Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Stuff
I am realizing now how silly it is to have "stuff." I was chatting to hubs last night about it.
We have repeatedly had to pare down our belongings - bringing with us only what we could fit in 4-5 duffle bags (used to be 2-3 before we had baby). And we have lived off it for weeks and weeks. Sure, my jeans now have a hole in the crotch and my whitish khakis are no longer whitish, but at the end of the day, a person can live with only four pairs of pants. Basically, one finds out what one really needs.
I am realizing this is very different from the way most people live. If we were not so nomadic, I'm sure we'd have a house full of stuff. Lots of stuff. People are just programmed to buy and store stuff. Take Pottery Barn for example, they have a whole catalog of stuff, just waiting to be put on shelves, in drawers, or on display.
And then our stuff arrives. And I find that I have missed our stuff. It makes our new home feel more like home - but in a weird way. It doesn't change the appearance of our home, it just means we can eat off our own plates.
Hmmm, speaking of which, I am still trying to locate our silverware.
Don't tell hubs, but he may have to eat his cereal or French toast with chopsticks tomorrow if I can't locate proper utensils...
Just Another Day...
Today started off with a grocery run with my new helper (fabulous!). I like to think of her as my Chinese body guard. She really watches out for us. She made sure we had the best fruits and veggies in our basket. The cab gave us a discounted rate.
Plus, she watches Chase and makes sure that (1) there is no skin showing ever - the Chinese love to overdress their infants - and (2) she always has a tissue at the ready to catch a baby boog. Her name is You Pung. At least that is how you pronounce it.
Anyhoo, this afternoon I had a doctor appointment for Chase. Just a check-up with a local pediatrician from another hospital. You Pung and I made our way to the hospital. When we got there, we realized we were in the wrong hospital. Apparently the No.2 affiliated hospital is not the same as the Second affiliated hospital - go figure. The doctor said he would come to my apartment to see Chase, as he didn't want her to be exposed to germs. Cool.
So back the apartment we went. A half hour later, there was a knock on the door. The doctor, it turns out, has actually retired, but he works sometimes. He proceeded to tell me that he would have liked to walk; it would have only taken a half hour. He was a really nice man. Very friendly, although we had a couple miscommunications (nothing serious). He brought with him a stethoscope - and that was it. He asked me questions about Chase's development. Apparently she is the size of an average 1-year-old. When he went to look at her throat, he asked me for chopsticks (yes, chopsticks) to compress her tongue.
I asked him if he could check her ears. He said no, that was the job of the ear doctor, not the child's doctor. Okie dokie, artichokie. And then he left. He didn't charge us for the visit. Nice man.
And then I received a call that the movers were going to deliver our belongings (oh, yah, we do have more stuff). So I spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking. There are still boxes everywhere.
You Pung is going to shed a silent tear when she walks in tomorrow morning. The place is a mess and I am knackered.
Must go to sleep ...
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Slowly, Slowly
This slow internet thing is driving me crazy. I suspect the only reason why I can access blogger today is because it is still quite early on Sunday morning.
So what to report? Well, I spent most of last week just getting life in order (although you'd never be able to tell by look of our apartment). I have lined up quite a few activities for Chase, including baby sign classes (in English and Chinese), baby music and a baby play group. In addition, I have found a Mandarin instructor to "teach" Chase mandarin 3x week using books, songs, etc.
We have also found a "helper" for me to help keep things clean around the house and go grocery shopping with me. Do I really need help grocery shopping? YES: the grocery carts here don't have the baby seat in them, so I have to hold Chase in one arm, while pushing a grocery cart that doesn't turn left or right. Meanwhile, I also have to fend off every other person who wants to see and touch Chase. And then to make matters more difficult, I can only buy what I can carry in one hand, because after check out I have to get it outside to a taxi. I really dislike grocery shopping here and poor Brian had to put up with a week of - well - the worst cooking ever.
As for other activities ... yesterday, we went "ice skating" with Brian's colleagues - or at least Brian thought it was going to be ice skating. When we arrived, after a drive 1 hour from Dalian, we realized it was not ice skating, it was skiing! There is a small run (a run so small it takes about 2 mins to get down), with man made snow, just one hour outside the city. The important thing is that they had rental equipment large enough for Brian.
I stayed in the "lodge" with Chase. I was lucky enough to find a place that was a little out of the way, but it was the same place where a conference was being held, so at break we were absolutely mobbed. "Can I hold your baby?" "Can I have my picture taken with your baby?" "She is so lovely." People just have to touch her. And of course, her waving, smiling and clapping doesn't exactly send them a "stay away from me" signal.
She is China's littlest celebrity - and she loves it.
This coming week, we have an appointment with another pediatrician (I'm just checking out the hospitals at this point). The VIP thing at the Children's Hospital will work, but I hear this other hospital is a bit newer (cleaner) - but ultimately, the real test will be how well the pediatrician speaks English.
