Pinewood Derby

And just like that, March is almost gone. It has been a month of busyness and settling into our new routines.

One of the highlights for Josh was the Pinewood Derby. Can you believe it? Even here in China, a key part of the Boy Scout experience is building and participating in the Pinewood Derby!

Andy and Josh worked hard together to build the car.

Of course, J choose to paint it green, his favorite color. As we lack a garage or any other space to work on this inside, they went outside to spray paint it. In fact, if you walk through our neighborhood you can see a faint outline of where the paint went off the paper.

After a couple of weeks of working on it, finally it was. . .

RACE DAY!

J's is the all green one. The very plain green one.

He is standing with his friend, Jakob, anxiously watching the results.

But race after race, he either won or was second in all four of the heats. He was close to going on to the Regionals with the Shanghai winners. Apparently what we lacked in style we made up for in speed.

[As a side note, the Pinewood Derby was held in Shanghai, the Shanghai pack raced in the morning, our Suzhou pack raced in the afternoon, then after our races the top 4 from each of the two pack raced to determine the Regional Winner]

But he did win 1st in his den! Well done, J!

As this was our first Pinewood Derby, we were just hoping not to finish last. A friend of ours [Dave] who has helped his sons through multiple years of Derbies gave Andy some pointers to help out. Much to our surprise, our car did really well. Unfortunately, Dave's sons didn't fare as well. And I have a feeling that we won't get any help from Dave next year!

Counting down to New Year

With the weather turning colder and rainy, we are starting our countdown for Chinese New Year. CNY is really early this year. The official day is 23 January. But we leave for vacation in just over a week, 19 January.

For Andy, CNY does not start until the company New year party is over. Each year, he gives a speech to start the dinner off. The past couple of years, he has given the speech entirely in CHINESE. Needless to say, he prepares for this for a long time and it stresses him until it is over. The company dinner was this past Saturday and he did an AMAZING job. I was so proud of him as he looked relaxed and gave a great speech. [just to brag a little more on him, he talked for more than 5 minutes!]

You know it is successful when you tell a joke in another language and people actually find it funny and laugh. Because I have found that humor can be so unique to culture. He told several jokes in Chinese and each was greeted with laugher. Success! Countless times, I have said something that I thought was funny and no one laughs. Then other times, I say something, everyone laughs and I have no idea why.

So now we are looking forward to our annual trip. Each year during CNY we visit someplace in southeast Asia. This year we are going to Bali, Indonesia. Beach, jungle, volcano . . . bring it on!

**Just as an aside: Honestly, we have a great camera that takes wonderful pictures. But do you ever find that it is just hard to always have it on hand? I must confess that I am amazed by the blogs where every picture is phenomenal. Because while I love to take pictures, sometimes in everyday life it is just not practical to drag the camera on the bus (or e-bike). So I make do with my phone. And as a result, share crummy-quality pictures with you.

How is it that every picture I took of Andy giving his speech he had his eyes closed? One would think he was concentrating really hard or something!

 Part of the New Year's party is games. In the past they have hired performers. One year there was a magician who was entertaining. There were dancers one year that were slightly alarming. I wanted to cover my boy's eyes. But overall, the employees prefer games that get people on stage having fun together. Because the company has only 2 foreigners (Andy and an intern), all of the games were in Chinese. Some I didn't quite get everything that was said (understanding Chinese through a microphone is hard much like over the telephone). But one was a game that a team of 2 people had to make various letters of the alphabet. They started out with easy ones like A and D. But the grand finale?

T.

Here they are thinking about how they are going to pull it off.

The end result?

And yes, the picture quality is terrible. But I think I was laughing too hard to keep my phone still!

Becca so wanted to be part of this game. A bit later, she got her chance as they asked if any kids would like to participate.

Can you tell the letter? I really enjoy the mom (who is the HR manager) giving directions in the front.

As we are down to just days before vacation, I am wondering if we are going to get our medical check done for the adoption before going. [sigh] We are still waiting to hear about to-notarize/not-to-notarize.

