Saturday, July 2, 2011
WE'VE MOVED
Just now I created a new blog for the girls and their antics. It is called http://lifewithmimiandmei.blogspot.com I just figured that it is about time to do so. Will finish setting it up later with pictures. I hear the baby crying now so gotta go. Tootles.
FIREWORKS
The fourth of July is approaching soon. Up here in Washington, people have started setting them off at the beginning of this week. Although Summit Gymnastics is selling fireworks along with many other churches and organizations, people will head out to the reservations to get the "good stuff" if you know what I mean.
We are fortunate that the fireworks don't seem to bother Butch or Stanley too much although it may on Monday night when they get to really going off. I just have to remember to make sure that Stanley is in the house everynight.
Unfortunately our neighbors are not so lucky. The fireworks really disturb their dogs and cats to the point where they are giving their pet seditives.
We are fortunate that the fireworks don't seem to bother Butch or Stanley too much although it may on Monday night when they get to really going off. I just have to remember to make sure that Stanley is in the house everynight.
Unfortunately our neighbors are not so lucky. The fireworks really disturb their dogs and cats to the point where they are giving their pet seditives.
WEEKENDS
I am now realizing how much I am really, really love having dad home especially on the weekends. Now that we have two girls he is really helping me out by taking care of Mimi while I can take care of the baby. It's not that Mimi is any trouble to take care of. She is able to do a lot of things for herself. I just always have to be on the look out for her and that takes alot of energy and brain power even when she is playing outside with her friends.
I truly believe that dad is really enjoying Mimi too as she is able to do more things with him with every year that she gets older.
I think that I can safely say that in our case, it is not that he doesn't love the girls, it's just that he can do a whole lot more with an 8 year old as opposed to an 8 month old. He can hike, bike, ski, build models with the 8 year old that he can't with the 8 month old. However on the other hand, he cuddles with the 8 month old while the 8 year old prefers to be climbing trees outside instead of cuddling.
We have the best of both worlds.
I truly believe that dad is really enjoying Mimi too as she is able to do more things with him with every year that she gets older.
I think that I can safely say that in our case, it is not that he doesn't love the girls, it's just that he can do a whole lot more with an 8 year old as opposed to an 8 month old. He can hike, bike, ski, build models with the 8 year old that he can't with the 8 month old. However on the other hand, he cuddles with the 8 month old while the 8 year old prefers to be climbing trees outside instead of cuddling.
We have the best of both worlds.
PIANO LESSONS
This summer our neighbor Cory (Shad's mom) announced that among the many other hats she is wearing, she is going to start to teach piano again to anyone who is interested in learning. The opening spots filled up like hot cakes.
Before she made this announcement, Mimi had made mention that she would like to learn the piano again. This was kind of a surprise to me as I had thought that she really did not like playing even though she is really good at it. IMHO, I think that Lady Gaga has something to do with it. She is one of Mimi's ultra favorite performers. Mimi has made mention that her goal is to be rich 'n' famous. Another story for another day.
Anyhoo, the girl is taking up piano again among all the other activities she has going on this summer.
Before she made this announcement, Mimi had made mention that she would like to learn the piano again. This was kind of a surprise to me as I had thought that she really did not like playing even though she is really good at it. IMHO, I think that Lady Gaga has something to do with it. She is one of Mimi's ultra favorite performers. Mimi has made mention that her goal is to be rich 'n' famous. Another story for another day.
Anyhoo, the girl is taking up piano again among all the other activities she has going on this summer.
Friday, July 1, 2011
SLEEP DEPRIVED
Since coming home from China and Southern California, I have been struggling with getting Mei Mei into a routine. For the first week we were back, it wasn't too bad as Mimi had school and we could get into some kind of a groove where we would all have breakfast together and Mimi would walk to school by herself and Mei Mei would just about be ready to go down for her morning nap and then nap again in the afternoon only to wake up just before going to pick Mimi up from school. The babe was also sleeping in her crib all through the night too.
