My god, make it stop!! The weather over here in Dalian this spring has been absolutely horrible. Everyday we are either entrapped by cold, dark fog or peppered with torrential downpours of rain. I am officially sick of it and want some sunshine to dry me off. Rain, rain go away!
Since most of the games have been on at 2:45am Beijing time I have not been able to watch any of the 2008 Euro Cup. With my sentimental favorite Portugal out in the quater-finals, I then switched gears to the Netherlands but was then, once again, forced to cheer for another team - and this time I have decided to cheer for Spain. So, with the big game going down tonight may the great people of Spain tip a few pints back and cheer your team onto victory!
Today I had to go down and get my Birkenstock sandals fixed up. Now, where in China do you go to get this done you may ask? That answer is easy - down to the row of cobblers just in front of my bike guy in Kaifaqu. These guys, again, work for nothing but can turn magic out of your old worn down and broken shoes. I love these guys because they are such a throw back to the old days, and really, this entire field of work does not even exist in Canada anymore - that and I like to say the word cobbler! These days when something breaks down it just seems the mentality we have is to throw it away and buy something new, when really, it may just need a little TLC from a certified cobbler. I have prolonged many items now because of these guys; just a little glue here or a little stitching there and viola! So, I say to you all, let’s get back on the cobbler program and stop buying into the program that when something is broken it just needs to be thrown away - lets bring back the cobblers!!
Calling all family back home in Canada: could you please ensure that a nice ice-cold Moosehead Lager is waiting in the fridge upon our arrival. This kid is having a craving and I am going to need a quick fix! Thank you.
When you need a problem solved in a pinch there is only one man to call: Barnaby Jones! I know it’s impossible to take seriously, but damn this is slick intro!
Wow. Just the other day I was able to pick up a pirated version of Kung Fu Panda and watched it for the first time. I had heard a few things about this movie but really had no idea what it was about or had not heard any of the hype surrounding it. Now, I don’t know if it is because I am living in China or because my views of children’s movies has changed so drastically, but boy did I really enjoy this movie! I thought the animation was spectacular, the story was great and they didn’t go too cheese-ball with the China gags. I am very happy Magnus enjoys watching it because that means I get to watch again as well - two thumbs up from this guy!
Photos courtesy of Alice Ma
The other day Svea went to the zoo in Jinzhou and had these snapshots taken of her while booting around on the merry-go-round. I just wanted to send these pictures out to the grandparents in order for them to get ready - because in 10 more days this little girl will be back in Canada and ready to tear all of your houses down!
Well, here they are. Just down the street from our house there is this cool little complex that restores old bikes and cars. I have walked past this place a million times previously and had no idea they were there, but following a hot tip from a friend I seemed to have found the motherload. The bikes you see before you are all 20+ years old (which is exactly what we need to get them into Canada) and are all in perfect working order - although they will just need a little dusting off, fine tuning and a paint job before they are ready. Basically, any one of these bikes will sell for $2000 Canadian dollars and I think they are worth every penny! The only glitch we have right now with these bikes is the fact that they have no papers, which is absolutely vital in order to get them through customs. I have a police officer who lives above me and I am very tempted to take him out for a nice dinner just to see if there is anything we can do (if you know what I mean). Anyways, I need to do a lot of research this summer when I come home but it is nice to know where these babies are if and when the time comes to pick one of them up!
We are getting so close to the end that I can almost see it…
You’ll have to forgive me a little while I am on my bike kick here, but one aspect of these bikes that I love so much is just how ingrained they are in Chinese society. Simply put, these bikes are the workhorse and backbone of the blue-collar man in China. For some the bike is their main means of transportation to and from work, while for others it is their main tool for getting the job done and earning a honest living. Much like this guy here: this bike you see (which is also a Yong Jiu) belongs to a traveling beveler who rides up and down the streets with all his tools (and workbench) strapped to his bike. He has a small megaphone attached to advertise that he is in the neighborhood and, just like children to an ice-cream truck, the people then flock out to give him their knives and scissors to sharpen - to which he stops and does the work right there. Each job is usually 1 kuai (15 cents) worth of effort and then once done the traveling beveler packs up all his gear and pedals onto his next destination.
Here’s a picture of the kids in action while on our Sunday walk last week. Svea loves to walk up and down stairs (incessantly) and cheer once she has accomplished that feat; while Magnus loves to scoot around on his scooter and see how fast he can go.
So, it is looking like Magnus is moving away from the human beings in his drawings and delving into the life of aquatics. Today he drew and colored this picture of a crab. According to Magnus, the small thing below is a snail and the black circles to the right are bubbles - not too sure what the red lines are surrounding it. No need to say it again (but I will) but Dad just loves the work he has done!
Final exams begin today!!
Here’s a recent picture of the young siblings in action. So far (knock on wood) the two have been getting along wonderfully and seem to love each other dearly. Magnus tolerates Svea’s constant Elmo fixation and she, in return, tolerates his picking her up and carrying her around the house all the time. They always say two is better than one and now I understand why!
