Scary

Around 5:15 I was outside watching the kids play basketball when I got a phone call from Peter.  He said "Sorry to call you but there is smoke coming out of the 15th floor over here at Banjingwan and I don't know the numbers to your American friends to let them know."  My immediate response was "What?"  but then I told him I would get a hold of them all.  That was nice of him to think of our friends.

I called Rachel...no answer.  I called Megan...no answer.  I called Andrea and she answered.  I told her I wasn't sure what was going on but just repeated what Peter had told me.  She said ok and she would try to get a hold of the others.  I called Rachel back and she answered this time.  I told her and she said "We were wondering why everyone was looking up this way".  She lives on the 24th floor.  I'm not sure if they saw out their window or if her husband saw the people on the way home.  They went outside.  Got a hold of Megan finally too.  I tried to call Jovi and she didn't answer so I sent her a text.  They checked with the guards and found out all was ok.


Peter said he saw the smoke and went in the store in the building.  He took him outside to show him the smoke and he is the one that called the fire department.  He said there were firemen walking around, and they went in the elevator to check floors, then went back outside, chatted, then started to leave.  Peter said they had someone run over to ask what the deal was because nobody said anything.  No sirens.  No information.  Kind of scary.  As it turned out there was a fire in one of the apartments that was being remodeled.  The workers put the fire out but opened the window to get the smoke out.  It turned out to be no big deal thank goodness. 

Trying to figure out what to do.  Not a good sign.

Fun Times

Cameron had his last swim lesson class.  It was free time the whole time.  The kids had a lot of fun with beach balls and just splashing around.  I gave Cameron my camera to take a few underwater pictures.  The kids loved this.  They were amazed that my camera could go underwater and still work.  I am so glad swim lessons are over.  It isn't very fun watching kids kick lap after lap, time after time.  The funny thing is they were tested on free style, back stroke, and breast stroke but they only practiced each of these once.  The rest of the classes were kicking.  I was wishing I could take control but I contained myself.

Having a "Ball".

Nothing but smiles.

He took this of himself.

Trying to get the girls underwater.  This is Rebecca.

Blowing bubbles out his nose.

In the afternoon the gang in the neighborhood goes out to play.  They ride bikes or scooters, play tag or cops and robbers, make catapults and shoot pine cones up in the air, or play some kind of sport.  It doesn't matter what they are doing because they are always having fun and getting filthy dirty.  What a great place to be a kid.

The boys are playing a game of horse. 
Cameron, Alfredo, Ryley, Manuel, Tobias, and Alejandro.

Extra, Extra

Extra Pictures.

Me, Ileana, and Sharla having fun.

They give every new tree a medicine drip.

My pretty toes with flowers.

This was on a construction site in Tanggu.

Also at the construction site.

McFlurry makes the day much better.

Oh yeah baby...we found Cheese Balls at the cold food warehouse.

Exhausted after a day of playing.

Art Monument

A few weeks ago Cameron's 3rd grade art class walked a couple blocks to a monument that is on one of the corners by the school.  They have been working on replicating that monument in small groups.  Today was the unveiling of their work. 

The students and parents went to the art room to see each monument.  Cameron showed me his monument.  It was amazing.  They actually did a really, really good job.  I was very impressed.

Cameron's monument.

Another view.  It even has critters if you look closely.

This is the real monument.

His certificate.

Cameron's Version

I picked Cameron up from school and here was our conversation:

Me:  So, how was your day?

Cam:  Good.

Me:  Nothing new happened?

Cam:  No

Me:  Really?  Did you feel the earthquake?

Cam:  Oh, that's what it was?  I felt shaking but then we had a fire drill.

Me:  A fire drill?  I called and the secretary told me they evacuated the building and you were all standing in the middle of the field.

Cam:  Yeah, we did that.  So it wasn't a fire drill?  Hmmm.

Yep, my son was obviously very frightened by the earthquake.  He said the school never said what was going on.  I guess it is good the school didn't tell them because there would have been some scared kids.  It was great to just let them think they were having a fire drill. 

Earthquake--YIKES!

