February Update....

So far we have survived our first winter in China… but we were told that compared to previous years, this year has been very mild.  I am starting to feel like cabin fever has hit.  My Florida friends running races at home and taking family day trips to the beach is making my Facebook time depressing.  

I had forgotten how cumbersome winter coats can be and how having three extra hats and six gloves to keep track of is like adding another small child to the mix.   One that never wants to stay nearby and always seems to go missing.  It has been hard to not have our beach adventures to go to while living here, but we seem to have filled our weekends yet again with sports.   

                                                                

Jordan is playing in a co-ed basketball and baseball league and no surprise, is one of only two girls playing in both leagues.  She seems to be in her element while playing any sport and we are thankful she has this normalcy to her world here.   

It is hard finding some traction here now that I have all three kids in school and after seeing the ER a few times with Ayden, I am not so sure nursing is in my cards while we are here.    I had decided that there were a few things I had wanted to learn when moving here and figuring out how to use my high tech camera was one of them.   A cooking class was also high on my list, but I may have to put cooking on hold for a while after witnessing some of China’s meat markets on our photography adventures.  This class has been great at seeing some of the hidden treasures in our new home town and getting a true sense of the Chinese culture is both rewarding and eye opening.

There was a glimmer of home when I saw the familiar SAM’S Club sign.   Practically skipping into the store, it became immediately apparent that not all Sam’s Clubs are the same and I found myself deflated walking up and down the isles trying to figure out what was in the packaging. 

The meat section  looked normal only ALL the meat was labeled just that “Meat.”   I know I have gotten used to a lot of things while here, but THAT is not one of them.   I bought the chicken below all wrapped up… imagine the surprise to all of us when I put it on the counter to thaw out and noticed it was looking at us.  We had to have yet another family discussion on what to do with “Allen”.   It was a divided call… cook it or bury it and of course the “man of the house” took care of cleaning it up for us… and no it wasn’t Garrett. 

We are starting to plan our summer leave trip!   Hard to believe we have been here for five months already…

Spending Chinese New Year in Boracay, Philippines

I have finally found  a place on earth… where every day is Friday!     

It has been fun finding places to explore on the “other” side of the world and most of our adventures have taken us - no surprise - to the sand!!  

 The “Tuck Tuck” were used to get around the island. Can you believe that up to 9 people can fit on this at once!  

One of the highlights of the trip was Jordan learning to SCUBA dive!  I think we have her hooked!!
This is her with one of her close friends from Shanghai.

"Zorbing" was another hit.  Up to three people get into the ball with a few buckets of water and you are launched down the mountain side.  So Fun... and so not something you should do after a few brews!

The most amazing part of this vacation is that you put on your bathing suit and leave your shoes at the door the moment you arrive…  we were barefoot the entire week!  My pedicure paid the price, but it was worth it.

It wasn’t to hard to find Ayden and I that week… We scored us some blow up rafts the first day there and floated all week… although 

service out there was a bit weak.   I am going to have to work on my whistling skills...  

Bringing in the New Year 2012!! The Year of The Dragon!

Happy New Year

2012 The Year of the Dragon

We are lucky to be living in a country that celebrates two New Years three weeks apart.   But bringing in the year 2012 did not come without a bit of drama…  We took the kids to a Science Center and had a great time going through all the events in total Chinese.  Chris and I both agree that the next time we go we are packing a flask!    Anyway, Ayden managed to break her ankle in one of the exhibits.  Naturally, knowing her high maintenance ways and her perpetual need to be carried we thought she was most likely making a big deal over nothing and thus, we made her walk the entire way to the subway... watching her drag her leg behind her.  After about 10 minutes of relentless consistency, we carried her all the while Chris chanting that we are going to the hospital where there are needles if she really can't walk!   By the time we got to our end of the subway, Chris and I started to realize that perhaps she is really hurt!  She was not easing up in the least.   The next morning we were out the door early... X-Ray says... yep fracture!!   Our “parent of the year” status GONE the first week of the New Year!!!!    

Talk about a record!!!  

But we were happy to have navigated our first International minor “emergency” with ease.  The bummer of it all is that there were no crutches small enough to fit her size, but oddly enough, I managed to locate a wheelchair rental place and put my new found negotiation skills into play.    We got a pretty nifty wheelchair for cheap.  Unfortunately, it only lasted but a day.  The tires just couldn’t withstand the relay races and speed bumps in our development.

(and yes there is video of course)   

Jordan was an outstanding sister!  She spent all day with her watching movies and getting anything she should need.   Two weeks out of school and I must admit, I am not sure I am going to have an easy time having her return.   It was nice having my pal back…  We had our share of Shanghai laughs...

 Chinese New Year Tradition

Every Chinese New Year Parade ends with a Dragon Dance. The parades start on New Year’s Day and continue for the next fifteen days until the end of the festivities with the Lantern Festival.   

The Dragon Parade is a highlight of the festivities. The Dragon represents wisdom, power, and wealth and a very important aspect of Chinese Culture. It is also said that the Dragon Dance performed on New Year’s Day scares away the evil spirits and all the bad luck with them…

During the Dance, a dozen or so performers hold the dragon up on poles. They raise and lower the Dragon making him “dance” as they wind through the masses to the sounds of horns, drums and gongs.

The Chinese Dragon Parade is customarily performed along with Lion Dancers, acrobats, kung fu performers, and of course, the drums and horns, all ending in a burst of firecrackers!

Red Lantern (Hong Denglong)

source: www.chinaodysseytours.com

Lanterns are closely linked with the lives of Chinese people, as you can find them everywhere, especially during festivals and holidays. Hanging on the front gate of houses and stores, red lanterns decorate the street in a unique way.

Lanterns in China are more than lighting devices and red lanterns are regarded as a basic symbol of the Chinese culture, a symbol of brightness, happiness and reunion. Both the gigantic lanterns at the Tiananmen Gate and the small lanterns of a peasant’s hut express the same warm, happy and joyous atmosphere. You see a red lantern and your mind thinks of China.

Supposed to warn away evil spirits while brightening the mood with the red glow of good luck, red lanterns are considered a necessity of traditional Chinese festivals. In Lantern Festival(the fifteenth day of the first Chinese lunar month), the preferred warm red of traditional lanterns creates a convivial atmosphere at the family reunion as well as lights up the hope for the New Year. Lanterns, especially the red-colored, deserve adoration for the magical element they add to the atmosphere.

2012 in the Chinese Lunar calendar is Year of the Dragon, and begins on Monday, January 23, 2012. In Chinese mythology, the dragon is the god of weather and the ocean, suggesting that 2012 will be a prosperous year as the dragon will bring good winds and rains for a good harvest. I wish each of you a prosperous Year of the Dragon!