tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583866235486623112024-03-06T00:23:49.038-07:00Riding the other side of EarthThe Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-23573177937078740132011-05-30T23:57:00.008-07:002011-05-31T04:30:33.866-07:00Emma and Erin...Keepin' Busy<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">There are definitely times when the girls long for our Arizona home - they miss family, non-scary/stinky/squatty toilets, drive-thrus, and Target (they are, of course, MY children - and I mall those same things). I truly hope and believe that they will one day really appreciate this experience as something super special. In addition to the travel and culture that they are exposed to, they have also had the opportunity to try a few activities that they may not have been able to do so easily in the states due to lack of time/money/resources. Here are some pics of them exploring their talents:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6T3TfRPUvUfPK9OUtXhqF4mN_vDHX8l1IzuqGSwtaetxr6kDsD2Mg8f9y0485beYoFpuCgwDUBUA7ffYE3Pqua9JvmGxiP1P-Ad9LqlmMfT8Q6cEfUpeo4x4OqqIsaGS58lWDBgam7s5/s400/DSC_0953.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612771742584366546" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Emma takes a Chinese painting class from a local art teacher. This is one of our favorites - we also had it matted and framed because custom framing is CHEAP!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEt3TPxUCxMMRhDMISUe6Do888kGR0CAjCab3N_EOtCZck_f6t85rq4VYnM7vBoM96IEQMWogmmBgl4G6gIILFHUr1fRkFzGQ6o5qC5RwfnAxkY97oxSd-gPMNxjQS63YW3CAeOTxFS3w/s400/DSC_0952.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612771745356097122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Erin also takes an art class from a (different) local art teacher. So far she has worked with oil pastels and clay.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKj4V1VpB-0N-Uo3hIYAIUthaWKWzdhgn4XLNJCv6JGyPAq3e-umY-H9U34EPIKlb8fwhR8StPb1gTL3Rl6UUX_e3ZHbxy6_SKmqf6nCv8yOUXvZ3okIWaVhKXKHeQbXFR-xHTNZScKQUJ/s400/DSC_0754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612776838348125858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Both girls have been taking piano lessons from a friend in our neighborhood. Here they are in front of our building just before their "recital" in the gym.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT-UQ2cA_yllCOFq6l0LUGzsTeqVvYlkmqFpdwJ9hUinqDjsSikvy96fcmVoKrastZaBX9uAB7iL2ExfWyjLvZlE0Zvu6g0b6InJWx9RKLQ1-NNGtVq35qYDky17i4XZY1zEbcV3KBIpc/s400/DSC_0778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612776839024497330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Here they are with their teacher, Michelle. She is wonderful and we are going to MISS her when she leaves for college this summer. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-u-ERXLo9jzmyz1ZTcT8aBTCa3tXg5QsyhC5JBumE_WljYpYWprHKqoYCmOx1obPSFE8bfNAK7O_jiwE-vz1uhyphenhyphenb7zUGlkXp3sPTJCpkOfmaqzm9GGUvkIXg25xUiHFtUNt1byg4rsLZ4/s400/DSC_0789.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612800404773366210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Emma really wanted to learn to play guitar but I couldn't find her a teacher so she decided to try piano and loves it!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QXA6xCinwQ5CCasr6dYP601Afb4LNTn1xaRfor0n02bLt_WMSsfcuBHaW-XJQzs7joaow_FgxcZZvQk-5HSQ8gJpDv29NxolnjxwUj7n4G22Ky5HnvKK11nuSE950UptR4520Kr9v7qg/s400/DSC_0781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612800396177182530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Erin loves any chance to be in front of an audience - if you'd like to see her "live" performance check our website. I will post the video soon!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkoIicFOu92KkyCxTX4I2OWW9i3t26-3HdbJYvK5VzIBfXV3KbceaFmI7p7Z-sxL-QXNeViLG_IvYtsBufXRHrfS7HF98SWKhWzdh3SmDe_qfwcZw5Ns93vTIEPFv-QvGVmZCSjc6Zocx/s400/DSC_0732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612835926210890626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Here is Erin enjoying an after school activity - Irish dancing which was taught by someone actually Irish from Ireland!</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Emma is also getting some babysitting experience. She watches our little friend Julie (and sometimes her brother Nathan) - Julie is two and just adores Emma. I (or Julie's mom) are always in the neighborhood just in case, but Emma has done a great job showing responsibility and has quite the knack for nurturing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Last fall the three of us girls bought rollerblades so we could have some fun outdoors together. I do okay unless I need to stop - then I am rather terrified. I have discovered that the older I get the more frightening the idea of falling becomes. I told the girls I will practice without them so I don't have to worry about their taunting. I do have the medical clinic on speed dial...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">And to conclude I will leave you with a typical Erin farewell: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2jnZBNv4x7YWQsNPqcuw3Ko2QAmE_3mmJUB5JsnIJACfiy3z2cKUqQj-mGcazWgvfogZRWzJlUQM3p6HVZ2DK8A1hMr201-3xF6vKtDH6bzLQrTe1ROuUxpbiH6TjYG7_JOXpci2b19y/s400/DSC_0762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612840294766254002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-75907896281665602792011-05-06T17:45:00.011-07:002011-05-10T00:34:54.576-07:00Distractions...Continued...<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Okay, so there is definitely some irony in the subject of my last post which is entitled "Distractions". My sister, Jessica, lovingly pointed out to me that I am in the midst of a six month DISTRACTION since my most recent blog was in November. What can I say...</span></span></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">I am not sure how I will catch up on six months worth of life. To be honest, most of it is just that: life. The daily stuff of school, work, shopping, making dinner - definitely not blog-worthy. Here is an abbreviated version of the highlights - November thru now. (Except for Spring Break - I will do a separate post for that...someday).</span></span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7no9oJOUgVgI5uu4wyW2VDWTodi_7JNm5n-cGZcJ5O0g9uZ610erqU7-gyjGna2uBpZCjBToGTrUrJP3Ie3NSAvAH6ISs9BJuEPSQbA5gWwt-a3Ie1fynKCfZtpeCutOJBG1CJho36MIe/s400/DSC_0004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603772824743370770" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">In school, as a vocabulary review activity, Emma had to "be" the word </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">examine</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">. This is one of the things I love most about living on campus and not working full-time - I can be at school for the girls for every 30-second presentation.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy4BBxM5OGo2RkS4PZnzGQPpXUciyQfMZZdXROFf6EXsFXhnBDMkyYYokvZT1AROh-Zrd0Zx1STpbYhw-4mayVyiwcBZrvUCwBOYFCnXGGTx3NkOHaGzVYEneJlUfrNLxZ64llSFLH1ZK/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603772852910298082" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Thanksgiving 2010 was spent in Hong Kong - lovely weather, good food, and Starbucks with Chai lattes! It's a great city!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbJl0bQD_JzuYCBq2EPeltIst4hw8UAYaO_ZWMXb_oJgnln7wNkWu41AIwj6uq9hs7bsHcj8SF5jqE3a20Y3FetdOD1eiN3ccjqflrb8yQQKT5hPHxy-tNkOHDOZc_mVEoQztGOfzOH8p/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603772841023821698" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">We spent the day at Hong Kong Disneyland - it's a much smaller park but still feels like Disneyland. How cute is the subway that took us right into to the park?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyp9Dbalm57gTEYuQRLFMLw0bqAwg1_XGIpmbYRa-EBcnHKrQ6n57zJJiRSfY-4bQ_vcwOqzh4oyZHVaAOGcS5M3eVz7TRbaVvvMr_CESnDp_k2RzQ7_QEWzka0d_JHV0M-KO2m5Q0dgu/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603772836180851218" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 391px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58ehpCCd5pzHLv7v6B95fg_WzyFMtPvQZHcEBP5rHVU-kk5OsSJrkhXtH3EYo3E50RoIv1PJ3WjPrB39WnfWKN3OY06luqsmjOWrcTB-svrfvF84Jz9uT1iBFpa7_t-tehJC9bZVqZ_Ne/s400/DSC_0068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603779851907341282" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KYKfslEGiMCLE4Hrj1S5SthN-P0UHJm3P1zCXyAy1L_TrFnH76HjxSWjTA_oFFY4pOXVqpo7ASArowtJsJL6TrXgnOHKb2mY9ojSpBPxFwkbREDBGBLyRivx7abvhUgXWCJjBoPMBL-c/s400/DSC_0388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603779859870617266" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVU8p9RsfIpaIV_CTbjb4ovdWz0t3CMdQXB2r5qtWDsmPG_sw5I8ViHXrIEmpTuxQ0z40ZsZUgdyYjIST7yIkkh8_wHpP11P4RodLMMypW04ozC6rbY3OkDbDWJEgxj-GzqThvwjSmQZ7/s400/IMG_0827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603783293253074066" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Erin celebrated her 6th birthday in AZ with her cousins.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SdTP5gDSHBE0DwE1kZsJl5cFNZvsBaZSt7kdlDHHcQkVyuc9hjSTWH1e_n0E5hyL7n41pZ5SqT26310b_bg7leX7ZwdCgATaBR9VnoXYE8IWu5vABZuD48LRJokMGSQg_ugBqBa_KSkd/s400/IMG_0834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603772828695306178" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Celebrating Christmas and catching up with cousin Jacob.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMKWKOdipyLsFcoDH5AONO134X2xhvHFospkb-hb6j-1UW5qZbthduApfKUvDt0djFN2ERZQBel3IPrWlWYljuXRRc7bgd4smBjSFmkgQsA9OEXVygiu6KqaWZ1w97MWZ5zdERkZZHNP/s400/IMG_0935.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603783289385008882" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">We had the pleasure of spending another Chinese New Year in Dalian - friends, time off, and plenty o'fireworks! Mike got to help launch this show right in our neighborhood - 45 minutes of spectacular explosions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnuvE0-kc4UC9BmQguouYfDX6ct81qyzLuDM2blAZlgdVuyURRzWAfIBe53Q5EDDqFrB1sA8-U4iRHkNoaGlDDOVXIJuoaqRWTGfIFyjgnw9gq4LX7i61UbsiRleaa0-hbxnqkFomL5nQ/s400/IMG_0909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604984007795677506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">This was part of the festivities downtown - we stayed at one of the hotels with a big group of friends. You'd think they would shut down the streets during all of the exploding extravaganza, but nope, cars were driving by and little girls were out in the streets (just for a quick photo op, then she was on the sidewalk with me!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhHHJSA8CW8GRaNhYHk14NJn-ybLELgGDKop6U5LeWu5ojKFlq4YpbJdur6XxnxfA0ekjrNll3oN198EwfsuweaLhCi4akH2uK-Ll0RmgtNee1HNFK1hOxN-m_ILZMHUNUFjjaoV6RgcS/s400/IMG_0883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604984003589865154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Erin making dumplings - a major Chinese tradition for this time of year.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz2M5MHxixTTbCDjmOilH5m1N21ISaF4cTTkfEjt1NhjzrpacNhzzHcztU68M4zqyaZMtkyFxbDzwlUBmcb32hIteA_Iyzs_5Xku-501rQBM14w2L6KIZPNy878-0EbRqEpchT7pkT115/s400/DSC_0172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603783286361850994" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">In February, Mike went to Vietnam on a business trip. I flew out at the end of the week and we spent the weekend exploring Ho Chi Minh City - there are NO WORDS to describe the sheer volume of motorbikes on the road. I loved the energy of it all but was glad I didn't have to worry about the girls being mowed down by a scooter!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aooCpT0ISXRWeHjc3SOkclaUfc4wqWx6-GKP8G6uDl1OZAmc5L3TQOMLMkxNYPmB3GJU6KXD4XLzEseQbukTu1oMoPTGz9Y62k_kEWp_QlZStaykSiZrBu-oT0NiXAjMXzgV5781Er2P/s400/DSC_0317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603779864656151026" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">We took a tour bus out to the Chu Chi Tunnels where the Vietcong lived and fought during the "American War" (yes, I was confused too - to them it is the American War, to us, it will always be the Vietnam War). The Vietnamese people are SMALL - I could barely move in the tunnel and can't imagine making a life inside that sweltering and dark space.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxwpyQV542CiOspsrPfazKpWCXHLfnEKlJK9Mg7a201xyFQyKQ4ZCsHvyS70szMqme1qy4yANVafsEHWweqnXdN3Y4mEUlLt_idG104hyphenhyphenkbmpkRmylsnc_jI-OCEQX6Sij3Rq_T3kpXCA/s400/DSC_0325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603779872934918738" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">My baby girl lost her first tooth!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">Well</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;">, it's not much but it's a start! Hope you feel a bit caught up! I do!</span></span></span></span></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-39989361880720532912010-11-20T23:32:00.006-07:002010-11-21T00:34:06.946-07:00DistractionsSo how's this for being easily distracted? I typed in the title of this blog and then got up to go fix myself a cup of coffee...seriously, what is wrong with me? I am determined to sit in this chair until I have completed and posted an entire read-worthy blog. This determination comes in spite of the fact that the girls are busy playing with a friend and it has been almost 48 hours since I have watched an episode of Grey's Anatomy...<div><br /></div><div>To begin, I must apologize for all the times I rolled my eyes in the teacher's lounge when all conversation came to a standstill so that my colleagues could dissect the latest episode of Grey's. I never could commit to watching the weekly show - I think it fell on my karate night for one, and for two - I just couldn't imagine being <i>that</i> obsessive about a TV show. Now I am currently on season three and having to force myself to slow down the viewing because I think I will literally grieve when I am all caught up! The pull to watch - commercial-free, one episode after another - is intense...in some ways I am grateful that I am able to watch without having to wait a week in-between but now I realize how much I missed out because I was not part of the lunchroom chatter... Now, I watch ALONE - sometimes I bore Michael with some crazy emergency room drama or I talk to my girlfriends who were fans before but are not currently caught in the web of McDreamy, McSteamy, and McDrama galore.</div><div><br /></div><div>The computer is also a source of distraction for me but not because I am emailing long lost friends and family...not because I am spending hours catching up on Facebook....not because I am working on a novel or organizing my life in photos...NO, I spend hours looking at bedroom furniture or remodeling ideas for the kitchen. We may be completing our relocation assignment this summer or we may be completing it next December. We just don't know for sure at the moment. I guess I have been a little homesick because I have been obsessing about what's to come for us. What school the girls will attend, what car I will drive, what color I will paint the bedroom. It's a major distraction...but, it makes me happy and Mike is great about humoring me and joining in the search for the perfect refrigerator.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wouldn't say part-time work necessarily qualifies as a distraction but more a time-consumer. Since August I have been job sharing a part-time position as an instructional assistant for a first grader at the school. It's only a few mornings a week and it only requires me showing up (no planning, grading, etc.). But the fact is, here in China you can't get much done in a half day so on my non-work days I shop and catch up on things (not my blog obviously) but on phone calls, reading, and Grey's Anatomy. Also, I have added to my resume proofreader/editor...now, if you talk to my mom, she'll tell you I have been in the proofreading/grammar correcting business since I was about six years old. My mom may also tell you that at times this was a gift (in school) as well as a curse (I never missed an opportunity to correct her pronunciation of a word or her incorrect grammar). Anyway, for the past year a fellow expat who is from the Czech Republic has been working on her doctoral dissertation and I have been helping her with her English in all phases of its publication. Most recently, her 157-page draft to be presented this month. I did not edit for content or formatting - just proper English. It was a challenge but I think we were both pleased with the final outcome.