Happy Thanksgiving from Hong Kong!

It's Thanksgiving and we're currently sitting in McDonald's (to use the internet, not to eat Thanksgiving dinner - don't worry). We did have to work though - we are here for a teacher conference and so our day was spent in various seminars. Not quite the same as spending the holiday in the US.

Here's a picture from Thanksgiving dinner - Italian food!


We toured the city on Wednesday - it is very fun! Like New York, at least from what we've seen.


More to come later - we only have 20 minutes of free internet!!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!!!

-alan

strange weather...

I can't see anything outside my window, because the fog is so thick! Literally, it looks like someone put a white sheet up against my window.

To Hong Kong!

And we're off!

We've spent the evening at home, getting ready for Thanksgiving in Hong Kong by blogging, playing with Colby, and internet searching for various ideas of what to do in HK. Rachel is taking care of most of those details - she is her father's child, after all!

I'm marginally looking forward to the conference. I'm hopeful that it is worthwhile - though any use of the phrase "professional development" sends shivers down my spine, especially if it involves working on Thanksgiving Day.

But, now it is time to pack and then get to bed. (I can't wait to try out our new electric blanket!!) We leave right after school tomorrow, so there's no time to spare.

Pictures and blog posts to come. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

-alan

A puppy post

I thought it was good to post a couple videos of Colby before we left for Hong Kong, so you could see him in his puppy glory. We've taught him a few commands - sit, go to bed, come - but we're still working on the potty command. Not quite there. Here's another video of him playing. Notice his favorite hiding spot - under the coffee table.



Our ayi and some boys from the school will be taking care of him when we are away. I hope he doesn't get too sad with us gone!

Finally, we had some friends from our team over this weekend. It was nice to see that Colby played nicely with them. Not too crazy, not too scared...he did well. Here's the evidence:

-alan

Cold - the good, bad, and a dilemma

Though I have posted a little bit in relation to the cold, I thought it was time to discuss the situation in a little more detail.

First, the good.

It is mid November, and there is no sign of frost or snow anywhere to be found. The temperatures are getting up into the 50s regularly, and it is generally more agreeable outside than it would be right now in Chicago or Detroit. Looking ahead, it will get into the 40s come winter, but it will generally stay above that magic freezing line. No more shoveling out in the mornings, no more freezing in the car waiting for it to warm up, no freezing skin as I wait for the bus. I must say, it was nice to watch football games this weekend, and see firsthand the temperature difference.

Then there's the bad.

In a land where insulation is non-existent, we live and work in concrete blocks. Now, I won't knock concrete (so as to prevent my Chicago concrete friends from getting too mad at me) but it is better for its strength and durability than its insular properties. So as a result, the temperature inside is only a few degrees warmer than the temperature outside. So while 50 in November is not bad, 55-60 as an indoor temperature leaves me chilly. Add to that a lack of central heating, and you have a recipe for chills that lead to sniffles

So what do we do? Load up on layers. I feel like everyday when I go to school, I am dressing like I am going to a Northwestern football game - long underwear and lots of layers. We had to go out and buy some long underwear, which Rachel was kind enough to model for you...

So what's the problem?

We have heaters, but they work inefficiently. Our friends here scold us for thinking that it is cold, or for considering using the heaters. So it gnaws at my social, financial, and environmental sensibilities to run them too much. Yet, if I am cold, should I not do what is necessary to stay warm? I don't think it is a coincidence that both Rachel and I got sick this week.

So what to do? Tough it out in the cold until I get used to not having feeling in my toes when I'm home? Or throw caution to the wind and huddle in front of our space heaters?

Until a decision is made, we live life with a feeling much colder than the temperatures outside would suggest...
-alan

Sunday night

Victory! Though I really wanted to stay in bed this morning, Rachel eventually roused me in time to watch Northwestern outpace Michigan for a 21-14 win on Saturday. It was beautiful to watch the boys in purple ascend to 8-3 at the cost of Michigan falling to the inconceivably embarrassing 3-8. Since the opportunities are few, I will relish this victory over a perennial Big Ten powerhouse. Though Michigan is a shell of its former self and far worse teams have beat them this year, it was sweet. I'm also much happier about this 60 degree weather here in Chengdu, after watching the sleet and snow that was coming down in that game. Yuck.

Which makes me think - it really feels different. Not quite like November in the Midwest. I have no concept that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. The weather and lack of American advertising/holiday retail means I am mentally stuck in October.

We were at Ikea earlier today, and they did have some small Christmas trees and decorations. Though we went all out last year for a huge live tree, I am not feeling the Christmas spirit right now. At least not enough to go out and load up on the decor, especially since we'll be leaving town for the holidays. But, we'll see if I cave (or if Rachel pressures me into it) once December rolls around.

Big week upcoming - basketball tournament in Qingdao (many students will be gone for that), my first official observation, progress reports due, new units to be started in all 3 science classes, and perhaps still time left for a visit to Papa John's. Oh yeah!

-alan

travel plans

After 4 months in Chengdu, things are kicking into high gear!

In 2 weeks, we will be going to Hong Kong for a conference over Thanksgiving. We'll have at least a day and a half though (and I'm hoping for more) to spend on our own in the city.

Then over Christmas break, we'll be in Kaohsiung, Taiwan visiting Rachel's parents.

And the recent news - we bought plane tickets for our Chinese New Year vacation! We'll spend 3 days in Kota Kinabalu, which is in Malaysia's section of the island of Borneo. Beach, sun, tropical forest, and relaxation await!
Then off for 4 days in Singapore for lots of yummy food and shopping.

Finally, we'll spend 2 days in Kuala Lampur and see what the urban side of Malaysia is like.


Then back to cold, cloudy Chengdu :(

Not that I'm complaining - yesterday was sunny and warm. At least 70, for sure.

Jealous? I hope so :)

alan