tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36867658938166923832024-03-13T03:06:42.216-04:00Gongs In ChinaThoughts and updates from our life in ChinaAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-1236006963006028412012-06-14T15:48:00.000-04:002012-06-14T15:48:36.559-04:00Bye for now...Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
Many of you might know that starting about one month ago, a new chapter in our lives began. Janie was diagnosed with a rare and very serious cancer. We left Shanghai immediately and will remain in New York where she is scheduled to undergo treatment for the next 9 - 12 months. <br />
<br />
As we're no longer in China, this website will not be updated until we return. Our heart and desire are still to return to Shanghai, but it remains to be seen as to when or if that will happen.<br />
<br />
We are completely open about our situation and this difficult time we are facing. We have started another blog to welcome you to walk with us through this storm.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gong">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gong </a></div>
<br />
Please read it and don't hesitate to reach out to us, as your love, prayers, and encouragement are so helpful to us at this time.<br />
<br />
Thanks.<br />
Alan and Daisy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAMvnDOKRSnB4hO0C0Yk4m7833PTMehlgkpJkv52Qcg6nk3Dj1z6kDOo40eoXW1dC11e0umj_mvQ2HA_qNX4soLLcs9Od2marisZFLwIl5wbuyZDy-v1s3t1O4MqxtdHyeMunnJ7xX9M/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAMvnDOKRSnB4hO0C0Yk4m7833PTMehlgkpJkv52Qcg6nk3Dj1z6kDOo40eoXW1dC11e0umj_mvQ2HA_qNX4soLLcs9Od2marisZFLwIl5wbuyZDy-v1s3t1O4MqxtdHyeMunnJ7xX9M/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-73115366189384761772012-04-17T04:59:00.001-04:002012-04-17T05:02:42.419-04:00Shanghai Zooposted by Alan<br>
click on picture to see them full size<br><br>
We had been meaning to take Janie to check out the Shanghai Zoo once the weather got warm enough. Located just 6 subway stops away from us, we finally had the chance last week. The Zoo was more like a large park with animals scattered throughout, but it had pretty much the animals that you'd want to see. Giraffes, lions, tigers, bears, elephants, etc. But with pandas and at 40RMB ($6 USD), still a pretty good deal. I remember the Bronx Zoo costing more than $6 just for parking, plus you have to get all the way up to the Bronx. As Janie gets older, I'm sure she'll enjoy the Zoo more and more. Right now she prefers Elmo, Minnie Mouse or Pooh singing instead of gazelles chewing on grass.<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6924092308_f6ac835bc0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6924092308_f6ac835bc0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/6924095378_aeb37bdebc_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/6924095378_aeb37bdebc_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/7070172545_84a43d18f7_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/7070172545_84a43d18f7_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7070175461_2804525297_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7070175461_2804525297_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br>
Last month was also Daisy's birthday. I surprised her with a trip to the Yun Du Hot Spring Hotel, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's about a 25 minute taxi ride outside of the center of Shanghai, but not a bad trip to make and definitely worth it. In most bathhouses (and there are many in Shanghai and China) the hot tubs and amenities are separated by sex and communal areas are limited to food and foot massage/relaxation rooms. The Yun Du has a large swimming pool, three different soaking pools, a saltwater pool, super hot pool and outdoor hot spring that both men and women can enjoy together (in provided swimwear of course). I have a feeling we'll be back sometime...<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7086656411_6aeaa66b63_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7086656411_6aeaa66b63_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/7086653951_7d88bcdb58_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/7086653951_7d88bcdb58_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/7086658757_4c5653b0e0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/7086658757_4c5653b0e0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7086647729_8688320d2d_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7086647729_8688320d2d_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-78915773278070046112012-04-09T05:30:00.000-04:002012-04-09T13:12:22.260-04:00SCFposted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6913940206_1efe682b84_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6913940206_1efe682b84_b.jpg" width="400" height="130" /></a></center>
Last month I was asked to write an article for TALK Magazine, a magazine for expats here in Shanghai. With Easter coming up, they wanted a piece about bring a Christian in Shanghai and some of the difficulties we face. As the Community Life Director at Shanghai Community Fellowship, the largest international Christian church in Shanghai, I deal with hundreds of people who are here living away from home, in need of community. When we came to Shanghai, I never planned or even really wanted to work for the Church, but how often does our life actually turn out the way we plan it anyway?<br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5080/7060024207_fb3024d4cf_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5080/7060024207_fb3024d4cf_b.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></center>
I don't often share too much about my job on this blog, but it's my passion and it's what I do. So (with lots of help from my amazing and supportive wife) here's the article:<br><br>
<b><center><i><font size=1.5>“SCF started in 1996 but we still have people tell us 'How did I miss you?" Sometimes people come here
with the expectation that they will not be able to find a Christian community thinking that because they
are in China such a thing does not exist. They are often pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant Christian