</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, I can now buy turkey breast - this is HUGE! Any kind of deli meat has been non-existent here and there are days when all I have wanted was a freakin' turkey sandwich. Now all I need is a good avocado - and by "good" I mean one ripe to perfection and under $8.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later this week we are off to Hong Kong to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family away from family, the Flennaughs. We will hit Disneyland one day and eat great food every day. I am very excited :)</div><div><br /></div><div>The girls received their report cards this week and I couldn't be prouder - Emma got her first report card with grades and has all As and one B+ in Science. She has had to work really hard this year - about an hour of homework a night and every weekend. Erin has just taken off and loves to read and write (so much in fact that she has gotten in trouble for writing on walls, on floor mats, in books - never a problem when she was two but now, when she's almost six!). Her teacher also says she has an "aptitude for math". She doesn't get that from me...</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! This is a long one! Thanks for hangin' in there! Now I am off to reward myself for finishing what I started...Grey's Anatomy and a turkey sandwich - McYummy!</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-30470981023104117772010-10-18T17:23:00.004-07:002010-10-18T17:52:07.822-07:00Just Another Day in China...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Every now and then we get notices about upcoming power outages or the water being turned off in our area - these are the good days - because we actually get some notice. There are other days when the faucet doesn't produce water and the refrigerator goes eerily quiet...it may last 10 minutes, it may last a few hours. It's all good times.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last week we received notice about an upcoming 12-hour water turn off (8pm-8am). Now this is inconvenient - my morning shower is non-negotiable on most days, especially when I have to go to work. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Quick note: My "work" is at the school - I am a part-time aide for a first grader with a learning disability. Just a few mornings a week...more on this later.*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Anyway, yesterday the timing of the water turn-off was changed to be </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">24 hours</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> beginning this morning at 8am. So, the bathtub is filled, we have plenty of drinking water and the girls and I have an unexpected Tuesday off because you can't have school without being able to flush a toilet or wash grubby little hands. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In other news, the weather is chilly (about 46 degrees) and rainy and winter is moving in more quickly than anyone around here would like. My mom and Jessica visited us for a couple of weeks and we dragged them all over (during a crazy Chinese holiday no less). If you haven't checked our website lately, there are new pictures and a link to a youtube video that Mike put together (web.me.com/fendog). We've been busy and I know I need to update my blog with all of our goings on. Who knows, maybe today, my random free Tuesday, will be the day when I catch up...</span></span></i></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-32222975748855588382010-09-23T21:50:00.004-07:002010-09-24T20:29:27.881-07:00What's LOFE got to do with it? My Life as a "Trailing Spouse" Installment 2<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Ahh...<i>lofe</i>, it's a beautiful thing... and no, it isn't a Chinese word or some newly discovered foreign delight. Let me put it in context: <i>It's All About Lofe Between You and Me. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>One of my favorite pastimes here my world of chopsticks and Chinglish is making observations and performing mental edits on signs, in menus, and especially on clothing (which is where I found <i>lofe...</i>). When out with a friend we even went so far as to purchase a shirt for another friend because it read: New Maxico State. I can't even remember how badly they botched the word Albuquerque, but trust me, it was comical. I have had discussions with my language teacher about this topic - why would people wear clothing with English words on them without knowing what exactly it said? I have seen a guy wearing a shirt that said '100% Girl' in blingy bedazzled lettering and a girl with the word 'Blondie' on her shirt though I'd be hard pressed to find a blond Chinese girl. The truth of it is, according to my teacher, is that young people really love all that is American and they see English writing and want to show that they are modern, hip, and fashionable. I appreciate this, I do. I just wish the people producing such garments would enlist the help of a native speaker of English. Then again, if the world of signage was all made right, a favorite pastime of mine would disappear. I think for now I can safely say that this Amerikan Gril can sit back and Injoy Lofe.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's hard to discreetly snap photos of funny shirts, but here are a couple of signs for you to ponder...</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdI-FF4iXzqi2AVQPoPrpA0cJVlOUcd6PZWyXV0m6EpnNVyoEB71SUvvOwMvqnw_iAX_x968Tr1ZXMvUQd3OPwwqeWlP0IO3ferPJh8veX0Lrgj0i_kFxcZxWSoIp8Q_56ULmc80vTbs2/s400/IMG_4212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520686623499201538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujq2iQpstlDg8IGZ9LBzdc-Ivub4Js7UPcuzA_wO7xoIKlhLpl4Tr7BAdLRvapfxdnCNT0fEK_kloTWqc6x1KhaRi8OGdhyrl1UzdhiLWzBtIFeQO4Szf9uO5CPCMoyoiPf73sYBaraRn/s400/IMG_4660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520686615203763634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></i></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-73061475770067111902010-08-17T18:51:00.008-07:002010-08-17T20:00:52.517-07:00Here We (They) Go!<div style="text-align: left;">Not sure how this happened, but my girls are now in third grade and kindergarten. They have been back in school for a week and they are both thrilled with their teachers. And because there are only two classes per grade level, they see mostly the familiar faces of friends. It's all good!</div><div><br /></div><div>There is something bittersweet about sending them off to school for a new year. Ahhhh...the peace and quiet...no seemingly constant declarations of "I'm hungry" or "I'm bored"...no need to bust out my referee gear or to find creative ways to get out of playing Barbies (let's face it, the only thing I'm good for in the Barbie world is hairstyling and finding a random shoe that they have looked EVERYWHERE to try to find). At the same time, each new school year means they are growing up. I am so grateful that they are growing up healthy, happy, and even though we are so far from home, they have love and support from so many great people. You know who you are...<i>thank you!</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few pics to enjoy...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUys95zs2QuMUw1KTGSxn7uK6iOdaYgCDZ9lGPH9btOuvZmym46aND2jybXOMaA5QYI-4gDQKjVznAFAO_SW172Kx3QSvHZUyPKCc8iTeN7hFqs0C_IXGvE0oF9hNtjuYRY-fof4N3CH6h/s400/IMG_0539.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506576845729197266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div>Emma, my third grader (gasp!), and Erin, my kindergartener (sob!), ready for their first day and second year of school at Dalian American International School.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep7w7kJuTP4UGxZzndmV9ADoJsMBtUtWiWaZf_ihblN1nTjruOWbAAANBLdoSilRfFjn7B5aRD0n-GgY7mj5VW_yJLW0uhrwMl03c3y6OPYS8lH-dZoqB_keCEzFNHq2fvoMLjhgYzThm/s400/IMG_0537.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506571312805806850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I really have quite a collection of photos of Erin and her larger than life smile. Someday, I will compile a book...graduation from high school or for her wedding perhaps.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtZ5kZK1RvaamMYojbvm_yoF2cS_Db7Y-hPYgSYz1smOKpqeB6WJ-SZ3LR8YjhskGyVYNBtX7ogoCCB2txITIahXFVbFLJGWBJLtzqSpUnMdAQoaA7cD3eZelQQeUQdtkkUR4RW4C4zD3/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506572280039046338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The kids don't know who their teacher is until the day school starts. The specials teachers wore funny hats that said, "Ask me" and they got to deliver the good news. This is Ms. G - she is the EL teacher and works in Emma's class every day.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrJk6Fpt0IETqVwlIerkbYX_nHqNqxM-b-vH3YnLy3I3jWdEPAZ1cA_si7Hxw8lQI9rAxfLhXHrwqYi3SDRYAMs52vV8rpBbz6obChSX5SukF_GVHls9zAc5AGXxcC59o4XPSqXP8C8CL/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506572290863971970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Emma is all smiles waiting in line. Her teacher, Ms. Hunt, is there in the blue shirt.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvXz8QXLfaD8ms4w1gkZJKhEoG77JoeZTG1wpemB7_KQWrZCmuC6eRCZxPucJgiDnxwtM4PUMhD9ZJ-g6I8ZA8nSM9UWwq-AsnyPt56gVLUTt8elINXd_1-lxGVBHeCOQnU7_0agXMJyt/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506572292223798178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The first day was too crazy to take photos of the girls and their teachers so this was day two. Mr. Krumtinger is about 6 foot 10 and the kids ADORE him. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Looking forward to a great year and lots of growing (sigh...)</div><div><br /></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-54288675894354912962010-07-26T23:58:00.020-07:002010-07-27T17:54:47.356-07:00Summer Highlights<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After a canceled flight in Korea resulted in a 40+ hour journey back to China, we are finally "home". While in the states, I did a rather admirable job of stimulating Arizona's economy (you're welcome Starbucks, Kohl's, and Target). And after unpacking all 360 pounds (yes, Mike did the math) of goods, I am feeling somewhat settled back into my China life. The girls and I had a glorious five weeks of life in America and Mike joined us for three of the five. Here are some of the highlights...</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYCgeEj2PrRlAVtvqhCvSVfi7uqYT1ECu1Cj_JjPOHDnSZDZKC24UaONc2e9J5MK5HmHwpHdFUTecn_hybRZmV2K1qBEpr943qR0KB_chKv_BqQmSxcfWI58plddRhLGy2waRttZGbM9m/s400/IMG_0442.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498497282643064466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Less than 24 hours after we touched down in Phoenix, we were at the salon visiting our good friend Shelly and getting Emma's hair CHOPPED. With my Starbucks in one hand and camera in the other, we bid farewell to her beautiful braid....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">...and we couldn't be happier! How adorable is she in this cut? Thanks Shelly! Way to go Emma!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50gFAZI_XcEKt4g6JFo9lhWpFGPKDj2YIDdgqevL3V2CwfhSM6k96jEOFt7VEbAzzNNAfPonUIMxUDY3RpAMQ4spfg7ujLXDy79sskN4yHa7j0BtxOqfReM4mZauxUukALcKe7vNqpArT/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498497291403787538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you haven't read the previous blog post about Emma's remarkable hair growth and her plans for her braid, be sure to check it out. </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_DJvc5U4OzqqIeIZSBeHJKgGC3egQRe0eJT7QYHRKG3FzvcImbeyXMGT4cjBZ_v6pLEXhQMchoccTNHrVXm9I44o4Ni864t-nfR64CPYXZh3IrgIu3vYh4Z-Oz448TOxVlK9hAsytALj/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498497271273745554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div>We met our new neighbor! Payton Rae was loved and adored by all - Emma has already figured out that Payton will be four when she is able to babysit. (And she's already begun negotiations for a cell phone and her own house key as part of her babysitting repertoire.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE-aEiga7hwYreG7CVVj27LMgraAdMyXi-qSY0u7fsJnJEQX7xugCgGdmxVqrrhHdeBNZ51sIN-NsCUeSRcb1acYLCipRWdFy5APLdI4Suf8RyTxY8jrDA1i42kQHinE9hON1tHn6ouqN/s400/DSC_0157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498497299682266530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">My baby girl celebrated her 8th birthday in patriotic style on the 4th of July. Thanks to Grandma for the festive cake(s) and thanks to Elisha and Jeff for hosting!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLUgc8icTfyncf_eg64kckCgl2J9VtFjU90I1pwUx0XYliDYT9LhVVSDhNINkvpp-sKnQR_VPZta2A9dv7NdzzvrVAwMrQvlJro9uocJ1xEiLcCfgTN3aOAAqU4r-Z6tPW_S4AVffJPbK/s400/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498497312846535298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div>The girls spent lots of time with their cousins, Griffin and Lily...here they are just before the REAL fun began...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwIiVzte_U9bcpwEKI2MSrqZCtKPOxTjJmoRxWSWZuY7gZTMfiskza88XV9PP_iAFDnhBj1DeDN-l_N0z6WQIVrEJZS-TDrZR_e2Q7SZ2aO3cHq335iFHwGUMOgxADq6hYHhAnAm23S7Z/s400/DSC_0285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498542069018170626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Oh YEAH!! A little slip-n-slide...props go out to Uncle Neal and Aunt Jess for joining in. What great memories for the kids (and really, for the adults too, who lived through you vicariously). Good times...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C1YtHyeiqZM62CbhSYI8IMANX6YJIF8xBZvPg_Bi-Cy3E1WAn3fA5nHb78vxiDc1SVe-niD2vYmoaRNbowvr0OCSRBaf5xGUGHquVY1o5B969q8s4-Afd8V1XRaEZBIZM0rYnj_B49gF/s400/DSC_0299.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498499244751093858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpR6wE0Ejbi9wxWT14pCRqOGf0p2BnpExMjuCn2sdV0dkk9UAMPCAbQymbJrqkeO_naaYAsN_avgjmCryIOr53RFXJkhPoj1lZ56X95VG9MoiQ9U5oJSoKCRqlaGeyxL702oNVGc6k8gn/s400/DSC_0267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498542085190679026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px; " /></span></span></div><div>Just had to include this pic of my brother...there is also a video floating out there somewhere...like I said, good times!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy8PpeMYHWFPTo3VC00WppgGFNxuJiCT0mLRmcmhCQXEuQmHv19x6SoI_xaslLjEJ7PT13LQoA1MhdT07uEDU9GVl6zCNbI-_VRdBLhmN_Vce-ZoehNyOo6f9yzOggEmDDh-GCA6FpJI5/s400/IMG_0465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498546355046400834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>Dinners out, swimming, and attacks by Wolverine and his pirate-mutant sidekick. Here is Mike valiantly defending himself against the dynamic duo.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike and I took a little side trip toward the end of our home leave. We headed off to San Francisco and Las Vegas to spend some time together and to visit with friends. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><i>Coming soon...a pic from our Vegas trip...hopefully one prior to my (four? five?) Cherry Limeades :) </i></div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We sure miss having weekends away and nice dinners out - our China life is not so conducive to that kind of thing. It was a great time - fabulous friends, delicious food, and foreigners at every turn - gotta admit, I love NOT being a foreigner. Blending in = Bliss</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitajuDQPgnGYBH9a9n0cEP5nCP-NfBnPN2kEy39qJfLnIb317tsREq9tWE9xmr4qhkhqWvibuU5FChjedbDKBP9pWB3s2k7E6cALuyYro5EH5VHEXBiT__ba4qaFuSTA_wMbHQVdOtMIxh/s400/IMG_0482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498542090889637570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Here we are as we began our journey to our China home...the girls and I were upgraded to first class for our flight from Phoenix to San Francisco. We were super excited but unfortunately not excited enough to stay awake - we slept the entire flight! