Hiatus

Taking a bit of a break, if you haven't already guessed. And by break, I mean packing and moving to another house here in Suzhou. When we came two years ago, all the packing was done for us. Not this time. the boxes and packing paper were provided. Nope, none of that either. I've been prowling the local stores in search of both. Mr Liu has been instrumental in securing quite a few, but many more are needed before next week. Supposedly, that is when the 'movers' will be here. For 150RMB they'll load and unload said boxes and furniture. I'm a bit worried about this whole arrangement, but several friends have been through the same thing. They and their belongings survived.
Add to this, my seasonal case of stomach...well, you get the picture.
I'll try to get caught up once we touch down in the U.S. of A. mid July.

The Finger Saga Part 2

Syd put on a brave face the morning of the surgery and kept it for the duration. The more the nurses and doctors commended her for her fearlessness, the more fearless she became. The frown in the photo was strictly for dramatic effect. Having been through the exact same pre-op procedures, I prepped her for what she had in store. Her favorite part was being hooked up to all of the wires for the EKG. When the time came for the nurses to take her surgery, my brave little girl had them all laughing as they wheeled her down the hall.

Two surgeons, one steel pin, and one and a half hours later, the bone was realigned. Her hand looked like that of a heavyweight boxer.
Those first few days were tough. The doctor didn't give her any pain medication beyond Childrens' Tylenol. Thankfully, my friend, Anne S. hooked me up with some 'good stuff' from her tumble down the stairs. Don't panic, I broke the pill into thirds and Syd only wanted it for nighttime.

For the next month we had to return to Shanghai to have the incision cleaned and dressing/cast changed once a week. One of the visits, the doctor noticed the pin had worked itself out a bit. He starts to work it back in. For the first time, Syd screamed, but he kept grinding away. Just as I was about to jump over the table and throttle him, he stopped, saying it was back in far enough.
School work was a challenge. She missed over a week in total. Two of those days came during exam week. Most teachers were accommodating enough, but one told her she needed to learn how to write with her left hand. She was bummed as she really wanted to earn her pen license in Handwriting. I told her it wouldn't take her long next year. The little guy was told to keep his distance and her teacher did her best to watch. Syd did tell us of every encounter, but all were positive. I guess the threat of expulsion did the trick. The pin was removed without incident and we are now in the process of rehabilitating the frozen joint, which is no fun at all. The parents, after some prodding from the Junior School headmaster, paid our out-of-pocket expenses, saying they hope that is the end of it. "No more than I do, buddy", was my response.

The Finger Saga Part 1

Who knew one of the smallest bones in the body would be the center of attention for over a month.
It was back on May 3 and I was standing at the arrival gate in Shanghai waiting for Larry when at the same moment he came around the corner, my phone rang. "Melissa, this is Sydney's teacher. There's been an incident and it looks like her finger is broken. Can you come to the school immediately?" "Umm, no. Her father and I are two hours away!" Now what? After a flurry of phone calls back and forth between the school, Kowloon (ugh!) hospital and me it was decided one of the school's nurses would take Sydney and we'd meet them there. From what I initially gathered was a boy in Syd's class had kicked her. We were sure we'd get a more detailed, animated report from Syd.

Mr. Liu correctly assumed we were in a bit of a hurry to get to the hospital and made record time getting there. He normally drives NASCAR fast, but that day it was closer to Formula 1 speeds. Sydney had already been seen, x-rayed, consulted and treated by the time we arrived at the VIP wing of Kowloon. She had a nice popsicle stick jutting crookedly out from her finger, which was wrapped in a sticky ace bandage. We asked to talk to the doctor. He happened to be the same one who told me to stay off my feet for three weeks and my knee would be fine, while hawking giant lugeys into the trashcan by the exam table. He basically said the same thing regarding Syd's finger. "All would be healed in three weeks." The x-ray wasn't very clear, but a very distinct break could be seen. We asked if it needed to be set and the response was that it was such a small bone it wouldn't need to be.

When we got home, Larry immediately unwrapped it and held up her hand. The little finger was curving in a direction it shouldn't have been. "Looks like we'll be going to Shanghai, Syd".

