Bathroom etiquette

We ventured away from our regular Pizza Hut and braved a Chinese noodle restaurant for lunch today. I am not sure if that is what gave me "Chinese stomach" and the IMMEDIATE need to use the bathroom, but regardless, I knew I wasn't going to make it the 20-30 minute drive back to our apartment. After finding a bathroom I saw relief... but not so fast...In the women's restroom there appeared to be what was of a line of women waiting in an orderly fashion for their turn. As more ladies come into the bathroom, they would just walk to the "front of the line." Someone would come out and they would go in. Then the women would shuffle and move up or back in line, almost as if it was a game. I wasn't quite sure how the system worked, all I knew was that I needed to use the bathroom and people that were coming in after me and getting into stalls before me. I kind of figured that they were maybe picking a stall and standing outside of them and if the stall they picked opened up, they would go in. So after getting cut in front of about 5 times, I grabbed Eden's hand, walked to the front of the line and stood in between people and the stalls. When the next one opened up, I walked in front, only allowing room for her to exit. I did it! I got into a bathroom stall in a busy public restoom in China! VICTORY!!! Victory!! Victory!! One point Vicki....0 points Chinese women!! I did however, feel a little bad for Eden (small stall, hole in the ground, and mom with upset stomach)...but such is life.

1st week

We have braved the Americanized restaurants here in China and are becoming regulars at Pizza Hut. We always have been ones to jump right into acclamating to where ever we are. IKEA was fun as well. They don't have Mac N Cheese, but spaghetti was a good second alternative as well as the meatballs. We got to witness potty training in its raw form as a little boy pooped through the slit in his pants on the restaurant floor at IKEA. Our kids thought it was gross, I found it intersting. Our kids are braving the squatty potties here, although I have to help hold the girls so they don't fall, and only got my shoe peed on once. I now know why it is customary to remove your shoes when you enter someones house. We will not be wearing shoes in the house as if you use a bathroom anywhere in public, you have stepped in bodily waste. I will also always remember to bring toilet paper with me. You will only forget that once here and not a second time. Well, I guess I learned to bring it for myself, now next time we go out I will bring some for the kids as well. Hand sanitizer, soap and a towel will be on the list for my purse as well. We also found a way to get personally escorted out of IKEA by a man in a business suit and a walkie talkie. Note to self, don't reenter the second floor to get kids out of play area after purchasing items. They don't like that. Matt's Chinese is "very good"...nobody has complimented me on my chinese yet...Evidently you have to use different tones, which I don't think is quite necessary.
School starts on Monday, so the routine and schedule will begin then. First week of just learning our way around and figuring things out somewhat completed.

We made it to china!

We left for China Sat. March 20th. That morning was nothing but full of events. As we finished packing, cleaning and preparing, Eden woke up with red gunky eyes. We got her into the pediatrician and yep, she had pink eye and double ear infections. Not what you want to hear when you are getting on a plane for China in 8 hours. She got a shot and antibiotics and eye drops and ear drops. We then had a plugged toilet and as we were plunging it and trying to fix it, Mia came running upstairs telling me something and wanted me to come see. I told her to wait, we were busy and I would look later, then I realized she said "the light in the kitchen is raining"...and thought I should check it out. Sure enought, the light in the kitchen was raining...the light right below the toilet that was clogged. As I stood there with my sisters Heather and Michelle, I thought, this isn't what I want to see 8 hours before getting on a plane to China. Thankfully, we were able to use the home warranty and get a plumber out to the house. We made it to the airport with the help of my sisters, the Loudys and Heggartys and thankfully it was terminal 2, and the check in counters were literally right inside the door. The airline was actually notified as there was another family we were flying with and they have 5 kids, so they had called in extra help, and they helped with our 20 bags and 3 car seats. It did still take about an hour to check in though. Once we were checked in and through security, all went smoothly on all flights. Once we arrived in Dalian, we were the last to get off of the plane and go through customs and the last to get our luggage, along with the Davis family. As they were going through customs, we made it through and started taking the 52 checked bags off of the carousel. Eli was crying, so Matt was comforting him and as I was taking the bags off, it was nice that a group of Chinese people stood by and watched. I made muscles as I took each bag off and sucked in my stomach. After the Davis made it through and we got our luggage all separated, we got 6 carts for our bags and a bunch of carts for their bags. Then, how to get the carts through the check point. Thankfully we have 3 kids who each had to push a cart full of luggage. I laughed as I watched little Eden pushing a huge cart full of bags. What troopers they all were to help push the carts. Once we made it through the check point, then we met our driver and other helpers who immediately took over and our work was done. We made it to our temporary apartment until our townhouse is ready, which will be about April 8th. We walked through the schools they will be going to. We did some shopping, and got a lot of stares. Eden got her picture taken in one store. Eli and Eden had health checks and had to get their blood drawn. Eden asked if they were going to give the blood back. We had lunch at Pizza Hut...and I got a Starbucks:)!!! As I see how nice and helpful people have been, I definetly have gotten a peace about being here. God has been so faithful and answered many prayers!! Our driver is very friendly and speaks a little English. I even think he was a little nervous about his first day on the job. All is well!