This is one of the most special places that I know I agree that Sedona is special. Some say that it has a special magnetic field or that it has a unique energy. I don't know but the surroundings do make you want to be introspective. I have also been to the church that you mention and it was a powerful experience. I think that it is a very fitting place to commune with your mom. I am going up there at the end of September for a few days alone and look forward to taking some wonderful hikes.
Smoothies and Exit 6 Emily's "lukewarm concoction" was obviously made by someone following remembered directions which included pressing the blue valve. Nathan's confidence in navigating in Shanghai strikes me as remarkable since he IS nine and has only been there two weeks. The People's Park and the Museum of Contemporary Art were two good finds!
paparazzi Nathan wants to find an income opp with the pictures, while Emily just LOVES to pose and so she has no problem doing photo after photo after photo...
mines in the water I'm with Emily...I'd want out of the boat too. Bravo, Suzanne...I mean Brilliant!...for leading 4 Brits and 3 Americans to Yuyuan Gardens!!
Chicken Feet?! Charlie, Haley, Andrew and I just watched the video with Nathan trying the chicken feet. What a brave kid! Just getting caught up with your blog. We miss you in class, Suzanne. Sounds like you're having such an adventure. I'm going to get caught up with your more recent blogs. Take care!
The Powa.. OMG that video is awsome! I think you and Spielberg might have something going! Great special effects and sound. Mother's "medicinal" just might be helpful.
You are doing great and everything will be okay. We are all here for you. Love, Geeze
The Power of Wine Yes, i agree 3 bottles of wine should suffice while Mark is gone and kids are almost asleep! great video coverage of your nighttime scene/view-very cool! You will do great this next week and you are already thinking so brave about doing Ikea alone! I don't think I would have come home without those mattress pads the first time. You are much tougher than me! Don't forget Advil works great on the back. Good luck! Just remember school starts soon with new Mom's to meet -Hurray!
High fives I wonder how many of us breathed a sigh of relief when, reading rapidly in the first paragraph, we got to your call to your dr. in Evanston?....Go Emily!....I laughed out loud when I pictured you and the kids high fiving on the subway platform.
when Mark is gone 1. Watch all of the Mad Men episodes that you bought
I wish I hadn't already seen that set. It was so much fun. You'll enjoy it. -- Also, don't set the bar too high for yourself. You've only been there a very short time and have accomplished amazing things.
Oh! The Places You Go! You Slavens never stop! I feel like i've been to all of these fun, cool places with you - great photos. I love Nathan's story about the lady sitting in his lap...he had different "priorities" - love it! It's great that the kids have already formed some good friendships. I'm sure they'll have more when school starts.
bottled water, NOT Well, I had the same experience at an Italian restaurant, I finally had to go up the bar and get the bottled water myself. I guess bad service is universal. Glad you're having fun.
Priorities and Plans Nathan, Your story about the woman who sat on you was hilarious. It made me laugh out loud.
Emily, What a great idea...to write a book about the friends you're missing!
oops First, thanks for telling us right off that Emily was not hurt. How clever of her to choose jeans and a tee-shirt on a day when she would get caught in the rain and be knocked down in the dirt by a bike. Second, I'm wondering if the rider who showed no concern for Emily wasn't dealing with fear...fear of being somewhere she shouldn't or doing something she shouldn't have done. I know there were a lot of rules issued in Beijing about how not to behave in front of Westerners. And there you were...8 Westerners!
matching missings Love the pictures, especially the one of Emily and Sophie. What a perfect way to celebrate your first ten days in Shanghai...friends, fun, and food!
your view versus our view As we watched the Opening Ceremonies last night, we wanted what you had: No commercial interruptions! And Jiyi's explanations would have been welcome too!
Because of the Olympics... I was wondering what impact the Games were having in Shanghai, and it sounds like some of the new rules have made it there. Was the toilet demo part of that?
I am an American woman with a husband and 2 kids, about to relocate with my family to Shanghai.
The back story: We are moving because my husband is going to be working in Shanghai.
July 6, 2008: We are a bit less than a month away from the move and current postings chronicle the prep to get there, the logistics to be allowed to go there, and the coordination of all these things we have to do before we can go! Oh, and Mark is in China for about a month (the last month we are in the states and getting ready)...so I'm very busy.
July 28, 2008....2 days til the big move.
August 4, 200... full info
Linda
non-member comment
Back-to-School in Shanghai
Emily: Nice going with the commentary. Love the shoes!