First Snow

A week before Halloween, we got our first dusting of snow.  It was gone as soon as the sun came up.  But it still happened.  A week before last years first snow.  I have already been told that this year is going to be a crazy year for snow.  And just today, I saw an article saying El Nina is going to sweep in and freeze us more than last year!  UGH!  And they have no way to predict how much snow we will get but that it is coming.

Heading into the week, the Weather Channel app said there was a 50% chance of snow for Sunday.  But by Friday, it was no longer saying snow.  The kids were a  little bummed... but it is OCTOBER!  We have plenty of time for snow.

Saturday was a cold one.  We are finally in the single digits for highs.  Usually around 5 or 6.  But the sun is helping quite a bit.  Sunday a bit before lunch, I was in my office doing some things and looked out the window.  ooo.. flurries.  I yelled down to the kids and was rewarded with squeals.  But I figured it would be another dusting like before.  But then it didn't stop.  And the flakes got bigger and bigger.  It was so pretty.  I wanted to throw the Christmas tree up and light a fire.  Oh I miss having a fireplace.  But wait... its not even Halloween.

After all was said and done..... everything was white.

The kids' school has even built in snow days this year.  We didn't have them last year.  So I may not be seeing anything but white til April.  Glad we have a few warm weather holidays planned!!

Fun fact Friday

I see some of the crazy things here in Changchun.  I really should have my camera out at all times to document them, but alas.... I have a life.  So I am going to try by best to post them on her.

So the fun one today.....  Stopping in the middle of the road to check your phone.... totally acceptable.

But I am guessing... those are the people that are trying to be "safe" because everyone else is on their phones ALL.THE.TIME while driving.  Getting rear ended or causing a 10 car pile up must be better.  I thank Ford everyday I don't have to drive.

Summer is officially over in the CGQ!

Today is the First Day of School in Changchun.  All four of mine have started!!  My house is oddly quiet.  My Ayi is looking sad.  But I have had the most productive morning... in two months.

Now, I don't love the alarm going off at 5:45am.  And I usually don't like dealing with the mass amount of grumpiness that flows thru the house starting at 6am, but today was quite surprising.  They all bounded out of bed (minus Milly), got dressed, ate, and backpacks ready to go by 6:20am.  By 6:40am, Elly was complaining, let's move it already.  As soon as our driver arrived, we did quick pictures and then they loaded onto the bus.  It was 6:48am.  That had a good ten minutes to get to the school bus....which is a two minute drive away.

My handsome boy ready for 2nd grade!

Elly off to 4th Grade

Jocy headed to 7th Grade! GASP

 The Clan ready for CAIS

Climbed into Stella the bus way too quickly!

Next was Milly.  She woke up sometime before the sun was up.  I let her crawl in bed with me so I could go back to sleep.  It worked!  When I made my way back upstairs....

          

I grabbed her clothes and mine and decided I'll get ready before waking her.  I finally kissed her good morning and she sort of woke up.  She does the most adorable stretch when she is woken from a deep sleep.  Then... "I don't want to go to school.  I want to stay with you".  I nicely said Hell No and reminder her that she has been asking multiple times daily, when does school start.  I knew she was just tired and would soon change her tune. And thankfully, I was right.  By the time we got downstairs for breakfast, we couldn't go fast enough.  We made it out the door by 7:35am.  I was a bit worried how long it would take to get to school since it was raining.  It should really only take 10 minutes to get to her school.  But because of the Chinese have no common sense and driving is a clusterfuck, it takes no less than 30 minutes.  It is a good day if I can get home within the hour.

So oddly enough, traffic was fairly tame and drop off area wasn't too crazy.  Milly popped out of the bus and headed right on in, like she owned the place.  Sounds very familiar (cough - Elly - cough).  I wanted a first day pic at school.  But as soon as we walked in the door and everyone was yelling for Milly, she ran right off and jumped into Ms. Ruby's arms.  I got a quick kiss and out the door.  I am so happy that her teachers are staying with her this year.  She is so excited to be in the Big Kids room on the 3rd floor!  Looking forward to what this school year brings for her.