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">After five weeks in our home state - despite temperatures of 110 degrees - it was tough to return to China. I love America for its civilized drivers, its beautiful bathrooms, its well-lit, well air-conditioned stores, its unending restaurant choices, its limitless TV channel options, and most of all for its proximity to our family and friends. I am sincerely grateful that we are able to make trips home as part of this overseas assignment - it really makes life here better when you have a home leave to look forward to. And something else we look forward to? Visitors! My mom and sister (aka Aunt Jess) will arrive at the end of September and we are counting down the days!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And once again, I find myself at the conclusion of a blog with a photo that really doesn't have a <i>place </i>or a <i>purpose</i> but it's just so stinkin' cute...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ-uaRu95prHnc-ZhfBDO4NX6xEG5LM1WzSFI3TorglxJx9Is_jVRL0zG0YFHx9slBIw2IRBzu2l4JtCFRS-hgpYJBjW2GAZEZhYqAzK1rw4-GpsbE7YKzFlpbiVZ65nceViJMZu6f_4h/s400/IMG_0468.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498546360322558802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-33394947061245132672010-06-09T18:48:00.003-07:002010-06-09T19:18:22.643-07:00Hair today...gone SOON<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKSkIVsRzAkcS7WYZscNETYUk1K9SYGJuD280V6YMxdfRVdkGC94hc_nK9GtcxNRKoEwO55QJcbk5RYhiiTM9Tj_2GXKxS1lp32cUIa4kG9cWyI8Yqh4GFi0TzmgOt5v9Xei0TIY7lVE_/s1600/IMG_7135.JPG"></a><div>I'm not sure of the exact moment when Emma decided that she wanted to grow her hair long. But I do remember she and Mike talking about taking it a step further - grow it, cut it, and then donate it to Locks of Love. We talked about what it would mean for little girls who have lost their own hair to diseases like cancer or alopecia to receive a gift of hair from a stranger. We showed Emma the website and she really didn't need convincing, she was on board immediately. I, of course, supported the idea and was proud that she was willing to make such a sacrifice. I hadn't thought about the days far into the future when that increasingly long hair would also mean tangles and fights and tears... So, needless to say, I am counting down the days until it is cut - maybe 15 days or so? I'm even thinking that after my stop at Starbucks on the way home from the airport, we may stop and chop! (Not really...but definitely within a few days of being in AZ).</div><div><br /></div><div>Emma is excited for a new look and is, at the moment, pressing for getting her ears pierced as part of the "new and improved" Emma. Most days, she does her own hair which means she pulls it back in a low ponytail...it will be quite a change to have a chin-length style but we're ready! Enjoy the pictures...will post her new look in about a month!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaBJFs_dZMPgLJc2woqeZBZV4XvvIQmAY0TOIgmmq4cw1SVBIk1G8tVjI9IYlq4onUeLClxzQlv5y1HaCK2rw1kPAPnZmcv3oxTMTvyncFkE_22HUQsN4ubwNKzNByuzo4r1QsUiEefXl/s400/IMG_0335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480957425852922738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Hmmmm....I wonder how much my hair has grown since the first day of school?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGeALmuj1xn0JQjnzpN8aExhSVfA76yX3lGH6KbBR1-Va0cwVSj68xvTg2lJx68Cu6TWD5GP8wOmyrRq3fJAM_AAP3ChixjHdVJUZrmYgmcfeKHDUz41ywNWz9fo7nZFVKpZ8kgBLpa15/s400/IMG_3162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480957408719995010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"This photo was taken last August on my first day of second grade."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaBJFs_dZMPgLJc2woqeZBZV4XvvIQmAY0TOIgmmq4cw1SVBIk1G8tVjI9IYlq4onUeLClxzQlv5y1HaCK2rw1kPAPnZmcv3oxTMTvyncFkE_22HUQsN4ubwNKzNByuzo4r1QsUiEefXl/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXebgjV7jK4tjuLxZS0n0fDq9-SH4OYxHPX_usWzvdXurKZQmR5KxTsNdZsZJ7hMHP3KWaHV3o-oNqcRnCWlL1veSfcxdytrgSHnw5SkHzQmk7-IFV6ZZ6Fzw88MS6FKwbcKWqXMtVhe/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXebgjV7jK4tjuLxZS0n0fDq9-SH4OYxHPX_usWzvdXurKZQmR5KxTsNdZsZJ7hMHP3KWaHV3o-oNqcRnCWlL1veSfcxdytrgSHnw5SkHzQmk7-IFV6ZZ6Fzw88MS6FKwbcKWqXMtVhe/s400/IMG_0333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480957418198184034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Look at me now!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXAIWTjYcagz6d0TSK52N_afBsxckoUssEJv6ouQjMit0EhGpn9Q5UKuXPtIK8Y70hi27WZpFhKXABimpDzyDi5JbPY0NMlTIJ9N0bUr5kv6liRgHP6q6_NJIL9CZThoNUQcUSD7sdhxZ/s400/IMG_0336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480957430625917586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">"Is this your reaction too??!! I KNOW! It's CRAZY!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKSkIVsRzAkcS7WYZscNETYUk1K9SYGJuD280V6YMxdfRVdkGC94hc_nK9GtcxNRKoEwO55QJcbk5RYhiiTM9Tj_2GXKxS1lp32cUIa4kG9cWyI8Yqh4GFi0TzmgOt5v9Xei0TIY7lVE_/s400/IMG_7135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480962465240224466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"And speaking of CRAZY - this is my hair after my mom spent THREE hours unbraiding it after our trip to Thailand!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Doesn't really go with this blog but I've been looking for an excuse to share this one! Funny huh?)</i></div></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-68799808367873453732010-05-24T06:32:00.016-07:002010-06-04T16:31:27.754-07:00Life in China..One Year Later<div>It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was reflecting on my first 100 days in China. Now here I am, reflecting on a year's worth of experiences - the joys, the opportunities, the challenges - that have come with expat life. Those of you who know me well, know that I am rather...well...unadventurous. I shy away from the unknown...hesitate to make changes...gravitate toward the safe and familiar. At my core, I am still that person but in many ways I have become someone different. After all, I LIVE IN CHINA! </div><div><br /></div><div>I have categorized some of my experiences based on proximity...some come with travel but that is only a small part of our adventure. My day to day life is definitely not filled with over-the-top excitement (although if you follow my blog you know that haircuts and produce shopping can induce teeth-clenching, heart-pounding, and prayer-muttering). </div><div><br /></div><div>For your review and mine, here are some standout items on my list; my life in China...one year later.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Travel Stuff</b></span></div><div> In the past year I have...</div><div><br /></div><div>...been to Dandong, China, where we were a stone's throw from North Korea and where we experienced the Great Wall for the first time.</div>...played tourist in Beijing visiting the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square.<div>...celebrated Thanksgiving in Shanghai with our expat friends - our family away from family.<br /><div>...froze in Harbin when we visited the Ice and Snow Festival that so many of us have seen on those forwarded emails or the National Geographic Channel.</div><div>...received a hard dose of reality (and history) in Siem Reap, Cambodia where we visited local villages and the temples of Angkor Wat.</div><div>...lived like a rock star in Phuket, Thailand - lounging on sandy white beaches, snorkeling in crystal blue water, and touring sea caves by way of kayak. </div><div>...trained for and walked a half-marathon ON the Great Wall of China!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Day to Day Life Stuff</span></b></div><div>In the past year I have...</div><div><br /></div><div>...learned to enjoy cooking and baking (when someone else preps and cleans, of course).</div><div><div>...served as secretary of the first ever Parent-School Partnership group (think PTO) at our International School.</div><div>...played with babies at a local orphanage - some of God's most beautiful handiwork, they are seemingly forgotten treasures.</div><div>...learned to speak basic Chinese - "basic" doesn't sound all that impressive but seriously - I NEVER thought I'd have need NOR desire to learn Chinese so "basic" is pretty darn awesome.</div><div>...read more than 20 adult books (and by "adult" I mean above a 5th grade level - NOT x-rated!)</div><div>...made what I hope are lifelong friends with people from all over the world.</div><div>..."played" soccer for the first time on the Moms and Teachers' team - I say "played" in quotes because I mostly run around and try to look like I know what I am doing.</div><div>...developed a coffee habit - it's a long, COLD winter! (Don't worry Starbucks! I'm comin' home for my Iced Venti Nonfat Chai! Nothing can take your place!)</div><div><br /></div><div>What are my plans in the coming year? Hmmm...it will be busy! My mom and sister will visit in the fall - yippee! And we are thinking of spending Thanksgiving in Hong Kong and Chinese New Year in Japan. Mike has committed to doing the Great Wall Half Marathon with me in May 2011. <i>It will be the grand finale of this grand adventure. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for following our blog in the past year and being a part of this chapter in our lives. There is more to come!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;"><i>**Check our website periodically for monthly updates and...COMING SOON - a photo slideshow of our first year!</i></span></b></div></div></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-46536466136844629862010-05-19T06:47:00.009-07:002010-05-19T18:23:11.432-07:00The ABCs of the GWM<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">*Disclaimer: These are the ABCs of the GWM (Great Wall (1/2) Marathon) according to ME and in no way reflect the experiences, attitudes, or opinions of all participants. Read on...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH4_mrVoNvF_Wm1fiv0iVtgYWBtBXDOw9R-IUCUvXKcR9jMajmC1Z1piz7vGYLBQ_Jp5ymB6P7LOAyr-qpIM7K2r__nMgN8lAmNC9gRSEKPUEhioHbdCuBw2CoN8W0y89cmPPYNckQt9C/s1600/great+wall+race+243-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH4_mrVoNvF_Wm1fiv0iVtgYWBtBXDOw9R-IUCUvXKcR9jMajmC1Z1piz7vGYLBQ_Jp5ymB6P7LOAyr-qpIM7K2r__nMgN8lAmNC9gRSEKPUEhioHbdCuBw2CoN8W0y89cmPPYNckQt9C/s400/great+wall+race+243-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473156215216189778" border="0" /></a>Here is our group from Dalian - lookin' good and ready to go! (I am kneeling in front wearing a blue hat)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">A is for Adventure and Accomplishment</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Coincidentally, I reached the one-year mark of living in China (adventurous!) while participating in a half-marathon held on the Great Wall in Beijing (accomplishment!). If you would have proposed either of these events - moving or marathoning - a few years ago, I would have laughed my boisterous laugh from my comfy cozy "white bread world". But now here I am, living a new and different kind of life that has afforded me opportunities beyond anything I could have imagined. Truly Amazing - another "A" word!</div><div><br /></div><div>I left on Friday morning with several friends and headed to Beijing. We did some eating and some shopping but turned in early so we could catch the 3:30 am bus pick-up for our 2-hour ride out to the Wall. The 13.1 mile course involved an uphill paved road section, steps and more steps on the actual wall, a loooong walk along a road with traffic buzzing by and a rocky, hilly, tour through a local village. All along the course we were greeted by people from the village - they were smiling and waving and most likely thinking, "Fung le waiguoren!" (Translation: Crazy foreigners!). A few friends and I walked the course in about 4 hours. We enjoyed our surroundings, each others' company, and the challenge of the event overall. An adventure, an accomplishment, an amazing journey...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCxNfTommYcsH4-z23K2HabESdLj1Xb8gjIvdQ9QM0_BMYaqqcOmodD1aKslyhff_8vVe_ZBJ4Frb2PSqlWvusOLWHYmndwNQ6owB14wWIsPbNrOiKe9APSFimoc-xSkI4t6n13UYtWkH/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472990100318229010" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrRCFW1dlTsCNVlXeuqAGjG-dPbyMlRkQtCMpRyYEpdMIyLdYacM-AmnkaDIioum7HL-YNOYHjQOWgLUMz5dnmzvRe1g6mHyiE0EINtKDYYMF3wYklDnbAu4Mv8zSv7OVVTp5pZoTGpIo/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472990110600603762" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Warning: The following section involves a rather personal and possibly offensive topic...proceed to the "C" section if you'd prefer to read topics tasteful and enlightening in nature.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i> </i></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">B is for Bowels and Bathrooms</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;" ><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31278508&id=1416180751" id="myphotolink" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: underline; display: table; margin: auto;"><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs536.snc3/30388_1464240972114_1416180751_31278504_7738031_n.jpg" id="myphoto" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Let's begin here...in the bathrooms at race headquarters...of course they are what we affectionately call "squatty potties". No surprises there. However, I had not experienced the short door squatty which added a whole new level of anxiety. You'll note the slight step up and the fact that the door goes all the way to the ground. So how does one know if a toilet is occupied? One looks OVER the door. Now, my hat is off and I bow (or squat, if you will) to anyone who can relax enough to...<i>take care of business...</i>while squatting AND trying to ignore the eyes peering over the door. I just couldn't do it! </div><div><br /></div><div>I spent the next 12 or so miles trying to forget that, although I was unable to, I needed to...<i>take care of business. </i>Without going into much detail...it was a crappy experience. Why was I worried for only 12 miles? Well, that was because around mile 12, I was beginning to walk like a 90-year-old woman and it had nothing to do with my tired legs or aching back. I was forced to stop and ask a local where I could find a toilet. I will leave you with this: The restroom pictured above? FIVE STAR compared to where I ended up! </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's change the subject shall we? B is also for <b>Bloomin' Onion</b> at the Outback. YUM!</div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:large;" >C is for Commitment and Companionship</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I believe that the most significant piece of my entire GWM experience (which began in January) has very little to do with physical endurance but rather strength of character. I joke that my workout group has the most well-toned jabber jaws in all the land but the jokes all stem from love and deep admiration. While the Great Wall is awesome and the pictures are a treasure, it is the memory of friendship that makes this event extra special. In training we encouraged each other and grew as friends while trudging through snow, slopping through rain, huffing up countless steps so that in the end we would be strong and prepared for race day (and so we wouldn't keel over in a heap from exertion). I cherish each woman who helped me train, gave me advice, made me climb that dreaded hill, and especially those that waited for me along the course while I...well, you know...