I continue to furiously gather papers and put things in motion in the US. Thankfully, all of the things I need to do right now are just on the US-side. Because nothing is going to be happening in China for the next couple of weeks. This country shuts down for a couple weeks around CNY. Just as an example, Tori's Chinese school gets 3 weeks off!

While I know that delays are part of the process, I so want things to keep moving forward. One thing I know this journey is going to teach me every step of the way is patience.

New Vocabulary

Since our move to China, not only have we picked up some Mandarin. (Or in the case of little T are fluent) But we have also picked up some English words that are rarely used in American English.

When I took Tori to the doctor on Monday to ensure that she did indeed have chicken pox, she was bouncing around the room. The doctor took one look at her and said, "Are you sure she is sick. She is rather cheeky."

Well, of course she is. She's our Tori.


When Tori describes a smart thing that someone has done she usually describes it as clever.


Our kids put their trash (or even their rubbish) in a bin and wear a jumper when it is cold.

I even find myself writing colour. And then I stared in confusion at the computer when it tells me that the word is spelled wrong.

This translates in reverse when we go back to the US. Because the longer we live outside the US, when we return we are just slightly out of step with American culture. There are phrases that I don't quite get, TV shows that we don't usually watch, and something that is hard to define that makes us feel slightly different. This is what comes from living with a foot in two different worlds.

Kids & Technology

There are so many ways that are kids are much more tech savvy than we once were. I did not even have a computer until I went to college. And I am sure that none of our kids can imagine their lives without our computer. But living an ocean away from family, our kids are also Skype kiddos. We Skype our families regularly. And as their friends have moved away, they also keep in touch with them via Skype. I can't describe why it humors me, but this shot makes me smile.

Talking with some of their friends that are currently in France.

Hopefully, it makes you smile as well. ;-)

Photo dump

This is going to be random. But keep tracking with me people. . .

Starting out in the States. I just had to share a picture I finally found when I unearthed my camera cord during the great unpacking process.

Debating how all these bags are going to fit. And this was only our checked luggage. Needless to say, it didn't all fit in the back. There were bags everywhere.

Then through the week-long battle with jet lag. We were victorious in the end, but it got ugly before it got better.

In our family when our kids are older, it will not be tub pictures that we will threaten to show their dates or potential spouse. Oh no, it will be the photos of them in the midst of jet lag. Cause, baby, there are some terrific ones! Josh is mid-sentence pleading with me to lay on the couch. Mind you, it was only 6PM. Look at those poor, tired eyes. Jet lag is a monster. This my friends is the reason we come back only once a year!
**sorry for the iffy quality, took this one with my phone.**

After only a week back we went with some friends to 莫干山 Moganshan, an area in some (smaller) mountains about a 3 hour drive from Suzhou. It was absolutely gorgeous. At times, we had to stop and wonder if we were in China. I love seeing more trees (or bamboo as the case may be) than people in a given day. Which is not usually the case in my life.

We stumbled across this mountain stream-fed reservoir. Would highly recommend Moganshan -- it was absolutely beautiful.

After off-roading on some not-really-drivable-roads with tons of passengers, we have new respect for the BUICK van. This is not just your city van. 

Quintessential China experience -- Tori and her friend are watching the 奶奶 "grandma" at the guest house where we stayed kill the chicken that will be our dinner. And for most of this they were up close and personal. T later described it for me: "She cut on the neck and it bled everywhere. Then she put it in hot water and pulled out all the feathers!"
What a life we lead.

The return

This is going to be a post with no pictures. Because when traveling solo with 3 kids, the last thing on my mind is taking pictures. Granted, I did think of it. But the camera wasn't handy. My phone was available, but it was too dark for it to get a decent picture. So I will have to use my words to describe it.

