We all seem to be adjusting okay to home life here.
On Friday we made a quick trip to town - to pick up some groceries and for Roger to take paperwork in for his parental leave. Violet did exceptionally well in the car seat. I'm very happy about that.
We had company stop by Friday evening. My sister, Jolie, and her kids were here for a bit. My nephew, DJ, stayed for the evening. We were eating supper when they arrived and Violet was quite shy. She held her head very low. They waiting in the livingroom while we finished eating. Then my brother, Dave, and his family came. Violet warmed up to DJ and Charlie and got down on the floor playing with them and Tori. My biggest surprise of the night was when Violet gave Aunti Joni a goodbye kiss. It was so sweet!
DJ and Violet had a bath together and there was lots of splashing and lots of laughter. It was so cute when DJ was prompting her to say words and then exclaimed, "I should have brought some M&Ms!" When the girls came back after youth group Violet played shy again by holding her hands over her eyes. She fell asleep on my lap like that.
Then she was awake from midnight to 4 am. Thankfully, she was able to fall back to sleep. Around 2:30 Roger got up to put some wood in the fire, Violet saw the glow of the cell-phone as it was charging on the nightstand. She picked it up and held it to her ear and started jabbering away. When Roger came back up she was sitting on the bed using the nightstand as a table. She had a hand full of business cards and it looked like she was dealing them out. Roger commented, "She looks like a card shark." I told him to just wait, she'd soon call in her bet. And sure enough, she picked up the cellphone and talked away on it.
Saturday was my dad's 70th birthday. We went to their place for a party. Violet was quite quiet to begin with, but then warmed up to everyone. She even fed Aunty Jan raisins. She loved playing with Lindsay, Candice and Grammie with the coloring book and stickers. She fell asleep before we left. She woke up when we put her in the car seat and cried for a bit. Then fell back to sleep. She stayed asleep when we got home and I held her on the couch. My cousin popped in for a quick visit. Violet stayed asleep. She slept through my supper preparations, but we decided we'd better wake her up so her nighttime sleep wouldn't be messed up. That didn't go very well. She cried as I put her in the high chair. I thought she would stop when I held her, but she didn't. I ended up taking her upstairs on the bed (so she wouldn't hurt herself when she thrashed) and she cried (aka - screamed) for at least 45 minutes. I tried holding her, laying her down, rubbing her back...nothing seemed to soothe her. When Roger came up he said, "It almost sounds like she's saying "Pick me up"." So I picked her up again and she stopped crying. She was laying there with her eyes closed and Roger lightly kissed her on the head. She started screaming again. Within a few more minutes she had calmed down enough to sleep. That was around 7:30 pm. It is now quarter to 3 in the morning, and she's still sleeping. I had to get up and get something to eat since I missed supper! Now, I'm heading back to bed to see if I can get back to sleep. Good night, everyone.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Home again
Ah...it is good to be home.
We left the hotel in Beijing at noon on the 25th. Our guide then took us to the Pearl Market. It was similar in fashion to the silk market, only on a much smaller scale. The top floor was "authentic and guaranteed" pearls. Very expensive. There were pictures of presidents and first ladies from around the world that shopped there. The other levels had a variety of goods - jewelry, clothes, purses, electronics, etc. I was able to get a camera battery for my camera and I bought a purple purse Dolce & Gabana (sp?) that I'll probably use as a "trendy" diaper bag.
Then we went to a Chinese pharmacy for a lecture on Chinese medicine. They offered us a free health inspection. I wasn't going to do it, but then when the doctor was commenting on chest pains, back pains, internal body temperature (just by checking the patients' pulse and looking at their tongue) I thought maybe if he checks my pulse and looks at my tongue he can give me a Chinese prescription for ingrown toenails! But, no luck. My diagnosis...I'm overweight. And I bet he really didn't need to look at my tongue or take my pulse to determine that! I opted not to get the pills that they offered. :P
Then it was off to the airport. We arrived quite early, but it was good that we did because it took us a long time to check in.
Violet was awake for the first three of hours on the flight. I tried to get her to fall asleep, but it wasn't working. So I tried a little trick. I got Roger to come sit beside her while I went to the bathroom. She started crying even before I left and I could hear her the whole time I was gone (not long). But when I came back she snuggled in and fell right to sleep. (The mean part is that I didn't really NEED to use the washroom.) She then slept for the next 7 hours of the flight and was awake for the last two. She didn't really cry at all and was charming the passengers around us.
