7 November 2010 ~ Rainy Days and Sundays...

...don't always get me down.

April and I stepped out of our comfy, warm apartments

to take a walk in the rain this afternoon.

A very wet, but beautiful autumn day...

We both feel so blessed that in just a few minutes after leaving Campus Village, we can find ourselves on these beautiful trails.

Long arm!

Beautiful fall colors

One last holdout of spring

6 November 2010 ~ Come On Baby, Light My Fire

After being sick for over two months, I was desperate. It was either get healthy or pack my bags. Lisa, the owner of the school was very sweet, periodically sending soup and checking in to make sure I was OK. A few weeks ago, we had a conversation about when she first came to China and had a similar problem that lasted six months. She told me about the eastern doctor who comes to Campus Village and asked if I was open to alternative treatments.  What finally helped her was an eastern fire treatment.  Did you say fire treatment?  She swore by it with such confidence and asked if I would be willing to give it a try. Like I said, I was desperate.  Western medicine sure wasn't cutting it and...when in Rome, so I told her I'd give it a go. Out of the frying pan and into the fire! Lisa made an appointment for me the following weekend.

I walked into the docs room and put my utmost trust into this man who was about to light me on fire. First he put plastic around me, then rubbed something that smelled like Vics Vapor Rub on my belly. I could feel an instant penetrating heat from the ointment. He then laid a warm wet towel across my belly and on top of that he poured a clear liquid across the towel. I imagined this to be lighter fluid or 100 proof Chinese moonshine! He readied a second wet towel across my rib cage. I assumed this one was to douse the flames as I thought to myself, "Oh man, I am actually doing this." He then reached into his pocket, pulled out his lighter, and...click, woooosh, my belly was on fire! It was an out of this world experience to look down and see actual flames coming up from my stomach! I had assumed correctly, after about three seconds, the second wet towel was tossed across the flames. He did this over and over again, massaging my belly in between, for over an hour. What made it even more surreal was the fact that he had an instrumental version of Mama Mia playing softly in the background. There I was, listening to "Dancing Queen" and watching flames come out of my stomach. Can you say Twilight Zone?

As you read this, you might think I've lost my mind here in China to actually let someone light me on fire, but I must say I could feel the healing heat penetrating through my stomach and it actually felt really good! Yes, it was quite warm, hot at times, but I knew that this heat was extremely beneficial. I lost count of the click/wooshes after a while, got used to the fact that those flames were literally coming from my stomach, closed my eyes, and actually relaxed. The warmth was divine. And, believe it or not, once I started these treatments, my belly is better! The cramping has gone away and I've been able to eat, eat, eat again. So...you may think my cheese has slipped off my cracker, but I'm a believer and actually went back for more today. I asked the doc to take a couple pictures so you could see this true cultural experience for yourself.

5 November 2010 ~ Only Four Months at Sea

(Pardon the formatting...can't get it single spaced!

Maybe it's the rum and all the celebrating!)

My darling, musically talented friend, Christiane, posted this on Facebook this morning:

"Today's the day Kimberly gets her shipment!

(Sung to the tune of Teddy Bear's Picnic!)

If you go out to K's apartment today,

you'll never believe the surprise.

For every treasure that ever there was,

will gather for certain because,

today's the day that Kimberly gets her shipment!"

I love ya, my friend!

And boy were you right, Christiane...

MY SHIPMENT ARRIVED TODAY!!!!!

Exactly four months ago, on July 5, Guardian International Shipping Company came to my house in Windsor, California to pick up my shipment. And today, November 5, it finally arrived here in China!

I tell you, there is something about he power of the mind and positive thinking that just amazes me. For the last three months, each time I've hear, "It will be here next week" (and believe me I heard it a thousand times!), I'd say, "Ya right, I'll believe it when I see it!" This week I changed my attitude (and sent many an email to the shipping company!) stating clearly and without a shadow of doubt that our shipment will be here by Saturday. And doggone it, if I don't live and breathe, here I am surrounded by boxes! Boxes from home with my down comforter, Russell, my winter coat, toothpaste and shampoo! I had forgotten what I actually packed in some of these boxes, so what a glorious thing it is to open them up and see surprises from home!

It all started this afternoon with these three sweet words form Johnson, our customs agent here in China:

An hour later the truck drove up to Campus Village...

Johnson wouldn't even consider opening up the truck until I payed the taxes owed on the shipment. At this point in time, I would have given him thousands of yuan!!

Here he is counting the dough...

Alas...our boxes!!! All 41 of them!!! Michelle and I were ever so relieved to see this wonderful sight! Finally, warm clothes!

And as the sun set, we unpacked the truck and counted the boxes to make sure they all arrived.

Trina, DAIS's librarian and shipment cheerleader, came out and we all started doing the shipment dance!!

