More U.S. Memories: Grandchildren!

We were so happy to meet our new grandson Collin.  Being born almost 2 weeks overdue, he

seemed more like a month-old baby than a newborn.  I sat with him on my lap as he gazed into

my eyes and I just chatted with him--I went on and on telling him about the family

he's been born into, and so on--lots of nonsense, just something to be saying,

 for at least 20 minutes, and he never fussed.

His eyes would turn to follow movement (I tried moving my head from side to side and he followed

me).  If someone else walked by, he'd turn his head to follow them, then come back to looking at me.

This kid is alert!

 And fun to hold!

Grandkids came from Texas, Colorado and New York, so it was a big party.

 We celebrated Nellie's 2nd birthday,

and Nathan's 1st.

Such good times!

U.S. Memories

It's hard to believe we've been in the U.S. for 5 weeks now.  China seems such a long ways away, and a long time ago.  But it's only a week now until we return.  Time to start posting some of the memories!

It's been 5 weeks of hello's and goodbye's, each hello a happy, long-anticipated event,

and each goodbye a bit sad as we realize it will be at least 6 months or a year before we meet again.

 My brother, in Idaho, has some horses and one of the first things Alice wanted to do was go riding.  My brother thinks it is great fun to push people to the limit, so for her first ride, they went several miles through up and down country--and Alice was sore for days.  But they saw some great country!

 We also went to an amusement park, "Lagoon" in northern Utah, where we met up with our oldest daughter and her family.  They'd come up from Texas to spend a week with us.

As a grandmother, the most fun I can have is helping the little ones have fun.  The 5-year-old is just a tad too short for some of the roller coasters, and I was MORE than happy to do things with him while the older kids rode the "Wicked" and other rides that just do not appeal to me.  I remember even as a child getting motion sickness on a ride (the Octopus) at a small, local park.  

Yes, thrill rides do more than thrill me!

 It was hot.  It was not too crowded.  The water park was great, and we all had a super time!

 Other great memories come from hanging out with cousins.  Cousins are one of heaven's gifts!  (Just like grandkids are a gift.)  Lucky are the people who have cousins roughly the same age.  For the most part, they are ready-made friends, even if they only see each other once a year.

Alice and Ellie had a great time on a 4-wheeler with Hope and Reba.  

 And I just can't stop looking at the sky!  

Unfortunately, clarity and contrast will be just a memory once we get back to China.

It's been so great to see stars at night (lots of them, not just the brightest 2 or 3).  

Evening Cruise on the HaiHe River...

We have had the pleasure of knowing four great couples these past 10 months.  They have been here in Tianjin teaching English--two couples at Nankai University and two at Tianjin U.  Their example of living here with just what they brought in their suitcases (as opposed to our luxury of having household goods shipped over) has been inspiring.  You can get by with much less than what I used to think.

 They come from a diverse background--artists, teachers, dancers, coaches, etc., and yet they all love serving others.  They have been a tremendous help in our local congregation.

But now it is time for them to return to the U.S., to grandchildren and families.  Some have careers to return to, but most are retired.

We all got together in downtown Tianjin to cruise the river.

 It was just two months ago that we visited this same locality when Deborah came to visit, and I hardly recognized it.  The green trees of summer soften the concrete buildings, and the Chinese do a marvelous job with their landscape lighting.  Buildings that look drab and gray during the day really come alive at night!

 The "Eye of Tianjin" ferris wheel is built on a bridge, and we went right underneath it.  Again, the lighting really was fun.

 With each of the bridges--and there were several--it looked like we could jump just a few inches and touch the overhead beams.  But we didn't. After all, this is China, and you never know what might be considered an egregious error on the part of a foreigner.  I'm not saying it would a serious thing, just something more on the order of a faux pas.

 Wish my iPhone camera handled colors better.  The sculpture was scary/beautiful--like most gargoyle-type ornaments.  The entire down-town was beautiful.

 As we cruised along, we had a great view of the St. Regis Hotel.  Such a cube!  There are a number of architectural wonders in Tianjin and Beijing.

And then we realized it is hollow in the middle.


The cruise was a great way to celebrate our friendship and have a last fling.  We will miss the Ferrells, Borens, Suggs, and Johnsons.  And we look forward to the eight new people coming in August.  BYU only sends out the best, and we can't wait to meet them!

We recently had a tremor...

A couple of weeks ago, as I sat in my favorite chair, a lazy-boy rocker (one of the few pieces of furniture we had shipped here), suddenly I felt extra movement--like someone had brushed past the back of the chair.  But no one was there.

It took only a second or two to realize what was happening:

we were experiencing an earthquake!

I looked at another chair that had a throw hanging off the back, and the throw was

swaying back and forth.  It was kind of freaky.

It turned out to be a 4.7 or 4.8 tremor, centered about 100 miles from

here in a city called Tangshan.  In 1976, Tangshan was leveled by a severe quake

that killed 300,000 people.  I've referred to it before in this blog.

