One more week

Well we only have one more week before our visit to Vancouver. It will be a busy week for Zoe who is going to start a dance class after school and maybe an art class. They are hour long classes the school has just started for the kids. There are a lot more kids in her class this semester but she still only seems really to talk about Tiger. She adjusted well and was going into class without any fuss by the end of the week.

Also someone hacked into our site. This apparently happens a lot and put links to a drug site of some sort. So don't click any links. We have not put any in and don't want anyone getting any virus or anything on their computer. Steve is working on fixing it.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple weeks. Hopefully everyone has an easy time with the time change. We are taking a different flight this time and will be leaving Beijing at noon and flying to San Fransisco then from there to Seattle. So it will be a longer travel day and Zoe will be less likely to sleep the whole way so it should be interesting. We will have her dvd player and lots of snacks and activities for her so that should help. We will leave on Friday and get in sometime on Friday afternoon I think. We will be traveling with a couple of our friends on the way back and are just taking the direct flight from Vancouver so it won't be as long and Zoe should sleep part of the way near the end.

Finally another post

I know I don't post very often on here so to the one or two people who read this sorry.

Today Zoe went back to school. The class was full of kids she didn't know. There were about 10 instead of the 4 or 5 she is used to and of the 10 at least 4 were crying. She did not want to stay there. Her friend Tiger was not there yet and none of the kids were the ones from last year. Tiger was coming so she should be fine once he gets there.

Zoe calls her friend Tiger her boyfriend. Last week when Steve was late coming home she was crying saying she wanted daddy and Tiger. One day I will take the camera to school to get a pic of them together. Tiger is also fond of Zoe as is his mom. Zoe really likes his mom too and often gets very excited to see her. She has even tried to go home with them a couple times. I would of let her if there was a carseat for her. LOL

Tomorrow Steve and I will of been married 8 years (we have now been together for 19). He will be leaving early tomorrow morning for an offsite though so we will not be spending it together. This is an annual thing and he had the same one last year on our anniversary. He is coming back Thursday instead of Sunday though so that will be nice. By then I should be really tired of hearing Zoe ask where's Daddy and saying I want Daddy.

We will be coming to Redmond on the 15th then up to Vancouver on the 21st and staying until the 6th of October. Steve will be going to a conference on the 29th and back on October 4th. We hope to get lots of fun and visiting in on the trip.

I think that everyone except maybe Rebecca who was just here will notice a bit of a change in Zoe she is thinning out a bit and speaking more clearly. Or maybe I am just getting better at understanding her. She is also much more active and coordinated. I am thinking about getting her first haircut when we are in Redmond. Steve and I have been disagreeing on when to cut her hair. So far I have won but it is getting a little crazy now so a trim may help it and make it less fine.

Well that is it for now. No promises when then next ramble will be but maybe now that Zoe is in school and I have a laptop I will get to this more frequently.

The Great Wall

Well Rebecca and I went last week on Thursday to see the wall. We were supposed to go to a section called Badaling which was the first open to the public and the most visited section. However it is on the road that will be used for the outdoor cycling next year during the Olympics. So the traffic was insane and our tour operator suggested our group visit the section before it. I don't know what it is called off the top of my head. This section is in good shape and usually less crowded. I think the traffic is greatly increasing the visitors detouring there from Badaling. It was a very hot day upper 80's to low 90's and there were a lot of many steep steps. About 400 in Rebecca's counting estimation. She made it all the way to the first watch tower I made most of the way but was getting over heated and decided to quit before I pushed too hard and couldn't get back down. The steps are very steep and uneven. Some are a foot high and some only about an inch high so it is very random. There were a couple spots with platforms on the way up that were flat and we did find small patches of shade. The metal hand rail was almost too hot to touch.

There was also a long line of padlocks with red ribbons on them along the lower part. I was told by our guide that people make a wish lock these on and take the key with them. Then if their wish comes true they are supposed to come back. Maybe next time I will get a lock.

We also went to a Jade factory and the Ming Tombs that day. The Ming Tombs were kind of a let down. The Tomb is still sealed underground and they tell you the general area it is in. While there you see a couple arches and a few artifacts along with a statue but that is really about it. So not much excitement and we only stopped for about 20 minutes there. The wall doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but it is big and what you expect. Actually it is pretty amazing looking up close.

Next time I will post a bit about the Dongyue Temple where we visited the different departments of hell and rubbed a lucky donkey statue.

Long time no post.....

Ok so it has been awhile since I posted anything. Zoe has been improving vastly on her language skills and often comes out with some of the cutest things when you least expect it. It also means you really have to watch what she hears on tv, music wise, and from us. She is also improving her other skills such as stair climbing which she often insists she can do alone.

Right now we have our niece Rebecca here for a visit and Zoe has been in heaven. She loves playing with Rebecca and is always asking where she is if she can't see her. It is great having someone for Zoe to play with when you want to have a shower or do something else too. Steve and I may even go out one night and leave her with her cousin.

