Last Friday we went to a party for the foreign English teachers. There was us, Howie, Staci and their 3 kids, Jeanne and Nelson and their two grown kids who are visiting and about 50 student ambassadors. I don't know where the student ambassadors came from, but there was one from my class who I didn't recognize.
The tables were laden with snacks and soda pop. We played games - picking up beans with chopsticks and running to a relay with it (Dad's team won) A word description game, like password, that Jeanne and I won!! They also had entertainment - a group that did hip hop dance - a guy that did tai chee and a singer. After two hours of this they took us for dinner at the cafeteria. We had 10 to a table and 4 tables. They served about 16 different dishes! including the whole fish, lamb, a vinegar salad, butter beans,two soups, rice ,mushrooms, etc.
We were well fed and well entertained.
Friday, we also went to Ancient Culture Street. It's supposed to be old stuff but not quite. It was still pretty touristy, but they had beautiful kite shops. Dad wants to go back when it's warmer. Me too. We went with a guy and his girlfriend who Dad met on the street near our house last Sept. David spent 7 yrs. in Canada and returned to China 3 yrs. ago. His English is great. Claire, his girlfriend, works for Korean Air and speaks English but she's intimidated by it. They were wonderful hosts!
When David parked his car on the street, next to a parking meter, a guy came up and he paid the guy to watch his car for 2 hours. That was the parking arrangement. No meter.
They also took us out to lunch for dumplings. It's not Dad's favorite dish, but these were VERY good! Not as doughy as others we've had. David did the ordering. We had corn soup that was very watery and the corn was ground up:( Three kinds of dumplings and then pork knuckles. The pork knuckles are served with a plastic glove and a straw so you can pick it up and gnaw on it and then you stick the straw in the bone and suck out the marrow.( we didn't do that part) But the knuckles were OK.
The restaurant wasn't too far from our apt. so we want to take Nelson and Jeanne because they like dumplings, but the restaurant didn't serve rice. They have pictures of their dishes on the wall and they had a lot of weird stuff.
Speaking off... I was looking at Lay's Potato chips yesterday in the store and they have several flavors that we don't have in the states. Fried Chicken Flavor - Mexican Tomato Chicken Flavor - Italian Red Meat Flavor - Cucumber Flavor - and Original. Any of those sound good??
Saturday was just a regular day, cleaning and laundry and singing carols and reading the Christmas story with our neighbors.
Sunday we had church at 9:00 for an hour. Then came home and Dad made brunch. Jeanne had given us home made bread for a Christmas present so that was a wonderful addition! And then we opened our presents. It took about 5 min.! Our stockings had candy and mandarin oranges! I gave Dad a belt and a DVD of Wind in the Willows and he gave me slippers and a table cloth. We gave ourselves a hand carved Nativity set that we will keep forever.
For Christmas dinner we had the Johnson's over, who teach at Nankai University, Aaron and Elisha Mower, a young couple who work here. They're members of our ward. She writes the stories for video games and he teaches at an elementary school, but he's an engineer. And Joseph who is also a young member of our ward. He'll be living in our apt. bldg. and teaching here next year.
We had a wonderful ham and all the trimmings and apple crisp for dessert that Becca made. The apples here are delicious. Then we played Phase 10 and snacked. After everyone went home I did the dishes and we relaxed! The end of a near perfect Christmas. Next year will be more perfect! Apparently we have to be home!
Love to all! just 2 more days of finals!! Mom XXOO
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Dec 19th
Thursday night we went to our favorite Chinese restaurant again. Jeanne and Nelson went with us and a Samoan girl from our ward, Taumaia. We have our own waitress. I think she's the only one who will put up with us. But we save the receipt from the time before so we just point to it and tell her we want the same. It's all in Chinese. The meal was great. It was about $15.00 for the 5 of us.
