Memories of China

We were missing China before we left so I guess it is no surprise that we miss it so soon after returning to Canada. It was a very memorable year and a half. Especially all the memories we have interacting with the Chinese people and their culture. We went for the 20 week ultra-sound of our second baby and sitting their in the waiting room felt really weird because no one talked to us or even to each other, it was so quiet, people are really friendly here just more reserved. I spent alot of time in waiting rooms at clinics or hospitals in China, mostly for Jada's check ups and shots, and everyone interacted and talked with each other and everyone was very curious about us and had a million questions. Usually all along the same lines; where are you from? who old is your baby? Is it a boy or a girl? (everyone guessed boy which is kind of funny because she was usually wearing pink or girly looking clothing but that really dosen't mean much in China.) And everyone always had an opinion about what i should or should not do in regards to taking care of Jada. Everyone just loved Jada. The last few weeks there, when we were doing alot of shopping to pick up gifts for family and other thing, we went to the silk market a lot. So many of the workers their got really familiar with us and just loved Jada. We couldn't walk down this one asile without having to stop to let them play with Jada. This one day they told us "You are going to have another baby soon, let us have Jada. How much money do you want?" Mike jokingly told them that they would have to pay 10 000 rmb per month. And right after that they told us "You guys go and do your shopping and leave Jada here with us?" We of course said "no way!" and they pouted and begged. It was pretty funny. Mike told them "There are alot of people here, what if you were not looking and someone carried her off then what would we do?" Every where we went was like trick or treating for Jada because people were always offering her pieces of fruit and other snacks. Chinese people have a everyone pitches in and helps out like a big family mentality and people were always trying to help out with Jada or other things they saw us in need of. Riding the bus if I just started to sway a little or loose my balance everyone grabed me to steady me. Looking different didn't exclude us from the big family. They are always trying to take care of you. Everyone around became Jada's playmate. She had stranger anxiety around 3-4 months because all the actions and attention was just overwhelming but by a year old she would let anyone hold her, touch her, talk to her, play with her and just loved all the attention. People were pretty funny with their comments some times (to me at least because I can understand both cultures and the contrast are sometimes funny to me). The chinese, at least the last few generations with the new nanny culture that has immerged, are extremely protective of their children. So seeing how I take care of Jada according to my own culture got ALOT of comments and opinons and do this don't do that. I didn't worry to much if Jada got dirty, I figured it was all part of letting her experience things so she could learn. And I told them, it's no big deal, she gets dirty and then I clean her up, no harm done. It always started up a conversations. Some were very traditional and could not except that way of thinking and yet many were very intriged and interested and thought that it was good. Many westerners got offended by how opinionated the chinese are. They felt they were being judged but a chinese friend of mine explained it to me and said chinese tell you what you should do because they are concerned for you and just think that you don't know. Some of the cultural clashes are quite funny though. One of our friends was making Jello and his landlord saw him putting the pan of boiling water in the fridge and freaked out. The whole yin yan thing. Some chinese people stopped by and saw my friends baby in here high chair with only a diaper on and were totally tooken back and thought it was horrible. When Jada was a new born I carried her around in a sling wrap thing and the chinese had never seen that before. They were so worried that she was uncomfortable. I would show them her face so they could see she was quite comfortable.
It feels so weird to think that all those people we saw day in and day out and the streets we walked countless times are on the other side of the world now going on without us. We hope to be back there as soon as possible but we have things to do here to prepare for our future. And with baby number two (sex still unknown) we are glad to be close to family.

One week in Canada

Well, we made it back to Canada.
The last few weeks that we were living in Beijing were VERY busy! We probably went out most days, and went shopping for various gifts and stuff that we needed. We found some good deals on a lot of things. For me we got a suit, some jeans, and a really nice leather jacket. Chelsey got some shirts, some jeans, some jewelry. We also got a lot of gifts and such for our families. It was a lot of fun, but we ended up spending a lot of money. We usually don't spend a lot, so it was different, but it we had fun doing so. We decided that one day (if we are able) we would love to have more disposable income - after tithing, taxes, living costs, and savings - to have to use to buy more things that we don't often buy, or do other fun things. But, all those other things come first.

Our flights went really well. However our flight from Beijing to Vancouver was delayed a hour, which also bumped our flight to Calgary by one hour. We wanted to send my father an email telling him that, but I could not get on the Beijing Airport WiFi to do so. It was being stupid or something. We were able to call in Vancouver quickly and let him know. Because our flight was delayed, when we got to Vancouver we had just enough time to get through customs, immigration and security, use the bathroom and walk to our next gate. In fact, by the time that we got to that gate, they were boarding so there was no waiting at all! Jada did really well on the flights. She slept 8 or 9 hours of the Beijing to Vancouver leg (10 hour plus flight) and about a hour of the Vancouver to Calgary leg (not quite 2 hour flight). That made it very nice for us! Chelsey and I did not sleep very well, so we were tired when we got to my parents house. We are now just getting over the jet lag. Jada is already adjusted and is sleeping well. She is also very happy exploring the new places. She loves her Grandparents.

Now I'm looking for a job. I have a application with the federal government. I took three tests in regards to that this past Saturday. It is something that I would really like to do, but it takes a long time. If I am shortlisted, I'll get a call in January or Febuary, and then a few more months after that. I can't afford to wait around without working, so we are thinking that I'll try to find a job in Lethbridge area. That way we can stay near family, and we won't have to move to much. It could also be that #2 bean could be born in this area, which would be nice for family, considering Jada was born in China.

We are happy to be back in Canada, and we will see where life takes us