Tomorrow we are headed to the island Hainan in the South China Sea. If you're a weather nut, or just keeping track, there was just a Typhoon that rolled over the island. And another is headed there on Monday.
When we're there.
I've told the embassy, but figure it's good to let as many people know we'll be there as possible.
Bon voyage!
9.30.2011
9.28.2011
Q
I enjoy playing Scrabble and Bananagrams and other word games. Thus, I know the elusive nature of the letter 'q' in the English language. However, at work I find myself writing q's often, and was surprised today to see how many q's were on my white board after just one class. Teaching math, I write "equation" a lot. And how often do you think of "equation" when playing Scrabble? (well, maybe you do...) I also seem to write "question" a lot, mostly with instructions. And when typing, there is "Chongqing", where I live. So many q's!
Tomorrow I am going to tally the number of times I use 'q' in my day, written that is. Maybe the backwards p is not so elusive after all.
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Added 9/30/11: Yesterday I wrote 20 q's. Really. Today I noticed it also. I think it's time to memorize all the words with q in them and kick butt at Scrabble. Not that I don't already.
Tomorrow I am going to tally the number of times I use 'q' in my day, written that is. Maybe the backwards p is not so elusive after all.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Added 9/30/11: Yesterday I wrote 20 q's. Really. Today I noticed it also. I think it's time to memorize all the words with q in them and kick butt at Scrabble. Not that I don't already.
9.27.2011
How to proceed?
I've disappeared and I'm not certain it's a bad thing. Since returning to Chongqing 6 weeks ago, I've debated whether or not to keep this here blog. Not only am I super busy at work, but the time I do have off I'd like to spend away from the computer.
Months and months ago I read another blogger's farewell. Having begun to find other moms in a time of need, she now felt less needy and ready to move on with life, sans blog.
I've been wondering if I'm there also.
I love to write, but...what is the right medium? Where is the right place? How often should I do it?
As I figure this out I will attempt to be better at putting something here. Maybe this will turn into one of those diary blogs that starts out bad and turns into a really rad book.
Yeah. That's what will happen.
Months and months ago I read another blogger's farewell. Having begun to find other moms in a time of need, she now felt less needy and ready to move on with life, sans blog.
I've been wondering if I'm there also.
I love to write, but...what is the right medium? Where is the right place? How often should I do it?
As I figure this out I will attempt to be better at putting something here. Maybe this will turn into one of those diary blogs that starts out bad and turns into a really rad book.
Yeah. That's what will happen.
8.13.2011
I am NOT a size 2
I would like to apologize in advance to all the people this post will offend.
---------------------------------------------------
I am not a size 2.
My stretch marks are not stretch marks with this 3 inches of fat around my middle.
I am not a size 2.
I cannot fit into the jeans I wore in high school.
I am not a size 2.
I have 2 kids, not 2 sizes on my pants.
I am not an XS.
What am I? 13?
I am not an XS.
Larger bras should have been purchased this summer.
I am not an XS.
Or a size 2.
----------------------------------
But seriously, are we really that large as a nation that even mid-sized women are considered skinny? For the first time since I was 18, I fit into pants smaller than size 4, and shirts smaller than medium. I was so excited to come home this summer to find clothes that fit me as I'm too big or tall for all the clothes in China. Yet, I worry that next year I'll return and be too large for anything.
What gives?
Sure, this country's pant-line is expanding, but really, increasing the measurements on the clothes doesn't do anyone any sort of good.
Why lose weight if you continue to be 30 pounds overweight but keep going down in pant sizes?
Why try to exercise more if you are finally a size S shirt without trying?
Why worry about heart disease, diabetes, and our children's lowered life expectancy if everyone else is doing it and saying it's okay?
Debt crisis be damned. Increase the cost of sitting on your ass and then this country may act. I was compassionate for too long. Now I'm just disgusted.
------------------------------------------------
I am NOT a size 2.
---------------------------------------------------
I am not a size 2.
My stretch marks are not stretch marks with this 3 inches of fat around my middle.
I am not a size 2.
I cannot fit into the jeans I wore in high school.
I am not a size 2.
I have 2 kids, not 2 sizes on my pants.
I am not an XS.
What am I? 13?
I am not an XS.
Larger bras should have been purchased this summer.
I am not an XS.
Or a size 2.
----------------------------------
But seriously, are we really that large as a nation that even mid-sized women are considered skinny? For the first time since I was 18, I fit into pants smaller than size 4, and shirts smaller than medium. I was so excited to come home this summer to find clothes that fit me as I'm too big or tall for all the clothes in China. Yet, I worry that next year I'll return and be too large for anything.
What gives?
Sure, this country's pant-line is expanding, but really, increasing the measurements on the clothes doesn't do anyone any sort of good.
Why lose weight if you continue to be 30 pounds overweight but keep going down in pant sizes?
Why try to exercise more if you are finally a size S shirt without trying?
Why worry about heart disease, diabetes, and our children's lowered life expectancy if everyone else is doing it and saying it's okay?
Debt crisis be damned. Increase the cost of sitting on your ass and then this country may act. I was compassionate for too long. Now I'm just disgusted.
------------------------------------------------
I am NOT a size 2.
 | |
| Wearing my brand new, SIZE 2, Old Navy jeans |
7.12.2011
Lightning and Thunder and Rain, Oh my!
I returned from a bout of traveling last week and have since experienced the oddest Colorado weather I can remember. Thunderstorms? Sure. Rain? Definitely. But day after day after day of severe weather and flood warnings in this place known as a high desert has got me stumped. For the past half hour I have been listening to continuous thunder spurned from multiple layers of lightning. The rain, though heavy, seems insignificant compared to the flash and crash of the clouds.
And like that, it's gone.
For six days now the weather has been as such. Mostly in the afternoon and evening (typical Colorado), these storms disrupt relaxed post-dinner rides home with hurricane dramatics, bubbly trampoline-bouncing toddlers, and quiet evenings on the porch.
Really, the point of all this flowery writing?
What gives?!
Is this the confirmation scientists have been looking for about climate change (please?)? Is this an 'off' year? Is this the monsoon that ends the draught? Can El Niño be blamed?
I guess I sound as if I'm complaining. I'm not. Our recent jaunt to Breckenridge has shown me how beautiful Colorado can be when adequately watered; how fast and fun swollen rivers are when record snowfall melts and rains dump.
But it is just strange.
And like that, it's gone.
For six days now the weather has been as such. Mostly in the afternoon and evening (typical Colorado), these storms disrupt relaxed post-dinner rides home with hurricane dramatics, bubbly trampoline-bouncing toddlers, and quiet evenings on the porch.
Really, the point of all this flowery writing?
What gives?!
Is this the confirmation scientists have been looking for about climate change (please?)? Is this an 'off' year? Is this the monsoon that ends the draught? Can El Niño be blamed?
I guess I sound as if I'm complaining. I'm not. Our recent jaunt to Breckenridge has shown me how beautiful Colorado can be when adequately watered; how fast and fun swollen rivers are when record snowfall melts and rains dump.
But it is just strange.
6.24.2011
Still here
I know, I know. I started the year wanting to do a post a day, and here I am over one month since a post. The absence of angry emails tells me no one's madder about this than me.
Anyway, I feel an update is in order. Here goes:
I finished my first year teaching. Whew. I'm still a bit in shock that it's over so this is all that can be said now. Next week I have a work thing away from family that will give me plenty of time to reflect. I'm sure I'll have more to say then.
We arrived back in the States on Monday after traveling back in time. As one of the biggest fans of the Back to the Future trilogy you'll meet, this was pretty freakin' cool. We left our house in Chongqing at 7 am June 20th and arrived at our Denver location at 9 pm June 20th after 29 hours of traveling. Okay, so the only cool thing about the whole travel experience was the time travel. I would not suggest doing this sort of craziness with children unless you need to. They were great - but I was so exhausted I fell asleep in random places and luckily had a great husband to care for the kids.
