Hong Kong and Back

We have returned from Hong Kong. It went very well. We got the visas we needed to stay in China and got to do a bunch of other stuff. Normally Heather and I are not too adventurous, but each day we would try and do something in the morning and evening. We also made sure to eat at some fun Western restaurants that we don’t have in Xian… which needless to say, was great. We also spent the better part of one afternoon/evening walking across Hong Kong island. We didn’t start out with that as our plan. Our original plan was to eat some Italian food for dinner and then go to the tram which would take us to a peak on the island that has a gorgeous evening view. But we just kept walking and discovering and in the end walked a long, long ways. The view from the peak was spectacular. Also, we crossed the bay in a ferry which Sydney absolutely loved and played at Victoria Park a couple times. When we went to get the passports they told us that we couldn’t get them because I didn’t have my company’s address. This stopped my heart. Luckily I had my co-workers phone number on me and after 15-20 failed attempts at making an international phone call on a terrible pay phone I got through, got the address and in the end got the passports. I’m very grateful it all worked out.

As you know we went to Hong Kong to get our passports, but it worked out well in Heather and I’s favor because we were able to celebrate our 5 year anniversary there! We went out to eat (again we had Italian food) with the kids and all, very romantic. Also while in Hong Kong we stumbled upon an IKEA which we were able to pick up some cute stuff (I’m using Heather’s language) for our apartment. In the end it was a great trip with tons of memories. But…

We were completely ecstatic about getting back to Xian, not only because it’s home for us, but because our good friends the Failla’s returned. Heather made a critical error in telling Sydney that Joshua (her best friend) would be home soon… it was a critical error, because she did it four days before Sydney would get to see him. This meant for four days straight Sydney would say stuff about wanting to go back to Xian and see Joshua every half hour or so. Here’s some free advice; if you have children don’t tell them about a surprise or exciting news until 15 minutes or so before the surprise. If you don’t listen to my advice you will be submitting yourself to torture. Well we got home and were so excited to see our beloved friends. Sydney and Joshua have been playing together (and nicely) and will be getting married sometime in the future.

With hope, love and joy,
the petersons

Goodbye and off to Hong Kong

Well tomorrow morning we say goodbye to my mom who's been staying with us these past 13 days. It's been a great time with her and very refreshing for Heather and I to have a bit of home here. Heather and I have tried to tell Sydney that Grandma has to go home and each time we are met with cries. She will be missed. This past week we (my mom and I) went to the Terracotta Warriors. It's the 8th Wonder of the World and quite amazing. Our guide informed us that originally there were 8,000 life sized soldiers, but shortly after its completion a fire destroyed all of the soldiers except one. So in all the pictures you see of completed soldiers they have been pieced back together. What's even more amazing is that none of the 8,000 soldiers look alike, but instead each has their own appearance. Also, it wasn’t until the 70’s that this massive place was even discovered. On another note, I was incredibly surprised at how well my mom did here. It can be overwhelming to deal with the amount of culture differences that you face when you come here. Nonetheless she did great and we are proud of her. I will be posting pictures of our time together after we get back from Hong Kong.

This transitions us perfectly into our next topic, Hong Kong. Our family will be heading to the airport tomorrow with my mom, not only to say goodbye, but to also board a plane. My mom will be going to Beijing (then the States) and we will be heading to Hong Kong. I mentioned in our last post that we are heading there to take care of some Visa stuff related to me getting a teaching job. We hope it goes well and we'll try and keep you posted. If you see us in the States in the next week... you'll know it didn't go well. I'm kidding. We will be coming back to Xian August 22nd.

Till then,
the petersons

Announcement

Sorry... we're not pregnant.

