Last few Cambodia Stories (mostly pictures)

(January 2014, Cambodia, I wrote the first 2/3 of this while we still lived in China...then it got buried in drafts, and now it is getting finished. Today is the day.)

I promise I only have a few more stories about Cambodia and then I will be done. It's taken me longer than I thought to write about everything we did/saw/felt.

Our room in Siem Reap

This is where we slept in Siem Reap: http://www.angkorvoluntary.com/. They didn't have a crib either...every single place I booked said online they had cribs for use, and every single place told us they did not have a crib upon arrival. Frustrating. 

This place though, they took care of us and gave us two double beds instead. It was great. The guesthouse was really neat in that they worked with orphanages and schools and gave rooms, either for free of for very cheap, to people who came to volunteer at those places. There was a really good feeling at this place. Only one or two of the guesthouse employees spoke English, but they all had such kindness in them. 

Also, it was at this guesthouse that I learned that geckos make a really loud squeaking sound. I heard it when Jonathan was in the shower and thought it was a rat or bird. I kept my eyes riveted on the place the sound came from, slightly terrified that some large creature was going to come creeping out to eat us, until Jonathan came out of the shower. Then I made him search for the source of the noise. When he told me it was a gecko, I didn't believe him for a bit. So loud for such a small thing. Google it. It's crazy.

This little girl entertained Peter when we were waiting/sorting things out after missing the bus and waiting for the night sleeper bus. I am so grateful to this girl. She kept Peter occupied and happy while I tried to not be so stressed. She taught him how to throw a ball. 

Evidence to the ball throwing, the ball is mid-air in the above picture as Peter had just thrown it. 

She just followed him around everywhere and redirected him when needed. Thanks little one for being awesome. 

This is the last room we stayed in Cambodia. This was back in Phnom Penh- Kings Guesthouse. This place was a huge let down- they didn't have the rooms they said they would hold for us and the bathroom was tiny, but we got in really early in the morning and really didn't care anymore about what the place looked like, as long as we could lock the door and sleep. We shared the room with Leigh. There were 3 single beds. Leigh got a bed and then Jonathan and I took turns between sharing a bed with each other and sharing with a smaller, but more kicky Peter.  

We woke up the next morning, had breakfast and then headed to the airport.

On the way to the airport in our last tuk tuk ride. 

Street view of Phnom Penh. 

As we drove through Phnom Penh towards the airport, I saw the LDS missionaries! It was really exciting for me to see them after 6 months of no missionaries in China. I hope they had a great mission experience.

Tuk Tuks lined up outside the airport.

We thankfully had an uneventful ride to the airport and then started our long journey back to Nanjing. Good-bye Cambodia, I hope we meet again. 

Playtime at the Park- Nanjing, China

(April 2014, Nanjing China)

Another post without too much background, mostly just pictures. We moved apartments halfway through our time in Nanjing, China. The second apartment complex we lived in was huge! None of the buildings were more than 6 stories tall, but there were lots of them. The first couple of times I walked around I thought I'd get lost. There were lots of paths that led to different buildings that all looked similar. There were also little playgrounds throughout the complex- we counted/found 5 while we lived there. There was one just around the corner from our building complex and once the weather was warmer, Peter and I would go there most days at least once. 

If we went earlier in the day, then it was usually just me and him, and sometimes older grandmas with their grand-kids. As we continued going more regularly, I started to recognize people who came around the same time we did. If we went in the evening before Jonathan got home, then there were usually a good amount of parents, grandparents and kids- from small toddlers to elementary aged kids. It was always nice when Jonathan was at the playground with us because he could actually converse with our neighbors, whereas I could answer a few questions but then I'd get stuck. 

It was great to have this little playground so close because it got us out of the house and Peter always had fun exploring the toys as well as the grassy areas around. So, here he is.

Peter and the sand

Playing in the sandbox

Contemplating the slide

Exploring

Rocking in a spring chair

Best face ever.

Happier horse rider

Tunnel crawling

Bucket Baby

(April 2014, Nanjing China)

There really isn't much story to this, but these pictures were cute, and now he's so big compared to this...okay, really not that much bigger, but his face looks more grown up now. Also, I love that monster shirt and am a little sad he is too big to wear it ever again. But, that does mean that he is indeed growing, even if it is slowly. 

Anyway, here are a few pictures from a day that Peter found an empty wastebasket and used it as a boat and a helmet- thanks for reminding me why I don't buy you toys. 

Baby in a bucket!

