would anyone like their number?

Merry Maids of China

I should have taken before and after shots or at least the process. Katie and Thomas through insanity, is my only guess, agree to help me clean and move in.  The came over around 11am and stuck it out til the bitter end at 7pm. Those two can clean an apartment like professionals. They are so organized and thorough. By the end of the day we figured he could count half a year done for home-teaching.  

They dusted, swept, scrubbed, mopped, wiped down, sprayed down and cleaned out. It was such a relief, I was able to pack, arrange, transfer and move. Yes, my list was a lot easier for that I apologized profusely. I know I will never be able to repay Thomas fully for scrubbing the bathroom floor. Really could I please find a guy that is able oh and willing to do that.

By the end we had taken out 3 loads of garbage, done 6 loads of laundry:bedding, rags and towels and moved just about every piece of furniture in the apartment.

The topper of the day though had to be beating the rug. Katie and I took the rug outside and threw it over some exercise equipment across the courtyard. (I promise to add pictures later) Both of us where in short sleeves, and flip-flops from cleaning indoors. We were quite a sight to be seen beating a rug outside with a broom in 30* weather. Of course 3 different students passed and asked what I was doing, I would have figured that was obvious but hey when the Americans do something it is always a spectacle. Thomas came out to join us and we all took turns whacking that thing. Boy is beating a rug therapeutic. I love that scene in the new Sense and Sensibility when Eleanor takes a good whack at the rug, really it helps.

Once all the cleaning was done I told them their slave hours were over but they still offered to remain and help move the last of my things down. Troopers to the end. Thanks to them it was all done by 7.

Unfortunately, the customary doughnuts and take out pizza was unavailable for the moving crew but we were able to settle for McDonald’s after a long day. I felt truly pathetic repaying they entire day with a Big Mac but that was as good as it got.

So here is another THANK YOU, to Katie and Thomas, I could not have done it without you.

Thank goodness my Home-teacher is in town because it’s moving time. I know it’s only two floors down but its the mental moving that is killing me right now. I was hoping not to move for another few weeks but due to some unforeseen circumstances its just best I move this weekend. So tomorrow it is. So fam and friends, who skype you will no longer have to suffer a dirty room as a background. I will have an office in my new place. I feel like I’m moving into a mansion going down stairs.

I’m moving into Adam and Dantzelle’s old place. It’s a 3 bed 1 bath! Of course I will do a full tour once I’m moved in and everything is clean. That second part is the key there.  But it will be deep cleaned before Winter break. I want everything ready for when Kelly moves in!

So many new things wait! Oh, just thinking about a couch makes me want to melt. I am going to be sad to leave this apartment. I’ve grown quite attached. My first real place, not to shabby. And to be perfectly honest I’m going to miss the free mandatory daily workout going up four floors.  Not that I’m complaining about moving to the second floor.

Why is it when you make a plan nothing turns out? Maybe it is just the China way. Last night I went to bed and set the alarm clock for 7am. I have class at 8 and I figured for a change I would shower at the beginning of my day and not half way through. I was banking on shaving my legs to be completely honest, that only comes around once in a blue moon in the winter and its about time I shed my extra thermal layer.

I reluctantly pulled myself out of bed at 7:05, it is required to hit the snooze at least once, that’s why there is one. When I finally made it to the bathroom my hopes where all dashed. Turned on the facet and no water. None in the sink or the shower. Why did I get up early? Checked the kitchen, all was fine. Just the hot water seems to be empty. Funny thing my water heater says its full. Maybe that’s what should have tipped me off. It is never full. It usually sits at 3/4 the entire time.

Oh well what’s another half a day. I’ll just prayer it will fix itself.

I seem to only add to my near death experiences here. Normally I do not consider myself absentminded or stupid but as of late there is really no other way to describe myself.

Walking anywhere is dangerous here as cars can and do drive anywhere they please. There are really no designated sidewalks and walking to the front gate can be a Frogger level at times. Just last week as I was headed out for the evening I was making my way around the round about at the front gate when a car approached from behind. Do I go left or do I go right? I choose the wrong direction I went left and so did the car. The sound of the brakes reverberated in my ears until I was  sitting safely on the bus.

Embarrassing as it is to admit that was not my first close call with a moving vehicle, not by a long shot. Although it was a step down from the buses I’ve walked in front of here.

Thank Heaven for safety shutoffs.

I don't think this is a good thing...

Quick update! -

I promise this will be the last status update on my disgusting dishes. Last night I finally broke down and did them at 10:30. I clipped on my Zune and headed into the kitchen with confidence until I saw the stack, somehow it was a lot larger than I had remembered. Anyway I started sorting and rinsing, and yadda yadda. I lugged in the hot water for washing and then realized I had no where to hold dishes to keep them while I waited to rinse. So I did the only logical thing I could think to, I piled half the soapy dishes into my water bucket and headed to the bathroom, I’d rinse there.

When I got to the bathroom there was no place to stack the clean dishes once rinsed, so I did the only thing a girl to do. I detached the shower head and just sprayed the dishes in the bucket. Hey in my defense I did swish the bucket around a few times to dislodge any missed soap suds. The whole process was repeated until I was finished with the dishes. I’ve now discovered the new lows in dish washing in China.

the ever growing mountain -

It’s sad to admit but I’ve reached a new low even for me. I just ate cereal from a mug using a teaspoon. I have yet to conquer the dishes and to be perfectly honest I still have mixing bowls and a new package of chopsticks so the dishes might just sit for another day or two.

Wow, always thought I would run a tidier house than this but obviously not. I’m just glad Mom is nowhere near. In my defense the house is picked up I just have the piles and stacks in strategically placed corners. I was hoping to tackle this all this weekend but not with with the plans. What’s another week?

