Home Alone . . . well, sort of

Andy has been traveling all week. He has been in Shenzen and Guangzhou (both in the south very close to Hong Kong). The kids and I have almost made it through our first week of being on our own in China - 1 more day to go! The week has been long, but they always are when he is gone because we all miss him! I think it has seemed a bit longer for me this time because every night one kiddo has been up in the night. It almost feels like they have coordinated it or they are taking turns because it has not been the same kiddo two nights in a row! We have had a good time together, but I am TIRED! Yesterday we met a friend and her daughters for lunch. 

But honestly, this week would have seemed a lot longer had I not had XaLiu. Who is she you ask? XaLiu is our ayi (domestic helper or maid). She works for us full time and does cleaning, laundry, cooking, and even watches the kids when needed. She has been such a blessing to us! I have been hesitant to blog about this because doesn't it sound pretentious?! But in wanting to fairly represent what life is really like here, I would be remiss if I didn't talk about her. At first (and really even now), it was so strange to me to have an ayi. I kept thinking, "I don't need this. I do all this by myself at home, surely I can do it here." I even wondered what other people (particularly Chinese) would think about it. But it is so standard here! Some Chinese even have an ayi! Isn't the whole thing bizarre? Granted, I could easily get used to it (and in fact already am)! I also worried how I would be able to communicate because she speaks very little English. But really having her is a blessing because it frees me to leave the house and not take all the kids. [I cannot express to you how much harder it is to do things with 3 kids in tow!] Because of her, I will be able to take Chinese at the university or even volunteer some days and she will watch Tori. She is so wonderful with the kids. In fact, they are learning a lot of Chinese from her (as am I - she is so patient with my attempts at Chinese)! 

I sometimes look at my life here and it just seems a bit surreal. ;o)