Happiness is being back in my home turf and being able to get to and from errands by myself. No need to schedule a driver, ride the shuttle bus and tool around town in a taxi. Happiness is being able to walk into a store and find clothes that will actually fit me AND not have a sales person trailing behind me invading my personal space and watching me like a hawk. My friends in China know about the freedom I am writing about which they currently cannot experience. Happiness is being able to go to the supermarket and buy anything I want and not worry about food or milk being tampered. Yeah, that's right. That is my happiness. I had to run a few errands this morning after Matthew left for school. I cleaned up the house, ran a few loads of laundry and got in the car to start my day. Yes- got in MY car to start my day. It was great to be able to listen to what I want on the radio and play with the radio knob. I was able to sing in the car and be off key and not worry about anyone snickering at me. It was nice to be able to do what I wanted and not have to schedule a pick up time. I wasn't on any schedule and wandered into a store to peruse the latest fashions. I was quite pleased that there items in the store that would actually fit me. I didn't have a sales person trailing after me or have to hear the snide "Xiao jie, ni hen pang" followed by the giggle and the smile. Chinese translation "Miss, you are very fat." Yes, I admit that I am carrying around extra weight since college but I must say, I am not obese. In China, I was something of a freak show. The Chinese women there border on the anorexic side while I am on the uh.... pleasantly plump side. Yeah, pleasantly plump. Mind you, I would not qualify to be painted by Sir Peter Paul Reubens if he were alive but I can't claim to be anorexic as well.
