Just a little updating in 2011 . . .

As I sit here writing, it's the last weekend of February and we're looking at March in just a few short days.  I've only been back in Chengdu since mid-January but it seems like a lifetime ago.  What I can't believe is that we are already to March  2011.  It's strange how past and future events seem so far away sometimes but the time somehow flies by.  Is that my age or does everyone feel the same way?

My first weeks back in Chengdu were so depressing.  I'd just gotten back from my longest trip home (5 weeks - unexpectedly extended) since we've lived in China.  Although it had been a wonderful trip home with family and friends, it was good to be back with Joe and our everyday life.  What really got me down in the first few weeks was the cloudy, cold, damp, even snowy weather here in Chengdu.  I think it's the worst winter we have experienced since moving here.  I left sunny California and Texas, was weeks ahead of the DFW snow and ice storms and I truly missed the sunshine and blue skies.

My friends were gradually getting back from their homes in the US, Canada and elsewhere and holidays with their families.  We all felt the same way about this gloomy weather.  We readily got back into routines of weekly foot massages, lunches together, mahjong and  shopping.  We got back to our weekend get-togethers for dinners, pool tournaments and fun times with our neighbors.

Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar.  This year it was February 3.  Most foreign companies here observe the Chinese holidays so Joe and most of our friends were off for a week.  We started a little early this year with a Saturday morning brunch at a neighbor's home the weekend before the holidays kicked off.  There were over thirty people and we had such a great time.  We have made some of the most amazing friends here in Chengdu that make life so much more enjoyable!

                                                     Chinese New Year Brunch               

Joe and his buddies

A few of my girlfriends

                                                Chinese New Year Dinner/Party

Bai Jui Toast

 

Girls and their games . . . . . . . . Boys and their games!

                                          The whole group setting off fireworks

                                              Fireworks in the neighborhood

New Year's Eve we were at another friend's house for dinner, games, setting off some fireworks and watching the huge fireworks displays in our neighborhood at midnight.  The weather was cold but it was a pretty clear night so the fireworks lit up the skies.  You just can't imagine what you can buy in the way of fireworks here in China.  Back home half the stuff you can buy here would be outlawed.  Safety is NOT a priority here on the part of anyone in authority.  It's up to the individual to observe extreme caution.  The fireworks go on every night for the entire duration of the Chinese New Year period which lasted until February 17 and the Lantern Festival.  The fireworks on the last night are as big as the first night.

Over the course of Joe being off for a week we bowled, had get-togethers at other friend's homes, Joe golfed and we enjoyed some relaxing time at home together.  We even caught up on some movies and completed the first two seasons of Dexter in 8 days!

We watched the Super Bowl live at 7:00 in the morning (Monday for us) with friends at Mooney's Pub in the Shangri La Hotel.  We had a breakfast buffet and even a football pot.  Not a bad time but it sure doesn't replace beer, chips and dips and all the other football watching snacks.  Joe and I had a free night at the hotel so we went on Sunday evening and had dinner at a little Japanese restaurant near the hotel.  Sure beat getting up at 5:00 in the morning to get dressed and drive in to the city from our house.  

Yue, our cook; Renee, our hostess

Helping with the prep

Enjoying Yue's wonderful feast!

The last couple of weeks of February settled back into our normal everyday lives.  Joe has traveled one or two days each week and continues to stay busy with work and I'm staying busy with my girlfriends.   We had a wonderful Valentine's dinner at The Grill in the Crowne Plaza Hotel with friends.   This past week alone we explored a shopping mall with three floors of nothing but shoe stores (amazing!), had 2 1/2 hour facials, had a cooking class with a Chinese friend and continued our attempts at learning canasta.  Next week I will start another Beth Moore bible study with a few friends and can't wait to get into it.

Shoe City

March will bring another R&R for Joe and I and we're planning to see Tokyo and Okinawa.  Joe is excited to show me Japan, the bullet train and get back to Okinawa, a place he hasn't seen since he was a little boy.  We're even hoping to take in a Japanese baseball game.

The weather this past week has begun to show signs of Spring in the air.  We had sunshine, warm days and we even opened up our windows last Saturday to let some fresh air in.   Friday night we were able to have drinks and eat outside on the patio of our favorite restaurant.   Before we know it Spring will have come and gone and we'll be heading home for our summer visit.

Valentine's Day - 2011

Love to all!