It wasn't long before a text arrived from Kevin:  "Did you feel that?"

At work, the whole building was evacuated and everyone stood in the hot sun for 45 minutes until

it was deemed safe to re-enter the building.  Same thing happened at the girls' school.

So it got me thinking.

Back in the states, I had taken CERT training (Community Emergency Response Team), along with

other members of our congregation, so that we could be of help in the event of disasters.

We were not trained as first responders, but as assistants for them (the fire fighters, police, EMTs, etc.)

We learned how to search damaged buildings.  How to offer medical assistance.

What things to have in our own kit.  And the number 1 priority:  Take care of your own family so they don't need the assistance of others (if possible).

So, what WOULD we do in the event of a major earthquake?

We live on the 3rd floor of an 8-story building.  The only exits are an elevator and an interior stairway.

Both of those would be dangerous.  And besides, they exit into a small parking area that has three high-rise apartment buildings (27 stories each).  I wouldn't want to be there if the earth is shaking things

down!  So the only other option would be to climb down off the patio.

 I went scouting around the outside, and found out it wouldn't be too bad.

The ground looks a long way down when looking down, 

but just like on the high dive at the swimming pool, 

it doesn't look very high when looking up!

 For right now, we have an extension cord that would be long enough

to get down a two floors, and then a short drop.

Or we could jump into the tree and hope for the best.  

Obviously, our escape planning is going to need a little work.

Why didn't we bring the escape ladder we had for our old attic bedrooms?

I know I will rest easier once I feel we are truly prepared.

(And I wish I'd shipped my CERT kit!)

In order to graduate from Tianjin International School

One of the pleasant surprises of this Chinese adventure has been the school the girls go to.  I know I've sung its praises before, but things keep coming up that remind me just how different it is from the public schools back home.  (And those were supposedly some of the more excellent ones.)

For one thing, the school is small--only about 125 in the high school, and that includes 9th grade, though it is growing.

For another, it takes a special person to decide to live in China in order to teach school.  The teachers have a strong commitment to excellence and each feel it is their "mission" to be here.  So

they are completely involved in the school--it's not just a job.  They care!  Back home, you would run into excellent teachers, but they weren't in the majority.

For a third thing, it has a strong Christian relationship, and they are unapologetically teaching for the whole soul, so values and standards are taught and supported.  Classes and activities begin with prayer.  When a student misbehaves, the counseling includes the need for repenting and changing,

but it's done with love and concern for the best outcome.  There are many students attending who are not Christian but attend because of strong academic standards.

Which brings me to the real reason for this post.  In order to graduate, each student puts together a portfolio of what they have learned in high school, and then they present a power-point to a panel of 5 teachers, finishing up with answering any questions the teachers may have.

Ellie was a bit at a disadvantage, coming in at her senior year, but she did a great job.

 I was glad I got to go and watch the hour-long experience.

 She did a great job of listening to the questions, coming to the core of what was being asked and answering it in a clear way.  She didn't look nervous at all, though afterwards, she

was really glad it was over.

And she passed!  Graduation will be this Thursday, 8 pm.

Nice surprise!

While Alice was in Kunming, she noticed street vendors with buckets of roses that were cheap-- REALLY cheap ($1.50 for a dozen roses).

Knowing that I absolutely LOVE flowers, she wished she could bring some home,

but with a plane flight, that might not work so well.

 At the airport the prices were just a bit higher ($3 for 20 roses) and the vendor packaged the roses in a box so they could go as checked luggage.  

(Thank you Air China for allowing more than one checked bag.)

After the flight when it came time to pick up the luggage in Beijing, there came the roses' box on the carousel.  The box was crushed and broken (we all know how luggage-handlers treat "fragile" things) but the roses looked fine--they made it!  TWO bunches, yellow and pink.  

It was like Mother's day all over.

Thank you Alice!!

Sleepover on the Great Wall

Sometimes, I stop what I'm doing and think, "wow! We ARE in China!"

As we've lived here now for about 10 months, daily life isn't much different from

what it was in Iowa.  To be sure, running errands is a bit different--having to arrange a

time with the driver instead of just hopping in the car and running to Walmart.  But I'm used to it now and it seems almost normal.  It's beginning to seem normal to plop down $50-worth of Chinese money for 3 boxes of cereal, some cheese and a carton of sour cream.

It's beginning to seem normal to be able to leave the apartment for my Chinese lesson or to go do something with my friends and leave the ayi folding laundry or washing the windows.

(Or to sit here at the computer while she does the breakfast dishes.  Nice!)

But then, something very unique comes up,

like the invitation from the Christian Fellowship (the non-denominational congregation

that is associated with the school) for the high school students to have a 

sleepover on the Great Wall.

 A chartered bus transported them the two-hour drive to Jixian. 