Since summer vacation started, everything is shot to hell in a hand basket. To start off, Mimi's gymnastic practice starts at 11:30 which is Mei Mei's morning nap time. Then there is the problem of Mimi who wakes up at the crack of dawn and is ready for the day and Mei Mei who prefers to party at 12:00 midnite and sleep till 9:00
I am soooooo ready to throw in the towel and let the babe sleep with me at night as it is the only way I could get her to wind down at night and I could get some decent sleep. I am planning to start her in on a routine once school starts and we are by ourselves for most of the day. It's really hard on Mimi too when she wants to have her friends over and they have to play quietly. As we all know, quiet is definitely not one of Mimi's forte.
This is what sleep deprivation will do to you. You will get your kids ready for the day, take the baby to the neighbor house to babysit for about an hour while you drive your other kid to gymnastic practice, drop her off, then as you are heading down the highway to take you cute Pug to the groomers, you get a phone call from Rhonda stating that there is no practice due to the July 4th fireworks sale that the gym is putting on. Elsie and Emma were there for a bonus practice. So Rhonda kindly brought Mimi to our house along with her girls. She took Emma home but Elsie stayed. By this time it was past lunch so Mei Mei's afternoon nap was shot to hell.
The kids were all playing outside then came inside. Mei Mei was so crabby by dinner and so was I. Therefore when dad came home and we headed out to Red Robin for dinner. Boy did that Mai Tai taste soooooo good after my horrendous day.
Since summer vacation started, everything is shot to hell in a hand basket. To start off, Mimi's gymnastic practice starts at 11:30 which is Mei Mei's morning nap time. Then there is the problem of Mimi who wakes up at the crack of dawn and is ready for the day and Mei Mei who prefers to party at 12:00 midnite and sleep till 9:00
I am soooooo ready to throw in the towel and let the babe sleep with me at night as it is the only way I could get her to wind down at night and I could get some decent sleep. I am planning to start her in on a routine once school starts and we are by ourselves for most of the day. It's really hard on Mimi too when she wants to have her friends over and they have to play quietly. As we all know, quiet is definitely not one of Mimi's forte.
This is what sleep deprivation will do to you. You will get your kids ready for the day, take the baby to the neighbor house to babysit for about an hour while you drive your other kid to gymnastic practice, drop her off, then as you are heading down the highway to take you cute Pug to the groomers, you get a phone call from Rhonda stating that there is no practice due to the July 4th fireworks sale that the gym is putting on. Elsie and Emma were there for a bonus practice. So Rhonda kindly brought Mimi to our house along with her girls. She took Emma home but Elsie stayed. By this time it was past lunch so Mei Mei's afternoon nap was shot to hell.
The kids were all playing outside then came inside. Mei Mei was so crabby by dinner and so was I. Therefore when dad came home and we headed out to Red Robin for dinner. Boy did that Mai Tai taste soooooo good after my horrendous day.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
ANOTHER DAY OF FULL HOUSE.
When we came home from seeing our friends the Luey's, Mimi met all of her friends outside our house. Of course Mei Mei was the center of attention. This is also another one of Mimi old outfits. I guessed I learned something from my mom about being a packrat.
THEN AND NOW
Just this week we received an e-mail from Andrew that they were in town visiting with Jennifer's brother who lives in Edmond which is north of Seattle. They wanted to get together this morning before heading back to Oakland, California where they are from.
We met this wonderful family when we went to get Mimi and they went for Audrey aka "Ting Ting". In the group picture, "Ting Ting" is the one on the floor bawling away and Mimi of course is the only one standing (rare moment in which she isn't running somewhere) in the yellow outfit. Now mind you, Mei Mei now fits into that same yellow outfit at 8 mos. Mimi was 19 months and the outfit is made for a 12 month old.
Last year Jennifer, Andrew and Audrey went back to China for the little one that they call Olivia. What's ironic is....both Mimi and Audrey are from Nanchong (Chengdu), and Olivia and Mei Lin are both from Jiangxhi. How about that?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A WELL DESERVED DRINK
FULL HOUSE
Sunday, June 26, 2011
HOMESTUDY UPDATE AND RE-ADOPTION
This past week Bal Jagat has been hounding us for documents and pictures. They were ready to go out on Friday but dad forgot to take it to work to mail it out so he asked if I would take it to the UPS office and mail it.