But what can be said about a journey that includes a 14-hour plane ride? There were inevitable delays. Which of course prompted Becca to have some travel stress. Our plane going into Detroit was delayed almost 40 minutes and made our connection for our Detroit-Shanghai flight a little tighter. Even though we had plenty of time, my girl worried about it the entire plane ride to Detroit. But then that flight ended up being delayed so it wouldn't have mattered. At one point during her worryfest, I gave her the worse-case scenario. We miss our connecting flight. Since it the airlines fault, they would put us on the plane the next day going to Shanghai and it would work out. I think sometimes she needs to hear the worse case to realize that even that is doable.

And then our long flight? Was long. And had no individual TVs. Be patient with me because I am going to rant for a minute. I just don't understand how the airlines can get away with showing movies that are inappropriate for children but then not giving any other option. This alone is the reason that I like the individual TVs so much. Because every single movie that was shown on the big screen was PG and most of them were PG-13. Thankfully, none were R. But even a PG-13, has more violence and inappropriate sexual content that I don't want my 5 year-old to see. I had to ask the kids to look away at several points. Because I know that if they were to see what was shown then it would bother them and possibly give them nightmares. And how can one of the longest flights you can take not have individual TVs? On our return to the US, one of our flights was 9.5 hours and we not only had the TVs, but they were on demand. Meaning we could pause and skip ahead in movies. But then this flight that was almost 5 hours longer really had no option for my kids. Just. So. Frustrating. Alright, rant over.

A friend emailed once we were back to ask how the flight went. I quickly replied, "OK." And then later remembered that one of my kids got sick twice almost at the end. But since that is a usual occurrence for that particular kiddo, I guess I just thought of it as no big and nothing out of the ordinary.

We are in the midst of battling the evil jet lag monster. But I have hopes that we will be victorious in the next day or two. Our first morning back Tori woke up at 2:30 AM and was up for the day. She had climbed into bed with us, but didn't really sleep anymore that night. During the afternoon as they are lagging we head for the pool and then after dinner we attempt to keep them awake with movies with doses of tickling as needed.

This time around either the flight (with its pressures changes) or jet lag or really the evil combination of the two gave me a two-day migraine. I was totally out for the count. I am so thankful that Andy was already on China-time and didn't have his own jet lag to deal with because he has been crucial in helping and taking care of the kids. I love that man. And just for the record, we are SO GLAD to be back with Andy. 26 days apart is a long time.

We now have a week to get back into the routine before school starts. Can I just say. . . it is great to be home!

Sunday Snapshot: everything but the kitchen sink. . .

seriously. That is what I feel like I have purchased and am getting ready to pack. We are in serious countdown mode: t-minus 5 days until we board the plane. And you know what? I am ready to go home.

But in answer to what so many people ask. . . what do you buy to take back to China? Each year, it is a little bit different. The one thing that is a constant is that I ALWAYS buy toothpaste. And lots of it. Just as a funny aside, the cashier rarely makes a comment, but just imagine someone buying a year's supply of toothpaste. At one time. Plus a ton of medicines. Yet again a year's supply. And I am surprised that I don't get more comments. I mean, I would notice and think it a little strange that someone was buying 15 tubes of toothpaste. Not to mention the 5 things of deodorant and all the medicines. It honestly took me two years to figure out exactly how much toothpaste we use in a year.

I feel like this could be an I Spy: The Travel Version
I spy 10 tubes of toothpaste, something you want with you when it rains, 4 things that will make you sneeze, and the remedy for a headache.

The great organizing begins. Notice that the duffel bags are still quite empty. Unfortunately, I have just a little more shopping to do. [sigh] I am really, really tired of shopping.

Surprising, we don't buy much food to take back with us. This is a change from our first couple of years. I would buy mostly food (coffee, chocolate, baking supplies . . . the list seemed endless). But now, I buy some things, but have really either been able to find what I need or have just learned to do without. As evidenced by the pictures above, I buy a lot of spices. After getting off skype with Andy, I realized more things I need to buy. This is NOT my favorite kind of shopping. But I think that I am almost done.

Just so you don't think all the packing is organized and tame. This is what it looks like way too often. Can I tell you how tired I am of living out of a suitcase?

