Weekend Getaway to San Diego

We had the great opportunity to spend a night in San Diego, as a family. Here are some highlights.

E drove the whole way. This is the LDS temple in the background.

It was fun hanging out with my brother in his neck of the woods!

My brother and I. We didn't always look this happy together.
Now it is a HUGE blessing to see him often.

Since my dad couldn't make it, we toasted oysters on the half shell to him.

My honey!

 This big reason we wanted to hit San Diego was for going on the USS Midway aircraft carrier. SO COOL! Every person should do this once! I felt so much pride for our US military!

I cannot wait to see what this kid does!
He has always had flying and military in his blood.

Favorite pic of the weekend!

I have quite a few pics of him on various aircraft carriers at various ages, like this.

Why couldn't she be this fun at Beijing sites????

We stayed downtown in the Gas Lamp District. It was really neat and fun! We went to dinner and the boys went to a movie. We then woke up and said goodbye to Bro and headed to walk around Hotel Del Coronado for a few minutes. Then hubby had to fly out on a business trip! Such a fun time!

Bucket List: Stay here and spend a day in their spa!

 San Diego has so much to offer, we agreed we had to do this again! This city on the water is beautiful and reminded us a lot of Sydney, Australia. We feel lucky to have so many awesome destinations in So Cal!

A Kid and His Camera

Today was one of those days where I said many prayers of gratitude for living in such a beautiful place.

 Dayton, 12, wanted to go to the beach after school. 

This is what he did.

~Not bad for an hour of after-school fun~

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA

Organizing a Home Office

Welcome to my boudior! ;)

 Check out this video of how I work at home and GET IT DONE!

Want more info, just ask!

Thanks for watching!

Introducing "An Ornament Memory A Day" ~ Dec 1-25

It is the BEST time of year! Holiday Time!

Since I have not been able to decorate for Christmas for the past two years I am enjoying putting up my decorations and tree a little early this year. Sure, people may scoff...but I see no harm in bringing the joy of the season into our lives earlier than normal.

I have loved unwrapping each and every ornament while remembering the story behind them. That is why, this year, on this blog AND on Facebook, I will be posting an ornament each day and it's story behind it. I will love the chronicle of why it is meaningful and share it with you! In return, I would LOVE it if you would join in too! Don't have a blog? Go ahead and post yours on Facebook and be sure to tag me so I can see it! Invite your friends to do the same!

So exciting! 

I can't wait to "see" all of your special treasures on your tree!

A Sneak Peak at a Few Favorites

Hello Friends!

I am just giddy with joy! 

I went to bed at midnight and was up at 4am. What in the world excites me that much? Organizing my new house, of course!

People have asked what it has been like getting back all my things that have been in storage for two years. The only way I can describe it is it's just like shopping...for free...in a store where you love everything! It is the best feeling!

Our China shipment arrived yesterday and I spent all day working playing with all my toys things. Here are a couple sneak peaks about what I've been up to. 

I really loved my stairwell in my last house and how I had gussied it up with beautiful old pictures of treasured family and ancestors. Check it out here. The gold frames really make them look regal but I just could not find the right place in this little beach cottage where they would go. Likewise, I couldn't figure out how to style these unique shelves that are downstairs also. At around 3:34 am it dawned on me and I hopped out of bed to make it happen. The two should go together! Love it when that happens.

I love honoring all of the special people who made us what we are today!
 Our parents, grandparents and some distant relatives who just have cool pictures.

The perfect conversation starter for this conversation area, which also serves as a buffet.

Who says Chinese doesn't go with beach? I have to admit I was a little worried about how this bold piece from China would go with my simplistic beachy vision. This just proves my number one decorating rule: 

IF YOU LOVE IT, IT WILL GO! 

This is the perfect piece for our entry way. The shells and sea glass are a perfect compliment.

A great friend graciously housed my apothecary jars for me while in China. I missed them so while I was away. Is that weird to say that about an object? Oh well!

There is a lot more where that came from! 

We've only just begun!

Check back for more soon!

What I WIll & Won't Miss About Living in Beijing, China

I have been both continually writing this post and procrastinating this post all at the same time. I have a note section on my phone that I have been recording what I will miss about Beijing for about the last year. That note section started as a tool to help me see the good in the everyday surroundings. Usually when the good was harder to see...quite literally with the air quality.

It is hard to believe our time is up. Just like China is often called "the land of contradiction" it seems fitting that I am conflicted, of course, about leaving. I have grown personally so much throughout these last 22 months, mainly because the place I started from. I didn't want to come. I didn't like China. I was bitter and resentful. Now I love China and already have choked back tears thinking about leaving. 

Why? 

It is hard for everyone to explain.

For everyone it is different. 