As I was looking in the envelope to make sure the documents and Mei Mei's pictures were in it, Mimi asked, "how come MY pictures aren't in there?" She saw the document with only mine, dad's and Mei Mei's picture that we took at the Civil Affair office in China. I explained that they only wanted our pictures and not hers. She was apparrently quite upset about it. "Well, I'm her sister!!!" huffed Mimi. The girl has a point I might add.
Mimi wanted to know what the documents were and so I explained. Then I told the child that when we get all done with the post adoption process, we are going to start in on the re-adoption for both her and Mei Mei. "You mean that you are going to abandon us again?! We are going to be adopted out again?!!!!" the girl cried.
Oh my my. I then had to reassure her that in no way we are going to give them up. "Who would want a wild child like you?" I teased her. I sure had some explaining to do.
Then it was time to head out the door. All I asked the girl to do was to take the yellow envelope with her to the car. I looked up in time to see the child putting the envelope into the mailbox outside our house. Problem was.....there was nothing written on the envelope. No address to Bal Jagat or our return address. Nada, nothing. Fortunately her little fingers was still holding onto the envelope. I am pretty sure that I gained about a 100 new gray hairs that morning.
We did make it to the UPS office after our fun filled day at the Les Gove park and Bal Jagat should be getting the papers they need by Monday morning.
Never ever a dull moment around our house and I love it that way.
As I was looking in the envelope to make sure the documents and Mei Mei's pictures were in it, Mimi asked, "how come MY pictures aren't in there?" She saw the document with only mine, dad's and Mei Mei's picture that we took at the Civil Affair office in China. I explained that they only wanted our pictures and not hers. She was apparrently quite upset about it. "Well, I'm her sister!!!" huffed Mimi. The girl has a point I might add.
Mimi wanted to know what the documents were and so I explained. Then I told the child that when we get all done with the post adoption process, we are going to start in on the re-adoption for both her and Mei Mei. "You mean that you are going to abandon us again?! We are going to be adopted out again?!!!!" the girl cried.
Oh my my. I then had to reassure her that in no way we are going to give them up. "Who would want a wild child like you?" I teased her. I sure had some explaining to do.
Then it was time to head out the door. All I asked the girl to do was to take the yellow envelope with her to the car. I looked up in time to see the child putting the envelope into the mailbox outside our house. Problem was.....there was nothing written on the envelope. No address to Bal Jagat or our return address. Nada, nothing. Fortunately her little fingers was still holding onto the envelope. I am pretty sure that I gained about a 100 new gray hairs that morning.
We did make it to the UPS office after our fun filled day at the Les Gove park and Bal Jagat should be getting the papers they need by Monday morning.
Never ever a dull moment around our house and I love it that way.
Friday, June 24, 2011
JIANXI CHINA
This picture was taken on our way from the airport to our hotel in Jianxi. Looks a lot like western Washington.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
PICTURES
Still trying to upload pictures to our blog but the computer refuses to cooperate with me. *&^%$ you computer!!!!!
Mimi's doing good. Recieved a good report card despite the fact that she missed 14 days of school. Now I owe her a Bey Blade. Starting this past Monday, the girl now has gymnastic practice almost everyday of the week (M-Th). Two hours everyday. I am going to have her do swimming lessons also. Gotta keep that child busy.
Lately she has been baraging me with a ton of "How come" questions. "Mom, how come the sky is blue? How come there are clouds? How come people use bad words in songs?" The list goes on and on. I try to answer all the questions to the best of my ablilty but it is wearing me down. At the same time, I realize that this is the age when they ask a lot of questions and then there will come a time when she may not want to talk to me at all. So I try to keep our line of dialoge open but man, it's wiping me out!
Mei Mei on the other hand is soooooo polar opposite of Mimi. This is one laid back child if I ever saw one. Nothing seems to phase this kid. Took her to her first doctor appointment yesterday where she recieved not one or two but three shots and narry a cry or whimper. Don't get me wrong, this kid is active and loves to play and play all day if I let her. She just is not as active as Mimi ever was or is. Thank goodness!