church in the heart of Shanghai”<br></i>
Dale Cuckow, Senior Pastor<br>Shanghai Community Fellowship<br></font><br></center>
As Easter Sunday approaches, we at Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF) continue to search for new
ways to reach out to the international community to let them know we’re here.<br><br>
The ways that people come to us vary. A quick search online for Christians in Shanghai will bring people
directly to our website and many Christians who are actively seeking a church are in contact with us
before touching down at Pudong Int’l Airport. For others, it may be through a personal relationship that
they are first invited. But for many, the pressures of life in a city such as ours have left them battered
and in search of support.<br><br>
The difficulties that stem from being a Christian in Shanghai lie not in a lack of a strong Christian
community, but in every vice, desire, and temptation being readily available. As with anybody,
succumbing to them can have devastating effects on careers, relationships, families and lives. To face
these pressures, we rely on God’s provision in the form of accountability, support, and love through
our church family. And this is what it looks like: A community made up of people from over 60 different
nations committed to glorifying God by transforming lives. SCF strives to extend God’s love by providing
such a community, not only at our Sunday afternoon services, but through small groups, educational
resources, service opportunities and prayer. We even offer a course for non-Christians to ask questions
about the Christian faith.<br><br>
While occasions such as Easter tend to draw many non-regular church attendees, it is the desire of
Shanghai Community Fellowship to see every individual who walks through our doors experience the
lasting love of Jesus Christ through the church body that he has established here. Our doors are open
to every foreign passport holder in Shanghai who is seeking solace amidst the chaos of city life. God’s
intention in bringing us here is not merely for us to survive, but to thrive. And in order to thrive, a
strong, loving community is vital.<br><br>
I’m looking forward to personally welcoming you to ours on Sunday.<br><br>
Alan Gong<br>
SCF Community Life Director</b><br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/6913941656_0a869dd4a8_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/6913941656_0a869dd4a8_b.jpg" width="400" height="130" /></a></center>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-32960784089999759462012-03-15T03:55:00.000-04:002012-03-15T04:48:57.756-04:00Date Nightposted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
Every Wednesday evening, our Ayi (Nanny) comes at 6:30pm to watch Janie and put her to bed for the night and Daisy and I head out on our weekly Date Night. With Shanghai being such a busy place, it's so necessary for us to have designated time where we can just focus on us and our marriage, especially after having Janie, when so much of life can seem to revolve around her. It also gives us a chance to continue to explore what is now officially the world's largest city. Sometimes it' a simple night of dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and a movie (Wednesday is free for ladies) or a massage, but we usually try to think of something new and different to try.<br><br>
This 'column' will become a regular subject every once in awhile, to highlight some of the places we've been or things we've done on our Date Nights.<br><br>
<b>Archery</b><br>
I feel like I've posted this before, but this was definitely one of the more unique dates we've been on. Underground in a former bomb shelter, lies the East Shanghai Shooting and Archery Club. For $15 USD you can pick up a regulation size bow and shoot 10 arrows at a target. Not the most efficient use of time or money, but an interesting experience still. For even less efficient spending, you can shoot some real guns. We opted out of that option.<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6832653468_27467ce71d_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6832653468_27467ce71d_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6832653026_32fd842df8_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6832653026_32fd842df8_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6978779339_7f9f7f23b6_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6978779339_7f9f7f23b6_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6978779041_5ce005197e_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6978779041_5ce005197e_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br>
<b>Roosevelt Prime Steakhouse</b><br>
Our friend Graham (thanks dude) surprised us with a gift certificate for 1500RMB ($238 USD) to one of the best steakhouses in Shanghai. 1500RMB is an exorbitant amount for a meal here in Shanghai, but at this place, it wasn't hard to spend it all. While we wouldn't eat here under normal circumstances, it was definitely a treat, as we got steaks, a burger and all the sides we could handle. You'll pay a premium to find a good steak here in China, but they DO exist.<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6984095453_6a6ae079b4_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6984095453_6a6ae079b4_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6984094543_d3008a7161_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6984094543_d3008a7161_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6837970644_69c25743fb_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6837970644_69c25743fb_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6984093375_c5524a3f5d_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6984093375_c5524a3f5d_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br>
<b>Cha's Hong Kong Restaurant</b><br>
One of our normal standby's for date night when we're feeling lazy and just want some comfort food, Cha's is close by, well priced (abt 45RMB or $7/person) and serves up food and atmosphere that really capture mid-century Hong Kong. And the HK milk tea really tastes like HK milk tea.
