Watch, Read, Listen

January 1, 2014- Happy New Year!!! Out with the old…in with the new!     Do you create New Year's resolutions? I haven't yet worked out what my resolutions should be for this year. Practicing my violin more?  Trying harder in my Chinese language lessons?  Trying to relearn Calculus (ha!)?  Read more? (heck yes!) Or…

November 3, 2013- I've heard of Music Street in Tianjin for quite some time… and today we're here windowshopping.  Mark is thinking about getting a cello and Annika needs a brush to clean out the saxophone she's learning to play (it's a rental from our school). Our friends, Jen, Andy, Anna and Lachlan, have joined…

I just had to share this….it's not mine and I don't know whom to credit for this nugget of wisdom. It's certainly a good reminder for all the bumps we stumble over while cruising along our life's journey.

November 30, 2013- It's Saturday and it's time for our Thanksgiving celebration!   Where?  Machi's house When? 3:00pm Who?  A group of international friends representing THE WORLD.  Literally…I think we had nearly all the continents covered! (I think we didn't have anyone representing South America or Antarctica.  Is anyone actually from Antarctica????) We're bringing: stuffing,…

November 27, 2013- The fifth graders recently finished a Unit of Inquiry on advertising.  The kids had several advertising options they could choose from: posters (either paper or digital) or videos. Annika chose to do a poster for her advertising project.  She even came up with a pretty darn clever product to advertise.  What do…

November 1, 2013- So…as you all probably know…today IS NOT Halloween.  Halloween was YESTERDAY.  However, today is Friday and after school today there's the Elementary Student Council's Halloween party!!!   Come on, who doesn't like a party?  Especially when it's a HALLOWEEN party????? I came in last Wednesday with some other moms to help decorate…

November 16, 2013- The kids have Thursday and Friday off from school…seems like a perfect time to get "away", right?  Where to go though??? My friend, Agnes, suggested we head to Beijing with our families…and you know what? I've always wanted to spend more time wandering around the Beijing Hutongs.  Ready to spend the day…

November 1, 2013 – Annika received a medal during the Grade 5 assembly …. One proud Annika!!!:

Some of you might know this already about me but Halloween has to be my most favorite holiday….regardless if we're in the USA or here in China.   What's not to love about Halloween?  Lots of colors, fall is in the air, pumpkins everywhere, dressing up in funny and outrageous costumes, CANDY, treats…and who can…

27 September 2013- Too darn many …I mean several weeks ago the school hosted a fundraising event for a Tianjin group (ICCO) that helps support a local orphanage.   Here's the cool thing about this event: it all started with one of my friends (Frances) chatting with her son (Simon).  Frances suggested wouldn't it be…