Daily Picture Project - Day 29

Today Natalie was practicing for "JUMP for Toys". Concordia is hosting a fitness and a fund raiser to support Raising Hope International. Raising Hope International provides play equipment and education supplies to orphaned children worldwide. This events funds will be used to purchase play equipment for 12 indoor playrooms at ShanRao Orphanage in Jianxi Province. The students are part of a team in which they will take turns jumping rope for 50 minutes. If you want to sponsor a small amount of money, let me know! Be careful with your sponsoring from the US, it has to come out my wallet!

"Down in the valley where the green grass grows,  

There sat Natalie pretty as a rose. 

Up came Justin and kissed her on the cheek,

How many kisses did she get this week?"

Tom's 2004 Journal - Part 3

The last part of Tom's 2004 Journal!
-------------------------------------------------

Sunday – October 31, 2004

Last week I mentioned one of the reasons I wrote this journal because it helped me cope with the situation.  For that reason I have started another journal.  I had to start it after the third straight week of defeat for the Purdue Football team.  Enough said.  If you want to know more than you can subscribe to my Athletic Journal that I sub-titled “I Root for Losers”.  It is only $9.95 per month.  Be prepared to pay for many months.  Football still has November then we start with Basketball.  Purdue basketball is also in for a long season.  Of course that overlaps the NFL playoffs.  I am sure my Indianapolis Colts will find a way to choke on the hype.  Since we are talking about choking – how about my Cubbies!  I loved growing up in Northern Indiana during the 70’s and 80’s but unfortunately I was exposed to programs that lack winning; the Boilermakers, the Cubs, the Bears, the Colts.  I am going to have the Chinese symbol for “loser” tattooed on my forehead.

I also mentioned last week that I had returned home for one week.  Although it was only 7 days I started to feel like it was an eternity.  Why?  Well for three days I thought China had experienced a cultural change while I was gone.  But fortunately, on Thursday, reality set in.  I finally observed a scene that I witness at least once per day while I ride in a taxi - back and forth to work.  What is it you ask?  Well on Thursday I finally saw a man urinating on the side of the sidewalk.  I see it every day – man – woman – child – it doesn’t matter.  They’re out there relieving themselves.  If you see one person urinating then you’re also going to see people stretching.  It is odd that you see people stretching on the sidewalk.  It sort of a yoga routine with a little bit of kung fu intertwined.  It is mainly older folks and they are probably just doing a routine that they learned in the China Communist culture.  Discipline is a large part of the China culture.  Let me share some more observations.  Attached to my hotel is a very popular Chinese Restaurant.  Everyday at shift change there is unique occurrence.  The restaurant employee’s line up in front of the restaurant and they perform marching drills.  They march up and down the sidewalk.  They march in cadence while their team leader marks the beat by blowing a whistle.  The employees perform a high-step march with their heels clicking and their arms-a-swinging.  The hotel bellboys and maintenance staff do the same routine.  It is odd by American standards but very routine over here.

Well, its time for the BIG NEWS of the week.  Sunday has been pretty nice here.  It is rare that I ever see sunshine.  Today wasn’t sunny but it was still was worth the while to spend it outdoors.  That reminds me.  The time is changing in Ohio this weekend.  China overlaps 5 time zones but the country only uses one time.  In other words, the time on the East coast is the same as the West coast.  The time does not change either.  It is completely dark at 5:30 p.m. but the sun is shining through my bedroom window before 6:00 a.m. every morning.  Sorry, but I digressed from the BIG NEWS.  Since it was a nice day, I decided to take a bike ride.  Went down to the garage and my bike has been stolen!  It is gone!  I am in the process of contacting the US Embassy, the UN Consulate, the President of China - Hu Jintao, and the ancestors of the former chairman of the People's Republic - Mao Zedong .  When I return to the US in November I am going to be contacting the Delphi Strategy Board and have them put pressure on the Chinese Government to return my bike.  I will insist that Delphi threaten to pull its operations from China until my bike is returned.  I have 20 days to interrogate all citizens of Shanghai looking for the culprit.  Let’s see…. 17 million people in 20 days.  That is 850,000 people per day...850,000 per day…OK, maybe my $35 isn’t worth the interrogations but I am still going to pursue the Delphi threats.

