Friday, February 27, 2009
First Day in China
Our first day in China started early as the boys, especially Josh, woke early due to the time change (13 hour difference). We spent the first day exploring stores to determine what small appliances we would buy for our apartment. We also stopped at a toy store for the boys to pick out a small item. The boys are extremely popular with the locals here in Shanghai, with lot of people stopping to say hello or just staring at them. We were also able to connect our cable phone and talk with our families, which made us seem closer and not so far away.
Davises land in Shanghai
We successfully survived the long journey to Shanghai from Indianapolis. The kids did extremely well for traveling from Indianapolis to Detroit (45minutes), from Detroit to Tokyo (13 hours), and then from Tokyo to Shanghai (2 1/2 hours). The first leg of the trip went well and quickly. We then settled into our much longer flight to Tokyo. Josh had a little problem initially falling asleep on the plane, but after crying for a short time he fell asleep (Much to the joy of the women two rows back who when we first got to our seats had asked the attendant whether our section of the plane was a kid free zone). Thankfully both boys were able to sleep a majority of the 13 hour portion of the plane ride. We had ordered kids meals, so the boys enjoyed their favorite--chicken fingers. Danny was in heaven as he was able to watch "Cars" movie while eating dinner.
The only real glitch we ran into was trying to make the connecting flight in Tokyo airport. Due to the short time between flights (60 minutes), the enormous amount of carry-on luggage, strollers and two tired boys, and very thorough security (they confiscated our baby diaper rash ointment and screened all our milk through a machine plus required us to open each container), our plane going to Shanghai had to wait on us to get on. In addition, for this leg of the trip the airlines had taken our seats which were booked all together and separated us to individual seats. So not only was the flight delayed because of us, but we had to make two passengers move their seats. We were quite the sight entering that plane. After moving the two passengers and finding our seats, we then had to scramble to find places for all our carry-on luggage. The faces on our fellow passengers were priceless when they saw us with all our bags (6 carry-ons, two bookbag diaperbags and my purse, plus coats and neck pillows) and two young children. Thankfully both boys fell asleep on this flight and did not fuss at all.
Our arrival into the Shanghai airport went fairly smoothly. The only issue was Tokyo had not gate checked our strollers like we asked, but put them with the rest of the luggage. The Chinese were very friendly and allowed us to go into a special line through security. Dustin was then able to get all of our baggage (twenty suitcases including our carry-ons). We were then able to make our way to our drivers. We actually had a whole group come meet us and help us with the suitcases. We created quite the stir through the airport as we were the only Americans especially with two young boys. Danny was even asked to pose for a picture with a Chinese boy. So far our impression is good and we are just so thrilled to not be on a plane. Our hotel was an hour from the airport and we quickly settled in for the night.
The only real glitch we ran into was trying to make the connecting flight in Tokyo airport. Due to the short time between flights (60 minutes), the enormous amount of carry-on luggage, strollers and two tired boys, and very thorough security (they confiscated our baby diaper rash ointment and screened all our milk through a machine plus required us to open each container), our plane going to Shanghai had to wait on us to get on. In addition, for this leg of the trip the airlines had taken our seats which were booked all together and separated us to individual seats. So not only was the flight delayed because of us, but we had to make two passengers move their seats. We were quite the sight entering that plane. After moving the two passengers and finding our seats, we then had to scramble to find places for all our carry-on luggage. The faces on our fellow passengers were priceless when they saw us with all our bags (6 carry-ons, two bookbag diaperbags and my purse, plus coats and neck pillows) and two young children. Thankfully both boys fell asleep on this flight and did not fuss at all.
Our arrival into the Shanghai airport went fairly smoothly. The only issue was Tokyo had not gate checked our strollers like we asked, but put them with the rest of the luggage. The Chinese were very friendly and allowed us to go into a special line through security. Dustin was then able to get all of our baggage (twenty suitcases including our carry-ons). We were then able to make our way to our drivers. We actually had a whole group come meet us and help us with the suitcases. We created quite the stir through the airport as we were the only Americans especially with two young boys. Danny was even asked to pose for a picture with a Chinese boy. So far our impression is good and we are just so thrilled to not be on a plane. Our hotel was an hour from the airport and we quickly settled in for the night.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
EIGHT (yes, 8) days and counting
I don’t really know how to describe how Jackie and I are feeling, other than exhausted. Neither of us have recovered from the trip to Arkansas and my trip to Iowa last week. Take getting ready to move half way around the world while potty training, keeping a crawler off of the stairs, dealing with an array of business issues, cramming every possible moment in with family, getting last minute supplies, and there seems to be a few reasons for stress.
Overall, we are doing fine. We’ve been planning this for months, and most things are being taken care of without substantial effort. (At this point, I will shamelessly ask for your prayers!)
