Birthday girl

Yesterday was Becca's birthday. I asked her if it felt any different to be 9, she responded, "No, I'm still the same kid." Of our trio, Becca has adjusted to the move the easiest. Andy and I have often commented that it has seemed like she was waiting to do this "all of her life." She loves to travel, explore, and meet new people. During these last couple of years, we have seen her grow so much! She is a wonderful girl who shows compassion and kindness to others, but at the same time is very logical. Happy Birthday, Becca B! It is such a privilege to parent you on your journey to adulthood.

听不懂 (ting bu dong)

You can't live in China without hearing this phrase on a regular basis. A Chinese individual will ask you a question, then if it seems that you can't answer they will respond with: 听不懂 ting bu dong. This means "hear but don't understand." So far, I have judged my progress by the amount (or lack of) 听不懂 ting bu dong's I get on a daily basis. When we first arrived (and to be honest, throughout our first year), it would frustrate me to no end. A person would fire a rapid question at me, wait 2 seconds, laugh, and then tell me 听不懂 ting bu dong! But this phrase has come to show me just how far I have to go in this marathon of learning Chinese. Because every time I start to think, "I am really starting to understand people" or "I had a really good conversation - ALL in Chinese", then I will talk with someone and understand NOTHING coming out of their mouth except 听不懂 ting bu dong. (sigh) Have I mentioned before that learning Chinese is a way God helps to keep me humble? Because seriously, I have to put aside my pride in everything I am (my background, education, ...) and realize that to a Chinese person I sound very uneducated. It also serves to remind me of how often I am quick to judge. You know what I mean, you are somewhere in the U.S. and someone has really poor English. We are quick to think certain things about that individual. And honestly, I am sure that the Chinese that I meet have certain judgements about me as well. But if living here is teaching me nothing else, I hope that I am learning to withhold judgements about people and realize that we are each unique and gifted in some way.

Walmart?

Now I don't often shop at Walmart even in the U.S. (and really I am not so much a Target girl either), unless I have a specific item. Something about large everything stores are just not my favorite places. Maybe I am just not that much of a shopper? Last fall a Wal-Mart opened here in Suzhou. Recently Andy were in the area and I needed a few items, so we decided to check it out. But really, it did not seem that much different than Carrefour or Auchan (two French-owned stores that are really popular in China). Just another HUGE Chinese store that sells just about everything and has lots of people shopping there. ;-)

At the check-out, I found some things I am sure that you would not find in the States. Yes, you have the candy (Cadbury chocolates and Angus chews - much like starbursts), but just below those and to the right can you tell what those are? The green package is chicken feet, the orange package has tofu, and the pink circle things at the bottom are preserved eggs. And I have no idea what is in the purple package. Mmm, ready for a snack?

Andy was excited to see what is coming near the Walmart...

More meat

Josh has found another favorite in the wonderful world of meat. Lamb is already one of his favorites, but he discovered that he also likes leg of lamb. Though I didn't ask him how it ranks compared with rabbit leg (another meat he digs). My boy is such a carnivore!