After Hunter's first full day of school by himself, we went to get a special treat for being such a brave boy. I think I bought him M&Ms. After his second day, he told me he was a brave boy. Hint hint. So go ahead and call him spoiled or call me soft but how… Continue reading Working hard or…
Tag: Shanghai
The Slow March of Time
I don't know when my kids took their first steps. I heard that. You, with your neatly completed baby book proudly on display marking all of your baby's precious firsts, I heard you gasp just now. I'm just glad I can't see the look of horror, or pity, or disgust on your face at this… Continue reading The Slow March of Time
Living in a Haze
We're back to the land of hazy sunshine and skyscrapers. I'm told we have missed the oppressive heat but we've been back for 3 days now and the thermometer has vacillated between 78 and 93. Thank goodness for cooler weather. When we were home, it didn't really phase me that I knew exactly what was… Continue reading Living in a Haze
Where You Been?
Thank you for noticing it's been a while since the last post and for your concern. We've been busy showing up at our families' houses yelling "surprise!" I love surprises. They're like little reminders that anything is possible. Of course, "I just colored an entire wall with my crayons," surprises aren't that fun but a… Continue reading Where You Been?
If a picture is worth 1000 words, what are 1000 pictures worth?
Can we all agree that what we really want to see on Facebook are pictures? You know, they tell a story without having to do all that tedious reading - like on a blog. I mean, it's fine if you just want to write some cryptic message about how you're "feeling really bummed… :(" but… Continue reading If a picture is worth 1000 words, what are 1000 pictures worth?
Play Dating
There are lots of things that change when you become a parent. There are all the obvious cliches - the new meaning of late nights, the new understanding of endless worry, the glamour of diapers and boogers - but there is something else. Something no one seems to talk about even though (I think) it… Continue reading Play Dating
Happy Dragon Boat Festival
I recently read an article written by a mother exhausted from all the holidays her children were celebrating. As I remember it, she was partly exhausted by the Pinterest-ing of holiday merry-making and more generally, that things like the 100th day of school have now become A Thing. Totally justified. I think it was St.… Continue reading Happy Dragon Boat Festival
Not From Around Here
There are lots of things that happen in any given week when I think, "Really? This is normal?" And then I stop and realize I'm judging and remember this is why I like living here. The "challenge" of living in an unfamiliar place is exactly what makes it fun. But the following are observations that… Continue reading Not From Around Here
Seeking Son-in-law
We did some sightseeing over the weekend. We went to the Jing'an Temple. I suppose it's true for any place of worship in a big city, but nestled between skyscrapers and concrete, the Buddhist temple seemed a little out of place. We hopped out of the taxi in front of the "Donut King", but the… Continue reading Seeking Son-in-law
The Fake China
One thing about living in Shanghai that has been a surprise to me, is how expensive it can be. Certain things are cheap - vegetables, taxis - but almost everything else is more expensive than it would be in the US. They are probably feverishly making iPads 100 miles from here and yet they are… Continue reading The Fake China
Kathleen Siddell 