I have some deliciously exciting news but it's not related to Shanghai and won't interest anyone so I'll just keep it to myself for the time being. :)
In the past few weeks my father has had his 60th birthday, my grandmother her 81st birthday, my mother's 57th birthday and my sister's 28th birthday AND Father's Day in Australia.
Hubby's birthday is in May.
I've always felt a bit 'ripped off' and absolutely hated, no despised having my birthday at the end of the year, November. It always seems to be someone else's birthday and never mine. I have had parties and people couldn't come because they were off on their summer vacation already. It's too close to Christmas. I guess people are sick of going to parties and buying presents towards the end of the year, too. I dunno, so many reasons... but... I just hate it.
Also August-September is always such a festive birthday-y season for my family and I have no part in it :(
However, a lot of my friends have birthdays in November so that's good! In fact there are many friends of mine on Facebook whose birthdays are only a few days apart from mine on either side.
As this is a big year for my Dad (60th) I started to reflect back to 1997, 10 years ago. That was a big year for my family too - it was my sister's 18th, my 21st and my father's 50th. Scares me to think how fast the time has flown!
In doing research for our Japan trip, I have discovered the weather here in Shanghai is very similar to most parts of Japan. The summers are scorchingly hot and the winters are bitterly cold and autumn/fall and spring are very pleasant, mild and lovely.
Well the changing of the season is certainly here! and right on queue too.
On Friday it was still very hot, around 32-33 in the daytime if I recall correctly. But over the weekend it started becoming very cool, right on the dot of the first of September (start of autumn).
Today, it is in the low 20's. I can't believe I put a cardigan on for a walk outside and still felt cold. The air was cool and the wind was even cooler.
Before, when I went to bed I would turn the air conditioning on at least ten minutes beforehand. Then when I felt myself almost falling asleep, I'd turn it off. Then when I'd wake up in the morning all sticky and gross I'd turn it back on again. There was a period of about two weeks where I didn't just wake up sticky, I swear I was literally dripping in sweat, litres of it. It was so horrible. (I don't like to sleep with the air con on as I find it too cold and too drying, not to mention too expensive!). I used to sleep without the blanket and now even with the blanket on, I still feel a little chilly. Such a stark contrast - I am still shocked the temperature has dropped 10 degrees in just a few days.
I know this sounds strange after all my complaints about the sticky summer heat I think I am going to miss it already. :(
All five of you ;)
Thank you to everyone who has replied to a post. I am sorry if I haven't had a chance to reply. I have problems replying through blogger due to the stupid TGF. It really makes my day when I get a reply so thanks!