I had to make a dash back to CAIS to get uniforms.  That school is just a HOT mess.  How can you not expect students to grow out of their uniforms over the summer?  The uniform store should be open the week before!  But no... they just have an open house for new people.  Then... the bus.  UGH.  At BISI, the bus driver would come round the week before and drop off a card with your times. CAIS waited until the day before to send SMS to Joel.  Not even me.  So I had to get in touch with all 3.  Because one is too easy.  There is a morning lady.  One for Elly and Nate on the 2:30 bus and then one for Jocy on the 4:20 bus.   I got the last message for the bus.... at 7pm.  THE NIGHT BEFORE!  

I could keep going on but once I was finished with school stuff, I got mom time!  I stopped in for a mani/pedi and then met some of the other moms for lunch. It was such a fun crazy day.  

I wish I had gotten pics of when they got home... because they were flat out exhausted.  All in bed by 7pm... on their own!  Milly usually likes a hall light on but she told me to turn it off... she was DONE.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Another year, another holiday missed.  This year we actually got to do a little celebrating.  It IS Monday and all.   I did manage a mojito and a very nice glass of wine.

Our new favorite restaurant in Changchun is the Jello Factory.  Unfortunately, no jello.  But great Tex-Mex.  The owner is an American who actually lived in Texas.

I have nothing but great things to say about the food.  The Chef maybe Chinese... but she can cook Tex Mex!!

Very Yummy Bean and Cheese Burrito

And so excited for a VERY good Margarita!!

So today, they had a lovely 4th of July shindig.  It was more geared towards adults but the kids and I had a good time.  It is always nice to come across new Americans!  And a Hoosier at that!

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful 4th holiday!!!

It's Back!!!

When we moved to Spain, we have so many issues.  Which eventually lead to our deportation.  Never in my life did I think I would get deported.  Well, I guess it was a voluntary one since we left on our own free will. Well company enforced. But that is a whole long story.

But today is a very exciting day.... because I just picked up this!!!

Due to all the paperwork hold ups... our air shipment (that first thing you are supposed to get) didn't show up until 362 days after we first arrived in Valencia.  I was so excited when I got it!  It had all our photos on it.  Yes.. I did back it up but still.  I had to buy a new laptop while we were deported.  So getting it back with everything on it was excited.  Then I turned it on.....  The screen was a mess.  It looked dirty but it was all on the inside.  The left side was dimmed.  I turned around and packed it back up to put in the air shipment again.  This time it arrived on time.  Got my office set up in the new house (all the office stuff came with the house) and the screen was worse.  I couldn't edit any of my photos.  It was so slow and bogged down.  When we got our Transit, it didn't have a way to plug in my iPod.  So I thought I was burn a CD.  My poor iMac... the disc drive didn't work.

So after months of being settled here... I finally got it off to the service center here.  They tried to talk me out of the repairs.  They claimed I could buy a new version for not much more.  Why do I want to buy an new Old model?  Mine is already set up.  Just needs a new LCD and a disc drive.  Just fix the damn thing. But it is so much money.  Just get a new.  NO.  This is only $600.  I paid much more for this puter.  I love my puter.  Gosh... I am getting old.  Just fix my beloved computer.   Plus, if I'm buying a new iMac, I am getting a new fancy one.  But that is not in my budget.  So finally, the guy gives in.  He tells me that they will run a full diagnostic and call me with any new issues and the new price.  He tells me that in the next six month, they will no longer have the parts to repair this model.  OK.. fine.  But all it needs is a new LCD and disc drive.  Why does no one here believe me.  Whatever.   A few days later... yes it is just those two things.  I have to make the crappy drive back ( 2 hours round trip) and pay.  They tell me no less than 10 days but probably 20 since the parts have to come from Shanghai.

5 business days later.... its done.  Yea!  A few day later, I make it down to pick up.  Sigh. They wiped the whole thing. Thank goodness I backed it up before taking it. They never mentioned that they were doing that.  Then, they couldn't tell me how to turn it back to English!!!  Of course, I figured it out but part of it will always be in Chinese.  Which is kind of cool.