Friday night our university liaison gave us tickets to a program at the Tianjin Concert Hall. We went with the Boren's. It was the Tianjin Symphonic Orchestra. Fantastic! It was just wonderful. Of course, all the music was in Chinese :) But music is universal. All the instruments were Chinese. They were so interesting. We really wanted to go look at them, but that wouldn't have been proper. We were all amazed at the beauty of the music and the concert hall and all the pomp. And the girl in the front row of the orchestra who reminded us of Nickki Gabel, especially when she rolled her eyes and mimicked the announcer!
Saturday was our Branch Christmas party at the Presidents' house. Huge house,68 people, adults and kids. It was great! Turkey and all the trimmings and even Santa Claus showed up! We took our family from upstairs. Their three kids are wild and crazy, but there were others like them so it was OK!
We even had a program- a Viola duet, a Chinese harp solo, a speech by a 7 yr. old girl, and I read the Christmas story and we sang songs with it. It was just right! Plus we brought left-overs home!
The family upstairs, with the 3 kids, has now moved from the 5th floor to the second floor. Right above us. But it's alright. The 5th floor doesn't have bars on the windows and their kids were always opening the windows. The second story apt.has bars to keep the kids in. This China experience with 3 kids is really draining Staci. I feel so sorry for her. They have hired a nanny, but she doesn't speak English and I think the kids just run over her!
I'm finding I feel less stressed since Ernie's kidney stone has been taken care of, and I didn't even know I was stressed. But I do feel better.
Finals are this week and next and I'm on top of them so I feel confident that I can get that taken care of easily. Then we have time off and start preparing for next semester.Our students have their big finals after they have the English finals. They are studying so hard. They even have a final on Christmas, not that they celebrate Christmas, but they know a little about it.
Our other China teachers were saying how they talk so much about Christmas with their students so I thought I would to. That would take up some class time. No. They all looked at me with blank expressions;like they had no idea or interest in what I was talking about. So much for Christmas.
All of the stores are decorated. Not like the U.S. But they have decorations in the windows and there are some magnificent Christmas trees in the upper class shopping areas! Near the concert hall.
It's time to get to class. Love you all! Can't wait for Christi to get home!! Mom XXOO
Friday night our university liaison gave us tickets to a program at the Tianjin Concert Hall. We went with the Boren's. It was the Tianjin Symphonic Orchestra. Fantastic! It was just wonderful. Of course, all the music was in Chinese :) But music is universal. All the instruments were Chinese. They were so interesting. We really wanted to go look at them, but that wouldn't have been proper. We were all amazed at the beauty of the music and the concert hall and all the pomp. And the girl in the front row of the orchestra who reminded us of Nickki Gabel, especially when she rolled her eyes and mimicked the announcer!
Saturday was our Branch Christmas party at the Presidents' house. Huge house,68 people, adults and kids. It was great! Turkey and all the trimmings and even Santa Claus showed up! We took our family from upstairs. Their three kids are wild and crazy, but there were others like them so it was OK!
We even had a program- a Viola duet, a Chinese harp solo, a speech by a 7 yr. old girl, and I read the Christmas story and we sang songs with it. It was just right! Plus we brought left-overs home!
The family upstairs, with the 3 kids, has now moved from the 5th floor to the second floor. Right above us. But it's alright. The 5th floor doesn't have bars on the windows and their kids were always opening the windows. The second story apt.has bars to keep the kids in. This China experience with 3 kids is really draining Staci. I feel so sorry for her. They have hired a nanny, but she doesn't speak English and I think the kids just run over her!
I'm finding I feel less stressed since Ernie's kidney stone has been taken care of, and I didn't even know I was stressed. But I do feel better.
Finals are this week and next and I'm on top of them so I feel confident that I can get that taken care of easily. Then we have time off and start preparing for next semester.Our students have their big finals after they have the English finals. They are studying so hard. They even have a final on Christmas, not that they celebrate Christmas, but they know a little about it.
Our other China teachers were saying how they talk so much about Christmas with their students so I thought I would to. That would take up some class time. No. They all looked at me with blank expressions;like they had no idea or interest in what I was talking about. So much for Christmas.