<i>finally took care of business</i>. We were committed to the training and to each other...companions, comrades, confidants. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next year's Great Wall Marathon will be held on May 21st and a there is already a group forming to go back next year. The weather will be beautiful, the shopping will be fruitful, and the bathrooms? Well...what can I say...make the trip anyway! You won't regret it :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few other pictures...</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9drp4yMou0vvY2zZtj7dIJzdLt2MDgrGwcpNRGksMXk6JUp5brwMKYSz0Zqj134AoodEEc4NQ4m678sQaD3944hCHvcRGyUvZNkLfhfhZcEkmkFKdnEoruy-QYF3F9XgZ-r6Xq7ZX4tpS/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473005727597081346" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></b></div><div>It's hard to see, but there are people all along this section of the Wall. There were a couple of bottlenecks where we caught our breath and took some pictures.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-XEpnQXOF1WCMiKCAZrjklRefSFESPvQEZSGrqpO3gieLTTePiQjvUM9JW0Zlw9r7thE68R2OEFA8WrpvnFZb23fNiDszdpFYWdEqtYUvPSVxFz3sn8WXOCRblZapIMHuxZbQ7cBLjSU/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473005722771709682" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></b></div><div>A sweet old man that to me, looks like "old China" - nothing modern or worldly about him.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gkhBdSUanwpTwaOKL1LYXko_J5JWsDX7I2DBbpNxsOFdxkOm4zsveErYbxgpSvn4tMzfo3O1igJtsCgDvHFCMUeMjLBz0MQY2_AA32-KQ5nK664ZfVDk4cu1fjO9Axy33VURzMiZK70P/s320/IMG_0205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473005714881867490" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></b></div><div>So many children watched us pass - waving, sometimes hugging - she was shy but so cute!</div></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-36239904389705923182010-05-05T05:34:00.007-07:002010-05-06T06:40:07.639-07:00Me vs. THE WALL<div style="text-align: left;">It all started in January. I had literally been back in China mere minutes and was riding home from the airport when I got the text asking if I would like to train for the Great Wall Half-Marathon (GWM). You know how it is in January...it's a new year, you're all about the goal-setting, making changes, challenging yourself... It's so easy to bite off more than you can chew, wouldn't you agree? But a half-marathon? About 10 years (and 25 pounds) ago my sister suggested we train for a (full) marathon - I was apprehensive but she was persuasive so she, Mike, and I trained and did it. For the record, I loathed every minute of it but it is one of those things that 'wows' people - 1) because the percentage of people who have run a marathon is pretty low and 2) because I don't look like the runner-type. I would be the first to admit wholeheartedly that in fact, I am NOT the runner-type.</div><div><br /></div><div>But...as my group of expat friends began contemplating this challenge, we discovered that there were a number of us who would only do it if we walked, not ran, the 13.1 miles...and the race was set for May so there was still plenty of time to train... For me personally I thought it may serve as the boost I needed to get in shape, lose some weight, blah, blah, blah...and it would add to my (short) list of accomplishments...AND I would get a girls weekend in Beijing complete with shopping and a meal at The Outback (this is a BIG deal, trust me). So, I have completed the registration, sent my money off, booked hotel and travel, and yes, I have even been training to walk/climb 13.1 miles along the Great Wall.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been COLD here. During the long below-freezing stretch of winter, a friend and I would run up and down the stairs in our condo - about seven floors of smooth, evenly laid out steps. This was a mere "step" in the right direction because what we will face in the GWM is over 2,000 rocky, uneven steps. As temperatures have warmed somewhat, we have taken our training to a hill behind our neighborhood. It has just over 2,000 steps that are more like those we'll see race day. Our 4 mile hike over the hill has evolved into 8 miles and even as far as 12.5 miles as we finish the hill and continue our walk down the beach. We joke that if nothing else, our jaws are in stellar condition - not much else to do when you're walking for four straight hours - one foot in front of the other and lots of chatting!</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Wall itself, it offers a variety of challenges - the first few miles of the trek will be a steep incline uphill to get to the actual Wall then steps and more steps and walking along the wall itself. The final leg of the race is through a village where the locals will be out cheering for us and we have to watch out for chickens possibly darting out in our path. The race information obviously encourages serious hydration - however in the same paragraph, the bathrooms are referred to as "primitive". Can't imagine having to use a squatter when my legs are jell-o...the girls and I have made a pact to get off the path and make cover for each other if necessary. I, however, may require cover AND a helping hand to get out of squat position! We will achieve (right word?) a new level of intimacy...</div><div><br /></div><div>As I write this, my stomach is feeling fluttery...we are only 10 days out from race day. Coincidentally, race day, May 15th, will mark one year from when we left the states. And if you're wondering how the fitness/weight loss piece of this journey has gone for me...(insert big sigh here)...I sure wish I had about 30 fewer pounds to hall up the Wall, but it just didn't happen for me. I have no excuse for where I am other than food is my friend (with chocolate, bread, and pasta being my bestest friends - bestest for my taste buds and mood but definitely not friends to my thighs and butt). <i>I just realized that I mentioned dining at The Outback post-race as a major incentive...ugh, I'm hopeless!</i></div><div><br /></div>Here is the link to the GWM if you want to know more - www.great-wall-marathon.com. A few prayers sent my way would be gratefully accepted. The post-race-post will have pictures that I have taken but here is just a sample...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/titian/Great%20Wall%20Marathon%20Shanghaiist.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 469px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LpwDfKus0PGk814cSXuaRcWXFH2-jX0AMcPzrcHaVJjOBQMr52sTzl07QiQtTG9WyGbzi2SzP0vZxsR38R7tp5B_GNl09vV6zC1aQZ9OlurbPRbPoGzWsgDjmh2mXgQ3mVde2QffVb7Z/s400/greatwallmarathon+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 358px; " /></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-55977848366196763692010-04-03T05:59:00.004-07:002010-04-03T06:19:47.718-07:00Our First Visitors!Well China, ready or not, two more Fendricks have landed! Mike's parents arrived today and after they recover a bit from the wear and tear of travel, we are looking forward to showing them around a bit. All the things that seem (mostly) normal to us is all new to them - a driver, local shopping, restaurants, etc. On the way to the airport today it was like I was seeing things with new eyes - noticing things that I wouldn't normally notice and wondering what a visitor might think. This may or may not be a good thing because it may result in me being hypersensitive to things that I had previously grown accustomed to. It seemed that I was more aware of the driver's tendency to be 'all gas or all break'...I was more aware of the strange smells that come and go...I was more aware of the extremely bleak living conditions and the extremely bad driving. I guess time will tell if showing them around will mean I have to reintegrate myself to China life.<div><br /></div><div>The girls have been so excited and did not leave Ma-maw's side until I made them go to bed. All I know is that they asked if they could brush their teeth twice because Ma-maw brought toothpaste that will "whiten teeth in 3 days!" (Erin said that after that, you don't have to brush your teeth anymore...) They also joined in on Ma-maw's four-step face cleaning regimen...once before dinner and once after...and they learned to say "Oh taaa!" when they see or hear something fancy or snooty. Ma-maw and I already concluded that they will need "Ma-maw detox" when she goes home in a couple of weeks!</div><div><br /></div><div>For now, we are so happy they are here. In May it will be our year anniversary with China as our home. Even with all its oddities (that's a nice way to put it, don't ya think?), we really feel at home here and are so happy to share this amazing adventure with people we love. Sooo...who's next??</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-74351366917987173142010-03-26T05:38:00.009-07:002010-03-26T07:54:17.906-07:00One Phrase + Two Days = Changed Ways<div style="text-align: left;">It first resonated with me when I heard it in a sermon. Every Sunday we get together with several other families in our area for church. We listen to the weekly message via podcast and the pastor is Todd Cook from Sagebrush Community Church in New Mexico. He is a gifted speaker and his words are powerful, God-inspired, and often hit you with a force that reaches your heart by nailing you right between the eyes - you know those kind of messages?</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of weeks ago he was speaking about the persecution of Christians around the world - a monumental crisis even today... This is what he said, "You don't <i>have</i> to go to church, you <i>get</i> to go to church." It resonated with me then - I felt its meaning, I understood it...I <i>get</i> to go to church with freedom and without fear of persecution - even in China.</div><div><br /></div><div>The '<i>don't have to but get to'</i> phrase has reached a new depth of awareness as I reflect on my time in Cambodia. We spent just two days there last week - one day visiting the people - the human element, and one day visiting ancient temples like Angkor Wat. I plan to blog more later from the tourist perspective, but for now I want to share how the experience touched me...</div><div><br /></div><div>We took a rickety boat down a brown river and were witnesses to a way of life that cannot be captured adequately in mere words; likewise pictures cannot sufficiently reach the place where your heart physically aches... Many of the poor live either along the river in houses built on stilts or in the adjoining lake in what is known as a floating village. It is in the brown water that you will find people bathing, fishing, scavenging for recyclables, playing, washing dishes - here is what I learned...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvWGFHVsNRhpFF5Kw6_P-L-eQTi-1BugKA7sCOZDjHBTZH4K91XyAilmFu05HqMVvRN1gS4SYG8X5lilXW6lVkvIIaKoGj-VZEdDVOHaWg09kkjwo6S5vdttzm9RzUxxQk88Ej03JD9tK/s320/IMG_6246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932118633397922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Local people bathing or maybe searching along the bottom for items that can be recycled</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have </i>to take a shower, you <i>get</i> to take a shower - a hot clean one and recycling is something you do to help the environment, not to earn your days wages...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NhGpb7PWwcR8DfM7n94BFKno3z0AR9QQ02KFq8epqQLD0kG-vI0-iR0O61KvNjnHmW_WV-EPQYOJg_1qxTDnO6DGXeO5t64uTacE_s3xzGusmvtayMSeS8O7ahG7MlHyVKDJTgSSLWM9/s320/IMG_6138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932101241633106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Fishermen along the river</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have</i> to go to work, you <i>get</i> to go to work - most likely where it is clean and air-conditioned and you collect a regular paycheck...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl09A9czxoL_vSEkgnYQFjMAeXfos2espo24Mddr1JY2xKCTzaW7Gde5Fh9GnPYvpIU1axDI4np_0P44X-HmUCgT1YYb4MDqMwRaPppCC5mSitpS9V3Rvbq0LJduYw_h7T78QDG1aoGOx0/s320/IMG_6179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932123591222818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">A woman washing her dishes in the filthy water.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have</i> to do the dishes, you <i>get </i>to do the dishes - in hot, clean, soapy water...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSYfLiWz-sbGOinWgh3ThL2Z1p_C47tQsw9oxBTowq_COoqz8HQXThc3PLOA-6Qz1vqIhTDgwFKNyQzQtZIdXEYey35cno1gIqIfYj0ahquiVyxGlLBlVSC-PBMwxYIaU-s0fL_o9eDG9/s320/IMG_6203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452932112577078290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The local school which was overflowing with kids - our guide told us they learn just very basic reading, writing, and math because they will grow up and stay in the village.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have</i> to go to school, you<i> get </i>to go to school - where there is enough space and books for everyone, where you can run and play at recess, where your dreams for your future are limitless...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFIjxsA4AJ_4MEN981dJBiD7ACeqdWiu_mhXZBLQU_OQWJKNpP8rYaCqUJyxSMp3bTielQJhHkkptTmcWxibRb2XAFhPQrAjMj9M7bUPgxLyJMDVnJ9D-TNkLUATNGu5rtQG5exhI4WKZ/s320/IMG_6275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452935534609744866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Every year the river floods and the people in the village move to the hills where they will live until flood season is over (a few months) and then they return to fix or rebuild their homes.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have</i> to pay a mortgage, you <i>get</i> to pay a mortgage - on a home that is clean, safe, and filled with more stuff than you could ever use...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA6DHpadLiz8sMjaGOOSfO9-N14YSPwcuLbu-Cgpfvz6HBkA1Mi8qP-aHqKzNnh0OC1CoEwJ4T-Xy0jXOgT_uqMA-4-2VsT36hEnYBRiEsXnW0vnLIxApkSjtqvtgAi8l-7ETTeB8H4k3/s320/IMG_6191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452935542423706578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">This is the floating produce market - fish and a few fruits and vegetables make up their diet.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't <i>have</i> to go grocery shopping, you <i>get </i>to go grocery shopping - you can stop at the ATM after work and pick up everything you need for dinner in 15 minutes...</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, the more I saw the more overwhelmed I felt with guilt, sadness, helplessness, hopelessness...Why was I lucky enough to be born where I was born? At that time, at that place, to those parents? Isn't that what it comes down to on a very simplistic level? I can't feel guilty about that, it's out of my control. So I must daily recall that supreme blessing and make the most of what I have. I also have to remind myself that they don't know anything else, any other way of life. While this is true, it's still gut-wrenching when <i>I</i> know what else is out there for those children. I know what the future could hold if they were given the right opportunity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>Emma and Erin are too young to 'get it'...if you asked them, the best thing about Cambodia was the ice cream, or riding in a Tuk-Tuk, or <i>leaving</i> Cambodia...I understand, and I know that they will often be reminded by their parents of their many blessings - they don't <i>have</i> to brush their teeth, they <i>get</i> to brush their teeth...they don't <i>have</i> to go outside and ride bikes, they <i>get</i> to go outside and ride bikes...it's my new mantra. After seeing all the vacation pictures of myself, my own personal mantra is: "I don't <i>have</i> to exercise, I <i>get</i> to exercise..." Hmmm...nope, doesn't make it sound any more fun...