Since I didn’t have the bike to ride I decided to walk to my favorite restaurant for a burger.  It was really nice.  The bar balcony overlooked the soccer field and the cricket field.  I spent 3 hours watching two sports that I have never watched live before.  It was very interesting.  I didn’t plan on staying 3 hours but I had a communication issue.  When I arrived it was still brunch.  I didn’t really plan on breakfast but I went ahead and ordered a breakfast burrito.  I also ordered a small breakfast roll as a side item.  About 20 minutes later the waitress came back with the menu and said that they were out of the item and I should pick something else.  I chose the almond pancakes.  I haven’t had pancakes in a while.  About 20 minutes later the waitress delivered my breakfast burritos AND almond pancakes.  Everything but the small breakfast roll.  I guess that was what she was trying to tell me they were out of.  She probably thought I was the typical American who loved to overeat.  Not to ruin the myth of the fat Americans, I ate both breakfasts – but it took 2 hours…does that count for anything?

Well I guess I missed Halloween.  It is hard to keep track of holidays over here.  Friday night when I was walking home from the bus stop I went past the Green Villas.  These are the high priced homes that the expatriates stay.  These homes rent for about 5-10 thousand per month.  Typically the companies that the employees work for pay for the rent thus the reason a lot of companies can’t afford expatriates.  Anyway, as I walked past their reception hall I heard a program going on.  Adults were speaking on the PA system and little kids were gleefully cheering.  I wondered what was happening.  It didn’t dawn on me until the next day that it was a Halloween party and the party was the start of the beggar’s night.  I wonder if they are going to have an Election Day party?  One of the benefits about being in China is that I am not exposed to the political campaigning that is occurring. 

Well, this concludes this week’s journal.  I have some work to finish up and I started a new book.  Next week I will provide pointers in preparation for the next person that will replace me on this assignment.  They still haven’t found a replacement yet for the Purchasing manager.  It is not for the lack of trying.  They have interviewed 9 people and yet to find a new one.  Someone will definitely be coming over here as a replacement.  It might be you…yes, you!  Don’t be thinking it’s not you.  Everyone is a candidate.

Last minute addition.

On Monday on the way to work, I was riding in a newer taxi.  It had “captivated advertising”.  In other words, they displayed video commercials in the back of the front-seat headrests.  I haven’t been in many taxis in the US but I am sure that technology is also there.  But what stuck me as odd was one of the commercials was advertising a website.  This website focused on teaching English to the Chinese.  Within the ad were sayings that were used as examples.  The instructor would state the phrase in Chinese and then state it in English.  The passenger/viewer of the commercial was to repeat and learn along while riding in the taxi.  Pretty ingenious but the phrases was what I found amusing.  The three phrases used doing the lesson were:

1.     “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. 

2.     “Talk to the hand” 

3.     “You have been steam rolled”

From this lesson, the Chinese has now formed an impression of the American Culture.  Do they think that these are three critical phrases to learn if visiting the US or talking to an English speaking person?

That reminds me of another humorous story that occurred last week.  I was talking to one of my employees, Xie.  This is the person I referenced earlier that did not have an American name and I nicknamed him “Shoe”.  I have later learned that his named is pronounced “Shae”.  He did have an American name, Shane, but he dropped it as many Chinese had a hard time pronouncing it.  One would think that if you could say “Shae” then one could also say “Shane” but I guess not.  Anyway, he was having a problem with my name.  He asked me if I preferred “Tom” or “Thomas”.  I sign everything Thomas at work so I am sure that is why he was confused.  I told him I preferred “Tom”.  I informed him that Tom was a shortened name of Thomas.  I also stated that I would answer to anything.  He immediately said, “What about Redneck”?  That shocked me and I started to laugh out loud uncontrollably.  When I regained my composure, I explained to him that was probably a name that should not be used to address someone from the US (Europeans OK but not US citizens).  I went on to explain, although most of my friends are rednecks, that it is used more in jest and humor than anything.  His understanding of Redneck was it was a person who lived outside of a city, like a farmer.  Well he does make a good point!

Until next week.

Have a good day

Without Wax

Tom

 

 

Sunday – November 8, 2004

Twelve more days

Until next week, which will be my last.

Have a good day

Without Wax

Tom

Sunday – November 15, 2004

Last week I noted that this would be my last journal entry and I think I will keep my word.  I plan to write one more entry to my journal on my flight home but I won’t share the entry.  It will be a personal summation of my experience of my 3 months in Shanghai.