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6978785605_49083c334a_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6978785605_49083c334a_b.jpg" width="400" height="130" /></a></center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6978785355_72b80a5b67_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6978785355_72b80a5b67_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6832658250_63bb97d286_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6832658250_63bb97d286_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6978783171_d61dec71b1_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6978783171_d61dec71b1_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6978783543_8495ef48a4_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6978783543_8495ef48a4_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 192px; width: 140px;" /></a><br /><br>
Oh yeah...Janie walks!<br>
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click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
<center><font size="1"><b>JLin in the CBA, 2011</b></font><br><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6885451297_e9c7bf3c7f_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6885451297_e9c7bf3c7f_o.jpg" width="140" height="190" /></a></center><br/>I'm pretty sure you've all gotten your fill of Jeremy Lin media coverage (especially since most of you are in New York). But Linsanity is also alive and kicking over here in NBA-Crazy China too. Actually, Lin Shu Hao(林书豪), as he's known here, has been a topic of interest since last year when he first entered the NBA, but since it all started, his Sino Weibo account (China's twitter) has jumped from 100,000 followers to over 900,000. CCTV5 (the official China sports network) has shifted it's schedule to show more Knicks games, although they've just recently pulled back. You KNOW something is big news when it spooks the Gov. Unfortunately they didn't show the reigning King-of-the-NBA-in-China, Kobe Bryant go against JLin, but video was up on youku(China's youtube) faster than it was on youtube. I've been using Slingbox to keep up on Linsanity. Here are a few other Jeremy Lin in China facts taken from niubball.com (an awesome basketball-in-china-from-the-eyes-of-an-expat site):<br><br>
- While the NBA was locked out, Lin practiced and played a few games with the Chinese Basketball Association’s DongGuan New Century Leopards.<br>
- Jeremy Lin reads and writes a little bit of Chinese and speaks Mandarin well enough to be interviewed, which Chinese fans love.<br>
- He considers Yao Ming to be a mentor and a close friend and says they speak after games often.<br><br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6937670761_5df3f6fd13_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6937670761_5df3f6fd13_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6937632315_e419b5a607_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6937632315_e419b5a607_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br/><center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6885452265_7067c4b046_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6885452265_7067c4b046_b.jpg" width="180" height="140" /></a></center><br>
Speaking of Chinese basketball and Knicks resurrectors, newest Knick, JR Smith was also the CBA's leading scorer this year (36 points per game), playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. They were in Shanghai a few weeks ago, so we went to check them (him) out. $20 USD will get you courtside seats here. Sharks owner Yao Ming was also in attendance. Smith scored a disappointing 29 in a loss to the Shanghai team, especially after he scored 60 while hitting 14 three pointers the week before. But the huge gap in ability was still huge in watching NBA guys go against the Chinese pros and it was also quite obvious that Smith had his mind on his NBA return and not on taking the Golden Bulls to the CBA playoffs.<br><br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6938624911_9d59f68ab3_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6938624911_9d59f68ab3_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6792511392_2836489756_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6792511392_2836489756_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6792511852_afa8981be0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6792511852_afa8981be0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6938627499_4b83bfb6c5_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6938627499_4b83bfb6c5_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6938626509_5df8626a55_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6938626509_5df8626a55_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6938663183_b065267078_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6938663183_b065267078_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-80868830322187958242012-02-13T01:49:00.001-05:002012-02-13T01:49:18.851-05:001posted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6502935751_a4b55d71df_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6502935751_a4b55d71df_b.jpg" width="270" height="180" /></a><br><font size="1"></font><br></center>14 months ago Janie was born. She's been strong willed since the start and is full of personality. The way she puts a smile on people's faces, from her grandparents to a stranger on the street, I hope will never change. Watching her develop and grow has been nothing but amazing and we're so thankful she's in our lives.
