Living in Xiamen

So -- I am due for a more complete post on our life here. Over the weekend we have managed to find a Trust-mart (kind of like Target with a supermarket), get 90% of Thomas's school supplies, buy some food and cook at home -- mostly rice, noodles, eggs, and vegetables at this point, although we did have cornflakes for breakfast. The teeny weeny kitchen is cramping Michael's cooking flair a little, but less for me to clean up. Above are are some photos of the apartment-- the living room, kitchen and the "laundry balcony". I was so pleased to buy the little contraption with the clothespins on it for drying socks -- completely reminds me of the time I spent in Japan in high school -- we also did not have a dryer and helping with laundry was more favorite chore. We are so lucky to have a washing machine, too. There are a number of other items which have come in handy, left by previous occupants -- an iron, rice cooker, towels, not to mention the toys and clothes left by Malinda, the Fulbright scholar who was here this past spring with her two girls, roughly the same size as Helen and Sophia. We have a coffee pot, but no filters or coffee -- so we are still drinking instant. We really wish we had a couch or something cozy for the living room, but actually it is starting to feel like home already. Maybe it is the constant trail of toys which makes it oh so familiar. It is an adjustment to on top of each other all the time. Thomas in particular is struggling with the lack of private space and time. The only other complaint is the mosquitoes. Even when we didn't go out during the day yesterday, the children are complaining of bites,and Helen had some on her face which really swelled. Insect repellent is not making a difference, really. I am open to suggestions -- considering a mosquito netting, at least for Helen's bed, but I think it won't hold up to the rough treatment it would receive. The cost is about $20, so maybe I will have to experiment.