Thank you Columbus

This Columbus day our kids were in school but many of the expat men had the American holiday off. Nathan gets a mix of American and Chinese holidays, mostly just the Chinese ones where everything shuts down, and the American ones only if he doesn't have trainings or meetings. This day the stars aligned and after more than 3 years we finally got to go to the infamous Hidden Hot Springs.

 Our fearless leader Carrie led us deep into Yangmingshan National Park and down through bamboo forests and past many signs threatening big trouble if we went further.

I know, you're thinking, "But Erin! You are such a crazy rebel!" And you are right. I really am. I marched right on past all of the stunning scenery and ominous signs of my impending pauper-hood due to the massive fines I would incur if caught.

We descended down into a narrow little valley that opened up into a beautiful Hidden Hot Springs.

 I had to include this picture because though it is a bit blurry it shows the true color of what the water looked like to the naked eye. How cool huh?

 We all slid in to different little pools with various degrees of hot water. We would sit in hot ones until we needed to go cool off in the cold little stream that runs along next to the springs.
There is this silt that was as soft as silk (but smelled like sulfur) and we noticed our fellow asian hot spring dwellers using it as mud masks so we followed suit. It did actually make your skin feel super soft.

 This was one of my favorite shots of the day. I love how you can see so much of the beautiful area. But I also love that we got a picture of the umbrella hat lady. Bottom right hand corner of the pic, the maroon umbrella... there is a lady under there, and the umbrella is attached to her head. Awesome.

 The hike out we passed more beautiful sights, including this river with rad sulfur-orange rocks. I felt so lucky to finally have the chance to see this place...

... and share the day, sans children, with dear friends. A treat as special as a hidden hot springs.

(ps- now that the secret of the Hidden Hot Springs has been revealed to me, I could take special visitors should they come visit!)

As Promised

As Ms. Mei was trying to figure out how to master walking we noticed this funny thing she started doing. Her little tongue sticking out has become a staple of anytime Scarlett is trying to accomplish something; like balancing as she toddles across the room, reaching the toilet brush back behind the toilet, getting the lid off of the shampoo, pulling my plate off of the table, you know, the good things in life.

I know she'll grow out of it at some point... 

But that'll be sad.

 So, I choose denial... and smooch and snuggle her up any chance I get.

A Crash

A little over a week ago my friend Brandie and I were on our way to the school, congratulating ourselves that not only were we going to be on time to our 2nd graders reading celebration, we might even be early. We were about 10th back in line at a red light and had been stopped for about 15 seconds or so when WHAM! someone rear ended us. 

Both Brandie and I's necks were hurting almost immediately. But we had to call our leasing company so that they could call 119 and get the police to the scene. Coincidentally the woman who hit us was a European expat, not an Asian, so she was in the same boat as us. The police came and took pictures then moved us off the road where we waited for the International Police who actually speak English. Anyway, an hour later Brandie and I made it up to our kid's class just in time for the closing tradition of the Chicken Dance. We gave it all we had...

...Then went home and crashed on our respective couches. I had an unrelenting migraine and pain down my neck and back. I got the kids off the bus but only made it an hour before calling Nathan and asking him to come home.

Long story short, we both have some nice whiplash going on and we have spent the last week getting all manner of treatments, all of which will be covered by the other lady's insurance. 

This was my first acupuncture experience. It was so awesomely Asian. After I met with the Dr., he felt my neck and shoulder and said two words, "Like rock." That pretty much summed it up.

Next you go into the little closet and they shoot super hot herbal tea steam on the afflicted area. The steam comes out of some sweet jerry rigged beakers with Wilcox style bungee cords and old tubes and funnels. You can see it better in Brandie's picture below. (I feel like Brandie would appreciate my disclaiming that we had both basically rolled outta bed and into the office for our "treatments")

After I had steamed for a bit the dr. came in and put the needles in my upper forearm, actually. Doesn't hurt... but I'm also not sure yet if it helped. I'll have to go a few more times to know I think. 

We have also had several massages. Massages are very popular and inexpensive, generally. They can also be shady or a bit inappropriate. My R.S. President tells a laugh out loud story about the time she had more of her "pecs" massaged than she had intended. Thanks to her forewarning I have narrowly missed that specific service 3 times in the last 2 weeks. 

