You've Got a Friend

Finding the right place to live in Suzhou was a huge task when we arrived. I knew early on I didn't want an apartment. Nevermind the height and claustrophobia-ness of it all, but I also didn't think it was so great for a family. Not so conducive for meeting neighbors. Royal Peninsula had the physical attributes, what was still to be determined was if it had friendly neighbors. After a week or so we discovered we were the only family from the US, which was fine. There were Germans, Italians, Indians, Brits, Scots, Mexicans, Koreans, Chinese and us. Conversations with these folks was limited to bus stop chit chat and nothing more. The girls played with a few of the German boys and Chinese girls, but mostly kept to themselves. We loved the big house, but were feeling a bit isolated. Don't get me wrong, I went to expat meetings and school events and met some wonderful people. My world view has definitely expanded and my appreciation for things beyond local borders grows everyday. But, every once in a while I missed the casual conversations about inane topics that comes with familiarity and common ground.
Last summer, we learned another US family had moved in. They have four children, three of whom go to Dulwich, and Anne is a teacher at the school. Did I mentioned they are from Greenville, SC? It blows my mind that we travelled half way around the world to end up practically next door to a family that lived thirty minutes down the road.
The twins play with their youngest, Kate, practically everyday, and on some days we don't see our respective kids for hours, but know exactly where they are. Katie and their other daughter, Claire, who is thirteen, swap gossip and video games. We're giving Katie added responsibility, like a couple hours here and there babysitting her sisters. However, Claire is usually called in for reinforcement. Their son, Scott, is a novelty to the girls. They are fascinated with him and he has great patience with them.
When I hurt my knee, they were such a huge help. Anne would bring soup, pasta, muffins and a smiling face. The girls ate so many meals over there, I began to wonder if they were hoping I wouldn't heal. Chris and Larry work long hours and don't get to socialize as much, but Larry has enjoyed talking & venting with someone other than his co-workers.
We joke about being BFFs, but in all honesty, without getting too sappy we've discovered a kinship between our families. Brought together by unique circumstances in a country that can be quite overwhelming, our zaniness compliments each other and reminds us we're not alone.

Local Sites

Three years will not be enough time to see all there is to see in China. Three years may not be enough time to see all there is to see in Suzhou. Just when I think I know the roads and attractions, I'm introduced to an entirely different area of the city. How is that possible? A city of eight million has a lot to offer, that's how.

Larry's QESH team invited us to a day of local sites over the holiday. They picked us up early Sunday morning. Our friend's daughter, Kate, had spent the night so she joined in the fun as well. Side note, Kate's family is from Greenville, SC and now they live in the same compound as us. This small world keeps getting smaller. The six of us squeezed into their two compact cars, which already held five people. An hour later we were at the edge of Lake Tai. We'd taken a new road, one that took us through the rolling hills we used to just pass on our way. There must have been a thousand little fishing boats in this village. Most were docked or tied up for the holiday, but a few fishermen were near the shore, throwing out their nets. I imagine this area is hopping with activity any other time of the year, but this day had only a handful of vendors selling their catch.
We ate lunch on the third floor of one of the half dozen restaurants situated on the water...on the water. The thing swayed as we sat, not much, but enough to know we weren't on solid ground. Dish after dish of local food was brought to our table. We've been here for a year and a half, but I still get a bit nervous when some of these delicacies are presented. The girls didn't eat much beyond rice and some fried fish. Little Kate shocked us all when she popped the eyeball out of the big fish on the table and swallowed it whole. I thought she was going to bring it back up, but she swigged some Sprite and took it like a champ. Of all things on the table, why she chose to eat that particular item is mystery to me.
After lunch, we rode to the plum blossom garden. Each February, this garden is in full bloom. Filled with trees, the garden sits on the side of a mountain. Unfortunately, the cold winter stunted the blooms, and only a few trees actually were flowering. What a sight the garden will be in a few weeks. Just those half dozen trees gave off such a glorious fragrance.
The girls wanted to follow the path up the mountain. Having only given up crutches a few days earlier, I wasn't sure about this choice, but didn't want to miss out on anything. Fresh air got the better of my common sense and I was soon regretting my decision. Three quarters of the way I wanted to turn around, but there was a crowd of people at the top. Must be something good.
I wasn't disappointed. The view was beautiful. The surrounding hills and the villages below dotting the banks of the lake made for quite a sight. People had brought food and drinks and it looked like they were going to stay at the top for awhile. One little boy kept running up to the girls and snapping photos of them then running away. Since lingering at the top of the mountain wasn't an option with four girls itching to make their way back down the winding hillside, I took a deep breath, dreamt of the bottle of Aleve waiting for me at home and started down. Definitely easier going up than coming down.
When we got to the bottom, more photo opportunities for us, and the many folks who wanted to take pictures of the girls. Sarah's so used to it, she now flashes the peace sign, which is an absolute necessity in China. Leaving the park, we noticed a gaggle of guards at the entrance. One of the guys with us told Larry that a very important official was coming and soon there would be hundreds of guards. We never did find out who the VIP was, but we did see the hundreds of guards. We were walking back to our cars when they came marching down the road. Some marched faster than others and in time with their comrades. Others laboured behind out of step. Most of them smiled at us as they jogged by and a few yelled out "Welcome to China" or "Happy to see you" or "U.S.A."

