1 September 2010 ~ Dragonfly Bike

Mom appearing in the spirit of dragonflies never ceases to amaze me. It warmed my heart and gave me a smile from ear to ear when the bike I borrowed from my friend Ana had dragonflies on it. When I went over to her condo to pick it up last weekend, there was a row of bikes outside her door. I saw one with dragonflies and knew instantly that was the bike I was about to ride. And it was! I love the fact that as I ride through the street of JinShiTan, China all I have to do is look down and there's Mom right there riding along with me saying, "Yippee! We're in China!" The synchronicity of life is such a cherished and precious gift.

For those of you who don't know my dragonfly story, here it is in a letter to Sue Barkann of Sue B Designs Jewelry...

September 27, 2008

Dear Sue,

Hello. My name is Kimberly Blake and I’d like to tell you a sweet, heartwarming story about how you and a piece of your jewelry touched my life in the most incredible way.

In January of 2002 my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She battled with great courage, dignity and strength for over three years until March 27, 2005, when, while I was at her side, she took her last breath here with us. She was my best friend, my confidant, my companion at all stages of my life. We had a closeness that I consider to be one of the greatest gifts of my life. I cherished this closeness and I wasn’t sure how to move forward with life without her by my side.

About four months after she passed away, I was with Uncle Marshal (Mom’s brother) on his houseboat on Lake Mojave. I was swimming in the lake one afternoon when a very small dragonfly the color of turquoise (turquoise was Mom’s birthstone) started following me. It stayed with me as I swam around the lake and made my way back to Uncle Marshal’s boat. Just as I grabbed on to the side of the boat, this sweet little dragonfly landed on my hand. I instantly said to this amazing creature, “Hi, Mom!” Without a shadow of a doubt, I knew it was her coming for a visit. We had this nice little chat and off she flew. It left me with a feeling of such closeness, like my mom had never left my side. I really didn’t have to figure out how to live without her because she was letting me know that she was still right there. I will never forget that moment.

The following week I learned that among Native Americans and Asain cultures dragonflies are believed to be messengers from parted family members back to the living relatives. I already knew this in my heart and it made me feel even more blessed by the dragonfly’s special visit. I also learned that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship.

A few months later I was in Grass Valley with my mom’s best friend, Rosemary, and my mother-in-law, Marge. Two women who were ever so close to mom and who I consider my second moms. We were doing a bit of shopping and walked into The West Wind, a shop on Church St. The first thing I saw in their jewelry display case was one of your beautiful dragonfly necklaces that looked just like the turquoise creature who came to visit me at Lake Mojave. I knew again that it was Mom saying, “Hi, Honey. I’m right here with you.” I asked to see it and while holding your precious necklace, I told Rosemary and Marge the story of what happened on the lake that day. I then handed the necklace back to the shopkeeper with a thank you and all three of them at the same time said, “You’re not going to buy it?!” I reminded them that I had just taken a year off work to help care for my mom and my bank account wasn’t at it’s norm. The woman behind the counter said, “This necklace belongs to you and I’m going to sell it to you at a discount.” I knew then that it needed to be with me, around my neck, reminding me how close Mom was to me, even though she was no longer physically at my side. The shopkeeper loving wrapped the necklace in a beautiful box and sold it to me at a discount. Bless her heart.

Upon my return home that day, I was unpacking and came across the box that held the dragonfly. I took the necklace out and tried it on for the first time. I looked at myself in the mirror and for the first time saw Mom’s face looking back at me. Everyone said how much we looked alike, but neither one of us saw it. I placed my hands over my neck and sat in the warmth of knowing that I was not alone in my sadness of missing her. She was right there with me. I then took the necklace off, laid it down on the counter and the dragonfly landed upside down. This is when I notice there was something written on the back. I brought it closer and saw “Sue” engraved on the back and my heart skipped a beat . . . my mom’s name is Sue . . . .

There aren’t really any words I can use right now to describe or convey my intense feelings in that moment. I was so deeply connected with both my mom and the Greatness of Spirit who led me through this enlightening journey and allowed me to witness all these precious moments life has to offer. When I wear the necklace with her name so close to my heart, I know that she never really left my side.

Thank you, Sue. Thank you from deep in my heart for the gift your beautiful creation brought into my life. I will cherish the necklace and you, always.

