Thanksgiving

A new week has started. The vocalists have finally arrived and the WHOLE band can now do what they came to do!

We are still waiting on the internet connection to be installed in our apartment. Rehearsals are scheduled during the evenings, so Dwayne and I are anxious to explore more of our neighborhood. Walking is the way around here. Taking the taxi is essential. Bicyclists and scooter riders take over the sidewalks and expect you to get out of the way! Thinking about all of this, we get up early to start our day. We are in search of more DVDs. We were told about another shop and couldn't wait to get there. Crossing the streets around here is another danger. Remember, the people riding their bikes and scooters TAKE the right-of-way. No questions. We have to dodge them AND the cars that are making turns illegally! We thought we were prepared, but we soon realize...we'll NEVER be!!

The people here work hard...there are businesses in every nook and corner possible. There's a guy on the next block who repairs bicycles...on that corner! No individual space...the sidewalk is his repair shop. People cook and have tiny lil' spaces for folk to eat. They even set up tables on the sidewalk outside the business. We have to move from the sidewalks to the streets when we come across these. No problem. We find the DVD shop and come out happy campers. Yay!

It's cold!! My feet get it the most. Dwayne has his work cut out for him to rub my feet and get them warm. He doesn't complain...praise God! Not a day has gone by where we could step outside without a jacket or coat. I have my scarves and keep my gloves in my purse...and I'm thankful.

The guys are off from rehearsal on Thanksgiving Day. The Chinese do not celebrate the way we do in America. It's just another day. Just when we thought our water problems were solved, the shower decides to drain slowly and we now have a Shanghai pool. That little piece of comedy was scheduled to be solved on this day...our day of thanks. We tried to think of how we would spend it, but found no solutions. Dwayne and I slept in and contemplated over our choices for dinner. The large hotels here offer Thanksgiving buffets at a huge RMB rate AND you would have to make reservations...three weeks before! Oops! We missed that one, huh? We were satisfied with calling out for a meal. The only place thus far would be McDonalds. Oh well. The people show up to repair the shower and we are satisfied and thankful.

Rescued by Brannen and company, we were blessed with some of the best burgers in town for our Thanksgiving supper in Shanghai. They surprised us with cheeseburgers and dessert from one of the restaurants in Xintaindi. Can you imagine? We ALL believe in the traditional Thanksgiving fare with the works, but we are not at home...we are far, far away. We stuffed ourselves into a food coma...we gave thanks...and all was well.

Back to business on Friday for the guys. Saturday was set-up day at the club. They had a chance to go check out all the instruments and extras, get them in proper order and prepare to rock that joint! We were all ready for this thing to come together. We were very thankful for the blessings we had received...God is good...all the time.