Update on life in Guangzhou

Chinese NY decorations were awesome

I used to think about my blog all the time and compose blog posts in my head. Now weeks go by without my even thinking of it. But when I think about stopping blogging altogether, that doesn't feel ok. So I guess I should update it, with a post about real life, not just vacations!

We’ve been here almost ten months now. Life is kind of quiet and routine. Mostly, we spend our time in a small area of the city, going back and forth from work and school. Both D and I are working hard. He has a dozen projects and a lot of responsibility in the Management section. I am in the Immigrant Visa unit, which I like so much more than NIV. The pace is manageable- we actually have time to process our cases in the afternoons after interviewing in the morning. My biggest frustration continues to be the language. I am so used to being able to really communicate with immigrant visa applicants and understand their stories. We can use interpreters when we need them, thank goodness, but I so wish I were more competent in Chinese. I do see progress, but it’s slow.

She loved her Chinese NY dress

Speaking of Chinese, we've worked out a class schedule that seems to be working better for us. Two evenings a week, the kids and Daniel have Chinese tutoring at home. I have class at the Consulate at the same time. The earlier time works better in terms of my fatigue, and I use the classes to work on different aspects of the interview (e.g. wedding questions, employment visa questions, etc.). I'm so pleased with the kids' tutor- she uses games, incentives, and other tricks to help them learn. The other day I walked in and heard L speaking in entire paragraphs. It was pretty amazing. 

On the weekends, I wish I could say we explore the city, but the truth is we often stay close to home. M has soccer training (not exactly a team) on Saturday mornings at a nearby school. At the same time, L has gymnastics a little farther away, in a real neighborhood (the area where we live is newly built, and doesn't really feel like we're living in China). My friend recommended this school- although it's very Chinese, many American children also go there. The teacher speaks some English and it feels like a great cultural experience. Plus, L absolutely loves gymnastics!!

Entrance to gymnastics- doesn't get more authentic than this!

Now this is real China. 

We often take the bus home.

We recently purchased some bikes and have been really enjoying rides along the river. L finally learned to ride a bike- whew, parenting item checked off.  

Now only Daddy needs a bike! He is toying with the idea of an electric bike...

 We had a few gorgeous days recently that just begged us to go riding...

 

These bikes for rent are colorful and adorable, but not so easy to ride...

With a ten minute commute, a housekeeper making dinner, two nearby gyms, and a reasonable work schedule (Santo Domingo's schedule was 7am-4:30pm which left me wiped out at the end of the day), I no longer have any excuse to NOT exercise!! However, I have started exercising at home because the only time that works for me is in the morning before work. I have joined Team Beachbody and started out with 21 day fix, which I'm now doing again. I want to increase my stamina and strength and start being more active with the whole family! The truth is that many days here in Guangzhou are nice days to be outside. I have learned to check the pollution level in the morning, and if it’s low, we try to do something outside. Soon it will be unbearably hot, so I'm trying to take advantage now. 

We just had our first visitors, and we are looking forward to more this spring and summer.

St. Patty's Day!

On the one hand, we’re doing just fine. The kids like their school; we like our jobs; we have wonderful housing and a great lifestyle here. But the truth is that I miss home terribly and I know my husband does, too. Some days are harder than others. I know we signed up for this, but of course thinking about it and living it are different. 

It's not China's fault, though some of the cultural differences and challenges here do make it hard to adapt. But mostly I guess it's just that we are so far away and will only see our families once or twice during this 2 year tour. I think I went home four times from the D.R., and many family members came to visit. 

To visit the U.S. from China, we need thousands of dollars and at least a week of vacation, which isn't even enough due to jet lag. I'm anxiously looking forward to a week in Oregon this summer, but in a blink it will be over. So, we are thinking hard about going to D.C. next.