Some boxes were in perfect shape while others looked like they really had been on a slow boat to China for four months!

Sweet Jason helping to bring the boxes into my apartment...

OK, here's the funny part. Well, maybe not so funny at the time, but we're laughing now! While we were unloading the truck, Johnson informed Michelle and me that his partner had just locked the keys in the cab! Oops! We had quite a few folks coming out of their apartments with all kinds of gadgets and tools to help these guys break into their truck. After an hour and help from a wire coat hanger, they finally had success! We all climbed into the cab and headed over to school to deliver the rest of our boxes to our classrooms.

Audrey, who was very helpful with getting our shipment here, joined in the fun!

A happy Michelle and me with our wonderful delivery guys!

One for all and all for one! We did it!

These two guys were just adorable!

Yea!!

All is well in my world now...I have Russell and toothpaste!

Claire, Nancy and Michelle came over for a unpacking party and drinks to celebrate this glorious arrival! The first thing we did was dig into a box labeled DVD's! There was just something about seeing all these movies from home that made us all scream with delight!

We sat in the happiness of the day, toasted the 41 boxes, and watch "Dangerous Beauty," one of my all time favorite movies.

The party is over...now it's time to open up all these boxes

and move into my apartment. Ahhhh...I am ever so happy!

It really does feel like home, sweet home now. : )

4 November 2010 ~ Insecte Si Paianjeni

Each morning we start our day with a friendship circle in Class 2A. It gives the kids (and teachers : )) an opportunity to share something that's important to them, chat about something that is going on in their life, celebrate an accomplishment, or work out something that's going on. I love starting the day this way.

To go along with Halloween, we have been learning all about insects and spiders. Yesterday our little guy from Romania brought in a book all about insects in his native language to share with the class. He was just adorable as he read to us all about his favorite insects in Romanian. We then went further around the circle and our little girl from Korea also had a book about insects written in Korean. She then proceeded to share in her native language. I just sat there with a big ol' smile on my face. It was another "pinch me" moment! I just love my job!

Bummer, the Korean book was taken home before I had a chance to snap a picture of it!

3 November 2010 ~ Folks Dressed Up Like Eskimos

Brrrrrrr...The mercury is falling and it's really getting cold out there!

Alejandra and I were all snuggled up in our warmest woolies for the walk home from work this evening. We're both wondering if we're this cold now, what the heck are we going to do when it gets really cold...40 degrees colder?? This is going to be a very interesting winter for these two girls from Venezuela and California.

2 November 2010 ~ I Sail in You, You Sail in Me

The walk to the Yellow Sea from the school is beautiful. Once you're about half way there, you cross over a bridge and walk the rest of the way along a canal. The water from the canal then runs into the sea, and this is where we saw this picturesque sight last Sunday afternoon...

"We are the boat, we are the sea, I sail in you, you sail in me." ~ Lorre Wyatt

1 November 2010 ~ Golden Stones and Calligraphy

As I was searching Golden Pebble Beach yesterday for heart shaped rocks, this adorable man came up to me with a bunch of golden stones of his own that he had been collected along the beach. He spoke only Chinese, but I could tell he was quite proud of his collection and wanted to share. The way he had them arranged in his hand and the tone in his voice let me know that these stones meant something to him on a truly spiritual level. After admiring his prizes, I showed him that I was collecting heart shaped golden stones and his face lit up. We continued communicating as if we knew exactly what the other was saying.

He then pulled out a book from his jacket pocket and opened it up for me to see. It was an according folded book full of beautiful calligraphy and a collection of fall leaves drying inside. He pointed at the exquisite characters and then to himself telling me that this was his work. From his proud stance and the smile on his face I knew that he took great pride in his art and loved sharing it. It was a wonderful moment where I stood in awe, speechless and honored to be witness to such a sweet man and his work.

Proudly, he took his book of calligraphy and with a flourish unfolded the pages for both Nancy and me to see along the retaining wall next to our growing collection of heart shaped stones. I stood in sweet admiration as this man shared his pride and joy. We chatted more, again not understanding each other's language, but seeing the expression on his face and knowing what was coming from his heart, I understood every word he was saying. It was another precious moment to hold in my heart and remember for days to come. Again, confirmation as to why I am here...to meet sweet, gentle people like this man.

He was ever so proud and just adorable! : )

He then showed me his brochure to let me know that he was quite a famous artist not only with calligraphy, but painting and sculptures as well. We then said our goodbyes and appreciations to each other and he started to walk away. After a few steps he came back and handed me the brochure pointing to the phone number and then to himself, smiled, and walked away. I opened the brochure to see he had also left one of his fall leaves inside for me. I was so touched and will be asking one of my Chinese friends to call his number and find out more about this delightful man. I'd like to meet with him again to learn his life story and to ask him to teach me his fine art of calligraphy. : ) I'll keep you posted.