But the best part.  It is back to the gorgeous screen.  I'm just waiting for the new Memory cards to arrive and it will be back to the puter I love.  Of course, one of these days I would love to upgrade to a new one.  But I am so happy to have all stuff back.  Have so many photos to go thru!!  So many blog post to do!  Hopefully soon!

The Expat Struggle

Maybe it's the China Struggle.... but I am struggling here.  Big time.  I have totally avoided this blog.  I didn't want to say how unhappy I am here.  But there... the truth is out.  Changchun sucks.  OK... it really doesn't.  I'm sure the locals just love it here.  But, I just..... can't.   I had a completely meltdown on Mother's Day and the following Monday.  I felt so defeated and just wanted to go home.  I made myself feel even worse by clicking on my weekly real estate email.  There it was... the perfect house.  Exactly what Joel and I were talking about.  A smaller house with 5 bedrooms, a finished basement and a few acres.  It was even the mid century modern style I have been leaning toward.  Simple, clean lines and move in ready.  Of course, there would need to be a "few" changes in the future... but I could happily move into it tomorrow.  AND it was in our goal price range.  UGH.  So I made a deal with God, if this was meant to be... give me a sign.    I didn't quite give a time table, which was probably my mistake. LOL  But so far... nothing.

Eventually, Joel talked me down.  That is why we have made this work for almost 5 years.  Yes... it has been 5 years since we left small town life in Liberty, MO.   The next day it hit me that if we moved back to the States, my long list of travel destinations won't happen.  At least anytime soon.  That I think got me over my funk.  Plus the beautiful spring weather and so much green and flowers.  I resolved that we would be making another move Summer 2017.  But still within China.  And reminded myself that at least Joel would be home every night.

But here I am again, questioning wanting to stay.  China is HARD.  Ok, let me correct that.  Out in BFE China is HARD!  I see my friends in Shanghai having the times of their lives.  Doing amazing things and so many friends.   You just don't get that in Changchun.  I'm up to a handful of friends now.  But unless you are German or speak Chinese....  I really didn't think it would be this hard.  But everything is.  I mean EVERYTHING.  I can hardly stand to be in the car anymore.  I miss the Turkish driving!  I'm getting tired of the constant stares.  I ignore it best I can, but when you are having an off day.... man it sucks.  YES, I have 4 kids!  My country doesn't limit me!

I could go on and on about this.  But for now.... I am going to keep plowing forward and planning our travels.  

First Thanksgiving in Changchun

The first big holiday in a new location is always the hardest.  You miss your family, you haven't made your "expat" family yet and you are still settling in.  Is it going to be possible to have a little bit of home in China?  Things are a bit harder out here in Changchun.  If we were in Shanghai, we would have already met a ton of expats, had work friends and Joel could have been home on Thanksgiving.  Plus you have all the restaurants that cater to the expat crowd.  We did have two dinners in Changchun we could go to but with Joel working in Harbin during the week, our Thanksgiving would have to be on Saturday again.  Just like we did in Istanbul.

I was really considering skipping Thanksgiving all together.  Last year we had such a lovely day with my family in Louisville.  This year, I would be doing all the cooking for just the 6 of us.  I don't know how to cook Thanksgiving for just 6 people.  We end up with so much food leftover.  Plus there was the issue with finding a turkey.  I hadn't seen a single turkey or part of a turkey or anything turkey related.  For the most part, I found pretty much everything else I needed.  I just really didn't want to do it all.

The weekend before Thanksgiving was the CAIS Christmas Bazaar.  I wasn't really looking forward to it but the kids were singing, so off we went.  It was as crazy as I expected but with some Glühwein, it was slightly enjoyable.  While we were there, Joel waved me over to one of the food booths.  Turns out you could buy a turkey from them!  So, it was decided, we would be having Thanksgiving after all.

For the most part, the cooking went better than planned.  Until Joel went to pick up the Turkey.  There were three hours behind.  Sigh.  So I turned off the oven and popped open a bottle of wine.  In the end, we had a lovely day as a family.  

My pretty from scratch biscuits!

My awesome apron from Rachelle

So happy to have all my stuff back!

Pretty turkey!  Tasted great too

Our family Thanksgiving

Yum!

Nate was so happy.  He ate two!

My favorite expat first trip.....