I have been doing some touring with Rebecca and yesterday all of us went on a tourist attraction spree. Zoe did very well and was not mobbed too badly. When Rebecca and I were at the wall she had some ask to have their picture taken with her so it even effects older kids. I will write another blog about some of our sightseeing adventures or this will get too long.

The temperature here has been in the mid to upper 30's high 80's - 90's which is really hot. I have done suprisingly well in the heat when I have been out in it. Zoe seems to have inherited her fathers tolerance for the hot weather and does well. She won't always wear her hat but seems to really enjoy it when her and I sunblock up together before going out. I don't want to find out if she is like her dad in that she doesn't really burn. I am going to just assume she is like me and needs to bath in sunblock before going out. Since Rebecca has arrived the smog has not been too bad which means you can see the blue sky. It also means the temperature goes up. The smog does make it a few degrees cooler.

Well there are a few stories I have to share and I will post them over the next week or so. It will give you a reason to check back and something to look forward to. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and that we will ge to visit in the fall.

Goodbye clean air

Well our time in Vancouver is over tomorow we head back to Beijing. I have enjoyed breathing the clean air even the rain and the cooler weather. We manged to get in lots of visiting. Sorry for those we missed maybe we will be able to get you in September when we are back.

The trip started off bumpy as I was ill and Zoe was not adjusting to the time change so it was a rough first three days. We did eventually get in lots of shopping and visiting though. I managed to drink a large volume of Chai Tea at Starbucks. When I get back to Beijing I will go back to ice tea at Starbucks.

Our problem tomorrow will be fitting everything into our suitcases to go home. We may have to zip across the road and get a duffel bag or something. I will be taking my new MacBook on the plane with me. Steve bought it for me when he was in the US and I love it already. Maybe I will even type up another blog entry for everyone on the 11 hour flight tomorrow.

Oh and the Macbeth Bed & Breakfast is open and taking reservations. OK there will be no breakfast but you may be able to scrounge something in our kitchen or we can point you to the bagel place. So if you always thought you would like to visit China you now have a place to stay. You will even have daily cleaning and laundry service Monday - Friday. (our Ayi/housekeeper not me)

Tai Re Le (it is too hot)

Well it is a balmy 90 degrees here today and tomorrow it could get up to 104. That is from about 34 -40 degrees for those in Canada. Which is way to hot for my liking. Just the walk to get Zoe to and from school is horrible in this tempurature. I think my hair may be permanently stuck in a ponytail or shaved off because of the heat. I have been thinking about going to the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven while Zoe is in school but it is too hot to be outside. There is a taoist temple I wanted to check out too without her. I guess I can do it in the fall when there will be nicer tempuratures for September and October then it will get really cold unitl March. I am also thinking of going to the Wall on my own because if I wait for Steve I may never see it.

Zoe is out of school on July 5th so I will have to try and find some indoor or cool activites to do with her so we aren't stuck in the house all day. That is it for now nothing really exciting going on. There are just over 20 days until Zoe and I are back in Vancouver for our visit.

A Gloomy Day in Beijing

Well while it is not cold it is gloomy. The pollution is very bad so it looks like a gloomy about to rain day outside. But when you get out it is a muggy thick air day. I really would like the wind to come back and blow this smog away even if it means dust being blown around everywhere.

Zoe and I will be back for a visit alone in July from the 16-26. We will try to fit as many visits in as we can but also want it to be a vacation so we won't be running around non stop. We will be staying at our usual hotel the Hilton by Metrotown.

I am looking forward to some clean air even if it is rainy. Zoe and I are hoping to make a trip to the Aquarium and do a few other fun things while in town. Of course there will be lots of shopping with the mall right across the street from the hotel. LOL Maybe I should bring empty suitcases and buy all my stuff there LOL. I am sure Steve would love that.

Zoe finishes school on July 5th then will be going to a summer camp there starting July 30. We won it at the Children's day thing the school had so thought what the heck. She will start back in the fall on September 3. This Friday there will be school pictures if they turn out well I will try to bring a few back for everyone. Of course I will likely scan them in with my new scanner. I have lots of picutres up on facebook right now that I scanned in.

Steve is in the US right now and at this very moment he is in tthe casino playing poker. So far he is up overall but I am not sure if it will stay that way. I hope he is having fun. Zoe and I are sure missing him while he is away. Zoe is very sweet she will say "miss daddy" and "come home soon" over and over.

Today her friend from school Tiger is going to come over after school. She often wants to keep playing with him or asks if Tiger is coming when we get home. Hopefully they will enjoy playing or watching one of her movies together and looking at her fish. Then we are going to Mrs. Shannens for dinner. I promised her she could get an ice cream cone there this week. She had her first ice cream cone last week and it was a big hit. She really enjoyed it once I showed that you could eat the cone.

If you have a specific date and/or time you would like to visit us when we are in town please email me so I can pencil you in. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and see you next month.

