Chinese lessons

In this picture you are looking at the phonetic pronunciation of every word in the Chinese language. There are only about 300 words spoken in the Chinese language.....and they each only have one syllabel. Each word has 4 different tones/pronunciations....the pronunciations at first all sound the same - that takes the list of words to 1400. Then each word can have potentially several meanings - like light and lite kind of.

Training your ear to hear the differences between the tones has been a challenge, but I think I got that part down. Next is sounding things out correctly. The goal is that I understand and speak Mandarin well enough that the next time I come to China I do not have to rely on the help of friends to do everything. It would be nice to be able to set up my own phone service, internet, water, rent an apartment, etc.

Gavin's first love

Gavin, I promise that this is the only time I will post on the blog about your love life...

Gavin has his first love. Many people know that we got into a Chinese public school because Gavin was friends with a little girl - English name Crystal. She has been giving him the cold shoulder since he arrived in Beijing. It has made him kind of sad. We talked about it one day, and came up with the idea to invite her over to play (we had done this before and it was a total flop, but Gavin was up for a second try). It has worked - she is now really friendly to him in school.

She got Gavin a Christmas present (pencil and eraser), and Gavin is now over-the-moon. He asked me the other day why girls like princesses, and I told him how girls like to play house and have dolls, etc. He said, "My dream is to marry Crystal." I asked him why, and he told me, "...because I love her." He talks about marrying her all the time now, and when she gave him a Christmas present he insisted that he make her a princess out of Magic Nuddles.....here is his princess.

Kelp and Mung Bean soup....Yum???

Until I started talking with Gavin recently about it, I had no idea how much his eczema bothers him. Steroid creams have not worked for Gavin so now we are trying Chinese Medicine....in other words thinking of foods as medicine.

The doctor for the diving team recommended boiling mung beans and kelp together with a little sugar. I warned Gavin about the taste (really, it was horrible). Gavin has been eating this every night for the past week, and has not asked once for me to put lotion on him.

We have also cut out dairy, made him drink more water and cut back on fruit. We'll see soon if it is working, and if so which of the items are the cause/cure of his eczema.

After Chinese New Years we are going to indulge in Chinese Medicines.

The darkest day of the year is behind us

My biggest worry about China is getting the boys home safely every night. Around their school there is barely enough room for two cars to pass and everyone parks their cars and bikes on the "sidewalk"...if you can call the crumbly mess a sidewalk. Then add two little boys that are trying to race each other home into the mix, and there is cause for concern. I won't miss this when we are back home.....I will never complain about driving a mini van ever again!

I so could have celebrated Christmas during Chinese New Years!

While everyone in the west has left Christmas behind - the Chinese are keeping up all of their Christmas decorations.....All over town are Christmas trees, wreaths, etc. I guess they are leaving them up until Chinese New Years.

Christmas celebration continues...

I have not felt like taking pictures...I know it is horrible!

In a nutshell we went to an amazing Christmas Eve gather at night to a home in Beijing suburbs...it was like being in America - large beautiful houses, dryers, dishwashers, ovens...I didn't want to go home!

The highlight for me was the drawing table that they set up to entertain the kids. Gavin was drawing various anatomy pictures and handing them out to the guests....I saw a virus dominated body, a virus using a host cell to breed more viruses, an xray of a hand, the digestive system, the respiratory system, etc. It was funny.

When we got home at night Gavin wanted to help me wrap presents - so I brought out all of the presents, and Sam, Gavin and I wrapped them all.

Christmas day we opened all of the presents and dashed off to church....it was a very dramatic cab ride to church........We were in the cab over 1 1/2 hours, and he still couldn't find the location. What worried me even more was that he seemed to be doing the opposite of the directions given to him by people in the neighborhood. I ended up demanding that he stop the car at what seemed to be a construction site....not knowing if we'd be able to find another cab, but preferring to walk whatever distance necessary to find a better solution....all the while Gavin me is asking questions like... "Mom, why are you mad at the cab driver?"...."He's a bad man, right mom?"

I was really frazzled by the time we arrived at church (2 hours later), and pretty much bawled on and off for the next 3 hours. At church we were invited over to VT house for dinner.....that happened after we sat behind her in church and we made a TON of noise.....she is a saintly woman.

She has 5 kids, and has a very fun house.

We had an amazing Christmas dinner of Turkey, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and fruit salad....Chinese people do not eat Turkey so it is a super special, really expensive treat here in BJ.

