One Month Down.

October 26, 2018

    Wow. Time flies when you're having fun doesn't it? Well that's what we've heard. Time also flies when you're breaking down, bombarded by stimuli, laughing about all the crazy things, and missing homemade bread. It's been one month since we embarked on this journey. It's flown by in the most complicated way. We are finally feeling like we have all of the necessities figured out. We understand WeChat and Ali pay. (Hangzhou is a nearly cashless city so scan those QR codes woot woot) We can get a round by Didi (Uber), the bus, and subway. We are at last fully legal and have our residency permits. And somany other minute details, how to receive and send a package, what buttons to push on the rice cooker and washing machine, finding good restaurants, etc.

We were visiting together during dinner and ended up doing little interviews for everyone. We realized that we haven't discussed a lot of our personal feelings and thoughts. So much is going on outside of ourselves and it was good to take a moment to reflect inward and analyze our deeper thoughts and feelings.

Written text doesn't do justice to the inflections and emotions in our words but oh well.

    Audrey: The funny one who likes to be happy, is most always either singing or laughing, is very out going and wants to change the world. (12 yrs old)

-How do you feel about living in China?— I'd rather live in China than Africa. :) Hangzhou China is just like America. The food is good. I love the yozi its like a giant grapefruit. There's also baozi which I love a lot. I've been craving them all day and I want to get some in the morning. I miss school and I really want to wear a uniform. Because uniforms are so easy, you just throw on a red shirt and don't have to worry about it.

-How do you feel about not having a car in China?— I LOVE not having a car! I like walking around, and I hate getting parking spots and I also hate having to pay for all that stuff. And I've gotten a lot better at penny boarding.

-How do you feel you're Chinese is going?— My Chinese is getting much better, I really want to go to the Chinese school so I can talk to the old ladies who walk around because sometimes I don't know what their saying. And I hate just saying back "dui, dui, dui (yes) to everything they say" I really want to make friends too I saw a girl my age but I didn't know what to say to her.

What do you miss about America? — OHKAY! I miss Mike&Ikes, I miss root beer, I miss Costa Vida and I miss tacos. So eat some tacos and costa vida for me I regret eating a burger and fries at the airport. Is there anything besides food that you miss? Oh yes. I miss my cat Blue and my cousins the most. And Aunt Starla and Shannon and Suzanne and all the rest of our family.  ... Everything is just changing so fast. For us and for them.

Paige: The one that keeps life interesting. It's either really light and enjoyable or scary because you have to run for your life to stay away from her. A little bundle of sass and laughs who's shy at first and then the best of friends. (9 yrs old)

What have you learned this last month living in China? —uhh..where we live... heh

How do you feel about Hangzhou?— I really like Hangzhou China. I like how you can just walk to the stores and you don't have to drive. You can just walk or rent bikes.

What do you not like about Hangzhou?—I don't like all the mosquitoes.

How do you feel your Chinese is going?— Terrible. I don't speak it that often. okay next question!

What do you miss about Utah?— Costa vida sweet pork burritos (presenting the "vegetarian"). My friends; Lilian and Catherine and Addie..annd yeah...Kennedy. I miss our cat Blue and I miss... I miss American Food. I'm sick of eating rice and noodles all day.

What do you think about going to an international school— I think it's a good idea. ... I like it! I think it would be fun. ... and I like the uniforms.

How long do you think we'll stay?—Three years. or two. Or maybe visit on the second year. Visit America.

-She's one of few words our Paijor major.

Reese: The one everyone stares at because he's so tall. Also athletic, honest, and easy going.

Tell us what do you think about Hangzhou China—* silence * I don't like living in apartments. I don't like the city part of it. I do like being able to walk to the store and everything you need is in walking distance. But there's not a lot to see beyond that. I miss open fields. The food's good but it usually leaves you...uhh wanting something more. "it's not satisfying?" No. No its not. "maybe its because you're a growing fourteen and a half year old."  Yeah but a burger was satisfying when I was a growing fourteen and a half year old.

How do you feel like you're Chinese Language learning is coming?—Huh :) It's not. It's not really coming. The Chinese tutor is helping a lot but I still can't really read pinyin but its been two lessons so...

What words do you know now though?— Oh yeah. I do... uh... m..... uhhm. * reads from study book *

What do you miss?—I miss a lot about Utah. Having a garage. A place to do projects. I miss young men in the ward. Having a group of 12-15 YM was really nice now I'm the only one. I miss having a backyard. I miss knowing theres always a basketball team around I can get on. I miss fishing there's not really fishing around even though theres a giant river! I miss friends. I miss interacting with people my age.

How do you feel about your (fly) haircut?—I don't think it's been more than a month since I got a haircut. * realizes it's been much longer* What?!

How would you feel about an international school: Im not really interested. Why not? Because it requires understanding Chinese. "well once we learn Chinese we can be outta here." Oh. Well then I could probably make myself like it.

Julienne: Hi that's me. I guess I'm the spontaneous adventurer, thought thinker, and creator who tends to overreact to the bitter side of life.

I have a lot of thoughts about this new life. I love it, but it's not easy. Unlike I think some of the others, I can't imagine going back to how life used to be. The past five years living in Utah were wonderful in so many ways but the deepest parts of me longed for something else. Being trapped by the towering mountains made me claustrophobic; more than anything I wanted to experience the rest of what the world had to offer.

Eventually I relaxed into life and embraced the routine and structure. I met amazing people and discovered little gems of authentic creativity that kept me satisfied. And at last everyone else agreed to embark on a dream I had been yearning for. It feels good to be exploring this new side of the globe (and myself) with my family. I'm glad we're doing it together. But I don't enjoy doing everything together... I haven't been more than a block away with out at least three of the others. I want to start going out on my own. Dad's a little too cautious for my taste. I appreciate the care he displays in being so on edge about me walking out the door to take out the trash but it's really not necessary ❤️. But I'm sure he'll loosen up (eventually).

Never in the last month have I felt even slightly uneasy or threatened by anyone. I cannot wait to become proficient in Chinese and be able to communicate with these beautiful people. The hardest thing so far has been lack of social interaction. I quite literally have not spoken more than ten words to someone my age.

Our branch family has been wonderful but there are only a couple other youth from Korea who attend boarding school and their busy schedules only allow them to come once every couple months. Shout out to Highland 1st ward Young Women, I LOVE YOU LOVELIES! And miss you dearly! Stay happy and wonderful. 💕Tomorrow we are heading to Shanghai for a district conference and Reese and I are hoping to find some other pals (cross your fingers for us). This lack of socialization however has caused me to resort to extremely desperate measures and try to have fun with my siblings. It's working out well and we are definitely growing closer although some days are better than others.

Yes. Overall this place is incredible. I'm growing and developing new perspectives and ideas and I could not me more content. :)

Mom and Dad seem to be fine. But then again it's their job to seem fine. Mom enjoys her work so far although who wouldn't enjoy playing with toys and adorable Chinese children every day? (probably lots of people actually.) It is hard having her away on the weekends (until the Shanghai Better Kids branch opens). She participates in the promotion campaigns for the new location. Dad is rocking his parent responsibilities while still balancing his work load and learning this language. We found an amazing tutor named Una (pronounced Yuna) who took us to check out some international schools for Audrey and Paige.

Things are slowly falling together. Starting life over again has been a process but it's absolutely possible. Baby bites. Chew slowly. Hope it's not something scary. And keep belivin'... it's all working out just fine.

"before. the time goes. and the light folds. and things gold. and glow away. before things end. let them begin." —Nayyirah Waheed