However, the best moment of the day came when I passed out homemade chocolate chip cookies to the girls. Katie walked over to a group of chinese children and gave them her cookie. These cookies were really tasty and Katie loves her chocolate, so to see her give away treats just warmed my heart. The little kids crowded around her as she broke off pieces and handed them out. I gave her one more so all of the kids could have some. A nice moment.

The ride home was quieter than the ride out to Lake Tai. Sarah passed out a few minutes after getting into the car with Kate hanging on for another five minutes. She didn't like to have her picture taken, but I couldn't resist.

Music Time

Dulwich was busy last month readying itself for many musical performances. The girls practiced their respective songs and dances. After Katie's first piano playing disaster, she put her money where her mouth was and practiced diligently everyday. She does not know the meaning of failure and I hope she never does. When someone tells her she can't do something it makes her more determined to do it. Actually, that's true for all three of our girls, though their methods differ.

The Tuesday before the snow hit, Katie and the other beginner musicians took to the stage to show all what they'd been practicing for the past few months.
She was slated to go second to last. I held my breath until the first chords were played. Even though the song was only forty seconds, it was flawless.

The following Tuesday, the Junior School celebrated the Chinese New Year with each class performing a traditional dance or song. Sydney's group entertained us with a Chop Stick dance. My filming techniques leave much to be desired and I promise to improve. Syd's on the left side of the stage (right in the video) in the back, beaming for all to see. That girl does love to be on stage. Haven't a clue as to where that trait came from...

I'd heard Sarah talking about the "mushroom hats" the boys had to wear for their dance, but I didn't think she was serious. Yes, she was. The boys were indeed mushrooms and the girls were the mushroom pickers. Sarah is the first in line when the girls enter the stage. She and Max looked so cute together. Such a sweet little dance they all did.

The girls in Year 6 performed a fan dance. It was quite elegant and well choreographed by the chinese teachers. However, they did not win any favors on my part with their choice of costumes for the girls. All of them had to wear a pink leotard with an attached skirt and white tights. What's so bad with that, you think? Nothing if you are the size of Sydney and Sarah. These leotards were one-size-does-not-fit-all and many of the girls showed way more than they intended. The teacher had told Katie if she didn't wear it, she couldn't dance. She opted out of the performance after she tried it on for me. She was going to be in charge of the fireworks and programs, but unfortunately, she came down with a nasty cold and missed a couple of days of school. I was going to raise a stink about the whole thing, but decided a few nonchalant words to the wife of the junior school headmaster might be a better course of action. Point made and taken.

All of the kids worked very hard and the show was a success. As soon as I can figure out how to post more than one video in a day, I'll get more up...

Snow Day

So, I've been in a bit of a funk the past few weeks. Recovering from my surgery should have lent itself to time for writing. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I found myself glued to the couch watching movie after movie, old television series after old television series in a medicinal haze. Finally, the antibiotics, antiinflammatories, and narcotics were gone and the mind-numbing fog was lifted. I also got a message from my uncle, Dan, telling me to get my act in gear and start writing again. Time to get caught up on a month's worth of activities.