</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-24081329018464967912010-03-14T22:33:00.005-07:002010-03-15T06:21:13.152-07:00My Life As A "Trailing Spouse"- Installment 1It is my hope that this blog will serve as our family journal, documenting not only our big adventures but also our day to day existence living in a foreign country. I have in previous blog entries captured some of the day to day things which, in reality, ARE an adventure (shopping, haircuts, Starbucks). The installments into "My Life A 'Trailing Spouse' " are more for the people who wonder, "What does she do ALL day?" I am thinking of writing several installments which will cover the gamut of leisure time, school stuff, volunteering, church, etc. <div><br /></div><div>To begin, I will start with travel - this doesn't seem like part of "day to day" things...but that's what's really different - here, travel actually is (while not really day to day) almost a monthly activity for us. We have been to Dandong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Harbin - all cities in China with diverse offerings of history, shopping, food, etc. In the states a big trip for us may have been San Francisco or Disneyland...this week we are heading to Cambodia and Thailand! We are leaving on Wednesday to visit Cambodia and the famous Angkor Wat for a couple of days and then we will spend about six days in Thailand. While temps here are still topping out in the 20s (fahrenheit) I have to dig out bathing suits and flip flops because we're heading south! <i>Funny sidenote: Em</i><i>ma and Erin actually got out flip flops and were ecstatic to hear the familiar slap-slap on their feet. You might say they were giddy...like being reunited with a long lost friend.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes I wonder, how did I get here? In the last 25+ years I have lived in Chandler then Gilbert then back to Chandler. My travel experience consisted of various cities in California and Michigan...oh and a teaching workshop on the east coast! Truthfully, I still feel very out of my element when traveling. I have pinpointed my anxiety and have diagnosed myself with "fear of the unknown"... Partner that with "loathing to pack" and you know where my head is at this very moment. And so it is, part of my gig as a "Trailing Spouse" (I did not make that up, that is what the non-employed spouse is called) is to be travel-ready. While I do have certain anxieties (safety, bathrooms, food) when traveling, I know that these opportunities are to be treasured for what they are. What they are is eye-opening, spirit-enriching, culture-engaging, life-changing...</div><div><br /></div><div>We are so very thankful that our daughters are learning and experiencing so much beyond the boundaries of America...in addition to Chinese culture and language, Erin can say a few words in Korean and corrects me on the correct way to say "Pakistan". Emma is always open to try new foods and can't wait to travel to Japan and Singapore. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there you have it, travel goes hand-in-hand it seems with expat life...we take each opportunity and hold it close in memory...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-51871454934145933682010-02-24T02:32:00.017-07:002010-02-28T06:54:26.882-07:00Things that make you go...eeewwww!!<div style="text-align: left;">I shop for fruits and vegetables at a place known by the expats as (and it is aptly named) the "stinky market". The produce is lovely, the smell, not so much. It is a place where people spit in the very place you walk...a place where sometimes you might have to wake the vendor as they take a power nap on top of the lettuce...a place where just one aisle over you could purchase delicacies ranging from the head of a goat, cow spine, or unlucky mutt...it is a place where I have "a fruit lady" - this means I buy all my fruit from her and she usually throws in something extra for me like overripe bananas or something exotic that I have no name for, nor do I know how to eat it. Occasionally my "fruit lady" doesn't have what I am looking for or the seller next to her has better looking apples. This is a dilemma...I, white-skinned, round-eyed, brown-haired and wearing an orange winter coat can hardly blend in! So it is that I have to be sly and cautious so as not to offend the one that previously let me pick the untouched oranges in the box behind her stand or who threw some lychees in my bag for free. In the stinky market (and in any produce market of this type), you must carry small, often "moist" bills, and be ready to understand when they tell you in lightening-speed Chinese how much you owe (I have gotten good at this!). Fortunately, what you owe is remarkably cheap and the produce is fresh - you might call this "the silver lining" in a damp and smelly cloud.</div><div><br /></div><div>I <i>AM</i> actually getting to what will end up being a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">short story</span> but first I wanted to paint an accurate picture of shopping in a <i>local</i> produce market. Have I been successful? Are you with me? Do you get that it is not just <i>shopping</i>...it's an <i>experience</i>??!</div><div><br /></div><div>The topic of my story is the one thing I did leave out of this picture: it has to do with the shopper's inevitable encounter with something moving, wriggling, squirming amongst the produce. <i>Th</i><i>ere are entire boxes of these moving, wriggling, squirmers...they are silkworms.</i> Oh, the first few sightings will be benign because you are overwhelmed by the sights, the smells, the piles and piles of fresh fruits and vegetables. Then there will be the day when you happen by them and say, "What the @*##?? They're MOVING!" The ones in the picture below look innocent enough skewered as they are but trust me...they are...well...eeeewww!!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/06/programmes_food_for_thought/img/6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></p></div><div>A recent shopping experience led me to the only stand in the stinky market where I can get 'normal' mushrooms. Unfortunately I have to reach <i>over</i> the squirming silk worms to get to them. So there I was reaching, holding my bag up as high as I could so as not to accidentally touch the worms - I was carefully placing mushrooms in the bag when I dropped a mushroom in among the living. Now, I know how melodramatic this sounds but before I could get my "I'm an adult" bearings, I let out a little yelp and physically gagged at the prospect of having to fetch my mushroom (which I did not). I swiftly handed the seller my bag and paid her the money. All the while she was smirking at me like I was ridiculous...this is likely a reasonable, understandable assessment of which I am not proud. It is what it is...I am what I am...</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Next time you're in your local supermarket, give that produce manager a pat on the back, an 'atta boy/girl', a "Gosh I appreciate the clean surroundings and that the only wriggling and squirming comes from the child strapped in the shopping cart." </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-66216229304266612332010-02-14T06:29:00.006-07:002010-02-16T03:19:56.357-07:00Chinese New Year - Part One<div>Valentine's Day in and of itself is pretty much non-existent here but this year February 14th is monumental here in China - it's Chinese New Year. If you combined Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's you might be on the verge of approaching the magnitude of Chinese New Year. For the last month, the stores and streets have been decked out in red and gold and shopping has been even more of a exercise of patience and...well, more patience due to the throngs of people stocking up before things shut down for the coming week of celebrations. The kids have the week off from school and even Intel is shut down until Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last night we experienced two important pieces of the holiday - eating jiaozi (dumplings) which families make together and eat for dinner on New Year's Eve and then again at midnight. Our ayi brought us about 3 or 4 dozen - hao chi! (delicious!) And then there are the FIREWORKS...truly, we hear them nearly every day of the year at random times during the day and/or night and/or crack of dawn - the Chinese love their fireworks! But the new year celebrations take it to a whole new and unbelievable level - everyone, everywhere has fireworks. </div><div><br /></div><div>The video below shows what some of the dads around here call "kid fireworks". I am of the opinion that there is no such thing...<i>(Emma is in the blue jacket, Erin is in pink - with a bow-adorned headband on <b>top</b> of her hat)</i></div><div><br /></div><div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1rg34SHimWQBo71sBUvdW1Ib1nsHZu6AYiwXmVrAXyHcgQ-WZdh0kSkQL6Hkm3l_Mo-XlqHhOpyHRIb3aSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Our community had a little display last night after we enjoyed a potluck dinner. From about 10:00 on, and especially at midnight, the sky in every direction was booming with lights and noise. Mike and some friends went downtown to really experience it all and words can't really describe the sheer volume - both noise and amount - of the celebration. Everywhere he turned, he saw fireworks. It's worth noting that <i>anyone </i>can buy them, <i>anyone</i> can set them off, <i>anywhere </i>they want.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a little snippet of the festivities from New Years Eve- the sound cuts out towards the end but you get the idea. Pay attention to a few things - the men running around lighting the boxes, traffic cruising by, and the distance from the buildings. ONLY in China: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGIftIiCap5NFhrPGTVgv8BdvqmwqN50kDuuKak-S9MMpgki415dHuwf-VuXOkGbUAoe-uQVaDmwoNem_2Qg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>We are heading downtown tomorrow to Xing Hai Square, one of the huge parks that will put on a show to end all shows. We have booked a room at a hotel in the park and have been warned that sleep is unlikely because there will be explosions all night. It's cold out there so we wanted somewhere to go for intermittent thawing. I will definitely blog with pictures next time!</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-38935842367468154892010-02-14T05:19:00.005-07:002010-02-14T07:17:42.476-07:00Mrs. Fendrick was back! If only for a moment...Yep, I came out of my "temporary retirement" to substitute in a first grade class all last week. There was a definite feeling of belonging...but not really; normal...but strange at the same time. I had never subbed before and never taught any grade lower than third so it was all new to me. There were only 14 students and I loved that they were so diverse. They spoke an incredible variety of languages other than English - French, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, and German - but at that age, their ability to learn languages is remarkable. Kids who started school in August with no English appear as if they've been learning it for years. How I envy that sponge-like brain of theirs! On Friday afternoon we celebrated Valentine's Day with homemade cards and homemade (gasp!) cupcakes. All in all, it was a great week although I was exhausted and left to wonder how I ever "did it all" before...teach full-time, picking up kids, laundry, shopping, cleaning (who am I kidding - I had my mom...if not, my house was a mess and laundry piled up all week!) It was definitely wonderful knowing that my sink full of dishes and my dirty laundry would be all taken care of by the time we got home from school. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-33159958594083877362010-01-31T22:54:00.013-07:002010-02-01T00:23:47.903-07:00Insert chattering teeth here...and here...<div style="text-align: left;">Harbin is located in northeast China and is home to the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - even before we came to China I had seen the amazing pictures that someone had put together in a slideshow and then forwarded to the masses. It's only about an hour and a half plane ride from Dalian and there was no doubt - we must go! So now it is checked off our list...shivered there...froze that...got the pictures to prove it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ly1lVjhGrtCH0Bvy7BARxzgK4f1YWvybvy4aLDHurR6zlqpa4GB5eRZlhrUBrLilpQzz_UW-0sYwERZpcARev7qAcfDWzcxtEJ_xpLEjOEUmnKI_cO3JMkqd1n0ppk2yP7xytsk8AA3E/s320/IMG_9087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433153906606566050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It really was a great weekend with lots of memories and beautiful pictures. We started our Saturday with a trip to the Siberian Tiger Park. Only in China can you board a small bus and ride into the frozen tundra where tigers are roaming.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKse7ff05jbrGhw3zObJy4ooZYA7TO_Vv712AZDycwXXZrW_l5CQ245YTS5ElcNV8FNu-405s10vmUIFkFZrVniLPV6lwMFTUgeclIWx0H4ycSl3ruUxsxfpE2PR1A1nHqawMFXI9K6nn/s320/IMG_5324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433153921150376258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">One side of the window could open so you could get clear pictures - it had bars though, so no worries! Here is Emma, enjoying the view...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJvTxJGkafIJp3koGVR51KNxn2vVHDYwHxXb40mzb7trRtCQ4zj8moNGn7cULza3xDacJJ860vLdnFuLbU6QtLkJtIZzNWBC-r4JBf_XAlXaIXm9Vo7amhCB-9upxOqy9LdX17gSTKl-h/s320/IMG_5325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433157288165612354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">When a tiger walked right up to our window and started licking we screamed with excitement, with a bit of fear...telling Emma to keep her fingers <i>inside</i>...it was CRAZY! The tiger in question then turned, fluffed up his tail and SPRAYED our window... Let us not forget that Emma was standing - face pressed up to the bars on the <b>open</b> window. We will be forever grateful to that tiger for spraying the closed side, mere inches away from where we could have had a very different outcome. We just kept thinking, "What if Emma had gotten sprayed? Her face, her coat, her hair...!"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAbSlXdl_J5u2HLbVpUk3g_bdZjRlbxz48wad_2EvRyeFtRtUpV6ZkZjqUCBPfPZsRMsYZJK7FmhYvHx80_jEiD_c5y3TfU7wjPp5RCmHAfBKHr5sCuQMDLWHgEuKSAanFyJkAJAw_Z27/s320/IMG_5382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433157301338174962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got off the bus and walked to where the tigers were caged and you could pay 50RMB (about $7US) for a live chicken and feed it to the tigers piñata style. Mike was all over this...it was actually rather disturbing...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYUSPu_sWWMmVxwV057KX6LeXOjBqj4uuYqFPHdBQsqD29QfNvnz6T_pI4GpOfZpgKmgXRusHEDammPBMFs9VsmyxGesmyVJy1EVYcgFTMBw1voeGiy2odI0dNbijyU5ITWfnUf1LEgdL/s320/IMG_5388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433157297105823954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pipes are in the way but trust me on this - there was a blindingly fast grab and one little chicken was devoured.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPS0ZCFxxaNtg-mJj0FSXksNoOjuHtgoA3ksE2kXQInPlz0GY-56a8u77RTr4-lgZ3XEqge3oOVR6VZ9yBdADiQpnp9WUsXZYFm-ZbRMRCFwgqLgFyWO_k8-9LV3JUTLrratT75i7ftcd8/s320/IMG_9178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433157312334339538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike and I with our travel buddies, Damon and Yukiko in front of a really impressive snow sculpture.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOuQyYw8TRXsBA_k5wzvJcK4FwX2P9w66y3A9gmJV2mGdx2A7gq41AgdYmBncQ5paXhWb3ZzQL1gHLjgecUyd9n9LgBUWyB1Xeaqo5h0gW-RWi1W-Chyphenhyphena1D9OGjsgS2VPH2Ff5JCFXrnB/s320/IMG_5496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433161796834165522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We toured the snow sculptures for awhile and Emma rode on a snow scooter (?). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YioaWyLrG-QX1e5RQPvg7zp9zI-W55-tmgO-AqJ_HVVLnQ8tk4e1mVNekdYYsqISDn_YEeTsd8taHO5GdHlMc2pgfZfFrgSFjeg2MJN2LOUXfHEhaH0wAvZr0xQfossXuWrtyHd13wf1/s320/IMG_5507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433161813557489362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin had had enough at this point and was in full whine mode - this meant that I also had had enough!