We went to the same doctor who operated on my knee. He took another x-ray of her hand and it showed the top of the bone below the first knuckle to be completed separated and at an angle, causing her finger to curve. Blown up so large it looked gruesome, but he said it was so small that trying to put in a pin may not work. He wanted to try to set it then and there. Syd let him try for a bit, but it was too painful. He then asked if I wanted to try the surgery. I told him I didn't want my daughter to have a crooked finger. Surgery it was, the very next morning. Now, I was really angry.

Syd told us what happened and we were appalled. Evidently, while she was putting her lunchbox away, this boy grabbed her behind. When she turned around he grabbed her off-limits area. She screamed at him and ran out of the classroom. He chased after her and when she tripped, he started kicking her back and stomach in a rage. It was when she put her hand out to protect herself that he kicked her finger.

The Year 3s have been a bit of a handful all year with the kids giving the teachers fits. So, when we learned of this little boy's actions I wasn't all that surprised. It was only a matter of time before someone got hurt. What I was surprised with was the limited punishment he received, which was one day out of school suspension and one day sitting in the Junior School headmaster's office. He also had to write a letter of apology to Sydney. That was it. AND we learned this was the second time he'd groped a girl. We were told if he did anything 'of the sort' again he'd be expelled. Dear my, I sincerely hope that is the case. So, while Sydney was at the hospital having surgery, he was back in class.
(can't seem to load pix today. will continue later)

Daddy's 'Little' Girl

The time had finally arrived for the Girl Scouts' Daddy Daughter Dance. We'd been preparing for the day for a month. Three trips to the tailor, two hours getting fake nails put on, and an hour trying to figure out how to wear the hair culminated in a stunning "are you sure you're ten?" daughter.
I fought the urge to cry when she walked down the stairs. I am pretty sure Larry had to fight it, too. I also really wanted to sneak my way to the Renaissance, but knew this was daddy time. The play-by-play I was treated to upon their return was enough.
The entrance to the ballroom had been transformed into a red carpet paparazzi-filled venue. They posed next to a giant Oscar statue before entering the glitzy ballroom. Each girl received a wrist corsage and the dads got a boutonniere. Dinner, dancing and singing made the two hours go by fast. I asked if they danced together. Larry said he managed a couple of dances with her, but most of the time the girls danced together in a big circle. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards. Several girls were given a mini Oscar for their outfits, like 'Best Couple', 'Sparkliest Dress', 'Highest Heeled Shoes'. The final award was 'Best Red Carpet Dress' and it went to Katie. Larry said she was just beaming.

Next year the twins will be joining Girl Scouts with yours truly as their troop leader. When I told Larry he'd have three beauties on his arms next year, he rolled his eyes. Though, by the giant smile he has in the picture I don't think he'll be too put out about going again.

A New Audience

The Hip Hop dance club in which Syd partakes was invited to perform at the Suzhou Social Welfare Center's 2nd Annual International Day this past Sunday. The expats who volunteer at the center, which includes an orphanage, psychiatric hospital, and nursing home, helped organize the event. Similar (but not really) to the International Day at Dulwich, there were country booths manned by volunteers from their respective countries. Several hotels donated their time and food as well.

Sydney's dance teacher picked her and Cate S up at 8am. Anne and I decided to investigate this event. Neither one of us had been to this facility and we were both pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous grounds. We'd both heard horror stories and the areas not accessible to 'foreigners'. This event, however, brought in a lot of press, so only the positive was shown. We arrived about ten minutes early giving us a time to scope it out. The four-story building in which the event took place housed the elderly patients. We walked through one of the art studios and watched an old woman as she meticulously painted a picture. Some of the paintings that were hanging on the wall were absolutely beautiful.

Soon, the open common-area began to fill. The workers were wheeling, walking and carrying the very young to the very old. Everyone was freshly washed and wearing their Sunday best. I noticed all of the heartbreakingly adorable children had short hair, so there was no way to really tell the girls apart from the boys. Most of them were so excited. Only a couple appeared to be severely handicapped. Again, I'm quite sure only the best of the best were brought out. One of the volunteers told Anne that most of the children will get sick after eating all of the different foods because they mainly eat rice and noodles. The little tikes had their plates piled high with cupcakes, fruit, sandwiches, and cookies. I've often thought about volunteering, but we all know how I am with strays. Put me in a room full of pitiful children and I'll be taking out a loan, wanting to adopt the entire lot.
The two dance groups performed for the crowd, reporters and camera crews. It was quite a task for them to try to dance on astroturf, but they did their best. Afterwards, Syd and a couple of other girls were in great demand. They posed for pictures for a good five minutes.

