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Published: February 21st 2012
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Play time
Girls enjoying some outdoor time. I've been blogging all about this trip and the girls but wanted to take a moment to mention two very special people, our sons. Troy got the great task of taking care of the house while we're here, which includes feeding all the cats, emptying their litter boxes (even I have trouble with that myself), feeding the dogs, tossing out some sunflower seeds for the birds (and tree-rats that I know are helping themselves and wondering where that crazy man is that always chases us off) and all the other things that goes with house setting. Thank you Troy, we couldn't be here without your help!
I also want to mention Bryan, it would be a bit of a drive for him to help out with the house from Tampa but I know he would if he was still in town. He sent me an email that made me get all watery-eyed, quote “
I'm still amazed that you guys are taking this all on. So proud of you.” I know people probably think we've lost our minds, and maybe so, but it makes you feel good to know your sons are so supportive of their crazy parents. Love you guys!
Just my size
Judging by the play area I don't think a lot of older kids come through here. One thing we've learned on this trip, prices have gone up quite a bit from our first trip. I think part of that is just inflation but a good part is the economy here has grown and people are making more money in general. After talking to all the CCAI reps that have been helping us I still don't know how anyone could afford a place to live in the city(s). Evelyn was showing us a new apartment building near our hotel in Nanchang, you could purchase a small apartment (around 900 sq feet) for a thrifty 100,000 US dollars. It's all ready to move in, that is if you like a concrete box. That's the unfurnished price, no walls, no wiring, no pluming. You have to add those options after you purchase the place. Average total would come to about 220 to 250,000 US. Ouch!
Meals seem to be one of our biggest expenses here. Thankfully our room includes the breakfast buffet, which is huge! Jasmine and Rose are extra but at a much lower price and Lilly has been free so far. I guess since she's so tiny they don't figure she's going to eat very
Glass wall
At least it lets the sunlight into the bathroom much. Which does seem to be the case.
Sad to say, there's a McDonald’s right next door so it hard to pass up when we've been out running about and just want to pick up something quick for lunch. Most of their food is the same as it is in the states but they put some kind of sauce on the grilled chicken sandwich, something that's hot and looks like horseradish. What ever it is neither Jenny nor Rose care for it. Interesting thing, if you order the meal they automatically give you a Coke® and it's hard to get them to give you something else to drink. A side note, The Coke-Lite® we enjoyed last time here is gone. Coke® and Coke Zero® is all they have now.
The coloring books we bought yesterday were a good investment, the girls set here for the longest time coloring, talking, showing each other what they were doing. Doing language lessons, Jasmine is really trying to teach English to both girls and Rose is trying to teach Jasmine Chinese. I hope those coloring books last since it's raining right now and supposed to be on & off raining all day.
Not for the modest
Don't think I'll be adding one of these at home anytime soon. The only official business we have to take care of today isn't until 3:00 PM so we might be stuck here in the room. It's a nice enough room but not a place 3 kids want to spend a lot of time. You can only watch so much of this crazy game/talent show that comes on TV here before you have to get outside. It's sort of like a China's got talent show, but not quite. The judges do appear to be as hard on the contestants as they are in the states though.
Speaking of the room, check out this bathroom, the picture should be in here somewhere. Yes that's really a glass wall between where you sleep and where you...take care of business. Not sure what's up with that design but thankfully there's a curtain you can drop to close it off.
Everyone is still sleeping except me. My internal clock has gotten synced up with the local time here so I'm back to getting up really early again. It was funny, yesterday on the way to do the registration paper work Rose was talking to Jocelyn about why does ba ba get up so early. Funny though she doesn't mind that I'm up so I can help her find the bathroom in the dark.
Thats all for today, more later.
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Karen Raasch
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Question
Just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed following your blog. I have one question. Is Lily the same age as Rose? Jasmine had been telling me both girls would be in third grade with her and in the pics Lily looks a lot younger. by the way, being an avid gardener, I LOVE the names! .