Halloween in China

So, yes, Virginia, there is Halloween in China.
Anyway, it turns out that Shekou International School does Halloween up kind of big here. And being on the Halloween committee, I wanted our grade 1 team to rock it. Our costumes made here in Old Shekou for about 2 cents are based on the classic poem, "Six Little Pumpkins". In the photo above are Lisa Hassell and Tami Ruebush, fellow grade 1 teachers and our ubercompetent and fantastic TAs, Heather Hou, Rita Long, and Cindy Zhang. Finally, that is me at the end. In the photo to the right is most of my class before our annual SIS Halloween assembly/parade. Delicious. James, the one costume holdout is hanging out between Ms. Cindy and me.
And finally to the direct right is Renata decked out as Tinkerbell. She bought most of the pieces in Hong Kong last weekend. Luca, not featured, was an Italian soccer player and Vic was part of the Scooby Doo team as Shaggy. The middle school and high school kids wore their costumes all day actually-- even into the dance. Renata, it turns out, slow danced with 3 boys. Personally, I am grateful for the big fairy skirt. Luca also attended, this his first dance ever. He was asked to dance, but turned the girl down. Serios breaking hearts all over China...
Tonight, Renata flies out to Guanxi for her 8th grade Week without Walls trip. But Luca will trick or treat with his friends here starting around 5:30. We know we won't get trick or treaters up here in this mostly Chinese apt complex and on the 4th floor, so V and I will probably go out to dinner.....

Our shipment sails in

So just a quick note about our shipment. All 13 boxes arrived. Everything works or is in good shape except for some mold-- I wonder where it all has been sitting for 3 and 1/2 months. Anyway, featured to the right is a star appropriately made in China which was given to us at our Nathan Clifford going away party. We promised that we would try to bring it to all the new places we go. It graces our entry way for the first time tonight. It does feel a good piece of Americana.

10-10-10

We could not have a blog about China and not have a post for today. I am sure this was not big news many other places, but today was considered a good luck day here. So much so, that government registries were kept open extra hours this week to accommodate all of the couples seeking to be wed this day.
On our way back from our hike this morning we witnessed a stream of cars driving past, all decked out with bows, streamers and hearts from a wedding that took place locally. We are so removed from the day to day lives of the people who are from here, it felt great to witness a big life/social event even though we had no connection to it. It felt so familiar, it took me back a bit. We have been so focused on what is different and unfamiliar most of the time, that it was great to witness something that was the exact same thing we would at home.
Shekou is pretty small, and like any place, we are starting to recognize people and they are starting to recognize us. I was in two shops today, and the proprietor remarked "You live here" as much a statement as a question. They see me walk or ride by each day on my way to work and pass by when we are out shopping.
I think this marked the beginning of a new stage in our living here. There is a strange kind of acceptance you feel when folks notice you like that. At first, we were noticed because we were western, and as such, an easy mark. Everyone had a deal for you or scam for you. Things are a bit different now.
When you shop in most stores here, you are generally expected to haggle for the price. The shopkeeper will have two starting points, one for Chinese, and one for weiguoren (foreigner literally "people outside"). You can guess which is higher. The negotiations are now starting much lower (but I am sure not as low as prices for Chinese) and so it is more difficult to decide where to stop. If you fire back a price that is too low, the game is off and there will be no discussion. It is almost like a trust thing, if the shopkeeper starts close to the real price, they are showing a sort of trust. If you go too low, you signal there is no trust and the bargaining is over or they won't come down on price very much. It seems to make things a bit more tricky.
Of course you still have to keep your eyes open...
I don't have a pic from today, but here is one of the Hong Kong skyline, taken from our hotel room last weekend.

Not too much, that's how I like it

So, this post is a little less travelogue and a little more introspection. Just a warning up front. We have had a five day vacation for the Chinese national holiday and ventured to Hong Kong (wonderful sites, hikes, western food and shopping), but Vic said as we rode our ferry back to our new home in Shekou, "I miss Chinese food." And the kids and I all agreed! What? No Ben and Jerry's here in Shekou or organic pesto pitas or good margaritas or.... So what gives?
And I just had that same feeling while I was hanging out our laundry on our back deck. We have a dryer, but the ayi never uses it and so I really haven't either. So here I am clipping up Renata's skirt and Luca's shirt and I realized how I have in our home in Maine outsourced and/or rushed through all of the little parts of a life. I have been living like I have a to-do list that is never done, so every morning has begun with a push toward the middle part of the never ending list. Each evening ends with me too exhausted to complete more things, so I veg out with a book or a movie or DVD to "escape". Escape what?my own life?? Of course, I have read a nauseating number of books and articles on getting energy back in my "busy, purposeful life". I even take a little pill every day for it. I am forever trying to figure out why I am so tired.
I just think that there is TOO much-- too much food, too many commitments, too many products, too many birthdays to get the perfect gift for. Where the hell am I rush to, really? How is that a purposeful life, if I just want to escape it? Of course I have considered that I am just a slacker and I can't keep up-- with the household chores, new courses for work, good, healthful cooking, the kids' events, our friends and family, Patch, managing money and investing wisely. I think I have wanted to play this life game for a while, but I have in the past 3-4 years realized that I can never feel like I have won. Or even that I am in the top tier of winning.
I like this slower, simpler life. It suits me.