Busy, Busy, Busy

The day started off with taking Cameron to school and then going to Yoga. Yoga is one of those exercises that does not look hard but my goodness it kicks my rear. Our instructor goes around and makes your body go the way she wants it to even if your body doesn't want to go that way. Ouch! It always feels good when we are done.

Hurried home and got ready. Sharla, Rachel, Anna, and I went to get a Thai foot massage. We had an 11:00 appointment. When we got there the lady told us we couldn't have a foot massage until the 15th. Huh? For some reason they were closed until the 15th even though they made our appointment. Weird. We walked next door to the Blind Foot Massage place. They took us. As Sharla was turning one of the chairs around, like we always do, she accidentally knocked the table over. It had a glass and something else that crashed to the floor and sent glasses flying all over my feet and legs. It didn't hurt and I was fine just surrounded in glass. We couldn't help but laugh and Sharla apologized a million times. It was quickly cleaned up and we were ready to relax. I find the foot part kind of painful, at least today I did. The shoulder part was heaven. An hour and 15 minutes later we were done.

Back home for 45 minutes. I finished packing for Tokyo and then met Sharla out front to walk over and get a manicure. It was nice. I chose a VERY bright orange so that it would work next weekend for our 80's party. It took awhile to get use to it because it was stop traffic bright but then I liked it.

It's even brighter in real life.

Back home for 15 minutes and then had to run get Cameron at school. I was waiting and waiting and finally his teacher found me and told me he was waiting for his homework to get copied. He gets to miss tomorrow since we will be gone. His teacher asked when we could get together to discuss Cameron. I had sent him a note asking to meet to discuss ways he is going to challenge Cameron this year. We decided Monday at 4:00. Then he looked at me and said "another thing I find incredible about Cameron is that if there are 3 minutes left in a period he always finds work to do instead of messing around like the others. That is an incredible skill to have. He will do great in junior high and high school.". That was nice and good to hear.

Finally I found Cameron and we headed to get Todd. We ran into the new office building to go to the bathroom and then we were on our way to Beijing. Cameron immediately got all his make up homework done...maybe 15 minutes it took. One funny thing we saw while driving on the highway today was a man driving a mini van, window down, eating a piece of corn on the cob. It looked really strange.

We tried a new restaurant called The Filling Station. Yep, just like in Davenport. I had a double bacon cheeseburger and the boys shared a meat combo platter...ribs, chicken, steak, onion rings, and mushrooms. I also had a little flavor from home by having a Coors Light. The Filling Station is a good place to eat. We have to go back because there were numerous things on the menu we want to try.

Trying a new restaurant.

I couldn't believe they had Coors Light.

Cameron went with a peanut butter milk shake.

The food looked as good as it tasted

A whole lot of meat and onion rings.

Nice patio and view.

Kind of pretty.

After dinner we went to the hotel. We went to the lounge for a little bit then went back to our room. Cameron took a shower. I walked into the bathroom and it was completely flooded. I told Cameron to shut the water off and he was worried he did something wrong. Nope, door was completely shut but the drain wasn't working. His clothes were on the floor so they got drenched. I tried drying them with the hair dryer but it was no use. I'll wrap them in a bag and let them dry out in Tokyo. What a giant pain in the rear. Todd messed with the drain and fixed it and he cleaned up the water. The same thing happened to my parents when they stayed at this Hilton. Off to bed because we have to get up at 4:00 a.m.

I-L-L-I-N-I

Todd was up very early watching the Iowa Football game on Slingbox.  At 10:30 we were going to watch the Illinois game.  We all were dressed in our Illini shirts.  Todd had one of his friends from work come over at 10:00.  The game started and we quickly realized Illinois isn't very good.  Bummer. 

Cutest Illinois fan.

I-L-L
I-N-I

At half time Todd grilled a bunch of brats and sausages.  We had lunch.  Chili, ribs, and brats.  Everything was really good.  The game was back on and it just kept getting uglier. 

2:00 the game was over...Illinois got smoked, Cal left, and we went to the hardware store and the grocery store.  We also stopped at the veggie market.

For dinner Todd and Cameron had a pizza cook off.  Cameron made a salmon, broccoli, and cheese calzone.  Todd made a chorizo pizza on the skin he got at the veggie market.  Both were good.  We watched a home video from when we first moved to China, skyped with my parents, and then went to bed.

Soccer

Our sub driver picked us up at 9:15 to go over to the school for the soccer meeting.  Carrasco's rode with us.  We pulled in the parking lot and saw a bunch of Chinese kids in soccer uniforms.  We had no idea what they were doing there.  Mr. Li came out and told us to go in through the guard room and meet out on the field. 

Once all of our kids got there Mr. Li explained that the coach brought the Chinese team to practice with our kids.  They all made a circle and the coach and Mr. Li told the kids what was going to happen.  They then got in 2 lines from tallest to shortest.  they jogged a few laps, did some stretches, played a game where they had to crawl through every ones legs, and then did drills.  For the last 1/2 hour they played a game.

The two teams having a meeting with the coach.

