Growing Soft

Saw Dorothy, Yowneng, Faith and 2 month old Issac this afternoon. Yowneng spotted shorter hair while mine is now much longer, Dorothy remains very slim after childbirth, Issac looks strong and alert, and Faith looks happy and less reserved than before.
While explaining my purpose in Melbourne this trip to help pack up to move to a new home, I shared with Yoweneng and Dorothy how emotional I got each time I packed Kristine's and Kimberley's belongings. In a powerful way, the memories of the toys they played, the books they read, the places they slept, the bathtubs they soaked in, the shampoo they used all surged to my eyes in the form of tears. I couldnt hold back. I chocked. Right in front of Dorothy and Yowneng.

Dorothy was most sympathetic. I think I surprised Dorothy and Yowneng with the display.

Broken Elbow

Pre-dinner playtime downstairs turned into a disaster for Kristine Tuesday evening, fracturing her left elbow while playing on her roller board (Ripstick). She obviously felt a lot of pain, unable to move her arm. While she sat at a park bench, Kimberley went in her own way to seek help. She found Uncle Tom (Scarlet's father). Took Tom a while to understand via Kimberley that Kristine was in trouble.

Tom insisted on accompanying us to a local hospital in a taxi instead fof taking his car. Smart thought as we ended up zipping in and out of two hospitals before finding concrete help in a third. Imagine the hassle to park his own car at each hopsital...

Our first stop was the biggest and newest local hospital, Chaoyang Hospital east of Kristine's school. They recommeded we take Krisitine to Beijing Children's Hospital because the Xray machines at Chaoyang are designed for adults, too 'powerful' for kids so the nurse said. After we registered Kristine at Children's Hospital and walked to the paediatric clinic, the nurse told us their Orthopedics dont work at night and suggested we take Kristine to JiShuiTan Hospital. This is a busy hospital. The emergency ward was bustling with all types of orthopedic patients. I could tell the doctor on duty was overworked and under-appreciated.

We were very lucky to have Uncle Tom chasing all the hospital registration for us, even pushing the doctor on duty to attend to Kristine early. Such is the rule in a Chinese hospital, show your face to get attention. Unlike in Melbourne where patients wait in turn outside of consultation room, patients here jammed inside the consultation room (War Room). The doctor on duty gets requests and question in true Stereo sensoround mode. Uncle Tom even became a radiologist's assitant for Kristine's Xray. Forget the radiation here --- door was wide opened and anyone can walk in anytime. Only the radiologist gets to hide behind lead door while Xrays are being taken.

Kristine eventual got her arm casted by 1030pm. Another 4 yr old girl splinterred her fingers while playing on similar roller board. She required a GA to put her finger bones back in place. The operation was not scheduled until past 12am. Kristine was brave to hold back her tears most of the time, but the technicians who fabricated her 'state of the art' arm cast did make her cry. The cast costs Y520. Xray Y100, Orthopedic consultation Y5, Taxis Y100. No medicines prescribed.

The Orthopedic Accident trophy score is running at Kristine 1 : Kimberley 2. Kimberley's 2 scores were before age 3, while Kristine's first is at age 8.

Embassies Tuesday

Today is mostly preoccupied with embassy errants. First up was Malaysian embassy, built in 2004 but not yet captured in the local online maps. Interestingly, it is behind a main road just next to the Israeli embassy, what an odd couple. The Australian Embassy is located adjacent to the Canadian's. The lady Malaysian consular asked for a certified copy of my Australian passport, to be done by her counterpart at the Aust embassy, some 1500m walk away. The walk was interesting, but it was 1130am. The Australian Consular section opens only from 2pm. Even a lunch at a local copy of Japanese Gyu Don fast food could not kill all the time. Walking around the embassy neighbourhood was long, interesting but exhausting in 30degC. Walked past a real estate agent to realise how expensive old apartments near the embassies are selling. Some other notable landmarks were a Xinjiang restaurant, Workers Stadium, a nice Sichuan restaurant we had lunch with Grace's friend a year ago, a LauPaSat - a Singaporean hawker food style restaurant, and several shops similar to the one in the photo....

Even with the extended walk, I was 15 mins early at the Aust embassy entrance. The Military Police guarding the embassy entrace was keen to chat. They stand on duty 2 hrs at time, rotating to different embassies. They get extra pay if they pass an embassy exam. Tour of duty is 2 years and they get moved again. The Canadian embassy engages private security firm, while the Australian, Malaysian use the Military Police. Those private security guards get extra pay if they improve their English, but that option is not opened to the MPs. I was amazed I could enter the Malaysian embassy without my backpack being checked, nor needing to walk past a metal detector, which the Australian embassy requires.

