I've had a pretty busy week this week. Today is the first day we haven't run around all morning and afternoon. Well Stan's out right now with some guys on a day hike, but I'm at home relaxing a bit.
WARNING: Some of this talks about seeing raw meat. If that grosses you out, you may want to be careful.
Monday: I went to the market with a friend (see I do have some, and the market was a definite bonding experience :). We spent about an hour and a half looking around. She showed me good people to buy meat from, meaning those that will give foreigners a fair price. So we go up to their table with all of the cuts of meat laying out. After we figure out how much we want of which cut we pay and they put it in a plastic bag. It's like a butcher but no coolers and no nice packaging. If we want it ground up there is another 'vendor' to do that for 5 Mao (half a yuan) which is equivalent to about 7 cents. Let's just say I like to be quick in the meat section. Then on to the fruits and veggies. That part is a lot like the fresh market. Everything has been picked no more than the day before. It was fun. When I got home my house helper and I washed it all and got it ready for preparation. I made two meals this week: Pork tenderloin with corn and squash and meatloaf with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Both tuned out well for a first attempt. Monday was also Stan's Birthday so he and I went out to dinner while some friends watched the boys. When we returned to pick them up she had baked a cake for Stan to surprise him. It was great!
Tuesday: That morning I ran a few errands but to be honest I can't remember them. And that afternoon Stan and I went looking for furniture before coming home and getting ready for another night of dinner with friends. We were busy I just can't remember what we were doing.
Wednesday: We took a trip to the Old Town for shopping and lunch. Old Town is the original city complete with walls around it and our city has developed outside those walls. Same county, sometimes considered the same town but it take about 30 minutes by bus to get there. Not too bad. Anyway OT has become quite touristy but is still a great place to buy certain things. I got a purse, a table cloth and some locally grown coffee. We tried to get some marble vases but they did not want to give us a fair price. Since we weren't willing to get ripped off we will have to try again later. I bought a little change purse and the woman was asking an outrageous price for it. I tried to be nice and bargain for a more realistic price. At first she wouldn't budge so I told her it was ok, I would just go to Wal Mart to buy it cheaper. She caved. I struggle with this cause it isn't really expensive if you think $'s but I also don't think it's fair for me to pay more just cause I'm American. Anyway, since there are a lot of tourists there are also several Western restaurants. It's always a nice treat. We came home and got the boys settled in for their nap. Our house helper was there so Stan and I took off to order curtains and pick up our carpet. When we got home I cooked the tenderloin dinner.
Thursday: We still hadn't put our empty trunks in storage so Stan and I did that in the morning. It took several trips there in a taxi and back on the bus, but we got it done. After a quick lunch I went to the paint store (there are a few places to get really good paint) with a friend and her daughter. Then Stan met us so we could go to the used furniture market. It was like a flea market. We found a piece for our living room that was pretty close to what I was looking for. We paid equivalent of about $13 for a solid wood cabinet/end table. It will need to be refinished eventually. I think we paid a little too much for it but the lady wouldn't bargain at all until we did the 'walk away' thing. Like I said, great price to our standards but I still hate feeling like I'm taken advantage of. After we got our new piece home we made a quick trip to Wal Mart. We got back and I cooked the meatloaf dinner.
Friday: Stan is hiking and I'm blogging. I think once the boys nap I will try to organize this office. It's the only room I haven't gotten to yet. We have an adult night out with some couples so that will be fun.
As you can see, we've been busy. We feel very accomplished to get 1-2 things done each day. If we get more than that it's a very good day. We will be buying paint tomorrow and spending the boys sleeping hours doing that. No rest for us. I want to get as much as possible done before we have to start school. I start tutoring next week, so that will add studying into the mix. I think staying busy is a good thing for me right now. Helps me push through this culture shock.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Friends
Having friends is not a new concept for most people. If they are blessed as I am anyway. But at this point in my life I'm at such a different place than ever before when it comes to having friends. I have some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. I have friends from high school, college, past jobs and of course church. Some of those friends fit into multiple categories. But it's weird to know that most of the people I am proud to call friend are about 8,201 miles OR 13,199 kilometers OR 7,127 nautical miles away (yes I looked all that up and it's accurate from Raleigh to our city, XG or rather to city proper, D). I think I'll go with nautical miles cause it's less. Not only is this such a far distance but it's 12 hours in time. We are ahead that much. So while we can communicate through the Internet far more than ever before, and for free at that, the time thing can pose a problem. So I don't have the daily contact with anyone that I once had. It's crazy. Some days I'll think 'so and so would get a kick out of this' and totally want to call her and then I'll realize it's like 3 AM where they are and they probably wouldn't appreciate the early morning wake up call. My poor husband has been great and even acting amused at the little things that really only one of my girlfriends could enjoy.
