Shanghai ladies of leisure...

It is kind of embarrasing to say what my plan is for today (Friday). I have a break in the apartment search until tomorrow when I go with Will. So, I am going to hang out with the girls at the swank pool in town (where Patty lives at Ambassy Court).

What one needs to understand is who or what I am to become (if I choose to accept it) - "tai tai" (woman of the house) and/or as Sarah and Amy call themselves - Shanghai ladies of leisure. It is kind of sad the brain power that is going unused at the poolside. Sarah, who has her master’s and Amy with her bachelors, me with nursing and biology degrees.

Up until now, I have had all of these feelings of what am I going to do – I know I’m not a “kept woman” – but going from being independent and working, to stressing out about looking for an apartment – it was/is true that I felt an identity crisis looming. It was refreshing to hear the other women here going through the same things. They've heard countless times… “So what are you going to do in China?” albeit it is a perfectly appropriate question, but it always got my stomach in knots to try to be super woman in a foreign country. Although I don’t plan on being a full time “lady of leisure,” it is fun to hang out with similarly aged women going through the same experience. From talking to them, patience and confidence is important – especially since so many of us often value ourselves by what we bring in financially. This is going to be an ongoing battle with me throughout this time and I hope that I will find my niche here in Shanghai.

Off to the gym before going to the pool - we are having lunch delivered...but Sarah said it was too bad they don't have massages or give pedicures poolside. :)