What's Her Story?

I wonder what it is about this woman that has touched Dave's heart?  He's pointed her out a few times over the years, but this time we were able to get a couple photos.  I would love to know her story.  She's so perky as she fearlessly hurries herself across several lanes of traffic with no problem.  

Oh, how I wish I could speak the language.  Seems like Dave can speak the language without using words.

Teaching English with My Friend Luke

I spent the last year becoming really good friends with Luke.  So when we were given the opportunity to teach English to these students his stories spilled out.  Who would have ever thought I was being prepared for such a time as this?

Duck Tongue and 1000 Year Old Duck Eggs

There were some questions about duck tongue and 1000 year old eggs from Facebook that I need to address. These are not my photos, I can't find mine, but this is what duck tongue looks like when it is served. Pick it up with your chopsticks and dip in vinegar. YUM....or so they say. 

1000 year old duck eggs aren't 1000 years old, but they look like it. My friend Nicole says, "Foreigners don't usually like the taste." And I might add the looks either. Apparently, David has a 1000 year old egg someplace in this apartment that is at least 10 years old. Surprising that I haven't sniffed that out yet.  You can Google the recipe for the eggs if you want to give it a try. I don't plan to.

Dinner Chinese Style

Last night after a meal with David's management team I asked one of the young ladies what her favorite dish was that evening. She replied "I don't know what you call it in English, but it's the one made with duck blood. It was delicious. The spices were just right." Hmmm. Had I known I was eating Duck Blood Soup, I might not have enjoyed it so much. Ah, life in China.

Dave informs me that the kind of grayish chunks are congealed duck blood.  We also had 1000 year old duck eggs, of which I did not partake and duck tongue.  Again I did not partake.  There were plenty of takers, why should I steal their joy?

After the dinner we returned to the plant for the Suzhou team to have a conference call with the USA team.  I was surprised to see the fantastic new lighting on display.  Apparently, when the new highway directly in front of the building was recently finished the government paid for all the businesses along it to add lights.  They were all quite unique, but I especially enjoyed Univertical's display.

Finding My Groove in China

As I try to get my feet back on the ground here in China I usually rummage through drawers, baskets, shelves and cupboards.  I was so happy to find that I had left my "Jesus Calling" devotional here last time.  But I was even more pleased to have my Ava pop out at me when I opened it.  She's been my bookmark for a long time in this book.  This photo always makes me smile.  I'll get through this.

Reading the Shelves

David has a friend who works at an International School.  When she found out I had worked in a school and was looking for something purposeful to keep me busy, she immediately asked if I would be interested in volunteering at her school.  The natural spot for me to start was with the library.  They have a wonderful librarian, creative, great with kids and adults and knows how to go with the flow.  She is from Australia.  

I immediately wanted to "read" her shelves to put them in order and at the same time understand what was in her collection.  The English part of the library is arranged just like any library you would find in the states.  Dewey Decimal and all.  The foreign language shelves are a different story.  They were just jammed on the shelves with the languages not necessarily where they were supposed to be and fiction and non-fiction all mixed together.

Japanese

Chinese

Korean

I was quite amazed when I was able to distinguish between these three languages, non-fiction, fiction and reading level.  It was a little dicey at times because the books titles are a little more artistic than regular script. It looked pretty good when I was done.  It's a pity to know it can't last when people actually use it!

It was fun to come across one of our family's favorite authors, Richard Scarry in Chinese.

I was pleased to see this one in Japanese. 

As is everything in China, it was hard to figure everything out to have this adventure.  How do I get to the school?  Where will the staff bus pick me up, at what time?  Where do I sit on it?  Who really wants to speak English with me?  Will I be my bossy self when I get into a library?  Where do you eat, do you pay for it?  Where are the bathrooms?  Can I take photos?  What do I wear? How do I get home?  But, by the grace of God, I was able to overcome all of these worries and look forward to doing it in the spring again.

The best day was when I was on a break and a young Chinese woman, (by the way, they are all young) looked at my necklace and said, "Are you a Christian?" It was cool to say, "Yes, are you?"  We had such a sweet conversation about her faith.  Loved it.  

Singing in the Rain

It's a rainy morning in Suzhou.  Be ready for anything.  See these women walking their grandchildren to school....wait for it.....

...in a flash an e-bike with a guy under an umbrella is suddenly whipping between us!

This guy survived and was willing to have a picture taken.

Rainy mornings can turn into a melee with everyone trying to get themselves and children to work or school.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of the kids peeking out from under ponchos.  They seem to see it as some sort of grand adventure.  

And then there is always walking the dog in the rain.  Walter eat your heart out.  This guy/girl is about as big as Walter but broader.  His/her feet are huge.

And don't you worry about us.  I noticed yesterday that David has accumulated 12 umbrellas by forgetting his at home and then needing one.  He really needs a wife.