Shanghai and Elder Oaks

Conference room where we go to church in Shanghai

Famous Shanghai landmark

"Mom, I think these would fit Shrek."

Shopping for Crocs in Shanghai

Gracie really wanted this shirt, she put the hood up to try it out. She looked so cute I had to take a picture and buy it too.

Last weekend we went to Shanghai for District Conference and to listen to Elder Oaks speak. (For my non-Mormon friends, we believe Elder Oaks in an apostle, just like in the Bible.) We were to leave on Friday and return Sunday.

Friday afternoon was busy because it was also the day we had to go to pick up our permanent resident visas here in Ningbo. One of the places we had to go was only open from 2-5 on Tuesdays and Fridays, so we didn't have a lot of room for error because we needed the permit so our shipment could be processed in the Shanghai port, and you need your original passport for that, but Bill was going to the U.S., and this permit took a week and if we didn't get it right then Bill couldn't go to his meeting, and almost all our worldly goods would sit in Shanghai piling up import fees, but he also needed temporary documentation because he had to travel to Beijing and they had our original passports. Got all that? Point is, we really needed the paperwork, and we needed it right then. After traveling to two different places, waiting in lines, taking pictures, filling out paperwork, signing our lives in blood, three hours passing, everything was done. Actually, it wasn't that bad because Bill's assistant did all the talking, paying, navigating, etc, while we chased William around. He only broke one window shade during this process, not bad considering his activity level. However, the enormous scoreboard like screen flashing red Chinese characters and the ear deafening announcements, all directing human traffic, did get on my nerves.

The most challenging event at one of the bureaus, was trying to help Gracie go potty in a Chinese toilet.

Mom: "We are going to Shanghai now and if you have to go, you better go now."
Gracie: "Mom, I just can't do it."
Mom: "Well, can you hold it for three hours?"
Gracie: "I have to go now!"
Mom: "I'll help you."
Gracie: "I'm too scared! It stinks!"
Mom: "Let's go in together."

We then performed an amateur version of the Chinese acrobatic show trying to keep Gracie's pants dry while relieving the pressure in her bladder. We were relatively successful. I'd give us an A-, deducting points for a few sprinkles on her jeans, but earning extra credit for foul odor endurance.

So, we got underway with a few snacks and all excited to get to the hotel. The trip to Shanghai lasted longer than expected. After 3.5, and at least another .5 hours from the hotel, nerves started to get raw. The driver was suppose to drop us off at IKEA to eat, leave me there and then take the rest of the happy family on to the hotel to swim. However, the freeway was shut down, our driver got lost, we couldn't communicate with each other, and the tension between Bill and I started to increase. The kids were starving, to the point they believed if they didn't eat in the next 5 minutes they would shrivel and die: snacks already devoured, horns blaring, stuck in traffic, no one knowing our coordinates, and Bill and I actively debating if we should feed the kids at the first place we saw or just get to the hotel, check-in, and then get food. We spotted a McDonald's, told the driver to stop (he was almost in tears at this point) we quickly ate and all agreed to scrap IKEA. We finally got to the hotel, put the kids in bed and called it a night.

By morning, tensions were gone and we had a great time in Shanghai. We shopped, ate good food, went swimming, etc. The highlight was of course listening to Elder Oaks. The church doesn't have any buildings in China. The Shanghai branch meets in a nice conference room above a large BMW dealership. (William loved looking at the "fast" cars as we went into church.) We had an adult session on Saturday night which was great and then a Sunday morning session. I took extensive notes and will share just one of the points he taught us.

He talked about the concept of "becoming" and the parable of working in the vineyard from the Bible. The phrase we often hear, "it doesn't matter where you serve, it just matters how you serve." This is true because God cares about us becoming like Him, not what positions we have held. If we are suppose to learn to be patient, you can learn that serving in the nursery or serving in a stake presidency. God cares about us becoming patient. Some people need to work harder at being patient (enter in the vineyard earlier and work longer) others have an easier time being patient (enter later, yet are still given the same reward of becoming patient). This translates to every area, so we work in the vineyard longer on some issues, and on others we enter in on the eleventh hour. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I found it quite profound. He stated, "What we become, that is what is important." Reread the parable with this in mind. I felt the Spirit very strongly while he was speaking. I do know he is an apostle of the Lord!

