Family – Page 10 – Just An East Coast Girl

Two Dinners on Tuesday

Today David & I each had our own separate functions to attend. After work he was invited to a large 25 person banquet dinner. These work dinners are very common when colleagues from other countries visit, when milestones are reached at the plant, or when someone is leaving. The Chinese people know how to put on quite a spread.

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The networking team from Canada, USA, Brazil and China 15337671_10154787710586514_4490759054001797139_n

Knowing that it would be a long day and late night for him, I got in touch with a Chinese friend that helped me teach at a couple schools while I was here, as well as tudor a bit privately. I spent the day at his office, then going back to my familiar and “happy place” Wulihe Park and my old apartment.

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My dinner tonight was with Chinese friends that I taught a bit of English to their children.

It was wonderful to reunite, BUT Chinese dinners are very long. We started at 4pm and didn’t finish until 8:30pm. It’s a very social event, and a lot of catching up and stories and cheers…thankfully I had a translator for some.

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I enjoyed some of my favourites Peking Duck, and silk worms 😛 The guys had some fun food as well…chicken feet and heads and silk worms ( shown in the pics above)…I am used to this food but I wonder how the newbies made out in their first dinner of this kind?

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We both had a lot of fun at our events and I even managed to get home before David. His dinner went even longer than mine. We were both tired and right off to bed. There’s more adventures tomorrow!

Good Monday Morning Shenyang!

Good Morning Shenyang! I hope today there are blue skies and warmer temperatures BUT …not likely.

Today is the first day of business meetings for David. So he was up early and ready to go! I was up early, actually earlier than him, and ready to figure out what to do today.

I have been in touch with a few different Chinese friends here and want to try and see them. I also want to go to a couple of parks and shops and of course my favourite Wulihe park but I may have to wait until we have a clear, less smog day. It’s just nice being here so I am trying to relax and savour the quiet moments. So that is exactly what I did today. Nothing much. Just enjoyed being here. I went out for a little, ate lunch at a huge food court, interesting dishes and flavours. It looks like a lot of food for one but it is so cheap that you have to try it, besides I didn’t eat it all. And then I enjoyed a wonderful long nap.

The guys got back at 5:30 and were pooped from their day. Ron, David & I went to Pizza Hut for supper and then the guys had a presentation to prepare so I took a hot bath, I’m writing this post, and then it’s off to bed.

Being Tour Guides

Sunday was another day exploring familiar places in Shenyang. This time David & I were tour guides to USA colleagues as well as Ron, David’s boss from Bridgewater.

We thought early Sunday morning was a good time to show them Wuai Market. “Five Love” market is HUGE!!! Anything and everything you could imagine. Since there was 5 of us travelling it was fun to hail a cab for the three newcomers to Shenyang and tell the driver where to take them and then hail another for David & I and then tell the driver where we were going and as well to “follow that cab”. A lot of fun in a busy city.

I think the guys were amazed at what was to be found on the street and beside the heavy winter curtains at Wuai Market. Floors upon floors, booth after booth of clothes, shoes, purses, watches, clocks,wigs, bedding, other household goods, calendar, paper, decorations….and on and on…

It was fun to watch David assist them with buying a couple things. And…I got a 2017 Calendar for year of the Rooster.

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Next stop Gu gong. Shenyang’s Imperial Palace. I love this tourist area. It’s also the place that David & I did our 2013 Christmas Card dressed in Emperor’s Clothes. We didn’t go inside the Palace, there’s a lot to see outside and time just doesn’t permit to do a thorough tour.

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Here is a pic from when we lived here in 2012…

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And today… she hasn’t changed a bit sweet lady.

About this time it was lunch time and we thought it would be nice to have jiaozi. Dumplings are a staple food but we didn’t want to go to the large famous “expensive” spot. So we asked at a restaurant area if they had jiaozi explaining we wanted a “small hole in the wall” restaurant, we didn’t say “hole in the wall” but he knew what we meant. The Chinese people in general are so very helpful and go out of there way for foreigners. He left his restaurant for a few minutes, took us out on the street, led us down another little side street to a very small place, told the servers what we wanted and then helped order. Small places like this sometimes only have 1 kind of jiaozi. But that is ok. We had pork and celery. I am very surprised at how much of my simple Chinese comes back and what I can communicate when I need to.

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15317775_10154781756851514_8120958454926905999_n After lunch, we went back to the hotel where I stayed for a bit of a nap and the guys got turned around and went out for more exploring…David wanted to show them the Electronics street.

Sunday night we had dinner with our much loved China Family. Our driver, his wife, daughter and the family’s dear friend. This family is so very special to us and helped us more than you can ever imagine living in China. We enjoyed a feast of delicious food, and special memories, laughs and hugs. It’s hard to imagine that two cultures, so different, could be so close. We love them and were so happy to catch up!

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Our driver even had a special gift for me. A little China Bling.

I loved catching up with my China daughter Wan Jia Xiu and hearing about her boyfriend and teaching English in a private school in Shenyang.

It was a pretty AWESOME day. ( I think Ron can see why we enjoyed our expat time living and working here)

Christmas Came Early!!!

eek! So excited I won’t be able to sleep tonight.

Giving Tuesday

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s Giving Tuesday! Today kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. December can get pretty busy and hectic and sometimes…unfortunately…we may not be as nice as we should be. Sometimes it takes just a gentle reminder. Be KIND, Be GiVING, THINK of others!