This morning when I walked into my kitchen I remembered the other reason I hate entertaining, as if a content anti-socialite wasn’t enough itself,  dishes.

One of the downsides of living alone, the dishes don't miraculously do themsleves.

The cold weather has not helped my habit of letting the dishes stack up as i hate lugging tub fulls of water from the bathroom to the kitchen sink. As awful as the following is, its the truth, just be glad I don’t invite you over to eat. The fact that I am finally washing my dishes in hot water has nothing to do with hygiene, cleanliness or health, rather comfort. I am sick of freezing my hands off to wash dishes. Until last month cold water suited me just fine to wash dishes. I figured I was a step above the average restaurant around here as I at least I used soap. I can guarantee a quick cold rinse is the best most dishes get in China.

I had invited a few girls over for the afternoon hoping to get some tips on Chinese music. I want to start listening to Chinese music to increase my exposure to the rhythm and pronunciation. In exchange I gave a quick run through of English artists.

 It was starting to get late and I knew they would have to return to their classrooms for the nightly lock-in. I really don’t know what I was thinking when I asked if they wanted dinner. I guess I was eager for company. I didn’t promise anything fancy and boiled up spaghetti.

We had a delightful dinner, spaghetti, bread and butter, and a tomato and cucumber salad with ranch (Thanksgiving leftovers). It turned out to be a real hit and they all were thrilled to eat with forks.

It was nice to cook for a group. So maybe there is hope for me and cooking in the future. After dinner I wrote them all excuse notes and they stayed the evening chatting. I had a splendid evening. Maybe there are some perks to socializing.

Emily is on my left, Navy across from me and Hedy is on the front left.

A student came by yesterday to give me yet another lesson on proper shower mechanics. Apparently I’ve been ruining the heat by leaving the water heater plugged in 24/7 not to mention increasing my chances of electrocution. The second part doesn’t really matter to me as long as my water is boiling when I want a shower.

While lecturing she asked about the radiators. I asked when they would be turned on, the tentative date of Nov. 16th came an went ages ago, and she gave a quizzical look responding “They were turned on this morning, didn’t you notice?”  Will can we just deduce from the previous question, NO! I touched the radiator hoping for heat but all I got was warmth.

I’m finally learning my lesson about complaining in this country, IT IS POINTLESS! So warmth it will be, I guess. I did wake up this morning to be pleasantly surprised that I could make it from my bedroom to the bathroom without being chilled to the bone by the freezer I call an apartment. So those radiator thingies are good for something once they get going. They take the chill out of the air if nothing else.

I hate to admit this and lose what little sympathy I’m still getting but honesty is the best policy, right. I think I am finally adjusting to life in the cold. Layers, layers, layers and always wear a hat and gloves.

So I’m happy to report I will not be shipped home in ashes* after freezing to death. (Cremation is the norm in China as the embalming process is expensive and they refuse to ship bodies overseas.)

Tailor made clothes are definitely one of them. As you know I have been battling the weather now for about a month. Unsurprisingly, weather is winning. As I’ve begun outfitting for winter I thought I’d take advantage of Dantzelle’s tailor here in Weifang.

It is easy enough when you have a piece you want copied and of course a great translator like Adam. So I guess that means I only have about 3 weeks to get the rest of my wardrobe ordered.  I decided to go for a pair of wool pants, fully lined of course. I brought in a pair of trousers that I liked, I knew the material was different but as the pants were now loose a less stretchy material would still work.

I think it did. Although my heart sank when the tailor held up the completed pants. I feel like Argentina all over again, the land of anoxia and I’m the giant blimp. Seeing the pants held up does not for the ego but when they’re on it is a different story.

Nothing beats tailor made!

The lining makes them slide on and feel nice against the skin and the shell well its wool so cold stays out. Having pants made, ahh they just fit so nicely and I was able to get the nice wide waist that I love. Great tummy hider. Oh and did I mention the price, Y180. That would be a whole $25 USD for a pair of 100% wool fully lined pants that fit me beautifully. Not meaning to brag but I’m bragging. I think I will get a second pair this week not to mention a few long skirts. I’m learning you can never be too prepared for cold weather.

I’m going with a Middle Eastern Stable Scene but in this case I guess I should say an Eastern Stable scene.

A Reagan family tradition is collecting Creches, it has become a family hobby as we begin traveling and widening the selections. I didn’t really put much thought into a Chinese Nativity before coming as this is not a Christian Country nor is it open to Christianity. When another member of the Branch shared a Christian wood carver with all of us I jumped on the chance. I surfed the website with Mom and found the ONE.

Chinese Nativity

Victoria  picked up my order and held it until I could get it from Qingdao. Last night I opened the box while in Qingdao and pulled out a few pieces to preview the Creche. Katie and I enjoyed the mini Christmas, and joked about not finding the Christ child. I just figured it was at the bottom of the box tucked away.

When we set it up this evening in my apartment we were all floored to discover the Christ Child was truly missing. I seemed to have an abudence of animals, or atleast more than I thought normal but no Christ Child. How exactly you forget to but the key component in the scene I don’t know but the proper channels have been alerted and I’m hoping to have him in time for Christmas.

Angel, I'm a little scared it will fall and break as it is not very secure.

The Wise Men from the East!

What's missing?

The trees are one of my favorite parts of this Nativity

The characters on top say "Christmas" in an ancient Script not the modern simplified

The Nativity is camphor which smells absolutly wonderful. It is so light weight which is a real blessing for transportion. It also came in a beautiful wooden box.

The following is a wall hanging Creche that turned out to be more beautiful in person than I had imagined. Well with three Creches hanging in my living room I think it will be pretty hard to miss the fact that I’m Christian.

My complete Chinese Nativity

Nativity with the Chinese Knots

Large Ornament Nativity