Sunday's Shopping Success

Yesterday we couldn't go too far since Tian Ye needed most of the day off for a wedding.  We did go outside to play for quite a while then came in to get supper ready.  I thought I was going to have to make my first attempt at stewing tomatoes but as it turned out the canned ones I bought with the skins removed were good enough for the casserole.  Since I was cooking it anyway it didn't really matter.  Bonus!  Tim went to the grocery store while I stayed home with the boys and started preparing the rest of the supper and dessert.  Gary and Dawn came over a little after five o'clock and, as usual, our boys were wound up and really excited to have company.  They gave them a tour and showed them our photo albums.  We had a nice supper and conversation and I even ended up selling my Kindle to Dawn.  I hadn't planned on getting rid of it but when I have time to read I'm too tired and when I have the energy there are too many other things to do.  She was looking for something to take with her when she leaves China.  They and several other expats will be leaving in December for the next part of their adventure, a year or so in Brazil.

Today, with the money from my kindle and some other stash, we went out shopping for Christmas presents.  I can't go into too much detail on here but it was a great success and I even found a few things I didn't know I was looking for.  We also ended up getting two new suitcases, carry-on size since the only one we had went home with Mom.  We got a really good deal in the building that houses the fabric market.  The boys were so well behaved that we spent most of the day out shopping around.  It was lots of fun.

I mentioned on Friday night that Tim was out for dinner with some people from work.  He ended up sitting at a table with several Chinese employees who really enjoy their beer.  They all get a glass full then holler, "Ganbei!" (Cheers!) and chug it.  This had gone on for a bit when Tim needed a break so he went to the bathroom.  While there a guy asked him where he was from and when Tim told him Canada he started going on about how much he loved Canada (although he had never been there).  Tim, who was feeling pretty good, replied that he really likes China, the city we live in and the people here.  When he said that the guy grabbed him by the arm and took him to the room where his party was going on.  He told everyone who Tim was, handed him a beer and "Ganbei!" again.  They wanted him to stay and drink more but I guess he's getting a little old for that stuff.  He said "Xiexie", told them again how much he likes China and made a quick exit.  He said it was lots of fun though and the food was pretty tasty.  We will have to go try it sometime!

Only three weeks left before we hit the road.  I'm slowly getting things ready to go.  In just over one week we will be helping to welcome a new family from the US to Shenyang and we are pretty excited about that.  It's too bad we will be leaving soon after for two months but it will be nice to finally meet Jessica, Samuel, Elijah and baby Nicholas.  Chris we have already had over for dinner twice so he's old news now!  Just kidding, Chris, will be happy to see you again.  I just hope you don't have any head injuries by then.

I guess that's it for tonight.  Everyone's pretty worn out so it will be an early night.  Have a great day everyone!