Chase is up! Gotta run!
So what to report? Well, I spent most of last week just getting life in order (although you'd never be able to tell by look of our apartment). I have lined up quite a few activities for Chase, including baby sign classes (in English and Chinese), baby music and a baby play group. In addition, I have found a Mandarin instructor to "teach" Chase mandarin 3x week using books, songs, etc.
We have also found a "helper" for me to help keep things clean around the house and go grocery shopping with me. Do I really need help grocery shopping? YES: the grocery carts here don't have the baby seat in them, so I have to hold Chase in one arm, while pushing a grocery cart that doesn't turn left or right. Meanwhile, I also have to fend off every other person who wants to see and touch Chase. And then to make matters more difficult, I can only buy what I can carry in one hand, because after check out I have to get it outside to a taxi. I really dislike grocery shopping here and poor Brian had to put up with a week of - well - the worst cooking ever.
As for other activities ... yesterday, we went "ice skating" with Brian's colleagues - or at least Brian thought it was going to be ice skating. When we arrived, after a drive 1 hour from Dalian, we realized it was not ice skating, it was skiing! There is a small run (a run so small it takes about 2 mins to get down), with man made snow, just one hour outside the city. The important thing is that they had rental equipment large enough for Brian.
I stayed in the "lodge" with Chase. I was lucky enough to find a place that was a little out of the way, but it was the same place where a conference was being held, so at break we were absolutely mobbed. "Can I hold your baby?" "Can I have my picture taken with your baby?" "She is so lovely." People just have to touch her. And of course, her waving, smiling and clapping doesn't exactly send them a "stay away from me" signal.
She is China's littlest celebrity - and she loves it.
This coming week, we have an appointment with another pediatrician (I'm just checking out the hospitals at this point). The VIP thing at the Children's Hospital will work, but I hear this other hospital is a bit newer (cleaner) - but ultimately, the real test will be how well the pediatrician speaks English.
Chase is up! Gotta run!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Chase's Busy Day
Today we woke up at 5 a.m. (still trying to get over jet lag). We watched the sun rise (if you look closely at the bottom right corner you will see a group of men who sing (well, okay, yell) while running.
Around 7:00 Chase fell asleep, but was back up in time to have a couple Cheerios with her Daddio before he went to work. A quick note about Trix cereal in China - it is packed into 5 separate sachets within the box. The manufacturers have also been kind enough to write "not fried" on the box of Trix, just in case there was any confusion.
Just after Daddio left for work, we jumped into a cab and headed to the Shangri-La hotel to meet a woman kind enough to answer "new city" questions I had (like where do they buy meat, produce, etc). She also invited us to sit in on a cooking class they offer to people who choose to live at the Shangri-La. She was also kind enough to arrange a call for me with the head chef, to discuss food/cooking questions in more detail. She is also working to find a retired kindergarden teacher to spend time with Chase during the week. This woman rocks my world.
From there, we headed to the Children's Hospital. I didn't take any pictures. The good news tho - they have a VIP membership, which basically enables you to get immediate treatment from a doctor who speaks English and makes house calls. (Rockin')
We then returned home and headed to the management office to discuss things like telephone bills, internet speed (it takes 5 mins to load a page), utilities, etc. All must be paid, like everything else, in cash.
Now Daddio is at home and I've gotta run!
Around 7:00 Chase fell asleep, but was back up in time to have a couple Cheerios with her Daddio before he went to work. A quick note about Trix cereal in China - it is packed into 5 separate sachets within the box. The manufacturers have also been kind enough to write "not fried" on the box of Trix, just in case there was any confusion.
Just after Daddio left for work, we jumped into a cab and headed to the Shangri-La hotel to meet a woman kind enough to answer "new city" questions I had (like where do they buy meat, produce, etc). She also invited us to sit in on a cooking class they offer to people who choose to live at the Shangri-La. She was also kind enough to arrange a call for me with the head chef, to discuss food/cooking questions in more detail. She is also working to find a retired kindergarden teacher to spend time with Chase during the week. This woman rocks my world.
From there, we headed to the Children's Hospital. I didn't take any pictures. The good news tho - they have a VIP membership, which basically enables you to get immediate treatment from a doctor who speaks English and makes house calls. (Rockin')
We then returned home and headed to the management office to discuss things like telephone bills, internet speed (it takes 5 mins to load a page), utilities, etc. All must be paid, like everything else, in cash.
Now Daddio is at home and I've gotta run!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Home Sweet Home
We've just returned to Dalian after spending two weeks in Oregon. It was extremely hard to leave Portland. Everything was so easy, so comfortable. Family and friends everywhere.
Now we're back in China, surrounded by people who are happy, nice and helpful, but who do not speak a word of English. I continue to be impressed by the kindness of the Chinese people here in Dalian (with the exception of a few taxi drivers).