Then in Toronto we got through Custons and Immigration. We had to rush to make our connecting flight to Fredericton, but we did it. (Not without some hassle at the security check when Roger forgot his briefcase and had to rush back to find it and go through a huge extra security check.)
Violet slept through the take off and most of the flight. She woke up after we got back on the ground. Family was waiting to meet us at the airport and it was SO good to see everyone. Violet was quite quiet.
Then we were on our way home - with a quick stop for supper at McDonalds. Violet likes McDonalds fries.
When we got home we discovered that Violet DOES NOT like our cat. This morning was even worse. Violet SCREAMS if the cat comes near her. But other than that she is settling in well. We were all able to get some sleep last night.
We left the hotel in Beijing at noon on the 25th. Our guide then took us to the Pearl Market. It was similar in fashion to the silk market, only on a much smaller scale. The top floor was "authentic and guaranteed" pearls. Very expensive. There were pictures of presidents and first ladies from around the world that shopped there. The other levels had a variety of goods - jewelry, clothes, purses, electronics, etc. I was able to get a camera battery for my camera and I bought a purple purse Dolce & Gabana (sp?) that I'll probably use as a "trendy" diaper bag.
Then we went to a Chinese pharmacy for a lecture on Chinese medicine. They offered us a free health inspection. I wasn't going to do it, but then when the doctor was commenting on chest pains, back pains, internal body temperature (just by checking the patients' pulse and looking at their tongue) I thought maybe if he checks my pulse and looks at my tongue he can give me a Chinese prescription for ingrown toenails! But, no luck. My diagnosis...I'm overweight. And I bet he really didn't need to look at my tongue or take my pulse to determine that! I opted not to get the pills that they offered. :P
Then it was off to the airport. We arrived quite early, but it was good that we did because it took us a long time to check in.
Violet was awake for the first three of hours on the flight. I tried to get her to fall asleep, but it wasn't working. So I tried a little trick. I got Roger to come sit beside her while I went to the bathroom. She started crying even before I left and I could hear her the whole time I was gone (not long). But when I came back she snuggled in and fell right to sleep. (The mean part is that I didn't really NEED to use the washroom.) She then slept for the next 7 hours of the flight and was awake for the last two. She didn't really cry at all and was charming the passengers around us.
Then in Toronto we got through Custons and Immigration. We had to rush to make our connecting flight to Fredericton, but we did it. (Not without some hassle at the security check when Roger forgot his briefcase and had to rush back to find it and go through a huge extra security check.)
Violet slept through the take off and most of the flight. She woke up after we got back on the ground. Family was waiting to meet us at the airport and it was SO good to see everyone. Violet was quite quiet.
Then we were on our way home - with a quick stop for supper at McDonalds. Violet likes McDonalds fries.
When we got home we discovered that Violet DOES NOT like our cat. This morning was even worse. Violet SCREAMS if the cat comes near her. But other than that she is settling in well. We were all able to get some sleep last night.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday
My grown-up China doll
My baby China dollLast Update?
I'm thinking that this will be my last blog entry from China. Today we are spending the rest of the day at the hotel - probably a visit to the pool later on. Tomorrow we will check out at noon. Then go to a couple of markets and a Chinese pharmacy for a lecture on Chinese medicine. That will give us something to do to fill the time until we have to be at the airport. Our flight leaves Beijing at 6:50 pm - that would be 7:50 am Atlantic Time. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at the Fredericton airport at 11:59 pm. Roger says that anyone who is interested in being up at midnight and would like to see us arrive home is welcome to come.
This morning we went to the Silk Market here in Beijing. It used to be an open air market, but with the Olympics in 2008 they put it into a building.There were 7 floors...that we know off. The stores were similar in size to what you would see at an exhibition for a booth. They were probably only 7 feet wide by 9 feet deep (some were bigger). And the aisle was quite narrow. We were not able to walk 3 side by side. Roger was pushing Violet in her stroller and I was holding her hand. Tori walked behind me.
Ray gave us some advice before we arrived. He said that there were three prices - the sticker price, the price they would settle for for foreigners and the price they would settle for for Chinese people. He said that whatever price they quoted first to offer 50 to 75% less than that. Never pay more than 50% than what they quote. I remember my days in Africa and bartering. I had loved it. So I was ready to see if I still had the "gift".
My first purchase I was quoted 400 RMB. I paid 40 for it. :D I still had the touch. The trick is to walk away.
As you are walking down the aisles the merchants are calling out to you. Tori said that she prefers shopping at the mall over the silk market.
My favourite quote of the day was when a merchant said to Roger, "I can see that your wife likes a bargain." Oh, baby, if that ain't the truth!
