1st Day of School

Today was Chloe's first day of Kindergarten.  I'm not sure who was more nervous me or her.  They can start school a little earlier here than in America.  We decided it would be a good idea to send Chloe to school to learn Mandarin.  She is attending the local Taiwanese school and the entire class is in Chinese.  Fortunately, her teacher is able to speak a little English and I can now understand a little Chinese.  I still can't speak Chinese very well so I usually have to reply to her teacher in English but at least I can understand what her teacher is saying. 

Anyways, Chloe was a real trooper for her first day.  She was so proud to wear her Strawberry Shortcake backpack (provided by Grandma Linda) to her school.  She felt like such a big kid.

Her Chinese name is Wei Ke Yi and that is what her teacher and all the kids call her.  She loved play time.  Her class had all her favorites- a book area, a kitchen set, a train set as well as a puzzle area.  She is still learning to adapt to organized group circle time but I think she will get it soon.  I stayed in her class for the first couple of hours along with the other parents so that the kids could become familar with the classroom, the teacher, the bathrooms, etc.

She is now passed out on her bed from all the nervous excitement. I am so proud of her.

Chloe's Birthday Party

Today was Chloe's 4th birthday party.  We had 10 kids under the age of six plus Chloe and Ava in our 1500 square foot apartment.  It was a riot - literally.  Tons of cupcakes, loads of balloons, and a dozen kids high on sugar and pizza.  It's the stuff that life is made of.

A day late and a dollar short

I've been contemplating contentment. I read a study recently that said the average American does not want to be a CEO of a fortune 500 company.  He or she does not want to live in a 10,000 square foot home nor do they think making $100 million a year would make them happy.  No, the average American just wants $20 more per week.  That's all.  This small sum is desired by all people regardless of their current income, amount of consumer debt, age or education level.

I heard someone once say they just needed 100 square feet more in their 4,000 square-foot home and then they'd be satisfied. I often find myself thinking if my daughters were just two years older then life would be easier.  There are dozens of "if only...then..." scenarios.

If only I had more time, then I could have a better relationship with my kids.
If only I had less debt, then I would be able to give more money away.
If only I had two sinks in the  master bathroom, then my spouse and I wouldn't fight so much.
If only it weren't so hot/cold outside, then I could take better care of my body by exercising.
If only my job didn't take up so much time, then I could finish writing the great american novel.
If only I could lose 5 more pounds, then I'd be really good-looking.
If only the restaurants would serve smaller portions, then I could lose weight.
If only my house had more closet space, then I would have far less clutter.
If only my spouse/kids/boss/neighbor/parents treated me better, then I would have more self-confidence.

Underlying all of these "If/Then" moments is a lack of contentment.  What we are really saying is "If I just had ________ then I could be truly happy." (Fill in the blank with whatever you wish).  However, when we get that one thing that we think will make us truly happy the joy is only fleeting.  Soon we think about the next thing that will make us truly happy.  This idea is often referred to as a hunger.  When you eat you feel full for awhile.  Soon the hunger returns and you must feed your appetite once again. This ceaseless appetite points to something missing in our lives.

Right now is Ghost Month in Taiwan.  This month all the spirits who aimlessly roam Taiwan haunting people are allowed to descend into hell.  (Doesn't sound like much of a bargain, right?)  Once the ghost has descended they are given a new chance at life through reincarnation and an almost never-ending cycle of life do-overs.  (One life is enough for me, thank you.  If I wasn't smart enough to get it right the first time, I'm not going to be smart enough to get it the 2nd, 3rd or 50th time either.)

It is interesting that every religion recognizes the fact that our spirit is not made for this world and we are not temporal beings.  The Bible teaches that we were made for something bigger than this world and because of that, our spirit longs for what is eternal.

Perhaps our lack of contentment is not the fault of advertisers or Hollywood or economic downturns or portion-stuffed restaurants.  What if the void in our spirit constantly cries for more because we try to fill an eternal hole with things made for this temporary world- bigger houses, fancier cars, more TV channels, designer clothes, better education and fattier foods.  Maybe a true spirit of contentment must come from something bigger and deeper than this world. 

For the believer in Christ, when we accept with gratitude the provisions we are provided- regardless of how great or small - we are one step closer to thinking with a larger-than-life worldview.  If we think about life with eternity in mind then $20 more per week loses its sex-appeal.

Things I've Learned Living Overseas- #1

How to Be Crafty

 Settling our family down a world away from America has taught all of us many things- how to use chopsticks, the cheapest places to buy cheese, how to haggle in a night market, and how to bake from scratch. One thing I never thought living overseas would teach me was "how to be crafty." 

Chloe's birthday is coming up next week and we decided to do a big party for her this year. The big box stores don't carry much in the way of birthday supplies and there is no such thing as a Hobby Lobby but a little creativity and a lot of lead time yielded these picture frame party favors.  Each child decorates their frame at the party and then has a memorable party favor to add their own favorite pic. (The pic above shows the completed frames ready for child-decorating.)

Step 1: Three months in advance, order scrapbooking paper and stickers online and have your mother-in-law mail the supplies to you.  Thanks, Nana!

Step 2. Spend two months searching for black card stock and glue stick at every store that sells lots of random junk.

Step 3: Spend three weeks making one picture frame for every kid.  (Actually, they were really easy to make.  Instructions are below.)

Living overseas does present its challenges but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Picture Frame Instructions

Supplies

1 piece of 8.5x11 heavy cardstock

Ruler

Exacto knife

Craft Glue

Cut the cardstock in half width-wise (Hamburger fold).  take one half of the cardstock and measure 1" from  every edge.  Draw a rectangle opening and cut out using the exacto knife. Reserve this rectangular piece to use as a stand.  Glue the edges of the two halves of cardstock together leaving the top open to add a picture.  Grab the reserved rectangle and cut one of the short edges into a triangle.  Fold over about 1/4" and glue it to the back of the picture frame.  After all the glue dries decorate the front of the frame and insert your favorite pic. Voila!  You're Crafty!

Don't Hate Me 'kuz It's Beautiful

Is this a great island or what?

Chloe's New Ride

For Chloe's birthday this year, she received a shiny new bicycle. We gave it to her a little early because we found a bike on sale but had nowhere to hide it until her birthday. She has loved feeling all grown up with her new set of wheels. The pic below is her riding it in the courtyard of our building.

It actually reminds me of a little bicycle that I received for maybe my 4th or 5th birthday from my Grandpa. I really liked that bicycle but I had a little trouble learning to ride mine without training wheels.

I heart Sick Days

Wednesday morning Chloe woke up with a fever and a runny nose. Yesterday, I took Ava to get her Polio, Hib and DTaP shots. Today I woke up with a headache and a stomache.  After the girls naps today, we all felt blah.  Ava has a runny nose and a little fever from her shots.  My headache just won't give in and Chloe was still complaining of an upset stomach.  So we did the best thing in the world:

We stayed inside all afternoon and evening watching princess movies and eating popcorn with lots of butter.  Now, I know health nuts and the doctor will tell me that butter only makes runny noses and upset stomachs and headaches feel worse. But they are wrong.  There is nothing more comforting than eating a handful of popcorn soggy with butter (as long as you don't wipe it on the couch).

I just put snotty-nosed Ava to bed and Chloe just drew a beautiful picture of a yellow, mommy princess.  She is now prancing around the living room saying "I a princess.  A beautiful, beautiful princess."

I love sick days.