Sunday, October 16, 2011

I love Chinese fashion. This was in the Shanghai airport.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

We are on our way to Shanghai. As we walk through immigration - either way- one of things that we can always count on is that they will ask Gabby to pronounce her name. I guess the name Gabrielle is not a common one in the Chinese culture.

Which side of the bully coin were you on?

While flipping through the channels the other day, I saw Dr. Drew and Jenny McCarthy talking about bullying. After listening to them, I started to think about my childhood.

I remember being bullied in school, I also remember being the bully in school. Needless to say, I am not proud of the latter. But it really got me thinking about the things that happen in school, home school and in life. Is being bullied and being a bully part of growing up?

A parent never wants to hear that their child is a bully (at least a decent parent doesn’t). But, one day last year, I was told that my child was. I couldn’t believe my ears. I knew she could be mean, but a bully? (She called someone a fatty)

Fast forward to this past week when I was watching Dr. Drew. I had the girls watch this with me. I let them know that their words actually mean something to someone. These words, that they think will build them up, could actually tear someone else down. I am hoping that having these conversations now, will help in the future.

Here we are today, Wednesday, October 12, 2011. This is the conversation that was relayed to me:

Girl 1: Your too skinny

H: What would you like me to do? This is how I am.

Girl 1: Well, you’re just too skinny

(Just so people know, this too can cause a self-esteem problem just as much as being called fatty)

Girl 2: It’s because your Mom makes you work out all the time

G – No, we like to play sports. Do you like to play sports?

Girl 2: Yes, but ….

I’m very glad that the girls stuck up for themselves (and me). I am also very glad that they were able to do this without calling someone else a name or tearing someone else down.

One of the best books I’ve read and reread is a book called, “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie. There is now an edition for teenage girls. This is the next book that the girls and I are going to read together. I think that if they understand the fundamentals of this book, they will hopefully be able to by pass some of this stuff.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Looks like a couple letters might be out if place. Do you think that the sign people have proof readers that know English?

Friday, October 7, 2011

My shade of gray

In Hong Kong we live in an area of gray. It is a place where some people don't want to go to. It could be a place where you go out of want. It could be a place to go to out of necessity. It could be a place you go to because you have certain values that you hold dear to your heart. It could be a place you go to because you don't feel like any other environment is "just right".

Home school.

We went around in circles about homeschooling when we were making the decision to come to Hong Kong. Finally it came down to a couple of things. First, what did we want to do while we were here --- did we want to take advantage of all things that we could see in Asia? Second, as most things in life, "show me the money".

So now, I have been on both sides of the coin. And now, more than ever, I am shocked by how people still see school vs home school. Both have their positive and negative points. Each one has a stigma that goes along with them. Is one right and the other wrong? No! You have to do what is best for you and your family. No one should tell you are wrong for doing what is best for you.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

August / September

What have we been up to? Well … not blogging and keeping up like we should be.


Here is a quick run down:


August:

Started a bit of school in HK and continued it back in GA

I ordered the girls’ schoolbooks and had them sent to my parents. We started with some things that I new would transfer over. I have to say, I am really happy with the curriculum that I have picked out this year. I wish that I had done more research with what I had picked out last year, so now, all I can do is learn from it and give advice for anyone that wants it!


Flew back to GA:

Here is a bit of what I encountered and learned:


Saw a woman in the HK airport hold a child over the trash can so that child could pee. Yes, you heard me, that woman did NOT take the child to the bathroom (which wasn’t to far away) and let him pee all over the top of the can. Come on lady, this is NOT the Mainland --- we don’t do that in Hong Kong


You should NOT apply anything smelling of biofreeze or icy hot on an airplane.


If you want to tilt the individual screens on the airplane so you can see better (without a glare) all you have to do is push on the top. I watched a woman try to stick her fingernail in the 2mm slit at the bottom and try to pry it open. It really entertained me for a while.


Paying the extra money for economy comfort was worth it on the 15 hour flight from HK to Detroit! That flight still sucks.


Beach+Family=Awesome Time


We had a fantastic time with the Gruenwald’s the Mitchell’s and the Caletrio’s. I’m sorry that more of the family couldn’t be there with us … but babies and weddings will always come first!




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Started playing lacrosse


I’m not sure what got me thinking that at 35 I should take up a new sport … but the heck! I sucked beyond suck during the first few practices. I have gotten better, but still suck. My goal’s are not high; it is to learn to catch and throw, so if the girls want to play in GA, I can practice with them.

One of the college aged girls said, “You know there is a league with past college players that you can join when you move back to Atlanta.” Umm, thanks, but I’m pretty sure that I am not there yet … or ever. The thought was nice though.


Anniversary - 14 years

Jonathan got me a new camera for our anniversary. It is a nice fancy one. I don't really understand how the hell it works.

September:


Started school back up again after a 2 week break.


The Big Buddha

We finally made time to see the Big Buddha. We were thinking that we would wait until someone came, but there were always cooler things to do. So finally ....






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Ocean Park


KPMG rented out Ocean Park for all the employees. It was a great ! The girls got on a ton of rides over and over again. Jonathan rode one of the roller coasters with them and then commented when he got off, “I’m too old for that”. I couldn’t agree more!





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Girls are continuing Rugby


We started out a bit slow, in fact, the first practice back was awful to watch. It wasn’t that they didn’t know what they were doing (because they didn’t) it was that they weren’t trying. This is just one of those things that irritates the crap out of me … not trying. I don’t really care if you succeed, but at least try. You will always fail if you never try.


Work


Jonathan got promoted to Director in the Hong Kong Practice. Other than the promotion title and some more money, we aren’t sure of anything else yet. That’s not true. Jonathan did get better insurance; just him, not the rest of us.


What’s coming?

October – We are off to Shanghai to see the Spengler’s! We are all so excited to see friends again!

November – I think that the girls have some rugby tournaments and hopefully we will head up to China a couple more times. We may also hit Macau one weekend.

December – We are going to Siem Reap Cambodia right after Christmas. We will be spending a week around Angkor Wat.