Screw the formula! says Mei Mei. We all thought that Mimi could pack it away. Well so can little sis for that matter. She now eats solid foods. Pureed of course due to no teeth yet. Instead of buying the ready made baby food, I just make it myself. So much easier. I do however buy the rice cereal and will use the formula in the foods the kid eats. Mei Mei now drinks soy milk in addition to water and plum smart juice. Need to keep her regulated you know.
Dad is doing ok. He says that it was hard for him to go back to work after being off for so long. Nice thing is, he doesn't have to go out to Everett anymore. Maybe just now and then as the job is starting to wind down. He can go back to taking the Sounder (train) into downtown Seattle.
As for myself, I am slowly getting better. The house still looks like a tornado ripped through. Slowly getting my thank you cards out to everyone. I feel so fortunate to have so many wonderfuly friends and family out there. Like I mentioned on my fb, there was a time when I needed to take some Melatonin to get to sleep. Since Mei Mei has come into my life things have changed quite a bit. I now give her a bottle of soy milk at around 9 then at 10:30 the kid passes out (she's a night owl), then I am ready to pass out till the next morning and it all starts all over again.
Mimi's doing good. Recieved a good report card despite the fact that she missed 14 days of school. Now I owe her a Bey Blade. Starting this past Monday, the girl now has gymnastic practice almost everyday of the week (M-Th). Two hours everyday. I am going to have her do swimming lessons also. Gotta keep that child busy.
Lately she has been baraging me with a ton of "How come" questions. "Mom, how come the sky is blue? How come there are clouds? How come people use bad words in songs?" The list goes on and on. I try to answer all the questions to the best of my ablilty but it is wearing me down. At the same time, I realize that this is the age when they ask a lot of questions and then there will come a time when she may not want to talk to me at all. So I try to keep our line of dialoge open but man, it's wiping me out!
Mei Mei on the other hand is soooooo polar opposite of Mimi. This is one laid back child if I ever saw one. Nothing seems to phase this kid. Took her to her first doctor appointment yesterday where she recieved not one or two but three shots and narry a cry or whimper. Don't get me wrong, this kid is active and loves to play and play all day if I let her. She just is not as active as Mimi ever was or is. Thank goodness!
Screw the formula! says Mei Mei. We all thought that Mimi could pack it away. Well so can little sis for that matter. She now eats solid foods. Pureed of course due to no teeth yet. Instead of buying the ready made baby food, I just make it myself. So much easier. I do however buy the rice cereal and will use the formula in the foods the kid eats. Mei Mei now drinks soy milk in addition to water and plum smart juice. Need to keep her regulated you know.
Dad is doing ok. He says that it was hard for him to go back to work after being off for so long. Nice thing is, he doesn't have to go out to Everett anymore. Maybe just now and then as the job is starting to wind down. He can go back to taking the Sounder (train) into downtown Seattle.
As for myself, I am slowly getting better. The house still looks like a tornado ripped through. Slowly getting my thank you cards out to everyone. I feel so fortunate to have so many wonderfuly friends and family out there. Like I mentioned on my fb, there was a time when I needed to take some Melatonin to get to sleep. Since Mei Mei has come into my life things have changed quite a bit. I now give her a bottle of soy milk at around 9 then at 10:30 the kid passes out (she's a night owl), then I am ready to pass out till the next morning and it all starts all over again.
Friday, June 17, 2011
NEW BLOG PICTURES
I know, I know, it's about time I put up some new pics. Truth be told, I'm still not feeling up to par. Slowly getting better tho. This allergy/cold/ has really gotten to me. Still have yet to unpack and put the suitcases away. At least I was able to get this week's grocery shopping done and develope some pics to send out. Hopefully next week will be better. Looks like we won't be visiting with grandpa this Father's Day as I don't want to spread my cooties to them.
MUD
Today was MUD at Mimi's school. M=Move, U=Up, D=Day. This means that the kids get a chance to meet their new teacher and classmates for the upcoming year.
This also means that Mim got into the loop. So now she will be in the same class with the same teacher for the next two years.