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't really describe the Ice Festival itself because it is beauty and skill that reaches beyond mere words. Something else that can't be described? The cold...and the dilemma of Erin needing to pee - she was wearing four layers top and bottom and the only choice would be a squatty port-a-potty. Not going to happen, folks...she was crying but I was willing to risk an accident. (FYI, we did make it back to the hotel in time but it wasn't my finest parenting moment).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few pictures...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iB1yeeCLOV-wCrAzRuNT9ddCoU9I4CsyRlRhWt4aJcVuxsRVAiD_triRwDoFMRM27EYdwngJfmYeaCAujYizRyqBhcSPSy9vFmF-R2F64Y1SCXNKl10ylOnDo6BDQ9jka1g2lFZyukNW/s320/IMG_5540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433165369538837170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyRNOmR61XvGymTjjILgjBGq6851GuhglU_XNo80-0al7wxPq5RCdd9Y1iZgoFbCX8Gbd3LCjjiEfKmU0GrqlrlOor2wUa8UsDJq7ufd302GO15vZn2TSy9AVMiJKJ2vqVDFYzQAWtqrN/s320/IMG_5542.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433167500373201890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfBGMFT09alJpa7ABDbmwzy41JDJrFkFDck_QKQ-QuSZJ4i3zqwBj0A18zAmYt8AjJeTCgl05blGXHAlczw4pEt-iBvtUW5wF05M4cXjiqN-jr24XxImhO-6_wPDUHIAWOadJ7uP_L1xj/s320/IMG_5521.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433165380795283474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's me in the back, in case you're wondering about the giant ninja :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZFc0PZ7beVSLgg2t8UTQKa5i7g8Rh_o-E6_wI7M1CNL9Juaa0_JXigokXS8Gdi8iT6OD5FpjdHcKCs6FsnsassN5ELFtx-OkqQW-xP0wPBPi9CAV4FaCCWe4G4Saz39aRi5CF80BW3PZ/s320/IMG_9319.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433167499199350050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma on the ice slide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMVVMH8a3rrh2ZD9l0CRONaUC-seswTzamGOnH40h4ioeLt6k4HnLOcnzEjaRZRaEufvqKXV2mvHtvdpnizAAMdOuKq45z3bp0IRO4hv-QZvu1BftjPG648FshyphenhyphenR0sSQUF6Qd_fbyWy9K/s320/IMG_9292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433165389609636674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's our travel group enjoying some shelter and some REALLY BAD hot cocoa.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnQRmcwndyhqrzEUkT2ObqMjEzfDWmVRZfkgJDqWkRrRxjxpk2Y8oX5A7BfoCuUcHDL_fVaErxy0H9jD9KA6s1JzdRUmnxqOLgYkjwv2Q_sK6B_DnIgQAY2Zc4BS0rAhXl7uiOOkjyjhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_5656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433165398975352866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our final adventure led us to the local river...froze over of course, but with a giant hole cut into it so the locals (or "locos" if you will) can swim. Now that's entertainment!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TuTpTXp9I0qOlvoXXW-9QcZGaBudobIExealt1Ptqv7SdZr8UozPKM2iYQKh6O-zkyObSba-AE9EP-lIkfi6t36Ohh8ZCsE71HTZ9f-j0qESFLuSNcZI4YlC2zaRN5ns_pYcT1yossZx/s320/IMG_9410.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433168708837437362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simply unbelievable...good thing he has on his swimming gloves!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpVbiMfgfFPO7pxotAWNGk6oY51wbZfu_BdTTyRRugdZMus2Lhyphenhyphen5YTweyKqairtzvsxiiv-eBavZPQseJW-ms-i2PscNc_sIqy1nJWtZoIg7K1qngozO0kE6ybMCQk-SI1sFB1UZ0ojUR/s320/IMG_5642.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433167522516528562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Before the swimmers came out, Emma and Erin were the main attraction.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCNcp-zwfasE1ntL2GcFNTgvAFeUNgkQDlZ01S1POTNHb4zEMVptFPrff7l5DSLYdflVYzh8FV3PC2_nQeD-yWWYfOtG_AHqwSiqRvM-XREGk41wDtDRhpHIcKLVtaCNrJ0V_vzXjnsBN/s320/IMG_5641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433168717735663650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_tAcJ_bf_H6ygSduW0cTkSczIgCALSCySMUOHcmPfLuJXlE_DFaYjvxo8PfWjD0azybai909V4-EpRTiAdoUGtLVXff_cFDF9rXmhPgy19Z-f_uABH2N_Efj-ZoQkhGHJ-NrXO2js-6W/s1600-h/IMG_5408.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_tAcJ_bf_H6ygSduW0cTkSczIgCALSCySMUOHcmPfLuJXlE_DFaYjvxo8PfWjD0azybai909V4-EpRTiAdoUGtLVXff_cFDF9rXmhPgy19Z-f_uABH2N_Efj-ZoQkhGHJ-NrXO2js-6W/s320/IMG_5408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433170029866786754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I shall leave you with this last photo, just because it's one of my favorites!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>There are more pictures and updates on our website - December and January have been updated! web.me.com/fendog </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-82962124480751502642010-01-19T20:54:00.010-07:002010-01-21T02:43:59.177-07:00Just to hold you over...like a snack...<div style="text-align: left;">Bu hao yisi...(pronounced "boo how eesa")...it means: sorry...so embarrassed...oops... Bu hao yisi! Can't believe I haven't blogged in so long! I am going to get back on track with sharing the goings on in our world - but not today! Today is just a quick update and next week I will start where I left off (back to Thanksgiving I think!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since my last blog in mid-November: it turned cold...we went to Shanghai for Thanksgiving...it got colder...we went to Arizona for Christmas and New Year's...it was a blissful 75 degrees...we came back to China...it has graduated to "freakin' freezing"...and this weekend we are going to the famous Harbin Ice Festival where temps will top out at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. So there you you have it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, it IS cold, but really, that is not what dominates my every thought - maybe every <i>other</i> thought. Here is a little funny from yesterday morning (a windy, snowy, 16 degree Fahrenheit morning): <i>Whe</i><i>n I was bundling the girls up for school Erin said, "I just want to wear my coat hat!" So I got out the cute little pink beanie that goes with her coat but..."No! I want my coat hat!" After a moment of confusion, I realized what she meant was HER HOOD. Yes, I still have desert darlings who apparently don't know the word for the hangy-down-head-cover-thing attached to a coat! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Here are a few photos to help you <i>feel</i> the cold...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zX2-8Ox3BpHG6xP-ceBMx65qXQ14_0YE3QG3KCRhS_CCC6L5uAuvezxLxNbF4WwxQ5RFf_oou0zfppBXl42vzB793rJieffk58IyLV578Ui5F1aJFf7kJAMygbKlGS7JghfcIPmA5Bj4/s320/IMG_5283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429117959028856546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the bus drivers for the school made this adorable snowman - this is quite an achievement considering that the snow is VERY dry - not good for snowballs or snowmen!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9RVy89Cgm7w4p22tAJ7l1yRHBGafOmpbRYaXSGq3-rCXY5Pp3Sbk5n-iGNGS5BPNdfcETVsTh5wgD7OEWyA1WV9_9k6XehefaRbrWvgswHjJqny1nCYKyQfwRcDiSzMrCwylsAMJ7Ifh/s320/IMG_5227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429117934291751954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the day we returned from sunny Arizona - while I was inside putting on my fleece, the girls were thoroughly enjoying the snow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07I8FwGp0cXbWXZdtNbkF7OmsKM6BZI2e6nDAzmYG_ceENdgUboUoUpSm5mt2oK5_MpV8dD8V392cN6XQCFY9253YXwDfx2u5jLiqZnledm2DTRPLGYjxtT6OZXxqYTfD7KrWHGQnSi-6/s320/IMG_4957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429121077194755154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">They put these "windshields" up all over the place to protect the trees...brrr...lots of wind here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT8BiXcA7g5pMvQ3SGGjzyvw-CLjiZklaQiP4FgMHMs4bdxvrZdJB7vrX50DLRbV6cg3KuSB66pKwzVPP8fjqBqWnVHbP3qQHwI2kyJ3HQZlO1O4pYIY_GUyB2qJlZylbtivB9IOSjuMx/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429121084173644274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from our balcony at the beginning of January. It was the biggest snowfall here in something like 20 years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GBSQVIpmZbIo9zAVv5p40Q5PFzr3AgzlnyLxdxECiJxkYaLTznVI9g6oCWxlWOWIgCHwHoRqVw1Y5LPK3cH9Cqde8k0lPKiBpffWnBjikX1z4PzgeAExe6nhWbm2-__Ui-ejWV6nG3dC/s320/IMG_4962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429117948040645826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">No, my daughters are not looking Chinese (yet). Just an image of how the locals bundle up their kids - face masks like this are a must, and they all wear at least two layers of pants (often three - and they are thick and wooly!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXomIY_tRPWI3_lXMX5XdjVnDIMyLmZktYh3OS7W9rGU_bUHHGFxr8bfu1A93e6511Pu5twIrjVzlHW0636u8kqVVhc8legOWrqaev-82WIsSoXw_ud-LElI8l4COd4BLz5RiTPn9kmmY/s320/IMG_4958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429121069978932802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look closely...this is a winter-equipped motorcycle taxi (aka - suicide on two wheels). Notice the furry seat and the oven mitt-like gloves attached to the handlebars. Believe it or not you can fit a family of four on one of these + the driver!</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-68884806220314036142009-11-11T06:51:00.015-07:002009-11-11T08:26:38.332-07:00Geneal Sounds Off...Winter, Starbucks, and Chinese HaircutsAh...winter...it has arrived in northeast China! Temps topped out at about 38 degrees today and the locals here don't really get it when I tell them that in my home state, our <i>lows </i>rarely drop to 38 and it is unthinkable as a high! In the first few days of cold, Emma and Erin would be ready to head to school in long-sleeved shirts and sweaters. Poor little things...they have entered a new world of layers topped off with heavy jackets, hats, and gloves. If you happen to be from a cold climate, you are probably scoffing at me and that's okay...I know how pathetic I must sound. And if you happen to be from Arizona, you are smirking because you think I have this coming to me because I<i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">may</span></i> have made a comment or two about our 85 degree days on the beach in July while you were roasting in the Arizona oven (anyone remember my comment about searching out the twigs of shade in the parking lot?). And so it is...soup for dinner, Michelin Man jackets, and the discovery of a couple of yummy, hot drinks from Starbucks.<div><br /></div><div>How about that segue to Starbucks? Read on...I have discovered two new loves: caramel macchiatos and toffee nut lattes. Unfortunately on the long list of things you can get mega-cheap in China (name-brand knock off purses, custom made cashmere jackets, produce, etc.), Starbucks is nowhere on that list. My new drinks of choice cost 33 RMB each - about $5 US. And...unfortunately there is only one - count 'em ONE - Starbucks in our area. And by "our area", I mean 30 minutes away. If cost and lack of convenience isn't reason enough to avoid Xing Ba Ke (that's Starbucks in Chinese), then the parking lot is a definite deal breaker. The Starbucks in question is located in a mall and although there is something like a kagillion people here, there are only about 40 parking spaces and ABSOLUTELY NO logic as to how people <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">drive</span> - <i>head-on with no room on either side to veer is common </i>OR <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">park</span> - <i>wherever the hell they want including blocking the one and only end so you can't loop around but rather have to back up to exit the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ingle car exit</span></b> which also happens to serve as the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ingle car entrance</span></b>.</i> Among my many "China experiences", sitting in a van while it makes a 27-point turn is on the list (somewhere between using a squatty potty and seeing men pee along the side of the road on a daily basis). I am quite certain that making my driver take me to Starbucks has shaved years off his life. Does that mean I will give up my latte? Nah, I just told him today that next time he can drop me off along the road and I will walk in from there. My wonderfully-sweet, super-protective, and ultra-professional driver responded, "Good idea, Geneal!" <i>Just imagine him saying that with his thick Chinese accent and it's very cute and quite telling about how he feels about the situation.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">And lastly, I have overcome one of my biggest fears about living in China and here's the bottom line: it's no</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">t</span> awful...</i>but... </div><div>I had my first haircut in China yesterday and the good news is I will not have to wear a hat every day for the next month. The bad news is I have come to terms with the fact that I spend a lot of energy and drama on what is my HAIR. Many of you empathize with me on the sensitive subject of hair and many of you probably want me to shut up already! However, the topic is in my title so I will sound off and then be done with it. Here it is: I decided in September when we were in the states that I had had enough of the long (long for me) hair and had it cut to my preferred short style. This means more maintenance but it was worth it and I was ready to be brave in China. So, I went (alone) to a salon in a hotel that a few of the teachers had spoken highly of. Lily is the stylist's American name (also my niece's name so it was fate...right?). She doesn't speak English so we did some pointing, some finger measuring, and some nodding...it was all good, no miscommunication there! Then I got to experience my first "dry wash" which involves her putting a giant blob of shampoo on my dry hair while sitting up in the chair. She then rubs a little, sprays a little, rubs a little, sprays a little - you see how this goes. I did get a normal rinse and while lying there I considered making a break for it. Wet hair and a windy, 40 degree day just seemed more risky to me than just getting on with the haircut. She began to snip and snip and snip with no apparent focus or direction. I'm pretty sure I didn't breathe for the duration. She then proceeded to 'thin' every inch of my hair - the bangs I was growing out? Well, I'll be starting over. Anyway, it's way too late to make this long story short so I will just say that my friend had to trim a few strays when I got home <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(thanks Yukiko!)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span>but today when I styled it, I realized (with enormous relief) that it's not that bad. I can live with it...hopefully until December when I can visit Andra and sit back and enjoy my time in the styling chair; relaxed, breathing easily, chatting away, no Kung Fu grip on the arms of the chair...</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading! And today if you're in Arizona, open your windows and enjoy the warm sun on your face. And if you're in the mood for Starbucks drive on in and park without anxiety or the urge to go monster trucking over a row of cars. And next time you're off to the salon to see your beloved hair stylist, give them a hug. </div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-48329546963398566682009-11-05T23:51:00.007-07:002009-11-11T08:30:19.355-07:00Happy Halloween!