Today, Molly and I went with my friend Katherine to an outdoor flower market. It was great! There were loads of vendors selling all kinds of flowers, pots, trees, landscape supplies, as well as fresh cut flowers and turtles. Molly enjoyed being out in the sunshine and fresh air. It reached 72 degrees today!! So it was nice to take advantage of the nice weather. I bought a bunch of fresh cut flowers for about $5 usd, and a small pot with beautiful annual flowers in it for about $4. I also came away with ideas for our patio. There is a small strip of, well weeds right now that I'd like to landscape. I'm just waiting for approval and hopefully money from the landlord to do so.
Sorry! I took some great pictures today, but apparently you need to have a memory card in your camera if you actually want to see them. Maybe next time.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Little Shopper
Today we met up with someone Mark knows from work and did a little shopping in the "fake market". Morgan had some money she was looking to spend, so we took this as the perfect opportunity to teach her how to bargain.
Before we left I explained that once she found an item she wanted to buy, she would then ask the shop keeper "how much?" The shop keeper would name a price but "you need to shake your head and act insulted by the price. You will name a price you want to pay and the shop keeper will either accept or name
a new price." Morgan did very well with this and the shop where she did end up purchasing a ball and a magnet was very friendly. Practice makes perfect.
If you could see the backside of the little boy in the blue shirt in the 4Th picture, you would understand why they say that the Chinese babies have two sets of rosie cheeks. He was wearing a pair of pants with a split seat....and nothing underneath. His little cheeks were just flapping in
the air for everyone to view. You should have seen Morgan's face when she realized this little boy was baring it all. It was priceless. I was tempted to take a picture of his cute little booty, but thought better of it.
Before we left I explained that once she found an item she wanted to buy, she would then ask the shop keeper "how much?" The shop keeper would name a price but "you need to shake your head and act insulted by the price. You will name a price you want to pay and the shop keeper will either accept or name
a new price." Morgan did very well with this and the shop where she did end up purchasing a ball and a magnet was very friendly. Practice makes perfect.We had a good day and made some great bargains. Although, Mark is a little nervous about all the shop keepers that seemed to recognize and great me like an old friend.
If you could see the backside of the little boy in the blue shirt in the 4Th picture, you would understand why they say that the Chinese babies have two sets of rosie cheeks. He was wearing a pair of pants with a split seat....and nothing underneath. His little cheeks were just flapping in
the air for everyone to view. You should have seen Morgan's face when she realized this little boy was baring it all. It was priceless. I was tempted to take a picture of his cute little booty, but thought better of it. The final picture is just too sweet. This is how Molly ended her day. Mark was in his glory. 
Friday, March 7, 2008
Does it come in a can?
Sophia and I made a trip to Carrefour, the local major grocery store. I needed a few things and I thought she could find them quicker for me as opposed to on my own. We found the honey and peanuts with no problem. The last thing on my list was bamboo shoots for tonight's dinner. We get to the produce section and she guides me to the fresh bamboo. I looked at her and asked, "does it come in a can?" Sophia, in all seriousness, replied "Can no good. Fresh is better. Very nice."
Once we were back home, Sophia showed me how to peel and clean the fresh bamboo. Which by the way, did not turn out like I expected it to. I had stir-fried it with some other vegetables according to the recipe. But personally, I'll take the canned bamboo over the fresh next time. It was chewy and I think still raw.
I showed Sophia the recipe I intended to make and she asked me if I would cook it. Like, you're going to cook? I said yes, and she sort of smiled. I explained to her that in America, I liked to cook and did every night. (We'll almost.) But here it is different. The stove isn't quite right and I have a hard time finding the ingredients I need. You might see a certain item in the store for several weeks. Lets say ricotta cheese. But the week you decide to make lasagna, they're all out. It's actually quite frustrating.
But I'm learning to cook different ways and different recipes. That's why I've been so eager to try my hand at Chinese cooking. The way I see it, when in China.....
Once we were back home, Sophia showed me how to peel and clean the fresh bamboo. Which by the way, did not turn out like I expected it to. I had stir-fried it with some other vegetables according to the recipe. But personally, I'll take the canned bamboo over the fresh next time. It was chewy and I think still raw.
I showed Sophia the recipe I intended to make and she asked me if I would cook it. Like, you're going to cook? I said yes, and she sort of smiled. I explained to her that in America, I liked to cook and did every night. (We'll almost.) But here it is different. The stove isn't quite right and I have a hard time finding the ingredients I need. You might see a certain item in the store for several weeks. Lets say ricotta cheese. But the week you decide to make lasagna, they're all out. It's actually quite frustrating.
