What are my initial observations about life in China you ask?

     Let's talk about the heat!  OMFG it is hot as hell all the time!  I have no clue what the actual temperature has been since I arrived here, but when I accidentally left the air con on (it is not A/C, AC or air conditioning, it is air con), I came home to 78F and thought it was cold.  Everything is Celsius in China so I never pay attention to what that temp is.  I do know it is supposed to get very "cold" soon, and I have been told that "cold" is 50F.  I wanted to shout woohoo, that is tshirt and shorts weather.
     So, to get an idea of how hot and muggy it is, and I do mean almost 80% humidity, if not more, within seconds of stepping outside my room, I am literally pouring sweat.  I have gotten used to having to carry a small towel or scarf, simply to wipe my face.  I no longer think anything of wiping my brown and then wiping my hand on my pants while teaching.  I can literally feel the sweat running in rivulets down my back.  When I get home at night, I have to hang my clothes to dry before I can put them in the hamper.  You have to plan for laundry because if it is not sunny or there is no breeze, your clothes do not dry outside and dry only slightly more inside.  When it rains, forget it.  I bought a large folding clothes rack and a floor fan.  This helps me dry anything inside when the weather is "bad".

     My friend Holly kept telling me to make sure the apartment had a "Western toilet".  I could not even begin to fathom what a non-Western toilet would look like.  Now I know.

     Yes, they are usually this dirty and no, you don't put the toilet paper into the toilet.  Yes, you squat for #1 and #2....don't even ask or try to picture it in your head!  Speaking of toilet paper, you have to carry it with you as very few public toilets contain paper.  ALSO, very, very few contain soap to wash your hands.  You are lucky to find a sink, and the soap is a good find.  If you find a Western toilet, WITH toilet paper, and soap/towels....you have hit the trifecta of joy.  Yes, I carry hand sanitizer with me everywhere and use it quite often.
     While we are on the subject of bodily functions, I was told that the Chinese do not like the sound of a person blowing their nose into a kleenex.  They find it very disturbing, but I cannot count the number of people I observe ON THE STREET digging for gold.  Anywhere, anytime, anyplace, they are picking their nose and flicking the boogers around.
     Another thing that absolutely freaked me out was the fact that they do not diaper their children.  So, the first time I encountered a woman with a baby, and the junk was hanging out, I was a bit taken aback.  It is also very common to see small children simply squat and go on the street.  So, while grandpa picks his nose, the child is peeing in public.  The last time I was at the dentist, I was treated to a golden shower by the child next to me.  The mother did not even apologize....oh yeah, she did that.
     While on the sanitary subject, it is hard to find female products in the stores as they are looked down upon and not something to be seen or talked about.  I cannot even begin to imagine getting my first period in China.  I am sooooooo grateful I am over that.