We held a small party here for her with a bunch of her little baby friends. Daisy regularly holds playgroups with other expat moms here in Shanghai.<br><br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6502776495_0fb418cc93_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6502776495_0fb418cc93_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6502957909_279dfaedf0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6502957909_279dfaedf0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6502908721_d00e528943_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6502908721_d00e528943_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6502761371_20d562bedb_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6502761371_20d562bedb_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6502894997_380450e445_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6502894997_380450e445_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6502971659_96f9804889_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6502971659_96f9804889_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />Click here to see more pictures from Janie's Birthday Party: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157628396859575/">Janie's Party</a><br /><br>
Chinese New Year also came a bit early this year. It's one of the two most insane travel times of the year here in China. Because we only got back from the US a couple of weeks before, we decided to make it more of a stay-cation and went with a few friends to a hotel not far from the city to just relax and hang out. We were home at midnight on New Year's Eve though, and because we live on a pretty big street in a central area, we were treated to some insane fireworks right outside of our bedroom window. Janie LOVES the fireworks, but unfortunately, midnight is a bit too late for her. See below for video of actual Chinese New Year fireworks in China:
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<br /><center><font size="1"><b>Chinese New Year 2012 - Shanghai</b></font></center>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-78081892647822048442012-01-20T02:56:00.000-05:002012-01-20T02:56:30.211-05:00And We're Backposted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6729691531_ac021cc577_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6729691531_ac021cc577_o.jpg" width="300" height="140" /></a><br><font size="1"><b>Taken by Daisy on the way to Brooklyn</b></font><br></center><br/>
Back and almost recovered from our bi(tri?)annual trip back to America. As we discovered in July, flying from Shanghai to California is much shorter and easier on jetlag than flying directly back to New York. It also gives us a mini-vacation in the process. So I think that's what we'll be doing now whenever we visit home....actually, Hawaii is on the way too....hmmmm....<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6729722719_b0e0d982fa_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6729722719_b0e0d982fa_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6637152239_e950852033_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6637152239_e950852033_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6729726405_0f293a139f_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6729726405_0f293a139f_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6637156371_4f0ab112ab_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6637156371_4f0ab112ab_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />Click here to see more pictures from the Bay Area: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157628721175463/">Bay Area</a><br /><br>
As I told my friend Pat, it's not weird coming back to New York anymore. It no longer feels like we're visiting one place or the other. It more just feels like we have two homes now. It's actually a great and liberating feeling. But I do believe that wherever you're supposed to be, you'll feel and know purpose there. It's not something you have to convince yourself, it's something you'll know. And at that time, that's where you belong. Chew on that one for a bit.
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6724929779_a806265a35_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6724929779_a806265a35_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6729257631_499ffba4b7_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6729257631_499ffba4b7_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6729344829_54d757162c_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6729344829_54d757162c_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6729457039_0c7b1891bd_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6729457039_0c7b1891bd_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
Click here to see more pictures from NYC: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157628937860393/">Christmas in NYC</a><br /><br>
Our trip was purposeful, fun and completely exhausting. It's always a blessing to be able to go back, because proper perspective is really hard to see until you step outside of where you're at. But it's also when you learn not to compare and just embrace different. I think only then you can really appreciate both.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6729516843_2d22aeb44c_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6729516843_2d22aeb44c_b.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a></center><br/>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-61519146564280971152011-12-06T01:38:00.001-05:002011-12-06T02:44:12.033-05:00Eventsposted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
Gongs in America<br>
Dec 17 - 20: San Fransisco<br>
Dec 21 - Jan 6: NYC<br><br>
It seems like the Shanghai calendar runs based on events. Out here it's not a matter of having nothing to do, it's deciding which things you can actually make it to. And in the close knit community of expats in Shanghai, you're always bound to know someone who is involved with each thing, if it's not you yourself.
