We're B A C K

We have been stateside now for almost two months and I'm not going to lie when I say it is taking some getting used to. 
I have so much to catch up on from just our last month in China (where I was without a computer and couldn't update) but first I want to give my initial thoughts on the experience as a whole.
The first thought that comes to mind about our 2 year is adventure is "I have lived in China, I can live ANYWHERE...bring it on".

Some other thoughts as I reminesce and remember. 
- I miss having an ayi and most times I miss having a driver.
-I miss having an ayi...ok, ok...I know you all know that I miss that but really I do:)
-I miss the big city.  I miss walking down the street for my coffee, vegetables, you name it.
-I miss running into my friends daily at the bus stop or out and about.
-I miss the view from our apartment.
-I miss my photohunts of the city that I would go on.  I miss getting lost in the little alleys.
-shopping
-I miss my massages (really cheap massages)


Some reasons I am glad to be back to the States:
-clean air
-safe food
-being back in our house.
-being closer to family
-everyday communication (ie, people speaking English!)

So there it is in a nutshell.  We are back.  It has been easier than expected but still hard at the same time, if you know what I mean. 

I will post some pictures from our final months there but that will take some time to compile.

Bobbi and Gary's visit

A few days after my sister left I had some more visitors.  Bobbi and I have been friends since we were in kindergarten, so it was sooo great to have someone that has litterly known me for as long as i can remember come visit me.  She brought her boyfriend Gary and we had a great time.  It was so fun to watch them as they soaked up every second while they were here.  Although they were only here for 5 days we packed in a lot and they even got into a routine of walking for coffee in the mornings and visiting with the locals:)

They also did some damage shopping while they were here.  They stocked up on fun stuff at the fake market and clothed themselves in some new outfits...custom suit, coat and shirts for Gary and a beautiful coat and some shirts for Bobbi.  The kids had a great time with them and whenever Saria would see Gary without his signature hat she would run and get it for him:) 

Betsy's visit

My sister Betsy came out to visit one last time. I am so glad she did as it was a completely different experience from her first trip out almost 2 years ago (days after I had had Saria).  This time around the weather was beautiful and she was able to see soooo much of the city.  I love to wander the alleys and backstreets and this made her a little nervous at times but I think in the end she was happy to see the locals doing their daily routine. 

She also did quite the damage at the fake market.  I knew she liked to shop but who knew she loved purses so much!  It makes me feel like I need to stock up more:)

We took a visit to the Urban Planning Museum.  It was so cool to see a mini-Shanghai and really helped her to understand how this huge city is layed out. 

Xiao long bao

I needed some help crossing an item off my bucket list, so I grabbed a few of my friends for a "dumpling making" day out.  There is a restaurant here that makes the best soup filled dumplings (xiao long bao).  I found a cooking kitchen here that offers a class on it and jumped on the chance to learn how to make them for when we return home.  The ingredients were very simple...flour and water for the dough, minced pork and spices for the filling and pork fat...yep pork fat.  I really think that is the secret ingredient that makes these soooo delicious. 

Then came the tricky part.  Folding them just right.  There is a serious technique here that some mastered faster than others.  The dumplings then get steamed and when you bite into them your mouth is hit with a burst of soup filled yumminess!

(Now just to find pork fat at home!)

Halloween 2012

It is only Oct. 28th and we have been in our costumes on 3 separate occasions... celebrating at Brycens Halloween carnival at school, trick or treating, and checking out a new (terribly overpriced) play center near our house.  Captain American and the beautiful ballerina made out like bandits on all sorts of candy.  To my enjoyment not all of it was Chinese candy either:)

Vietnam

Beautiful, beautiful Vietnam.  This occupied one of the top spots on my list of places to visit.  It didn't disappoint.

