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Sophie Rock Climbing

Jennifer's Corner

Happy Holidays from Shanghai!

Hello Everyone,

I hope this letter finds you all in happy spirits! I've been out of the radar for awhile as ever since Grandpa passed away I haven't had anyone bugging me to write you all. I do miss him.

Ok, so once again we had an amazing summer in North Carolina seeing friends that haven't forgotten about us and ever-so-patient family that only gets to see us once a year. We arrived back in Shanghai just in time for school and the plethora of activities that come with it. My friends and I talk all the time about how in the world we would manage back home without an Ayi and driver helping us. I literally don't know how all you busy Moms do it! I think that is the number one reason a lot of people choose to stay out here. We've learned to use our driver a lot more this year and he is now picking up the kids at school when needed and running errands (light grocery shopping) for me. I caved and gave Sean my old cell phone so he calls Mr. Lin whenever he needs him. Mr. Lin takes very good care of both kids.

Shanghai is literally changing into a different city right before our eyes. We returned from summer vacation to major construction and dust while Shanghai "beautifies" for the World Expo (formerly the World's Fair) in May 2010. Streets are being torn up, buildings demolished and construction happens 24 hours a day. They are re-laying pretty brick on the sidewalks, cleaning up the trash, tearing down old buildings and building more skyscrapers. Our Ayi who was born in the house she lives in had to move so the government could tear it down. She didn't seem too upset but then again you never know as Chinese people don't like to show their feelings. I think the Chinese like to see the changes and are proud of their new city, but in my mind it is losing its charm, character and history that made Shanghai so appealing when we moved here. They've even painted lane dividers on the streets with turning lanes that no one pays any attention to. This is hilarious, because they can definately change the city into anything they want but they can't change the people and their culture. They are even talking about banning pajama-clad citizebs on the street. This is a tragedy as it's very comforting to know that if I want, and believe me we've talked about it, I can walk to the store in my pajamas in the morning and pick up a pastry and tea. Anyway the Expo is changing the city into a city of the future and whether it can stay like that after the Expo will be determined later.

Speaking of changes, they are also building an apartment complex behind ours that is going to block our view. I wish they would have consulted with us first but they did not so we are moving in a couple weeks to a new apartment. It's very close to this one with not as nice of view but bigger and more kid friendly. We're closer to the action and can walk to more places. The Shanghai World Financial Center (tallest building in China, looks like a bottle opener) will be right next to us. If anything happens to that building and it falls we are in trouble but it will happen fast!

Sean is into anything and everything. If there is a club or sport available, he wants to sign up for it. He's killing me hence the cell phone. Sophie is still in gymnastics but only by force. She has to do some activity and that's the only thing she will tolerate. But, she's having a great year so far in school and loving life here.

Lowe's has asked Scott to stay on longer than our original contract so we are here until June 2012 (Scott until Oct. 2012). This was a hard decision to make for us but I could not pass up free schooling and traveling around Asia. We still have a few places we want to go and this gives us plenty of time to do that. It was a family decision. Daily life is definitely not on my number one list of fun things in Shanghai but free schooling trumped it. Also, June of 2012 will be the end for us. We will not be extending our time any longer than that.

We've had some company this fall. First of all Scott's cousin Laurie came and we had a great time with her. Luckily she loves to shop so we got along just fine. All of us really liked having her. Then in October our friends from North Carolina came to stay with us. We had a blast with them. Our kids have grown up together and are each other's best friends. Sean and Sophie were in 7th Heaven! They really liked showing them how we live. The kids were so good, we had no problems fitting everyone in our apartment. I thank the Howlin's for coming, I know it's not an easy trip!

We just returned home from a wonderful trip to Yangshuo, China (in the south). We went with 4 other families for Thanksgiving. Mountain climbing was the group favorite with hiking and rafting down the river a close second. There were 21 of us including 11 children all Sean and Sophie's ages. It was not really a family vacation as we didn't see Sophie or Sean the whole time we were there. I've attached some pics if you'd like to see them.

Currently, I'm planning our 12 day trip to Laos and Vietnam for Christmas. I'm looking forward to seeing this part of Asia as I've heard it's beautiful with lots of interesting things to see and do. We're going to be cruising down rivers, kayaking through caves, spending the night on a sleeper trains and junk boats and taking care of elephants. We'll end the trip at the beach for a little R&R before heading back to Shanghai.

I do miss the holiday traditions from the USA - cutting down Christmas trees, Christmas Eve parties, Thanksgiving turkey and dressing. I think next year for Christmas we need to go someplace with snow and where Santa Claus speaks English!

From our family to yours - we want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!

Jennifer

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