Three weeks ago, I was the event manager for the Shanghai 2011 Global Leadership Summit, a worldwide conference that takes place in over 200 cities and 80 countries all over the world. Built on the vision of Pastor Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, it has grown into the premier leadership event of it's kind, welcoming over 150,000 attendees worldwide. Last year was my first as an attendee and I was blown away by how inspiring and impressive it was. This was the third year the Summit was held in Shanghai and we had over 600 attendees. I absolutely recommend attending one if you can in your city. They take place at a few sites in and around NYC. You will learn and grow as a leader whether you're in ministry, business, education or even just socially. Click <a href="http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/index.asp">here</a> for more info.<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6416672141_162fe13073_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6416672141_162fe13073_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 120px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6416734205_63af61ba84_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6416734205_63af61ba84_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 120px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6416644167_10a3da731a_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6416644167_10a3da731a_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6416648113_a99228ae88_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6416648113_a99228ae88_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6416723651_6f1abcb776_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6416723651_6f1abcb776_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6416651653_84568de818_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6416651653_84568de818_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br/>
The weekend after, the NFL Experience came to Shanghai. The NFL is constantly promoting American football to the Chinese market and they set up a weekend event to promote the sport and the brand. Lots of interactive stations and American football teams competing. It was Daddy and Janie day as I begin her education of American sports. Sadly, her Jose Reyes T-shirt will only educate her on the heartache of being a Mets fan. And yes, her Daddy also went to Penn State. (sigh)<br>
<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6416524095_c5da9059c2_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6416524095_c5da9059c2_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6416509167_06f70433f1_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6416509167_06f70433f1_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<font size="1"><b>Janie doing the Heisman</b></font><br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6416520711_376217c560_z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6416520711_376217c560_z.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6416497831_9a66c6f682_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6416497831_9a66c6f682_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br/>
<center><a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6236/6416527215_e6f89df5f3_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6236/6416527215_e6f89df5f3_b.jpg" width="140" height="180" /></a></center><br/>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-19934861623163688012011-11-29T03:33:00.001-05:002011-11-29T04:47:07.744-05:00Thanksgiving 3x (+ Uncle Steven)posted by Alan<br>
click on pictures to see them full size<br><br>
Almost a month since the last entry. Ouch. I'll try harder. For those of you who miss talking to me, if you call (516)360-3375, it comes right to my phone here in China. Just remember there's a time difference. Oh, and does anyone use WhatsApp?<br><br>
Thanksgiving came early in Shanghai for us this year. In order to bring a little bit of home to China, Americans all over Shanghai put on huge Thanksgiving dinners. Turkey is hard to come by over here, but for the holiday, dozens of hotels and caterers ship them in and prepare Thanksgiving packages to order. We were invited to about six different dinners and had to whittle it down to just three during the week. See below:<br>
#1<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6416488617_db24af5c1c_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6416488617_db24af5c1c_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6416494845_567c415d86_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6416494845_567c415d86_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br>#2<br>
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6416479231_6f538a1b88_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6416479231_6f538a1b88_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6416476719_633e07dfc7_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6416476719_633e07dfc7_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br>#3<br><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6423990035_72e91b016a_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6423990035_72e91b016a_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6423990217_50d831772f_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6423990217_50d831772f_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br/><br/>
Just prior to that was my 30-something-th birthday, which my brother Steven flew halfway around the world for. For someone not big into celebrating his birthday and not a fan of cake, I'd say the 4 different cakes were a bit overkill. I don't even know how anyone knew it was my birthday. But one cake stood out above the rest. Our favorite Canadian chef, Andrew, was cooking dinner for us and he asked Daisy what my favorite kind of cake was. Knowing me better than anyone else, Daisy jokingly said "uh...a meat cake?" Not fully getting the joke, the most delicious cake I've ever tasted was born.
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6416592873_80ffc943e1_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6416592873_80ffc943e1_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6416596131_814abcf1ca_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6416596131_814abcf1ca_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6416587813_f808bf24e6_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6416587813_f808bf24e6_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6416590143_32c2846a07_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6416590143_32c2846a07_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br/>
Thanks Steven for visiting, Daisy for the Doritos, Mint Choc Chip ice cream and being my wife, and mom for the Video Baby Monitor(must see TV in Janie's room) and all of Janie's new clothes.<br>
<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6416475415_d61ef3e520_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6416475415_d61ef3e520_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6416609857_d61d7beb4b_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6416609857_d61d7beb4b_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6416628303_760866bedf_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6416628303_760866bedf_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6416470935_20360cfa95_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6416470935_20360cfa95_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br/>
Janie turns 1 on Friday! (whoa...)
