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When we arrived in Shanghai, China it was a big move for myself and my family. It helped alot to be able to write down our experiences and e-mail them to our friends and family. They all gave us a lot of much needed support during that time. After a few months of "adjustment", it became commonplace for me to write updates. Here is an arichive of e-mails sent before creating this website and updates after the website was created.
Family Photo Album:
E-mail to our Friends and Family 4/19/07
Hello Everyone,
It’s been a while, I know. We’re finally getting into a somewhat normal routine here and all is pretty good.
Let’s see, the Yangtze River Cruise was simply amazing. Fun was had by all. Sophie was a little young but luckily there was a 5 year old boy on the boat as well that, although a little obnoxious, kept each other entertained during the boring history parts. At night she closed the bar and had a ball dancing by herself. Sean loved seeing all the coffins on the mountains, the monkeys and the dam. He sat through all the lectures and make dumplings as well. It was fascinating the see all the old Chinese history and how people live. These people will have to be relocated to complete the dam and a lot of what we saw will be underwater at this time next year. The scenery was beautiful.
So, I went to this place called Suzhou with a 3 other whom I didn’t know very well that I met through Price’s Mom. Price is the boy that has befriended Sean in our building. Suzhou is a city about 1.5 hours outside Shanghai. We went to check out the silk museum and hopefully shop. After riding in the car and drinking Jasmine Tea we all had to use the restroom when we arrived. This was my first experience in a “Squat” toilet since we were here to adopt Sophie 4 years ago. Note for anyone that plans to move to China: make sure you are with people you know the first time you try the “Squat” move. I was very worried about walking around with wet pants the whole day because there is a true art in doing this correctly. Luckily I passed the test and was able to enjoy the rest of the day. Unfortunately we couldn’t shop because we were lost so much we ran out of time but the museum was very interesting.
Sean has become somewhat of a superstar here. We often walk up to the shopping district near are home and 9 times out of 10 his head gets rubbed and he’s told how beautiful he is. Last time they wanted to take his picture and put it on the big TV that hangs on the building overlooking our apartment. He wanted no part of that and is frankly getting really upset by all the “beautiful” remarks (because only girls are “beautiful”). There are two parts of Shanghai, the ex-pat area and downtown. We live downtown and tend to hang out in the areas populated by the locals. I took Sean and Price to this park on their day off. We ended up in the huge field where they played tag and watched all the people flying kits etc. I told them I was going to peak around a corner to look for a Starbucks and I’d be right back. When I returned they were standing on this platform with their arms around each other posing for about 25 Chinese people while they had their pictures taken. It was hysterical. I finally went up to Sean and said “are you happy about this?” and he said “NO! Get me out of here please!” Price loved it of course. Price has blonde hair too so they were definitely in the minority.
Sean is doing a great job speaking Mandarin. He’s having conversations all the time with Ayi and his tones are perfect. Although I’ve been taking Mandarin lessons for 2 months now and I know the words I cannot get the tones down like he can and I have a hard time understanding very simple words when spoken to. It’s very frustrating to have a 41 year old brain! Sophie still has no desire to learn her birth language. I really hope this changes in the fall. Scott has been very busy at work and has had to put Mandarin lessons on hold for awhile. But at least he’s home on the weekends.
We put Sean in a soccer league (all ex-pats) that he seems to enjoy. I don’t think he’s really good at it but at least he’s getting some exercise. Exercise for the kids is a little more challenging living in a high rise. Although they have bikes, scooters, rollerblades etc. there are not roads or sidewalks I can let them just ride. Anyway, because of this soccer team, I’ve met a lady that is going to show me around and teach me how to shop in Shanghai. I am not doing well bargaining with these people because the price is marked up at sometimes triple what we should be paying. So, I need someone to teach me the going rate for items so I can bargain correctly. That’s when the fun begins!
Next Saturday we’re headed to Singapore and Indonesia for a week. Scott, Sean and Sophie all have the week off from work and school.
In the meantime we’re just really excited to get home for the summer and see friends and family. I can’t wait to go to Bob Evans and Zapata’s (Mexican restaurant). Sean wants Tony’s Pizza and Sophie frozen Eggo Waffles (they’re about $8.00 here for one box). I can’t wait to drive my Van, listen to my own music and adjust the temperature of the van when I want to. We’ve booked our flights and will arrive home on June 15th and head back to Shanghai August 10th.
I have to mention the Virginia Tech shooting. It is all over the papers here. I asked Mr. Lin about it today and he showed me the huge article in the Chinese paper. We were talking and he said “too many guns in America” I agreed with him 100%. He was very sad for all the students and the teacher.
On that note, I’m calling it a day. I hope everyone is doing good.
Love, Jennifer
PS: I’ve included a few pictures – Scott had a suit tailor made and he’s seeing if it fits (not enough room in China for dressing rooms) Yangtze Cruise – Sophie and obnoxious friend, gorge, big boat, family shot at an excursion. Sean and Price at park Mr. Lin and Sophie kite flying.