I love his blue blue eyes

Safety first

Bubbles and Dancing at Xuanwu Lake

(Flashback to June 2014 the first half of this post was written when we still lived in Nanjing)

The other day we went to Xuanwu Lake to walk around and let Peter run before taking the metro home. It was threatening rain, so we decided not to stay for too long. We walked down the main path and saw some people blowing bubbles. Bubbles is something Peter loves, so we thought he could chase them a little bit and release some baby energy. Instead, once we reached the people blowing the bubbles, they were so enamored with the little man that this happened...

Baby Paparazzi!!!

So, needless to say, there were more pictures taken than bubbles blown, but they blew enough that Peter stayed happy. We gained a huge crowd of photographers. I'm pretty sure the Chinese have more pictures of Peter than I do.

Peter and his fan club.

Maybe this is why he always needs constant attention now...

After he got bored with the bubbles and everyone who wanted got their selfies with him, Jonathan and Peter walked around a rock area...and everyone followed them...just taking more photos and saying how cute Peter is. I don't know that I will get used to the attention we get in China with Peter.

Group walk...Jonathan and Peter leading the way.

This was taken about 8-9 months ago...Peter looks so small.

It finally came time to say good-bye and head home, so we started walking back up the path to the gate to the lake. There are a bunch of souvenir stands at the entrance, and we went to check them out to see if there was anything we wanted. We only had about a month left in China, so we had to either buy now or never. As we were looking, there was one guy who was blasting music at his stand. Peter loved it and started shaking his hips, dancing to the beat. Naturally, we drew another huge crowd of paparazzi.

Dancing baby with his admirers. 

Peter kept pulling things off to hold, and the man who owned the stand didn't seem to mind how many things Peter grabbed...probably because he assumed that we would buy them for him, but Peter doesn't need any more trinkets, he gets enough from everyone else for free.

Peter dancing to the drum with lots of onlookers.

More pictures of the golden-haired boy

And, like many times when we go out, we manged to get a little something because Peter is so adorable. A woman gave us a lovely white lily. I tried to give it back after she gave it to Peter, but she wouldn't take it, so this beautiful flower kept our house looking good for a few days! Thanks!

Lily and Xuanwu Lake gate

It was a fun day at the lake. The paparazzi were exciting as always and Peter had a great time with the bubbles.

Now that we are back in the States, I'll be honest and say sometimes I really miss the attention and help that we were frequently given with Peter. It was a little fun and we have some great stories and pictures from it. Also, Peter always god neat treats...which I miss now that we are back. Maybe we'll go back some day and it will drive me crazy again...but I'll grow to love it.

American Party in China

(Flashback to May 2014)

The groups that NPI (Jonathan's internship in China) works with

One of the things Jonathan did for his internship in China was to plan and carry out an "American Party." His organization wanted to experience some American culture and learn what we do for a party. It was the last big thing that Jonathan did before we left, so I'm pretty sure they just wanted a party and figured it would be more fun if it was just like what we do in America. 

The tricky part though, is we weren't in America, so finding things for the party was a little difficult, but it ended up working out great. Jonathan wanted to grill hamburgers and hot dogs (which were an adventure to find) and have some games to play. He planned everything and assigned people to help. Also, our friend, Leigh, (who we went to Cambodia with) had done lessons in baking as part of her internship. So, Jonathan had her come and teach a short baking lesson as part of the American party. And another friend, Melody, taught a small dance lesson.

Jonathan grilling, Peter and Robin in the background

Leigh and the party sign

NPI had a rooftop balcony that we ate and played most of the games on. It started to rain about 30 minutes before the party was supposed to start, so they dragged everything inside and then after just a few minutes, the rain stopped and it stayed gone for the rest of the party. We had great luck with that rain leaving so fast.

Leigh taught the group how to make mini pies. I believe they were a lemon custard type pie. I do remember they were pretty delicious, and I think that's what matters most. She had different people help mix the filling and she did a great job teaching.

Sheng Chen working the hand mixer...literally, it's not electric. Mixers are hard to find in China.

Look at all those little pies....yum. Just like America.

Peter thought it was delicious.

Ellison and Jonathan grilling hamburgers.

After the pies were made, we went back outside to play some games while the burgers finished cooking. We played one getting to know you type game where you sit in a circle and the first person says their name and an adjective with their name then the next person says the first person's name and adjective and then adds their name and adjective and each person that follows repeats from the first person to them and you have to remember everything. There was a lot of laughing, but everything was in Chinese. So, I didn't get it, but everyone else seemed to have a great time.

