On the Weekend – Page 6 – Just An East Coast Girl

Bundle Up…Baby it’s CoLd outside!!!

Yesterday it snowed again. Everything is so beautiful!

Brr!!!!!! Today we are in the deep freeze!

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This morning is freezing and windy so the windchill makes it -29 (-20F)

It’s so cold to get out and off to work this morning. Thinking of my sweetie and our kids who are off to work super early before it has chance to warm up a bit ( not that it will today)

Yesterday I finished my baking and went to bed extra early. Today I need to make some lists! Menu and food list for grocery shopping and Gift list to be able to finish my Christmas shopping ( hopefully tonight) And maybe I will do a little bit of wrapping.

I’m getting things crossed off one by one. It’s busy BUT I LOVE it! I LOVE this time of year!!

Tonight David & I went to the city to pick up a few things. It was FrEeZiNg!!!!!! But that didn’t stop me from insisting we stop at Historic Properties on the Halifax Waterfront. It is just so beautiful, so romantic at Christmas. We took a few pics…until both our phones froze and shut off. NOW THAT’S COLD!!!

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Time Flies!

Time Flies! It is a saying my Chinese friends like to use. Our time sure has gone quickly. Today is the last full day in Shenyang. Sadly, tomorrow morning we are flying home!

BUT…today is Sunday. What to do?

Well…we ended up shopping. LOTS and LOTS of shopping!

We stopped at the bank for some money, very important because China is a CASH society more so than a card society. Especially when you’re a foreigner. They don’t want foreign plastic.

WE jumped in a cab and went off to Wuai market. On the way we stopped at the Catholic Church to show Ron the amazing architecture. Shenyang’s large, Gothic style city cathedral stands out quite clearly from the surrounding buildings. Generally the cathedral serves as a backdrop for photos, but on Sundays the area is teeming with people and dancing in the square. The church offers at least four Masses in Chinese each Sunday beginning at 7am.

Then on to Wuai. I didn’t get a lot of pics here. I was busy picking out a couple “Chinese fashions” ( no, not the hats)It’s so hard not to buy these cute outfits and for this reason among others is why I only brought carry on luggage and not a suitcase. We looked at clothes, handbags, watches, Chinese decor items…and bought a few things.

Then off to San Hao Street. This is the electronics street. The guys had a couple small items on their list and I wanted to get the screen on my iPhone replaced. I thought my screen was cracked in a few places but thankfully it turns out it was just the protective screen. I got one of the really good protective screens put on last year when I was here. I didn’t realize they would crack like this . So for 15rmb ($2.85) I got a new cover.

Street food was the way I dealt with my bit of hunger today. A street wrap and sweet potato. The guys opted for McDonalds.

David wanted to show Ron the tool market. Every guys dream under one roof. Whatever you can imagine. We asked the price of a HUGE vice at one stall. 800rmb. That’s $150. Only a $150. You would pay that for a small one at home.

We finished up the shopping back near the hotel in the underground fashion mall at Taiyuan Jie. This place is the absolute coolest for shopping with 2 levels all underground going for miles under the city. And again the coolest unimaginable thing happened. I was walking along and heard “Anna”. I turned around and there was my friend Wanda’s driver, Long. Oh Long! I can’t believe it’s you! I am so happy to see you. I spent many days with Wanda and her driver Long shopping. We would always check with Long before purchasing items, whether or not it was a good deal. Long has terrific fashion sense.

It has been a very full, very busy wonderful week. David was here for networking meetings and so we didn’t get a lot of time together but we both knew that going in to it. Tonight we had dinner together just the two of us. We took the subway to Mix C. I was there earlier in the week by myself and had been wanting to get back at night. WE had a wonderful dinner with jiaozi of course and then took a few pictures outside in the beautiful lights of the city. Ahh…Shenyang! You have my heart. I will miss you. ❤

Then it was back to the hotel and try to stuff my weekly purchases in the carryon that was already full when I came. BUT I did it!

Now…sleep! Goodnight Shenyang

What are the chances?

Shenyang is a city of 8 million. 8 million people!!!! That is always so hard for me to fathom in my “small town on the east coast of Canada” mind.