The passport copy certificaion took less than 10mins, but at RMB145 each. Then it was delivered to the Malaysian embassy to conclude my tour of the embassy district.

Kristine's Wave 2

Her birthday party mates from her school: Jessica and Jessie. I think Grace's handwritten invitations scared the parents away as none of them stayed for lunch. Uncle Wayne and Auntie Cindy helped make the party lively, for me, with two adults to talk to. Wayne also helped in cleaning the lasagna tray, leaving just the baking paper with some tomato stains.

Children's party ended around 4pm. Adults' party didnt end until around 8pm.....

Kristine's Wave 1

Her after-school gang, Scarlet plus two schoolmates on same school bus, living in same estate: Frances and Caito, and Kimberley, always.

Kimberley's leap forward

After dropping Kimberley at her kinder entrance gate, I saw her being checked by kinder nurses, and then walk on her own into the building, and up the stairs to her classroom. This is her first. She had always wanted me to walk her upstairs, letting go of my hand only as she could grab her teacher's hand. This morning, she was on her own. May 8 is a good day for Kristine and Kimberley!

Home Delivery

How I get my beer delivered. A crate of 24x750ml local beer (mid-strength) costs Y45 delivered.

Home delivery is very prevalent here. Not just limited to postal or courrier services. Grocery, milk, beer/drinking water, meals (just about everything you would want to eat can be home delivered, not just KFC and Pizzas), plus merchandise shopped online - including tickets (air tickets, e-tickets, concert tickets....). The delivery process also serves as a mean of payment collection for the purchases, because cash payments are still very common.

Kristine's 8th

A happy early riser this morning. She told me she didnt feel like an 8 yr old yet.

Her party/parties will be split into two groups. Those who live in the same estate will congregate at our home after school this afternoon. Another group of off-siters will meet for lunch on Saturday.

Huijia Kindergarten

Rare photos of Grace and Kristine picking Kimberley from her kinder. Note how parents and guardians are waiting 'outside' the kinder gate these days.

Swimming Pool

The good news is I began my gym exercises since Sunday May 3. The club house is just 100m away from our lobby entrance, small but adeqaute. Last night, Grace used my gym pass to take the kids swimming. I went along to watch Kristine and Kimberley play in the wadding pool so Grace could do her laps.

A lifeguard came up to me and told me I was not allowed in in t-shirts and shorts. He said I could enter the pool area to wacth the kids, but I must be in swimming outfit like everyone else. After much debate, I was allowed in, just this time. As I sat down on a lounge chair next to the wadding pool and turn my laptop on, he came up to me again and complained I must not use my laptop while in the pool area.....

I then walked around to check the rules and regulations, too many to reprint here. Basically, no noise, no jumping into the pool, no 'frolic', no cardiac patient, no prior alcoholic drink, no skin desease, no high blood pressure, no sandals, no t-shirts, no shorts, no spitting (didnt stop a guy there doing just that). Even parents of kids attending swim classes are not allowed in. The kids themselves are allowed in 10 minutes before class begins, and must leave shower room 30 mins after class ends.

Everyone entering the pool MUST wear a swim cap, but noone is required to shower before entering the pool.

A signage at the entrance goes like this:

"Entrance Swims Pool Penetrate Sandals Please Wear Swim Cap The Swimmer Enters a Natarorium Thank a Cooperation Please"

No punctuation marks. Go figure that out!

Swine Flu

Kimberley had high fever last Wednesday, skipped kinder on Thursday, recovered in time to enjoy her long weekend, but then high fever returned on Sunday night (41degC). She skipped kinder again on Monday, making it a really long weekend. She didnt want to goto kinder this morning, but eventually agreed after negotiating with me to pick her up at midday. I hink she really enjoys being with me at home during the day.
Upon reaching her kinder gate this morning, nurses checked temperature, hand and mouth visually before kids were allowed in. Parents were not allowed to enter the kinder compound. From foot and mouth to swine flu, this is getting serious.