Because we were a relatively small group, after the sessions he came down, shook our hands, and spoke with us. On Sunday we waited around with the kids so they could also say hello. During the session, William didn't really pay attention to what was going on. He was more interested in his cars, he colored, walked back and forth on the row, teased the girls, ate snacks, typical two year-old stuff. Bill was holding William when we were talking to Elder Oaks, even when we were standing there, William was looking around, not paying attention. Elder Oaks is not that tall so William was taller than him in Bill's arms. Suddenly, William notices Elder Oaks standing there, looks right at him, thrusts his pointer finger in a downward motion a couple inches from his face and loudly exclaims, "Hey! I saw you on [com]puter!" We started laughing, everyone around us started laughing, Elder Oaks started laughing. He then said, "Well, that's a first. I've never heard that before." I never thought our little William payed attention to us reading the Ensign and listening to Conference talks on the computer. Well, he noticed.

"May I take your toilet order?"

Whoa. I was a bit startled when I went to the bathroom and when approaching the toilet, the seat opened by itself. How did that happen? Then I was a bit bowled over (pun intended) when I sat down on the toilet, it was warm. We have all experienced the cold toilet seat in the middle of the night: we shall not experience such barbarism here in the Presidential Suite. (This is a very nice feature until you try potty training your two-year-old and he tells you that he can't sit on the toilet because it is too hot.) It was when I looked for the handle to flush, that I realized this was truly no ordinary toilet. It not only flushed, it cleaned and dried your bottom as well. After experimenting with the different options, I have determined that I shall start an import/export business. I will sell these toilets, not for everyday use, but to hospitals for use in the Maternity Ward. You don't have to gingerly bend over and lift the toilet seat, no more plastic squirt bottle, sitting there waiting for the running sink water to get warm. Oh, no - it is all self contained and ready to use for a women who have just given birth. If that fails, I can sell it to children (or immature adults) as a toy. My girls have gotten plenty of laughs out of experimenting with the different options. I am convinced I will make millions; if I have any readers who would like to invest, just let me know.

Mark Your Calendar, Olympics 2028

William ready to swim
Practicing his strokes

Children's park in Ningbo

William being the gunner on the boat

Shopping with the ladies

Turtles for sale at the market

"No, I'm not touching them."

Treat from Happy Meal at McDonald's

While being in China and living in a hotel has it challenges, one of the great benefits is that I have been able spend a lot of time with William, my little buddy. I was having some serious mother's guilt when we were getting ready to come to China. I felt like my children were orphans, being taken care of by everyone but their parents. Running here, going there, traveling to China looking for a place to live, constantly being left behind or put in front of the cheapest babysitter, Noggin, otherwise knows as brain-cell killing T.V. I am pretty much convinced my children were emotionally starved during this period, so being able to spend time with them has been so much fun for me.

William and I do a variety of things while the girls are in school. We go on walks, explore the fabric market (which was completely overwhelming for both of us), binge at McDonald's, read Richard Scary books over and over and over while stuck in traffic, run lots of errands, shop in various markets, visit children parks and go swimming. Here at the hotel they have a very nice swimming pool, however, swim caps are required. I have never, ever, in my entire life had the occasion to wear a swim cap. When I put mine on, I almost shrieked at the bald monster in the mirror. Because I have an unfortunately long face, adding a rubber egg shape to the top creates nothing short of an alien from Star Trek. The sacrifices we make for our children. William, on the other hand, looks so cute that all the women gather around to ohh and ahhh at the "beautiful boy."

He loves to run and jump in, but actually getting him to let go of me once he is in the water is like trying to get super glue off your fingers with a wet wipe. It doesn't work. He is so cute because when we are swimming he morphs into a variety of people or animals: a dolphin, Ruth or Grace, or one of his friends from Iowa, Andrew or Arianna. They are on a swim team and we went to one of their swim meets. Because he saw them wearing swim caps, he is convinced he is racing like them and swimming, "fast!" Of course, it is nothing more than me walking or swimming faster. Who knows, maybe he will be a Michael Phelps repeat in 2028. If he puts the same amount of determination into being an Olympian as he does into holding onto me while in the water, he has a very good chance.

We need a room for 2 adults and 3 children, please.

Sir Bill on night of arrival

Madame Allyson on night of arrival

Dinner in conference room

Family dinner of yogurt, sandwiches, and

noodle soup brought from the U.S.

