August in China

Jon took a few days off when we first got to China so we could get settled. He had got us a car and driver, Mr. Tao(which meant Iron Man) so the boys always called him Iron Man. The jet lag was not too bad, it took about 5 days for the kids, especially Nic to not want go to bed at 3pm and wake up at about 2am in the morning for about 20 minutes before we could get them back to sleep. Those first couple of days we went and did some shopping and went to the Llama temple. For shopping we did a little outlet mall by our complex which is ok, but there is definitely better shopping other places, but we also took the kids to experience Yashou which is were you barter for the price. Which was funny since the kids could not figure out why Jon would try to walk away before they got the thing they wanted. This was also the kids first experience with Chinese people wanting to touch them and their hair and talk to them. Three blond children with blue eyes in China is a huge novelty. Jon took us to eat Chinese and all though the dishes were pretty normal for the most part they still had their China twist to them, like the chicken dish came with bones in all the meat pieces and the skin on every piece, and the pork dish was the thick pork cuts with meat and fat and all. This is also were the kids tried fish eggs for the first time and found that they liked them, this did happen by mistake, but for good. We had dumplings and they came out garnished with little orange dots that looked like sprinkles, and before the kids asked what they were they were trying them. It was after they had tried the eggs and the dumplings and had enjoyed them that they asked Jon and I what the orange stuff was. For me eating this first few weeks consisted of one meal a day and then surviving on Coke the rest of the time. The Llama temple was cool, it has the largest Buddha made from one sandal wood tree, and the kids got to see how a new religion is viewed. This was also the boys first time seeing a squatter toilet, I was nervous that this would make Nic and Stock and Syd not ever want to go to the bathroom again, but for the boys they think they are great. Syd is more like me, find me the handicap toilet or I will hold it if possible. Because of these toilets and the lack of concern for just going to the bathroom outside where ever you please, China has a strong bad smell at times, which we still are not use to, but can handle a little better than this first few weeks we were here.

Also in the first week we were here we had lots of fun complications that we have found out come in one way or another for all expats that move to China, every one has adopted the phrase welcome to China when these things come up. As for me I was ready to get back on a plane and leave that first two weeks here. Food is not the same here, school had about 100 hurdles to over come (thanks to Aunt Jo for the final push that helped us), and it seemed one thing after another. It seems every time we turned around we needed one more paper filled out, 3 more passport pictures, another 500 yan, and after that come back in two days then we can fill out the paper work. Needless to say I was home sick and hungry, the kids were happy they got to start school 4 days later than they should have, which meant more play time with their new pool and compound. Our apartment is about 600 sq ft, which makes for very cozy living.

Jon and I decided that before the kids went to school we need to get the boys hair cut and I was due for a foot massage and Syd could see what they were like as well. So Syd and I went for the Chinese foot massage while the boys got hair cuts. The people giving us the massages tried to speak to us so I turned to my way of communicating with shoulder shrugs and sign language, it works sometimes, and Syd just laughs. The boys got done before us so Jon set him and the boys up with back massages too. Stockton really enjoyed his, but Nic said he just wanted to be done shortly after it started. The boys did get their bells rubbed as well, which made them very regular, we never saw them have to use the bathrooms so many times in two days. Syd and I really liked ours, we even had Chinese cupping on our feet which was different but felt good. Of course then there was Jon's massage, I swear that man can never pick the thing that just relaxes him.. He decided to go with all the traditional medicine items with his massage. So he had is back scraped to nothing with a large sharp fish bone, then he had the cupping done on his back which they keep there for 15 minutes. He told us he was done too right after they started, but got the joy of enduring until the end of his 45 minute massage. We will post a picture of his ordeal.

We also took a tour of the Blue Zoo of Beijing, which is like an aquarium with sharks, turtles, large sting rays and other fish. It was interesting to see how many Chinese people can fit inside one building. Nic and Stockton have also decided that they enjoy Chinese snacks, which is Chinese hot dogs on a stick, which do not look great and from Jon's opinion do not taste great, but if the boys will eat them all the better. China has definitely made Nicholas a better eater and Stockton and eater more like myself. Syd and Nic are always up for trying a new food if it is not too weird, but Nic likes more and more veggies and some types of tofu, which is huge since his diet use to consist of corn dogs and chicken nuggets and cereal.

Finally, in August the kids did get to start school. We went and picked up their uniforms and got their teachers introduced and Syd a tour of the upper school. We were still having welcome to China issues with the school transportation, so for the first month the kids had their own driver until we could get a bus figured out. Nic was excited to start school and go to lunch and recess, but he did end up with a little home sickness those first few weeks of school. He would get sad if he saw Stockton on the playground and could not go play since it was his time for lunch. He would also get nervous that I would not be home when they got back. But after getting the routine down, Nic loves school and learning both Chinese and the violin. He has made some great friends and loves all of his teachers. Stockton loved getting back to school too, we found he was a little behind in math since the USA does not go as fast in math as the Asian countries. But he is a fast learner and really loves his teacher. He loves making friends and learning new things. Syd has actually had the biggest adjustment. 7th grade hear is full of lots of classes, lots of homework, and beginner Chinese is very fast paced. She is getting her bearings and made a new friend right away and has made many more. She is on her schools soccer team and wants to try out for volleyball and basketball too. Their school name is Yew Chung(YCIS) and they are the scorpions.

Meeting the 3rd Branch members has been great for all of us, but especially me. The sisters are very nice and they all have been through what we are all going through. Syd has been welcomed into Young Womans with open arms and loves going to the activities, there are 3 Beehives and about 4 more coming in before the end of the year. We as the women get together and have luncheons once a month, and there are people who get others together for fun shopping or site seeing. All of the kids have made friends with kids in our branch, Stock's best friend here is from our branch and luckily lives in our same complex, so it makes cub scouts and playing lots of fun.

One of our last outing in August was going to the Great Wall of China for mine and the kids first time. It was awesome! We went and took a tram up to the wall, then we hiked on the wall, clear up to a high point. We bought the kids medals that said "I hiked the Great Wall" and they carved their name and date on them. Stock and Nic bought wood swords from this trip and Syd got a great Chinese umbrella, the kids and Jon also had fun catching a lizard on the wall and finding all the secret stairs to get up the guard towers.

August was a great yet hard month in China. Everyone tells me that it takes 6 months to adjust, I think for me it might take that long to be fully adjusted, but as for the kids and Jon they seem well adjusted and ready for all the business that comes their way. Not that I am not enjoying all the family time and going to all the great places, it is very different here and I still get home sick! But tomorrow is a new day with a new view.