Way to go Zoe

Sunday out of the blue Zoe counted all the way to 9. She won't repeat this now that we want her too but it was great to hear. She also spends a lot of time singing. She likes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mr. Golden Sun, and Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes. She will often say a line from each song and make up her own. She has started to add the Itsy Bitsy Spider into the mix now too.

Yesterday Zoe was home from school sick. She had a fever but is fine today. She actually napped yesterday for the first time in a long time so she was up at 7am and ready to go. She has been sleeping in until 8:30 or 9. This meant she was at school by 8:30 when it starts. We usally go around 9 as it doesn't really matter if you are there right on time and the kids trickle in at various times.

Oh and an update on what our plans will be when we are done with our time in China. We have been talking about what we are going to do. Where we want to go live and that kind of stuff. It is now almost 99% settled that we will be going back to the US after our time here. When the exact date will be we don't know. The 2 years is up next year but it is unlikely that we will be leaving right on the 2 year anniversary. There will be many things at work for Steve that will factor in when he will leave his current position and we will move back. I think it is fair to say we will be back by Christmas 2008.

Also we are not going to be able to come back this summer as we had hoped we are now planning on coming back in September and early October. We should be there for 3 to 4 weeks with Steve working part of the time so we will be in the US for 1 or 2 of those weeks. I really wanted to come back this summer but we used up some of our holiday time in the New Year and want to be sure we have some at Christmas when we may go to Hong Kong. My reunion is in September that is why we are coming back then not in July. Hope everyone has a great summer see you all in the fall.

Childrens Day activites

On Thursday evening we went to the MS event Steve's group had. It was at night which seemed an odd time to have something for kids. Turns out that was because it was at the aquarium and only people from Steve's group (there are a lot) were admitted. Zoe had a good time and was given lots fo chips and snacks by the people sitting around us. She also got a wand that has led lights in it and blinks. There was some singing and speakers then there was a seal and dolphin show. Zoe really loved the seals and the dolphins. Although she lost interest int he dolphins half way through. Watching the show it reminded me of the Vancouver Aquarium when I was a kid and they used to have shows.

The seal show was short they caught some rings, jumped out of the water, and clapped. There were some other things too they were quiet funny. The dolphins did jumping, spinning, talking, pulled a little girl from the audiance in an inflatable raft around the pool, and several tricks with one of the trainers in the water with them. It was neat to see but I am sure there are some who think it is not something that should go on. Anyway on to the other stuff.

There was also a lot of food. We ate fast as Zoe was getting tired it was 8 or so by then past her bedtime of 7 or 7:30. She wouldn't pose for pictures with any of Steve's co-workers who wanted to get a pic with her. She enjoyed looking at the fish though and because most people where still eating while we walked around there were no other people. She also coloured on an olympic logo they had out on the floor for all the kids to write on. She would of coloured the whole thing if we had let her. She was getting tired so we left. We did buy her a purse that looks like Nemo before leaving at the gift shop though.

The other Children's day event we went to was Saturday and was at our clubhouse. It was put on by Zoe's school. They had a lucky draw and we won the biggest prize of a free summer camp session. Zoe enjoyed the face painitng, storytime, arts and crafts, and bouncy castle. Her friend from school Tiger was there and gave her a pencil he also gave her a kiss and hug later in the day. It was a lot of fun and they had food that was pretty good too.

Children's day was on June 1st I believe. There are many activities and sales on in department stores to celebrate it. I think Zoe had a good time at the events she attended. Zoe is still loving school and looks forward to going. I don't look forward to walking to the clubhouse to get her though because the weather is soooo hot and humid. I try most days to get her to sit in her stroller so we don't have a long slow walk home. Also because about a quarter of the way home she will decide that she wants you to carry her and she is heavy. She is also usually very hot and sweaty so it is a very unpleasant trip home if you have to carry her all the way.

Well that is most the stuff we have been up to. Oh I did go and play Mahjong it is interesting there are a lot of things to remember and a lot of strategy involved. I even purchased my own set of tiles this weekend so now I can play whenever I want. I am not sure if you can play with two people or not because then Steve and I could play.

Happy Birthday Steve

Well today is Steven's 38th birthday. He has spent most of the day playing a video game on his xbox 360 (viva pinata). We did try a new place for lunch today together. As per his request we are doing nothing for his birthday. He didn't get any presents either. The day of uninterupted video games and sleeping in are his presents. He took today off work. I made him a card and Zoe is making him one at school today.

I think Steve looks much the same as he did when I met him when he was 19. He may have a bit more grey hair (which he blames on me) and be a few pounds more but who doesn't weigh more than they did at 19. He still the witty, charming, intelligent, and handsome guy I fell in love with all those years ago.

If you are reading this and thinking it is too early remember we are ahead in time. Steve did say he is not officailly older until tomorrow because he was born in the Pacific time zone. LOL Maybe it just means you can try to get extra special treatment for 2 days instead of one.

Anyway Happy Birthday Steve hope you enjoyed your quiet day of video games and time with me and Zoe. We sure do love you a lot.