The kids and I went out for ice cream tonight. Yes, we are still adhering to our daily ice cream ritual. 5 more days of ice cream left! While we were out, I asked them how they were feeling about going back to China. This is often a mixed bag. Their home is China. They have majority of their friends in China. All of their things are in China. Daddy is already in China. BUT, the U.S. is still their home. They still have friends here that they are sad to say goodbye to. Their grandparents and (some) of their cousins are here and they are definitely NOT ready to say goodbye to them. And this brings about a wealth of emotion. Essentially, they are kids who have 2 homes and are always somewhat torn between them. I really believe though that it is important to bring this up ahead of time and talk through what they are thinking and feeling. So we sat there with our ice cream and thought about all of the things that we were excited to return home to. Their lists were long. Including everything from their friends to their stuff and of course, Daddy. Josh is even excited to eat some of his favorite Chinese foods (namely, lamb kabobs and rabbit legs). But there will be many tears over the next week as we say goodbye to all that we love here.

normalcy

This week was so very normal. At least a typical summer week in the U.S. Filled with things like swimming lessons, camps for the older two, trips to the pool and LOTS of ice cream. So far, we have been pretty consistent and have had ice cream almost every day since landing in the States. It's hard work fitting a year of ice cream into just 7 weeks.

Josh with his swim teacher Nate. Loved the individual pairing of experienced swimmers with those still learning. 

Working on freestyle.

At the beginning of the week, Tori was using floaties and didn't like putting her face in the water. By the end of the week, she was swimming underwater, had learned to do both front and back floats, and passed the intermediate swim test at the YMCA. She is so determined that when she puts her mind to something, there is no stopping her!

People upon finding out that we live in China, make comments like: "Wow, you are so lucky." "It must be quite an experience for you and your children." "What a valuable childhood for them." And while each of these are true, sometimes I just miss the normalcy of life in the States. As you read this (Mom), don't get too excited. I don't miss it enough to move back. At least not yet. But our time here in the summer provides us with those snippets of American life.

Closing ceremonies of camp. B had such a great week. She looks forward to this week all year long. And this year didn't disappoint. Josh went for an overnight and will tackle the week-long-deal next year.

We miss things like meeting friends at the park. The convenience of driving. Ah, don't get me started on how much easier transportation is here. . . But our life is rich and full in China as well. How could I give up my favorite Sichuan restaurant? The diversity of our neighborhood? Each day is an adventure. The summer here provides the balance we need of comfort in contrast to the adventures of our daily life there.

T loves the garden and never misses an opportunity to help pick veggies.

So excited to be holding a hot pepper (that she only enjoys picking NOT eating).

And this summer is living up to expectations and providing all the comfort and calm that we could hope for. Though, I am seriously missing Andy. He left Monday and we are now down to 21 days until we see him again. Also must confess that I am getting a little tired of the 1 pair of shorts, 3 skirts, 10 t-shirts, and 4 tanks I packed. The downside to packing light. Maybe some shopping is in order?

The library. I cannot tell you how much we love the library. I think the library is one of Josh's favorite places in the world.

I love the pile of books sitting off to the side, just waiting to be read.

Hope that you enjoy your weekend!

camp

Each summer as we come back to the US, there are things that are familiar to our children. These things and people mean more to me than I can express. Because our children's reality and norm is NOT the States. I wonder if it is strange and overwhelming for them to be here or comforting like it is to Andy and I. I know that since Becca remembers living here, for her there is comfort of coming back to familiar places and seeing so many people she knows. I am not sure that it is true for our younger two. Most of their life has been spent in China. But because this is not our children's norm, I worry about things that would not even be on my radar in Suzhou or if we lived here. As I drop Tori off for Sunday school, she gets worried. She told me: "what if I don't know anyone? what if they don't like me? what if they laugh at me?" And how can I as a Mom, not worry? But then a special friend comes along that she remembers and makes her feel right at home. And that means so much more than I can express.