Around 10:30 Todd called me and asked if I felt that.  WHAT?  He went on to explain he was working when the building started to shake.  They had to evacuate the building.  He was checking on me and I didn't even feel it.  I was so bummed.  Our first Chinese earthquake and I missed it.  Darn it!  Then I started worrying about Cameron.  Todd thought I should go get him and he asked what I would do if I did.  I said we would come home and play basketball or something.  He said "Do you think it is a good idea to be in the middle of all the new towers in case they fall?"  Hmmm, didn't think of that.  I told him we would go to Forest Park where there is nothing around.  He said "Good idea". 

I was going to get a Mani/Pedi with Rachel so I sent her a message saying I wasn't going to be able to go.  I kept trying to call Ileana because she was going to Chinese lessons at the factory.  I didn't want her to go since they had evacuated.  I finally went down to her house.  I was on the phone with Rachel and Ileana was catching parts of the conversation.  When I was done she asked what happened and I told her about the earthquake.  She hadn't felt it either.  She called Fredy and he confirmed that his building shook too (He is in a different spot than Todd).  We decided we were going to go to school just to check on the kids.  For some reason I decided to call first.  I talked to the secretary and she told me they had evacuated and the sirens went off but they had the all clear and went back to class.  All was well.  I decided he was fine.  Went ahead and got my Mani/Pedi. 

Nails were all cute so we decided to go to lunch.  Ate at Jacky's and then picked Claudia up.  The three of us went to school to work in the library.  The school is getting the Accelerated Reader program and all the books need to get labeled.  Cameron had this program at Seton so we are excited that TIS is getting it.  We worked in the library for an hour and a half.  Then school was out.  Cameron had soccer so I sat outside and watched him play.  Beautiful day.

This is the note that was sent from school:

Dear Parents,

The school experienced a slight tremor this morning. All students were evacuated as a precaution.

The information we have is as follows:

The epi-center was at Luan Xian in Hebei province, 170 kms from Tianjin. It measured 4.7 on the Richter scale. Further information is available on http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/

At this stage, classes are continuing as normal.

Joseph Azmeh and Yvonne Williamson

Principals

Teda International School

Busy, Busy, Busy Saturday

Todd went to work and we picked him up at noon.  We went to Decathlon to look at bicycles for Cameron.  He found one he liked.  He rode it around and thought it was pretty cool.  Todd even took it for a spin.  It shifts just like Cameron wanted and it folds in half for easier storage.  He liked it but he wanted to look at the Giant store too.  That was our next stop.

He liked this one.

Took it for a ride even.

At the Giant store we found an awesome looking bike.  Very Harley looking and we commented on how Grandpa Casey would love this bike.  Cameron wanted to try it out.  He wasn't too happy that the shifter thing was in Chinese.  It wasn't the normal kind of shifting either.  It was fast, medium, or slow which when he was riding it he said it just made it harder or easier to pedal but didn't change the speed.  It was kind of weird.  We could tell he wasn't feeling it.  The funniest part was when Cameron got on the bike Mr. Xue was holding on to the back of it and still holding it when Cameron tried to take off.  Like it was the first time he had ever been on a bike.  Cameron was annoyed.  When he got off Mr. Xue decided he needed to take it for a spin.  Too funny.  Cameron decided he wanted the bike at Decathlon so we went back there.

This Harley looking bike was very cool.

Not happy with the shifting so it's a no.

Found the bike again and Cameron took it for a couple more spins around the store.  Yep, it was the one.  The worker guy told us we could get 4 accessories.  I thought it was for free but Todd said it was buy 3 get 1 free.  Oh.  Still exciting.  Cameron picked out a water bottle holder, water bottle, tool set, and a little phone pouch bag for behind the seat.  I wanted the pouch thing but Cameron ended up liking it because it is under the seat and you can't really see it that much.  The guy at the store put all the accessories on for us and then off to pay.  Cameron was a pretty happy kid.

Here is the new bike.  Sweet.

Next stop was the fabric market in Tanggu. When we walked in Todd said to Cameron "Boy, we should bring Grandma Judy here."  Cameron said "Yeah."  TONS of fabric.  We went there because Todd needed to get a sports coat made.  I took him to see George.  He is the guy at the market that has a huge red velvet coat hanging over his shop.  Everyone I know goes to George.  Mr. Xue went in with us too.  We found George and Todd told him what he wanted.  George took him to his material guy and they picked something out.  Then George measured Todd.  Gave him a price and off we went.  It will be ready on the 5th.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.  If it is good Todd is going to have him make him a suit. 

Todd and George looking at fabric.  Mr. Xue is helping too.