All of the stores are decorated. Not like the U.S. But they have decorations in the windows and there are some magnificent Christmas trees in the upper class shopping areas! Near the concert hall.
It's time to get to class. Love you all! Can't wait for Christi to get home!! Mom XXOO
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Dec 11th
We went to Beijing yesterday, Saturday, and Dad had the stint removed. The nurse said it took 5 min. but we were there 5 hrs.! He had to have all the before and after stuff done. I went shopping for about an hour. I had so much stuff in my plastic basket at the American grocery store that I couldn't carry it to the cash register downstairs, so I had to put stuff back and then come back later for it!
I also visited our little mall of stalls. I took Dad back later and he bought a nice North Face coat , with a liner, that he can wear over his suit if it really gets nasty.
Today has been beautiful! Not too cold and no wind. We had sacrament meeting at the Bishop/Presidents house. All 35 of us in his living room. Then we had a special conference by phone with our Regional District. They made three districts out of two districts. There are over 2000 foreigners in branches here in China. Twenty five years ago there was only one family. As China grows so does the Church.Even though we can't talk to the Chinese population the foreigners who come here are becoming more and more. They didn't tell us how many Chinese nationals are members, but it's growing too. Afterward we had a potluck lunch. That was yummy! I made enchilada casserole, but I didn't get to eat any.It was gone too fast.
Love you all. Help each other. Stay strong! Mom XXOO
I also visited our little mall of stalls. I took Dad back later and he bought a nice North Face coat , with a liner, that he can wear over his suit if it really gets nasty.
Today has been beautiful! Not too cold and no wind. We had sacrament meeting at the Bishop/Presidents house. All 35 of us in his living room. Then we had a special conference by phone with our Regional District. They made three districts out of two districts. There are over 2000 foreigners in branches here in China. Twenty five years ago there was only one family. As China grows so does the Church.Even though we can't talk to the Chinese population the foreigners who come here are becoming more and more. They didn't tell us how many Chinese nationals are members, but it's growing too. Afterward we had a potluck lunch. That was yummy! I made enchilada casserole, but I didn't get to eat any.It was gone too fast.
Love you all. Help each other. Stay strong! Mom XXOO
Friday, December 9, 2011
Dec 9th
We go to Beijing tomorrow to have dad's stint taken out and then we shouldn't have to go back for a few months for just a check up. So I can shop while he's at the hospital. I'll go to the American store and probably the little mall of stalls. :) Love you all . Say a prayer that all will be well!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dec 6th
Our neighbor, Howie, told us about a new marke tplacce he found. Every time you venture down a strange street you can usually find a new marketplace. This one has clothes, flowers, pets, and vegetables and fruits! So we had to go take a look with Jeanne and Nelson and then go back by ourselves too. I found a candy here that I really like. It's peanuts in a hard sugar base. There's something like it in the US, but I can't remember the name. Here it comes in a slab, about 2"x6". A lady had some at this market place and I asked her how much it was. She said, I think, 14 yuan for one. That's about $2.00 and a little steep, but it's so good I told her I wanted two. She put 6 in a bag and charged me 27 yuan.I didn't question her. It's almost addicting!
Dad found a little shop that had a variety of old Chinese stuff. The guy kept showing him old boxes, Dad's downfall. And he wanted 2000 yuan for all 3 of them - about $300.00 US. At the time I was with dad and convinced him that he only needed a different box for 50 yuan. It's very nice - leather and wood - but not as old as the other ones he saw. Dad just went back to this market place with Nelson. I'm a little worried!
Nelson wants to buy a hat like Dad bought last week. It's fleece lined, like a baseball cap but with ear flaps that snap under your chin. It looks OK and it keeps him very warm. Nelson's head is shaved so he needs a good hat like that. I'd buy one for me, but I look pretty dorky in it, like I do in any hat! I just wear my scarf and hood.
I bought a poinsettia at the market place for 5 yuan - about $.75. It's looking a little lame now. Oh, do you have to water it!? We put up our Christmas tree and decorations. They came with the apartment. Dad's excited. It looks festive! I bought us a Christmas decoration that I'm going to safe and open on Christmas, so we'll have something under the tree.