But I'm learning to cook different ways and different recipes. That's why I've been so eager to try my hand at Chinese cooking. The way I see it, when in China.....
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
All in a day's ride
I know I've mentioned that I ride my bike quite often to pick up a few things now and then. Just to give you an idea of the convenience of our area of the city, this is what I did this morning:
Morgan and I left the house at 8:45. We rode to school which is only about a 5 minute ride. She LOVES this! I dropped her off and went another 7 minutes to the bank, then across the street to Starbucks for a little caffeine. In the same complex is The Pines, an import grocery store. I picked up some chicken and vegetables for tonight's dinner (chicken with peanuts over rice) and some fruit. Right next door is the major grocery store, Carrefour. I needed to grab a few things in there before heading back. After another 5 minute ride, I was home.
This little morning outing lasted about 1 hour. Not only can we do our banking, get groceries, eat out, we can get a haircut, buy a DVD/book, mail a letter and more. All within biking/walking distance.
This afternoon, I will take the bike out again to meet a friend for lunch. Then I will pick Morgan up at school.
Morgan and I left the house at 8:45. We rode to school which is only about a 5 minute ride. She LOVES this! I dropped her off and went another 7 minutes to the bank, then across the street to Starbucks for a little caffeine. In the same complex is The Pines, an import grocery store. I picked up some chicken and vegetables for tonight's dinner (chicken with peanuts over rice) and some fruit. Right next door is the major grocery store, Carrefour. I needed to grab a few things in there before heading back. After another 5 minute ride, I was home.
This little morning outing lasted about 1 hour. Not only can we do our banking, get groceries, eat out, we can get a haircut, buy a DVD/book, mail a letter and more. All within biking/walking distance.
This afternoon, I will take the bike out again to meet a friend for lunch. Then I will pick Morgan up at school.
What's in a name?
Most of the local Chinese people that we have met have an "English" name. From what we understand they are given these by their teachers in school. Apparently it's easier to determine Ann from Ping-Lee. We seem very common English names from Mary, to Jeff. Our ayi goes by Sophia, and our driver, Mr. Yu, goes by Sam. There is even a Molly at the local hair salon. (The girls all giggle when "our" Molly walks in.)
But we have also come across some unusual names as well. For instance in the spa, there is a Kiwi, Apple, and Lovely. Just recently I met a man named Bingo. You have to wonder what the teachers were reading or watching to come up with such unique names.
But we have also come across some unusual names as well. For instance in the spa, there is a Kiwi, Apple, and Lovely. Just recently I met a man named Bingo. You have to wonder what the teachers were reading or watching to come up with such unique names.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Nightly Entertainment
We hardly watch tv anymore and so we have come up with new ways to entertain ourselves. Last night it involved watching Morgan trying to perfect a cartwheel. At one point, Molly was even watching intently and then clapping when Morgan was finished.
Molly took a late afternoon nap and wasn't ready to go to bed right at 7:00 when Morgan did. So she and I played on the floor together. I kid you not that we played with a small plastic purple cup and a plastic yellow spoon for well over a half hour. She would mix and pour and sip, then hand the pair to me. I would mix and pour and sip and then hand them back to her. We were surrounded by other toys, but she got the biggest kick out of this.
We never know what the nightly entertainment will be, but we always look forward to it.
Molly took a late afternoon nap and wasn't ready to go to bed right at 7:00 when Morgan did. So she and I played on the floor together. I kid you not that we played with a small plastic purple cup and a plastic yellow spoon for well over a half hour. She would mix and pour and sip, then hand the pair to me. I would mix and pour and sip and then hand them back to her. We were surrounded by other toys, but she got the biggest kick out of this.
We never know what the nightly entertainment will be, but we always look forward to it.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Sisterly Love
Lately, Morgan has been asking to share a room with Molly. So today, we made it happen. We moved Morgan's bed into Molly's room, along with all of her belongings. Tonight will be their first night together. It should be interesting.
This actually works out. Now we can turn Morgan's "old" room into a guest room. As of right now, our guests have to sleep in the basement. But now they can be a little more comfortable in a room upstairs.
Speaking of guests, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first visitors in two weeks. Mark's parents are coming for a visit and we couldn't be more thrilled. We are so excited to share our new city with them. So.....who's next?!?!?
This actually works out. Now we can turn Morgan's "old" room into a guest room. As of right now, our guests have to sleep in the basement. But now they can be a little more comfortable in a room upstairs.
Speaking of guests, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first visitors in two weeks. Mark's parents are coming for a visit and we couldn't be more thrilled. We are so excited to share our new city with them. So.....who's next?!?!?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)