Our boys were listening but the coach was talking in Chinese.  Hmmmmm.

Stretching.

Running drills.

Kicking drill.

While the kids played the game all the adults tried to figure out what the best time would be to hold these clinics.  Everybody is busy and it took forever to pick a day and time.  It was finally decided on Friday afternoons from 4:30-6:00.  I already know we will be missing some days because we will be out of town. 

Cameron seemed to enjoy it.  The only thing he didn't really like is the coach speaks Chinese only so he had no idea what he was saying.  Hopefully Cameron learns and gets better at soccer.  At least he is with his friends.

Friday Fun

Today we had quite a few FUN things. 

FUN #1...Cameron got to wear what he wanted to school.  He was pretty excited to wear his new USA basketball jersey.  If the kids took in 20 RMB (about $3) for charity they didn't have to wear their uniforms.  The school should definitely do this more often.

Looking good Team USA.

FUN #2...A group of girls now work out everyday in a room at the school.  I walked Cameron in and we were talking.  Mr. Li, the P.E. teacher, walked up to me with a very serious look on his face and asked if I had a minute.  He motioned Cameron to go away.  The look of horror was all over his face as he turned and walked away from me.  I'm sure a million things were going on in his head worried about what Mr. Li wanted to talk to me about.  Mr. Li said he wanted to invite Cameron to be in a special soccer club.  He is only asking 10 kids in grades 3-5 to be apart of this.  He also said he chose kids that have some skills and seem to be interested in learning how to play soccer.  He told me there was a meeting Saturday morning at 9:30.  Sure, we will be there.

I went and found Cameron and told him a little bit just because I knew he would be worried all day long and it would ruin his day.  He was pretty relieved.  I asked him if he needed to be worried that Mr. Li was telling me something bad and he said no.  Cameron just worries too much about everything.

Rachel, Claudia, and I sat around talking waiting for the 3 other girls that were in a meeting with the preschool teacher so we could work out.  After waiting for an hour we finally were going to start.  Rachel put the disk in and we couldn't get it started because there was no remote.  Then the DVD player wouldn't open back up.  Finally, after several tries it opened.  She put the step disk in because those start automatically but for some reason it wouldn't work either.  The DVD player was not working right at all and we just used it the day before.  Just another 'welcome to China moment'.  So we never did get to do a work out.  I cancelled my driver picking me up and Michelle and I walked home.  2 miles which was better than nothing.

FUN #3...LADIES NIGHT.  At 6:20 Sharla, Ileana, Stine, and I met out front to walk over to Ashanti's.  Anthony was hosting our TEDA ladies night.  He had drink specials for us and made jello shots.  He loves to host big gatherings.  There were 20 of us girls ready to have a good time.  We can definitely say the noise level was pretty loud and it only got worse the later it got. 

Again Anthony took my camera.

One end of the table.

The other end.

All of us.

Next to us was a huge group of teachers from the Maple Leaf School which is across the street from Cameron's school.  It is a Chinese school but only 2 of the teachers were Chinese.  They started chatting with us.  One guy told us the kids in grades 1-12 get dropped off on Monday morning and get picked up on Friday afternoon.  They sleep in dorms and do organized things from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.everyday.  WOW, I can't imagine not seeing my child all week.  Crazy.

This was the two groups...a lot of people.

We ordered dinner and Anthony brought out 4 different shots for everyone through out the night.  We started playing a game called "I've never..." which was hilarious.  It plays like this...a person makes up a sentences using I've never.  "I've never gotten a tattoo".  Everyone drinks if they have done it.  So we found out that 3 of us have tattoos.  The game went on and of course the sentences got more revealing.  We sure found out a lot about our friends.  There are some crazy chicks that I am proud to call my friends. 

Trine, Ileana, and Me finishing dinner.

Stine, Crista, Ileana, and I enjoying our evening.

Sharla, Olivia, and I are all smiles.

Andrea, Ileana, Jovi, Me, Olivia, Erica, and Megan.

We have no idea what Megan was doing.

 

Shot time with no hands.

Jovi, Me, and Cecilia.

Ileana, Me, Jovi, and Amor striking a pose.

Stine and Erica with their pouty faces on.

We were suppose to go to KTV and karaoke but we never made it there.  We were having way too much fun.  At 12:00 we walked down to Jacky's for a change of scenery.  Some of the girls husbands were there.  We chatted for a few minutes but then Ileana, Stine, Jessica, and I decided we were ready to go home.  We walked together to Warner and said our goodbyes.  FUN, FUN, FUN night!

Slow Week--64 Weeks

I really do not have anything much to report about this week.  Sharla, Ileana, Stine, and I went shopping for a couple hours on Tuesday to look for things to complete our 80's outfits.  I found a belt, earrings, and finger nail polish that will look awful...I mean great.  I can't believe we wore this stuff.

