Thanksgiving in China

Unfortunately, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in China - at least not on the day the US celebrates it. It was just another work day for everyone in this huge land. The school counselor did talk the chef into making a pumpkin pie. It didn't taste quite like pumpkin pie, but it was a valiant effort on his part. Even had a little whipping cream on each piece. Instead of feasting and celebrating, I led my first faculty meeting (which is when we had the pie).

Saturday, November 24 actually ended up being my Thanksgiving celebration. The branch met at the church and had dinner together - turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, salads, vegetables, and lots of dessert. There were probably about 50 people who came, and we just enjoyed each others company and played Pictionary. There was one small difference in the day, no football games for anyone to watch. I have to admit, I didn't miss that part. When it was over, we all cleaned up and went home. Not a bad Thanksgiving really, and I did have plenty to be thankful for. I got to Skype with Marne's family and watch Gwyneth open her birthday presents. I have a job. I have survived almost six months in a new country. I have many friends and family at home who are cheering and praying for me. I feel the comfort of the Spirit in my life. Robert Browning said it best.

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing'

The snail's on the thorn:

God's in His heaven

All's right with the world!

I haven't seen dew lately, or a lark, or  snail, but I do know God's in his heaven which makes everything right in my world.

(The other thing I didn't do was to take any pictures. I promise to do better next Thanksgiving.)

Another Visitor from Home

I arrived in China on June 23, 2012, and spent from June to November trying to get my bearings. Although I had a part-time job from July to the middle of September, I spent many days with nothing to do. I also wasn't very brave about venturing out.  In October a friend offered me some DVD's to watch. One of their gifts was the first three seasons of Downton Abbey which I ended up watching in one week's time. I want you to know that I think the series is a very fine one, but watching it all in one week was a little depressing. I could not figure out why the family didn't just dump all of the trouble makers in the servant's quarters. I know. I know. Every good story needs some antagonists to keep us reading or tuning in. By the end of the week, I felt I was part of the series - I'm not sure if I was part of the gentry upstairs or the servants downstairs, but I was right there with them. I think it was that week that made me realize I needed to find a job - as soon as possible.

How quickly the tables turn. I got a job. Char came to visit, AND Bishop David Barker came to Beijing on business. It was so good to see a familiar face on Sunday, November 25. I had made dinner plans with Isabel at her apartment, and she invited David to come along. Our bus trip took us by a lake, so we stopped and walked around a little bit. It was cold, but still a very beautiful afternoon. The dinner at Isabel's was delicious as usual, and it gave me the chance to hear the latest news. I think we covered everyone in the ward and then some.  About five o'clock, we walked to the subway and found our separate ways home for the evening. It was so wonderful to hear about all of the people I love and admire. Thank goodness for the tender mercies that come into our lives at just the right time to help propel us forward.

Last Stop, the Shanghai Museum and then Back to Beijing

It's hard to do justice to a a huge museum especially when we only had an hour or so to see it ourselves.    We rushed from floor to floor taking in as much as we could. There was a section on the history of Chinese clothing, another with beautiful vases and and other artifacts, and a complete floor on the history of amazing antique furniture. If you ever have the chance to visit the museum, I would recommend you spend a little more time to really look around and take everything in. There was so much there to help us understand the land of China better.

We stepped outside into the beautiful sunshine and some great scenes which we shared with all of the other people enjoying the wonderful November day. It was a great way to end a lovely trip to Shanghai.

Char and I caught the train home after a few little mishaps. We wanted to go home on Saturday in order for her to go to church on Sunday and meet the people in my branch. After church, we stopped off at the school so I could show her where I work.

Thus ended a wonderful trip. I am so grateful to Char for coming at just the right time and sharing the wonderful adventures with me. The talks, the sights, the fun! It will always be a sweet memory.

Shanghai's Old City

Saturday arrived. We had to be to the railroad station by four o'clock so we could catch the train back at six.  There were still a couple of things we wanted to see before leaving Shanghai.  One was the Old City and the other was their museum. It took a little while for two old ladies to wake up and start moving after the many activities from the previous days, but we were finally on our way again. Each turn in the road presented a new scene of the city as we walked toward our destination.

At last we came to the old city - or at least that is what we thought as we snapped the picture below. All of a sudden a voice behind us said, "That is not an old building. It was build 20 years ago to look like the old buildings in China. I will show you the way to the Old City.

We turned around to discover this smiling man walking behind us. As he guided us toward the old part of the city, we struck up a conversation.  The first thing he wanted to know is where we were from. When we told him we were from Utah, he responded that he has a brother  who is a Mormon and lives in Spanish Fork. (What are the odds?) He explained that after the Cultural Revolution, his brother wanted to go to school in the USA. In his search for a place to go, he came across BYU in Provo, Utah. He liked what he could tell about it, and decided to apply. He was accepted by BYU, but then he had to apply for a visa. At that time it was very difficult to get a visa, and often took three or four times of applying before receiving one. He received his visa on the first visit. It turns our the man in charge of his line was a Mormon. When he saw the visa was for BYU, he granted it. His brother is an artist and lives with his family in Spanish Fork. Such a small world.

Then we stepped into the Old City. Even though there were quite a few people there that day, it was very peaceful and quiet compared to the hustle and bustle outside

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 The Chinese usually don't like to have their pictures taken, but the sweet lady smiled broadly for the camera, and I took the pictures of the beautiful children without them knowing.

At the end of our time spent in the Old City, we stepped out into a very busy, crowded and noisy street.

Heading to the museum. We think we have enough time to spend a little time there before heading to the airport. See you there.

An Evening in the French Quarter of Shanghai

Friday night we decided to visit the French Quarter of the city for our dinner. The streets and the shops did feel very European as we strolled through them. The decorations gave it a very festive feel. I am not sure if they are always decorated, or if they were added for the Christmas holiday.  Once again our evening was spent in a light rain, but didn't stop us from enjoying our outing.

After our dinner and stroll, we made our way to the subway which delivered us to the hotel. Shanghai has a great subway system which is quite easy to figure out. It is a nice way to explore and discover the sights of the city.