Little George is measuring Todd.

More measurements.

 Next stop was the fruit and veggie market.  Finally on our way home.  Cameron couldn't wait to try out his new bike.  On the way I got a message from Peter asking if Cameron could play.  They were at a BBQ next door to our building but Herman was bored.  I said sure.  Cameron made a plan for Herman to ride his old bike while he rode the new one.  Unfortunately when we got here Herman didn't want to go outside.  Cameron had a sad face.  We told him to go ahead and go out and try out his bike.  Herman stayed in and watched cartoons and Cameron went for his first ride.  Todd went out to film and take pictures.  When he came back in Cameron said he liked his new bike.  He is a happy kid.

Cruising around the neighborhood.

5:15 we headed over to Sharla's.  She had us over early so we could eat dinner before we had to go to Cameron's summer show for school.  That was so nice of her and Will.  We may have starved to death otherwise.  For her party she had Ashanti Restaurant make a bunch of pulled beef.  Man was that delicious.

We left for the Renaissance at 5:55...needed to be there by 6:00.  We walked over and the place was full of people all ready.  Kids were running around everywhere.  Cameron went right to his spot where he was suppose to sit and waited patiently.  Todd and I found seats and also waited.  6:30 the show started.  It was 1 hour and 45 minutes long.  When I first looked at the program I was dreading how many acts there were.  To my surprise the show was really, really good.  It was all kids K-12.  There was the high school choir, jazz band, guitar band, dance groups, a performance of Alice and Wonderland, the 1-4 choir, and 5th grade choir.  The crew moving equipment, which was the high school kids, did a great job keeping everything running as smooth as possible.  All the kids did a fantastic job.  The show was quite enjoyable.

In his seat and ready to go.

The costumes on these kids were so funny and cute.

These are all kids in Cameron's class.

Ready to sing.

All the 1st through 4th grade singers.

We walked back home and Cameron quickly jumped in the shower.  We then took him downstairs to Carrasco's so he could spend the night.  Their ayi watched them all for a couple hours so we could go back to Sharla's party.  We walked over to Sharla's and walked into an apartment full of people.  The girls were all sitting around a table chatting and the guys were all in the living room.  Pretty low key until about an hour after being there.  That is when things started to get crazy.  Shots of all different kinds were being consumed.  There was some crazy dancing going on.  Tons of laughter and picture taking.  They were all making fun of me because every time I would take a picture someone would say "Well, that is going on the blog" or "This is blog worthy".  I have to remember these fun times some how.
11:45 Sharla decided we were moving the party.  Todd and Fredy went home and all of the girls walked across the street to Ashanti.  Sharla is friends with the manager and he was suppose to show up at the party but didn't.  We were going to bug him but Ashanti was closed.  We then walked to Wai ha and Jacky's but they were both pretty dead.  We all jumped into cabs and went to Soho. 

Ready for a party.

Todd and Sharla looking cute.

The Mexicans drinking Tequila...AGAIN!!
Jose Luis, Ileana, Fredy, and Luz.

One fun bunch of chicks.
Luz, Stine, Jessica, Annie, Me, Ileana, Sharla, Olivia, and Claudia.

The boys doing a leg kick move.

Don't worry, Stine isn't really going to puke on Sharla.

Ileana's arm was just long enough to get this shot.

A little harder with 4 people.

Fredy took the camera to help.

Trying to do the Cotton Eyed Joe song.

Stine and I trying to slap leg and stomp but it was difficult.

Me giving Fredy the 'What?  You're not going home look.'

One last shot.  Shhh, Ileana didn't really drink hers but don't tell.
Crazy girls.

Soho is a crazy night club that I have never been to.  I wanted to go once just so I could see what it was all about.  We walked in and it was crowded and loud.  Sharla pulled her Soho VIP card out but I don't know what that got for us.  We found a table and ordered a drink.  After a couple songs Sharla and I went out to dance.  The dance floor is small and there were drunks all over dancing like fools.  It was funny but it got to be annoying.  We lasted one song then went back to sit down.  We listened to a few more songs then Stine, Ileana, and I decided to go home.  We said our goodbyes and jumped in a cab to go back home.  I think it was 1:00 when I walked in the door.  The good news is I made much better decisions and learned the word NO and used it.  Yay me!  Jumped in the shower to get the smoke smell off then went to bed.