With great warmth,

Kimberly Sue Blake

31 August 2010 ~ Dragon Fruit Day

While I was at the JinShiTan market the other day, I wanted to venture out and try something new, so I purchased pitaya fruit, more commonly known as dragon fruit. It originates from the dragon fruit cactus plant and after doing a bit of research, I found this nutritious and tasty fruit blooms at night where pollination is caused by nocturnal creatures such as bats and moths. Too cool!

I loved slicing it open because it was a complete mystery to me. I had no idea what I would find inside. I was pleasantly surprised when white flesh and tiny black seeds appreared. Against the intense purple skin, it was a sight to see! And it was ever so tasty with a sweet flavor and light, creamy texture. It was like a cross between a kiwi and a pear.

Durian fruit next....ahhh....I'll have to have a lot of courage for that one. Either that or a really good nose plug!

30 August 2010 ~ Market Day

It may be a challenge to get to the market, figure out what I'm buying or even looking at, and haul it all back to my apartment, but the good news is I'm eating healthier than ever. I don't buy many packaged items because frankly, I can't read the labels and don't know what's in them! So I buy what I know...chicken, fruit, and vegies. And it's all so pretty, too!

I've figured out the stove and I'm actually cooking!

Are cucumber flavored Lays potato chips considered healthy??

29 August 2010 ~ The Real Eddie's

We expats love "The Real Eddie's." The first floor is a deli that sells incredible breads, pastries and cookies. (And we appreciate the fact that they deliver to school once a week.) They even have an import section where we Westerners can purchase comfort food such as peanut butter, jelly and limes...it's very hard to find limes in China! The second floor is a restaurant that serves a great burger and mexican food, and above that is a rooftop patio with a tapas bar. I do love exploring China and all its many sites and flavors, but there's nothing like a taste of home!

I just love the English translations.... : )

28 August 2010 ~ What a Girl Needs

Just what a girl needs after a long, hard week....

27 August 2010 ~ The Newbies

Here are all the DAIS Newbies!

Back: Michelle, April, Stephanie, Andrew,

Ann, Alejandra and Nancy

Front: Claire and Kimberly

We're at the local police department applying for our Foreign Expert License.

Yep, we're all experts at being foreign now.

(Heck, I don't need a license for that!!!)

26 August 2010 ~ World Map

Check out the world map in China...notice anything different??

25 August 2010 ~ Soda

A blast from the past...or the present here in China! When was the last time you opened a can of soda/beer this way??

24 August 2010 ~ My Stove

As you can see from these pics, cooking on the stove in my apartment is no easy task. I think I kinda have it figured out...I can boil water and cook rice! What more could a girl who doesn't cook want? At lease now I have a really good excuse not to cook!

23 August 2010 ~ The Real Toilets

This is what the toilets really look like in China...and compared to most, this one is very clean. Quite a far cry from the "Beam Me Up Scotty" toilet at the Ramanda in Dalian!!

22 August 2010 ~ Susan's

The day after I was offered the position to teach second grade at DAIS, I was drawn to Goat Rock State Beach to Mom’s memorial site. I felt a deep need to be close to her, share my good news, and have a nice long chat about the path that lay ahead of me. Upon arriving at the beach, I took a long walk down toward the mouth of the Russian River where I sat on the jetty for hours and wrote in my journal about the huge leap I was taking to teach overseas and how life would change if I accepted the position at DAIS. After hours of writing, I still had not come to a decision and my attention was drawn to a group of seagulls down on the beach. They were having a field day with something, but I couldn’t quite make out what it was from the distance. My curiosity finally got the best of me and I packed up my journal to go down and see what all the commotion was about. As I walked closer I realized the seagulls were chowing down on starfish…hundreds of them! There had been a huge storm the night before and these poor little guys and been washed up onto the beach. It instantly reminded me of the starfish story I once heard:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

With thoughts of this story in my head, I began throwing these beautiful creatures back into the sea, one after the other. I started thinking about teaching and the difference I’ve made in so many children’s lives and got even more excited about the thought of teaching overseas. (I later talked to Jane, my principal at Monte Vista, and she said she had started her very first staff meeting at Monte Vista with this story.) : )

I then headed to Mom’s spot overlooking Blind’s Beach and Goat Rock. Sitting with her and looking out over the ocean, I felt wide open to all the possibilities life had to offer and I asked Mom to send me a sign…a sign to let me know, to guide me and lead me in the direction of where my heart needed to be…and I knew in my heart that she would!