We had a nice anniversary - Dinner at TGI Friday's. American food. A little pricey, but we're worth it after 45 years. Maybe we'll go back when we get a desire for a good hamburger.
It rained last night and we had a bit of snow flurry yesterday morning. It's getting colder, but we still haven't turned on the heat, unless I want to dry the clothes.
Love you and miss you all! Mom XXOO
Dad found a little shop that had a variety of old Chinese stuff. The guy kept showing him old boxes, Dad's downfall. And he wanted 2000 yuan for all 3 of them - about $300.00 US. At the time I was with dad and convinced him that he only needed a different box for 50 yuan. It's very nice - leather and wood - but not as old as the other ones he saw. Dad just went back to this market place with Nelson. I'm a little worried!
Nelson wants to buy a hat like Dad bought last week. It's fleece lined, like a baseball cap but with ear flaps that snap under your chin. It looks OK and it keeps him very warm. Nelson's head is shaved so he needs a good hat like that. I'd buy one for me, but I look pretty dorky in it, like I do in any hat! I just wear my scarf and hood.
I bought a poinsettia at the market place for 5 yuan - about $.75. It's looking a little lame now. Oh, do you have to water it!? We put up our Christmas tree and decorations. They came with the apartment. Dad's excited. It looks festive! I bought us a Christmas decoration that I'm going to safe and open on Christmas, so we'll have something under the tree.
We had a nice anniversary - Dinner at TGI Friday's. American food. A little pricey, but we're worth it after 45 years. Maybe we'll go back when we get a desire for a good hamburger.
It rained last night and we had a bit of snow flurry yesterday morning. It's getting colder, but we still haven't turned on the heat, unless I want to dry the clothes.
Love you and miss you all! Mom XXOO
Friday, December 2, 2011
Dec 2nd
I'm fighting a cold and probably shouldn't write, but I'll try.
Monday after class two girls came to my room and invited me to be a judge at a drama competition the following night. There are things like this that you do not refuse to do in China. So ,of course, I agreed to do it.
The next night I took Ernie with me and Jeanne was going to it too. There were 5 judges we were introduced and applauded. Ernie and Jeanne were also introduced as special guests. They both saw kids from their classes. I saw one of mine. The short plays were put on by various clubs. It was very hard to judge (they were in English) because I don't know what to judge them by. The costumes and such were scarce. The English was not perfect, but they were cute and the kids did a good job. The one that won (there were 8) was a compilation of bits of The Sound of Music. One of the judging points was originality, of which there was none for this play! But I was chosen to present the grand prize . There were 7 prizes given, that the other judges handed out. They are so gracious. I was given a throw pillow for being a judge, none of the other judges got anything. And I got to pose with the winning group for pictures. It was fun and the kids worked hard on their plays.They don't realize that cussing and body gestures are not appropriate on stage, but TIC TIC TIC !
Love you all !
Monday after class two girls came to my room and invited me to be a judge at a drama competition the following night. There are things like this that you do not refuse to do in China. So ,of course, I agreed to do it.
The next night I took Ernie with me and Jeanne was going to it too. There were 5 judges we were introduced and applauded. Ernie and Jeanne were also introduced as special guests. They both saw kids from their classes. I saw one of mine. The short plays were put on by various clubs. It was very hard to judge (they were in English) because I don't know what to judge them by. The costumes and such were scarce. The English was not perfect, but they were cute and the kids did a good job. The one that won (there were 8) was a compilation of bits of The Sound of Music. One of the judging points was originality, of which there was none for this play! But I was chosen to present the grand prize . There were 7 prizes given, that the other judges handed out. They are so gracious. I was given a throw pillow for being a judge, none of the other judges got anything. And I got to pose with the winning group for pictures. It was fun and the kids worked hard on their plays.They don't realize that cussing and body gestures are not appropriate on stage, but TIC TIC TIC !
Love you all !
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