Beijing in the Headlines

Beijing is making headlines....but not the good kind.  The yucky kind, I say that because the pollution levels have been record breaking and in the hazardous zone for many, many days this winter.  The last couple of weeks, we have not seen the sun.  Basically, imagine a blanket of smog over the whole city to where you cannot see many yards in front of you.  Today, Grace's school field trip was cancelled due to hazardous levels and low visibility and they have been keeping the children inside, no outside recess.  Yes, the pollution in China, not just Beijing has been reaching world news.  The government has stated that they have shut down various factories, but we cannot see any positive affects yet.

Daytime Yesterday

Normal Daytime

Extremely clear daytime

All of these pictures are looking from the same window in the same direction.  :)

Yesterday, I bought some face masks for the four of us.  One or two days, we can handle, but weeks on end of smelly, dirty, smog is not good for our health.
Here are a couple of thoughts: 

1. Our family has chosen to live here.  We have the choice to leave and someday we will, but the millions of Beijingers and citizens of other big cities in China do not have the choice and opportunities to leave the country.  This is their home.  I am praying for a miracle for them.
2. This pollution could deter us from living here, but Jeff and I are praying that we will stay despite this obstacle, for as long as God is using us here. God gave us a job to do and until we feel like He has completed it, we will stay.

So.....here are our new masks.....Grace loved hers because of the colors.  Jack didn't mind his either because it was blue and had mickey mouse on it.

On my way to buy the kids masks

Ready to get on the school bus

Hot Pot Delivery

We've had some new food experiences recently.  First, for our small group, we decided to order Hot Pot Delivery!  It's a fantastic service.  The restaurant called Hai Di Lao has a delivery guy who brings everything on his electric scooter.  Hot Pot has a very potent smell and can be very messy, so he covers your table and floor, leaves aprons for everyone to wear, and even leaves a portable trash can.  It tastes just as good as actually being in the restaurant and the best part is, when you are done, you call him and he comes and cleans everything up!!  AMAZING!

Spicy on the left, less spicy on the right

The second experience I had last week was lunch with my friend Diana.  She is part of our small group and she met me for lunch near the church.  She took me to a restaurant that I have been wanting to go to for a while.  I had heard about a dumpling place where they have various colors of dumplings using different vegetables for the dough.  I think Jack and Grace will think it's fun, so I will have to take them there as well. 

Beijing is fun because when you enter a local restaurant, it really looks like a "hole in the wall". You don't really know what to expect.  But then, once you get inside, it is so cool, so traditional, so cultural, and it makes you excited to be able to experience it.

We tried purple and orange vegetable and beef dumplings

This is an eggplant and pork dish



Happiness Lists

As I have said before, when you live in another country, you really feel like you have two homes.  We have invested our lives here in Beijing and love being here, but there is NOTHING like going home.  While we were in the San Fransisco airport, we thought of making a list of things that were bringing us joy in being home.  Grace actually started our list for us when she ran up to a kiosk and said, "CHEEZ-ITS!!!"

Things that make us happy to be home in the U.S.  (BESIDES FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF COURSE)

• Cheez-its and Goldfish (we don't buy them here because they are crazy expensive)
• Orange Juice just tastes better in the U.S.  (That's what Grace declared also in the airport)
• Real Crayola Crayons-especially in a restaurant for the kids
• Paper Towels and/or working hand dryers in restrooms
• Warm water for washing hands in the restroom
• Toilet paper in the restroom stalls
• Apple Butter and Grape Jelly
• Biscuits (at a restaurant or from a can-we don't have either in Beijing)
• Real High-speed Internet
• Variety of t.v. commercials.  (you may think that's not true, but trust me, commercials are better in the U.S.)
• Climate Controlled Buildings
• Driving....hopping in your car and driving...driving

Now, I thought about just ending this blog with that list, but I thought that it would be unfair and ungrateful for me not to include a list about the things we are happy to return to in Beijing.

Things that make us happy to be home in Beijing

• More exercise in walking everywhere
• Less food temptations
• Miss Holly (My helper at home, yes, I'm spoiled)
• Fresh fruits and veggies
• Our own beds
• The kids' school
• Our church
• Knowing that this is STILL exactly where God wants us to be at this time of our lives