We were able to get some Chinese style clothing for Roger and myself. Tori got a very pretty silk shirt. And we got a few clothing articles for Violet, too. But it wasn't all traditional clothing. There was a lot of brand name clothing - like Columbia jackets. I'm not big on brand names, so I didn't even recognize a lot of them.
Tori was thinking that I should have blinders on.
When we were finished we didn't see Ray and Fiona. So we decided to head back on our own. The thing I was most nervous about was crossing the streets. But, obviously, we made it back!
Thank you everyone for your support on this amazing journey of ours. We are so pleased that we will soon be home with our family complete. We'd appreciate your prayers for a safe journey home and that we'll all be able to rest on the flight. See you soon!
I'm thinking that this will be my last blog entry from China. Today we are spending the rest of the day at the hotel - probably a visit to the pool later on. Tomorrow we will check out at noon. Then go to a couple of markets and a Chinese pharmacy for a lecture on Chinese medicine. That will give us something to do to fill the time until we have to be at the airport. Our flight leaves Beijing at 6:50 pm - that would be 7:50 am Atlantic Time. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at the Fredericton airport at 11:59 pm. Roger says that anyone who is interested in being up at midnight and would like to see us arrive home is welcome to come.
This morning we went to the Silk Market here in Beijing. It used to be an open air market, but with the Olympics in 2008 they put it into a building.There were 7 floors...that we know off. The stores were similar in size to what you would see at an exhibition for a booth. They were probably only 7 feet wide by 9 feet deep (some were bigger). And the aisle was quite narrow. We were not able to walk 3 side by side. Roger was pushing Violet in her stroller and I was holding her hand. Tori walked behind me.
Ray gave us some advice before we arrived. He said that there were three prices - the sticker price, the price they would settle for for foreigners and the price they would settle for for Chinese people. He said that whatever price they quoted first to offer 50 to 75% less than that. Never pay more than 50% than what they quote. I remember my days in Africa and bartering. I had loved it. So I was ready to see if I still had the "gift".
My first purchase I was quoted 400 RMB. I paid 40 for it. :D I still had the touch. The trick is to walk away.
As you are walking down the aisles the merchants are calling out to you. Tori said that she prefers shopping at the mall over the silk market.
My favourite quote of the day was when a merchant said to Roger, "I can see that your wife likes a bargain." Oh, baby, if that ain't the truth!
We were able to get some Chinese style clothing for Roger and myself. Tori got a very pretty silk shirt. And we got a few clothing articles for Violet, too. But it wasn't all traditional clothing. There was a lot of brand name clothing - like Columbia jackets. I'm not big on brand names, so I didn't even recognize a lot of them.
Tori was thinking that I should have blinders on.
When we were finished we didn't see Ray and Fiona. So we decided to head back on our own. The thing I was most nervous about was crossing the streets. But, obviously, we made it back!
Thank you everyone for your support on this amazing journey of ours. We are so pleased that we will soon be home with our family complete. We'd appreciate your prayers for a safe journey home and that we'll all be able to rest on the flight. See you soon!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Pictures
Pictures: Tori at the Summer Palace
Violet wearing Daddy's Hat
Tiananmen Square
Roger & Tori at the Temple of Heaven
Tuesday
Today I woke up feeling fine! Hooray!!!
We thought we were going to have a short day touring, but it actually was quite long. So I'm glad I was feeling fine.
We started by going to Tiananmen Square. It is the largest city square in the world. It also contains their parliament so we got to see that today. The square had tight security. We had to go through a security check before we entered (scanned bags, etc) however, Tingting told us to just keep going. She put her bag up but told us we didn't have to. There were video cameras everywhere. Tingting told us there were undercover police officers everywhere, too. Ray was nervous about opening his backpack and taking out his thermos to make up Logan's bottle. Tingting stood beside him and said she would explain if anyone questioned him.
Then we went to a pearl factory. These were freshwater pearls taken from oysters from Kunming Lake from the Summer Palace. Ainsleigh netted an oyster out of a pond and we guessed how many pearls were in it. Can you believe 26 pearls? Tori and Ainsleigh each got to keep one of the pearls out of the oyster that they opened for us.
Then we went to the Summer Palace. We actually walked in a corridor that is in the Guinness Book of World Records. The corridor at the Summer Palace is the longest in the world. So today we were in two of the "world's largest" places. (city square and corridor)
On our way to our dinner (which is now in the mid-afternoon) we passed by the Olympic Stadium. That was cool to see.
