Monday, Jul. 12, 2004 - 1:50 p.m.

Just found Brainy Lady's Blog. Her post today about the cycle expat's go through when they live here is so spot on for me. Although I am convinced I got to the bitter part early, and have never reached a denial stage I think is necessary to make you stay long and pretend to like it.

http://www.brainylady.blogspot.com/

Here's a sample:

Ah, the expat cycle of love and hate. When a person first arrives, she's idealistic. Within a few weeks, reality sets in, and she's depressed. Common thoughts include "What have I done?" and "How can anyone eat this shitty food?" The first six months are brutal, and many people give up and go home. It's hard to live so tightly packed in an ugly, polluted city where you don't speak much of the language. (Um, duh.)

The people who stay either throw themselves wholeheartedly into things (hooking up with a local boyfriend/girlfriend and having a great time, but spending most of their salaries on drinking and partying) or they resign themselves to get through it for the money. (Another duh: Doing it just for the money can kill a person's spirit.) The next year is a blur. Then....

49 days to go for me!