Donn & Kathy Nimmer: December 2012

December 8 ~ Week 26

Unbelievable!! We have been in China for six months (well at least Donn has been here for six months. Me ~ only 4 1/2 months.)

700 years ago, Marco Polo wrote down that Suzhou was so beautiful that it was very similar to his hometown, Venice. Suzhou thus got the honorable name, "Venice of the East". The Trip on the Grand Canal was definitely on our To Do List. The trip was one hour in length and passed 20 different styles of bridges and 10 ancient city gates. Saturday had warmed up a bit and since I was worried about freezing during the ride, we decided it was now or never. We hopped on Bus 47 for a 45-minute bus trip down to the canals. Our bus was packed the entire way. It was standing room only, but for some reason, we had a large amount of space around us. I guess we intimated the bus riders. We arrived 1 1/2 hours early, so just enjoyed walking around the area. I was happy to find out that the boat was enclosed so it was very warm as well.

One afternoon while sitting on the couch I heard many, many sirens. I looked out my apartment windows only to see a huge ring of smoke. I decided to walk around to see what I could find out. It was a major attraction for all the Chinese Nationals as well. The streets were packed with probably 20 firetrucks and emergency vehicles. Weirdly, I was able to walk around the entire building without anyone stopping me. I saw no fire anywhere, so apparently it was only burning on an upper level. (This pic is taken from my apartment window on the 19th floor.)

In anticipation of heading back to see family and friends, I decided to go and get a weave in by hair. I had heard from many people, that the stylist here are excellent with hair weaving. (They lied.) I have had many high/low light weaves before so when the man started putting dye all over my hair, I knew I was headed for trouble. Before long I had four guys working on my hair. What I ended up with is orange hair with a few blackish/grey streaks in it. I returned again to have them fix it up, but they still didn't seem to get what I wanted. I even had a translator telling them what they needed to do. They wouldn't listen so now I will get my hair fixed when I come home. It is a very sad day for me, because now you will really be able to see my dark roots as that hair was all bleached to orange. The hair behind is what I wanted, not what I got.

Donn has been having some trouble with his shoulder, so we decided that he would try acupuncture while I did the massage. It looks painful, but he said he didn't feel much. After they stuck needs in his neck and back, they put some type of heat lamp. The needles draw the heat into the muscles.

I also helped a friend decorate his Christmas tree. I dubbed it the Charlie Brown tree because it turned out interesting. We also visited a favorite local's restaurant named Lim's. Our chicken actually came it a head. Yikes. Too visual for me.

Update on My Children:

Eric and Eliza are awaiting the birth of their baby girl due on January 10, 2013. Baby Nimmer has decided that she is tired of her mommy's tummy and Eliza has started having contractions. She is now on bed rest until after she finishes her finals. They are decorating Christmas trees and gingerbread houses.

Brittany is also getting ready for Christmas. She had a naughty elf move in on December 1. He toilet papered the Christmas tree. The twins were enthralled with the paper and lights. Carter is getting in the spirit with his Santa hat.

Carter (left) and Crew (right)

I would post a picture of Adam's and Shannara's Christmas tree, but it is still in the garage waiting for decorations. Hummm maybe not this Christmas. Scrooges!!!

November ~ Weeks 20 - 24

My weekly visits to the Wuzhong Orphanage continue. My favorite orphan, Wu Ren, was adopted. Apparently his adoptive parents lost their baby so they were able to take him home. It was a bittersweet day. So happy for him and his new family, so sad for me that I would never see him again. (This is not the best picture of either of us as I personally took it on my cell phone, but it is the only one I have as we are not supposed to take pictures. My son, Adam, taught me how to do it.) The Wu in Ren's name is there because he came from the Wuzhong Orphanage. You can see some of the other orphans on the back wall. There are about 20 of them.

Weekly visit to hold orphans.

One day when Johnnie was visiting, he treated us to a foot massage. You caught me smiling here, but a lot of times I am grimacing as they massage too hard. Donn is trying to teach me how to say softer, but I am not sure that helps. They always make fun of my ugly toenails. Thanks dad for passing that one to me.

Massage Therapist are known by their number, we had #6, #8, and #137. My guy was #8. He was good.

Our Thanksgiving here was fairly low-key. Donn worked and I shopped with Effie to purchase some items for the dinner. Effie was hosting 30 people at their home in Golden Lough. I was making funeral potatoes, gravy, and marshmallow yams. My yams were interesting though, because half of them were the bright orange and the rest were light yellow. I purchased them at a vegetable market from the exact same spot. Transporting the food proved it be quite a task. We were going to have to ride the bus ~ 20 minutes. She finally sent her driver and that worked much better. She and Kevin had baked a ham, homemade rolls and pies, veggie and fruit trays, etc. Everything was delicious. Afterwards we played some games, including Tricks and Pinocle.

Kat Nimmer, Effie Okeson, and Cheri Poland (@ Okeson's in Golden Lough)

Meanwhile back in the U.S.A.

Adam, Shannara and Miles head to the emergency room for Miles' first set of stitches. It looks like he was a trouper. But I am so sad when I see the big bump/bruise/gap!! The pictures brought back many memories of taking my own two sons to get stitches. There were many. They were quite the tomboys!!

The Rest of October 2012

I cannot believe how quickly time is passing by as I celebrated another birthday. Donn planned a very special day for me. (I actually celebrated my birthday for two days--October 31 in China and October 31 in US ~ thanks all for remembering me.) Anyway Donn and I went for a 90-minute body massage. He slept through most of his, but since I wanted to enjoy every second, I forced myself to stay awake. We have since bought a package of 40 massages. They amount to only $10 USD. Amazing and fabulous. How will I ever survive without them when we move back to the US??? Anyway after the massages, we went to Time Square (in Suzhou) and walked around. We saw a most amazing sunset. I took pics, but they don't do it justice. Then off to a fabulous buffet at the Intercontinental Hotel. The food is incredible. Of course, we both ate too much. Just as we were finishing up dessert our friends Jenny and Lim sent a birthday cake to our table. So then we ate more. Back to Metro for a short ride home to our apartment. It was an incredible day thanks to my amazing husband.

Meanwhile back in the U.S.:

Miles turns one year old. Can't believe he is walking and more importantly that I am missing out on seeing him getting around. Thanks Adam for sending the videos to keep us updated.