<center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6416617043_6932361005_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6416617043_6932361005_b.jpg" width="132" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6416744719_641a83cbe4_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6416744719_641a83cbe4_b.jpg" width="132" height="180" /></a></center>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-91517175292115538152011-11-01T22:16:00.000-04:002011-11-02T06:49:27.448-04:00Play Date*posted by Alan</br>
click on pictures to see them full size</br><br/>
<center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6302316605_649581f8fe_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6302316605_649581f8fe_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><br/><font size="1"><b>Please stay Jose!</b></font></center><br/>
Janie has an abundance of friends (although she doesn't know they're friends yet) around her age here. And that's just within the expat community. She also has plenty of local friends in our neighborhood that she sees on a regular basis too. Since Daisy is full time momming it now, she's been organizing playgroups with a bunch of the other new moms throughout the week. With such a diverse community, it's like a baby United Nations. I also went to my first children's birthday party the other week. Over here, the Chinese have their own special brand of children's entertainment. By special I mean impossibly high-pitched voices and awkward clappy dancing. But I don't think it matters where you go, one thing remains true: cute babies will never fail to make grown ups act like fools to entertain them (myself included). Janie is still at the stage where she just stares with a blank look at them. That's my girl.<br/><br/>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6302872432_d416725b46_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6302872432_d416725b46_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6302860482_638167609a_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6302860482_638167609a_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6302339801_a5f82607b4_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6302339801_a5f82607b4_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6304020375_7a5b4b40d6_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6304020375_7a5b4b40d6_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br /><br/>
Daisy and I also recently attended the wedding of our friends Sandro and Stella. It was probably the highest wedding we'll ever go to, on the 96th floor of the Shanghai IFC Tower in the Park Hyatt Hotel. I was unexpectedly asked to semi-officiate the ceremony which was a first, as I have no powers vested in me, but it was nice to be able to pray for their marriage at the wedding. Sandro is Italian and Stella is Korean-American, which combines to form an awesome dinner menu. Congrats guys, have some really good looking mixed babies!<br/><br/>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6302373255_064758fb47_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6302373255_064758fb47_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6302370049_ecec400f98_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6302370049_ecec400f98_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6302362239_83cf7e89f2_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6302362239_83cf7e89f2_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6302385455_da6a45b6c9_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6302385455_da6a45b6c9_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6302313061_c86cd56f5e_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6302313061_c86cd56f5e_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br/>
<center><font size="1"><b>Still 70 degrees and sunny in Shanghai. Sorry New York!</b></font><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6270885037_cc4ed91528_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6270885037_cc4ed91528_b.jpg" width="180" height="124" /></a></center>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-7543503304013872912011-10-21T05:07:00.000-04:002011-10-21T05:17:14.478-04:00Apartment 3posted by Alan<br />
click on pictures to see them full size<br />
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2.5 years, 3 apartments, 1 corner. Those are our stats so far. I guess it doesn't sound so strange to expats in Shanghai, where things are constantly changing, but that's alot of moving. Where we live is just so convenient that we can't bring ourselves to leave the intersection of Hengshan Rd and Gao An Rd.<br />
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With Janie being much more mobile now (she's a bumper car in her walker. Pretty lazy when it comes to crawling, although she can) we needed more space. We found it across the street. It's still two bedrooms, but the bedrooms are much bigger and the living area has it's own door (crucial for sleeping babies) and is also much bigger. More space for Uncle Steven to sprawl out when he comes to visit in November.<br />
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Check it out:<br />
<center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6252909613_79463a153e_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6252909613_79463a153e_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Living Room</b></span>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6253437460_087a832499_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6253437460_087a832499_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>View from Living Room</b></span><br/>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6252910023_09a292e6aa_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6252910023_09a292e6aa_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 75px; width: 190px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6252910317_36e2eb05c0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6252910317_36e2eb05c0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 75px; width: 190px;" /></a> </center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Kitchen; Janie's Room</b></span>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6265566471_78847d3377_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6265566471_78847d3377_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Our Bedroom</b></span>
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6252919187_1f9aa08eef_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6252919187_1f9aa08eef_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Living Room at Night</b></span></center>
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We're still accepting all visitors! But more likely, we'll see you in December.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-20303932654198102612011-09-18T08:51:00.008-04:002011-09-19T10:58:11.088-04:00Moganshan & Singaporeposted by Alan<br />