Not really.  We almost got to make our first trip to the ER this past Friday.

Jocy stayed at school late for a Halloween party, so the little three and I were having a chill evening.  I made chili for dinner and we were going to hang out and watch a movie.  Well after dinner, they all ran for their iPads.  I said, I thought it was movie night?  Nah... then they went brain dead.  I wasn't having any of it. So I took them all away and said play together!  Well I guess that wasn't my best decision...

It didn't take long before they were running and rough housing.  I told them to stop it or someone was going to get hurt.  I immediately walked into the kitchen to get some more water, when I heard the crying.  Nate always does the I'm dying cry, no matter how little he hurts himself.  It drives me nuts!  But before I walked out of the kitchen, the silent cry started.  That means trouble.  As I ran around the corner, I hear Elly say, Mom!  Nate is bleeding.  This starts MORE screaming.  Elly had a paper towel and handed it to me.  When Nate took his hand down, blood went everywhere.  Crap.  He soaked thru the paper towel in no time.  So I'm yelling at Elly directions, the dogs are going nuts, and my phone starts going crazy.  Joel was on his way home from Harbin.  He was messaging he was at the train station.  Then he was in the van.  I finally get Nate a bit calm and grab the phone.  I had like 10 messages from Joel.  I call and he starts giving me shit about not responding.  UGH. Men.  I explain the situation and tell him to tell our driver to MOVE IT.  Driving fast is not Mr. John's strong suit.  I appreciate how careful he drives in our crazy city, but sometimes, you gotta move it!

Then, Nate started freaking out again.  I told Joel I had to go.  As I turn around, I see Cekic, licking up the blood.  So I get Elly to stand guard and keep the dog away.  I try to calm down but he is freaking out that blood is in his mouth.  Great, did he bust teeth too.  At this point, I still have no idea what the heck happened.  Elly mentioned something about falling by the back door.  Maybe hitting the windowsill...which is granite!  I finally calm Nate down and tell him its OK to swallow blood.  He isn't going to die.  I get him to lay down on the couch.  I finally remove the paper towel to inspect the damage.  Oooo.... it kind of looks broken. Hmm... maybe not?  Just swollen?  I check all his teeth and all looks good.  OK... maybe not hospital after all.  I tell him to hang out for a minute so I can clean all the blood up.  It was all over the living room.  Why can't that kid stand still?  I finally ask him what happened.  He said he just fell... on his face.  What is it will this kid falling flat on his face.  I asked him why he didn't put his hands down to catch himself.  I don't know, was his reply.  Sigh

Right about the time I went to get him ice, well a bag of tater tots, Joel got home.  Well well, Mr. John does know where the gas pedal is!  By then, Nate was calm and hanging out.  The bleeding had stopped too.  Joel did the concussion check.  He seemed fine.  We were a bit worrying when he fell asleep pretty quickly, but it was a long week.

By the next day, he was feeling fine.  As of today, he still has bruises and a bit of a black eye.  Never a calm moment in our house.

Happy Halloween!!!

Not bad for our first Halloween in China!

Settling in Changchun!

We have officially been in the house for a week now.  There are still a few odds and ends to get but for the most part we are functional.  We have a driver but using a rental car until our Transit is ready.  And I hired an Ayi.  What is basically a Mother's Helper.  But she does it all.  Cleans, laundry, childcare, and cooking.  Will even feed the dogs!

Speaking of the dogs,  they should be starting their journey today!  It's way to quiet around the house without them.  Looking forward to long walks and discovering our area.  There is a great walkway by a little river near by.  Plus we still have to check out Moonlake.

So far things are going really well for us.  It is a beautiful area and the people are so nice.  We have been enduring crazy amount of attention.  The kids aren't too happy about it but what can I say.  The Chinese just love their blonde hair.  And who knows how many Americans these folks have seen?

We are loving the house.  There are so many projects I want to do!  Can't wait til our stuff is here!  I will post some pics in another post.  I will admit, it is a bit too big for me.  It works for bedrooms and storage but some of the rooms are MASSIVE.  I don't need a Master bedroom bigger than most apartments.

Anyways, I think I am going enjoy our time in Changchun.