I saw this Advent calendar. I used to do advent calendars when the kids were little. I suppose I still do with my lifesaver tree.

I loved this idea for an Advent Calendar…a Kindness Calendar and thought I would give it a try for the month of December! A great way to be thinking about giving this Christmas season.

Anniversary Sunday November 27, 2016

I remember back 30 years ago in November… we were dedicating our new church building. 30 years ago in July David & I married in the tiny facility that was once a liquor store, carpet store…our church where we met… and now someone’s home.

The summer we got married was crazy with the church being built. We didn’t want to wait until November for the new facility, so we married in the tiny building.

Later that Fall, in November 1986, the beautiful facility complete with red carpet was ready! This was a huge undertaking for a very new congregation that was only about 5 years old. This is where we served, this is where we raised our family. The church has grown over the last 30 years, people have come and gone. There have been many many changes.

This November, actually today, is the Annual Anniversary Sunday. This year 30 years later there is more great news and more reason to feel so blessed. Over the last 6 months the church as gone through a building expansion. Knocking back walls, adding here and there to make room for the growing congregation and young families ( lots and lots of new babies). So this November after having church at an off site location for the past 6 months , we are back in the newly expanded building. There is still lots to do, final touches and things to finish up BUT…we are VERY thankful and feel so blessed!

I didn’t get a picture of the outside finished today it was snowy so I will update one soon…

New signs with the Church’s Mission Statement

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The building project coordinator giving an overview

David sang a quartet special music

It was so nice to have the founding Pastor there today beside the current Pastor.

Happy Anniversary BOBC!

Peace & Love Around The World! 🕊

It’s November 25th…ONE MONTH TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

which also means it’s time for the Annual Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay. This Festival is one of my absolute favourites! It really puts me in the mood and excitement for ALL THINGS Christmas.

It’s the little rituals and traditions in the small communities along the South Shore that I love and appreciate so much. This year’s theme is Peace & Love Around the World. 🕊 I like the dove ornament from 1991. It really captures the theme for this year.

In previous years when we go to the festival, David & I would grab a hot drink and wander around beautiful Mahone Bay and look at the many Father Christmas displays placed there by local business and committee members. However, today, David’s back is TOTALLY messed up! Yes, he periodically has problems and yesterday he came home from work walking with an S curve! There go my big plans for this weekend. He’ll be on the floor and on his back much of the weekend trying to get it straight.

Off to Mahone Bay I go, just to get some pictures because the displays are truly beautiful and today it’s not so crazy busy with people.

I missed strolling along hand in hand with my husband, but I was happy to get the pics and we’ll have other years to continue our tradition. He just needs to get that back FIXED, like NOW!!!!!!

I picked up my 2016 Pewter Christmas Ornament, like I always do at the Father Christmas Festival. This year it is a Cardinal. ” There is no better time to catch sight of a cardinal than in the winter, when his brilliant red plumage contrasts with the brightness of a freshly fallen snow. The more vibrant his crimson colouring, the more likely he will find a lifelong mate who can join him in singing rich, cheerful duets to bring sunshine even on the coldest and darkest of winter days. We all have unique qualities to celebrate. Stand out and stand proud. Make the world a brighter place.”

It is these simple pleasures that make me feel truly blessed for the peace and love we have in our country!

And Just for FUN…

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A quick stop tonight to get them with lights. It’s just so pretty!!

Thanksgiving Greetings!

Celebrating with our American family & friends!

And in honour of your holiday…

we dressed for the occasion

we ate turkey complete with dressing and green beans! Well , it was chicken ( only two of us home tonight, so I didn’t roast a turkey) But then chicken is kinda like turkey…close enough, right?

And we relaxed in front of the TV watching a few SPECIALS…

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

and the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade screen-shot-2016-11-24-at-3-58-12-pm

and even a little football…

YES! I am a Cowboys fan!!! They are having an AWESOME year. 10 wins in a row!!!

and finished it off with the Disney Magical Holiday Celebration.

It was so much fun! There are so many great specials on TV on Thanksgiving Day. It’s really the kick off to the season! And the BEST part is, I feel like it’s a holiday for us too since my sweet husband doesn’t work tomorrow and it’s the beginning of a super fun weekend for us!! Yay!!!!!

Seriously though, we are so blessed in North America. There are so many reasons to pause and BE THANKFUL!!

Happy Thanksgiving USA!

In between the showers

It’s been a rainy weekend and I really had hoped to check off “finish decorating for Christmas” from my “TO DO” list.

So in between the showers ( we were in and out numerous times) today my sweet hubby & I got it done!

It’s been so nice having him home a few extra days this weekend and the great news is that he also took a vacation day for next Friday. That means just a 3 day (crazy busy) work week!

So sweet

Family is THE BEST!

I don’t get to see my extended family that much. I suppose it is partly my fault. I could just jump in the car and go visit. BUT, I love family gatherings. Opportunities to “get together” Today was one such occasion. My Dad’s older brother turns 80! WOW, now that’s a reason to celebrate.

His wife called this week and said she was planning a little gathering for him and we said we would be there!

He’s just so sweet!

I enjoy the stories the brothers and sisters share of when they were kids growing up and out to work at a very young age. They were so poor and life was pretty tough back then. It’s nice to see them laughing and enjoying their time together. It was a good afternoon!

Happy Birthday Uncle Beverly!