Big Bag o' Nuts

Last weekend Andy had dinner with several of the operators from the company. One of them gave Andy a bag of roasted peanuts as a gift. And I mean a BIG bag of peanuts! It seems that everything is bigger in China. I know they say everything is bigger in Texas, but those people have not been to China or they might have a different opinion. The kids have been enjoying eating the nuts for snacks, but I feel like we have not even made a dent (and this is even after giving some away)! 

We made quite the mess. It kind of looked like a roadhouse when we were through....

Hard at work! Clearly, shelling peanuts is a serious business.

Ballet Class

Tori has been taking ballet class since September and she loves it! She takes the class at the clubhouse in our neighborhood with another little girl from Japan.

PSA

Today I went to the monthly meeting of the PSA (Parent Student Association, aka PTO, PTA) at Becca's school. The meeting was to work through some communication issues and hear parents' opinions. The entire meeting was conducted in English and then translated into Japanese, Chinese and Korean. It was really valuable to hear everyones opinion and for language not to be a barrier, but..... can you just imagine how long it took? =)

Update to the Blahs

So, I am happy to report that my blahs are fading somewhat. Doesn't that sound like some kind of serious medical condition - the blahs. Amazing what lunch with friends and seeing some other friends in the evening can do for my outlook! I am so social and being at home for so long is definitely NOT a good idea. The next couple days will be busy (which I am actually excited about). It is so good to be back in the routine and not sick. Now let's just hope the weather gets warmer and stops raining (though as my environmentalist daughter tells me, "but Mom we need the rain. It is good for the earth." Man, who teaches her this stuff.... wait, it might be me)!

Blahs

This happens to me about the same time each year. I long for Spring and warmth. I get tired of wearing sweaters (and this year long underwear). I just get the Winter blahs. But this year has a new twist to it. Right now I am longing for home. I told this to Andy last night and he asked me, "which home?" And I responded with, "Yes, exactly!" We are by no stretch of the imagination nomads, but I feel pulled. 

I have been sick this week, and I think we all want comfort when we are not feeling our best. We want comfort foods, people we are comfortable with, and places that are comfortable. While I love living here, this is definitely NOT my comfort zone. I miss the familiarity of life in the US. I miss Target and going to the library. But most of all, I miss everyone who is dear to us back in the States. I am sure that it is not helping that I am currently looking for flights for our trip back this summer.

But even as I write this, I am remembering Becca and Josh singing a song in Chinese this afternoon and hearing Tori have a short conversation with someone in Chinese. I don't want to gloss over what I am feeling, but I want to REMEMBER..... Remember what a gift and opportunity it is to be here. Remember how much this is growing and shaping each member of our family. And remember that this is a season with ups and downs.

GREAT Signage

Last week when Tom and Pat (Andy's dad and friend) were visiting I was in serious tour guide mode (hence the lack of blogging). Hopefully, I will catch up over the next few days.

One of the days we visited one of the many gardens for which Suzhou is famous. There I found some truly wonderful signs. Can I state (again) for the record that I just love the way Chinese use my native language? Each one is so poetic and unique. Let's face it, wouldn't you rather read these than, "Don't litter"? I also have a feeling that a thesaurus was used in at least one of these signs. I mean I had to look up 2 different words when we got home! Enough already, I'll let them speak for themselves.....

This has got to be one of the most beautiful garbage cans I have seen! Definitely adding to the "beautiful environment" -- it was right next to the sign above

Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Monday, February 2nd

So, I am finally getting around to posting the last entry of our vacation....

For our last day in Malaysia, we visited a Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. They are the monkeys with the really long noses. We took a bus to the sanctuary and then went on boat ride through the mangrove swamp to see the monkeys. We came back to the base camp for dinner and then went on a shorter ride to see fireflies in the swamp at night. It was a great last day!

Don't we look stylish in our vests?

We shared our tour boat with a family from Hong Kong

On the hunt for the monkeys....

Can you find the monkey?

Sunset over the swamp