<div style="text-align: left;">Where can you fully embrace Halloween for what it is (or what it <i>should</i> be): a child-centered excuse for playing dress-up, going door-to-door essentially begging for sweets, leading to what can only be described as blissful, massive, candy-consumption? Where can you enjoy all that Halloween has to offer without cowering under an umbrella of "political correctness" or fearing that you may offend someone, somewhere...CHINA, that's where! The girls' school spent an entire afternoon enjoying festivities - Halloween-themed games (ghost bowling, anyone?) in each classroom and a costume parade. Then we went over to Campus Village - where we live - and had more games, a petting zoo and hayride, a kids buffet of Halloweenish foods, and a costume contest (Erin won a free smoothie from the cafe!) Here are a few photos of our celebration...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa7Zj_WuzOkizMM2cYGz92yxhj3u7uFP6PQ_-TZdvez9S-ZeYKPvsJErYVsgtI7nBWHQrUaJOoGVmGKO_0fyfhHdWRVG_-wyeSCnCRQqm62esil3uz2fXBOBTY_8Fx71IYuIGlNHpCRGE/s320/IMG_4331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400918201322215330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">I helped in the second grade station - ghost bowling! Good times...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy5sQtJJyOZ_Xtjb_pxPGpBSRZErfPAiKLaER9_nd5ZdlIHBbLS0N1unQWqsS-8l95YdokONaP4l7ieUvr14FrrW39mOl9HKJgzKcgSTXlPn6hJQbHMjYClj_FomYJHketI-HVj9Bx-qv/s320/DSC_0030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400881040630137874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">My little "Super Girl" in the mummy wrapping station.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FjgA_pQor9oegFMZ4mESFq_vMa6QDPn_wJloGe4Xz8HCHqFH2a_f49I2g6GQyqqMRBSbPNUHNmj_arTCUjKEQbdBCK62Ltn0FfUn0TWwwueQAmLmd-l2FPbhMlMEG2jskzcZyvoKzjTM/s320/DSC_0057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400881048323268130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">My little "USA Diva" in the costume parade. She is following her teacher - all of the teachers dressed up too. What fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wWTWMFQhZdjYMoPCcVqqrOQxOI0WWbnSsCvBm6vQU7oPee_RJbVTd7CtQNBMaC6tKs7tgFGEAQL4FdeB2orsq8rvTA9MXI8Tnn2Suxtjx-ScbFLDg-wI0KE7pZ3cYK-G8NEwp9JTx9nC/s1600-h/IMG_4343_2.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wWTWMFQhZdjYMoPCcVqqrOQxOI0WWbnSsCvBm6vQU7oPee_RJbVTd7CtQNBMaC6tKs7tgFGEAQL4FdeB2orsq8rvTA9MXI8Tnn2Suxtjx-ScbFLDg-wI0KE7pZ3cYK-G8NEwp9JTx9nC/s1600-h/IMG_4343_2.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wWTWMFQhZdjYMoPCcVqqrOQxOI0WWbnSsCvBm6vQU7oPee_RJbVTd7CtQNBMaC6tKs7tgFGEAQL4FdeB2orsq8rvTA9MXI8Tnn2Suxtjx-ScbFLDg-wI0KE7pZ3cYK-G8NEwp9JTx9nC/s320/IMG_4343_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400903566596230386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Emma on the hayride. They rode all around the neighborhood (she was itchy and cold but had a great time).</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOuEJZdwGz0UgIIvyJht5X59Uq-_nsuD1o7ZnsdDk32wjHnGEAMTMemncJqPuVaqaQsAthW3i1tzJOFiuocwerR0DQy9naVUm8-UgYtPNU4E9K7VUGC9DVcrP7UesoMfD9wHwF_MePNpn/s1600-h/IMG_4354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOuEJZdwGz0UgIIvyJht5X59Uq-_nsuD1o7ZnsdDk32wjHnGEAMTMemncJqPuVaqaQsAthW3i1tzJOFiuocwerR0DQy9naVUm8-UgYtPNU4E9K7VUGC9DVcrP7UesoMfD9wHwF_MePNpn/s320/IMG_4354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400903551190167602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Erin is with her friends - they always divide everything by age groups here. Fine in theory, but it makes it hard to take pictures when the kids are split up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy5sQtJJyOZ_Xtjb_pxPGpBSRZErfPAiKLaER9_nd5ZdlIHBbLS0N1unQWqsS-8l95YdokONaP4l7ieUvr14FrrW39mOl9HKJgzKcgSTXlPn6hJQbHMjYClj_FomYJHketI-HVj9Bx-qv/s1600-h/DSC_0030.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaxyQzTzZjpzhi746Vc8oQf0_AULuRFn0oz4NjEDVHHxLrCIhA0f9kXhpc6D6ML-8coySm3Ucfrs34p2cgib5E2OsH7fOeM52rufFU7pgQK14jsi_pmLfWc-TOhYMJEspx3w1iTFxCfmC/s1600-h/IMG_4363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaxyQzTzZjpzhi746Vc8oQf0_AULuRFn0oz4NjEDVHHxLrCIhA0f9kXhpc6D6ML-8coySm3Ucfrs34p2cgib5E2OsH7fOeM52rufFU7pgQK14jsi_pmLfWc-TOhYMJEspx3w1iTFxCfmC/s320/IMG_4363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400881032562120754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They even made homemade piñatas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6jb_Li1lQfL_gss0TATGkwDoEoB8WrXc91K-6pnl2P6jwvaC9kLIAjDnN3qO9RYoyORPUz74frdqrDuYgDQfRAVt8k3-YkAI6nWELcbVmt01Ljgi6UNL4qS8-47cR1R5uHNwePhHr9I7/s320/IMG_4370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400903560636799890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were about 100 kids trick-or-treating in our community. The girls received lots of Chinese candy (yuck) and some candy brought from the states - thank goodness for the "parent tax"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fortunately all Halloween activities were on Friday, a crisp, clear fall evening, because on Saturday we were hit with middle-of-winter type temperatures. It lasted through the beginning of the week. When we walked to school Monday, it was 27 degrees!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGjLiOv1egf2676Bjqu2A-hA56K-uuVyJT3XdUl_s4N3UcBCrMeG4_MGBP8wtGveAyEFd1yocOCpi8gffSDh3RFdU5yNeODLAZcGHkuIYART6VXqcoPXNxbkTmZIN1MpZ93AHyFN0li60/s320/IMG_4371_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400918206629468818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>If </i><i>you haven't checked our website in a while, go there now! (web.me.com/fendog) There are pictures from September (the girls in a Chinese wedding and our trip to Dandong) and from October (our trip to Beijing and more Halloween).</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-22959258653850112762009-10-25T22:39:00.007-07:002009-10-25T23:54:09.348-07:00What a Life...<div style="text-align: left;">While zipping around a lake in the Hutong area of Beijing at a break-neck speed of 8mph, I realized two things: 1) my children have accrued many airplane hours in the last 6 months - I know this because as Mike was driving the boat, Emma and Erin recited the customary flight attendant speech: "...the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign...please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts low and tight across your waist..." This rendition includes hand gestures, perfect posture, and what I may describe as a rather "uppity tone" AND 2) even in the open waters of a lake, in a battery powered boat, there is no common sense nor etiquette in Chinese driving.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zIz5HxcGIYnNh7WfTjSaCSj2UE_UXTPdg9zJ90gA_NQkGnWNNZOrPhAvyhlDXd-mjctA5PD6KQVvdm3EzVw2xAX72Pt59R9sjmAi7Sow1GKNrozsK91dK9DPz2ztnAMza5Wj71pDwnJO/s320/IMG_4111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396783329250062738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Emma in "flight attendant mode" on our rickety little boat. Both girls got to drive - it was definitely one of their favorite Beijing moments.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKlwHYUuIjM8_wRE7__nUzB7LNpL72tmAl69pPugLPJD_JhKY6mgKNmuZAiwnv886zXJC6kNDxQFVI7pXoa7vb9u9Twmnqy165EPmSnBfUZDwCMvP_N45djnujvAq5yM-KCFjf4otq5d-/s320/IMG_4108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396783326681369538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our near head-on collision with a fellow boater in the tunnel - we were in the tunnel first! After some bumping and scraping we came out the other side unscathed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>We returned to our China home in early October after a wonderful visit to the states - it was two weeks of family, food, shopping, food, friends, food, laughter, and...did I mention food? Life is good in the states! Everything is accessible (food, clothing) and clean (bathrooms, restaurants). On our last leg of the trip to the US, Erin asked who our driver would be in Arizona - how soon they have forgotten about life pre-China! While I was sad to leave Arizona, getting back here has been good too. As mentioned above, we took a weekend trip to Beijing and had a great time. Here are some highlights:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPyoH0P_o0kIv9MSRAXKzcG0debrJUR4_gzjjpb64vCXvsrzjfSVSq7YKw69zn5qAyBc5SPT7J-AvqHAIldCdEPY3Xd_jVtWabrGnz0oLIQ95bJzT0VVZhnlhhBCqxRN75EwBSt6C-CId/s320/IMG_3925.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396787033834058994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are at the Forbidden City where we hired an English-speaking guide. There is endless symbolism and legend in Chinese culture (colors, dragons, numbers), she explained a lot and made the tour much more meaningful for us. And she took our picture!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbGfzkXBi5s1c3a4yO9b227nQjvcKl_dzGng9Zn7ywpwTZS7yl0ERnCHSIdZTSgBySZM_mIypj7xHpYP6cEm5jfsnWb5DBn6V8JOly9dhjsrNEYH3KTpFMkyWJ4_Rp7T6kRFmeYDR1V3B/s320/IMG_4004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396783343409841250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We toured Beijing's Hutongs - these are very old villages located around the Forbidden City. Lots of culture and history to be seen (if you want to know more about the Hutongs: http://www.chinavista.com/experience/hutong/hutong.html). We traveled as a family in a rickshaw - our driver sure earned his money!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe6Vt2rnMhyphenhyphenDfjzL3uCHv1FE0pielxDcqksbZYVmet_O7zzpvbkzdHQcteHXVL9WjW560zxIWgIDMTN2-8_CoUBuL87NZESCW3X21R5auf3G4QdNu2CMOnvq25klmSn5stiCyF3xaPIhY/s320/IMG_4064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396783340851716610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the girls with our rickshaw driver - he was wonderful - he was very friendly and spoke a little English.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpWFLDpcPDCgq6VL-leYmqBzr9ZEA1oSjieyQ6_gV-yeEW3hMZG6I1noZeuid-64PiHu5fdUL4yIbyEje_lgFirAFL5ahNDjFLqWop3MYg4bj82vYUjWAyBK1ornLBQOEgP7WL7Ru2v1-/s320/IMG_4065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396790479029170034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love this picture of Emma! Every time the girls broke into a fight or whined about something, Mike would tell them that he would leave them in Beijing to drive a rickshaw or hawk t-shirts at The Great Wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-8BPFv2LWMICSNRUeXPbGmUitJnFq9WvvpdL23tkAPvhWn1fMR3MhalydEZxyAlwU3Pmgj3jQ0ihAH7RWm1wsRcH3NOFmj_YHsXA7mRgvwb592u_X6DBwVexoHjsONRTtmhCw7WMnWeQ/s320/IMG_4124.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396790471716627762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah yes, we DID ride the Beijing subway at 5:00 on a Friday...it is not for the faint-hearted! Mike and I had to plant ourselves around the girls so they wouldn't get squished (literally).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRD2p6CjxRmMQ7TivXjtDDtgDpMiso68ez0srxUEkp04ehDF89UUmptFwUszGUC9U4ZECn8iGG5Ri32uER06dn5QvWszu95IjWOvVq1Szgdr4Xu_9TE3hps75A2_xNr6HIxL3hZBByeb7/s320/IMG_4145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396790485382281890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We rode the cable car up to The Great Wall. Seeing it go on and on in both directions is breathtaking. The Beijing haze was present but otherwise, it was a beautiful day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Note: When all was said and done, in three days we had traveled by plane, taxi, bus, van, subway, rickshaw, and cable car).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkishyphenhyphennQdGQys7sDUSeRtP3lc_rMEO-clmWGDc_210DZ5hynESjscF9DIPfD8c1CHbzp52g7malvUnakJ5PjijNojsyk18KiV00JTn6Id5qEvArdtohfWsx-Pfu5XI4RMRS3ZsTsKzZO5Q/s320/IMG_4155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396790489200839202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike and his girls with an incredible backdrop, don't ya think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk4WezEz-zqetWuu9ISjzsD-oYEK_XD_ib9gxk5oP3TnRvak9MlRjvEdwloLQWS5cqYd_GaE7_m5fhn0PisUwzvwmIQs1y9MONzJ4-4wSjEZnfgCPxQFj-CexWx_tA6Y8Gywe8oFjWoOT/s320/IMG_4313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396783353342228594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a gloriously non-Chinese dinner at The Outback with our friends, we hit an international bookstore and the night market. This is where you can get anything on a stick (chicken hearts, sheep testicles, baby shark, for example). We settled for strawberries deep-fried in sugar - yum!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR-woRqVNXN-YVkRiDt_5Y0KhGWYBVwaVKwZpzYOho5qbaIp2u0NqbdKjDGiFUQzon5FpUo5dJ0k8hZ13qNDhs8-F62npXtJcRvoAWR-3kCXHEmMirl06gpg0GkY3ezsz43KuDHItLSwE/s320/IMG_4294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396790494452307362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin in the middle of the walking street (no cars allowed). She had just enjoyed a Starbucks hot chocolate and taken a few photos with some locals. Too bad she's not having any fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next stop: Shanghai for Thanksgiving! Crazy life, huh?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">If you haven't visited our website to see our September pictures, go now! web.me.com/fendog</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Check next week for our October pictures - more from Beijing and Halloween!</span></div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-10625360925077764942009-09-20T21:58:00.020-07:002009-09-21T08:27:19.371-07:00Sweet September<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpm4BeFBvk3rXNnPV65CqzqFt91wtB56GedywGI2jdar8erDWLT0ZG-41NFxfBqU6PKidtFvpYlxesUobNDgqb8M3E3qlEy5cU-XRCX3D0ko1zqjsQda3L-XY1wxXkEq8BFAp9cucLoem/s1600-h/IMG_3473.JPG"></a>As we look forward to our first home leave since we arrived in May, I look back on what has really been a terrific September for us. The weather is fantastic and we have settled into a busy, fun routine. Mike may beg to differ since his routine involves long hours at work but I know that he is happy when his girls are happy. I have added hosting a "lunch club" to my weekly schedule - this involves me playing movement games with nine pre-K to first graders. Today was a success! You simply can't go wrong with the Hokey Pokey and Duck Duck Goose! Emma is now taking gymnastics one day after school and Erin has ballet and tennis! Our ultimate highlight for the month will be our trip home to Arizona on Saturday but here are some of our September highlights from our China home...<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> A Chinese Wedding</span></div><div>Going to a Chinese wedding is among the many things I knew I would like to do while we are living here. We got the opportunity when we received an invitation from Mike's co-worker to her wedding. We received the invitation only eight days before the event. I guess this is normal - no two month notice like we're used to. Even more exciting (or stress-inducing) was she wanted Emma and Erin to be IN the wedding. After a few moments of panic - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">what will they wear? do they rehearse their parts? will they actually do it when it's such an unknown environment?</span> - I was put at ease by fellow ex-pats who have been there. All I had to do was dress them in something pretty and show up - not too difficult. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEZak_JthzMXidJ5QZOIReazkst31IlyNaTPNlBSM8jtd0oBxczE6JEawqNYQtYeGVTd12AHHA4PDFfoTt5m_hhNCrpI9GhN5E2Mn-0RUqj_UKI-BvBQQQQPl4ej8eJxxnAefKxCQDOyZ/s320/securedownload.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383786934137503026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin carried the rings down the aisle (yes, she is wearing angel wings). She nearly lost it but kept it together and was a hit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPiPgqOK0BALZVt3OORXaxAuHOnBk-B9O7hks6PDz_6VmpYVbbJIzAKoLr3KojG26AMETw6EFHnYZrjQMcxzOvQLk5IzIRFu4Pi7ULujIJgcAsr7zjB2dK_AIdnDOpGVeFXLCnN45NY9R/s320/securedownload-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383786941960200482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this picture...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhUnQojteZzAv0_Kfj0yNnfyqbz6tvbqJyUUJneH0N_RTsUIBNXQ2fqyF-B6o9n50D2at3yr26a-jBpue28Fj2XyNzY0lZiCWRfxv7WQS784lyC3-_nYaXFEAsudXFn33Oc5oDXfscSBN/s320/securedownload-4.