Sunday I dropped Becca off at camp. This is a church camp that she attends every year and she knows some girls who attend as well. But when we got there, she discovered that one of her good friends who she was looking forward to being with was in a different cabin. And of course I worried. I mean, she only knew a handful of people there and it felt like others know one another so well. I even asked if she wanted me to talk to someone and see if she could be moved. And my girlie, so mature answered, "no, Mom. It will work out. I am disappointed that I won't be with Sarah, but I will see her and maybe even make some new friends." Yeah, message received: RELAX A BIT, MOM.

I don't think I will ever really let go and not worry about our kids. I mean, what mother can ever stop worrying? I will always watch them as we come back into this familiar-environment-but-not-quite-their-home. But at the same time, I will try to relax. To trust that this transition is not as big as I make it. Really, I will try to relax. Not making any promises though.

Sunday Snapshot: Last week

We are in the final week of our countdown -- 5 days. Not only is this the last week before our visit back to the US, it is also our last week with a French family that we count as really good friends. It is very likely that they will be moving while we are in the US. Josh and Matteo (their son) are the best of friends. And Tori and Elise (their daughter) are super close. This is going to be really hard for our two youngest ones. So we have been trying to take advantage of our time together. Last week the girls were outside playing and I seized the opportunity to grab the camera and capture the moment.

To our dear friends, the Jourdans, it has been such a privilege to get to know you.

We have loved watching our kids enjoy one another and grow so much together.

You are so dear to us. And you will be greatly missed.

But as you go on the next part of your journey,

we were glad for the time we had with you and hope that you continue to be part of our lives.

Since I don't want to say goodbye or even au revoir, I will just say it in Chinese: 再见！(zàijàin, which literally means not goodbye, but see you again).

and so it begins. . .

My children are packed. Well, not their suitcase with clothes and things. But arguably they have packed the most important things -- their carry-on luggage. Because when you are on a plane for 14+ hours everything in these bags and all the stuff that will amuse them hour after hour are as precious as gold. When we first started doing this trip, I would advise on what to pack. But now? They know and have it down to an art form. So what do they pack? In Becca's bag, you will find knitting looms, yarn, books, and some paper to draw. She is a crafty one, our oldest. Josh asked me yesterday how many stuffed animals he could take. I told him the more stuffed animals, the less books he could pack. He thought long and hard and now has 3 animals, 10 chapter books and one small game. Tori's collection of stuff is eclectic and amusing. Anywhere from her magnet princess toy to a Chinese flag (I kid you not). I am sure that this is not the final edition. It will be humorous to see how many times they adjust and refine before next Saturday. And me? I have not even got our suitcases down! And probably won't until Monday or maybe Tuesday.

While I am not so stressed about packing, we are busy until we leave. Going away parties, birthday parties, and last day of school. Throw into the mix any shopping I plan to do and this promises to be a busy 10 days. Somehow I see less sleep in my immediate future. Maybe I will just plan to sleep on the plane?

Sunday Snapshot: Celebrations

One of the hardest parts of being an expat is living away from those you love. But we have been so blessed with a group of people that are more than just friends to us. They are our family here. Today we got to celebrate with them. At church today, two of the members of our small group were baptized. Afterwards we went to lunch and the celebration continued.

We celebrated Father's Day.

We celebrated friendships. We know that we will each only be here for a season. Whether it is 1, 2, 3 years or more. But we appreciate these people for however long they are in our lives. I know that I have blogged in the past how I hate to say goodbye. And I think there can be the danger when you are living here longer term to guard yourself and not to get close. But even though you know it is temporary and these people will move, the reward is greater. And so even though I know that I will eventually have to say goodbye, I will keep stepping out there and reaching out. Because it is worth it.

We celebrated those that were baptized.

We celebrated the joys of chocolate-peanut butter milkshakes. Tori was rather proud of her milkshake mustache.

We celebrated friends that are so close that our kids call them "uncle."

And apparently, our daughter celebrated silliness.