We are going to be making some changes in our life coming up very shortly. For the past year I (Matt) have been going to university here in the mornings to study Chinese. I’ve enjoyed the classroom setting and this past year has given me a firm foundation in Chinese. The longer I live here though the more I want to teach English here and continue my studies in a different way. So next semester I will begin teaching English at a local school here in the mornings and I will get a tutor in the afternoons to continue my Chinese studies. This will provide me with the ability to continue to live in China (but as a teacher as opposed to a student). I’m really excited about how many relationships I will be able to build through this opportunity, and hopefully be able to impact even more lives this way. I’m also excited to be joining my wife in having a tutor. Not only will this give me the chance to continue studying Chinese but I can focus more on my language needs. I will begin teaching September 1st and then I’m going to start looking for a tutor.

What this means... Currently I’m on a student Visa and to teach here and I need to change it to a work Visa. So our whole family (yes our whole family) will need to fly to Hong Kong to get new Visa’s. We’re hoping that we can do this as soon as my mom leaves, because I need to get it done before I start my new job. We’re all very excited for the new changes and we’ll keep all of you posted. I should also mention that due to the tough financial times people face we have lost some of our supporters. This job will help us cover some of our monthly expenses, but it will not cover all of them. We realize that these times are difficult for everyone and want you to know how much your continued support means to us. Thanks to all of you for your support and friendship… we truly are blessed to have such amazing people around us. Thank you.

With love, joy and hope,

The petersons

First Week With Mom

It’s been a week since my Mom got here and it has flown by. A flight delay kept her over night in Newark, which let’s be honest, is almost torture. Also, her luggage showed up a day late, but other than that her travel went smoothly. It’s been fun going out with her and just watching her looking at all the sights. China truly is a world that is so different from everything in America. It can be quite overwhelming at times. The first day here my mom and I were walking along the road and she was looking around and almost got hit by a bus! Luckily she lived another day, to stare some more.

So far we’ve gone downtown and checked out a 1,200 year old Mosque, as well as the Drum Tower and Bell Tower. We went out to dinner the other night and had Beijing Roast Duck at the Great Goose Pagoda then watched a fountain light show that is held there each night. Today we went to a lake near our home which is a beautiful place to relax. I would say that my mom is most amazed by how much people stare at us and take an interest in us. Wherever we go we have people stop and take our pictures and ask us questions about the girls. We went out to a Chinese restaurant last night and the servers just stood by our table during most of the meal playing with Aubrey, which is pretty different for Americans.

We have a little less than a week left with her and we will be going to the Terracotta Warriors and maybe hitting the Korean BBQ for dinner sometime. I will post pictures soon, but I will also be making an announcement tomorrow that you need to tune into.

'Till next time,
the petersons

Life Lately

Heather had left to get a haircut and on her way home she called me to say that she liked the haircut but that it was very short. So I prepared myself. When she walked through the door I loved her hair, but Heather still felt like it was REALLY short. Then Sydney walked into the room. Upon seeing Heather’s haircut she said “Mommy now you look like Daddy!” Heather and I just looked at each other and then started to laugh. Sydney is so cute, lucky for her.

Also, this past week we found out our smoke alarm works! It’s funny to me because Heather always gives me a hard time about burning everything I cook. Well Heather was cooking a piece of bacon and had forgotten about it until a loud piercing alarm was sounded. And after the smoke cleared and after the alarm had fallen silent I (Matt) found vindication for all those times Heather gave me a hard time about burning food. And that vindication came in the smell of burnt bacon.

So a couple of weeks ago I saw this and it brought a huge smile to my heart. I was at an electronics market here and I got into the elevator to head to a lower floor. The elevator was especially big and there was a woman sitting against the wall. And I realized she had set up a little stand and was selling things. Even in the elevators you can buy stuff, unreal.

Two nights ago our power went off in the middle of the night. But that happens from time to time and I thought nothing of it. Well I thought a lot about it as the next day we still hadn’t gotten electricity back and discovered our water was not running either. 20 hours later we got electricity back! That was a slow, hot day (no air-conditioner). To be fair we got water after about 15 hours and that was a blessing.

Sorry this is so long… MY MOM FLIES IN TOMORROW NIGHT!!!! I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself. Matt shouts, “Heather, Steam some rice we got guests coming over!!!”

Till next time,
the petersons