Free Gifts

In China when you buy things often you will get a little gift with the purchase. I am not sure what an flashlight wax picker has to do with a winter coat....but the boys were excited! I am excited about it too because I think the boys will like seeing the wax under a microscope.

Bowling Christmas Even Afternoon

We went with a group of

10 people bowling on Christmas eve day. It was a lot of fun!

Christmas Eve Breakfast

We started celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve morning with breakfast at Grandma's Kitchen. I had a burger and a milkshake :-) The boys had pancakes and a milkshake.

I was so excited to be eating such a big piece of meat!

Someone at the breakfast remarked with excitement - This is just like the Village Inn. It was hard to enjoy the burger after that!

Our First Christmas Card - Thanks Gavin!

This year we emailed around our very first Christmas card (designed by Gavin)....to a very, very short list of people that Gavin could think of in about 5 minutes.

I am posting it here to wish all the other people who weren't on the list - a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Indoor laundry

So can anyone spot the Christmas tree in this picture???

Really, really, I hate hanging laundry inside the house to get it to dry. It has kind of killed the Christmas spirit.

...but it is either that or leave the windows open on the balcony and wear ski cloths inside the house....which also isn't pretty or comfortable. This seems like the lesser of the two evils in the winter months!

I don't know if you can spot the pink sweater, but the sleeves are practically down to my knees :-(....maybe I shouldn't be complaining when I compare myself to the majoring of the world - my life is still AMAZING....even with the indoor laundry....but I really, really miss having a dryer!

When life gives you cockroaches....make chicken feed!

So we have changed apartments to a nicer 3 bedroom apartment. That said in our neighborhood you learn that each apartment has its own personality. My last one had paint that was 10 years old, a bathroom so stinky that we couldn't use it, no screens on the windows (BJ has HORRIBLE mosquitoes) and 2 bedrooms. Our new place is bigger (3Bdr, 2 Bath), doesn't get much sunlight, and has better furniture. It is definitely a step up.....but when I took over my friends lease she didn't understand the depth of the cockroach problem.

It has me grossed out. There are people living stacked in the basement in storage units. I am sure that breeds a lot of disease. I do not want cockroaches known for carrying with them disease in the house.

I tried to put down bait boxes, sticky strips, etc., but it hasn't helped....so I thought, okay, maybe I attract them and myself and feed them to the chickens of the local shopkeepers.

So I looked up some simple designs on the internet and some bait recipes. .....unfortunately not one cockroach took the bait....that sucks! Next step is buying a gecko and letting it run freely in the apartment....I hear if I need to get rid of the gecko I can buy a cat....and I am sure that I can get rid of the cat with a dog :-)

Religious Activity in China

I was just asked about what Church is like in China....here is my response...

The church is alive and well in Beijing at least. There are 3 wards - 2 expat, and one for Chinese nationals...the government does not allow you to mix. I don't even think that their ward is allowed to be in the building when we are there. It is the same other than we have a lot more televised things.

I have been surprised that they have had Christmas songs playing in retail shops - mentioning Jesus Christ. I was in the Chinese equivalent of Target several weeks ago, and on the music they were playing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" but instead of saying "Santa Claus", the music was saying "Jesus Christ" is coming to town. Tommy and I had to chuckle, but it seems like there some degree of religious freedom....at least people do not worry about it anyway.

Chinese bathrooms and a funny Sam story

I have traveled all over the world, and I have noticed that you can judge a country by its toilets. If it is a wealthy country or city - you will have amazing toilet facilities....poorer countries it is practically a hole in the ground.

I have always marveled that strewn along US highways some rest areas are architectural masterpieces, and they boast of having a great view. I have often thought about what a waste of tax payer money that is.

The toilet seen here is a typical eastern design - which is a hole in the ground, but it isn't a trough, and it flushes....so at least the cities in China are in good shape. ...although it would be better if you could flush the toilet paper down vs. putting it in the basket.

Eastern style toilets have challenged the boys. They really don't know where to poop, and if they do it in the squatty toilets - they often pee down the back of their pants.