Living room

Lego Land

Girls' room

Kitchen

Hallway to Master Suite

Office where blog is composed

Master Suite

Master Suite

Master William enjoying bath

The driver from Shanghai kept getting phone calls as we made the 2.5 hour drive to Ningbo. About an hour out, he handed the phone to Bill. The manager of the hotel said that they were ready for us. The manager was tracking us as we made the trek from Shanghai, he was planning the timing of our arrival. As we pulled up to the Howard Johnson, it's stone facade was imposing as was the entourage that waited outside. They were all standing, white gloved, in a row as we drove up, waiting with a bouquet of flowers and personnel enough to handle a family of fifty. As we approached, I wondered, "Who are all those people were waiting for?" It was only when we got out of the van that I realized they were waiting for us.

I didn't know what to do. Should I shake all their hands, blow kisses, give a beauty pageant wave? I opted to hold on to William and walk through the human tunnel. In the lobby they had a sign welcoming the VIP guest Bill Davidson. No need to present our Visa to check in, they escorted us right up to our room. (Chinese are very superstitious about numbers and it took me awhile to figure out why we were in room 8888 on the 17th floor.) I soon realized, no, this was not the rundown Howard Johnson that we stayed in as kids traveling across the country for my dad's horse races.

The hosting continued in our room. There they were again, all waiting in a row at our door, with gloves and dark suits. The room had a large flower bouquet, fresh fruit, tea, wine, a large cake and an assortment of drinks. They gave us a tour of our literal "Presidential Suite." I guess if Barack decides to come to Ningbo, we may be kicked out of our luxury accommodations. After all the excitement we collapsed in our beds exhausted and plagued with jet lag. (The only reason for all the hoopla is because John Deere has a large account with this hotel and they want to keep the new boss happy.)

After living in a hotel, with a full service staff, I realize that Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz was a wise little girl. There is "no place like home." I really just want my sagging queen bed rather than the enormous thing I am currently sleeping on. I get lost just looking for my pillows and trying to find Bill to snuggle with in that huge thing requires a map. I want to cook, please, no more restaurants. I would pay some serious money for some homemade sour cream chicken enchiladas. Hotel life got old very quickly and we can't wait until our ship comes in, really. Hmmm, maybe if I click my heels three times....

Pictures of Buddha Market and McDonald's

The Buddha Market

Picture I showed the driver to get us to the market

William being touched...



People staring at the kids

Typical street with lots of scooters

Street near Buddha Market

William jumping over grates

Gracie at market

Shopping at market

Above the market

The Buddha Market

How well do I speak Chinese? Well, I tell people I speak calculator, Concierge's desk, and now, I speak pictures off my camera. I bargain with a calculator in hand. I go to the concierge's desk to write in Chinese what I need. On Saturday, I tried to get to my desired destination from a picture off my camera.

Ruth really wanted to go to the Buddha Market, as we expats affectionately call it. I knew the market was across the street from a McDonald's that we ate at the week before. So, armed with a picture of the McDonald's, I went out hoping the driver would instantaneously remember the McDonald's and whisk us away to market happy land; no, I had the doorman and the driver debating which McDonald's it was in a city of almost 6 million. After a few more questions, the family was off, hoping we were going to the right market so Ruth could make her purchases.

The driver was right and we made it to the Buddha Market, "no problem" as our driver often says. While we usually cause a stir, today we had the double stroller, and that is something most people have never seen. Why would they need a double stroller when they can only have one child? We got the usual "Hello," stares, and touches. However, Ruth negotiating a pair of shoes in Chinese was the the highlight of the market.

"Ruth, what did she just say?"
"Mom, she said it cost 80 Yuan."
"What? That is too expensive, Ruth. Tell her you will pay 60 Yuan."
"She said 70."
"O.K." And off we went with a new pair of shoes....

Even though we had the stroller, William wanted to walk. However, he has a fear of grates. He will not walk on any type of grate. So it was quite the scene, William jumping over the grates where ever we went.

Gracie, on the other had, was paranoid of getting kidnapped. We had a Chinese woman who spoke perfect English tell us that we needed to watch our kids very carefully because they might get taken. (This is not a fear we have.) Gracie took it very seriously and would not get farther than 2 cm from me or Bill. She does have reason to be concerned, people are always walking up and touching her hair.

After a few purchases, about 30 minutes, and two guzzled bottles of water, we were melting in the heat and ready to head to...drum roll please.... air conditioned McDonald's! (I think I have eaten here more times in the past few weeks that I have in my ENTIRE life. This is not an exaggeration.)