The week after my surgery Suzhou was hit with some snow. I used to love winter and all wintertime activities. Skiing, sledding, snowball fights, and snow angels filled many a cold days. Now I positively dread all things winter except scarves and hot chocolate. The girls had only seen snow a couple of times in S.C. and it snowed here just a little last year. The snow started Tuesday evening and didn't stop until Thursday afternoon. That amount of time should have produced more, but in total we probably got five or six inches. However, that was plenty for the girls. They were up, dressed and out of the house earlier than if they'd had to go to school. I sat, leg propped up, positioned nicely under the heat, and waited for the pictures. They made a couple of chinese snowmen complete with a pack of cigarettes. The guards enjoyed bombarding them with snowballs in between sweeping the roads clean with brooms. Larry called from work to let me know he'd made it and driving was even more perilous than normal. School was out for two days and the girls made the most if it, staying out until their fingers and toes were frozen. The cats and I watched from our perches, longing for warmer temperatures.

Recovery Mode

Bone fragments. That's it, that's what was causing the excrutiating pain. A piece was wedged between the top of the tibia and the femur.
When the nurse called to tell me I'd have to wait another week before the doctor could do surgery, I started crying. I begged her to see if there was any way to make it sooner. Usually I'm all for lounging around, but this couch isn't that comfortable. And, another week probably would have sent Larry over the edge. He doesn't do well when one of us is hurt. Don't get me wrong, he's been going above and beyond caring for me, but he wants me better more than I want me better. It was he who demanded I see the doctor in Shanghai, and thank God I did or I'd still be sitting here with that crazy cast.
Parkway Health has several locations. The site where my surgery took place was the fourth floor of the JW Marriott service apartments. It's one the most distinguishable buildings in Shanghai and a far cry from Kowloon's ER. We were ushered into one of the four suites complete with private marble bathroom and flat screen. Definitely not where the locals are treated. I was wheeled to all my pre-op tests and made the phlebotomists earn their money as they searched for a vein. Even though I had to hop up on to the OR table and the anesthesiologist was fitting me for my face mask and tube while I was still awake, everything turned out fine...I mean I did wake up and all.
Larry was waiting for me in the suite when I came out of recovery and talked with the doctor. He went through the same surgery a few years ago. He also took off the overkill bandages after we got home from Shanghai. My leg was wrapped from thigh to foot and my toes looked like overboiled mini hotdogs. Not sure why the chinese like ace bandages so much, but I have a nice little collection of them now. I'm hoping for a quick recovery as this little mishap has put a bit of damper on 2011's beginning.

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!