Being back is odd. I don't know how else to describe it. I've been asked about "reverse culture shock" - I guess reverse just because I should be cool with coming back. But sure, I've had that stuff. People here are more friendly, but they can also understand everything I say. It's a bit unsettling to go 10 months with people completely uncomprehending anything you say or motion with exaggerated charades and then return to a place where your every expression is analyzed and interpreted. I think the strangest thing communication-wise so far is with the girls on the playground. They are used to not talking to other kids they play next to, knowing they will not be understood. Here, even when they hear kids speaking English they are silent. And a bit reserved.
Going to the grocery store is pretty weird. Did you realize how expensive things are here? I spent more money in one trip to the store than I spend in 2 weeks eating and buying random goodies in China. Subsidies all around but to different degrees. Hmm...
There's blue sky! Lots of it!
The air smells good here. Even walking into the airport in San Francisco was a noticeable difference from being in airports in China (though Beijing's airport, I must say, is the cleanest I've seen in all my world travels). Every day I walk outdoors I take a deep breath and take in all the smells I've been missing - flowers, grass, dirt...And I'm not used to it yet. It's odd. I thought a couple days and I'd be acclimated. Maybe everything here is just super smelly this year. Or maybe my olfactory neurons have been deprived for so long that they will continue to fire as long as I have the ions for it.
I know. Science geek.
In other news, my girls are awesome and making their mother gush. HD is really getting into pretend play and will sit and play by herself for really long periods (an hour!) with little to no parental involvement. It's great from a needing-a-little-space mother's point-of-view. But also it is so cool to see the worlds she creates. The characters, settings, plots - if only almost 4-year-olds could write.
PB is, well, PB. She's adorable, speaking in full sentences (English and Mandarin!) and can draw a 'p'. It still feels weird sometimes seeing that I have two kids. I mean, how did that happen? But the joy of seeing PB and how she is who she is because of her placement in the family is pretty rad. She gets us more than we get ourselves. She's two and can work me so well. She knows the best times to throw a fit so I'll cave. She knows how to get attention when it's lacking. And she knows how to work her sister so HD is the one yelled at and not her.
I'm already dreading the teenage years.
Though I have many plans for this summer, one is definitely to do more writing. I'll be honest, it may not be here, but surely you'll hear about it at some point. The plan is to relax, feel like writing is a fun thing I do sometimes, rather than the chore it's been the past few months. So I'll see you soon.
And anyway, I can access this thing whenever I want for the next 2 months so I might as well take advantage.
Anyway, I feel an update is in order. Here goes:
I finished my first year teaching. Whew. I'm still a bit in shock that it's over so this is all that can be said now. Next week I have a work thing away from family that will give me plenty of time to reflect. I'm sure I'll have more to say then.
We arrived back in the States on Monday after traveling back in time. As one of the biggest fans of the Back to the Future trilogy you'll meet, this was pretty freakin' cool. We left our house in Chongqing at 7 am June 20th and arrived at our Denver location at 9 pm June 20th after 29 hours of traveling. Okay, so the only cool thing about the whole travel experience was the time travel. I would not suggest doing this sort of craziness with children unless you need to. They were great - but I was so exhausted I fell asleep in random places and luckily had a great husband to care for the kids.
Being back is odd. I don't know how else to describe it. I've been asked about "reverse culture shock" - I guess reverse just because I should be cool with coming back. But sure, I've had that stuff. People here are more friendly, but they can also understand everything I say. It's a bit unsettling to go 10 months with people completely uncomprehending anything you say or motion with exaggerated charades and then return to a place where your every expression is analyzed and interpreted. I think the strangest thing communication-wise so far is with the girls on the playground. They are used to not talking to other kids they play next to, knowing they will not be understood. Here, even when they hear kids speaking English they are silent. And a bit reserved.
Going to the grocery store is pretty weird. Did you realize how expensive things are here? I spent more money in one trip to the store than I spend in 2 weeks eating and buying random goodies in China. Subsidies all around but to different degrees. Hmm...
There's blue sky! Lots of it!
The air smells good here. Even walking into the airport in San Francisco was a noticeable difference from being in airports in China (though Beijing's airport, I must say, is the cleanest I've seen in all my world travels). Every day I walk outdoors I take a deep breath and take in all the smells I've been missing - flowers, grass, dirt...And I'm not used to it yet. It's odd. I thought a couple days and I'd be acclimated. Maybe everything here is just super smelly this year. Or maybe my olfactory neurons have been deprived for so long that they will continue to fire as long as I have the ions for it.
I know. Science geek.
In other news, my girls are awesome and making their mother gush. HD is really getting into pretend play and will sit and play by herself for really long periods (an hour!) with little to no parental involvement. It's great from a needing-a-little-space mother's point-of-view. But also it is so cool to see the worlds she creates. The characters, settings, plots - if only almost 4-year-olds could write.
PB is, well, PB. She's adorable, speaking in full sentences (English and Mandarin!) and can draw a 'p'. It still feels weird sometimes seeing that I have two kids. I mean, how did that happen? But the joy of seeing PB and how she is who she is because of her placement in the family is pretty rad. She gets us more than we get ourselves. She's two and can work me so well. She knows the best times to throw a fit so I'll cave. She knows how to get attention when it's lacking. And she knows how to work her sister so HD is the one yelled at and not her.
I'm already dreading the teenage years.
Though I have many plans for this summer, one is definitely to do more writing. I'll be honest, it may not be here, but surely you'll hear about it at some point. The plan is to relax, feel like writing is a fun thing I do sometimes, rather than the chore it's been the past few months. So I'll see you soon.
And anyway, I can access this thing whenever I want for the next 2 months so I might as well take advantage.
5.15.2011
All jittery and stufff
I'm feeling a bit jittery. There's work to do and all I can do is play with my feet, shake my sitting booty, and wring my hands as if waiting to hear "it's a girl!" at the hospital. The reason?
What I feel are restless legs.
My mother suffers from restless leg syndrome, and since being pregnant with PB, I have also. It's a strange thing, and hard to describe to someone who does not have it. For my mother, it happens at night, keeping her awake. Most of the time, that is when I would feel it too. But every once in a while, I get it during the day.
I feel like I need to run. I feel like there is no comfortable position for my legs or feet. I feel like I need to stretch but stretching does not help. I just feel all, well, jittery and stuff. And it's annoying.
Why now?! Come on, body, I need to work. I'm all bouncy and stuff and focused on my legs and this awful feeling and not on my work. Argh.
I will pace, bounce, massage, stretch, jump, squat, scream...and repeat.
I have got to get through this and on to more important things.
What I feel are restless legs.
My mother suffers from restless leg syndrome, and since being pregnant with PB, I have also. It's a strange thing, and hard to describe to someone who does not have it. For my mother, it happens at night, keeping her awake. Most of the time, that is when I would feel it too. But every once in a while, I get it during the day.
I feel like I need to run. I feel like there is no comfortable position for my legs or feet. I feel like I need to stretch but stretching does not help. I just feel all, well, jittery and stuff. And it's annoying.
Why now?! Come on, body, I need to work. I'm all bouncy and stuff and focused on my legs and this awful feeling and not on my work. Argh.
I will pace, bounce, massage, stretch, jump, squat, scream...and repeat.
I have got to get through this and on to more important things.