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
OUR HOUSE
Let's see.....what's been happening with the Putney's since they have come home. Dad went back to work. Only this time he goes to downtown Seattle instead of way, way, out to Everett. Now he can take the train into his job which is much nicer. That way he can relax and let someone else to the driving. However there was one day when he fell asleep and missed his getting off station. I had to go down to Auburn and rescue the man.
Mimi is back at school. She so misses her California friends but is happy to see her at home friends. Her school doesn't let out till next Monday. Since we live in an area where snow is involved, the kids have make-up days to do when there is a snow day and there is no school. Her gymnastic schedule will change next week for the summer. She will have practice everyday except Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 - 1:30 Coach Debbie says. Debbie explained that if the kids do more hours of practice during the summer, it will cut down on the time they practice during the school year. There are some gymnasts that will be practicing even more hours than Mimi as they are getting ready to head down to Austin, Texas for the upcoming National Championships. Mimi is not that high of a level yet to compete. So that leaves us out thankfully.
Mei Mei is adjusting really well taking into the consideration all that this little girl has been through this past month. Losing the only family she knew, fitting into a new family, change of country and time zone, not to mention all of the new people she has met so far. We are finally getting into a comfortable routine.
I wake her up at 7:30, she gets a diaper change, if Mimi is not awake, then I go a wake her up too. Then both Mimi and Mei Mei hang out in our bed while I get ready for the day. We all go down to breakfast at around 8 give or take a minute. By 9, Mimi is off to school and 9:30 or so Mei Mei goes down for her morning nap. Then I can get some housework done. By 11:00, the girl is wide awake and then at 12 is lunch. Naps again around 2 until 3:15 when it is time to get her ready to go and pick up Mimi from school and then we all have a snack together. Then off to gymnastics we go where she flirts with all of the boys/men at the gym, gets tons of attention from the other moms there. By 7:30 we are all home and have dinner together, then it is time for the girls to get ready for bed, Dad reads a story to them. At 9:30 pm, both girls are out like a light. Tomorrow starts another day similar to today.
As for me, I am doing pretty good so far with getting everyone to where they need to be and keeping the house running. However I did catch a very bad cold. I'm not sure if it is because we went from super hot China to chilly California/Washington. I so prefer the cooler weather tho. None the less, I got sick. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Stuffy nose, laryngitis, the whole nine yards. Taking Mucinex and sucking on throat lozenges. Seems to be helping.
Mimi is back at school. She so misses her California friends but is happy to see her at home friends. Her school doesn't let out till next Monday. Since we live in an area where snow is involved, the kids have make-up days to do when there is a snow day and there is no school. Her gymnastic schedule will change next week for the summer. She will have practice everyday except Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 - 1:30 Coach Debbie says. Debbie explained that if the kids do more hours of practice during the summer, it will cut down on the time they practice during the school year. There are some gymnasts that will be practicing even more hours than Mimi as they are getting ready to head down to Austin, Texas for the upcoming National Championships. Mimi is not that high of a level yet to compete. So that leaves us out thankfully.
Mei Mei is adjusting really well taking into the consideration all that this little girl has been through this past month. Losing the only family she knew, fitting into a new family, change of country and time zone, not to mention all of the new people she has met so far. We are finally getting into a comfortable routine.
I wake her up at 7:30, she gets a diaper change, if Mimi is not awake, then I go a wake her up too. Then both Mimi and Mei Mei hang out in our bed while I get ready for the day. We all go down to breakfast at around 8 give or take a minute. By 9, Mimi is off to school and 9:30 or so Mei Mei goes down for her morning nap. Then I can get some housework done. By 11:00, the girl is wide awake and then at 12 is lunch. Naps again around 2 until 3:15 when it is time to get her ready to go and pick up Mimi from school and then we all have a snack together. Then off to gymnastics we go where she flirts with all of the boys/men at the gym, gets tons of attention from the other moms there. By 7:30 we are all home and have dinner together, then it is time for the girls to get ready for bed, Dad reads a story to them. At 9:30 pm, both girls are out like a light. Tomorrow starts another day similar to today.