We started our trip in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  This was just another big city with somewhat of a Vietnamese feel.  Being one that has not brushed up on her history in some time it was great to get a refresher on the Vietnam War, as sad of a time in history as it was.  We visited the War Remnants Museum (did you know that Vietnamese people refer to the war as the American War?!?!) and  Reunification Palace (this is where the President of Vietnam lived when tanks roared through the gate to officially end the war in 1975).  I can't say that the above 2 places are exactly kid-friendly, especially the War Museum, but we made the most of it and really learned a lot.  We also took a tour of the Mekong Delta.  If I have to be completely honest this part of the trip was the most disappointing.  I was hoping to see the floating markets that the river is known for.  However I did get to see my husband put a python around his neck and that in and of itself was priceless:)

Our next stop in Vietnam was Hoi An.  What a truly adorable, charming place.  Our resort was beautiful and located right on the South China Sea.  We spent one morning on a private bike tour through the country side.  Now we were experiencing the Vietnam that I dreamt of!  We learned how the locals make boats, grass sleeping mats, and how to fish in a basket (see pics below).   After our tour we ate lunch in town and explored.  So so cute.  The buildings are all very brightly colored and have a sort of European, New Orleansy feel.  I can't quite describe it but I did love it.

The people and the country are beautiful.  I would go back in a heart beat!



the mighty python




cruising the Mekong Delta





my little local




we make it look so easy!



adorable street of Hoi An

United Nations International Day of Peace

This is one of the 2 assemblies that I really look forward to each year at Brycen's school.  On a very small scale it kind of reminds me of the opening ceremonies at the Olympics.  All the kids line up behind the flag of the country that they represent as their home country.  They then march into the gym and each grade shows of their Peace project.  It is very moving and nearly brings me to tears.  Without getting all sentimental, I really think that all children should be exposed to such diversity especially when it comes to different countries.  It is truly amazing to sit and watch all these kids from all corners of the world laughing, playing and singing...they know the true meaning of PEACE. 

Today at the assembly Brycen received a Global and Community Appreciation award.  This was given to recognize him for his outstanding work in caring and sharing.  I was so proud of him!



Fellow Americans Ezzy and Bobby

 

Brycen and Mico receiving their awards from their teacher, Ms. Anna



The 5th grade peace project.  These are individual paper doves glued on...pretty cool.



I love rice...

These 3 simple words wouldn't make just any mom happy.  They make this momma REALLY happy.  He likes rice, the white kind, at school.  Even better...the 3/4 of a hamburger that he ate the other night.  Bliss. 
Among all the other great things about his school is that he is now forced to eat lunch with the other kids.  It has been great for him because due to all the nationalities at his school his lunch menu is very varied.  I do believe that for my picky eater of a son this is a breakthrough for him as well.  I have been very patient with him (probably too patient) but I think it is now starting to pay off!  Yippee!!

Antiques can be creepy

My friends and I found this awesome antiques warehouse some time back.  Call it what you want...antique market, pickers paradise...most of it is probably mass produced, antique looking  junk.  We love it!  I took the below pictures a few months ago when my friends and I were on an excursion there. 

The place is dark, VERY dusty with narrow aisles and somewhat creepy.  Yesterday Les took the day off for his birthday (Happy Happy Birthday babes) and I decided this would be a good time to take him to some of the places that I like to visit.  A horrible rainstorm hit as we were on our way there.  When we pulled up there was close to 1 1/2 inches of water right outside the door.  I decided to jump out of the car and see if the inside was dry enough for us to go in.  Talk about creepy.  The roof is made of tin and where there is no roof it is meekly covered with tarp.  When the thunder clapped it banged loudly off the tin roof and when the lightning struck  it illuminated through each tiny crevice of the walls and ceiling.  I walked around for a few minutes but once I saw all the buddah heads and creepy Chuckie like dolls peering out at me I high tailed it out of there.  I will save Les the trip until it is nice and sunny outside:)

First day of Pre-K

I only know one other person that was just as excited as Brycen was to start FULL DAY school...but this post isn't about me now is it?? Ha Ha.

He could not wait for school to start but mostly I think he just missed riding the bus in the morning and seeing his friends!  His teacher this year is Miss Anna.  It was so crazy walking into his room on "meet the teacher" day and seeing how different it was from just last year.  It was like they (he and the classroom) grew up overnight.  All the toys and "kid" things were replaced with smartboards and computers.  He was moved into Level 2 Mandarin....just wish he would use it more at home.  So far he (and I) are really loving it! 

