Traumatized at the supermarket

Yesterday the kids and I had to drop off the registration papers and deposit for Lydia's preschool. The building we had to go to is located right next to a little grocery store called "Park n Shop" (which I just realized is a very humorous name because no one in their right mind would actually drive in China, so who is doing the 'park' portion?"). Anyway, they carry a lot of foods I'm used to seeing at relatively normal prices. I decided we'd load up Marcus' stroller basket with a few food items we needed before heading home.

Apparently I'm still getting acquainted with the monetary system (and was hungry for lunch) because by the time I got to the checkout I had 360 RMB worth of food and only 178 RMB to spend.

Memories of shopping in Prague immediately overcame my brain. I could feel my body temperature rising and my face getting flushed. Not knowing how to communicate that I was short of cash I just started taking things back out of the stroller basket and putting them back on the counter one at a time. Thankfully the workers at this store speak a little bit of English... enough for me to apologize over and over and over and for them to say "No problem". Which, actually, was a pleasant change from my Prague days where this sort of transaction would've gotten me some very angry looks, shakes of the head and disgusted Czech grumbles.

I was so scarred by the experience that now I am only courageous enough to buy 1 liter of milk, a jar of jelly and two lollipops per visit. Apparently I just can't trust my RMB cost analysis abilities.

It's laundry day...

My combination washer/"dryer"... I managed to wash ONE load of laundry today: 4 Marcus shirts, 1 Brandon shirt, 6 pairs of socks, 1 pair of pajamas, 3 pair of underwear = filled to capacity.

3 HOURS and 43 MINUTES later... cycles are complete. Two year old boy enters room. Pushes 'start' button. Doors cannot be opened. Oh, no problem!!! I'll just cancel the cycle by pushing this. button. right. here. Aghhh! Mommy fumes!


3 HOURS and 43 MINUTES later... cycles are complete. Turns out "dry" is a relative term. I still need to hang the clothes to dry throughout our apartment. Make mental note to buy hangers and attempt the "Laundry on the balcony to dry" method. Can you say, "Hello world! Here's my underwear!"

Grilled cheese in a wok...

...doesn't work so well.

A look at our neighborhood

Brandon just left for work a few minutes ago. I have to admit, over the weekend thinking about this day has made me a little nervous in my stomach. Today is when real China life begins for me. I'm on my own now with both kids for the day. There's nobody to keep me safe and take care of the things I'm too nervous about. It also means a ton of walking for all of us... no taxis since I can't communicate with them how to get back to our apartment. The general rule is that you need the location written out in Chinese on a piece of paper or a business card. This also means there is no Brandon to carry Lydia when she gets too tired to walk.

We'll also finish registering Lydia for school today and she'll probably start on Wednesday.

I walked around our apartment complex yesterday and took a few photos. You don't really get the 'smell factor' by looking at these... and it's not really something I can even describe. You just need to experience it firsthand.

Our apartment building #11


The main entrance


Our front door to the apartment. Warm and inviting, huh?


Our neighbors as seen from the kitchen window

Discovery Zone

Today has been a pretty nice day so far. We met up with a contact Brandon has in China (Jenn). We spent a LOT of time in Starbucks either drinking coffee, eating snacks or feeding her baby. Then she was so helpful in showing me the shops to find food that we're familiar with. I am amazed! So far, compared with Prague, so many more things from America are available here... including my favorite soup: Progresso Tomato Basil! There is even Land o' Lakes chedder cheese. Wow! She also calmed my fears about China milk by explaining the safe vs. unsafe options.

Lydia was very tired of walking by 2:00 and longing for our car or a taxi ride. She notices the 'interesting' smells instantly (and loudly proclaims her feelings about them). Marcus is continuously caught off-guard by the constant car horns. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure he's ever heard a car honk before! Such a strange, new set of smells and noises for all of us.

A new definition of painful

We made it safe and sound halfway around the world. Who knew the world was SO BIG?!?! Seriously, that was the longest flight ever. Both Brandon and I thought it would never, ever, ever, ever end. Just when we thought we were getting somewhere, the inflight map would pop up on the screen and wouldn't you know it.... only 10 hours remaining flight time! It didn't help that the kids each slept only about one hour throughout the flight. My kids are champion sleepers IN a bed. My kids are NOT champion sleepers anywhere other than a bed.