I am so excited about the thought of returning home and seeing everyone.  I already have a full agenda the first week back.  I am taking the week off to spend with Shelly and Natalie.  One day I will have meetings with my colleagues at the NCR Country Club to discuss the activities that I missed regarding our club hosting the 2005 US Senior Open (Be sure to order your tickets).  Another day I will be traveling to Ft. Wayne for a small gathering of Purdue fans where the keynote speaker is Joe Tiller (Purdue’s Football Coach) and hopefully he can bring the Old Oaken Bucket so I can have my picture taken with it and the Coach.  I will be spending two more days in Indiana for Thanksgiving.  I think I referenced in my first journal entry that I really looked forward to this year’s Thanksgiving - and I still do.

On the other hand, it saddens me to leave the assignment in China.  Again, I have enjoyed the experience here in Shanghai.  The people of China, the city of Shanghai, and the Delphi employees of the Asia Pacific region have created great memories that I am sure I will cherish for the rest of my life.

In terms of work, there is still a lot to accomplish.  When I look at the work yet to be done, I begin to think I haven’t done anything.  I have to take a step back and look at our team’s progress in the last 3 months in order to see the positive progress we have made.  I truly believe I have made a positive impact but I will be the first to admit that another 3-6 months of leadership, mentoring, and coaching is still needed.  I will have to determine how I can continue what I started but I must do it from North America.  Another 3-month assignment is not an option for me but maybe a longer-term assignment may work in 2 or 3 years when I could possibly take my family.

My journal this week will be a fun one - I hope.  I have generated a list of signs that indicate that it is time for me to come home.  I will not try to explain some of my comments but you may ask me when you see me next.

But before my list, I have a couple of loose ends to tie-up.  First, I read in the paper today an interesting article.  Top-notch housekeepers (able to speak English, cook western meals, and be educated beyond secondary school) now have the earning power that matches the earning potential of white-collar workers in Shanghai.  These housekeepers (and white collar workers) can now earn upwards of $363 per month.

Secondly, my bike was probably not stolen.  I think it was confiscated.  One of the things I was going to write about previously, but failed, was the “crack-down” on bike riders.  I had noticed at intersections that the police would write tickets to bike riders as they waited for the lights to change.  I was astonished that the police would ignore the automobile traffic violations but “stalked” the bike riders.  It so intrigued me that I asked at work why the policemen would be writing tickets to innocent looking bike riders.  They informed me that it was probably un-registered bikes.  I guess that bikes need to be registered.  It cost $1 per year to register your bike and you get a little license plate to hang on your bike.  I realized for the first time that I had been riding around town illegally but I was sure that they would not stop a Westerner.  I didn’t think that they would want to upset their American guests and I doubt if they wanted the communication hassle.  What I didn’t realize was that they also patrol for bikes that are not registered when the bikes are stored.  Oh well, I wasn’t bringing it home anyway but the co-worker I was going to give it to no longer has it coming his way.

Speaking of co-workers, my admin, Jessica, finally passed her driving test.  She had failed twice previously.  I finally told her that she needed to pass so that she could drive me to the airport as her last official act.  When she passed, she was excited to inform me that she could now drive me to the airport.  Only one small issue, neither one of us has access to a car.  She told me on Friday that it is her dream to visit America.  I keep forgetting that it will always be hard for some people in China to come to the US due to their income.  A plane fare would cost several months salary.  I hope that someday she can realize that dream.

Finally, the last item before my list.  I better explain the “Without wax” comment.  I am actually going to send out two versions of my journal.  Everyone but my wife will get this one.  Hers will not have this paragraph explaining the “without wax” comment.  She still thinks that she can figure it out.  I’ll just let her “cocky little self” figure it our on her own.  Here goes…When Spanish sculptures would make a mistake while creating a sculpture they would cover their mistake by filling in the mistake with wax.  If a sculpture were created without error it would be advertised as “without wax” or true or pure.  According to those who believe the wax theory, sincere must mean "without wax" because in Spanish sin means "without" and in Latin cera means, "wax."  So in other words, I was ending my journal entries with “Sincerely, Tom”.  Probably anti-climatic, but it is amazing what one learns when one takes time to understand the origins of certain words.  It has been so hard to explain words to my Chinese co-workers.  Words that we use everyday but don't really know their origins.  Redneck, Uptown Girl, Rave Review, 7-Up, ad-hoc, sincerely, etc.

Well, thanks for listening to me for 12 weeks.  I hoped you learned something about the Chinese culture and I hope I didn’t bore you with personal ramblings.  By the way, I was never “suicidal”.  I was depressed for a while.  One of the things that I learned about myself is that I need to have control of my destiny or actions.  I hold myself personally accountable for my actions and my work scope.  When I feel that I cannot control an activity I get very stressed.  Probably not what my bosses want to hear but maybe it will help them understand me better.  It was hard being 5,000 miles away from activities that involved me but I could not contribute or address - I have to work on that!