Syd said to me later that day, "You know, it wasn't my usual audience, but it was still an audience." If that kid doesn't end up in front of a camera in some capacity I'll be very surpised.

Sulzer Family Day

The last weekend in May turned into one of our busiest weekends to date. We were up and out of the house Saturday morning for play rehearsal at Dulwich. All three girls are in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". They have learned their lines and memorized their songs. Now the times comes for blocking and staging. I've offered my assistance, but the teachers don't want any stage moms just yet. The rehearsals were slated to go until 1pm, but Sulzer's big family day was also taking place. We'd already missed the morning factory tour, but since we'd already seen the place we figured we weren't missing too much. The afternoon show at the Science and Technology Center sounded much more appealing. The event was supposed to take place the previous weekend, but some government officials had swooped in and demanded the entire venue. Larry had already made arrangements and paid for a golf outing, which left us girls to represent the Whitfields.
We arrived towards the end of the buffet lunch...chinese style, leaving the girls hungry. I tried picking out bits of chicken and shrimp from the colorful entrees, but they turned their noses up.
After lunch, we were herded into one of the performance halls. The four expat families and the GM were then escorted to their VIP tables. Now, I'm all for VIP treatment, but I think there's a time and a place for it. It's not like we need any more help standing out. The girls, however, got a kick out of being seated at their own table with Larry's name prominently featured. A slide show was playing of the past year's factory construction and opening. If you look really close in the group picture, Larry's in the back right.
Presentations and announcements were made, the GM spoke and songs were sung...all in chinese. We smiled and nodded and smiled some more when folks wanted to take our, or should I say, the girls' picture. Just when they started to get a little antsy the show began. We were treated to a collection of dances, acrobatics, songs, and even some rollar skating. It was a wonderful little performance, showcasing the chinese culture and tradition. I adored every minute of it and could have stood another hour. The girls, of course, wanted more swinging people and death defying tricks. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to entertain them. It's almost as if the fact that we're living in China is no big deal any more. The sights that still mesmorize me, bore them.
"Been there, done that. What's next?"

A Slice of Suburbia

With the deteriorating state of this townhouse, the cruddy internet and satellite reception, mold, and impending rent increase, Larry and I decided it was time to search for a new place to live. When we first looked, we really liked a particular compound for its western-style homes and grounds. However, we felt (or should I say, I felt) it was too far out from the main drag. What a difference two years can make. It is still a bit of a jaunt from the areas with which we are familiar, but so much has been built out there, we decided we just need to expand our horizons.

Our 'relocation guy' as I call him, John, showed me three homes in the neighborhood and I instantly liked the first one. Honestly, he probably could have shown me the worse one in there and I would have liked it. The stairs and tomb-like interior of this townhouse have taken its toll on me. I almost got tears in my eyes when I saw one of the two kitchens with all western appliances AND outlets. This means all of my kitchen accessories (blenders, toasters, and George Foreman grill) will work without blowing any fuses.

All of the bedrooms are on the same floor, which means I will actually be able to sleep in my own bed. Carpeted floors will prevent the sound of echoing footsteps and bellowing conversations. There is a front porch and a fenced in backyard with room enough for a chicken coop (yes, three of the blasted chicks are still alive and pooping up a storm in the interior grilling room. They look like little chemo chicks as they are losing their fuzzy feathers for grown-up feathers). The family room furniture is completely hideous and way too big for the room, but I will deal with it. Cats will have to be declawed as it's all leather and I've seen what they can do to fine leather purses.

The girls are excited and sad. They love the new house, but they love their friends in this compound. The ease with which they can just pop over to play will be sorely missed. However, I am certain their relationships will continue and new ones will be formed. As with everything else they've done, they will take Green Lake Gardens by storm.