I can sum it up by saying that this was a HUGE challenge for our family and we have all risen to the challenge and are better people (and dog) for it. Is it because it is China? Is it because we are on the other side of the planet from family? Is it because it's a different country than the US? 

All of the above!

China is definitely unique in so many, many ways. But it, also, is definitely not the hardest place we could've lived (despite my original analysis).  So, without further adieu...here we go...

~What I Will Miss about Beijing~

no particular order

okay, maybe I did mean to put this one first...

~Friends~

I really thought when we moved here, "How could I REALLY bond with anyone in such a short period of time?" Oh how wrong I was! It is not the time together, it is the quality...here in Beijing I have met the most amazing women who I will always cherish!

~More Hubby Time~

No commute, lunch dates, family outings, dinners together...I've seen him more in China than I ever did in the US...makes for a happy wife!

 ~Xiaolongbao~

Also known as "soup dumplings"...top favorite chinese food for me!

 ~Ya Bao Lu~

We mocked it at first, as it is the Russian section with fur stalls everywhere, but this soon became home. With the all-night-truck-loaders, street hecklers, food stands...we soon realized it was ideal. Every taxi driver knows it and anything you can possibly need is within steps from our door...bank, groceries (limited), phone cards, clothes. park, subway...

 ~The Gym at the City Wall Marriott~

Going to the gym everyday became my therapy! I met a good friend who lives there (she was not happy with me at this moment). The sweat I poured there literally helped get me through the struggles of life in China. 

 ~ Shopping~

Having an H&M a ten minute walk from my apartment, I'll miss that.

Shopping trips with friends.
I even will miss bargaining at Silk! I love it!

 ~Living In A Historical City 

That is in the News Every Single Day~

It is cool to turn on CNN and see live what you are looking at through your own window.

It is not only a city of current relevance, but SO MUCH ancient history!

~Fruit, Especially Pineapples~

These pineapples are so sweet and juicy that you can eat them all the way through!
 And they carve it for you. I eat some every day...really!

 ~Cultural Elements~

I love how Chinese linger outside at night. They gather (here at The Place) and dance, play games and socialize. It is peaceful, calming and they know how to enjoy the end of a hard days work. And boy, do they know how to work!

I will miss the Chinese children (split pants and all) and the elderly people.
 Although we don't communicate, they usually have a smile and a greeting for me, usually because of Jupiter. 

~City parks~

This is the park where we take Jupiter every day (me mainly:)
Parks here are not like in suburban CA.

RiTan Park, my favorite place in Beijing.

 ~Rickshaw Rides~

We have two rickshaw drivers that treat us like VIPs whenever we want to go somewhere that is too short for a taxi or too long for a walk.

~Seeing my Children Accomplish Great Things and Overcome Challenges~

This girl has done an amazing job right smack dab in the middle of her teenage years! She has traveled on her own, been responsible, held her standards, made amazing friends, all while getting fantastic grades! 

D in The Monkey King...he struggled more with living far away from friends, but he played baseball and soared in school. He rarely ever complained and always was ready to sacrifice for others.
WE WILL ALL MISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEIJING!

 ~Delivery To Our Door~

With food cheaper to buy than to cook, and my impractical kitchen, we ate a lot of delivery! And it was good! Four nights a week we ordered in while I cooked Tue, Thur and Sun. E's favorite was Ganges Indian (above). D's favorite was Gung Ho Pizza. Mom's favorite was it all because she didn't have to cook! And Dad's favorite was Tube Station or Kro's Nest Pizza.

 ~Lights in the Winter~

Even though China doesn't really celebrate Christmas like the US, they sure do deck out the city in lights all winter.

~Snow~

Speaking of winter, I really loved the snow in Beijing. It was the perfect amount and perfect powdery-like snow that I didn't have to shovel...great for a California girl like me! 

~Taking the Subway~

This, of course, has it's good and bad. But for the most part, it was always entertaining and efficient and cheap! America really needs to learn a thing or two about public transportation.

~Our View~

It really has been amazing living in a high rise with a view like this.
 I will really miss seeing it every day.

 ~No cleaning, No Yard Work = 

More Family Time~

Most expats have ayis (housecleaners and cooks). We chose to live in a serviced apartment. It was fabulous not cleaning bathrooms, making beds and doing floors...just for the record, I did do all the laundry and most of the dishes...by HAND.

Of course, our family fun won't end when we leave China.

 I am sure Hubby would want me to add

~Fireworks at Chinese New Year~

If you are really still reading this...I will make the next one easier...no pics.

~What I Won't Miss About Beijing~

Bad Air !!!!

Slow Internet/Blocked Internet

Rock Hard Bed

People Everywhere, All The Time

People Stopping In the Middle of a Thoroughfare without a Clue!