I used to pick Sam up during his nap time, and I was noticing that every time I did he wanted to poop outside…..which I do not think Chinese people let their kids do. I would pick him up at school and ask him, Sam, do you have to go pee or poop – let’s go now. He would say he didn’t. Then not 5 minutes after we left the school gates he would be in a state of emergency, and of course it was always #2. I finally got mad at him one day. The next day when I came to pick him up the teacher requested that I follow her to the class bathroom. Sam had done the biggest duper you can imagine in the urinal. I really wanted to laugh my butt off and take a picture.....but I didn't think it would go over well. It was then that I realized that Sam was pooping outside because he didn’t know where to go or didn’t want to use the smelly toilets at the school.

Gavin absolutely refuses to poop anywhere except for outside or in the house. In Sam’s school it sounds like they make him poop in a little potty training toilet which he doesn’t like, but is willing to suffer through if needed.

It is very typical that Chinese people let their kids pee outside so that is also an option, and the least smelly of the options. I am kind of down with that. I never understood why it is okay to let your dog pee on my front lawn, but not my child pee on yours….although I would prefer that no one pees anywhere outside.

Conterfeit money in China

The largest bill in China is 100 Yuan....about $16....and Chinese people almost always pay in cash.....even when they are paying thousands of dollars. They must have very, very big wallets. At every store they have a machine to check the 100 yuan notes to make sure they aren't counterfeit, and to count the money going into the till.

Chinese take vending machines to a whole new level

If you get hungry while studying....why not have some chicken feet....brought to you by your vending machine....and they are only .25 cents!.....I am still not tempted.

My first haircut

I braved the hair salon today. Thankfully I went with a friend that was able to communicate what I needed. It was a great experience. They give you things to eat and drink, and if you are there for long enough a neck, arm, and hand massage.

My friend told me that women do the prep work in salons - shampooing, etc. and guys do the cutting. I had fun, and it was only $5 in a Salon that would be considered expensive by Chinese standards....they even have a med spa upstairs.

Pressures of Chinese Living

I think it is a common belief that Chinese people are savers.....and I would agree with that. They would rather save their money than to eat out, take cabs, etc. Recently inflation has been a big problem in China. The cost of living is equal to any large U.S. city in Beijing. My rent for a mediocre 3 bedroom is about $1400 per month (to buy that same apartment is over $500,000), school per child is about $325 per month, food is another $200 per month for myself and 3 children, utilities are the same price, and cars are 125% more in China - so a Honda Accord runs around $70,000.

Wages is China are dramatically lower than they are in the U.S. professionals make between $600-$900 per month. The numbers just do not add up. The more that I have talked with Chinese people the more I am finding out that the cost of living is so high that children are living off of their parents savings. It blows my mind that parents who have grown up with wars, starvation, communism are so eager to spend $75k + for their children to buy a car or are willing to give the downpayment for an apartment (I think downpayments are around 30% of the value of the property).

For those not lucky enough to have wealthy or frugal parents - the parents then become an additional responsibility.

The people here are talking about how afraid the government is about being over thrown by the people because people just can't survive the current conditions.

Gavin's obession with the human body

Gavin is absolutely obsessed with the human body. At least once a day he makes me crack open a medical book and read to him about everything you can imagine...and many things you never want to think about.

I have tried to skip past the technical points....and now he is wise to that. So if he doesn't think my reading is consistent with what he sees on the page - he taps the section and says "read about it, mom!"

Today he wanted to learn about reproduction. I was relieved when he focused more on the baby looking like a "monster" then the mechanics of how the sperm gets to the egg!

Christmas will be celebrated on Christmas!

Just when I thought I could get away with celebrating Christmas when Tommy comes for Chinese New Years, the teacher puts a Christmas tree outside of the classroom door! Oh no! I guess I better finish my Christmas shopping on time....and how do I explain Santa Claus this year when none of Gavin's friends celebrate Christmas.

Boys have adjusted well

It is amazing to me how kids just live in the moment - enjoying whatever is available. They are doing great in China, and are so happy. I presented the boys with the choice option of living in Salt Lake City or Los Angeles after this year is up, and Sam told me that he wants to stay in China.

Do we really have the best government??

People ask me all the time how I could live in a communistic country. I read articles like this one where the Senate just voted to give itself powers to arrest someone as a suspected terrorist and hold them indefinetly without a trial, and I realize that there is no difference between us and a communistic country....and it passed 63 to 7 (where were the other 30 senators that were absent??)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html

If they are passing legislation like this it is because they feel they need it, and intend to use it.

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

Price of things

I paid $1 for the veggies and $4 for the fruit. Other things like electronics are the same or more than in the U.S. Housing is the equivalent of prices you'd pay in Los Angeles. Anything involving lots of labor is super cheap....Nanny is $1.50 per hour - teachers with at least a bachelor's degree range from $2 per hour.