Rare Walk within 4th Ring Road

After shopping for kids shoes and sushi dinner near Carrefour in Shuangjing sandwiched between 3rd and 4th Ring Roads East，we took a walk past a new housing estate (珠江帝景）, through some rough tracks to reach Parkson next to 4th Ring road East. In time, this real estate will be transformed into modern high rise but they remain a rare and scarce remnants from the past. Hidden in this wild land are a few garbage dumps, recycling stations, and a filming studio. Kristine could not tolerate the stench and nearly threw up as we reached Parkson.

Labour Day Weekend

It was a quiet long weekend for us at home. Kristine and Kimberley spent most time playing with Scarlet, aleternating between their homes, starting from afternoon of Thursday April 30. Photos shows thier spagetthi dinner with crispy-skin pork.

Nose Bleed

Photo shows Kimberley with dried blood stain on her face early morning of Thursday April 30. Her nose bled during sleep overnight.

Odd-shaped Egg

Kristine and Kimberley holding an asymmetrical egg out of a tray from Tesco.

Hectic Wednesday

I was at Carrefour doing grocery shopping when I received a call from Kimberley's kinder teacher Ms Liu saying Kimberley was complaining about her stomach pain. On way to Kimberley's kinder, Kristine called, saying she too had stomach pain. Upon reaching Kimberley's kinder, she was already asleep (her usual nap between 12-2pm). So another taxi ride to Kristine's school and she was in the admin office with Sonia who had a headache waiting for a parental pickup. Kristine wanted to shop for candies at a shop near her school but I didnt let her. We took a taxi to Kimberley's kinder. kimberley had a fever. She could not walk the distance home.

Kristine did her homework, ate a pastry bread and some candy (secretly in her bedroom), and then decided she wanted to walk to Yamaha Music School by herself('it is so embarassing' --- that I had to accompany her) while Kimberley had a dose of Nurefen. 90mins later, they were both downstairs heading to Scarlet's home.

Whos That one?

On way to Kristine's piano practice after school, we took the wrong elevator which went down to basement instead of up to Yamaha Music School on 5th floor. At B1, a young lady and a Caucasian girl about Kristine's age came in and the lady said 'Ni Hao!' to me. I replied 'Ni hao!', and my mind raced to figure out who this young lady was. Maybe she was the mother of this Caucasian kid, but where did I meet her? I could not figure the answer. She was well dressed, with matching shoes and blowse, and she did not look like a typical local mother.

When we got to the 5th Floor, the answer was evident: she was a piano teacher at Yamaha and the Caucasian girl was there by herself for a piano lesson with another teacher!

Similarly, on Saturday when were on our way to the bus stop, on way to attend a birthday party (Kristine's classmate), a fashionable pretty lady called out to me:'Giam!, Giam!'. I could not recognize her from the diatance. 'Who is this lady calling my name?'. On closer look she was Auntie Edith!!!!!!!

Sonia's Birthday

Sonia is Kristine's classmate who came to help Kristine when she was bullied by a male classmate a few weeks ago (see Kristine's post early April). Sonia is from Russia. I was surprised by how many of the Russian parents who attended the party speaking Mandarin. Sonia's parents speak English too. Their apartment is located adjacent to Auntie Viv's office, close to Kristine's school and close to Russian Market when many Russian traders sourced their China products for export to Russia. Sonia is the one with blonde hair in floral dress in the photo.

BBQ on Rooftop

We were honoured to attend Uncle Wayne and Auntie Cindy's first rooftop bbq of the warm season. Wayne and Cindy, together with Taotao occupy the top floor of an inner city apartment building, with private access to a rooftop balcony. It was a real treat to be able to enjoy an outdoor BBQ in Beijing. While Wayne's forte was roast duck when we all lived in White Plains, his specialty now is rooftop BBQ.

Home delivery

Another practice not found in Melbourne: milk delivery. After a recent neighbourhood product sampling, Grace decided to order San Yuan (三元）milk for Kristine and Kimberley each morning, supplemented by fresh milk from supermarkets. 2 glass bottles of 200ml milk are delivered to our front door each morning around 630am. Kristine finds drinking fresh milk directly from a glass bottle through a straw fun and it has become her after-school drink, but Kimberley still prefers her milk in a milk bottle with teat, on a coach in front of Nickelodeon in the morning or in her bed with Grace reading her nighttime stories.....

Photo taken from 6 floors up, shows how the milk gets delivered.

On trial for a month. To replace my supermarket milk runs completely, we need 6 bottles each day. The lockable milk box they installed at our front door can only hold 3.... One drawback from this convenience: the delivery guy ring our lobby door bell even on weekends, leaving no scope for sleeping in.