Please don't think I'm just having a pity party. I have met some wonderful women here so far. And I'm excited to know that lasting friendships are in the making. New friendships are always fun. Hearing people's stories: how they met and fell in love, things about their children and how they came to this foreign place. But all this takes time. Time I'm more than happy to invest in people. It's just hard to not share in the little things on a daily basis with the ladies I love so much. Each of you should know that I love and think of you often!
On a lighter note we ordered a piece of carpet to go in the oh so very hard marble in our living room. We've also picked out curtains to be made for the living room, kitchen and our bedroom. Nothing for the boys room or office yet but that will come soon. We also hope to pick out paint soon and start that process. Things are starting to come together for our new home. When we get it done I'll post before and after pics.
Please don't think I'm just having a pity party. I have met some wonderful women here so far. And I'm excited to know that lasting friendships are in the making. New friendships are always fun. Hearing people's stories: how they met and fell in love, things about their children and how they came to this foreign place. But all this takes time. Time I'm more than happy to invest in people. It's just hard to not share in the little things on a daily basis with the ladies I love so much. Each of you should know that I love and think of you often!
On a lighter note we ordered a piece of carpet to go in the oh so very hard marble in our living room. We've also picked out curtains to be made for the living room, kitchen and our bedroom. Nothing for the boys room or office yet but that will come soon. We also hope to pick out paint soon and start that process. Things are starting to come together for our new home. When we get it done I'll post before and after pics.
Friday, July 18, 2008
A few observations
I've learned a few things about living in this new place. I thought I would share.
1. Water is all too important. I know this is true everywhere but when you live in a place where even those that were born and raised here don't drink the tap water you know it's bad. We use tap water to wash dishes and bathe but nothing that enters our bodies comes from the tap unless it has been boiled first.
2. Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. Ever. Period. There is also no such thing as J walking so there is a constant flow of people darting through traffic. I have become quite good at this, even while pushing a stroller or dragging a 3 year old.
3. Traffic laws mean nothing. Basically the largest vehicle wins. Lines on the streets mean nothing and it is not uncommon to see cars cross the double yellow line. Buses included. Buses always win because they are the largest. Buses are also the best and cheapest way to get around. I like to think of it as riding a bus means I won't get hit by one. I hope it comforts you to know that they don't drive nearly as fast as Americans do in the city.
4. People here do not understand the concept of a line, even at Wal-Mart. I sorta enjoy pushing and shoving. It's like kindergarten but you don't get in trouble.
5. Speaking of Wal-Mart..it's different (you pick out your live fish to take home and fry up) and the same (the weekend is NOT the best time to go). We live close enough to walk and it's so nice. We can even find some familiar brands.
6. All men smoke. If you are male and above the age of 12 you smoke. A lot. There is no such thing as non-smoking. I'm pretty sure I will be addicted to nicotine soon because of all the second hand smoke. It's not culturally acceptable for women to smoke but they really don't have a need, they get their fair share.
7. If you aren't a national you will get stared at. And if you have chubby cheeks like Bennett you will get touched. I'm trying to be nice when I see people staring. I say hello and smile. Today when I did that to an old lady on the bus (she was really old) she gave me the thumbs up. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because I said hello correctly or maybe she liked my purple 'I heart spork' t-shirt. There is really no way to know.
8. If you want something done and the Landlord doesn't she will bring someone in to appease you but most likely has told them the answer they are to give. No. I'm pretty sure this happened to me today. My kitchen counters don't even go up to the level of my hip. They are the kind that can be raised. She said she needed to bring in a cabinet man to see if it could be done. He said the marble counter top would break if they did that. My only option is to let them take it all out, sell it and I can replace it at my expense and leave it when I move out. Apparently raising the cabinets will break the marble but completely removing it (in what I'm sure would a similar process for each) is not a problem. I guess I will just have to get used to low counters.
9. You can't fight the system. Even if it makes no sense to you, it's just not worth it. Things are how they are and you just have to deal.
10. Nothing should surprise me ever again.
There's more but it will have to wait for another time. The kids are in bed and it's movie night with my husband.
1. Water is all too important. I know this is true everywhere but when you live in a place where even those that were born and raised here don't drink the tap water you know it's bad. We use tap water to wash dishes and bathe but nothing that enters our bodies comes from the tap unless it has been boiled first.
2. Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. Ever. Period. There is also no such thing as J walking so there is a constant flow of people darting through traffic. I have become quite good at this, even while pushing a stroller or dragging a 3 year old.
3. Traffic laws mean nothing. Basically the largest vehicle wins. Lines on the streets mean nothing and it is not uncommon to see cars cross the double yellow line. Buses included. Buses always win because they are the largest. Buses are also the best and cheapest way to get around. I like to think of it as riding a bus means I won't get hit by one. I hope it comforts you to know that they don't drive nearly as fast as Americans do in the city.
