100 Days of visa checks

100 days of visa checks foreigners started Middle of May.  It is pretty easy - they just stop everyone that does not look Chinese....and I do not look Chinese.  I have been stopped once already and they asked to see my passport and residency card....both which were at the Public Security Bureau at the time.  They asked me a bunch of questions, tested to see if I knew any Chinese (I am here on a student visa),  checked me on the computer - then let me go.....it still makes me nervous.

Sam's first field trip

After watching Gavin Go on field trips for the past 2 years - it was Sam's turn today. He was so exicted. This was Sam on the bus on the way to the farm.

Mask painting was part of the field trip

This is Sam grinding beans on the farm.

Sam feeding a goat - he must have been a farmer in a previous life!

Jack's Hong Kong Morning Ritual

Every mornign in Hong Kong Jack would strip off all of his clothes, and stand in the window looking 16 floors below at all of the people and traffic.

Hong Kong Visa Turn

Had to dash off to Hong Kong with all three kids in tow....this might have been the last time the boys were good the entire trip.  I try not to think back on that trip.

Who says that Sam has not inherited anything from me? He loves to sleep surrounded by pillows - that is definitely from me!

Lead Concerns

Chinese people are notorious for making sure that children are bundled in 1,000 layers, noses are wiped, no one falls down, etc. Yet they are okay with lead-based paint crackling on the school playground.  It makes no sense to me.  If there is one thing that I have worried about while in China it is the exposure to lead.  It has really made me nervous.

Visa Shuffle

For all those that have wondered why we have been mum lately (probably just Betsy :P)  – we have been doing the visa shuffle (swear word!).  We came over on tourist visas, that allowed us to stay in the country for a year, but required that we leave and reenter every 60 days.  That is no fun with 3 little kids….so I was told the best way around it was to get a business visa. Expensive, okay, but so it traveling out of the country every 60 days.  The business visa allowed us to stay in country for 6 months, and was renewable….renewable until China changed it visa policy. We had to fly everyone to Hong Kong, get another tourist visa – this time allowing us to stay in country only 30 days….so I have had to figure out a new way of staying in the country for the last 4 months…..so I am officially a student of Global Village School….and I am here on a student visa.  This is great for me to become more empathetic on what I am putting Gavin through daily. Visas have been the most frustrating, expensive, and time consuming part of being in China.