As for me, I am doing pretty good so far with getting everyone to where they need to be and keeping the house running. However I did catch a very bad cold. I'm not sure if it is because we went from super hot China to chilly California/Washington. I so prefer the cooler weather tho. None the less, I got sick. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Stuffy nose, laryngitis, the whole nine yards. Taking Mucinex and sucking on throat lozenges. Seems to be helping.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
VISIT WITH GRANDPA AND GRANDMA
They are soooooo in love with their newest grand-daughter that they are just beside themselves.
Grandpa: Are you breastfeeding her?
Me: Uhhhh, no, she is eating soft foods and drinking her formula.
Grandpa: It's amazing how they are letting "OLD" people adopt young babies nowadays.
Me: Kept my mouth shut.
Then came grandpa's version of "Rock-A-Bye Baby ". "Rock-a-bye, baby, on the treetop. When the wind blows, the baby will drop..."
I just chalk everything up to senility and the fact that grandpa is 94 years old.
Needless to say, the girl was a hit with everyone at the center today.
Grandpa: Are you breastfeeding her?
Me: Uhhhh, no, she is eating soft foods and drinking her formula.
Grandpa: It's amazing how they are letting "OLD" people adopt young babies nowadays.
Me: Kept my mouth shut.
Then came grandpa's version of "Rock-A-Bye Baby ". "Rock-a-bye, baby, on the treetop. When the wind blows, the baby will drop..."
I just chalk everything up to senility and the fact that grandpa is 94 years old.
Needless to say, the girl was a hit with everyone at the center today.
HOME SWEET HOME
WoW!!! What a month the Putney's had! Despite the horrible trip to China where we were packed like sardines on China Southern Economy flight, things started to look up especially when Mei-Lin became a part of our family FOREVER!
It was the trip of a lifetime needless to say. Mimi also realized how good she has it at our house. There was a time when she said that she was going to move to China and just come home to visit with us. For whatever reason, China changed her mind on that subject. She did however make some real good friends, Bethany and Grace.
Then there was the amazing trip to California, where we got the chance to stay with some awsome folks and friends for life. Will post some pics later. Getting ready to go to bed now. Nighty night.
It was the trip of a lifetime needless to say. Mimi also realized how good she has it at our house. There was a time when she said that she was going to move to China and just come home to visit with us. For whatever reason, China changed her mind on that subject. She did however make some real good friends, Bethany and Grace.
Then there was the amazing trip to California, where we got the chance to stay with some awsome folks and friends for life. Will post some pics later. Getting ready to go to bed now. Nighty night.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
China Update
We are back in Goungzhou. Spent all day today doing Mei Mei's medical exam and completting the forms for her immigration visa. We'll be going to the American Consulate tomorrow. We all went on a dinner cruise on the Pearl river tonite.
Going back in time abit the attached photos are of the Bada Shanren Memory Hall in Nanchang. Bada Shanren was a famous 17th century Chinese painter. He was a descendat of the founder of the Ming Dynasty. When the ruling family was massacered at the end of the Ming Dynasty he went into hiding at a Taoist temple.He becaome a devount Taoist and lived in seclusion at the temple. The temple was turned into a museum of his works.
Going back in time abit the attached photos are of the Bada Shanren Memory Hall in Nanchang. Bada Shanren was a famous 17th century Chinese painter. He was a descendat of the founder of the Ming Dynasty. When the ruling family was massacered at the end of the Ming Dynasty he went into hiding at a Taoist temple.He becaome a devount Taoist and lived in seclusion at the temple. The temple was turned into a museum of his works.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Trip to SWI
We visited the SWI (Social Welfare Institute) which Mei Mei comes from with one other family from our group yesterday. It is located in Tonguu, a rural mountainous area 4 hours from Nanchang. It is a beautiful forested area that reminded us a lot of the outlying areas around Seattle where we live.
We were greeted by the Director and Assistant Directer of the SWI and were indeed fortunate to able to meet with the foster mothers of both babies. The director also hosted a lunch at a local restaraunt with us, the foster mothers, the assistant director, and some of the staff of the SWI. The director was extremely hospitable, produced a bottle of rice wine and led a series of toasts. He reminded us that according to tradition you are to drain your glass in one drink with each toast. He said that when he retires he wants to come to America and visit each family which has adopted children from his SWI. (300 families). He's been having some difficulty obtaining a visa though. They say is very difficult for Chinese to obtain a visa to visit the US. He siad his only requirement is that each having have a bottle of rice wine for his visit.
