okay, I tried to upload photos, but the lovely chinese internet is too damn slow to keep up with me this morning. I'll try again later. In the meantime - get on FB!! And by the way....we lost Charlie to Distemper several weeks ago - I had to put him down. No, Stan, your comment did not make me mad - but it wasn't exactly nice, was it??

We spent last weekend in the ancient city of Xi'an. We expected a "get-away" from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai's 20million people. Well, technically Xi'an is a smaller city - it's only 8 million people!! So much for getting away!! We did have fun, though. Emma & Ross thoroughly enjoyed playing with the other kids on the trip. We lived off local Chinese food for 3 straight days - that was not so great, but thank goodness for the ShangriLa Hotel...we stocked up on American style eggs and bacon every morning! Most of you have seen the photos already thanks to Facebook and Kodak Gallery. Come on, Stan....keep up with the times and become a FB junkie like the rest of us!!

"Charlie" 4mo Golden Retriever. Our newest family member!

One day I'll figure this out, but in the meantime....photos below are in response to the millions of questions we got over the holidays :) You'll see our Shanghai house, our "scooters", and the construction of a buffet I recently had made. Yes, I'll post some of Charlie soon - gotta go clean up more poop first. Uggghhh.....

Okay, Okay, so I've been a slug when it comes to posting. Okay - I'm probably not even as fast-paced as a slug!! Whatever ;} Point is, I'm here now!

So, the kids & I arrived in Shanghai mid-June. Jaymie's mom arrived shortly after that and spent the entire month of July with us. I was sooo incredibly thankful she came over and helped to get us settled in. Getting settled in China is not quite as easy as it was in Europe -go figure. But we are officially settled at this point. The kids are busy, busy with school. Emma is involved with the Overseas Girl Scouts (thankfully no cookie requirements once you cross the big pond) and she's become quite the performer in her swim team. She'll start competitive swimming next year. We haven't been able to keep up the equestrian lessons as the nearest stables are over an hour away, but she's pouring heart & soul into the swimming, so no big loss. Ross - well, he's Ross. I've determined our lives will never be dull thanks to this kid. He endured his first round of baseball try-outs for Fall Ball. He's officially in the Minor Leagues now. Of course two weeks into the season (and while I was back in Texas for the Hurricane) the little devil fell and broke his arm. Yep, another broken bone!! The right arm this time - which is just great when you're trying to write beginning essays in 2nd grade. Give me strength! So Jaymie had to handle the whole ER episode by himself (yeah, I kinda enjoyed that part). At least we can now handle ER situations on 3 different continents. How many families can say that?? Gotta find the positive in it, right!

Jaymie's doing great with work. He's still pulling some pretty long hours, but at least we get him on the weekends. The commute to the two work locations was starting to wear him (and us) down, so while I was in Texas he bought himself a motorbike. They are a massive means of transport around here. There's just as many scooters as there are cars. You can actually get caught in scooter traffic if you can believe that!! Anyway, it's given us a lot more freedom with the car. And, not to be outdone, I went and purchased my own. You know I'm way too competitive not to have one!! So we now look like a group of natives....a family of four crammed onto to 2 scooters, flying down the medians wearing bicycle helmets. Hey, at least we have helmets!! Yes, mom, it's safe. Well....it's not exactly D.O.T. or OSHA approved, but it's safe for THIS country's standards!! It's safer than the water.

That brings me to me. Let's just say I'm a poster child for Culture Shock Syndrome. I miss Germany terribly. The weather, the friends, the cleanliness, the food. It's getting better as I become more involved around here, but it's still not as "homey" as Dusseldorf was. But, I'm a trooper - I'll tough it out!! We haven't done the travelling like we did in Europe, I think that has a lot to do with it. But, when it takes 8 hours and 5 grocery stores just to do the weekly shopping you get a little burned-out on the road trip idea!! Our first adventure will come in January during Chinese New Year. Ideas are still being tossed around - I'm thinking Hainan Island, beaches, cabana boys, alcohol - Jaymie's thinking Japan for snowskiing. Go ahead & place your bets now to see who wins!!!

That's all for now. I'll post pics soon. Hugs to all back home - we'll be there soon for Christmas!!

Just a quick update for tonight! The kids & I arrived safely in Shanghai late Thursday. Along with all 15 pieces of luggage!! The German taxi driver was not too happy to see me, the airline check-in counter doubled over laughing at me, and the kids were thrilled to zigzag across the airport with trolleys piled over their heads!! It was a sight, I'm sure! But, we're all together again and not too much trauma to speak of. Kids have settled into the neighborhood, making lots of new friends. Strangely enough, they've all been German to this point! I'm getting kinda used to having my own driver. Mr. Ming is a godsend in this traffic hell hole! Jaymie keeps pushing me to get a Chinese drivers license. No way. It's unbelievable here!! Besides, Mr. Ming has figured out when I need a cold beer & gladly runs in to get me one!! Now a girl can get used to that!! Jaymie heads to work tomorrow. Our beloved sea container is scheduled to deliver Sunday. Who the hell knows when the German air freight will show up - if ever. I'm not counting on it anytime soon. I packed my precious Moroccan rug in the luggage, so I have my treasure with me!! Priorities :-). That's all for now. No big travels yet to speak of, so no new photos yet. Give me a week or so - I'll get some new shots posted! Hugs to all back home.