Jackie’s mom met a woman who moved out of our apartment complex in Shanghai over the summer. This is good, as they have exchanged several emails covering things such as:
· You can’t get dental floss;
· You can’t get vitamins;
· Contact names and numbers for an ayi; and (very important to Jackie),
· The location of the closest Starbucks
I’ll be honest and tell you not to expect many posts between now and the second week of March. It seems that we have our hands full (this is a literal problem in the airport – we’ll try to send pictures so you can have a good laugh on us)!
Even if we are a bit tired, we’ll probably take in an episode of American Idol. Kind of like dental floss and ravioli, this is in short supply in Shanghai.
Overall, we are doing fine. We’ve been planning this for months, and most things are being taken care of without substantial effort. (At this point, I will shamelessly ask for your prayers!)
Jackie’s mom met a woman who moved out of our apartment complex in Shanghai over the summer. This is good, as they have exchanged several emails covering things such as:
· You can’t get dental floss;
· You can’t get vitamins;
· Contact names and numbers for an ayi; and (very important to Jackie),
· The location of the closest Starbucks
I’ll be honest and tell you not to expect many posts between now and the second week of March. It seems that we have our hands full (this is a literal problem in the airport – we’ll try to send pictures so you can have a good laugh on us)!
Even if we are a bit tired, we’ll probably take in an episode of American Idol. Kind of like dental floss and ravioli, this is in short supply in Shanghai.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Saying goodbye to a family friend
Eddie (our dog) made the trip to his new home with me this week. It was a bit of a long ride (because it is a long way, and I didn't really want to give him away).
We arrive at his new home, in the country, and start the introduction process with his new companions, another German Shorthair...
I ask his new owner how we should do this. He remarks, "Let him out, and let's see what happens". I complied.
Not 15 second went by and the fur started to fly. I honestly thought Eddie was going to kill the other dog. I couldn't tell who was initially aggressive, but I could tell that something had to be done. The new owner (who is braver than I am) jumped in the middle of the melee. I finally got a leash on Eddie and we started to assess the damage.
Luckily only a cut ear on the other dog (which bleed profusely) and no other serious injuries.
We proceeded to put Eddie in a kennel, which he promptly jumped out of (chest high, by the way). I eventually left him in a travel kennel while his new owner worked to make the kennel more like Ft. Knox.
All of this happened on Monday. When I left Iowa on Thursday afternoon, the word was the two dogs were still fighting... I'll have to check back next week to see if that has been resolved.
Anyway, I guess you can say that I didn't have the teary-eyed send off I had expected. Just blood spotted jeans.
It was a bit tough coming home without him. I instinctively looked in the back yard and asked myself "where is Eddy", only to realized that he was several hundred miles away. While physically separated, everyone in the family will have good memories of the time we had together and we know that he will be much happier where he can run and hunt on a daily basis.
We arrive at his new home, in the country, and start the introduction process with his new companions, another German Shorthair...
I ask his new owner how we should do this. He remarks, "Let him out, and let's see what happens". I complied.
Not 15 second went by and the fur started to fly. I honestly thought Eddie was going to kill the other dog. I couldn't tell who was initially aggressive, but I could tell that something had to be done. The new owner (who is braver than I am) jumped in the middle of the melee. I finally got a leash on Eddie and we started to assess the damage.
Luckily only a cut ear on the other dog (which bleed profusely) and no other serious injuries.
We proceeded to put Eddie in a kennel, which he promptly jumped out of (chest high, by the way). I eventually left him in a travel kennel while his new owner worked to make the kennel more like Ft. Knox.
All of this happened on Monday. When I left Iowa on Thursday afternoon, the word was the two dogs were still fighting... I'll have to check back next week to see if that has been resolved.
Anyway, I guess you can say that I didn't have the teary-eyed send off I had expected. Just blood spotted jeans.
It was a bit tough coming home without him. I instinctively looked in the back yard and asked myself "where is Eddy", only to realized that he was several hundred miles away. While physically separated, everyone in the family will have good memories of the time we had together and we know that he will be much happier where he can run and hunt on a daily basis.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
three weeks from tomorrow
Jackie, the boys and I took last week to visit extended family in Arkansas. While we were there, we purchased our tickets for the move. As the title indicates, we are well within one month.
Things are moving fast, as we expected, but it’s hard to be fully prepared to move half way around the world…
Things continue to progress from a business and personal perspective. In a few weeks, Jackie can start posting stories of our adventures abroad.
Things are moving fast, as we expected, but it’s hard to be fully prepared to move half way around the world…
Things continue to progress from a business and personal perspective. In a few weeks, Jackie can start posting stories of our adventures abroad.
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