home and do the catering ourselves to save some money. We are having an Asian theme and I am going to organise Sushi and California Rolls, Spring Rolls, Dumpling etc. We are even supplying Asian themed beers. Should be a good night and I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and family together before we head off.

The Countdown is On!

Hi Everyone, the countdown is on! It is officially only 4 weeks till Jase leaves for Shanghai and just over three months for me. Wow I can't believe it. It's like a dream! Are we really doing this? We have been busy appointing relocation specialists, real estate companies, applying for visas and Lachlan's schooling. Starting to get more nervous but also excited too! I have attached some pics from our recent scouting mission in March. I plan to keep this website like a diary, showcasing my experiences in Shanghai.


Pic 1 - Having lunch in Jinqiao.
Pic 2 - Jase in Xiantandi