Tuesday night Carrasco's, Us, and Will and Sharla went to the 3rd Avenue Veggie Market for dinner.  Carrasco's had never been there so they were a little nervous.  We walked over and when we got to the "restaurant" Ileana said "This is it?" in a almost scared voice.  We found some seats and sat down.  Sharla and Todd immediately started ordering food.  I'm not even sure they asked Carrasco's what they wanted.  Ileana went over to the chicken kabob lady and asked for 4 skewers and man did those take a long time to get.  The food came and Cameron and I both thought it was better than the last time we went.  Carrasco's were happy too.  We will have to go back again.  For 10 people to eat with 7 big beers it was 218 RMB ($34).  That is amazing.

The gang minus Todd.

Alejandro and Cameron enjoying dinner.

The whole gang...
Sharla, Alejandro, Cameron, Alfredo, Marcela, Fredy,
Ileana, Me, Will, and Todd.

Wednesday marked our 64th week in China.  Still LOVING our adventure but beginning to feel the end.  I have thought about starting to count down to our departure but decided that would be too sad. 

The rest of the week has been pretty laid back.  Ileana sent me a photo from last Saturday night that made me laugh and I knew it needed to be blog worthy.  What isn't really?  Once I saw it I remembered being the Dancing Queen for a brief moment.  Hilarious night.  Good times!!

Watch out J-Lo.

Lazy Sunday

Up at 8:00 because I have an annoying husband who decided to have a light show in our bedroom with all the light and switches.  Todd and Cameron started ribs on the grill again.  Cameron decided he wanted to make a fort in the wii room.  We got out sheets and blankets and I helped him.  It turned out pretty cool.

The Wii room transformed.

I got a surprise text today.  It made my whole day and brought tears to my eyes.  It said the following:

Hello you ok I miss you
Master Hu

Awww, a text from Mr. Hu.  I think it was suppose to say Mister instead of Master.  I sent a text back saying we missed him too, asked how he was doing, and thanked him for the text.  I received a second text from him:

I'm also very good how I wish I could be with you!

Awww, this made me even more sad.  We would REALLY like to have him back.  He was the best.  I sent him a text back saying we wish that too.  Maybe he is trying to tell me something but I am not getting my hopes up.  It was great hearing from him though. 


At 9:00 Cameron went down to get Alfredo.  They came back up to play wii and some other stuff.  At noon Alfredo had to go home.  He had a birthday party to go to.  Todd and Cameron went to the veggie market and the grocery store.  I cleaned up the kitchen and did some laundry while they were gone.  When they came back we watched The Expendables. 

Great lazy day.

Shopping/Anniversary Party

Up and off to breakfast in the lounge.  Back to the room to wait until 9:00 for Mr. Xue to pick us up.  Loaded up the van and went shopping at Jenny Lou's, April Gourmet, Schindlers meat market, Yashow, Cold Stone ice cream, DVD store, a jewelry store trying to find Chinese charms for my bracelet (no luck), and Annie's to get a pizza for the ride home.  On the road and headed to TEDA.  We stopped at the cold food warehouse in Tanggu then went home.

Ice cream was good.

These people were cleaning this couch.  Poured a ton of water on it.
It will probably dry in about a month.

Back in TEDA Cameron played with all the kids and then we went to the pool.  We were suppose to meet Hindman's there but by the time Fredy got home from work (he said he'd be home at 3:30 but it was 4:00) they were already walking home as we were going.  Bummer.

Getting ready to walk to the pool.

The kids swam.  June and her 4 kids were there and The Spooners showed up with their 3.  It was a full house.  The water was freezing.  After an hour and a half we walked back home.  Todd stayed so the water man could deliver water and he also grilled hamburgers and sausages.  They were both delicious.  We got the ground beef at Schindlers but added an egg and bread crumbs so they would stick together better.

At 7:00 we sent Cameron to Carrasco's to hang out with the kids and the ayi while we went to Jacky's for his 4th anniversary of the restaurant/bar being opened.  It was packed.  He had a buffet but none of us ate it.  It looked pretty good though.  Jacky brought shots around to all of us.  Of course it was Tequila.  The Mexicans and the Tequila are going to be the death of me.  I just told Fredy not to let us do shots.  However, once they all started chanting my name and everyone in the bar was looking at me I had to drink it.  One never hurt anybody right?  I forgot to take more pictures once all the others showed up.

Nadia, Fredy, Ileana, Me, Cecilia, Manuel, and Scott.
 

Manuel, Scott, Todd, and Fredy enjoying a drink.

At 10:30 Carrasco's, Scott, and Todd were trying to get me to leave.  Sharla talked me into staying for a little longer.  Scott came back inside to get me but he ended up staying too.  Todd called from the parking lot and I told him to go ahead and leave.  Talked with John, Troy, Charlie, Brad, Scott, Sharla, and Olivia for about an hour then Scott and I walked across the street to home.  It was only 11:30 so not too bad.

I walked in the door to find Todd and Cameron both on the couch with Slingbox on.  They were going to attempt to watch Illinoi play at midnight and Iowa play at 3:00 a.m.  I wished them both luck, kissed them goodnight, showered, and went to bed.

I'm guessing they didn't see much of the games.