While in the US, I found it hard to explain our new home and lifestyle to people. It is harder still to try to convey how challenging the past 6 months have been. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world, but it has certainly left my head spinning.
Even if I don't know the word in Chinese, it sure is nice to have a place to call home.
Now we're back in China, surrounded by people who are happy, nice and helpful, but who do not speak a word of English. I continue to be impressed by the kindness of the Chinese people here in Dalian (with the exception of a few taxi drivers).
While in the US, I found it hard to explain our new home and lifestyle to people. It is harder still to try to convey how challenging the past 6 months have been. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world, but it has certainly left my head spinning.
Even if I don't know the word in Chinese, it sure is nice to have a place to call home.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Anniversary Dinner
I talked my mom into babysitting so that hubs and I could go out on our *second* date - and celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. We selected an oyster bar we had heard was "excellent," slated to be written up in Bon Appetit's April issue as one of the best restaurants in the country.
In good spirits we decided to start with oysters. Pacific Northwest oysters are sweeter and briney-er than other oysters in the country. Only downside: they are smaller. They were FABULOUS. So we decided to order the chef's specialty, basically whatever the chef felt like throwing together - the best of the best is how it was phrased - but I have to say I can't recall the last time I was so dissapointed in a meal.
Following is what we were served.
First course - three slices of beet with two pieces of frisee lettuce and a dab of goat cheese (I'm allergic to beets)
Second course - four little gnocchi with a poached egg and holandaise sause (good but too small a serving)
Third course - one crostini with marrow-infused bread with steak tar tar on top (after a root canal, I just couldn't make myself consume bone marrow)
Fourth course - Cow gland (it looked like cauliflour and was sort of rubbery so I only took a small bite) on pickled cabbage
Fifth course - Scallops in a chicken liver sauce (UGH!)
We decided to finish our meal with a bang and ordered the banana split - which was great - except one of the scoops was coffee ice cream (which was great but coffee late at night does not agree with me).
On a positive note, we were seated next to a great couple, who we ended up meeting out for drinks afterward. We then hurried home to find Chase fast asleep.
In good spirits we decided to start with oysters. Pacific Northwest oysters are sweeter and briney-er than other oysters in the country. Only downside: they are smaller. They were FABULOUS. So we decided to order the chef's specialty, basically whatever the chef felt like throwing together - the best of the best is how it was phrased - but I have to say I can't recall the last time I was so dissapointed in a meal.
Following is what we were served.
First course - three slices of beet with two pieces of frisee lettuce and a dab of goat cheese (I'm allergic to beets)
Second course - four little gnocchi with a poached egg and holandaise sause (good but too small a serving)
Third course - one crostini with marrow-infused bread with steak tar tar on top (after a root canal, I just couldn't make myself consume bone marrow)
Fourth course - Cow gland (it looked like cauliflour and was sort of rubbery so I only took a small bite) on pickled cabbage
Fifth course - Scallops in a chicken liver sauce (UGH!)
We decided to finish our meal with a bang and ordered the banana split - which was great - except one of the scoops was coffee ice cream (which was great but coffee late at night does not agree with me).
On a positive note, we were seated next to a great couple, who we ended up meeting out for drinks afterward. We then hurried home to find Chase fast asleep.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Happy Holidays
Just a quick note to wish everyone a very happy holiday season.
Quick updates on this end. We have officially moved to China, although we are in Portland, Oregon for the holidays. Brian loves his job. China is wild, crazy and promises to be quite an adventure. More on this later (when I have more time).
I had a very dental Christmas - spending most of it in the dentist's chair (root canal, crown lengthening surgery, cavity on the same tooth, night guard). Good times.
My dad and sister-in-law are engaged. Not to each other. A quick blog family welcome Fern and Courtney!
As for Chase, she is a little sick at the moment. But she gave us the greatest gift of all - she learned to kiss and clap on Christmas day. It is outrageous. SO sweet.
Oh and I managed to break one of our digital cameras, which explains why I have not posted anything lately. And why there are no pictures with this posting.
And now on to New Years....
Quick updates on this end. We have officially moved to China, although we are in Portland, Oregon for the holidays. Brian loves his job. China is wild, crazy and promises to be quite an adventure. More on this later (when I have more time).
I had a very dental Christmas - spending most of it in the dentist's chair (root canal, crown lengthening surgery, cavity on the same tooth, night guard). Good times.
My dad and sister-in-law are engaged. Not to each other. A quick blog family welcome Fern and Courtney!
As for Chase, she is a little sick at the moment. But she gave us the greatest gift of all - she learned to kiss and clap on Christmas day. It is outrageous. SO sweet.
Oh and I managed to break one of our digital cameras, which explains why I have not posted anything lately. And why there are no pictures with this posting.