We got our standard chicken nugget meal, but this time we also got ice cream, yummm. During our entire meal we had a Chinese guest stand about one foot from our table, speaking to her friend in Chinese, and observed every move our kids made. She was concerned about every drip of ice cream and every sip of soda. She couldn't get over that we had three kids. Ruth kept getting hugged and Gracie's hair touched. We only had our pictures taken 3 times during that meal.

All the while, our driver patiently waited outside in the van.

F.Y.I. I still don't remember the name of the market in Chinese, even after the driver and I repeated it in unison about 15 times.

Pictures from Ocean World

Ocean World

I must share an adventure William and I had yesterday. We went to Ocean World with a friend and her little boy. When we pulled in, we both questioned if it was even open. The parking lot was barren and little activity appeared to be going on from the outside. After a boisterous exchange (the Chinese are surprisingly very loud) between my driver and the security guard, we figured out which building we should go in. We approached with little confidence, but discovered upon entering that it was indeed open.

We paid our entrance fee and entered the maritime exhibit. They had tanks of dolphins, seals and, in typical random Chinese fashion, Arctic foxes. You can tell the quality of my Chinese when I sincerely thought an announcement over the loudspeaker was the dolphin "talking" to us through the glass.

We looked at the dolphins for only a matter of minutes when a small group of Chinese came in and soon we became the attraction rather than the marine wildlife. William is getting less patient with the "Hello Boy!," the pictures snapped in his face, and frequent touching. However, when a women approached with freshly popped popcorn, he was all smiles and willing to say "xie xie," which is thank you in Chinese.

We then went to the stadium prepared to hold over a thousand bodies and watched the Chinese version of a scaled down Sea World show, with a handful of Chinese. When we sat down William was worried he would get splashed (we went to Sea World this summer and he obviously remembered the SPLASH ZONE). I assured him he wouldn't get wet, but he still moved away from me. The show was entertaining, one of my favorite parts was the choreographed moves and the music choices: the theme from the Titanic as a Chinese trainer and seal slow danced and the Star Wars theme as the dolphins swam around the pool. I was laughing out loud. William loved it! His favorite was watching the dolphins jump, "HIGH!" - said with arms moving quickly up in the air and with much enthusiasm.

We then went to another larger building and enjoyed the other delights of Ocean World. We saw many sea creatures; I wasn't familiar with most of them. We saw real live underwater twirling, spinning, dancing mermaids, all done to the theme of Titanic. At one point Spiderman joined the fun. I am not sure what Spiderman has to do with Mermaids and the Titanic, clearly a Chinese connection we Americans don't understand.

My personal favorite was feeding the turtles. I felt bad for them because they were truly starving. They had Styrofoam bowls of small fish heads, tails, carrots and lettuce prepared for us to buy. At first I was going to use my hands to feed them, but smartened up when I saw how the turtles snapped. So, I used the Chinese version of a pick-up gizmo that you can buy on late night T.V., it is typically advertised targeting geriatrics who can't bend over to pick up their glasses. It was amazing to feel the power of the turtles jaws when they ate the food.

We also went through a very cool sea tunnel, with fish all around us. I was surprised to see a sunken Statue of Liberty, with a shark swimming around it, with "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music playing in the background. (I think this is representative of Chinese foreign policy towards America: let us be calm listening to harmless "Edelweiss," all the while sinking us to the bottom of the ocean to be devoured by sharks!) My creative brain couldn't even make-up something this, well, Chinese.

Method to My Madness

O.K. I am very new to this blogging thing and you will get to practice your patience while I get the hang of it. So, my entries will not be chronological as I post blogs about what is going on now as well as trying to catch up and explain how in the world we ended up in Ningbo, China. (I am currently asking myself that question almost everyday).

The "Great Firewall of China"

The "Great Firewall of China" is truly one of the great wonders of the world. I think it is only appropriate for my first blog to address the effort I made to get it up and running against this formidable foe. I have been waging a battle: Davidson Dictum vs. The Great Firewall of China. China blocks many sites on the Internet and controls what you can view on the web. Facebook, nope. Youtube, nope. Read any blog, nope. Write a blog, nope. I am sure there are many others. When you do a Google search about half of all responses are blocked. So, I gathered my mental forces, taxed my bank account, waged tens of hours on the computer, and FINALLY broke through the Wall. I am victorious (at least for now). You can respectfully address me as Genghis Khan.