Beach Visit

Today I joined Carly's Year 2 class on a bus trip to the beach. Not sure the name of it, but it is a man made beach(lake). Upon arriving we sat under the shelter for a snack, then all the kids ran for the water to cool off. The water was nothing I would swim in(not Siesta Key, Florida) but the kids didn't care.

Carly's in the middle, pink bathing suit, purple hat. 

They had a sandcastle building competition for a chance to earn house points. No pictures of the castles sorry, I was on washroom duty. Most of the kids held it since they only had squat boxes at the beach. Or maybe they didn't hold it? Another reason I didn't go in the water.
After changing into dry clothes we had a packed lunch, then sang some songs.
The weather was perfect right up until we left, when it started to rain. We got a little wet on our way to the buses, but nothing bad. It was nice to get to know the children in Carly's class. As well as some other Moms. Carly had no problems going to sleep tonight.

Last Supper

In China for two weeks and Mama L has not had Chinese food. So out for dinner, on the last night, to our local Li Li Restaurant.

View of kitchen from our table.

Still amazed they don't lose their laundry hanging 20 stories up.

Mama H came back this morning for a visit before flying home. Mama and Mama are on the same flight home together. We went out for lunch to Lamesa, while the girls were at school. Shortly after lunch, Mr. Lu picked both Mama's up and brought them to the airport.

Now that I have returned Mama to Papa and held up my end of the bargain, it is your turn to return Chris to us. Hope you all had a chance to see him.

Mama & Mama

Tuesday night I got a call from Chris' Mom. She was in Frankfurt, about to board a plane to Shanghai. Wednesday night she joined us for the evening. The girls were super happy to have two Mama's here at the same time. Friday morning both Mama's walked the girls to the bus stop for school. Later that evening Mr. Lu picked us up and brought us to the Hilton for dinner. I nice evening out with the girls!

Saturday morning we went to the school for their Open Day. Fun activities, a chance to meet the teacher's and explore the school.

Mama Hill's leg was not doing well so she went back to the Hotel to rest and see a doctor. Hopefully all is well.
We still need to eat and I promised we would go to The Thai Table for lunch.

On the way home the taxi took the back roads. Which is what I hoped he would do, so Mama could see another side of China. Below is a picture of the side of the road where they sell chickens, ducks and even pigeons. Normally there are a lot of fruits and vegetables too, but not today.

Jill likes to site see like a doggy. She needed wind on her face, because she was hot.

I wouldn't carry her so she asked her big sister to.

It is a beautiful day today. Perfect weather for running thru the sprinkler that the gardener left out. Unfortunately as you might be able to see the girls kept stepping on it and even drove the red dragon over it. They broke it. The gardener came back to move the sprinkler to a different section of grass, then rang my door bell. He was very polite but it was all in Chinese. I called the property management office to help translate. "He thinks my children broke the sprinkler and he bought this. He needs 300 rmb to buy a new one." Yes my children broke it, but I think he could unscrew a certain piece and buy just that new piece, instead of a whole new sprinkler. Anyways I kept the broken sprinkler so he couldn't do that and have a second sprinkler. The girls had fun while it lasted.

Out & About

Sunday was a beautiful day together with family. After, we walked to Pizza Marzano best pizza ever!!! We ordered three large pizzas, two Margherita Prima(the finest fior di latte mozzarella and basil) and one Giardiniera(asparagus, roasted artichokes, mushrooms, sweet peppers, tomatoes, olives, garlic and pesto Genovese). Good thing we did, there wasn't much left. The crust is so perfectly thin you don't feel bad eating 5 slices. After we explored the fountain with the man fishing. Exhausted from the day, we went home to curl up on the couch with a good movie.

Gusher

Off to the Pearl City Market Saturday morning. All was fine when we went in, but on our way out...

A van drove over the curb and hit a fire hydrant.

The water was, well you can see how high it was gushing into the air. We were going to walk across the street to Hongmei Lu Pedestrian street for lunch, but figured they would be shutting the water off to the area soon. Besides the street was flooding on that side. We would have walked in water 1.5 feet deep.

We grabbed a taxi and he turned around on the street and drove under the water for a free carwash. We got dropped off at Lamesa for lunch then walked the rest of the way home. Mama and I enjoyed a cold draft Bittberger.

Jill

For those who heard and those who haven't. Jill is writing her own name...

...I found her in the shower last week writing in the steam, on the wall, with her finger J i l l. She was so proud of herself. I had her do it again on paper to show everyone.

Alone No More

I got a good taxi (meaning nice driver and clean taxi) to take me to the girls school to pick them up. So I asked him to wait 5 minutes (Qǐng děngdài 5 fēnzhōng) while I collected the girls. Then asked him to go to Pudong International Airport (Pǔdōng guójì jīchǎng). The driver asked me lots of questions in Chinglish. He asked, "England". I said Canada. He gestured up and said, "airport". I gestured down and said, "arrivals". He pointed at Alexis and said, "Papa". I pointed at myself and said, "Mama". He said, "taxi airport stop" pointed at me and said, "Mama taxi home". The driver dropped us off at arrivals, I paid for the fare there and we went to wait for Mama. About 1/2 an hour later the same driver shows up behind me and says, "hello" with a smile. He waited with us and took Mama's luggage on a cart for us. Brought us to the car in the parking lot and loaded her luggage. This was great because he knew exactly where I was picked up so knew where I wanted to go. No need to get my map out.
Mama arrived 15 minutes early, but it still took and hour to get luggage and past customs. We were waiting for her when she walked the long path past all the people. We were at the very end and so happy to see her.