Then it was to the restaurant for our Peking Duck meal. I thought it tasted like chicken, but Roger didn't really. Violet didn't like it. She would spit it out of her mouth - even if there was other food in there - she would only spit out the duck. They just kept bringing dishes of food, and more food and more food! And I was eating very lite because I wanted to take it easy on my stomach.
Now we're back at the hotel for a relaxing evening. Tori wants to go swimming. Since we had a late lunch I imagine we'll only have snacks for supper. Tomorrow we'll going to go with the Chongs to the Silk Market. Since they haven't been buying souvenirs hardly at all (waiting for the silk market) I hope to find some good deals there!
We thought we were going to have a short day touring, but it actually was quite long. So I'm glad I was feeling fine.
We started by going to Tiananmen Square. It is the largest city square in the world. It also contains their parliament so we got to see that today. The square had tight security. We had to go through a security check before we entered (scanned bags, etc) however, Tingting told us to just keep going. She put her bag up but told us we didn't have to. There were video cameras everywhere. Tingting told us there were undercover police officers everywhere, too. Ray was nervous about opening his backpack and taking out his thermos to make up Logan's bottle. Tingting stood beside him and said she would explain if anyone questioned him.
Then we went to a pearl factory. These were freshwater pearls taken from oysters from Kunming Lake from the Summer Palace. Ainsleigh netted an oyster out of a pond and we guessed how many pearls were in it. Can you believe 26 pearls? Tori and Ainsleigh each got to keep one of the pearls out of the oyster that they opened for us.
Then we went to the Summer Palace. We actually walked in a corridor that is in the Guinness Book of World Records. The corridor at the Summer Palace is the longest in the world. So today we were in two of the "world's largest" places. (city square and corridor)
On our way to our dinner (which is now in the mid-afternoon) we passed by the Olympic Stadium. That was cool to see.
Then it was to the restaurant for our Peking Duck meal. I thought it tasted like chicken, but Roger didn't really. Violet didn't like it. She would spit it out of her mouth - even if there was other food in there - she would only spit out the duck. They just kept bringing dishes of food, and more food and more food! And I was eating very lite because I wanted to take it easy on my stomach.
Now we're back at the hotel for a relaxing evening. Tori wants to go swimming. Since we had a late lunch I imagine we'll only have snacks for supper. Tomorrow we'll going to go with the Chongs to the Silk Market. Since they haven't been buying souvenirs hardly at all (waiting for the silk market) I hope to find some good deals there!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday - early morning
Tuesday early morning
It is 5:30 am Tuesday morning and this is the latest that I've slept since arriving in China. The pharmacist said that the nighttime cold medication they got for me would help me sleep. I can't really attribute my good rest to that, however, since I fell asleep before taking one last night.
So the good news is that my stomach is not upset this morning and I don't think I have a fever. (I'm not going to search in the dark to look for the thermometer to check.) Everyone else is still sleeping.
Yesterday I wasn't sure if I would be leaving the hotel again until it was time to head for Canada. That was how bad I felt. But today is a new day. I also discovered that staying in our hotel room with a two year old, really isn't the most "restful" experience.
Yesterday Roger and Tori went to the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon and Violet and I stayed at the hotel. Thankfully I was able to get a little nap in before they left, because I certainly didn't have opportunity when they were gone. Violet is a typical two year old and loves to explore and play with things. Like the telephone on the bedside table. Thankfully I caught her before she placed any calls. But there was once I wondered if front desk would ring the room to see if I needed assistance making a call! She also likes to eat, but only seems to have good manners when she is sitting in a high chair. Otherwise the food seems to go everywhere. She is quite entertaining, though. And she learns very quickly. For example, whenever she saw the thermometer yesterday she would pick it up and hold it to her ear. I didn't take my temperature that much, so she caught on very quickly how it is supposed to be used. The other action of mine that she copied was whenever she passed the garbage can by my side of the bed she would lean over it, cough, and then spit. I don't think any explanation is necessary for what she was mimicing then.
When Roger and Tori got back from the Temple of Heaven they said Tingting was waiting for them downstairs and she was going to take them to pick up some food. The hotel food here is not the same as in Fuzhou. Nothing to really appeal to a sick Westerner. I thought maybe Tori would stay with Violet and me, but she wanted to go with Roger. Can you believe it? She WANTED to go shopping.
Before she left she gave Violet her birthday card that plays "Bibbity Bobbity Boo". Roger figured they would be about 1/2 an hour and then they would be back. Well, for 1/2 an hour Violet and I laid in bed and listened to Bibbity Bobbity Boo. I tried to teach her to say "More" for when she wanted to hear it again. But instead she would sit up and slap the card. (I showed her that you need to press on the button to make it play.) We were both getting sleepy and soon the slaps were less forceful. I played it a couple of more times and we both fell asleep. I'm not sure if how much longer it was until Roger and Tori came back.