Then, they brought out the water balloons. The Americans taught everyone the concept of the water balloon game where there are 2 people working together and you throw the balloon and take a step back, then throw and step, and whoever makes it the furthest apart before their balloon gets dropped and breaks wins. This was by far the most hilarious part of the party. It was the best when some people decided to throw it badly on purpose so it would hit the ground by their partner's feet and soak them. Let's just say, lots of people ended up more wet than they thought they might be at the end of the day.

All the weapons of war

Once all the water balloons were exploded and everyone was sufficiently wet, the food was also ready! We had hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon and soda. Everything turned out pretty good. The guys did a great job grilling the meat and I think everyone liked the food. Chinese don't grill like we do- they grill meat, but not hamburgers, and they eat it with rice or noodles, not in a bun. So it was fun to share this American culture with them....and it was lots of fun to have something so American tasting while we were in China.

Making burgers and eating some good American food

After we ate, they presented Jonathan with an award for being an awesome intern. He got a cool glass award he now displays on our bookshelf, and he got to give a speech after he got the award.

Jonathan getting the award

Speech! Speech! Speech!

Peter just liked squishing his face against the award.

Jonathan, Peter and co-workers

All the people who came to the party. 

Also, one of Jonathan's fellow flagship students, Melody, loves K-pop and dancing. She taught a small dance thing for the American party, and NPI wanted to have her teach more, and since she loves dancing, she jumped at the chance. Jonathan planned a second party- and NPI invited the organizations that they work with to come. The second party that had different American things- games and trivia about America, and then Melody taught them to do a couple of dances. She got a number of people to get up and try to learn some dances with her. It was pretty fun watching them all, and trying to keep Peter from getting run over. 

Melody teaching, and some of the guys trying to keep up.

Peter boy and his balloon bunch

The American parties were fun to go to with Jonathan and Peter had a great time each party. I had fun meeting Jonathan's co-workers and see where he went to work every day. Peter had fun showing off for everyone. Jonathan did a great job with both activities. Nice work everyone!

Shanghai- Old City and Yuyuan Gardens

Once I knew we would have a couple of days in Shanghai that didn't involve going to church meetings (most of our trips to Shanghai were for stake church activities- all the nearby congregations meet together for a weekend to listen to the church leaders and have fun activities where we get to know each other better) I did a bunch of research so we could pack in as many cool things as we could for the few days we would be there with Jonathan's sisters. I found one thing that sounded amazing. There was an old city part of Shanghai and cool gardens. It was pretty touristy, but it had some amazing buildings to see and some fun bartering for souvenirs. 

Start of the Old City

I love the roofs

It was a little dreary that day, so umbrellas were aplenty. But it wasn't too bad. By mid-morning, most of the rain had stopped and the cloudy weather kept it cooler weather.

Sleepy baby loves being carried.

Photo opt on a giant turtle statue

Most of the Old City area was full of little shops selling souvenirs. It was definitely a tourist spot, because all of the prices were high...but we've learned how to function with Chinese shop owners and everything we bought I felt like we got a good deal. Jonathan got a hat he wore the rest of our Asia travels. Jonathan's sisters both got some things they were looking for, so it was a good little place to shop.

Once past all the shops, we got to the garden area. You had to pay to get in, but I thought it was worth it. There was tons of cool architecture, fish ponds and dragons. Peter had napped while we traveled to the Old City and he woke up while we did our shopping and by the time we got here, he was ready to explore. He had one slip on wet stone ground, but other than that he had a great time.

Christina and Peter hanging out

Family photo with a dragon

Siblings (Christina, Jonathan and Beccah) plus Peter

We found the fish! (take note of the family standing in the background)

They found a white baby!

And just like that, Peter adopted himself into a Chinese family

We met this family on the koi pond bridge that thought Peter was amazing...because of his white hair and blue eyes. And, since Peter has zero fear of strangers, he hopped right into their stroller while the son pushed him around. We drew a huge crowd and people followed the stroller and Peter. They thought it was fantastic.  I thought it was hilarious. As long as Peter didn't get scared, I didn't care too much when he was "kidnapped" and walked around. I figure, if nothing else, that family will have a great story to tell their friends of the little white doll who took a ride in their stroller.

This door...is my favorite.

Peter and Jonathan in the gardens

Beccah, Peter and Jonathan
Circle door was not built for tall people...

Another dragon

The garden was great fun to walk through. This is another place I wish I'd know about before the end of our time in China. It would have been nice to go to the garden and the Old City more than once. Afterward, we found a little food shop and got some lunch of crepe sort of things with meat and egg in them- like a wrap. They are good, and I really miss them as I am writing this. It was a fun time. I'm pretty sure we were all exhausted by the end- lots of walking and rainy weather- but it was a great place to go.

Peter, Beccah, Christina and Robin at the little restaurant