4.19.2011
China's Backcountry
 |
| The Li River in Yangshuo |
 |
| Proof I was there. |
 |
| Foraging with babes. |
 |
| Our view |
 |
| Peach blossoms |
 |
| Campsite, Day 1 |
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| Farm equipment |
 |
| At a crossroads: left to one town, right to another |
 |
| Sharing our campsite, Day 2 |
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| Campsite, Day 2 - the view from |
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| Kids and cows sharing space |
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| Day 3 - Foggy morning |
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| Mrs. B on a rock! |
4.11.2011
It has taken me 35 minutes to post this
Wednesday I leave for my first ever backpacking trip. 3 days in Yangshuo, China, hiking backcountry with 8 teenagers who haven't done anything like this either. Well, at least I've slept on the ground before. Under a tarp. In the rain.
PB got sick on Saturday, me on Sunday, HD today, and hubby...I hope it waits until I return on Saturday next. Wicked cold with body aches. Hello Spring!
Mosquitoes are back.
There are only 9 weeks until I will have finished my first year of teaching. I'm thinking about throwing a party. The question is, last day of school or first day back in the States? Maybe both. And more. (Almost there, Abby! Keep going! - Thanks, inner voice.)
Want to see some pictures? Ask China Telecom to add another cable to our complex so it doesn't take hours. I think a letter-writing campaign is in order. Eh, no time. Pictures in a week.
I'm going to paradise! I'm going to paradise! (Imagine I'm next to you repeating this in the most annoying, bragging voice of an 8-year-old, because) I'm going to paradise!
PB got sick on Saturday, me on Sunday, HD today, and hubby...I hope it waits until I return on Saturday next. Wicked cold with body aches. Hello Spring!
Mosquitoes are back.
There are only 9 weeks until I will have finished my first year of teaching. I'm thinking about throwing a party. The question is, last day of school or first day back in the States? Maybe both. And more. (Almost there, Abby! Keep going! - Thanks, inner voice.)
Want to see some pictures? Ask China Telecom to add another cable to our complex so it doesn't take hours. I think a letter-writing campaign is in order. Eh, no time. Pictures in a week.
I'm going to paradise! I'm going to paradise! (Imagine I'm next to you repeating this in the most annoying, bragging voice of an 8-year-old, because) I'm going to paradise!
4.05.2011
My Reading Soapbox
I have always been a voracious reader. Okay, only since I learned to read, but really...
When I graduated from picture books to chapter books, there was Charlotte's Web, A Wrinkle in Time, and Phantom Tollbooth. Moving past those it was time for a brief stint with The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and The Babysitter's Club, but then, "adult" fiction was all that was left. Alas, at 12 years of age, I was looking at my parent's bookshelf for reading material - Tom Robbins, Ernest Hemingway, Tom Clancy, and their likes. There was no "young adult" section in bookstores. Just "children's" and "adult".
Now a teacher, I am fascinated by all that is available to that middle-of-the-road reader. The 12-17-year-olds who aren't ready for the sofisticated humor of adult fiction, or the lengthy metaphors loved by the uber-essayist. And as I mentioned, I am a voracious reader, so the books that find their way to my classroom also find their way into my hands. I have been reading all that my students read, or that is available to them to read.
However, I am dismayed by the amount of series being written. Even those books now classified as "young adult" from my time (not that long ago, I know) were mostly series. It was fun for the first couple, but then it ended. There was never a clear end. The time seemed to stand still in ageless characters. And now it continues. All the most popular books are but parts of a series. Maybe it's the age. Maybe this is something I don't know about the students I teach, that they crave a continuation of enjoyable events ---- aha! How writing can bring enlightenment!
But of course! What teenager wants the happy moments to end? Why were we late for curfew? Why did a marathon of our favorite tv show outweigh the math homework? Why did we play that song over and over and over again?
Mystery solved.
Diatribe almost over.
As fun as it is to read all these books, the adult in me has had enough. I am done with series. I want closure, or at least an end to the story. When our book club read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, I ended the book thinking, "But I don't want it to end", in my whiniest thought voice. Another book? No. The more time that passes, the more I appreciate that the author(s) ended where she(they) did.
And now that I'm almost done here, I realize I will get one comment about how many other books there were that were perfect for my 12-year-old brain that were not series. However, clearly they were not memorable enough for me to know them now and write about them.
I remembered the series though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Making of "My Reading Soapbox"
Me: Would you italicize or put quotation marks around a book title?
Hubby: I would do quotation marks.
Me: Really?
Hubby: I don't know. Italicize.
Me: Really?
Hubby: Actually, I would underline it.
Me: Really?
Hubby: Yeah, that looks good (Charlotte's Web). No, I would bold it, italicize and underline.
Me: And put quotes around it?
Hubby: Yeah.
When I graduated from picture books to chapter books, there was Charlotte's Web, A Wrinkle in Time, and Phantom Tollbooth. Moving past those it was time for a brief stint with The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and The Babysitter's Club, but then, "adult" fiction was all that was left. Alas, at 12 years of age, I was looking at my parent's bookshelf for reading material - Tom Robbins, Ernest Hemingway, Tom Clancy, and their likes. There was no "young adult" section in bookstores. Just "children's" and "adult".
Now a teacher, I am fascinated by all that is available to that middle-of-the-road reader. The 12-17-year-olds who aren't ready for the sofisticated humor of adult fiction, or the lengthy metaphors loved by the uber-essayist. And as I mentioned, I am a voracious reader, so the books that find their way to my classroom also find their way into my hands. I have been reading all that my students read, or that is available to them to read.
However, I am dismayed by the amount of series being written. Even those books now classified as "young adult" from my time (not that long ago, I know) were mostly series. It was fun for the first couple, but then it ended. There was never a clear end. The time seemed to stand still in ageless characters. And now it continues. All the most popular books are but parts of a series. Maybe it's the age. Maybe this is something I don't know about the students I teach, that they crave a continuation of enjoyable events ---- aha! How writing can bring enlightenment!
But of course! What teenager wants the happy moments to end? Why were we late for curfew? Why did a marathon of our favorite tv show outweigh the math homework? Why did we play that song over and over and over again?
Mystery solved.
Diatribe almost over.
As fun as it is to read all these books, the adult in me has had enough. I am done with series. I want closure, or at least an end to the story. When our book club read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, I ended the book thinking, "But I don't want it to end", in my whiniest thought voice. Another book? No. The more time that passes, the more I appreciate that the author(s) ended where she(they) did.
And now that I'm almost done here, I realize I will get one comment about how many other books there were that were perfect for my 12-year-old brain that were not series. However, clearly they were not memorable enough for me to know them now and write about them.
I remembered the series though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Making of "My Reading Soapbox"
Me: Would you italicize or put quotation marks around a book title?
Hubby: I would do quotation marks.
Me: Really?
Hubby: I don't know. Italicize.
Me: Really?
Hubby: Actually, I would underline it.
Me: Really?
Hubby: Yeah, that looks good (Charlotte's Web). No, I would bold it, italicize and underline.
Me: And put quotes around it?
Hubby: Yeah.
4.04.2011
Signs of Spring and Renewal
Running last week I finally witnessed some sure signs that Spring and a time of renewal are here:
- A formerly quiet street is now buzzing with cicadas. They have awoken! I had forgotten how loud they are and hadn't realized how quiet it had been without them.
- I smelled flowers! Sure, I had already seen flowers, but to smell them? Amazing! This city is not known for its fresh air, and to have but 200 meters of freshness in the air was enough to energize the 2nd half of my run.
- My head touched the tree branches! A few possibilities went through my scraped head with this one:
1. I've grown - not likely. Haven't done that since middle school.
2. The trees have grown lower branches. Also not likely as it would've had to occur in a week's time.
3. The new sidewalk has put me up higher. Of course! All the sidewalks in the neighborhood have been
getting a make-over, but instead of ripping up the old tile and replacing it, new bricks have been put
on top. This has made our sidewalks (and curbs to car owners' dismay) about 8 inches taller. Hence,
the head-branch collision.
And this week, entering our holiday weekend (kind of a "Spring Break"), a final sign that it is Spring - a cold snap.
Oh well, still wearing sandals...