Rude Taxi Drivers (although this has gotten SO much better)

Walking 20 min to the Grocery Store for Greek Yogurt only to Find They Don't Have Any...Again!

Not Being Able to Find Healthy Food (like Greek Yogurt)

Humidity

My Washer/Dryer Combo (that just broke so now it's just a washer)

Doing Dishes By Hand

My Impractical Kitchen with Tiny Fridge/Freezer

Not Being Able To Find the Majority of My List At One Place (can anyone say Tar-gét?)
The Spitting!!!

There is probably more, but I have held your attention for long enough (many of you for 22 months).

Who knows what Time Out For Me will look like after Beijing, but I do know that wherever we end up...I will still be putting my life out there for everyone to see! 

I hope you will follow us on our next adventure!

Zái Jīan!

& 

Thanks for Reading!

This Week In Pictures

Do you ever feel like things are going in slow motion, yet warp speed all at the same time? I remember I felt that way the week before my wedding. That is how I feel right now.

From the looks of these pictures it looks like ALL WE DO is eat! I guarantee we do eat a lot of really good food, but I also spend  time doing other things...walking everywhere, at the gym, taking the dog to the park, running, shopping with friends, doing dishes by hand;), and watching Castle (my current show obsession).

These first two pics aren't really from this past week, but someone just forwarded them to me from our church service project that you can see here. 

Total vanity of why I included these...it is not often I see pics where I am pleased with how I look but I thought these two pics were decent.

I honestly have never, even seen myself laughing before...pretty funny!

The lobby of the theater at ISB. We spent a lot of time in this theater watching music concerts, play performances, orientations, Cub Scout Pack meetings and sports award assemblies. Go Dragons!

This school will always have a special place in our hearts.

Baseball RBI!

Prom time!

 I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with this amazing woman. She is our Relief Society president and I am one of her counselors. What a blessing it was for me to be able to learn from her. She invited our family over for dinner last Sunday. I am still craving her tofu! Yep, I said craving tofu...boy have I changed!

I learned a thing or two about chinese cooking. Here she is making fried rice.

Lots of yummy homemade chinese food! 

Such great women whom I will always cherish.
 Funny that my eyes are more "Chinese" than my Chinese friend. 

 Hubby has had a coworker (another secondee from the states) who has helped him with everything while we have been here. She speaks fluent Mandarin so she helped him and us out of many situations. To thank her, we took her out to a fancy lunch. E had exams that week with a modified schedule so she got to come along too.

Another fabulous lunch at Maison Boloud.

My entree of lamb. Perfect.

 After almost two years I have finally trusted to let him off his leash here next to the road. 

We had a fun night with some friends.
 D really, really hit it off with their little guy.

Donuts for dessert. E has a Popsicle that when it melts it turns to jell-o. 

Some boxes have arrived  "just in case we want to pack some clothes before the movers come". Ummm, no. Why do their job for them?

D ripstiking down one of my favorite streets. Later he crashed hard.

 A lot of the time Dad works late and E is off at various school or church activities. D and I have the opportunity to have many date nights. I love them so much. He usually chooses a french cafe.

He really likes spaghetti and iced hot chocolate.
My poor children are pasta deprived, I rarely cook it because it is not my favorite dish...sorry Mom!

My yummy dinner at the cafe...spinach salad with pears and raspberry dressing.

 This picture means a lot to me. When we first came to ISB I saw all of these enormous banners hung for the varsity teams. At the time I thought since Emma would only be a Freshman it would be a slim chance that her name would make it onto one. She did make it! I am so proud of her, not that she was on a varsity team, but because she has left a little of her own legacy at ISB.

ISB Varsity Softball team 2013!

 We love going to the Silk Market and since we are leaving there are things that we needed to buy this weekend. We picked up some sunglasses, the girls at the shop really loved my boys!

Chinese people who work with foreigners choose their own English names to use. On the left is "Carrie Underwood" and on the right is "Mona Lisa". They were so fun! The workers in these stalls work seven days a week, twelve hours a day, with only Chinese New Year off...amazing work ethics!

D still gets uncomfortable about all the attention he gets from females.
I hope that doesn't change anytime soon.

Hubby, on the other hand, doesn't get uncomfortable at all.
Here he is with Mona Lisa.

 D will be hitting a milestone at church this year when he turns twelve. He is getting a custom suit made. These women are amazing! Wait until you see what they are making me.

We totally recommend Tony's Tailor at the Silk Market!
They have made many, many shirts, suits and even a tuxedo for hubby! 

Last Saturday the air was clean"ish" so I ran outside along Second Ring Rd.
 I am getting ready to transition from mostly treadmill to mostly road running.
I can't wait to run outside everyday!

Stay tuned for a post I have been writing for the last six months: "What I Will Miss In Beijing!"

Coming Soon!

Thanks for reading!