But I LOVE it! I love the busy-ness, and adventure of this city. As we were landing a week ago, I said to my husband it feels like we are coming home. He shakes his head and thinks I am crazy. But somehow, in this HUGE city I can function, I know how to live here. I will truly miss it when we leave tomorrow.

So, in a city of 8 million, what are the chances that you will accidentally bump in to one of your sweetest and dearest little Chinese friends. My friend Xaioxu is the same age 24 as my youngest son. When I lived here I got to know her and her family. Her parents speak very little English. Xaioxu and I would get together so she could practice her English. We enjoyed dinners together and I even spent a Saturday afternoon playing badminton with her parents. Great and wonderful memories.

Xaioxu and I stay in touch with an app called WeChat. We message and send pics back and forth. That is actually how I stay in touch with all my Chinese friends. Xaioxu knew I was coming to China, she didn’t know I was actually coming to Shenyang. I don’t always tell my Chinese friends a lot before I travel here because it is just so hard to see everyone.

So…here’s what happened. I was in the mall close to the hotel going to find a restaurant for dinner with David and the networking team. I was ready to go up an escalator and I heard “Anna”, “Anna is that you?” I turned around in utter surprise because ” who is calling my name here?” and there with extreme excitement was my sweet little xaioxu. WoW!!!!! I was so excited and she was too!

She wasn’t even in the part of town where she lives and imagine meeting her? Lots of hugs and smiles and a very quick catch up, with a few pics, she told me to have a wonderful few days in Shenyang and that we would chat soon.

What are the chances? I feel so BLESSED!

Choo choo…it’s off to Dandong

…and the Great Wall.

One thing that is a MUST when you come to China is to see the GREAT WALL! David & I have been to many sections of this amazing wall. You know it’s not all one connecting wall right? And no it can’t be seen from space.

We wanted to provide opportunity for David’s boss Ron to see this. Since a stopover in Beijing where most of the famous wall sections are located wasn’t going to work, we decided that on our final weekend here we would take a VERY FAST train ride to nearby Dandong city. It is a 3.5 hour car ride which ends up being longer or a quick 1 hour train ride! We chose the train so he could experience traveling on a high speed train too!

Dandong is the largest Chinese border city, Facing North Korea across the Yalu River which demarcates the Sino-North Korean border. Dandong has had a dynamic history because of its strategic location for the northeast’s rich natural resources and because of its convenient access to the ocean. It is designated as a major export production centre for the province, and is a port city connected by rail with Shenyang and Sinuiju. A significant amount of trade with North Korea flows through the city.

First stop in Dandong, the GREAT wall at Hushan. Hushan Great Wall lies near the Yalu River in Dandong City of Liaoning Province, and faces North Korea across the river. It crawls on the Hushan Mountain which literally means “Tiger Mountain”, so named because the two towering peaks resemble two tiger ears pricking up into the sky when seen from afar. The Hushan Great Wall was built to strengthen the frontier defense in 1469 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and is the eastern most point of the huge military defensive system.

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After the wall we headed back to Dandong city. The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, a railway bridge connecting Dandong with Sinuiju is the big attraction to see along the waterfront. The differences between the Chinese and North Korean sides are immense: Dandong is brightly lit, glitzy and filled with people. Construction equipment and modern cars are everywhere, hospitals and train stations are at the expected Chinese levels. Sinuiju, on the other hand, goes completely dark at night, looks run-down and if you ever do see construction activity it’s going to be manual labor with even basic tools seemingly in short supply. Border guard activities are similarly different: While on the North Korean side a lone soldier with an AK47 can be seen shivering in the cold in regular intervals, the Chinese side instead uses FLIR-like camera systems on large poles to keep an overview of activities along the river.

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15327478_10154807440051514_5054806811604493240_n And just one more thing…

When in Dandong, many foreigners want to try what the locals call the “sweet meat”. Well, it’s not sweet, and this will be my third experience, But for Ron…we once again had DOG. It is a dish that is served in the Chinese Korean Restaurants.

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Yes… stewed dog.

Ron has had many experiences and tasted many kinds of food this week!

Next…An afternoon coffee to warm up ( and erase the taste of lunch lol) and then to the train station to head back to Shenyang.

It’s been quite a FULL day!!! But I love the adventure .

Tonight we arrived back in Shenyang and just stayed in and relaxed for dinner. David ordered room service.

Goodnight!

