Just Another Day in China...

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.

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. *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.* Anyway, yesterday the timing of the water turn-off was changed to be 24 hours 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.

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...

What's LOFE got to do with it? My Life as a "Trailing Spouse" Installment 2

Ahh...lofe, 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: It's All About Lofe Between You and Me.

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 lofe...). 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.

It's hard to discreetly snap photos of funny shirts, but here are a couple of signs for you to ponder...

Here We (They) Go!

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!

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...thank you!

Here are a few pics to enjoy...

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.

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.

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.

Emma is all smiles waiting in line. Her teacher, Ms. Hunt, is there in the blue shirt.

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.

Looking forward to a great year and lots of growing (sigh...)

Summer Highlights

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...

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....

...and we couldn't be happier! How adorable is she in this cut? Thanks Shelly! Way to go Emma!

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.

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.)

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!

The girls spent lots of time with their cousins, Griffin and Lily...here they are just before the REAL fun began...

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...

Just had to include this pic of my brother...there is also a video floating out there somewhere...like I said, good times!

Dinners out, swimming, and attacks by Wolverine and his pirate-mutant sidekick. Here is Mike valiantly defending himself against the dynamic duo.

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.

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Coming soon...a pic from our Vegas trip...hopefully one prior to my (four? five?) Cherry Limeades :)

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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

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!

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!

And once again, I find myself at the conclusion of a blog with a photo that really doesn't have a place or a purpose but it's just so stinkin' cute...

Hair today...gone SOON

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).

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!

"Hmmmm....I wonder how much my hair has grown since the first day of school?"

"This photo was taken last August on my first day of second grade."

"Look at me now!"

"Is this your reaction too??!! I KNOW! It's CRAZY!"

"And speaking of CRAZY - this is my hair after my mom spent THREE hours unbraiding it after our trip to Thailand!"

(Doesn't really go with this blog but I've been looking for an excuse to share this one! Funny huh?)

Life in China..One Year Later

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!

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).

For your review and mine, here are some standout items on my list; my life in China...one year later.

Travel Stuff

In the past year I have...

...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.

...played tourist in Beijing visiting the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square.

...celebrated Thanksgiving in Shanghai with our expat friends - our family away from family.

...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.

...received a hard dose of reality (and history) in Siem Reap, Cambodia where we visited local villages and the temples of Angkor Wat.

...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.

...trained for and walked a half-marathon ON the Great Wall of China!

Day to Day Life Stuff

In the past year I have...

...learned to enjoy cooking and baking (when someone else preps and cleans, of course).

...served as secretary of the first ever Parent-School Partnership group (think PTO) at our International School.

...played with babies at a local orphanage - some of God's most beautiful handiwork, they are seemingly forgotten treasures.

...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.

...read more than 20 adult books (and by "adult" I mean above a 5th grade level - NOT x-rated!)

...made what I hope are lifelong friends with people from all over the world.

..."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.

...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!)

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. It will be the grand finale of this grand adventure.

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!

**Check our website periodically for monthly updates and...COMING SOON - a photo slideshow of our first year!

The ABCs of the GWM

*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...

Here is our group from Dalian - lookin' good and ready to go! (I am kneeling in front wearing a blue hat)

A is for Adventure and Accomplishment

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!

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...

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.

B is for Bowels and Bathrooms

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...take care of business...while squatting AND trying to ignore the eyes peering over the door. I just couldn't do it!

I spent the next 12 or so miles trying to forget that, although I was unable to, I needed to...take care of business. 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!

Let's change the subject shall we? B is also for Bloomin' Onion at the Outback. YUM!

C is for Commitment and Companionship

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...finally took care of business. We were committed to the training and to each other...companions, comrades, confidants.

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 :)

Here are a few other pictures...

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.

A sweet old man that to me, looks like "old China" - nothing modern or worldly about him.

So many children watched us pass - waving, sometimes hugging - she was shy but so cute!