Thanksgiving

We had a two-day celebration this year, as Thursdays are a little tough to do the whole Thanksgiving spread after a full-day of work... especially when you don't have the 4-day weekend. So, on Thursday, I did some shopping and cooking, but for dinner Matt and I headed over to the Korean restaurant. I know, I know... It sounds terrible, but it was actually a great time for the two of us just to enjoy some low-key time with each other. Then, on Friday, we had a more traditional meal (aside from the KFC, which Matt believes could overtake the traditional turkey long-term) with sweet potato casserole, stuffing, pies, and lots more.

We are reminded at this time of all that we have to be thankful. On Friday, some of our good Chinese friends came over for a visit before the big dinner, and we really just enjoyed the time together talking, laughing, and introducing them to cranberries! Also, on Friday, we got a package from some friends (who provided the cranberries, by the way), and were reminded of the people back home who never forget us. And, of course, our families who always do so much by just being themselves. We love you all and wish a (belated) Happy Thanksgiving!

Click on the photo below to see more pictures at our Thanksgiving photo album:

Thanksgiving

Almost the Holidays...

We are excited about Thanksgiving this week and the beginning of the Christmas season. We will again host a number of Christmas parties this year; although, probably not quite as many as last year!

We are continuing to enjoy life at our new school. The students are really great, and we've been able to make lots of new friends here. We've decided that freshmen students are our favorite; they are so excited about hanging out and learning English and haven't gotten lazy yet!

Matt's back is feeling much, much better after the cortisone shot, and he is back into the swing of things. For the past couple of days, he has had no pain or discomfort at all! He feels like a new man and is loving being able to study, hang out with students, and even sit on the sofa more easily again. Thanks to everyone for keeping him in your thoughts recently.

And on a side note.. As I was making some bacon for breakfast this morning, I noticed this funny slogan:

Painting the Trees

Despite the fact that one of my students told me it was to keep the trees warm during winter, the Chinese paint the trunks of all the trees to keep bugs away. Clever, just not so attractive.

A few weeks ago, there was a man selling puppies outside the front gate of our school. They were unbelievably cute and nearly irresistible; however, for practicality sake, we talked ourselves out of buying one. One of our good friends who is a student at our old school was suckered into it, though. I, for one, am grateful, because when he comes to visit, I get my puppy fix.

 

Her name is JinJin, which means "quiet;" apparently, she only lived up to this name until about her second day with our friend. It can be certain that she is no longer quiet and is now all-puppy. This picture is shortly after she captured my tennis shoe and dragged it under our sofa.

Thanks!

Thanks to our families for sending some great packages last week! We were excited to open the boxes and find some of our favorites... Sweet & Low, Hershey's Dark Chocolate, Mac & Cheese, and the all-time great movie "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! Last night, after we returned from Shanghai, I was cleaning up the living room and getting rid of the boxes when I found an extra treat inside...

You may remember that when we received our absentee ballot, we (well, I) missed the classic "I Voted" stickers. So, imagine my surprise last night when I saw two of the stickers inside our box! My voting experience is now complete.

Back from Shanghai

As you are probably aware from previous posts and/or emails, I have been experiencing back pain for a while. These pains substantially increased during the last month, causing me to frequently ask a question I had hoped that I would never need answered: "How good is medical care in China?" The answer, for those fortunate to live in the rich Eastern part of the country and able to afford quality care, is not bad.
Today Amy and I returned from Shanghai, where I visited an International medical clinic on Friday. Saturday morning I was able to receive a cortisone injection in the small of my back, and I have already experienced marked improvement. Traveling back to the city one day after the procedure was a little difficult, but I plan to spend the next couple days laying around the apartment in the hopes that inactivity maximizes the effectiveness of the injection. Thank you for thinking of me and for your support and concern. Matt

Just an Update

While the acupuncture definitely helped some, it didn't do the trick. So, earlier this week, Matt saw a doctor and had an MRI scan at a local hospital. As expected, this is the same problem he has faced in the past.

Tomorrow we will travel to an international hospital in Shanghai for him to get a cortisone injection. We were very thankful this morning to hear from our insurance company that they will pay for any costs above our deductible for this week's medical expenses. Please keep us in your thoughts, as we are hopeful this shot will alleviate the pain.

It was a busy weekend of parties and get-togethers. On Friday, one of Matt's classes from last year called to invite us to their "English Party". It was great to see them again and a good chance to catch up with some friends. We hope to stay in closer touch with some of them.

And then, on Sunday afternoon, we headed into downtown to catch up with some more old friends at a park in the city. It had stopped raining the day before and was a beautiful and cold late-autumn day.

10 Days & Nights

Things we have learned in this long period of endless rain:

- It's not much fun riding bikes in the rain.

- Chinese students are very kind to offer umbrellas to foreigners who are standing in the street because the pedal broke off their bike.

- Our balcony floods after about five days.

- Our clothes dryer takes about 400 minutes to dry a load of towels, which is why we prefer to use the clothes line when it is not raining.

- And, finally, if the sewer is overflowing, stay far, far away.

Waffles

Waffles in China...And as street food, no less!

We don't have a ton of street vendors here like some Chinese cities. However, in the evening when students are out and about, 2 or 3 guys will often set up their carts at our school gate. Usually, they sell meat on a stick, popcorn, or chestnuts. All well and good, but nothing to exciting.

So, imagine our surprise to see a guy with a waffle iron last night! Student were pretty impressed, too; he was definitely drawing a crowd. To say the least, we totally jumped on the opportunity!


(Only the first video is ours; the other videos that pop up after it finishes belong to other people on YouTube.)

The waffles may look a bit different, but the taste is surprisingly similar! Take them home, add a little syrup, and voila!

Acupuncture

Matt has had on and off back problems for about 13 years, since a high school football injury. The problem doesn't flare up often, but this past month, it has. It began with only slight pains here and there after a lot of walking or playing soccer, but last week, things got worse. On Monday and Tuesday nights, he couldn't sleep because of the pain, and walking for any distance was really out of the question. One of Amy's students helped us out at the pharmacy to get some anti-inflammatory medicine (his problem is a herniated disc). He began taking them immediately but also felt something more was needed. He considered a Cortisone shot; but after hearing of a friend who had spinal fluid leakage, he decided he would rather not get a shot near the spinal cord in China.

So, he figured... When in China, do as the Chinese do. There is an American doctor in our city who uses acupuncture to release muscle tension. So, on Thursday, we headed into the city to meet with him. He has a science background and doesn't necessarily believe in the "chi" and "flow of energy" that the Chinese claim is the key to acupuncture. But from a medical perspective, he says it does work by stimulating the nervous system and causing the muscles to relax.

Matt had acupuncture that day. He says there was no pain when the needles went into his back, but it was a little tender as the doctor moved the needles around to manipulate the sore muscles. In the end, he did feel a little better after. He has been able to sleep since then and isn't nearly as tight as he was. He returned yesterday for another treatment and will probably return twice more, as well.

Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts this week. We are fairly hopeful that this treatment; the meds and; of course, a special touch from above will do the trick.