- A formerly quiet street is now buzzing with cicadas. They have awoken! I had forgotten how loud they are and hadn't realized how quiet it had been without them.
- I smelled flowers! Sure, I had already seen flowers, but to smell them? Amazing! This city is not known for its fresh air, and to have but 200 meters of freshness in the air was enough to energize the 2nd half of my run.
- My head touched the tree branches! A few possibilities went through my scraped head with this one:
1. I've grown - not likely. Haven't done that since middle school.
2. The trees have grown lower branches. Also not likely as it would've had to occur in a week's time.
3. The new sidewalk has put me up higher. Of course! All the sidewalks in the neighborhood have been
getting a make-over, but instead of ripping up the old tile and replacing it, new bricks have been put
on top. This has made our sidewalks (and curbs to car owners' dismay) about 8 inches taller. Hence,
the head-branch collision.
And this week, entering our holiday weekend (kind of a "Spring Break"), a final sign that it is Spring - a cold snap.
Oh well, still wearing sandals...
3.26.2011
On vacation, and a list
I've been away from here so long I feel as though I've been on vacation. Unfortunately, life has not been so exotic, though interesting things have been occurring:
1. PB turned 2. We are officially out of babyhood, even out of diapers. Quite a milestone for the entire family. She enjoyed her party, ate some cake, and received an incredibly noisy gift. All-in-all a success.
2. I ran the 5K portion of the Chongqing Marathon in about 30 minutes. I'm very proud. I have not run a race since my 13th year on this Earth. Pretty cool. We made it to the race just in time to begin. At the end, in classic China fashion, there was a large digital clock to show the time but it was unplugged. My 30 minute declaration is purely based on my cell phone which I believe runs a bit slow. Maybe I broke under the 30 minute mark?!
3. China is blocking everything. Internet freedom aside, internet capabilities have been compromised. I am only writing this now because we've had a good internet day. Usually, it is too slow to make going online worthwhile. At this point I am just trying to wait it out - let China do it's thing and I'll reconnect when they are done. If I seem to go on vacation again, this is why.
4. We are finalizing plans for our trip home this summer. It will be a whirlwind trip through Denver, Seattle, Portland, Taos, and Ketchikan. So much for keeping it simple.
5. We are also finalizing plans for traveling before going home. We will go to 秀山(Xiu shan) next week. It is a small (50,000), rural town in southeast Chongqing municipality. We hope to hike, breathe fresh air, and see some blue sky. I am also desperate to see uncrowded China. I know it still exists out there somewhere, and this is one place I have found. The train goes there which makes it convienent for us car-less folks. And it will be a great place for me to practice my Chinese.
In May, school is out for a week and we will travel to Malaysia, to the Perhentian Islands. 5 days of quiet beaches, amazing weather, clear water with loads of sea turtles, and sunsets, well, you get the idea. It's a tropical paradise. I can't wait.
6. My Chinese teacher has given me daily homework. I've told her that I improve faster when I write characters instead of pin yin, the latinized version of Chinese. Therefore, I am now to keep a journal every day of my goings on. She armed me with a page full of adjectives and modifiers and said 'go!' Here is today's entry:
２０１１年３月２６日 星期六 多云
今天上午我们去了市场买蔬菜。 蔬菜大。 蔬菜不忙。 昨天我们在了学校。
(Translation: 2011 year 3 month 26 day Saturday cloudy/ This morning we went to the market to buy vegetables. The market is big. The market is not busy. Last night we were at school.)
It's hard to know sometimes what to write about because my grammar is just now developing. I'm beginning to move past the memorizing-vocabulary stage into the this-is-how-you-use-it stage. It is frustrating, and liberating. In the market today, I told a lady in Chinese that I wanted to buy something (我要买) and she understood me! Not that I can understand anything she says back, other than the price, but it's coming!
1. PB turned 2. We are officially out of babyhood, even out of diapers. Quite a milestone for the entire family. She enjoyed her party, ate some cake, and received an incredibly noisy gift. All-in-all a success.
2. I ran the 5K portion of the Chongqing Marathon in about 30 minutes. I'm very proud. I have not run a race since my 13th year on this Earth. Pretty cool. We made it to the race just in time to begin. At the end, in classic China fashion, there was a large digital clock to show the time but it was unplugged. My 30 minute declaration is purely based on my cell phone which I believe runs a bit slow. Maybe I broke under the 30 minute mark?!
3. China is blocking everything. Internet freedom aside, internet capabilities have been compromised. I am only writing this now because we've had a good internet day. Usually, it is too slow to make going online worthwhile. At this point I am just trying to wait it out - let China do it's thing and I'll reconnect when they are done. If I seem to go on vacation again, this is why.
4. We are finalizing plans for our trip home this summer. It will be a whirlwind trip through Denver, Seattle, Portland, Taos, and Ketchikan. So much for keeping it simple.
5. We are also finalizing plans for traveling before going home. We will go to 秀山(Xiu shan) next week. It is a small (50,000), rural town in southeast Chongqing municipality. We hope to hike, breathe fresh air, and see some blue sky. I am also desperate to see uncrowded China. I know it still exists out there somewhere, and this is one place I have found. The train goes there which makes it convienent for us car-less folks. And it will be a great place for me to practice my Chinese.
In May, school is out for a week and we will travel to Malaysia, to the Perhentian Islands. 5 days of quiet beaches, amazing weather, clear water with loads of sea turtles, and sunsets, well, you get the idea. It's a tropical paradise. I can't wait.
6. My Chinese teacher has given me daily homework. I've told her that I improve faster when I write characters instead of pin yin, the latinized version of Chinese. Therefore, I am now to keep a journal every day of my goings on. She armed me with a page full of adjectives and modifiers and said 'go!' Here is today's entry:
２０１１年３月２６日 星期六 多云
今天上午我们去了市场买蔬菜。 蔬菜大。 蔬菜不忙。 昨天我们在了学校。
(Translation: 2011 year 3 month 26 day Saturday cloudy/ This morning we went to the market to buy vegetables. The market is big. The market is not busy. Last night we were at school.)
It's hard to know sometimes what to write about because my grammar is just now developing. I'm beginning to move past the memorizing-vocabulary stage into the this-is-how-you-use-it stage. It is frustrating, and liberating. In the market today, I told a lady in Chinese that I wanted to buy something (我要买) and she understood me! Not that I can understand anything she says back, other than the price, but it's coming!
3.14.2011
Not a morning person
On Saturday I will be running in the Chongqing Marathon, though not the marathon part - the 5K. However, even that is a stretch seeing as I've done no real cardio work since leaving Portland last summer. Any-hoo, I've been training, a bit, and ran about 6K the other night, nearly fainting upon completion. I took a day off to recover and swore I would get up early and run every morning this week.
Then the cold front came.
Well, that's my excuse this morning at least. My alarm went off, the room was freezing, and I thought that my poor muscles wouldn't even be able to warm up and I would injure myself. So I layed in bed waiting for hubby's alarm to go off, the whole time thinking, it's okay, I'll run tonight.
But really, I'm just not a morning person.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Isn't it interesting how terms like "cold front" become part of our everyday vocabulary? This meterological term is not something I need to explain, though is very, well, scientific. I'm searching my brain for other examples of profession-specific words that have made it into our everyday lives but am coming up blank. Perhaps you know of one?**
Then the cold front came.
Well, that's my excuse this morning at least. My alarm went off, the room was freezing, and I thought that my poor muscles wouldn't even be able to warm up and I would injure myself. So I layed in bed waiting for hubby's alarm to go off, the whole time thinking, it's okay, I'll run tonight.