4. People here do not understand the concept of a line, even at Wal-Mart. I sorta enjoy pushing and shoving. It's like kindergarten but you don't get in trouble.
5. Speaking of Wal-Mart..it's different (you pick out your live fish to take home and fry up) and the same (the weekend is NOT the best time to go). We live close enough to walk and it's so nice. We can even find some familiar brands.
6. All men smoke. If you are male and above the age of 12 you smoke. A lot. There is no such thing as non-smoking. I'm pretty sure I will be addicted to nicotine soon because of all the second hand smoke. It's not culturally acceptable for women to smoke but they really don't have a need, they get their fair share.
7. If you aren't a national you will get stared at. And if you have chubby cheeks like Bennett you will get touched. I'm trying to be nice when I see people staring. I say hello and smile. Today when I did that to an old lady on the bus (she was really old) she gave me the thumbs up. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because I said hello correctly or maybe she liked my purple 'I heart spork' t-shirt. There is really no way to know.
8. If you want something done and the Landlord doesn't she will bring someone in to appease you but most likely has told them the answer they are to give. No. I'm pretty sure this happened to me today. My kitchen counters don't even go up to the level of my hip. They are the kind that can be raised. She said she needed to bring in a cabinet man to see if it could be done. He said the marble counter top would break if they did that. My only option is to let them take it all out, sell it and I can replace it at my expense and leave it when I move out. Apparently raising the cabinets will break the marble but completely removing it (in what I'm sure would a similar process for each) is not a problem. I guess I will just have to get used to low counters.
9. You can't fight the system. Even if it makes no sense to you, it's just not worth it. Things are how they are and you just have to deal.
10. Nothing should surprise me ever again.
There's more but it will have to wait for another time. The kids are in bed and it's movie night with my husband.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Upside down
I guess that would be more appropriate if we were now living in Australia, but we aren't far at least. But that is what my life has turned. We are here, we are unpacked, and we have been sick. Upset stomach (a given), fever (Bennett), coughing (me and the boys) and trying to adjust to the high altitude. I haven't even attempted to go running yet, not that the streets are a good place for that. The combination of the pollution and junk every where would definitely not create a good run. Over all I really like our apartment. For local standards it's nice. It's bigger than where we were living in the States. The kitchen is a lot to get used to--the counters are low, the oven is a larger counter top toaster oven and we still have to go buy a stove. We have one squatty potty and one western potty--if you don't know about a squatty let me know and I will post a picture. The bad thing is that it is very usual for 'smells' to come back up through the plumbing. So do I not only get to enjoy an array of smells on the street and in the market but occasionally in my own home as well. We also found out it's not a good idea to flush toilet paper. Hmmm, I'm still working on that. There was a beautiful view of the mountains out of my kitchen window--we are in a valley--but they are building some new apartments right across from us so the people that eventually live there will get to enjoy the view I once would have had. I can still see a little through the little laundry room (which is amazing that I even have a laundry room) so I'll get to enjoy it some. Over all things have been good. I took my first venture out on my own yesterday--on the bus no less. I only went a short distance to meet up with someone but baby steps are good. I'm trying to dig deep down for the little bit of language I learned 8 years ago during study abroad. It's pretty sad. The great thing is I have a house helper that speaks no English. So I am forced to try, even if I don't leave my house. It's weird to have a house helper by the way. Most westerners have one but I really struggle when she is doing things around the house, the boys are asleep so I'm not needed for them and I'm just sitting there watching her. I know once I start language school she will be an asset to our home--as she already has been--but right now I don't have much to do, except maybe go buy a stove, dishes, cups, eating utensils, more furniture, etc. I'll get on that this week.
When I was saying goodbye to my Granny she told me I have always been like a rock. I take what life gives me and just adjust and stay strong. I think that has been true. As I thought more and more about it--especially during our loooong traveling that included many delays and our 11 pieces of luggage not making it until 5 days after we did--I realized that I'm not the one that is supposed to be the rock. I'm supposed to be leaning on the rock. I'm asking HIM to slowly crack my rockish shell and let all that doesn't reflect HIM to go away. I'm waiting for a time of crying until I'm dehydrated. I've had little spells but I tend to keep it in if at all possible. I guess I'm just waiting for my inside to be turned as upside down as my outside. More later.
When I was saying goodbye to my Granny she told me I have always been like a rock. I take what life gives me and just adjust and stay strong. I think that has been true. As I thought more and more about it--especially during our loooong traveling that included many delays and our 11 pieces of luggage not making it until 5 days after we did--I realized that I'm not the one that is supposed to be the rock. I'm supposed to be leaning on the rock. I'm asking HIM to slowly crack my rockish shell and let all that doesn't reflect HIM to go away. I'm waiting for a time of crying until I'm dehydrated. I've had little spells but I tend to keep it in if at all possible. I guess I'm just waiting for my inside to be turned as upside down as my outside. More later.
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