Just some news...

MILK

Well, many of the expat women over here are in a small state of panic over the contaminated milk. We are finding out that many of the local name brands have been contaminated and it has spread to even the liquid milk, yogurt, ice creams, etc. We are worried about the milk, cheese and yogurt being distributed at the schools our kids attend, and we are now even worried about a recent report that the [one] imported milk from France (Presidente) is also contaminated...as recent reports have suggested.

Many of the locals are aware of the problem, but like many issues here in China, the majority of the local people have complete and absolute faith that the government will protect them from further harm. The "scare" doesn't seem to affect the locals as much as many of us expats. But, then again, neither does poop in the pool.

As reports are continuously pouring in, I think our little family will be ok with rice or soy milk for a little while. However, many of the expat women over here are faced with MUCH bigger problems because their kids are within that milk or formula age range. We all just hope this can be worked out soon. What else can we do?

BOYS

The boys are doing GREAT in their school. Brandon is currently being assessed to skip a grade by his teacher and principal, since he already has a very good handle on many of his future English lessons this upcoming year. However, both Allen and I feel that, socially, he is extremely happy where he is and we are afraid that moving him up too fast could create levels of increased insecurity and thus, cause him more harm than good. Their school has an extra curricular program called, Jelic Curriculum. It is a Taiwanese-based curriculum and we think it is right up Brandon's alley. So far, he really likes it. This, plus the additional thematic lessons in the classroom, such as science, art, history and cultural studies, PLUS the Chinese lessons he is learning SHOULD be enough to challenge him throughout the year.

Also, Brandon will be doing a photo shoot for a well known, reputable photographer next week. The photographer's client is one of the biggest brand name clothing giants in China and they like Brandon's style. So, we'll see how that goes. The photographer possibly wants Ryan to do a shoot in October as well. We'll see... The photographer came with recommendations from other moms. He pays hourly for the actual shoot and we get to keep several catalogues of the final product. I realize the expectations of such a "shoot" may be different in the States...but, we're not in Kansas anymore folks! Everything is done differently here, for several, several reasons.

Brandon LOVES China! He says so almost every day. He tells us he doesn't want to go back to Tucson and wants to stay in China for a long time. He also tells us he really likes looking at all the buildings and the cars and the people. There IS a lot to see here...I'll give him that. Like his father, Brandon loves a change of pace and scenery. It really seems to get his blood flowing. It's the Sagittarius in him.

Ryan has slipped into school very effortlessly, thus cementing my theory that he was ready for this, even at his young age. He goes to school with Brandon every other day with not a tear or peep of regret from him. But, he also enjoys being with mom in between the school days. I think the schedule is working out for him...so far.

Ryan and I went to one of our favorite plazas the other day and they were having a mini festival with dragon dancers and lots of music. Ryan loved watching them...and so did I! The entire ensemble of both music makers and dragon dancers were women! It was lots of fun. Ryan really boogied to the drums! haha

ALLEN

Allen is doing great at work. He enjoys the challenges he faces (every day) at work...which keeps him busy, but also tires him out quite a bit as well. There is a lot of mental energy involved in living here, especially at his work. He is constantly being challenged by his Chinese co-workers, the suppliers he meets, the language barrier, the differences in business practices, the NON-verbal communication that occurs between people here, etc. However, despite the difficulties he continuously faces, I think he also appreciates the different sights, environment and atmosphere he is exposed to while living here. He likes change every once in a while...it's the Sagittarius in him, I think.

Allen also benefits from eating truly authentic Chinese food. Not only is lunch brought in every day to work, which is usually from some local joint, but he also gets to experience something much more authentic and unique...Chinese [business] dinners! On occasion, he attends business dinners with clients, suppliers, etc. A Chinese business dinner is MUCH different from a business dinner in the States. There is usually a seat of honor, facing the door and in the middle of the table. Several dishes of truly authentic Chinese food are ordered, including many body parts of the animal and different KINDS of animals to choose from. And then comes the wine...Chinese wine, that is. A Chinese dinner, for many Chinese, is all about the drinking. They will drink this rice wine and "shoot" it by the glass, shouting "encouragement" along the way. The more an individual can drink, the more of a "hero" he is. And if a person wants to decline on the wine? There is a protocol and technique for etiquette when declining the wine. The entire process is supposed to present subtly so nobody loses "face". Sounds exhausting...