But really, I'm just not a morning person.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Isn't it interesting how terms like "cold front" become part of our everyday vocabulary? This meterological term is not something I need to explain, though is very, well, scientific. I'm searching my brain for other examples of profession-specific words that have made it into our everyday lives but am coming up blank. Perhaps you know of one?**
3.05.2011
Milestones
When I hear a little voice say pee or poop, I jump up, respond with a quick let's go! and run to the nearest bathroom or otherwise appropriate location.
Yes, my 2-year-old-in-7-days is potty training.
Tonight was no different. I got up twice for pee, once for a poop false alarm. Then I heard poop again, but rising to the occasion I saw a child already without underwear, a scary picture.
Though we ran to the bathroom, rather than needing to poop, PB was showing off the one she had already done. By herself. In the big potty.
**heart fills with joy**
PB's first solo poop. I feel like celebrating. Nice work, PB!
Yes, my 2-year-old-in-7-days is potty training.
Tonight was no different. I got up twice for pee, once for a poop false alarm. Then I heard poop again, but rising to the occasion I saw a child already without underwear, a scary picture.
Though we ran to the bathroom, rather than needing to poop, PB was showing off the one she had already done. By herself. In the big potty.
**heart fills with joy**
PB's first solo poop. I feel like celebrating. Nice work, PB!
3.03.2011
On the run
When I was 12 my dad asked me if I wanted to run in the Turkey Trot, a 5K and 10K race on Thanksgiving to benefit a charity or foundation. I thought, sure, I can run. I'll do the 5K. My dad at the time was running 5-10 miles per day and was doing the 10K race. I was playing soccer, and, as a half-back ran the field more than anyone other than the other 2 half-backs.
The day arrived, with little training on my part, the gun fired, and I took off. Though I was dwarfed by all the adults I was running with, the exhilaration of being part of that mob was, well, exhilarating. I finished the race in just over 30 minutes, only having to walk once.
I think I did two more races after that one before my decline into smoking and being cool began.
But now I rise up, having stopped smoking and being cool long ago, and I will again conquer a 5K-er.
This week I took my odd place as the school track coach, running alongside enthusiastic teenagers and giggling primary kids. The air here is thicker than I was used to in Denver in those long ago days, but not because of humidity or anything natural like that. No, here there is smog. A lot of smog. And I did alright. I ran as much as most of the kids, and more than others. I wasn't winded enough that I couldn't still holler across the field at them to speed up. And I was smiling when I stopped.
Next week, my kids have a 3K to test their abilities. 10 days later, teacher's turn.
I promise pictures.
The day arrived, with little training on my part, the gun fired, and I took off. Though I was dwarfed by all the adults I was running with, the exhilaration of being part of that mob was, well, exhilarating. I finished the race in just over 30 minutes, only having to walk once.
I think I did two more races after that one before my decline into smoking and being cool began.
But now I rise up, having stopped smoking and being cool long ago, and I will again conquer a 5K-er.
This week I took my odd place as the school track coach, running alongside enthusiastic teenagers and giggling primary kids. The air here is thicker than I was used to in Denver in those long ago days, but not because of humidity or anything natural like that. No, here there is smog. A lot of smog. And I did alright. I ran as much as most of the kids, and more than others. I wasn't winded enough that I couldn't still holler across the field at them to speed up. And I was smiling when I stopped.
Next week, my kids have a 3K to test their abilities. 10 days later, teacher's turn.
I promise pictures.
2.26.2011
Frustrated
I have spent the past two weeks in internet agony. In my last post I expressed a bit of my frustration, but the past two days have really solidified my rage. Why must communicating be so damn hard?!
First, my email froze.
Then, I suddenly cannot view my student loan website to pay my student loans (important) and get my tax info (also very important).
Then, I can't get on turbotax.com anyway, well, at least in a reasonable amount of time. Just now, I have spent 15 minutes logging in and going to my personal info (step 1).
Then, I cannot get onto evite.com to send a cutesy invitation for PB's b-day in two weeks.
Finally, my searches for the coolest vacation I'm sure to ever take to the Perhentian Islands reveal good, though unloadable, websites.
AHHHH!
I can't do this. I can't depend on something so unreliable. But without knowing the language, I have to. I loathe going to work and asking all the Chinese staff to do everything for me. I like to take care of my everything - I'm really quite able to do things on my own. Here, I feel like a 12-year-old wanting to take that next step towards independence but still needing to rely on others to do some of the leg work.
Additionally, I loathe the fact that I am so reliant on the internet for everything. I've been thinking, what would I do if this didn't work anymore, like, at all? How would I pay my bills? How would I keep in touch with family and friends? How on Earth would I survive?
Now calm down, Abby. It will be okay.
I know, I know. But this beautiful Sunday in Chongqing, I'm just frustrated.
First, my email froze.
Then, I suddenly cannot view my student loan website to pay my student loans (important) and get my tax info (also very important).
Then, I can't get on turbotax.com anyway, well, at least in a reasonable amount of time. Just now, I have spent 15 minutes logging in and going to my personal info (step 1).
Then, I cannot get onto evite.com to send a cutesy invitation for PB's b-day in two weeks.
Finally, my searches for the coolest vacation I'm sure to ever take to the Perhentian Islands reveal good, though unloadable, websites.
AHHHH!
I can't do this. I can't depend on something so unreliable. But without knowing the language, I have to. I loathe going to work and asking all the Chinese staff to do everything for me. I like to take care of my everything - I'm really quite able to do things on my own. Here, I feel like a 12-year-old wanting to take that next step towards independence but still needing to rely on others to do some of the leg work.
Additionally, I loathe the fact that I am so reliant on the internet for everything. I've been thinking, what would I do if this didn't work anymore, like, at all? How would I pay my bills? How would I keep in touch with family and friends? How on Earth would I survive?
Now calm down, Abby. It will be okay.
I know, I know. But this beautiful Sunday in Chongqing, I'm just frustrated.
2.20.2011
Why I'm homesick today
1. The internet hates me and only works sometimes, kind of.
2. Not being able to tell the woman "for the love of god, stop cutting!" before she destroys my hair and makes me look like a 10-year-old.
3. No lentils.
4. I like clothes dryers.
4 more months and we will return stateside for the summer. I can do this. Easy.
Maybe my hair will look normal by then.
2. Not being able to tell the woman "for the love of god, stop cutting!" before she destroys my hair and makes me look like a 10-year-old.
3. No lentils.
4. I like clothes dryers.
4 more months and we will return stateside for the summer. I can do this. Easy.
Maybe my hair will look normal by then.
2.17.2011
Fireworks and war
There's a full moon behind those clouds tonight and that explains the fireworks - it is the last day of celebrations for the New Year. The Year of the Rabbit has literally been brought in with a bang, or many, rather. Fireworks are seemingly unregulated here meaning they are loud, big, and EVERYWHERE. The amount of professional-grade fireworks here is frightening. And the little sign at the gate of our complex that says no fireworks, ha! Try and stop them!
I think the guards like them, actually.
I did not realize before just how big these things are, but put them up against an apartment building and wow - truly huge. When some of these suckers expolde, their diameter spans over 10 floors. So tonight I see my neighbors not in the dim city haze of night but in the bright, sparkling, unrelenting glow of fireworks. It's an interesting perspective - colorful, cool, and a very real eye into war. Not to say that I know what war is like. But I have a much greater appreciation now for those who come out of war shell-shocked. If I had to listen to this every night, and day, and night, and feared every pop, I also would go insane. One night is rough. And I'm not in any danger even. I don't know how anyone could come back and NOT be shell-shocked. Maybe if every soldier returning from war was insane we wouldn't fight any more wars.
Right.
But did I mention that they're loud?
I think the guards like them, actually.
