Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! It was pretty good on our side of the world. Matt, Gracie, and I had dinner with another couple at a ritzy hotel here in town. They had a turkey shipped in and everything. The only problem was the large group of Americans staying at the hotel who also wanted some of that turkey. So we only got a slice, but it was good. We didn't really mind having Thanksgiving with so many white faces either. Especially since they were here adopting babies. They had a lot to be thankful for, some had waited years to come pick up there little bundle of joy.

My little bundle had turkey for the first time and I'd say she liked it! What she enjoyed more than turkey was tearing a napkin to smitherines. That is her favorite pasttime when she can manage to get away with it!


We celebrated again on Saturday with about 30 Westerners potluck style. My friend and I cooked the turkeys... my 3rd turkey, and the best yet! This guy went all the way to Shanghai to procure the birds and brought them all the way back. We cooked because we have the ovens. We had to cut the thing in half to get it to fit, and of course that meant I cooked turkey for about 7 hours instead of 3 and a half. But it was well worth the effort and since I was the cook I kept the bones and made what is becoming a tradition... turkey dumplings! Yum dindly yum!!!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year! God has been so good to us. We have had a great time with our sweet baby girl. She has proved to be the biggest blessing we could have ever hoped for, and on top of that the Lord has kept her healthy and strong. We are all thankful for our health and know that many are lifting that request up to our Father daily... we are so thankful for those who remember us back home! We finally made it back to China this year. We have longed to be back in this land, and here we are! Our house sold, we drove cross country, we saw a lot of our family, and we celebrated our 3rd anniversary this year! That's just the beginning of all the blessing we have had showered on us. Most of all, we are thankful for our Jesus! He is so faithful, even when we are not. He not only died for us and saved us from eternal death, but He feeds us daily the bread of life. Praise Him for He is good! And remember to give thanks in all things.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Chinglish... just an example

The more I study Chinese the more difficult it becomes. One would think that having a large vocabulary and basic grammar in a second language would make translating simple text somewhat easy, but that is not the case at all. I think, for this reason, maybe I could find a job writing manuals or something for Chinese companies. It seems they really need some help.

Matt's coffee pot broke this week and that is a minor catastrophe. Somehow we managed to find the receipt and warranty, so I went online to see how to get it repaired or replaced. While I was searching for our product I discovered a plethera of Chinglish examples on the company site. I copied the description of our coffee pot below, but if you want to see more just go to www.acachina.com. If you have nothing better to do, it's a fun way to spend a few minutes.

		vcm683t Classical style and color, the market accepts degree tallly; 1. High-power of 825 watts is designed ; 2. 12 cups of large capacity, the coffee delicious food not enjoyed to the limit; 3. The filter screen of canning separate type , durable and easy to be clean; 4. LCD shows , the electron is controlled, more intelligent; 5. But filter the basket portably; 6. Defend a water clock of protectors ; 7. Prevent outside and overflow the protector.

Wo de Jia... aka - my house!

Our house, in the middle of the street, our house... it is something to behold. Beside the fact that something undoudtedly breaks every week, we are very thankful for our humble home. It is relatively nice and clean. I've decided to give you the grand tour, so sit back and enjoy!

This is the view from the front door. Our living room is pretty kid friendly. We removed the coffee table and bought a rug so Gracie would have a place to crawl around. I know it is a little dark, but we rarely turn on the lights during the day. That is the Chinese way.
Straight ahead is a hallway where you can find the entrance to our bathroom, our refridgerator, and washing machine. The kitchen is at the end of the hall.
Our Bathroom... no shower stall, but we did bring a shower curtain with us which keeps water from splashing on the toilet. That's one less thing we have to dry off when we are finished bathing. After trying several kinds of mops we finally found a cool squeegie with a long handle to dry the floor.

Our kitchen. 2 burner stove and 2 fans in the window - very cool!

This is the view of the living room as you leave the hallway
(kitchen, bathroom, laundry room)!
The door you see to the left is our room...and next door is Gracie's room.
Across from Gracie's room is the office (not pictured due to clutter!)
Entering our room!

The balcony connected to our room. These are my plants!!!

This is our room again, taken entering from the balcony.And last, but not least... Gracie's room. She was not happy that I was
taking her picture in lieu of getting her out of the bed when she summonsed me.
Hope you'll come again soon. I know the hike up to the 6th floor is tiresome,
but we always enjoy your company!