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)

Just words for now…

Ok, this might work! I just realized that if I don’t try to add pictures and I just write, then just maybe I can post but add the pictures later. This would be a better option because then I won’t forget.

Yesterday, Saturday in China…I woke up early. Actually I wonder if I even slept much at all. Like I mentioned our first room had such a bad smell ( and I can tolerate a lot here) that it was bothering our breathing. Plus jet leg is a crazy thing to shake. So Saturday morning we were up early and had a nice breakfast at the hotel. Then it was time to hit the streets to show Ron, David’s boss, a few of the sites in Shenyang. A few of the Brazilian colleagues were out and about too. Arriving yesterday they had a head start and in their recovery from flying, so they were headed off to some of the interesting shops. David has experience in these parts and gave them some directions.

First Stop…Mao Square to see Chairman Mao! Born on December 26, 1893, in Shaoshan, Hunan Province, China, Mao Tse-tung served as chairman of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1959, and led the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 until his death.

And then stops along Nanjing street, Zhongshan street, Heping, Zhongshan Park, a HUGE flower shop to show Ron the options he would have living here for surprising his partner with flowers lol. haha, I remember the HUGE bouquet David gave me one year for Valentine’s Day.

More exploring of side streets, the Underground ( my how THAT has changed) markets, hole in the wall places…

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…and then our first meal…Hot Pot! I love Hot Pot. Especially at Hai dai lo where they make your noodles in front of you. Just wait till you see the video!

We picked up a few things at Walmart. Gotta see Walmart in China. It’s the best. And guess what? We saw an advertisement for Nova Scotia , Canada lobster!! who would have thought?!

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After dropping off some things to the hotel, we took the Metro ( crowded at evening rush hour) to Middle Street. The oldest, most famous walking street in Shenyang. It was dusk so the lights were beautiful! Oh how I miss this. It was fun to walk the street, popping in some of the high end malls to get warm. The cold bothers David’s back so we stopped often.

When we were finished we took a cab to one of our favourite restaurants for some familiar dishes . Yum!!! This is what I miss!

This afternoon we were making plans with our first driver when we lived here. He and his family have become our China family. We will have dinner with them and he just happened to be close to our hotel so he popped in to say Hi. It was so great to see him, and I forgot to take those initial pictures but we will have dinner with them Sunday and have chance to catch up.

Time for bed…I am exhausted!!!

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!

There’s just something about the first snow

Yay!!!! It snowed!!!!!

The FIRST snow of Winter is my FAVOURITE! A light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day is perfect. Those are my favourite snowfalls.

A little bit of snow to keep things beautiful and clean during January and February are nice too.

It kinda makes you feel like a kid again…great memories of building a snowman and sledding.

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Enjoy your snow day!

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Christmas By the Sea 🎄⛵🐳⚓️

All the way from the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World”…

It’s Christmas by the Sea this weekend!

Image courtesy of Peter Zwicker Photography Bacalao Studio. He does amazing photography!! Check out his website.

http://www.bacalaophoto.ca

We don’t have snow yet but I think this photo truly represents “Christmastime in Lunenburg” I live 20 minutes from Lunenburg, one of Nova Scotia’s well known Historic towns. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Town. People come here from all over the world .

This weekend in Lunenburg it is their Heritage Christmas and Christmas By The Sea.

There are actually 3 Christmas Festivals in towns close by this weekend, not to mention the small communities having events and then there is the Victoria Christmas at the Citadel and Lighting Ceremonies at various spots in Halifax. And of course I want to go to all so… yesterday I stopped into Mahone Bay for Father Christmas Festival pics and we drove to Lunenburg today. Tonight is Bridgewater’s Christmas On The LaHave complete with fireworks. These are the local ones. Next year I think I’m gonna take in some of the events in the city I haven’t seen.

This morning we bundled up, picked up some coffee and drove to Lunenburg.

Lunenburg is a well known fishing town by the sea, it is the HOME of the Bluenose II, and so much of the Christmas traditions and decorations revolves around that. It is also very beautiful!

And a few at night…

We didn’t get chance to take in the festivities, the lighting of the vessels, the Christmas by the Sea market and crafts and food tasting, we didn’t see the parade or the tree lighting at the bandstand BUT we got some beautiful pictures of a very special place…Merry Christmas from one of our favourite towns by the sea…

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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