That night I had a Skype conversation with Kate Adams, the second grade teacher at DAIS. One of the questions I asked her was about what she did on her weekends and free time. Her answer was that a group of teachers often went to a local café called “Susan's” for breakfast on Saturday mornings!!! Ha!!! Can you believe it?? A café named Susan’s...in China! I knew right then and there it was Mom's sign telling me to take the job and go to China!! After ending the call with Kate, Sidney Gill (Head of Elementary) sent me a text through Skype and right then and there I accepted the position to teach second grade at DAIS.

And here I am in Jinshitan, China standing with Susan in front of her café!! I just love how Mom is everywhere I am. All I have to do is look around and I see her manifested again and again in so many ways. She has never left my side!

And here's my sign....

Thanks, Mom!!!

AKA Susan!

21 August 2010 ~ Frogs Anyone?

OK...brace yourself! I sure had to! These little critters were not on display in a pet store to be adopted as a family pet. Nope, they were in the grocery store to be sold by the pound and consumed! I think I've seen everything now!

20 August 2010 ~ PEEPS!!!!!!

AHHHH!!!

As most of you know, I am very passionate about Peeps...those cute little marshmallow treats one finds around every major holiday. (We all have to have our vices, right?) Well...I FOUND PEEPS RIGHT HERE IN CHINA!!! I'm feeling so much better now...all is well in my world! And yes, I will be opening the package and waiting until they get stale before I eat them! (Sure hope they get stale in all this humidity!)

19 August 2010 ~ Lost in Translation!

OK, this one really cracks me up!
I was cruising up and down the isles tonight at the grocery store happy to have time to just check everything out and read the labels. I simply had to pull out my camera and take a picture of this item in the freezer section! Still not exactly sure what was in the package, but the English translation did not make it all that appealing!! Guess you have to plug your nose to eat this for breakfast!! : ) I'm loving this adventure more and more everyday!

18 August 2010 ~ A New World

Yep, this really is a new world...

And I'm loving every minute of it!
Thank you Universe for this sweet reminder. : )

17 August 2010 ~ Oil Spil

They've done a great job of cleaning up the oil spill in Dalian Harbor which spread to Golden Pebble Beach. This was the only sign that there had been any oil on the beach...an abandoned pair of flip flops covered in oil.

16 August 2010 ~ China Hearts

The beginning of my Asian heart shaped rock (and shell) collection...

I even found hearts in the seaweed on Golden Pebble Beach!

15 August 2010 ~ Dragonfly Day

Check this out!
While taking a walk down to the Yellow Sea today, I was trying ever so hard to take a picture of one of the hundreds of dragonflies floating through the air. They're quick little creatures who don't land often, so I wasn't having much luck. I didn't notice until I downloaded my pictures that one of them actually graced me with it's company while I was taking a picture of the Golden Pebble Beach sign. Just another reminder to let go and let life flow! Hi Mom!! : )

14 August 2010 ~ Ikea Day

Yep, there's an Ikea in Dalian, China!

Alejandra and me giggling and laughing in the back of the taxi after we'd been pelted by a wall of brown, mucky water that was splashed through the window by a passing car.

13 August 2010 ~ Shopping in China

The other day I was looking for white vinegar. I found what I thought was the vinegar section, saw a bottle that could have been vinegar, purchased it, and was ever so happy to bring it home and find out that it really was vinegar! Success!! Who knew shopping could be such an adventure in guess work!

Eggs come in boxes in China. (Check out the cute little pictures of eggs in the corners of the diamond shapes.) Great for carrying among four other bags back to the taxi!

I recognize these!

12 August 2010 ~ Shopping in Kaifaqu

On Thursday evening I was finally feeling so much better, so I ventured out to Kaifaku to do some much needed grocery shopping. And I'm ever so glad I did! Outside of AnShang shopping mall in an open court area there was a production going on with singing and dancing. If I didn't know I was in China, I sure knew it in that moment! I loved standing there, the only American in sight, and soaking in the Chinese culture! I was in awe once again.

It was a beautiful night and the rain held off while I did my shopping and made it back to the bus. Inside AnShang there are many floors (still haven't explored them all yet) of clothing, electronics, shoes, restaurants (KFC included!) and much, much more. The floor undergroud is Trust-Mart, a very large grocery store. I had a great time just going up and down the isles exploring! Sure not like my local Raley's, that's for sure!