At one point, Brandon won "Hero Dad of the Universe" award. He gave up his seat and walked around the plane for the hour or so, so that the kids could stretch out across two seats. Ironically, the last trip he took to China, he had 3 seats to himself to lie down and sleep. This time he was seatless. If it wasn't for his heroic actions I am certain Lydia would have pulled her first all-nighter and the ripe old age of 4.

Our first day was a test of any child's tolerance, let alone two severely jetlagged tykes. We visited two preschools and FIFTEEN apartments. I don't think the realtor will nominate either of our kids as "Best Behaved American Child of the Year". But honestly, if it was acceptable for a 30+ year old woman to fall on the ground and writhe about, I may have done just that. Even McDonald's was a total bust with both kids whining and moaning throughout the duration:

Mommy's Brain: "I know, kids! Let's draw even MORE attention to our fine blonde hair, fair complexions and light-hued eyes. How about some more pouty faces and wailing excessively in public??? That sounds FUN!"

Kids' Brains: "OKAY!!!!!! Yippee!"

Daddy's Brain: "Traveling to China with my kids isn't very fun."


I think you get the point. Moving on....

We managed to decide on an apartment. All details are being worked out and we hope to move our things in this weekend. I think we've also decided on a school, but wouldn't you know it.... Lydia wanted the school her parents DIDN'T chose. When they showed her how the little kids have access and ability to get their OWN snacks, she was sold. Apparently that was more of a selling point than a playground twice the size.

Here's a few pics of the new pad:

We'll take the blue light special, please....




The view isn't half bad!

TOP 10
Reasons We Decided to Go to China for 7 Weeks

10. Lydia wants a pet Giant Panda, so we decided to go straight to the source.

9. The latest Scientifc Journal studies show that inhaling large quantities of smog is actually beneficial to your health.

8. I'm conducting research for the latest Eastern diet craze to sweep the nation: "Rice, Chicken Knuckles, Rice, Locusts and Rice: How to effortlessly lose 25 lbs in 8 weeks".

7. The 8 hour car ride to Iowa is no longer challenging. We wanted to take it up a notch and thought 16-1/2 hours in a plane would be much more fun!

6. It's winter in Wisconsin and we're not old enough to be "snow birds". Besides a "snow dragon" sounds much more edgy.

5. Consuming rice, soup and noodles with chopsticks sounds so effiicent and enjoyable. We just have to try it out.

4. Lydia is studying the origins and effects of Communism in her preschool government and world history class. As involved parents, we believe hands on learning is the best kind.

3. We'll be there to celebrate Chinese New Year 2009 and kick off the year of the ox. Who doesn't love a big ol' cuddly ox?

2. Looking like a giant makes me feel powerful.

................and the number 1 reason we decided to go to China for 7 weeks...................

1. Blogging from Wisconsin was becoming stagnant. We're off in search of new blog fodder. Stay tuned!

All dressed up with somewhere to go....

One week from today we will all be suffering severely from jetlag. I know what European jetlag does to kids (and their mommies and daddies!). I can't even begin to imagine what another 7 hours does to a little body. We will be contained inside an airplane for 16-1/2 hours. What does one do with two small kids in an airplane for SIXTEEN and ONE-HALF HOURS!?!?

Why are we going to China? With the frequency that Brandon needs to travel there each year, and the amount of work he needs to cram into a 1-2 week trip, it seemed a wise choice to stay for an extended period of time instead. This will allow him to focus more completely on his duties, and hopefully allow time for those extra things that need doing as well... like mentoring, developing leadership, and relationships with the engineers in China that report to him. The idea of staying behind with the two kids for such a long period of time was more than I felt I could handle. So, after much prayer and uncertainty, we decided it would be best for the kids and I to come along. There are still many, many details to work out. And although 7 weeks is "only" 7 weeks....... 7 weeks with two little ones in a foreign country seems very daunting at best. I try to stay focused on the "adventure" of it all. But truth be told, I am just plain scared.

What's funny about the little outfit Marcus is wearing in the photo is that we bought it nearly 6 years ago when visiting China while I was 6 months pregnant with Lydia. It shows our complete lack of understanding regarding Chinese dress, since it is a boy outfit. But what a coincidence(?) that the outfit we bought 6 years ago just happens to fit our 2 year old boy in the exact season in which we are leaving for China!