So Mama is here in our home now. We can't wait to show her around.

Phone Bill Which We Will Not Speak Of

It was just before lunch when I decided to go pay the bills. All our bills can be paid at the front reception of our compound except for the phone bill. So I showed the bill to the receptionist, pointed to the address and said, "this is where I go to pay it?" She replies yes. So I proceed to the street to get a taxi.
There are many places to pay the phone bill. Say for example the post office around the corner. UGH! I thought it was the Telecom office, anyways. The driver takes me to the head office many kms away. I pay the bill no problem.
Now I need to get a taxi back home, oh my gosh all the taxis are red(busy). No green ones anywhere. So I start walking, no point in standing in the heat. UGH! Finally I get a taxi. I am now sitting in it writing so as not to lose me pissed offness, before I get a chance to share my experience.
Next time I get the phone bill...   ...I'm making Chris pay it! No, next time I will call our property management or former tenant "Li" and have them take me. Or at least have them write the correct address to the closer payment office. Getting car sick.
So I am home now. Both ways the taxi fee came to the same amount as the phone bill. I had the driver stop at the Lianhua (corner store). I deserve a drink! Got some tonic water for my gin, yay!
So for the valiant effort and not giving up on my phone bill. Cheers T.I.C.

All By Myself

Sunday
As I write this, Chris is in Canada getting up from a sleep in my favourite bed. He will get to see a lot of family today that I have not seen in 2 months. It doesn't seem that long, but a lot has happened since then and it wasn't easy not having family and friends around. Technology has brought us closer today than ever before. I think of when I my Grandparents left their home countries to go to Canada. There was no internet with email, Skype, Facebook or blogs. We have it good.
Carly was not at all happy that Chris was leaving for three weeks. She wouldn't go to sleep Saturday night. I let her pick out a t-shirt of Chris' to sleep in, she still wouldn't sleep. Not until I said go sleep on Daddy's side of the bed did she fall asleep. So now I have a new sleeping buddy. At least until Mama comes on Thursday, then Carly might sleep with her.
The girls have had a lot of fun riding their bikes the last few days. Also their lego table constantly has a castle or tower on it. I am loving having my piano, dishes and pots here.


Monday - Mid Autumn Festival, no school
Today, as I was coming back in the house, I closed the sliding door on my foot. It's complicated to explain, the door is not like our sliding doors at home. Think of a sliding van door, but lower to the ground. My foot was in the way and the door was closing no matter what. It hit me on the top of my foot just in front of my ankle. I am having trouble walking, but my girls took good care of me today. They kept my foot elevated and brought me ice. Tomorrow I will have to go see the doctor if it is not better.
Three more sleeps and Mama is here. I am so excited!!!

Christmas in September

When I got the email yesterday to schedule our sea container delivery I couldn't stop smiling. It has been a very long 2 1/2 months. We have survived without so many of our favourite luxuries, but now that they are here I am so glad we have them. I'm not sure what I am more excited about: the dishes, pots 'n' pans, linens, cook books or piano? I know right, who knew you could get so excited about any of those.

Chris and I spent all day unpacking, most of the boxes before the girls got home from school. Not sure where we are going to put everything yet.

We had Christmas music playing and let the girls go into their rooms one by one. They all screamed and jumped on their beds full of stuffed animals and special blankets from home. They are still running around the house finding treasures that have been "lost" for 2 1/2 months. Even as I write this blog I can hear a scream of joy every once and a while.


The girls have had their after school shower and are now dressed in clothes they haven't seen for a while. Chris and I are exhausted from unpacking everything, so pizza it is for supper.


Looking around the house, it feels even more like home.


Before going to bed I took pictures of the girls sleeping with all their favourite things, they have missed. Special teddy's, blankets, toys and they even all wore PJ's which just arrived.

Kuchen und Burgers

It was a great first week of school for the girls, swimming, PE, music, mandarin and much more. Until Alexis came home Friday with a fever. She didn't eat supper and barely ate Saturday, but Sunday morning woke up and the fever was gone.

We went to a local German bakery and found Mohnkuchen, Pflaumekuchen and so many more yummy family favourites; almost as good as Omi's. We had a wonderful BBQ with family Sunday. Brought some kuchen along and the Mohnkuchen was a hit!

A friend recommended we go to Gourmet Cafe(best burgers in town). So we went and yes great burgers with style. The 'L'Avorella' with buffalo mozzarella, ripe avocado and sun dried tomatoes or the 'Crakajak' with cracked black peppercorns and melted cheddar cheese, both were superb. But what we couldn’t get over was the kids menu. The ‘Little Nipper’, two sliders for each of the kids. I had a hard time not bursting out laughing as I ordered it. “We’d like a ‘Little Nipper’ for each of the girls please.” Chris laughed and my face went red.

Friends from Chris' work and Carly with her Little Nippers

Restaurant Menu