Sun Valley

I think my favorite part of most summers is the trip to our condo in Sun Valley, ID.  It is truly a vacation resort for those that love to take in adventure and nature or just relax by the pool.  I have grown up coming here, summer or winter, and am always relaxed and have a great time. I now love sharing what I love about Sun Valley with my husband and kids.  This summer was no exception (except that Les wasn't with us).  We enjoyed days filled with hiking, paddle boats, walks and sunning poolside.  This was the first year I have taken Brycen on a hike.   He did a great job with minimal complaining but it was Saria who had the best seat in the house, in a pack on my dad's back (which he felt for quite a few days later).



 

nothing beats paddleboating with Dollar Mountin as your backdrop




watching the paragliders



Summer Fun...Utah

We headed out to Utah in mid -July.  We were given VERY explicit instructions NOT to come before July 18.  My parents "unexpectedly" (in their eyes) sold their house in a matter of 3 days, re-modeled a condo (while bunking up with my sister) and moved in to said condo days before we arrived.  Needless to say they were a little stressed but there is nothing like two kids coming to your brand new house to break it in!!  As much as I miss the other house it was such a relief to not have to watch Saria every second around a swimming pool.  Their new backyard is smaller but perfect.

We had a great time swimming at The Club and just relaxing.  Brycen was a fish this summer...as long as he could touch the bottom.  This meant he was limited to the baby pool but his swimming strokes looked good and I think this year of swimming lessons will help his confidence.

Brycen was lucky enough to be called up on stage in front of about 200 people to help Uncle Steve with his magic show.  He got to pull a real rabbit out of a hat and say the magic words for a bird to fall asleep.

In my news of the summer, I was thrilled to finally get on my first motorcycle.  NOT!  My sister's boyfriend brought over his Harley for the kids to see.  I jumped on it shortly after he arrived, not knowing where the pipes were and singed, scorched, burned the H**L out of my leg.  It really hurt but I was brave, took good care of it and now have hardly a scar to show.



My angels




Maybe next time I should clarify and say "give your sister a kiss...on the cheek"




abbra ca dabbra





the fate of motorcycle pipes



catch of the day courtesy of Brycen and Papa

Summer Fun...Indiana style continued

Oh dear, the updating of our summer fun in America is slowly but surely.  We seriously did so much all summer that my next couple of posts will mostly be pictures with some captions.  This post is while we are still in Indiana.  Brycen had so much fun with his cousins Jayden and Keegan.  They are 6, 5 and 4 so they got along great and for the most part entertained themselves.  The picture below is my favorite of the 3 of them.

Brycen was so lucky when his Uncle Glenn and Aunt Cissy arranged a personal tour of the Columbus Fire Station.  Glenn's cousin is a fire fighter there and the tour was awesome.

We didn't spend as much time in Toledo as I had wished but the time that we were there was so fun.  Thank you sooooo much to Whitney and the WHOLE Brennan household for letting us crash for a few nights...twice!  It was great to catch up with old friends and spend some time relaxing.

The last picture is my favorite.  When I tell you that Saria would not give her Uncle Glenn the time of day is an understatement.  She would say "no" and shake her head if he just glanced her way.  On this particular day she was so tired and Glenn's shoulder was her perfect pillow. 



Keegan (6), Brycen (4), Jayden (5)




the awsome team in the middle won...just for the record!



all dressed up and ready to go

the uniform is a little big



my besties...minus a few:)



Summer Fun Part 1

So far it has been a great summer in the US of A.  First stop...Indiana.  We arrived to some double HOT weather, which I thought we had actually escaped Shanghai for.  After a few jet lagging days we were ready to get busy with all the activities we had planned.

Saria has taken a while to warm up to new faces and given her fiesty attitude it can be quite frustrating at times.

We have been passing the time swimming at the pool across the street, going to the zoo, visiting with family, and playing with cousins that are visiting from NY.       

Fathers Day

My Chinese bumpkin

cute cousins...meeting for the first time