Drum Roll please……….

Why I know it is time for me to go home and stay for a while…

1.   I was starting to enjoy ice cubes in my beer because it was actually making it more cool and refreshing

2.   I was actually enjoying beer!

3.   When taking a taxi, I would give driving directions to the driver at every intersection whether he needed them or not

4.   I was able to pick up any type of food using just my chopsticks... even peanuts and rice.

5.   Ping Pong was becoming my favorite sport

6.   I no longer wait in line, but I would go immediately to the front of the line.

7.   I would stop at the top or bottom of an escalator to plan my day.

8.   It was becoming exciting to see if I could get on the elevator before anyone could get off the elevator.

9.   I was no longer wondering how someone who earns US$ 363.00 per month could drive a Mercedes.

10. I started to agree that it really does save time to stand and retrieve your hand luggage while the plane is on final approach.

11. I could shake my hands almost perfectly dry before wiping them on my trousers.

12. Chicken feet with rice was beginning to sound just fine.

13. I actually believed everything I read in the local newspaper.

14. I started to develop an uncontrollable urge to follow people carrying small flags.

15. When listening to the pilot prove he could not speak English, I no longer wondered if he could understand the air traffic controller.

16. I was regarding it as part of the dining experience when the waiter correctly repeats your order and the cook would make something completely different.

17. I bought more knick-knacks than my grandmother ever did.

18. I was not surprised when three men with a ladder would show up to change a light bulb.

19. I would blow my nose or spit in public without even thinking of others

20. I started to look over people's shoulder to see what they were reading

21. I started to leave tables without picking up or pushing in my chair

22. I started to think it was no longer odd that taxi drivers would honk their horn at people because they were in his way as he was driving down the sidewalk

23. I had no guilt about looking for five minutes to find 10 RMB despite 15 people waiting in line behind me

24. I started to grow my pinky fingernail an inch long

25. I started to ride around on my bicycle ringing my bell for unknown reasons

26. I got my first case of bronchitis and I have never smoked a cigarette in my life.

27. The idea of seeing how this place will look at Expo 2010 actually started to appeal to me.

28. I realized that car accidents had become a source of humor.

29. I was starting to forget that the other person needed to finish speaking before I could start

30. I was burping in any situation and didn’t care.

31. I started to think that Pizza Hut was a high-class restaurant and was worth waiting 30 minutes just to get a table

32. When having conversations with my family I started leaving unnecessary words out of sentences and ended up talking like an idiot

33. I have learned how to detect someone is in a hurry behind me, and now have the ability to not only walk very slowly but also grow eyes in the back of my head, so when they start to overtake on the right hand side, I would automatically cut in and walk very slowly directly in front of them

34. I would watch taxi drivers pick their noses while stuck in traffic. Instead of feeling disgusted, I actually admired their technique

35. I saw people outside wearing shower caps in the rain, and instead of thinking what a freak; I actually understood the practicality behind it.

36. My eating manners in restaurants are now totally shot. Elbows on tables and spitting food out onto my plate are now the norm. 

37. I learned how to jump the line because the man left 2 inches between himself and the person in front of them.

38. I finally decided to eat at McDonalds to put some solids into my body.

39. I was watching an American movie on HBO, with sub-titles, and was trying to learn Chinese that way.

40. I was beginning to like to watch BBC News World on TV.

41. I ate a kebab on the street and called it "Cat on a stick" and it didn’t bother me.

42. I was beginning to think that a $3 shirt was a rip-off.

43. A co-worker tapped me on the shoulder to talk to me, and I said "Bu Yan" (no thank you!) out of habit.

44. I was thinking about offering to sell my own watch to a $2 Rolex street vendor, to fend him off.

45. The vendor on the street selling bootleg DVD’s would recognize me walking his way and have a selection of kid videos waiting for my review

46. When my co-workers would speak in Chinese but throw an English word into the mix, I would think that I was starting to learn the language until I realized that it was just an English word and not my mind doing the translating

47. I started to think that it was odd that Americans eat yogurt with a spoon and not a straw

48. I stopped thinking that I saw Hugh Hefner at the store just because I saw a man shopping in his pajamas and slippers on weekends.

