TCG is still sick and is actually taking a sick day from work, which never ever happens.

Ooh, I hope he feels better.

I saw Chungking Express but I don't actually know if that refers to the same place

A great movie! And you are now turning the lightbulb on in my head and realizing, of course, I have heard of Chungking. Though I didn't know anything about it.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, y’all!

Belated Happy Birthday, Calli!

Today is a momentous day in my personal history as I'm about to go see a therapist for the first time. I've reached a level of bare functionality that I recognize as depression. I've never been prone to chronic depression, but I did go through depression after my mother's death. And I recognize it now.

Also, Matilda's therapist has been reaching out to me and doing sessions with me periodically (generally once every two or three months). Because both Matilda and I have been so stressed and depressed over the last few months, she's done sessions with me in both Sept and Oct, and I realized I really looked forward to them.

So it's time.

Chongqing - City in China.

I was familiar with it mainly because a few years back the Avengers STATION project we were involved with did an installation there so a few of my employees had to travel there. One of their takeaways was how unusual it was for non-Chinese to be in that city. Unlink other cities in China where we did projects, there really was nothing set up to deal with non-chinese.

Today is a momentous day in my personal history as I'm about to go see a therapist for the first time.

I'm sure it'll be helpful -- I'm glad you recognized the signs that therapy would be a good idea. (Welcome to the club.)

I've done it off and on. Support groups too.(It's been a long time since, actually, but it doesn't feel like it.) Hope it helps, Hec.

I now have several tabs open with various videos I need to watch. DH was privileged to live in multiple countries as a child, but I haven't traveled nearly enough. We both regret that we didn't give the boys a more international experience, but at least they lived in cities and went to school with various cultures. It was a badge of honor for Bobby's classmates to have the most bizarre combo of parent heritage.

Today is a momentous day in my personal history as I'm about to go see a therapist for the first time.

This is good to hear. Take care of yourself. This is just as important as diet and exercise, if not more so.

In hindsight, I know I should have done so after Stephen died, but a very negative experience while he was sick soured me on the notion. Of note is that I also had a very positive experience with another therapist during that time as well, but the bad one was super bad.

Good luck with the therapist, Hec.

chemistry is important at times like that, Laura.

Are "mish kids" missionary kids?

Correct!

Came back to the States with a posh British accent that did not go over well....

When I would come back to Arkansas on summer vacations, I would get teased for "talking British." As best I could tell, it was for pronouncing my final "g"s and being careful of my grammar. It usually took me a week or so to relax into the surrounding Southern drawl.

My accent and dialect always seem to adapt pretty quickly to whatever is being spoken wherever I happen to be. My inner voice always reflects whatever I have been reading lately, and if I am not careful that will slip out into my spoken voice as well. That gets me some odd looks, sometimes.

Hec, in your post you refer to both "Austria" and "Australia" in terms of the size of Chongqing; those are very different figures, and Australia is actually bigger than the continental USA in terms of land area.

I am willing to believe that Chongqing is larger than Austria (which is only a quarter the size of Germany), but one city (even one that is non-continguously dispersed) larger than the Lower 48 is a bit of a stretch for me.

I thought that was just me moving slowly this morning...good catch.