MEEEEEE!!

As you can probably tell from reading my blogs, I'm feeling a little better about...life, my husband, China, etc. I still want to go home. This still doesn't feel like home...only a very long, extended, way past due (to go home), trip to China. But, I'm still striving toward that six-month mark. So, I guess we'll see. C'mon...just look at the news...now it's milk contamination (pre-meditated no less)...who knows what tomorrow will bring. I'm a mom and wife, with two small children and family to look after and protect, living in a society of government "believers". When can I feel comfortable? The POINT is, I can't. Ever. Not here.

However, I meant what I said in a previous blog...I'm ready to "look" around as long as I'm here. I feel a familiar part of myself has returned...the adventuress in me. If we are going to do this thing...then let's really DO IT! There are several places I'm thinking about visiting in the next couple of months...small weekend trips. We are planning a trip to Huangshan in October. When my mom visits, maybe some more looking around. So...that's good.

I would like to find some more time to myself. I feel like I have been doing a whole lot of running around since the kids began school. A whole bunch of stuff that I was specifically waiting to do when school started. haha Like I already mentioned, living here takes a lot of mental, physical and emotional energy. I'm exhausted by noon every single day! I'm not kidding!

I signed up for a quilting class through the community center. That should be fun. I'm hoping to join in on a book club that's held one Sunday a month. It's quite far from where we live, but hopefully it won't be too bad only once a month. I tried to join a choir, but the practices were on a weeknight on the opposite end of town. We sat 2 hours in traffic during rush hour and hadn't even gotten halfway there. Ugh! Needless to say, joining the choir wasn't very practical from where we live. Bummer! I'm beginning to enjoy all the local markets around town, such as the flower market, the fake market(s), etc. I'm getting a pretty good handle on the 'art of negotiation'. Feeling a bit "empowered" goes a long way to being successful at any one of these types of markets. Today, I visited the 'Tailor-Made Market'. Very nice! The Wet Market is still something I try and avoid. It's a place with the "freshest" meat, grains, rice, veggies, fruits, etc. Sounds lovely, right? When I say "freshest"...I mean from the locals point of view. Stuff grown in people's backyards, the stench of rotting "freshly" caught or killed meat, live chickens, ducks, pigeons etc. with their feet tied to keep them still, just waiting to go to slaughter, flies everywhere, the heat of the day adding to the smell, etc! Ack! While it's something everyone says needs to be experienced at least once...I would advise against it.

Weeeeeee

Allen and I have begun to try and repair "ourselves", both independently and together. We are both eager for the gym to get their kids club facility up and running so we can take the kids to the gym with us. Without it, it's hard for either of us to get to the gym very regularly. We both realize that exercise might greatly improve our stamina, on several levels. We are taking Chinese lessons from the boys' ex-teacher from their summer camp, for two hours a week. They are very casual lessons and we definitely aren't practicing enough. However, just the few lessons we have had have helped boost our confidence when trying to pronounce the few Chinese words we already know. We hope to continue with these lessons, for as long as we can. We try and go out by ourselves a couple nights a week, for dinner or something. This coming weekend, we have tickets for a wine tasting cruise along the Huangpu River. It should be fun.

BLUE

Blue is doing really good. His sutures are in good condition and the t-shirt is doing an amazing job of keeping him from licking or scratching his wounds. I MUCH prefer a-t-shirt to the gigantic collar! He is eating very regularly and taking his meds without a problem. He goes back to get the stitches out next week. He has generally transitioned well here. However, I sense he is not as happy as he was in Tucson. He doesn't have as much carpet to lay around on or as much wide open natural spaces to roam freely. I also think he misses his neighbors back home. He had special relationships with many of them. BUT, he does get walked regularly and our ayi treats him with with extra special care. So, he's ok.

Well, that's the news and updates from this end. I hope all is well on your end!