As the year wound down, the temperature came down as well. Our Vietnam tans began to fade and unfortunately, our pictures from the trip were either lost on one computer, which was infected by a nasty virus, wiping out all files or stuck on the other computer, which got left in the taxi on our way to Ho Chi Minh City. Thankfully, we had an honest taxi driver, who brought the computer to the resort. Our new friend, Phuong, has a brother who's going to school in Shanghai. He's coming home at the end of January for several weeks and has agreed to bring the computer back with him. We'll see...
Larry went back to work and had to go to Korea for the week. The girls played with their new toys and things were fairly dull until Friday. I was chatting with my parents when I lost the connection. As I got down on my knee to see if the cable had come loose, I felt the worse pain and something in my knee give way. I tried to stand up, but fell back down. Katie was coming down the stairs at that exact moment and came to help me. I couldn't straighten my leg and was starting to panic a bit. This same thing had happened not that long ago, but only lasted a few minutes and I was able to 'unlock' my knee. But after icing it and then soaking it in a hot bath to no improvement, I waited until Larry got home to do something about it.
Wendy went with me to Kowloon. She and Mr. Tan helped me with all of the translations, but my injury was beyond the capabilities of the ER doctors. Frankly, my first impression of the place was sheer horror. Nothing was sterile, the table I was examined on was filthy and had blood stains from the previous patient. The x-ray technician wasn't much older than Katie and didn't understand that I physically could not straighten my leg and kept insisting I try. It took me screaming in pain for him to stop. After several hours and three doctors, I was told to come again the next day to have an MRI. Then he proceeded to put a cast from my butt to my ankle on and then send me on my way without crutches. He told Wendy I would have to buy some from a medical center. Funny, I thought a hospital was a medical center. I had to turn in my passport to get a wheelchair while I was at the hospital and as I was being wheeled from floor to floor from doctor to doctor, I passed this huge room, which looked like a waiting room. No, it was a treatment room. Each chair had an IV pole and probably close to a hundred people in there were being treated. I've never seen anything like it. I pray I never need IV fluids while I'm here.
My cast looked like one of the twins' paper mache projects that had gone horribly wrong. Larry was furious they'd put a cast on it since it was so swollen. By the time, I'd made it to my new home, the couch, the evening was a bust. Needless to say, we did not ring in the New Year with great joy.
Wendy arrived the next morning to take me back for my MRI. We went to the VIP wing that is for expats. Seriously, the only difference is bigger chairs, but if you need an IV you will be sitting in the main waiting room for all the world to see. Privacy is not an issue and neither is cleanliness. The fourth doctor kept hacking up giant wads of phlem and spitting them into the trash can next to my table while he viewed the MRI. He asked Wendy if they'd taken one of my other knee so he had something to which he could compare it. I knew right then and there, I was destined to see yet another doctor. He put on yet another full leg cast and told me it would be four weeks before I'd be able to straighten it, but never told me what was wrong.
Larry made an appointment with an outfit in Shanghai, so Monday morning we loaded into the van and saw doctor number five. He admitted right off the bat he was not a specialist and we'd have to come back the next day to see the orthopedic specialist. Finally, doctor number six seemed to have a clue that something was not as it should be and surgery would be necessary to correct the problem. He tried his best to manipulate my knee into a straight position, but when I screamed in pain, he immediately called one of the nurses to start the insurance approval process. He also gave me a medicine, which actually diminishes the pain for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, the stupid insurance company dragged their feet and I'll have to wait another week before the surgery. Guess I'll have plenty of time to blog...

Christmas Highlights

After a wonderfully relaxing trip to Vietnam, we were excited to get home and prepare for Christmas. The girls busied themselves wrapping presents and writing lists for Santa. Larry and I even got a treat when one of our friends invited the girls...all three...for a sleepover. Back in September, I'd won a free night at the new Fairmont Hotel in Kunshan, which is about twenty minutes away, and it was set to expire December 31. We'd assumed it would go unredeemed, but thanks to kindly friends, Larry and I enjoyed a kid-free night. Once again, a gorgeous resort all to ourselves. How these places stay in business is still a mystery to me.
The night before Christmas eve, Sarah took a tumble on the stairs and gave us all a big scare. Her wrist swelled up and I decided it was time to pay a visit to the local hospital. After going to the closest hospital, Kowloon, and being told they didn't treat children, Mr. Liu and I went to old town's hospital. It was close to midnight and there were very few people. Thank God, once again for Mr. Liu. He did all the talking and asking of questions and did his best to communicate to me that in the end Sarah was fine. However, come to find out, it appeared on one of the x-rays that she had a previous injury to her elbow, we never knew about, but it had healed.
We were all pretty tired Christmas Eve, but cookies had to be made. This year, I made the dough in the morning, finished shopping and wrapping by mid afternoon, made our annual appetizer ensemble, and put the girls to work cutting out the cookies. Carrots for the reindeer, frosted cookies for Santa and stockings were laid on the couch. We couldn't hang them by the fireplace or Rosie and Peanut Louie would have made sure Santa never found them.
Katie either forgot the little talk we had about Santa and the Easter Bunny or decided it was more fun to hang on to the dream because she was sure she heard Santa walking around the house. Everyone was up Christmas morning and downstairs by 6:30am. The girls were so excited to see many of their wish list items around the tree and crumbs on the cookie plate. Santa outdid himself. Skyping with our family, though not the same as being together, made the holiday complete.
We are truly blessed.