But generally, massages are just a safe, relaxing, therapeutic escape from reality. 

Yesterday our sweet husbands sent us off for 2 hour full body massages, hoping to help us get our backs/necks back in shape. It was a fabulous 2 hours, topped off by the most hilarious Chinglish I have yet seen. Since the picture is likely too small to read I will transcribe verbatim what was written as their spa rules. Enjoy!

1. This store is a professional SPA guild, don't do porn service item, please match with.

2. In order to have regard for other honored guest's rightses, this store drinks to store customer Don't do a reception.

3. When the professional teacher of this store contributed efforts to the honored guest, please don't have     Not appropriate action.

4. Before honored guest's curriculum starts, please tell first whether once had already begun Shu or the body other conditions, the in order to prevent causes unwell and injury.

5. When pregnant woman did a curriculum, please tell first, is evaluated by the professional teacher Its safety.

6. The product that this store curriculum use all comes from an advanced technique Switzerland. France. Italy. Indonesian etc.... The foreign import makes. 

7. The tool that this store honored guest use all pays attention to personal hygiene, A set a person is used up to namely disinfect, and provided the abandon type the article.

8. Our company preserves the correction power of the activity of special curriculum.

Ander turns 3!

May I please preface this post by saying that although Ander suddenly looks "special" with his crossed eyes, he has been seen by both a Chinese and American opthamologist and we've been assured that he is fine. Supposedly as he flexes the muscles to focus his eyes he is flexing one harder than the other. It changes which one he pulls. It started 6 months ago, went away after a month but is suddenly back again. Why? So that he could look so memorable for his 3 year old birthday pictures, obviously.

 We had been prepping Ander for more than a week about his upcoming birthday and he was super excited when we came into his room singing happy birthday to him. I will spare you the video since A: He is locked in his tent when we come in (awkward) B: His eyes are crazy crossed and the whole scene is just comical. What matters is that he appreciated the songs, right?

 What is noteworthy here? That he had a cake. Seriously, I wasn't sure it was going to happen!

 And finally, after more than 3 years, we have located a place to blow up helium balloons. If you only knew the lengths we've gone to acquire balloons, and finally, to actually find the place that supposedly does it. Can't even count the wasted hours. But finally, SUCCESS!

 Ander has been 100% uninterested in toys until 6 months ago. I was convinced that he was going to be my only child who didn't really do imaginative play. Then suddenly, like a light switch, he started playing with Kohen's toys. He loves all things Imaginext, so he was excited to get some of his own.

The big hit of his birthday was noise makers that Nathan found. We had a noise maker war where we tried to get the thing to unroll right into someones face, while laughing really hard, and avoiding their horn in your face. It was a noisy but fabulous time.

At 3yrs Ander has finally potty trained. I had attempted once about 6 months ago but he refused even though it was clear he could do it. A few days after we got home this summer he walked up to me one day holding a pair of underwear and asked to have them on. And that was that. It was truly just a matter of things being on his terms.
He is still my cuddliest child which I take advantage of on a daily basis. There is nothing quite like an Ander snug. He has started speaking a lot more and he loves to dance, especially when we have dance parties, he always grabs whatever is near (a water bottle, spoon, shoe) and plays air guitar like a rockstar.
Ander remains a natural problem solver. In example, when Nathan took him to the eye Dr. in the U.S. and there was a projector putting images on the wall and Ander had to say what they were, like, tree, car, horse etc. The images continued to get smaller and eventually it got so small that Ander turned around and looked at the projector to see what the image was. The Dr. chuckled and said, "I think your problem is that he's just smart."
He's your typical boy as far as being active and physical, and he freaks everyone out when he jumps in a pool without hesitation. He calls himself Nemo. He is also a big eater, his favorite food since he was about 11 months old is a spicy Thai Curry. And last but not least, he is surprisingly gentle with Scarlett, helping her keep her balance as she learns to walk and always stopping to give her kisses.
Seriously, this boy is one of a kind. We love the dynamic he brings to our family. Cutest cross eyed 3 year old EVER. Love him!