Our new Apartment!!!

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***If I have some spelling mistakes in this message that I don't catch, please be understanding - my "n" key has been giving me troubles lately***

Many of you will remember that we have been looking for a new apartment, and it's been an on-going thing since November. Well, we've finally found the place (barring any unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances). Or I should say Kevin found it for us. It's about a 5 minute walk to school (as opposed to the 25 minutes we walk now) which we are super excited about! Don't worry though, we still get our daily exercise - it's on the 7th floor of a walk-up building (meaning no elevator). Believe me, we'll be feeling the burn for the first couple of weeks!

The apartment is very clean and quite large. The living room is spacious with a smooth tile floor that will be easy to keep clean, and there is a large wall-to-wall mirror that makes it seem even larger then it is. There are two bedrooms, both complete with AC/heater unit, bed, desk and wardrobe. There is an enclosed balcony on the outside of the apartment that runs the length of the bedrooms - this is nice because we have a little shield from the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. The kitchen is very clean, and has a gas stove with two burners (this made Jean very happy!). It has a brand new washing machine (I know, it's a strange thing to have in the kitchen, but oh well). There is also a lot of counter space and room enough for more then person to move around in. The bathroom is traditional Chinese style, meaning that it has a Chinese-style toilet (or squatty potty as it's affectionately called), which we will remedy by buying a little stool that is actually a toilet seat on legs. The shower is also traditional - you actually shower by standing over the squatty potty, which acts as a drain. It will take a little getting used to, but hey - when in Rome, do like the Romans do! LOL

The best part is - it costs the same as where we live now! Plus we will be sharing it with Chris when he arrives, so it will work out wonderfully for all of us. And the deposit is less then where we are living now, meaning we'll have a little unexpected money coming back to us in January! We're moving in on January 9, and then we're hoping to travel a little during the holidays.

As soon as we move in, we will put up pictures - never fear, you'll get to see our bathroom in time😉 And we can't wait for those of you who are visiting to use our bathroom, see how brave you are!

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Comments

[Sarika]

Teehee
Well, let's just say your new bathroom will go on the pro part of my list of reasons to go and not go visit you in China. (And I thought Europe was strange with their slightly different toilets) Congratulations on finding a new appartment. I hope no unforeseen and uncontrollable things happen.

[millie]

Hey! It's China. You KNOW there will be something unexpected! I'm not envying you those seven flights of stairs, but it sure will give you awesome leg muscles and great lungs. Congratulations on finally finding a place. Sounds like you're finding it a lot easier over there this time around. Any tears yet?

[China Laowai]

Worth it!
You're right, this time around has been MUCH easier! There have been a few tears, but nothing too major. Nothing in this life is ever 100% easy - in fact it's often the tough stuff that ultimately makes life worth living:) Jean and I will cherish our year here, that's for sure!