I did not realize before just how big these things are, but put them up against an apartment building and wow - truly huge. When some of these suckers expolde, their diameter spans over 10 floors. So tonight I see my neighbors not in the dim city haze of night but in the bright, sparkling, unrelenting glow of fireworks. It's an interesting perspective - colorful, cool, and a very real eye into war. Not to say that I know what war is like. But I have a much greater appreciation now for those who come out of war shell-shocked. If I had to listen to this every night, and day, and night, and feared every pop, I also would go insane. One night is rough. And I'm not in any danger even. I don't know how anyone could come back and NOT be shell-shocked. Maybe if every soldier returning from war was insane we wouldn't fight any more wars.
Right.
But did I mention that they're loud?
 |
| Happy Year of the Rabbit! |
 |
2.14.2011
The web and its (non) use
I'm having internet issues and I'm scared to write of them. I mean, with blog sites blocked in China, how much outside of China is really monitored?
Not that Joe-blow 中国人 (Chinese person) could even access this site and all its scary info, but, I don't know.
Is anybody out there?
I guess I'll know tomorrow when I try to log in.
Not that Joe-blow 中国人 (Chinese person) could even access this site and all its scary info, but, I don't know.
Is anybody out there?
I guess I'll know tomorrow when I try to log in.
2.10.2011
Another thanks, closer to home
We're dueling computers tonight, side-by-side on the couch. One old, one new. One yelled at every few minutes (guess which?), the other working away sans complaints. All for the love of...I don't know - career? Money? Security? Travel?
I wonder sometimes why hubby and I put ourselves through the stress and chaos of life with job and school. I keep telling myself there will come a day when it ends, when work stays at work, and there's no homework due at the end of the week. Finally finished with grad school, I thought, sure my first year teaching will be rough, but at least I won't be writing papers anymore.
Then hubby got hired. And wanted to teach. And needs a license so we are an unstoppable teaching machine with secure jobs (ha! right...) that will take us to far and exotic new lands.
So back to writing papers we go, well, he goes. Now he has less time to take care of me, the house, and the girls, and this week, I got pissed.
Nice of me, isn't it?
Rather than seeing the amount of new, really important stuff hubby's begun, I saw the lack of help he was giving me. Actually, I saw how little I have had to do over the past year and a half.
What a man.
I kept pushing through school after school after kid after school after kid after school....and all this time I thought I did so much. I thought, I work, go to school, and take care of the cooking, cleaning, and kids. How I work!
But it was hubby all along. He's that good that I didn't even notice.
And to top it all off, in the middle of my stress-ball week of trying to pick up the slack so he can work, I treat him like dog poo and this is what he sends to me:
Considering the amount of food that peanut butter ends up on in this house, seeing this made my heart ache with love.
And I feel like a complete arse.
I'm sorry. And I love you. And thank you for being the best husband ever. I am so lucky.
I wonder sometimes why hubby and I put ourselves through the stress and chaos of life with job and school. I keep telling myself there will come a day when it ends, when work stays at work, and there's no homework due at the end of the week. Finally finished with grad school, I thought, sure my first year teaching will be rough, but at least I won't be writing papers anymore.
Then hubby got hired. And wanted to teach. And needs a license so we are an unstoppable teaching machine with secure jobs (ha! right...) that will take us to far and exotic new lands.
So back to writing papers we go, well, he goes. Now he has less time to take care of me, the house, and the girls, and this week, I got pissed.
Nice of me, isn't it?
Rather than seeing the amount of new, really important stuff hubby's begun, I saw the lack of help he was giving me. Actually, I saw how little I have had to do over the past year and a half.
What a man.
I kept pushing through school after school after kid after school after kid after school....and all this time I thought I did so much. I thought, I work, go to school, and take care of the cooking, cleaning, and kids. How I work!
But it was hubby all along. He's that good that I didn't even notice.
And to top it all off, in the middle of my stress-ball week of trying to pick up the slack so he can work, I treat him like dog poo and this is what he sends to me:
Considering the amount of food that peanut butter ends up on in this house, seeing this made my heart ache with love.
And I feel like a complete arse.
I'm sorry. And I love you. And thank you for being the best husband ever. I am so lucky.
2.08.2011
谢谢，自贡。
Last I wrote, I was reflecting upon my 20s and preparing for a 3 hour trek to Zigong (自贡). A week later, I am filled with stories, sighs, and few words to put to it all. Though we took extra time in Zigong, it still felt like a whirlwind trip. Four days is a short time to "see" a place. I have only one thing to say today about the trip (more to follow, I'm sure):
Xie xie, Zigong (谢谢，自贡). You were welcoming, helpful, and left us alone. Gawking without chasing, laughing at my swipes, and ultimately treating us like humans and not a circus act. I thank you for letting us explore your city as if we were any other person and not tall white foreigners itching for a pet. It was good. And a nice change.
Thanks.
--------------------------------
PS. PB peed in the potty on her own without prompting today - I think the end of diapers is near. Yea!
Xie xie, Zigong (谢谢，自贡). You were welcoming, helpful, and left us alone. Gawking without chasing, laughing at my swipes, and ultimately treating us like humans and not a circus act. I thank you for letting us explore your city as if we were any other person and not tall white foreigners itching for a pet. It was good. And a nice change.
Thanks.
--------------------------------
PS. PB peed in the potty on her own without prompting today - I think the end of diapers is near. Yea!
2.01.2011
Happy (belated) Birthday!
Yesterday I turned 30.
I mulled over writing about it from the moment I woke. This should be a momentous occasion, beginning my 4th decade. Instead, I find myself reflecting on the decade now finished. My 20s were fun, sad, hard, beautiful, and each year is marked by a change in life, and a change in me. Thus, rather than go on about how old I am, I will chronicle my so-called coming of age in 10 short bits --
20- The year of Bushisms, 9-11, and finding my calling in Biology.
21- Long distance relationship, generous friends, and a LOT of alcohol made this year happen.
22- I moved to Omaha, decried the start of the Iraq war, and discovered that a lack of conflict is not the key to happiness.
23- Leaving comfort, and finding it anew in hubby; W part 2; back to school; and finally, independence.
24- It was this year I took the great leap to Portland, with a fiance in tow. It was one of the smartest things I have ever done, aside from age 25.
25- Married my love.
26- I became a mother this year, and shortly after, a natural birthing advocate. The pain, hair-pulling, and intense love that followed HD's birth have shaped who I am, as a mother, and a human.
27- Oops - here comes #2! And, Obama!
28- My dream birth, Bachelor's in Biology, mad.momma, and a return to high school (teaching this time!).
29- What a way to end! I earned my Master's in Education, teaching license, moved to China, and had a steady income for the first time. I went from being the bread-eater to being the breadwinner.
Writing these few words, I now see how Bob Dylan filled three volumes with his memoirs. Expanding upon everything one experiences each day, month, year of life, could take an eternity. Our lives are epic; my twenties were epic! I can only imagine what I will have to add after my next 30 years.
Well, goodbye 20s. Thanks for everything!
I mulled over writing about it from the moment I woke. This should be a momentous occasion, beginning my 4th decade. Instead, I find myself reflecting on the decade now finished. My 20s were fun, sad, hard, beautiful, and each year is marked by a change in life, and a change in me. Thus, rather than go on about how old I am, I will chronicle my so-called coming of age in 10 short bits --
20- The year of Bushisms, 9-11, and finding my calling in Biology.
21- Long distance relationship, generous friends, and a LOT of alcohol made this year happen.
22- I moved to Omaha, decried the start of the Iraq war, and discovered that a lack of conflict is not the key to happiness.
23- Leaving comfort, and finding it anew in hubby; W part 2; back to school; and finally, independence.
24- It was this year I took the great leap to Portland, with a fiance in tow. It was one of the smartest things I have ever done, aside from age 25.
25- Married my love.
26- I became a mother this year, and shortly after, a natural birthing advocate. The pain, hair-pulling, and intense love that followed HD's birth have shaped who I am, as a mother, and a human.
27- Oops - here comes #2! And, Obama!