Roger got some soup for me and noodles for the rest of them. The soup tasted delicious and I was able to keep it down. Hooray! Violet is like her sister and really enjoys the ramen noodles.
Today we are to meet Tingting in the hotel lobby at 9 am. We will be going to Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace. Lunch will be Peking Duck. I believe I will go today. We will be able to use the stroller, I hope. Which means I don't need to carry Violet - just walk beside her holding her hand. (That is the only way we can pacify her to stay in the stroller.) And, as I discovered yesterday, I don't get much rest staying at the hotel. I'll take my medication for my stomach with me - just in case I need it.
Even though I probably won't eat much (taking it easy on the stomach) I do want to try the Peking Duck. Tingting told us that to be a hero there are two things you must do - climb the Great Wall and eat Peking Duck.
After we get back to the hotel this afternoon I'll send some pictures and let you know how the day went.
Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. I know that it was only by God's strength that I was able to get through our appointments yesterday. I'm glad today is looking much better.
It is 5:30 am Tuesday morning and this is the latest that I've slept since arriving in China. The pharmacist said that the nighttime cold medication they got for me would help me sleep. I can't really attribute my good rest to that, however, since I fell asleep before taking one last night.
So the good news is that my stomach is not upset this morning and I don't think I have a fever. (I'm not going to search in the dark to look for the thermometer to check.) Everyone else is still sleeping.
Yesterday I wasn't sure if I would be leaving the hotel again until it was time to head for Canada. That was how bad I felt. But today is a new day. I also discovered that staying in our hotel room with a two year old, really isn't the most "restful" experience.
Yesterday Roger and Tori went to the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon and Violet and I stayed at the hotel. Thankfully I was able to get a little nap in before they left, because I certainly didn't have opportunity when they were gone. Violet is a typical two year old and loves to explore and play with things. Like the telephone on the bedside table. Thankfully I caught her before she placed any calls. But there was once I wondered if front desk would ring the room to see if I needed assistance making a call! She also likes to eat, but only seems to have good manners when she is sitting in a high chair. Otherwise the food seems to go everywhere. She is quite entertaining, though. And she learns very quickly. For example, whenever she saw the thermometer yesterday she would pick it up and hold it to her ear. I didn't take my temperature that much, so she caught on very quickly how it is supposed to be used. The other action of mine that she copied was whenever she passed the garbage can by my side of the bed she would lean over it, cough, and then spit. I don't think any explanation is necessary for what she was mimicing then.
When Roger and Tori got back from the Temple of Heaven they said Tingting was waiting for them downstairs and she was going to take them to pick up some food. The hotel food here is not the same as in Fuzhou. Nothing to really appeal to a sick Westerner. I thought maybe Tori would stay with Violet and me, but she wanted to go with Roger. Can you believe it? She WANTED to go shopping.
Before she left she gave Violet her birthday card that plays "Bibbity Bobbity Boo". Roger figured they would be about 1/2 an hour and then they would be back. Well, for 1/2 an hour Violet and I laid in bed and listened to Bibbity Bobbity Boo. I tried to teach her to say "More" for when she wanted to hear it again. But instead she would sit up and slap the card. (I showed her that you need to press on the button to make it play.) We were both getting sleepy and soon the slaps were less forceful. I played it a couple of more times and we both fell asleep. I'm not sure if how much longer it was until Roger and Tori came back.
Roger got some soup for me and noodles for the rest of them. The soup tasted delicious and I was able to keep it down. Hooray! Violet is like her sister and really enjoys the ramen noodles.
Today we are to meet Tingting in the hotel lobby at 9 am. We will be going to Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace. Lunch will be Peking Duck. I believe I will go today. We will be able to use the stroller, I hope. Which means I don't need to carry Violet - just walk beside her holding her hand. (That is the only way we can pacify her to stay in the stroller.) And, as I discovered yesterday, I don't get much rest staying at the hotel. I'll take my medication for my stomach with me - just in case I need it.
Even though I probably won't eat much (taking it easy on the stomach) I do want to try the Peking Duck. Tingting told us that to be a hero there are two things you must do - climb the Great Wall and eat Peking Duck.
After we get back to the hotel this afternoon I'll send some pictures and let you know how the day went.
Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. I know that it was only by God's strength that I was able to get through our appointments yesterday. I'm glad today is looking much better.
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