We have a Christmas tree!

We bought a Christmas tree - it came in a box with all of the fixings.....so fun for the boys and so easy for me!

Sam didn't get to participate much because Gavin made him stand guard over the decorations so that Jack wouldn't poach them. I tried to make up for it by letting Sam put the star on the top of the tree.

3 Boys, 3 Different Reactions to Seeing Tommy

It had been almost 3 months since the boys had seen Tommy. I didn't tell them that he was coming. Instead, I snuck Tommy into the house while the boys were asleep. The boys went to school as usual, but we picked them up before nap time. Tommy was waiting for them in the courtyard of the school.

First, I nabbed Sam from class. He had a very, very odd reaction. He started talking with Tommy about a toy that he had in his had as if he were in the middle of a very long conversation. Then he paused and reached up to Tommy so that he could caress Tommy's face and put his face between Tommy's shoulder and neck.

Gavin's reaction was more of what I had expected. He jumped into Tommy's arms and with an expression of pure delight simply said, "Dad, I missed you!"

Next was baby Jack. He had been sleeping. When he woke up, Tommy and I went into the room. When Tommy reached to get him out of the port-0-crib, Jack flopped right back down into bed. I picked Jack up and gave him to Tommy, and he didn't want to be with him, and reached out for me. Don't worry, next Tommy cracked open the presents and easily won Jack back.

First Haircuts

We took the boys to get their first hair cut in China. I paid double because I didn't want to walk across the street. So each haircut was $1.5 instead of .75.

BTW, we are sparing Jack a hair cut until Spring. It is just too cold, and I am enjoying the curls!

The Favorite Jacket

As I mentioned before, when you order from Taobao.com you have to have a sense of humor.....although the boys think it gives them special powers to become invisible. They fight over this jacket!

Tommy puts the boys to bed

The boys love to read - especially Jack. I loved turning bed time routine over to Tommy. It was a great break. Tommy recoved by going to bed and sleeping 19 consecutive hours when he got home!

The First Snow

Winter is officially here! We have had snow, and it is so incredibly cold in Beijing! The air bites your face it is so cold!

Visiting Gavin's Class

They do not allow parents to visit the classrooms in China and help out. I am sure it is for security reasons....besides labor is so cheap in China that they have 3-4 aids for each classroom. A few times a year they do a show for parents.

I wish I had the bandwidth to upload the video. Everytime they have the parents visit the kids perform several dances. This time Gavin danced with a partner...it was so cute....although at one point I felt a little uncomfortable with some of the moves he was busting. I thought China was supposed to be conservative!

Cutie Pie Jack

I can't get Jack to wear a coat. So instead we have to layer him in several sweatshirts, put a hat on his head, and wrap a scarf around his next. Looks like he's ready for Christmas!

The Spring School Uniforms Are Here!!!

I think that I have a new threat for making sure that the boys get themselves dressed for the day....

Chinese websites that make life cheaper and easier!

You can use a translator - like the one google has and it will automatically translate any web page you want. Being able to shop online makes life in China dramatically easier. Here is a list of helpful websites.

The online place to shop
http://www.yihaodian.com/1/
http://www.taobao.com/ (should set up a gifubao account, but things are 1/2 the price)
http://www.dangdang.com/ (cheaper version of Amazon.com)
http://www.amazon.cn/
http://www.vipshop.com/gz.html
http://www.jinmiao.cn/

Location Services - can help you find places in your area
http://www.dianping.com/

The Chinese Craigslist equivalent
http://www.58.com/
http://www.ganji.com/

Finding people to work for you
http://caijj.com/about/qjjsfbz.html
http://www.jjbang.com/
http://www.ganji.com/
http://www.zhaopin.com/


Groceries Delivered
http://www.tootoo.cn/

Cheaper Air Travel (kids get 50% discount on domestic flights)
www.CTrip.com

Yahoo Groups that answer all kinds of questions and where you can surf past postings for answers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beijing_Mamas/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beijing_homeschoolers/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beijingladies/
Beijing Cafe is also supposed to be good. You need to be invited by a friend and the request has to be accompanied with your bio.

Online to buy electronics
http://www.jingdong.com/

Everyone chats through a service called QQ. So if your children are in school that is often how you will find out about events, homework, etc.