28- My dream birth, Bachelor's in Biology, mad.momma, and a return to high school (teaching this time!).
29- What a way to end! I earned my Master's in Education, teaching license, moved to China, and had a steady income for the first time. I went from being the bread-eater to being the breadwinner.
Writing these few words, I now see how Bob Dylan filled three volumes with his memoirs. Expanding upon everything one experiences each day, month, year of life, could take an eternity. Our lives are epic; my twenties were epic! I can only imagine what I will have to add after my next 30 years.
Well, goodbye 20s. Thanks for everything!
1.30.2011
Photo descriptions, part 3, and other goings on
Before I get to the last installment of photo descriptions, I have some news: we have a cleaning lady.
It's weird. It's inexpensive. It's gaudy. It's fabulous.
As odd as it felt to have someone sloshing through my house with a bucket and 3 rags, it felt nice to have some time to relax with HD without thinking about how late I'd be up cleaning that night. This city is just too damn dirty. We're used to Portland, our lovely clean-every-2-weeks-and-you're-good city. But here - 3 to 4 days and your house needs an overhaul. It's impossible to keep up with, what with 2 kids we like to hand with, grad school (not me this time!), never-ending planning, cooking, laundry, etc., etc.
So there it is. A cleaning lady. Once a week. Cool.
And now for the moment you've not been waiting for...more photos! I'm going to keep it short(er). In case you have yet to open the photos in another window, here's where they are.
Last time, I left off discussing Christmas lights, and Christmas lights they have. Though here, I would rather call them winter decorations. They are up from December through February, for Chinese New Year. Though, many more are usually added in the weeks leading up to the New Year. The picture here with the trees shows the extent to which things are decorated. It's not uncommon to happen upon entire courtyards filled with trees like these.
Speaking of trees, those are trees in the truck, and in the next shot, trees being put in with the help of a crane. I've been told that the trees are sold by landowners to middle men. The middle men sell to the government. The government "plants" them, attaches an IV of nutrients, and replaces it 2-5 years later when it dies. Nice cycle. I'd love to go into detail about how this is so wrong, but I promised short. Maybe another time.
Everything is carried on shoulders or backs, except children, who are just carried in arms.
A Chongqing street sweeper. Though unconfirmed, my colleagues and I hypothesize that the large number of people here sweeping roads and sidewalks is a way to employ the 10 million people who have moved here in the past decade. With all the resettlement from the Three Gorges Dam(n), Chongqing suddenly had millions of farmers in a city with no jobs or skills. Thus, street sweepers. I must say, they are good. We traveled to Chengdu, another Southwestern town, and PB falling to her knees caused 5 pants changes in 2 days. Street sweepers? Nope.
Hot pot, the local delicacy. A bubbling bowl of broth, oil, chili oil, and sichuan peppercorns, with meats and veggies for dipping. It's the Sichuan fondue. Pull out your steaming lotus root (picture 2), dip in sesame oil with soy sauce and garlic, and enjoy with beer. I could eat this every day.
China toilets are horrible, disgusting, porcelain holes in the ground. We fondly refer to them as squat pots. I loathe these things. This one was at the restaurant where we had hot pot. It was a bonus having the red rubber mat, however. It minimize the slip-factor from the spray.
The last few photos are from a park near our house with an unmoving lake, complete with floating trash. There is an obelisk resembling the Washington monument at end, and a partial Roman amphitheatre at the other. In between, lots and lots of bird poop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There it is - mountains of words to follow a simple photo essay. Thanks for sticking around.
It's weird. It's inexpensive. It's gaudy. It's fabulous.
As odd as it felt to have someone sloshing through my house with a bucket and 3 rags, it felt nice to have some time to relax with HD without thinking about how late I'd be up cleaning that night. This city is just too damn dirty. We're used to Portland, our lovely clean-every-2-weeks-and-you're-good city. But here - 3 to 4 days and your house needs an overhaul. It's impossible to keep up with, what with 2 kids we like to hand with, grad school (not me this time!), never-ending planning, cooking, laundry, etc., etc.
So there it is. A cleaning lady. Once a week. Cool.
And now for the moment you've not been waiting for...more photos! I'm going to keep it short(er). In case you have yet to open the photos in another window, here's where they are.
Last time, I left off discussing Christmas lights, and Christmas lights they have. Though here, I would rather call them winter decorations. They are up from December through February, for Chinese New Year. Though, many more are usually added in the weeks leading up to the New Year. The picture here with the trees shows the extent to which things are decorated. It's not uncommon to happen upon entire courtyards filled with trees like these.
Speaking of trees, those are trees in the truck, and in the next shot, trees being put in with the help of a crane. I've been told that the trees are sold by landowners to middle men. The middle men sell to the government. The government "plants" them, attaches an IV of nutrients, and replaces it 2-5 years later when it dies. Nice cycle. I'd love to go into detail about how this is so wrong, but I promised short. Maybe another time.
Everything is carried on shoulders or backs, except children, who are just carried in arms.
A Chongqing street sweeper. Though unconfirmed, my colleagues and I hypothesize that the large number of people here sweeping roads and sidewalks is a way to employ the 10 million people who have moved here in the past decade. With all the resettlement from the Three Gorges Dam(n), Chongqing suddenly had millions of farmers in a city with no jobs or skills. Thus, street sweepers. I must say, they are good. We traveled to Chengdu, another Southwestern town, and PB falling to her knees caused 5 pants changes in 2 days. Street sweepers? Nope.
Hot pot, the local delicacy. A bubbling bowl of broth, oil, chili oil, and sichuan peppercorns, with meats and veggies for dipping. It's the Sichuan fondue. Pull out your steaming lotus root (picture 2), dip in sesame oil with soy sauce and garlic, and enjoy with beer. I could eat this every day.
China toilets are horrible, disgusting, porcelain holes in the ground. We fondly refer to them as squat pots. I loathe these things. This one was at the restaurant where we had hot pot. It was a bonus having the red rubber mat, however. It minimize the slip-factor from the spray.
The last few photos are from a park near our house with an unmoving lake, complete with floating trash. There is an obelisk resembling the Washington monument at end, and a partial Roman amphitheatre at the other. In between, lots and lots of bird poop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There it is - mountains of words to follow a simple photo essay. Thanks for sticking around.
1.25.2011
Photo descriptions, part 2
I just realized how many photos need describing in two more posts. Oye.
Okay. Part 2 of putting words to these.
Let's begin with the yellow scaffolding. That was also early into our adventure here. There seems to be less scaffolding around to walk under, though it still surrounds every other building in town. In this photo, the guy nailing something into the 'ceiling' is not standing on a ladder. No, that is too sensible. He is standing on a saw horse, and a tall one at that. We have marveled at the attire of the construction workers here, especially footwear - regular canvas shoes. Though seeing what they must balance on while working, well, I'd rather be in canvas shoes than thick soled boots too.
Since I'm on the topic of construction, in China, the equality of the sexes extends to jobs typically held by men in the States. You see women digging ditches, hauling, well, anything, and chiseling concrete off of rebar right next to her male coworker. I sway between pride in seeing women do hard labor here, and sadness in that they do the hard labor because it's the available job. I'm fortunate to be in a position to choose my type of employment. Man, those women are tough.
Longfor is the development and management company that built, and runs, our compound (neighborhood). We have a nice green space in the middle with some huge rocks good for jumping off of, and a porch swing for enjoying the sights. As you approach the grassy area, the blue sign in the picture is shown. I love the graphics: no bikes + no scooters + no dogs + no soccer = no fun. Admire please, do not play. I should have it translated soon. I really want to know what message requires an exclamation mark.
Next down is one of my favorite hubby-taken photos ever. These are two of the groundskeepers at a large "Sports Park" near us. The emotion on their faces is extreme around these parts. I love it.
After the park: the view from below.