This SWI seems to be very well run. No children live at this SWI. The residents are all elderly people under care. The children are all under foster care. The foster mothers work for the SWI and the SWI retains guardianship. The assistant director regularly visits the foster families and supervises the care for the children. The directors visits each family once a month. All the babies in our group are healthy and happy and obviously well cared for.
They took us to see the places where each of the babies were found before we returned to Nanchang.
Greg
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Fwd: China Update
On Friday we went to Peoples Park in Nanchang. It is a huge, very beautiful park with lakes, many traditional chinese structures and gardens, and an amusement park with rides. The park is frequented by many retired peaple who go there to do various theriputic activities. Our guide,Sissi, yook us thee to see this because she says this is a big part of Chinese culture. We saw one group of women practicing a folk dance together. There was an area where there was a group of men with long brushes wiith a pointed brush on the end like a giant paint brush which you could paint on the ground with while standing up. They were doing calligraphy with water on the pavement so that they could cover the stones with beautuiful calligraphy without making a mess with chalk. The water simply evaporates. The elderly men got physical exercise as well as the spirtual exercise of expressing them selves with the poetry they made up on the spot. When Sissi told them that we were visiting from America one man wrote in Chinese "Welcome Americans" and another man wrote in beautiful english script. "Welcome to China". People are always very social and friendly everywher you go, especially when have babies which they love. A large group of people will gather around and oogle the babies.
Another group of elderly people were gathered in a group singing a playing folk music. There was one man with an accordion and another with a flute and a group of women signing. We joined them for awhile with them and had a great time listening to them. When Sisi told tham we were from America the man with the accordion suprised us by playing "Old Suzanna". Everyone laughed. You would also see men standing in some of the gardens or on the porch of some of the Chinese buildings doing Tai Chi.
While enjoying talking to these people it was really amazing how content and happy they are in their lives. It really made me see how much value Chinese culture places not only being healthy physically but also making the effort to be healthy emotionaly and spiritually as well. This is what Sissi was trying to show us.
The night before we went to the August 1st Square in Nanchang. Nanchang's historical claim to fame is that the first uprising in the communist revolution, called the August 1st Uprising,happened there in 1927. It is also the birthplace if the red army. Zhou Enlai led 30,000 people to form what became the red army. They took over the city for about 3 days before they were defeated by Chiang Kai-Shek. They fled into the mountains and Zhou Enlai joined forces with Mao Zedong and they started the Long March. They have a large memorial in the square commemorating the uprising. Growing up in the cold war and hearing about the Cultural Revolution all through my childhood the last thing I would have expected would be to go to China twice and stand in a square looking at a memorial to the revolution.
Another group of elderly people were gathered in a group singing a playing folk music. There was one man with an accordion and another with a flute and a group of women signing. We joined them for awhile with them and had a great time listening to them. When Sisi told tham we were from America the man with the accordion suprised us by playing "Old Suzanna". Everyone laughed. You would also see men standing in some of the gardens or on the porch of some of the Chinese buildings doing Tai Chi.
While enjoying talking to these people it was really amazing how content and happy they are in their lives. It really made me see how much value Chinese culture places not only being healthy physically but also making the effort to be healthy emotionaly and spiritually as well. This is what Sissi was trying to show us.
The night before we went to the August 1st Square in Nanchang. Nanchang's historical claim to fame is that the first uprising in the communist revolution, called the August 1st Uprising,happened there in 1927. It is also the birthplace if the red army. Zhou Enlai led 30,000 people to form what became the red army. They took over the city for about 3 days before they were defeated by Chiang Kai-Shek. They fled into the mountains and Zhou Enlai joined forces with Mao Zedong and they started the Long March. They have a large memorial in the square commemorating the uprising. Growing up in the cold war and hearing about the Cultural Revolution all through my childhood the last thing I would have expected would be to go to China twice and stand in a square looking at a memorial to the revolution.
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