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!!!