 The only problem?  There was a forecast of rain

so I had purchased plastic shower curtains to go around their sleeping bags, (especially to

keep them clean from the "China black grime").

But the group ended up sleeping in the guard towers, out of the rain completely. 

The next day was spent exploring the Wall, the nearby town, and

"affirming" the seniors in the group (hence the reason for the church's involvement).  

That basically meant the group (about 25 total), 

took time to tell about the good things they've noticed about a particular person.

 So yes, we are in China!  And yes, we are having marvelous experiences!

Off to Guizhou went Ellie...

It's always interesting seeing a new place through another's eyes.  

What did they think was worthy of a picture? 

On their first day in Guizhou, Ellie's senior class visited a Chinese

high school, supposedly to talk to and help the students with their English.

In her own words, "If I had 5 kuai for every time someone wanted to take my picture, I'd be rich!"

 It's been a phenomenon that strokes the ego... "Excuse me, could I take your picture?"

It's happened even to the older ones in our family (and I didn't even have to pay them to say that!),

but it happens most to our blonde daughters. 

It's been mentioned more than once that it will be missed once we move back to the U.S.

Then we'll just have the memories of being unique and beautiful.

While Alice visited an area that is unusually dry and sunny this year, (and hence the sunburn);

Ellie's area was unusually rainy.  

 Apparently good luck comes if you throw money on the floating turtle rafts.

 And Alice wasn't the only one to try new exotic foods.  This area had lots of

fish and such--squid, crayfish, etc.

Make your selection and the street vendor fries it in oil

 Oh, yeah.  And little crabs.  We're becoming more used to eating "street food".  

As long as it is cooked, it's okay.  And quite tasty.  But don't add in any lettuce or other uncooked things or you might be making a close, long, acquaintance with a toilet.  And western toilets

aren't very common (sometimes available at McDonalds).  Otherwise, you

get to use what we fondly call a squatty potty.

 But western civilization is encroaching everywhere!  Just look!  Ice cream!!

Even the flavored, soft-serve variety (notice the sign above).

Or Ellie's decadent-looking cone, (below).

 This area is known for the flowers, and for a dollar or two, you can have a fresh-flower

crown.  But having one of Ellie's Korean classmates model it is even better.

(And every picture with the Koreans has a peace sign, or a "live long and prosper" sign.

Point a camera and it's automatic!)

 Did I mention that it was rainy?  And cloudy?

The seniors traveled several hours by bus, then hiked up into the mountains, before taking a

tram up to the top.  And once they got there, what did they see?  A stunning vista?

 Hardly.  Ellie has a picture of the view--solid gray.

 Still, the area was interesting, and many signs proclaimed their

pride in the fact that it was part of the inspiration for the movie "Avatar" (with the blue people).

 Ellie had a good time.  She came home with some fun clothes from local tradesmen and a woven blanket.  But the best part of course, are the friendships made.

Returning to the U.S. in 3 weeks as she prepares for college will definitely be bitter-sweet for her!

Alice's Spring Trip to Kunming, China

For a year now, we've heard about "spring trips", and it was one of the reasons we 

chose Tianjin Int. School.  Each grade level takes a different trip:  the freshmen always

go to Kunming.  The seniors always go to Guizhuo.  

And for 9 days, Kevin and I got to be empty-nesters.

The cost of the trip is part of their tuition, which is paid by the company.

All we had to do was send along some money for souvenirs.

Alice's class (the freshmen) flew to Kunming in southwestern China.

Their group did a LOT of hiking.  They stayed in youth hostels.

They ate local food.  (And that got interesting!)

 They got a boat ride across a shallow lake, propelled by "poling".

Everyone wants a water buffalo... but if it's very muddy, maybe no one wants to really

touch it--except it loved having its head rubbed. 

 I got a text one evening--"Just finished a scary hike.  I love the mountains!"

A mom likes to receive those kinds of messages, especially after the scary part

is over and all is well.

Tiger Leaping Gorge.  One false step and there was no way back up. 

 Kevin and I have decided we really need to go see this place.

Before the hat was purchased,

the sunburn was well under way.

The group had several bus rides to different localities, along with over-night train rides.

Plane, train, bus, and foot!

 Rice paddies and terracing for tobacco plants (with plastic to protect the new plants).

 And more hiking.  

 Alice determined to be adventurous in trying all the local foods.  And she did it!

The chicken foot is basically chewed on, then you spit the bones out.

The dried lizards were crunchy.  

The group also did a day of service at an orphanage,

 and attended a Christian church service with a minority group, the Miao's.

The only other text I got all week:  "We had church for 3 hours, all in Chinese.  The music was really beautiful."

 The women have long hair that is put in a bun on top of their head to show 

they are married.

 But the joy on the face of a toddler, when being entertained, is universal.

 (not a real elephant)

The view from the hostel they stayed in.

So now the spring trip is over and done, and next May is a long time away.

But the memories will last a lifetime.