Moving

In Xi'an, they eat birthday cake before their dinner. I guess they take "eat dessert first" literally. Yesterday was my host brother's 7th birthday. It was also the day that I met and moved in with my permanent host family (they were in Nepal). 

Immediately upon entering my new home, Alex, the birthday boy, grabbed my hand and brought me to my new room. Out of the family, he knows the least English, and also seems the most comfortable with having a stranger living in his home. His room has the best internet too, so we will get to know each other quite well. 

I've been welcomed very generously into my new home. At the birthday dinner, my new father announced from across the table, "Mattie, don't wait for us to start. From today, you are our family. Help yourself to anything!" Nonetheless, it will be difficult to go through the getting-to-know-you process again.