Jack's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated Jack's birthday this week. It's amazing to think that he has lived in 3 different countries by the time he turned 3. He had a blast with all his new toys from mimi and poppy. He is now being potty trained (which is a wonderful present for mom and dad!).
Anyway, a traditional hanbok is what Korean kids wear. It finally fits him after 3 years.
We also had a wonderful party at the school at a Sunday lunch time. And many of the teachers and friends joined us in celebrating. Everyone loves Jack, and he is warming up to them.

Teaching blooper...

So today I came to school and walked into class. Everyone was normal, no big deal. Then I looked up and was shocked. I saw on one kid's desk a bottle with what looked like beer in it! I'm thinking, "what's he doing bringing beer into class?" The bottle was shaped like a beer bottle and the insides looked like beer (even the foam!). So I said, "____, no beer in the class." (Take into account that I don't know the legal drinking age in China. Many countries it is a lot lower than America. These kids are between 18 and 22 years old. And just yesterday he told me he liked to play pool and drink beer.) He looked at me puzzled and then the class just laughed.
I had to investigate. So I went over to his desk and opened the bottle to smell it. It wasn't beer. Just a carbonated, funny, "beer-look-a-like" drink, in a bottle shaped like a beer bottle! OOPS! Another mistake to add to the list.
So next time your in a foreign land and see a kid sitting at his desk in school with a bottle in hand...remember to ask what it is first!

LIFE IN CHINA #3

Tumen holds a wonderful pizza place called "Happy Nara". Here you can experience pizza in a whole new way. You can try their amazing combo pizza with corn! Oh, and there is no sauce really...really. Or you could try their volcano pizza. (I thought it was sauce that would explode all over you as you bite into it, sending you into a "tomato sauce heaven" frenzy.) That was too good to be true! It simply means there is yellow cheese in the crust. (I still don't get the "volcano" meaning). Anyway, all the pizzas come with extra grease which is an added bonus to your combo or cheese pizza.
Anyway, when there is no pizza hut around the corner, you find that Happy Nara Pizza is a weekly delight for the whole family. Even the "corn combo"!
So next time you order a pizza, remember the "corn combo" special in China! It comes in extra large with yellow kernels! You could pick them off and make popcorn if you would like. It makes a great dinner/movie date!

LIFE IN CHINA #2....

So about two or three times a day we hear "Jingle Bells", "We wish you a merry Christmas", and "Santa Clause is coming to town" over a loud speaker! It's like the ice cream truck coming down the road. The kids get excited, run to the window waiting for....the water man!
Yes, he comes on a 3 wheeled bicycle playing his tunes and carrying portable jugs. (We call him "Santa") I guess the water is the drinkable kind people can purchase for home.
So next time you hear the ice cream truck circling your neighborhood, remember this... there are a few kids in China excitedly racing to the window to see the water man! And Christmas comes everyday here! Feliz Navidad!
Later

LIFE IN CHINA...

So I decided to get a haircut. The school has a cosmetology department where you can get a haircut, but I decided not to go there. I didn't want to feel obligated to go back if I didn't like it. So Hannah and I headed out to see what we could find (and experience). I told Michele that if I come back bald she'll know why.
Anyway, getting a haircut in China is quite an experience. They wash your hair (as you sit in the chair). Then they cut it...very fast...kind of like Edward Scissorhands. Then they wash it again!! And here's the kicker...all for 10 yuan ($1.50)! No tip is required in China for things, yet I tried. She wouldn't take it, just smiled and waved good-bye.
Hannah and I decided to give her an English name. I think "Barb" the barber works!
Until my hair grows back.... later.

A NEW DAY

Well, school has started and I thought I would give you a picture of my class. Only 10 students, but it gives me some more personal time with them. They are very interested in learning (some more than others) and are doing quite well. Many want to become translators or go on in business.

Life in China is full of surprises. Like when you take your kids down by the river and you are bombarded by older people want to know why you have 2 Asian faced kids! People stare as they go about their business, but down by the river people are just walking and passing time. People have heard about foreigners adopting Chinese kids, but now they can actually see a family. I know HE is using this to break down walls. Many doors have already been opened to befriend people around town.
In an Asian world where people grade you by your social class and sucesses, we are becoming a physical illustration that there is something more. LOVE goes beyond cultural differences and social statuses (stati? Yes, I'm the English teacher).

We have also finally found french fries, butter, cheese, and fruit loops. (Sorry no pics...they look the same as in America.) Most of it is located in Yanji (like "Can-Gee") about 45 minutes away. But at least it is available. It was like a dream come true! Our taste buds did the happy dance, and all of a sudden everyone was just a bit nicer that day:) Until next time...

First day of school

Well, the first day of school came today. At 8:00 I walked to the school (5 minutes away) and got to my class. 3 hours of teaching English to 11 students. It was quite interesting to say the least. The kids were very outgoing. Each of them have English names (Deborah, Anna, Kaitlyn, Conner, etc.). One boy didn't have one so I gave him the name "Bob" (wonder why?)
I shared my story and life and they were all amazed at our multi-national family. I shared some music (great way to learn English). I thought the "beatles" would be a hit but no kid had a clue who they were (this is not your father's generation). Most loved Korean pop music (we'll find that out on Friday).
My father-in-law called me on skype during the middle of class. So at break time the kids got to practice their English on someone half way across the world. They were all amazed.
All in all it was a success and I think they enjoyed it. One kid shared with me some of his music which was what I liked as well. After class we talked a bit about the real "important things" of life. I could tell he was glad I knew where he was coming from.

On another note...I've learned a great Chinese proverb today. It goes like this, "Tall man with kid on shoulders need to duck low in China while walking under doorways" (sorry Jack!)