Stood at Pudong Airport with the wind piercing my cheeks, tight hugs were followed by mere goodbyes, knowing that in a few weeks we'd be going through the same routine but in Heathrow Airport.
Only a few months ago my parents visit was meant to be a 'this was my home for a year, isn't it lovely!' but it was more like 'so this IS home'

And what is home?
On the outskirts on the world's fastest growing city Shanghai, is Songjiang. With a population of 1,582,398, Songjiang is divided into two simple towns; New Town with expat bars, Tesco and Western Diners and then Old Town, our part of town. Where Starbucks has yet to open and the only bar is our apartment. It's not somewhere where foreigners tend to venture, making the experience of living here even more personal and unique.
It's not just Songjiang, where everyday I'm greeted with waves, big smiles and the chorus of "Ni hao!" from shop keepers, restaurant owner or random locals, that has made this my home, but China, a culture of spitting, non existence queues, long nails, barging..! Yeah, maybe not that part of the Chinese culture!
Travelling to Xian and Beijing, I realised that it's not just the people of Songjiang who are helpful and friendly. I've found isn't common knowledge on first sight. Smiling and saying xie xie (thanks) is usually received with a blank, puzzled face. Polite manners, what are manners? Brush over this and you're left with a colourful country, with delicious food, mad road rules and a strong sense of Buddhism.

I've been trying to write a blog about our time over Christmas but I've struggling to write it all down. I still have much excitement built up that when I go to type I sound like a 7 year old "It was so good. I ate this and it was so good. I saw and this and then saw this and it was so good"
Xi'an was bigger than I'd imagined, with modern developments being made all around.
The Terracotta Army was more than I expected, it was spectacular, an amazing achievement. Each warrior was found in 1,000 pieces, a time consuming but amazing job for archaeologists. When first excavated the warriors were seen to be brightly painted but within 2 hours the colour had gone. The Government and overseas archaeological teams are finding ways of how to preserve the Terracotta Army for the many other pits are yet to be dug/found, including the Emperors tomb. A process that I think will go on for many, many more fascinating years.
Looking down on the pits, with thousands of men standing tall and strong, yet behind them hands, and heads coming out of the floor, in the side of the walls, asking for mercy. It felt like a graveyard, with men calling out their stories to us but in some ways they were. Showing us the great achievement the Emperor made but also how the workers were poorly treated, responding to the Emperors death by destroying everything they'd done for him.

Beijing, was a gloomy city, with grey, polluted skies, noisy spitting men and a heavy presence of military or governmental personnel. Away from this, the preservation of cultural relics was sometimes overdone with bright paint, but still fascinating in many ways.
-We conquered The big Great Wall by foot but descended by toboggan, for 1.5km and then enjoyed a foot massage.
-Walked around the extensive Summer Palace and Forbidden City.
-Saw the large photo of Mao hanging in Tiananmen Square.
-Went to the interesting, perhaps controversial at times, 798 gallery.
And tried sheep penis, centipede, gecko, silkworm, sea snake, beetle and scorpion.

New Years Eve was spent in Songjiang, Shanghai travelling back to the 1920's, fur and a long cigarette holder essential to my outfit. It was a simple night spent in Red Bar with everyone who I love in China including my parents. Lindsey and I impressed all with our mini midnight firework display. 5am came and spending the whole taxi ride trying to remember left and right in Chinese we got back and crashed out in bed! HAPPY 2012!

At the moment, I seem to just want attention and it's the strangest thing seeking for attention when living in China as I get it all the time but not in a way that I want. After spending time with my parents, the attention they gave me wasn't 'wow your eyes are beautiful', standing and staring or even the occasional poke, it was love. Real love. Something I haven't felt in a long time.
I'll be back in the UK shortly and I think this is why these emotions are arising, knowing that I'll be in the arms of family members and friends soon. It's like I've been given an opportunity to let my guard down, to allow certain emotions arise before returning back to my Chinese lifestyle.

Saying goodbye in January, greeting my mum in August and seeing my dad nearly a year later in December, I surprised everyone but more so myself when I announced that my trip back to England would be brief as I'd be returning to China for another year (oh my!)
So what will my Chinese New Year resolution be? I have three actually; To learn more about Buddhism, continually build my mandarin skills and learn to cook some traditional Chinese dishes.

A very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR - Emma x x