Totally Tai Tai

Allison -- what are you doing now that the kids are in school?  I get that a lot.  From all of you.  And even if you haven't asked it outloud, I know you're thinking it!  What is it that you do now that you are a stay-at-home-mom without any stay-at-home-kids?  It is rather ridiculous.  Am I really a Tai tai or an "accompanying spouse" or a "lady who lunches"?  How did this happen?   Should I just embrace it and enjoy it or run for the hills? 

Naomi and Townes started piano lessons.

I checked out the American Women's Club of Shanghai.  I tried to find my people there among the sparkly shirts and expensive shoes.  I spied one woman in a t-shirt and ponytail and no makeup.  Hey, there she is, my people.  Turns out she was a college kid visiting her mom who dragged her to the meeting.  Fail.


I've been to a few coffee mornings sponsored by Shanghai Mamas.  These are nice.  Women from all over the world, UK, Singapore, Brazil, USA, Netherlands, all trying to figure out their new identity and where to buy cheddar cheese.  One new friend from the group and I took a sightseeing bus tour together and have plans for other outings. 





OK, that's all well and good, but really what do you do with your time?  Honestly, I spend a lot of time grocery shopping!  It somehow takes forever.  Yesterday, after Eli gave me his cold, I took a nap.  Can't remember the last time I did that.  I don't clean, we have an Ayi to do that (I'm willing to embrace some benefits of Tai tai-ness!).  I cook dinner every night.  I do the laundry -- one load every day as we have no dryer and don't have enough drying rack space for more.  We don't have a yard or a garden or even a house to take care of (or even much stuff), so there's little of that type of work to do.   

I'm now the class representative from Townes' class to the school's Parent Support Group. This means I'll organize some get togethers for parents of the other kids and other meetings.  Naomi politely asked me to not be the rep from her class :). 



Found Ben & Jerry's fro yo, only $15 a pint.  Yikes.

But clearly, I have some spare time.  I've been looking for a volunteer opportunity where I can use my skills and really spend a chunk of time.  I have a meeting on Monday with the Executive Director of Shanghai Sunrise.  It seems like it could be a good fit.  They raise money to help low-income Shanghai kids pay their tuition for high school (yes, you have to pay for public school starting in 9th grade) and for university.  A year of high school is about the same price as most expat families pay for uniforms for one child at an international school.  But it is an overwhelming amount for many local families.  Seems like a cause I can get behind.

Starting after the October holiday, I will start a seven-week survivial Chinese language class, two afternoons a week. 


Oh, and I'll be hostess with the most-ess for the DeGroots in October and my sister in November and hopefully others!

There you have it, my life of luxury.  This will likely be the last time I'll be able to live like this ever, so I'm throwing aside any guilt and embracing my inner Tai tai.  Now I must lay down, I'm exhausted from all this typing.

Eli's still much cuter than me when he naps.