And now on to New Years....
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Phuket
Nothing makes you feel more like a sloth than being surrounded by triathletes.
These days I find it exceedingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning (this from a gal who used to bolt out of bed at 5 am to head for the gym). So you can imagine how fabulous one feels when one is surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy tailed triathletes who are out running/ swimming/ biking before the sun rises. I was particularly inspired by (okay, actually kind of annoyed by) a couple uber fit moms (with small kids in tow) who somehow found time in their day to train to be triathletes.
With New Years right around the corner (and New Years resolutions to be made), I decided to take a good look at how Chase and I spend our day to see if maybe we, too, could train for a triathalon. After a closer look, it just might be possible ...
6:15 Chase awakes before the sun rises (a promising start)
6:30 We play quietly while letting daddy "sleep" (maybe this could be where we go for a run)
7:00 Mom finds coffee (breakfast of champions)
Chase eats carb breakie (in bed) to prepare for the day ...
Swim training begins ...
And then it's time for a power nap ...
Upon waking, we do some elephant wrangling (to build physical strength and endurance) ...
And then it's time to meditate (to build mental strength) on the meaning of life ...
And then ...
another nap before dinner.
Yep. I'm pretty sure that if we can keep this aggressive schedule up, we'll be ready to participate in the triathlon next year.
These days I find it exceedingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning (this from a gal who used to bolt out of bed at 5 am to head for the gym). So you can imagine how fabulous one feels when one is surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy tailed triathletes who are out running/ swimming/ biking before the sun rises. I was particularly inspired by (okay, actually kind of annoyed by) a couple uber fit moms (with small kids in tow) who somehow found time in their day to train to be triathletes.
With New Years right around the corner (and New Years resolutions to be made), I decided to take a good look at how Chase and I spend our day to see if maybe we, too, could train for a triathalon. After a closer look, it just might be possible ...
6:15 Chase awakes before the sun rises (a promising start)
6:30 We play quietly while letting daddy "sleep" (maybe this could be where we go for a run)
7:00 Mom finds coffee (breakfast of champions)
Chase eats carb breakie (in bed) to prepare for the day ...
Swim training begins ...
And then it's time for a power nap ...
Upon waking, we do some elephant wrangling (to build physical strength and endurance) ...
And then it's time to meditate (to build mental strength) on the meaning of life ...
And then ...
another nap before dinner.
Yep. I'm pretty sure that if we can keep this aggressive schedule up, we'll be ready to participate in the triathlon next year.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Ever Forward
So tonight is our last night in Singapore. I can't say I'm sorry to go. It has been a nice place to spend a month, but I can't say it has won a special place in my heart.
In fact, I have been extremely unmotivated here. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the monsoon rain. Maybe it's that Chase is getting heavier and I don't have a stroller so going anywhere is difficult.
What did I like most? The fact one can find so many Western brands in the grocery store. The people are all extremely kind. The city is so clean. I felt very safe.
Could I imagine living her at some point? Maybe.
I will miss the two ladies I met here; they have been wonderful friends.
I know Chase will miss Erin and Ed. Erin inspired her to crawl and pull up; Ed was her first little boyfriend (he even gave her a goodbye kiss).
Goodbye Singapore ... Hello Thailand ...
In fact, I have been extremely unmotivated here. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the monsoon rain. Maybe it's that Chase is getting heavier and I don't have a stroller so going anywhere is difficult.
What did I like most? The fact one can find so many Western brands in the grocery store. The people are all extremely kind. The city is so clean. I felt very safe.
Could I imagine living her at some point? Maybe.
I will miss the two ladies I met here; they have been wonderful friends.
I know Chase will miss Erin and Ed. Erin inspired her to crawl and pull up; Ed was her first little boyfriend (he even gave her a goodbye kiss).
Goodbye Singapore ... Hello Thailand ...
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Things I Just Don't "Get" About Singapore
State Land "Enter at own risk"signs ... Are there land mines there or what?
A new washer/dryer with a "short cycle" of 2 hrs and a long cycle of 9 hours - neither includes dry time.
A new washer/dryer with a "short cycle" of 2 hrs and a long cycle of 9 hours - neither includes dry time.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Photo Opp
I forgot to mention that a strange thing happened yesterday. We were at the mall (very exciting, I know) and a woman with her son approached Brian, who was holding Chase, and asked if her they could have their picture taken with Chase.
I'm telling you, this little girl gets a lot of attention.
I'm starting to get a little afraid that she's going to grow up expecting that every time she enters a room, people will want to talk to her, touch her, exchange smiles and take her picture.
But who knows, maybe they will!
I'm telling you, this little girl gets a lot of attention.
I'm starting to get a little afraid that she's going to grow up expecting that every time she enters a room, people will want to talk to her, touch her, exchange smiles and take her picture.
But who knows, maybe they will!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)