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383790224644727554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma carried a candle and it was used to light a unity candle. She<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> loved</span> this experience and said she felt "very important".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2FrxtUl3D8exOOw9QjfSo4vFuWNXUYv2bnk1mOM1p9iJvLnqAKzfzXujaL72MJlXJ4koe6Gh3wQ7C9WOyjtNlKjuvGCGuG5grNy3vWJA1BrPJDXG32XFn_CGsWrc2MLLBvbwCgP5XKSI/s320/IMG_3401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383786956888099858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">The ceremony was officiated by an MC and at times it felt a bit like a game show. We understood about 2% (that might be generous) of what was said but it was fun. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6cp126ABvqNTPicDJ3XVhSpdbkA54eFkGGHwUShvhQA6Sc8Rr63PU6QgOVXx1vjP74oY48lqmbf6tRM_VTXi-BTrWJ5BJmr-zEtN-k-M2UqY7gZ0WdFCq-v44ViAkb_Ij08mqqydzyjd/s320/IMG_3349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383789686070146626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrived at the restaurant about 30 minutes before the wedding - most guests arrived about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">30 seconds </span>before...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf8FJPH-_JrPjNk5VRM9gz61jGT8YHCK5mM2MtHMbl-Htj2aTnHNh1eTE1FJnTHgGv-zV88uI-zdEgFlukb7iu3sbMclrsH_gzjuZ2e_Fj8QWOwlpq5-GRo6exs6biZv07QH5ODdh9kZg/s320/IMG_3415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383791648875315922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ceremony, dinner, etc. was all held in a restaurant and we think that approximately 20 dishes were served. We recognized only some of it but tried most of it. Thank goodness the girls aren't picky eaters!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Our Visit to Dandong, China</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">This past weekend we visited Dandong, a city about 3 hours north of us. The city borders North Korea and is home to the eastern end of the Great Wall. We had a great time and really enjoyed experiencing a little more of what China had to offer. I will post more pictures on my Facebook page and Mike will put lots on our webpage. Here is a sample...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJJLGBsJx2Atjs4oC50wNPaYfy8f6sbZWi12AhW-QxoXo0J4K4I282ououFSosdUfSX8kM8LKl6WV2lrqv7_7RrO7CXQtZdThzy6vUd7W0EusbD_azOxQul2-LP9jLXeebQ8raXmKk0x7/s320/IMG_3490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383796063831526930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the view of North Korea from the other side of the Yalu River. We walked out on the bridge that the US bombed at the start of the Korean War. We were a spectacle too, of course, lots of photo ops for the girls and for me, a disappointing but not surprising realization of my 'barely there' Chinese skills. Notice the ferris wheel in the background...all part of the facade to make it look like a normal, fun place to live. It's all very mysterious and creepy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1wFWz_j8YgJ-sO50AVR7CrrTLPAOsTeMzfcCPsr_R6W0OvHo_X2RoI4JV_Fw-IcsZXz4MzWdzr53fL9NjJUEB01yO7cqV9v7SIbekhP-2qEW1R7bS8i26pV7CJnhXP0tHfm3EWI-wYe2/s320/IMG_3803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383807749065589554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are at the Great Wall of China...everyone should see it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6vTmQEmTcbq0gmcYNJSl0SXErBG1uiznBbrhID_7kSESwI1DLXWxAnX0QbrNUiNsRP2WmphOwoZnpnvKOTKoDO-VBuE6UqXlx_OIVOoumA08YbRgQ6ZHWn4d2ONaJ_NMnAPBFFiLtNPK/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383796080785109858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin and Emma amazed me with their climbing skills. Many of the steps were like this - knee high for Erin and steep! I followed the girls example and didn't whine even once!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB7Y5CSew0SLJhzgAITTB3AFEKDLPpv9pEpxX5I-3A89T4Q_4zzH4X2XUVRfd9jbvzouoQ5JFZhz3pJ5QSXZDhPWo32GNOMjEOl-gdzpYBVdbOragoAmYfsT0Ew4-dab6nC-CVOJtqH_K/s320/IMG_3678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383796092604949778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, we made it up and over the hill! The weather was overcast and cool and the landscape was breathtaking (or was that the thousands of steps we climbed?).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYnMhErL4oW0_6IQRjE6C8VNDlESRgkXQsZLoOufpgV7gABNTxYL0Xib1hSdhVxWPXy5ZHpDw1Yj3o_WeHtbeIDvT6Iq_7djHjeYnx7j6cfTvepKUM3ESqCnTo4ZtkYrLAS5HOuzGbQyA/s320/IMG_3702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383796088030845042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We didn't whine, but we did take a few breaks!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD73poWIb9sODe5gBs4nLTCsmLqEduCJPfm2mnUD-sE9rJGSjDeAZT5jwx2UZVJHiKtlAegApuISkQMnuJWXdFn06PYeUCHkpfWBFXL88qOHLsxgWzG469-PO5Oi3dCA9Xd8dcYQ5qDZ5U/s320/IMG_3714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383798303413970114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the view looking down once we made it to the top. I can guarantee you that I was more nervous than the girls...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the handrail is my friend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-style: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbcQFIqG2IMd1EhGcXyI5Khb4eKQ6yrqtEjp1Ch1qWyX5Ja7J96C6Af6H7_WHnRclmXByMwyEFVyZpfdwxrqkzLgM2gxtGMc9UOFUMydxgBeSCZJHlcIuJWMwzb2F9C2sM4D8SloTh4LA/s320/IMG_3761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383798329577881746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had heard that if you could make it all the way, there was a boat to take you back to the beginning...the locals pointed this way and so we went... There is a "look" that I give Mike in moments like this...his reply is always the same, "It's all part of the adventure!" That it is!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsE5mJ-LjaBN4y0k5iSekTcI-5WoGK9Tj7FOHPD1ppoeQWdlTePQ6dRPyrZVHNIJ9oSEBq9n9SS2q4WJyaeh_CPDxtWCu7d-z053VQ_E4Z9HrimVoUAwkKqPwyeZ-m4lUu-fKH8-Ti_JL/s320/IMG_3767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383798345829018306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just in case we hadn't had enough adventure, here is the luxury liner that returned us to the entrance...if only you could see it up close...again, I gave 'the look' and Mike added to the usual reply by saying, "It's no big deal, you know how to swim!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Just for Fun</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As for the normal, day to day stuff that makes up our life here in the PRC, here are a few fun pictures...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvv2-RSVLIiUqQAeLjoo525rNAV13TmpMf16G0uv5ZcqndVJtMHa2ILj4zVLuc0o74H42qK6ENTMHQa5KFIbVuGFIS-MCspJGP6m1vmkZFDhMTlM5NcYDxcuNH1glftxLg9x1ISLzuraG/s320/IMG_3482_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383801492328404850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma saved some money and pitched in to buy herself a new bike. Here she is ready to ride home after school.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aIgBT8pm7KIoYxvYBzcMkknZwa_XG02M1SvPwjkZP6MrgdULa2Hl4yJMIJIFgGtOVGKSSKZjVxjEMoGghHsTlPSWDQysC3yHX2W4qitwgBRMksNPueRX-1DdkODAWsnkR4SCxcmqUPvy/s320/IMG_3477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383801499429985458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpm4BeFBvk3rXNnPV65CqzqFt91wtB56GedywGI2jdar8erDWLT0ZG-41NFxfBqU6PKidtFvpYlxesUobNDgqb8M3E3qlEy5cU-XRCX3D0ko1zqjsQda3L-XY1wxXkEq8BFAp9cucLoem/s320/IMG_3473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383810599182185090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin is taking ballet after school (the dance room is in the school). I almost thought she wouldn't make the cut because she had to be tall enough to get her leg on top of the bar. It's a stretch, but she can do it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ugh...this is a loooong blog...but there is so much I want to share! Check Facebook and our website in the coming week to see more pictures. We will be home for a quick 2-week visit on Saturday and hope to see many of you! If we can't see you this time, we will be home for a longer visit in December and we will get together then!</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-80111705348543072852009-09-03T23:07:00.005-07:002009-09-04T01:30:14.904-07:00A Little of This...A Little of ThatEmma and Erin have settled into school and are enjoying the many benefits that come with super-small classes, gifted teachers, and truly diverse peers. Erin has made friends with a sweet little girl from Korea. She doesn't speak much English but according to Erin, she is teaching her some every day. The little girl just recently showed up to school with adorable curls in her chin-length hair. I asked Erin about the curls and she said, "She has a permanent. I really want a permanent too!" Erin is already blessed with a little curl in her hair so that was pretty much the end of the discussion - just kinda funny that my 4-year-old now knows about perms. I just want to know how she got a perm everywhere except her bangs. I remember having that argument with my mom and the hair stylist. I just wanted my bangs left alone but NOOOO...I suffered with the poodle bangs for a couple of weeks (a giant curling iron and some mega-hold hairspray helped too). Wow, that was a little (somewhat traumatic) stroll down memory lane!<div><br /></div><div>I am keeping busy even with the girls at school all day. I have been reading, working out, Facebooking, shopping (although only for food/household stuff - not purses or custom made clothing yet). I have been helping Emma's teacher with some administrative tasks which is actually kind of fun when it's not for my own classroom and when I can do it while watching my Two and a Half Men DVD. I spent a couple of hours in the classroom this week and in the teacher's words, "It is teaching heaven". ELEVEN STUDENTS... even at their noisiest it wouldn't qualify for noisy. She never has to raise her voice and she has the time to make each child feel as though they are capable, wonderful, and worthy. I remember at the end of some of my teaching days that I would feel sad that I didn't even get to chat with some students...they would get no personal attention because I was pulled in a million other directions. Teacher friends...can you relate? If you've ever thought of teaching abroad, I would recommend it although do your research - I'm sure they are not all like our school.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of teaching...I have been doing a little of that lately! I am teaching English to newly hired Intel employees (20-somethings, just out of college). They are learning through phonics so it is very basic but they are eager and fun to work with. It makes me feel like I have purpose in my new life. At the end of class they have a chance to ask me questions and today they asked about the phrases, "Who cares?" and "Who knows?" They wanted to know in what type of situations were those appropriate to say. Hmmmm...I did my best to keep the explanation brief and to the point - probably not a good idea to say them in a work setting. I see now that pronunciation and explanation of English words is likely just as difficult for them as Chinese is for me. Although we don't have the tones...what's with the tones? Ugh!</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather here is cooling down and fall is on its way. You probably don't want to hear this, but I would say we really only had two, maybe three weeks when it was really hot. Even then, it was only in the 90s but super humid. Today it is overcast and rain is forecasted for the weekend. I am still an Arizonan at heart because I actually like the clouds and rain!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, not the most exciting blog but well, life, even in China, isn't all that exciting. We are going to a Chinese wedding tomorrow so I am sure there will be a blog for that! Mike has updated our website with the August photos (although he left off the kids first day of school). There is also a link on the web that says "Good Luck Uncle Neal". The girls put on their own muscle show to support my brother who will be competing on Saturday - wish we could be there!</div><div><br /></div><div>21 DAYS UNTIL WE BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS AMERICAN SOIL. GOD BLESS AMERICA!</div>The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858386623548662311.post-62266964963937027042009-08-23T03:57:00.010-07:002009-08-23T06:23:59.748-07:00The First 100 Days...<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">One hundred days…that is how long we have been living in China!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It seems like a good time to reflect, take inventory of my experiences - good, bad, and different. Here is what I came up with: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the past 100 days I HAVE…</span></span></span></p> <ul><li>met people from all over the world including Scotland, Australia, Korea, Germany, and the Czech Republic (of course China and the US too)<br /></li><li>had my picture taken with a dolphin<br /></li><li>spent over 36 hours in one-on-one Chinese lessons (and I am making SLOW progress)<br /></li><li>drank milk from a box – it has a shelf life of one year<br /></li><li>bagged my own groceries each and every time I have shopped<br /></li><li>have made my own sour cream and croutons and baked homemade banana chocolate chip muffins – how domesticated am I?<br /></li><li>figured out how to communicate almost entirely by pantomiming </li><li>had only one date night with Mike<br /></li><li>appeared on Chinese TV (seriously - CCTV interviewed me - I only agreed because I thought the lady at the event was asking if I wanted to 'spin the wheel' when she was actually asking if I wanted to be 'interviewed' - oh the horror!)</li><li>driven (well, have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">been driven</span>) to the beach - only 5 minutes from our home</li><li>(on many occasions) seen four adults riding on ONE motorcycle<br /></li><li>walked my girls to school</li><li>bought several boxes of Cheerios which cost 85 RMB - about $12 US!</li><li>ordered dinner in Chinese</li><li>read six books<br /></li><li>bought fruits and vegetables at the local street markets<br /></li><li>used a squatty potty successfully (this means I didn’t pee all over myself)<br /></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the past 100 days I HAVE NOT…</span></span></span></p> <ul><li>pumped gas or driven a car<br /></li><li>done laundry or mopped my own floor<br /></li><li>watched a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond or King of Queens<br /></li><li>went through a drive through</li><li>missed being a working mom</li><li>shopped at Target, browsed at a Barnes & Noble, or sipped Chai at Starbucks (and unbelievably I have lived to tell about it!)</li><li>received a piece of junk mail<br /></li><li>seen a single cactus or said, "Thank goodness it's a dry heat!"<br /></li><li>eaten my mom’s cooking<br /></li><li>found a good place to get a pedicure (I have a place but it's just mediocre at best)</li><li>used a credit or debit card (just RMB baby!)<br /></li><li>went shopping for clothes or shoes<br /></li><li>had a haircut (dark roots, split ends, gray hair, oh my!)<br /></li><li>been to a movie<br /></li><li>gotten ready in a full-length mirror (I don't have one)</li><li>seen my family :(<br /></li></ul><div>There it is...100 days and counting in our China adventure. We are now in the process of counting down until our first trip home. As of this posting, we have 33 days until we begin our journey home for a two-week visit! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to the next 100 days...a little adventure, a lot of friendship, and memories to last a lifetime!</div><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> </ul> <!--EndFragment-->The Dalian Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149249121942222257noreply@blogger.com3