In the hazy picture of buildings half-built are 8 cranes. These are HUGE cranes. Each new building gets its own crane (sometimes two in the beginning stages). The crane stays with it till the end, growing with the structure until no longer needed. I have never seen so many cranes in my life. And here, also, is the ever-present scaffolding I mentioned earlier. The scaffolding on the buildings is wrapped in green mesh plastic.
But back to the cranes, some days on my way to work I try to count the cranes from the highway. Our school is in an area being developed for research and IT firms and they're building like crazy. One day I counted 31 cranes in about a mile stretch of road. That's 31 buildings! More recently, the number has grown to over 50 and we drive too fast for me to count them all. 50+. High rises. It blows my mind.
Two more pictures down is yet another scaffolded building. I know, you get it. But this one is notable for what the men on the scaffolding are doing: passing granite slabs from one to another up the scaffolding to put on the side of the building. Take a look at the size of those pieces - almost as tall as the men! That's what we use cranes for in the States. It really is 'hard' labor.
Santa has made it to China and is everywhere. However, the face of Santa is pretty much what you see in what hubby calls, "Demon Santa". This is the spray painted version of good 'ole Saint Nick. He also exists in paper, small, medium, or large. He shines. He sparkles. And he's up through February. It's like the annoying neighbor who keeps the Christmas lights until Easter (sorry to all the lights lovers who keep their Christmas lights until Easter).
One more?
Too tired. I'll pick up at the tree lights next time.
Part 3 coming soon...
Okay. Part 2 of putting words to these.
Let's begin with the yellow scaffolding. That was also early into our adventure here. There seems to be less scaffolding around to walk under, though it still surrounds every other building in town. In this photo, the guy nailing something into the 'ceiling' is not standing on a ladder. No, that is too sensible. He is standing on a saw horse, and a tall one at that. We have marveled at the attire of the construction workers here, especially footwear - regular canvas shoes. Though seeing what they must balance on while working, well, I'd rather be in canvas shoes than thick soled boots too.
Since I'm on the topic of construction, in China, the equality of the sexes extends to jobs typically held by men in the States. You see women digging ditches, hauling, well, anything, and chiseling concrete off of rebar right next to her male coworker. I sway between pride in seeing women do hard labor here, and sadness in that they do the hard labor because it's the available job. I'm fortunate to be in a position to choose my type of employment. Man, those women are tough.
Longfor is the development and management company that built, and runs, our compound (neighborhood). We have a nice green space in the middle with some huge rocks good for jumping off of, and a porch swing for enjoying the sights. As you approach the grassy area, the blue sign in the picture is shown. I love the graphics: no bikes + no scooters + no dogs + no soccer = no fun. Admire please, do not play. I should have it translated soon. I really want to know what message requires an exclamation mark.
Next down is one of my favorite hubby-taken photos ever. These are two of the groundskeepers at a large "Sports Park" near us. The emotion on their faces is extreme around these parts. I love it.
After the park: the view from below.
In the hazy picture of buildings half-built are 8 cranes. These are HUGE cranes. Each new building gets its own crane (sometimes two in the beginning stages). The crane stays with it till the end, growing with the structure until no longer needed. I have never seen so many cranes in my life. And here, also, is the ever-present scaffolding I mentioned earlier. The scaffolding on the buildings is wrapped in green mesh plastic.
But back to the cranes, some days on my way to work I try to count the cranes from the highway. Our school is in an area being developed for research and IT firms and they're building like crazy. One day I counted 31 cranes in about a mile stretch of road. That's 31 buildings! More recently, the number has grown to over 50 and we drive too fast for me to count them all. 50+. High rises. It blows my mind.
Two more pictures down is yet another scaffolded building. I know, you get it. But this one is notable for what the men on the scaffolding are doing: passing granite slabs from one to another up the scaffolding to put on the side of the building. Take a look at the size of those pieces - almost as tall as the men! That's what we use cranes for in the States. It really is 'hard' labor.
Santa has made it to China and is everywhere. However, the face of Santa is pretty much what you see in what hubby calls, "Demon Santa". This is the spray painted version of good 'ole Saint Nick. He also exists in paper, small, medium, or large. He shines. He sparkles. And he's up through February. It's like the annoying neighbor who keeps the Christmas lights until Easter (sorry to all the lights lovers who keep their Christmas lights until Easter).
One more?
Too tired. I'll pick up at the tree lights next time.
Part 3 coming soon...
1.24.2011
Photo descriptions, part 1
I have found something to write about - all those pictures I just posted! (see previous post) I find pictures much more exciting when the background information is with them. Instead, I'm going to make you look back and forth a bit. Sorry, but some of the stories are worth it.
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The first picture was taken just a few days after we arrived in Chongqing. The girls and I are sitting in the fabulously huge window seat in their bedroom. As you can see, there is a splendid view of the apartments next door which are housed above our grocery store. I forgot they were that colorful. Colors tend to fade here pretty fast.
Next, also taken in those first days, shows another view from 11 floors above the city, this time looking out over 龙湖 (Dragon Lake). Behind the orange-ish buildings is the lake. Our building is considered old for Chongqing (15 years!), with the average life-expectancy of buildings hovering around 20 years. What is crazy about this view, however, is the knowledge that nothing across the lake existed 10 years ago. It was beautiful green forest and farms. That's what adding 10 million people in 10 years does to a place.
The motorcycle picture is notable for two reasons: the number of people on it, and the helmet resting between the legs of the driver. It is very common to see more than 2 people aboard a bike. Many riders work as taxis, though I haven't found out how much they charge yet. The most striking sight, though, is a passenger with a baby. They will have one arm on the driver, the other holding a baby. And I mean little babies. Kids too.
And even though the refusal to wear the extra helmet in this picture rankles me, many people do wear helmets. I have been informed that this is a new development in Chongqing, with helmets seen only in the last year or so.
To end part 1, I would like to draw your attention to the 6th picture down. This seeming random destruction is random, and very much, destruction. Many structures are labeled with the 'demolish' mark (拆), but they may be torn down while others around them stand firm. New developments are evidenced by long rows of buildings branded 拆. But as in this photo, sometimes it's as I said, random.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first picture was taken just a few days after we arrived in Chongqing. The girls and I are sitting in the fabulously huge window seat in their bedroom. As you can see, there is a splendid view of the apartments next door which are housed above our grocery store. I forgot they were that colorful. Colors tend to fade here pretty fast.
Next, also taken in those first days, shows another view from 11 floors above the city, this time looking out over 龙湖 (Dragon Lake). Behind the orange-ish buildings is the lake. Our building is considered old for Chongqing (15 years!), with the average life-expectancy of buildings hovering around 20 years. What is crazy about this view, however, is the knowledge that nothing across the lake existed 10 years ago. It was beautiful green forest and farms. That's what adding 10 million people in 10 years does to a place.
The motorcycle picture is notable for two reasons: the number of people on it, and the helmet resting between the legs of the driver. It is very common to see more than 2 people aboard a bike. Many riders work as taxis, though I haven't found out how much they charge yet. The most striking sight, though, is a passenger with a baby. They will have one arm on the driver, the other holding a baby. And I mean little babies. Kids too.
And even though the refusal to wear the extra helmet in this picture rankles me, many people do wear helmets. I have been informed that this is a new development in Chongqing, with helmets seen only in the last year or so.
To end part 1, I would like to draw your attention to the 6th picture down. This seeming random destruction is random, and very much, destruction. Many structures are labeled with the 'demolish' mark (拆), but they may be torn down while others around them stand firm. New developments are evidenced by long rows of buildings branded 拆. But as in this photo, sometimes it's as I said, random.
1.22.2011
Chongqing photo essay
I just realized I have put few pictures of this crazy place on here. So rather than bore you with my banter today, please enjoy Chongqing, in all its splendor!
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