49. I have developed calluses on my two chopstick fingers

50. Hearing the few Chinese words that sound very offensive in the US so often that I had stopped jerking my head in the direction of the speaker

51. The anticipation of getting home and using the instant messaging function of my cell phone is too much for me to handle

52. Realizing that the Purdue football season will be over by the time I get home (Going to West Point to school doesn’t sound so bad now)

53. When talking about the Purdue Football game versus Ohio State, I had actually referred to the sport as “cabbage football” so I would not confuse them with European football

54. I realized that I was probably the only American to have gained weight while living in China

55. I had to resort to reading the same book twice since there were no other entertainment options

56. I realized that there were no other Adam Sandler movies left to view on HBO

See you REAL soon

Without Wax

Tom

Daily Picture Project - Day 28

Had to spend morning catching up on homework that we did not get finished last night. Always extra whining after missing a day of school. Tears and pouting. Not my favorite moments. Wishing Tom was here for Homework Duty!

"Why do I have to do it this way? I hate Column Addition!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 27

Back to school today. Pink eye under control. Though she did wake me at 5:45 with her sneezing. That kind of weather in Shanghai right now. Everyone is sneezing!

"This F# is hard to hit!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 26

Natalie woke up with pink eye today. I swear it happens way too often! Can't get her into the doctor until 9:30 and I am hosting book club at 10:30. Oh well!

"Brown eye, hazel eye, blue eye, PINK eye!"

Favorite Infographic Ever

Thanks to designer Ben Gibson and book editor Patrick Mulligan for creating such a fabulous infographic.  I am printing this in 11x7 and placing on the fridge.

Tom's 2004 Journal - Part 2

Here is part 2 of Tom's 2004 Journal. Part 1 is here.

Daily Picture Project - Day 25

It is finally one of those REALLY gorgeous days in Shanghai! And the picture does not show the blue sky, you'll have to trust us that it was/is!

"Wow, the sky is actually BLUE this morning!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 24

Blame it on the rainy day. Or going to school on Thursday after having the day off. Or being 8.

"Mom, I am practicing to be a mime."

Tom's 2004 Journal - Part 1

In 2004, Tom was travelling a lot to China. During the fall, he was here for 3 months, with only one trip home. It was hard, as Natalie was only 2 at the time. Now that we have lived over here, it is amazing to read what it was like even just those few short years ago! Of course, some things have not changed! Generally, things are better. The most surprising thing though was that Tom actually wrote this. Very eloquent for a Benton Central boy. It is rather long, but I recommend taking a few minutes and reading through. We thought it would be fun to publish this old journal for our friends to read through. This is Part 1 of 3. Enjoy!

Daily Picture Project - Day 23

"These are few of our favorite Chinese things..."

Daily Picture Project - Day 22

Tom leaves for the US today. He won't be back for two weeks. So, we thought we better incorporate that into our theme. It is also Soccer Day, so they have special shirts to wear.

"See ya later alligator!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 21

Took an early one today as I am flying out to Hong Kong this morning. So, got a picture of the sleepy head before she had to get up and turn off her alarm! Oh, tomorrow's daily might be late as Tom committed to taking the picture for Natalie, but opted not to figure out how to get it loaded!

"Mom, do I HAVE to go to school?"

Daily Picture Project - Day 20

Well, it happened. First day without an idea or theme. So, Natalie ran with that and made that the idea! Clever girl!

"Hmmm.... Ran out of ideas for a daily picture at day 20. Need to think..."

Daily Picture Project - Day 19

Natalie has been forgetting to return classroom books back to the classroom for a while. Instead, she is lugging them back and forth to school and her bag weighs a ton. This morning the new mandate was to return the 5 she had and NOT bring more than one home in her bag or she would be grounded for a year (sarcastic). Well, we kept finding more books until we had found 9! What a goof ball! No wonder her bag has been so heavy. We used this as the picture today so that I could EMPHASIZE the importance of returning the books!

"Soon, I will have ALL the Baby-Sitter Club books at my disposal. Then, I will RULE the world!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 18

Finally lost the tooth! She was staying at Crew's, but the Tooth Fairy found her anyway. I think she looks a bit lopsided. But the other side is loose too, so maybe she will balance out.

"My Rabbit look for Halloween is just about complete!"

Going Local

Our good friends, Deb and Tim Spofford, invited us for an evening down at the Dongchang Riverfront Garden on the Huanpu river. For those of you not familiar with this pretty little spot, it is right next to the Yangjiadu Ferry near the Fuxing tunnel (Pudong side). Their invitation suggested we bring some chairs, some snacks, and some adult drinks. They promised that the location would provide us plenty of entertainment, though we brought along our LCR just in case! I apologize for the picture quality. I was using the Sony camera and was trying the ISO setting. Clearly I should have practiced a bit more as all my pictures were fuzzy!