First time going into Soho.

Me, Ileana, Sharla, Claudia, Stine, Jessica, and Olivia ready to take on Soho.

Another great night with great friends.

Good Day/Bad Day

My good day...I went to a small little gathering of friends for Trine's birthday.  Me, Ileana, June, Trine, Mette, Peter, Cristina, and 2 others that I forgot their names were all at Trine's house.  She had made some wonderful looking desserts which I had enough will power to not eat.  But the cinnamon rolls sure did smell good.  It was a great afternoon sitting outside and talking. 

Todd's bad day...I picked Cameron up at 3:00 and we headed to Tianjin to get Todd from the airport.  He was flying back from Harbin and we were going to go to dinner.  We arrived at 3:50.  At 4:30 we had still not heard from Todd and he was suppose to be in at 4:00.  It was raining pretty hard with thunder and lightening.  Mr. Xue called someone and when he got off the phone he said Todd was diverted to Tiayuan.  WHAT?  Where in the world is that?  He explained it was Tianjin, Beijing, and then Tiayuan.  Oh no.  I wouldn't let him leave until we heard from Todd.  Around 4:45 I got a message from Todd saying he had landed but didn't know where he was.  I told him where Mr. Xue said he was.  He sent a message back saying he was in Yianti which is by Qingdao.  WHAT is what I said out loud.  Mr. Xue looked at me like I was crazy.  I told him where he was and he explained where it was to me.  Todd told us to go home but keep Mr. Xue so he could get him at some point. 

We were on our way home when I got a message from Todd.  He said he was sitting on a 100 degree plane and didn't know when he was going to leave.  Poor guy.  We arrived home, had dinner, Cameron showered, and we went down to Carrasco's.  Alfredo had Brad over and they wanted Cameron to play too.  Ileana was looking for someone to have a beer with and I was just that person.  Todd sent me a message saying he was on his way. 45 minute flight.  Once he was on the ground he sent me another message that said it was a rough flight and I wouldn't believe the story he had to tell me.  Hmmm, I couldn't wait until he got home.

Todd came to Carrasco's.  Ileana met him with a beer and Todd started to tell us the story.  He said the emergency announcement was only in Chinese because they didn't know how to translate that.  That is why Todd had no idea where he was.  He just knew he was in the air too long and something wasn't right.  He asked a stewardess who spoke English where they were.  When she told him he asked where that was.  When she told him Todd kind of knew the province because of being in Qingdao.  He went on to say it was a really rough ride.  He tightened his belt twice and he said a couple times he reached out like to grab something because it was just the instinct.  He said he was sitting on the wing.  All of a sudden there was a loud boom.  The plane was either struck by lightening or the engine blew.  Thank God the plane still landed without a problem.  He said when everyone was getting off they were looking at the engine to see if they could tell what happened.  I'm very glad I wasn't on that plane because I would have been puking and bawling.  But he is home safely and that is all that matters.  Phew, glad this day is over for Todd.

Tire

We took Cameron's bike to the van with us on the way to school.  We asked Mr. Xue if he could take it somewhere and have it fixed.  He said no problem.  At 11:00 Mr. Xue brought the bike back.  Sure enough, it was fixed.  Awesome.  Later, Reilly and Ainsley asked me why our driver was riding on Cameron's bike.  Huh?  They said they saw him riding around in the parking lot on the bike.  Man, I wish I would have seen that.

We got our van back today, finally.  It is nice to have it back.  Looks good too. All better.

Warner Picnic

Todd headed to work and I got up at 9:30.  I moved from my bed to the recliner.  Caemron entertained himself until 10:30 when Alfredo came up to play.  At 2:00 I had to make brownies for the picnic.  At 4:00 we headed to building B where the BBQ was being held.  Jacky had a big grill and had guys cooking beef and chicken Kabobs.  Oh my goodness they were good.  There were close to 100 people at the picnic.  It was a little on the cool side and it rained for about 10 minutes.  It did not ruin the party.  The kids ran around playing while the adults chatted.  6:30 we headed back to the apartment to relax for the rest of the night.

Piper is flirting with Cameron, Manuel, and Alfredo.

Cecilia and Melisa sitting in the rain.

Lots of people at the picnic.

While Cameron was riding his bike his back tire blew out.  Another reason he is vying for a new bike.  He has been asking for about 2 weeks.  We shall see what happens now.