We celebrated the beginning of the summer. Over the next few weeks, most of the people will be going to their home countries. Our friends at the table are from: Germany, India, Sierra Leone, South Africa, UK, Malaysia and Sweden. We will enjoy time back in our home countries for anywhere from a couple weeks to month. And at the end of that time, some of us will be moving on. But most of us will return to this country that is our home away from home.

I hope that today is a day of celebrations for you as well!

Counting down

While summer temperatures have arrived, we are not quite to our summer just yet. The kids still have school. A little over 3 weeks of school, in fact.

But in only 23 more days we get on a plane. And then our summer truly starts.

Because for me summer is family and friends. And a return to the comfortable and easy life in the US. Now, I don't mean easy in that there are never problems, but more easy that I don't have to figure out language. I know where to buy anything and everything that I need. Yes, while life in the US is not without its challenges, it is familiar and that makes it easy. I have once again started my list of what to buy when we are back. This is a ever-changing thing. Currently my list is something like this: medicines, spices, books, and a few clothes for the tall man (the man who at 1.9M can buy practically no clothes in China). Isn't that delightfully random?

Becca has asked if she can start to pack her suitcase. This is quite the process for her. Deciding what important things she needs for the 7 weeks we are gone. She will pack it. Then think about it a bit and unpack and evaluate. While I may give her bag a cursory glance, she is responsible for it. So, 3 weeks should give her just about the right amount of time.

Hope you are enjoying the first bit of your summer!

Sunday Snapshot: Celebrating 3 years

Can you believe it? 3 years. The time has gone so fast. But in the same regard, when we think back to living in the US, it seems so long ago. Back to when we owned a house. Days of carpool. Library story time. Instead our life is filled with other things. Saturday morning soccer in the neighborhood. Swimming afterschool. Interesting travel. Adventures on the bus. While we miss many things of our life in the US (really we mostly miss family and friends), we continue to rejoice in our life here. It seemed appropriate that on our China-versary of celebrating 3 years living in China that I had 2 events at the kids' schools. Think of this as a snapshot into their daily lives.

I started the day at Tori's school. She is so proud and pleased when I come to school. Her school had gone a field trip to a fire station earlier in the week. Then all the parents were invited to come to an open house on Friday as they showed us a typical day and then shared about the excursion. It is always an interesting experience for me to go to her school. Kind of never know what to expect or exactly what will happen. While I understand most of what is said, somehow I still feel that I am missing something that all the other parents inherently know and understand. I am sure that many immigrants to the US feel this way as they come to events at American schools where their children attend.

*If you want to find my kids in any of the pictures, just look for the blondies.

The teacher was explaining the order of events to the class.

But somehow my girl knew I was taking her picture. 

Typical morning exercises. In schools all over China, kids start their day like this. With movement set to songs so that their bodies and brains are ready to learn.

Such concentration!

After some more activities inside, Tori and I were off to the International school where Becca and Josh attend. You may ask why they are at different schools. But unfortunately that is a complicated question for another post. . .

At Eton House, they were having Sports Day. Much like Track and Field Day of my childhood. We always had it on the second to last day of school. When there was no possible way that learning was going to take place. But their last day of school is July 1st and by then it will be so beastly hot and humid here. I had missed some of the activities, but was able to get there in time for all the track events. Like many Australian and British schools, the entire school is divided into 4 houses. Much like the 4 houses of Hogwarts in Harry Potter, the entire student body is divided equally into the houses and families are sorted into the same house (though no sorting hat here). Throughout the year, they have House competitions and at the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded a trophy for the year. Different school have various names for each of the houses. In honor of our host country, each of the houses at Eton House are named for one of the 4 dynasties in China: Han 汉朝, Ming 明, Song 宋, and Tang 唐.

Josh cheers on his fellow Ming teammates.

What determination!

Becca and Silje proudly show off their second place medals. 

Look at those legs! Somehow she reminds us of a deer.

In tug-of-war, everyone was pulling so hard. . .

that they landed in a heap of giggles.