The Bund is behind the Bum

Well, they were right! It is a wonderful location. I am pretty sure that Zhong Biao (our driver) thought we might be crazy when we had him stop at the Ferry pier and we unloaded chairs and a cooler. But then he probably thinks what we do is crazy most of the time. The location has some pretty nice views of WeiTan or The Bund. We arrived a little late, so we personally missed some of the early walkers/entertainers. My understanding is that we missed a woman singing in a leopard nightie. Apparently some song about Mao. She serenaded Tim and Deb. Sorry we missed that. We did see lots of walkers. Quite a few men in the requisite white t shirt, boxers, and black socks. This must be advertised as a great workout outfit somewhere!

Portrait with Bund Skyline

This woman has her "portrait" taken along the skyline abut 30 times. She was one of the few people not exercising. Well, besides us. Unless you count drinking a sport (I think only in Germany or Wisconsin is it a sport). 


There were several people doing boardwalk pushups which consisted of grabbing the boardwalk railing, extending their body away from the rail, and then doing push ups. Seemed a good use of what others might think is simply a railing!

In the background, you can see a guy doing boardwalk pushups!

Rebecca was jet lagged, not asleep!

Of course a lot of folks felt the need to stop and ogle the laowai (Foreigners). One guy stopped on his scooter and stared intensely at Rebecca for while. I am pretty sure that he thought a few foreigners had kidnapped her. Let me explain. Rebecca is Taiwanese and appears to be local. But let tell you, she is NOT! ha ha! But she was extremely jet lagged which I believe made her appear drugged and maybe the guy had seen this happen to pretty girls before. Anyway, after ensuring nothing strange was going on, he left.


So, it was a awesome night. Spending time with friends alone was probably great, but adding the ambiance, finding a new hangout, and getting local, all made for an awesome evening.

Cutie!

Daily Picture Project - Day 17

Natalie has loose tooth that really should have already come out! She can pull it out and almost twist it around! YUCK! She has been grossing us out for 24 hours. Hope it is in her pocket when she gets home. (We need you Papaw!)

"Wonder if I can touch this tooth to the tip of my nose..."

Daily Picture Project - Day 16

"Which one of these doesn't belong here?"

Breaking News: Middle school murder in Pudong, Shanghai - Shanghaiist

How fast China is becoming just like any other US city...

Breaking News: Middle school murder in Pudong, Shanghai - Shanghaiist

Daily Picture Project - Day 15

"My head feels like it's being squeezed by GIANT chopsticks!"

Muslim Market and Street Scenes

We took a photo trip to the Muslim Market last Friday. It was one of those rare BLUE sky days in Shanghai. Unfortunately, I did not get a lot of great pics. But here are a few of my favorites.

These guys were laughing at us taking pictures. 

Little big man

Lamb. Yummy.

Only good picture of this little's face. What a pistol!

She was soooo cute!

I really loved his smile. What you don't see is the other little boy with the machine gun (toy)!

Took this near HuaiHai Lu. Family that repairs together, stays together!

Need a haircut?

Daily Picture Project - Day 14

Natalie was up at 4:00 a.m. this morning with a fever and nausea. Never threw up, but felt she felt she might at any moment! So, first sick day of the year. Figures it happens on a day when I needed to leave the house at 9. Oh well...

"I'm not gonna puke. I promise."

Daily Picture Project - Day 13

"It's only Rock and Roll but I like it..."

Daily Picture Project - Day 12

Found a chipmunk in my kitchen this morning. Yikes!

"I'm a true hoarder. I'm storing the rest of this PB&J until winter!"

Daily Picture Project - Day 11

Today's picture should be titled "Glum". Natalie has misplaced her glasses somewhere in this house. Nowhere to be found this morning. Since yesterday was a "play" day, we didn't bother putting them on. Today she is eating breakfast trying to figure out where they are...

"Where oh where did my purple glasses go?"

Daily Picture Project - Day 10?

Well, school was cancelled today due to a typhoon. And the rule for the daily picture is any day of school. But since this was an unplanned day off, thought we would include a picture anyway. That way, when we are looking across the whole year, we'll say "oh yeah, that was the day Kompasu hit". Though it does not appear that this category 3 storm is actually going to hit us! So this is the morning view of the storm. It is about as close to Shanghai as it is going to get!

"Missed me, missed me, now you have to kiss me!"