Photos

More photos for your viewing pleasure. We learned in one of our cross-cultural trainings that you should take lots of photos early on because things will start to look familiar. I think we are getting to that stage. Here is a selection of things that have pushed me to grab my camera. I'll try to keep it close at hand. (But, I have to say, my kids start whining when I pull out my camera: "That's going in the blog, isn't it?! You're turning into Uncle Tom!")

A neighborhood birthday party. Lots of children (all from our compound) and lots of goodies!

This little guy caught my eye when I visited the Children's Hospital (a new facility) with "Hopeful Hearts." He is 7 months old and has very expressive eyes. He looked like he wanted to tell me something.

A heart patient and her mom. Three of us (me and 2 fluent Chinese speakers!) visited them to discuss her situation. "Hopeful Hearts" will donate towards a portion of her hospital expenses. We gave her a doll and a puzzle and she was captivated.

You can see her scar where she had heart surgery. She has developed a chronic infection that requires more treatment. They put IV's in almost all of the patients--for the children, they put them in their head.

This little girl had corrective heart surgery and will need more surgery. On this day, she was being moved from the ICU to the general ward. She is from an orphanage in a very poor province and the hospital is seeking help for her medical costs. The nurse said she is very "tough." She was almost expressionless while we were there, even when we gave her a stuffed bear.

I just liked the sign. The Nanjing Children's Hospital is a brand new facility. The nurse we met with told us that, due too environmental toxins in the rural areas, they expect to see 1-2% of all children with heart defects.

Rachel working on her Chinese characters for school. She uses a calligraphy pen and traces over the characters. Stroke order is very important.

My new "antique" Chinese computer desk! Huh? It is an antique table that has been modified to be a desk. The center piece rolls out and is a chair. My neighbor Jing helped bargain for a good price.

My kitchen. Note the washer and dryer; not my first choice for placement. The rice cooker never goes in the cupboard. We get drinking water delivered as needed (aobut $1.50 for one bottle). The posters on the wall are so I can point to a fruit or vegetable to communicate with my househelper about what to buy. She is very proud of her ability to get good produce at the market.

Our "backyard." We are up against thick woods and have a nightly chorus of singing insects--and who knows what else!
The big news among the Americans, including Levi who has graduated to a foot-long with all the toppings! I'm not sure the Chinese people are as excited as we are.