Our severe lack of funds (and the fact that our passports are still with the government for processing) has meant that we've spent all this time near home. We've adjusted well to our jobs and we've settled into our apartment, but we've failed to adopt our new city. It's been difficult for us for a number of reasons. Firstly, this city is huge and sprawling. Secondly, we live quite a ways from downtown. Both of those things ensure that it takes us at least 40 minutes to get anywhere outside of our neighborhood. We tend to be home bodies anyway, so really, these are just excuses and we should (and will) work through them. Our first paychecks will buy us bicycles and that will help a bunch.
I don't deal well with down time when we're abroad. I need structure. Basically, I need a routine that allows me to duck under the surface and enjoy the day to day. Without that, I start to count the days and homesickness sticks to me like the tacky, polluted air outside. I may also wax poetic.
Last week all the kids were on vacation for National Day, so we had 8 consecutive days off. We worked today to make up for one of our Sundays off (to try to keep the classes even with each other) and now, because the kiddos will be making up their public school hours, we are off for another 5 straight days.
It's not all bad. I mean, I do enjoy having time to myself. Just not so much time.