click on pictures to see them full size<br />
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<center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6158971782_3a4592df9d_b.jpg"><img height="200" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6158971782_3a4592df9d_b.jpg" width="153" /></a></center><br />
About once a year, our Bble study group takes a retreat somewhere out of the city to get away for a few days, spend time with each other and spend more time with G0d. This year, we went to the famed Mogan Mountain (shan means mountain in mandarin). We came to Moganshan about one month after Daisy and I first arrived in Shanghai. You can check out that post here: <a href="http://gongsinchina.blogspot.com/2009/06/fresh-air.html">Moganshan 2009</a><br />
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About 3 hours outside of Shanghai, Moganshan is a mountain covered in bamboo forest, like in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. There are numerous little houses and hotels dotted around the peak and makes for a great getaway with its fresh air and quietness. <br />
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<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6158977744_4aa4181168_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6158977744_4aa4181168_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6158978812_1381d6f786_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6158978812_1381d6f786_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6158976138_2a6017c1c6_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6158976138_2a6017c1c6_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6158977122_806bab5c34_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6158977122_806bab5c34_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6158978014_7e201378f0_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6158978014_7e201378f0_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6158435727_3ded8a0e6c_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6158435727_3ded8a0e6c_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
Click here to see more pictures from our retreat to Moganshan: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157627572764249/">Moganshan retreat</a><br />
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Two days before the retreat, I flew down to Singapore for leadership training. For the third time, Shanghai will be one of the many hosts worldwide of The Global Leadership Summit, where I'm serving as event manager. I'll write more about the actual Summit when it happens in November, but it was an inspiring and awesome three days and I'm excited to be a part of it. Singapore is just so....nice. Everything there is nice and clean and orderly and nice. Not sure how else to describe it. Even the airport feels like a 5 star hotel, not like an airport. And the food. Singaporeans take great pride in their food. I can understand why.<br />
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<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6158985540_21a40df35e_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6158985540_21a40df35e_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6158981178_244354e92c_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6158981178_244354e92c_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6158463253_226ba85e03_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6158463253_226ba85e03_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6158455593_ca984486f3_b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6158455593_ca984486f3_b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 192px;" /></a><br />
Click here to see more pictures from Singapore: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157627696743356/">Singapore 2011</a>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-47140569979800731872011-08-29T02:18:00.021-04:002011-09-02T05:22:51.633-04:00Just Did Itposted by Alan
<br />click on pictures to see them full size
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<br />Earthquake, hurricane and tornadoes? In one week? Poor NYC. I'm trusting that you're all ok.
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<br />I'm sure many of you have heard of or seen "Georgetown vs. China" by now. It's disappointing but not surprising. With Yao Ming retiring, Chinese basketball is back in the cellar. In a nation that's all about "face," losing against foreigners isn't a good look. Chinese basketball teams have had a few memorable fights with other foreign teams in the not-so-distant past as well. Fights in the heat of battle during a game, ok, it happens. But I really wish they'd stop picking up chairs. C'mon China, that just make you look like a sissy.
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<br /><center><a href="http://media.livenationinternational.com/lincsmedia/Media/l/b/h/77d74fa7-6b18-4fa9-89ef-2f17a238cb21.jpg"><img src="http://media.livenationinternational.com/lincsmedia/Media/l/b/h/77d74fa7-6b18-4fa9-89ef-2f17a238cb21.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center><font size="1"><b>Mercedes Benz Area, Shanghai (not my picture)</b></font>
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<br />That same evening I was at the awesome Mercedes Benz Arena here in Shanghai watching Duke play the junior men's national team. It was a well fought game, without the stupidness of the one above. The stadium itself was built for the Expo last year and is world-class amazing. Duke beat the China team pretty easily, despite not playing too well. Duke basketball live. Another "American" thing I've done here in China that I probably wouldn't get to do in America.
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<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6103293296_df119f1cf5_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6103293296_df119f1cf5_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6103249042_efc20b6d63_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6103249042_efc20b6d63_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6103257286_3b6041880f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6103257286_3b6041880f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6103272246_6195a791d4_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6103272246_6195a791d4_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6102752767_5a9dbcf99f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6102752767_5a9dbcf99f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6103275144_2c521a7d1a_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6103275144_2c521a7d1a_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
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<br />Those games culminated in the Nike Festival of Sport here in Shanghai. A four day Swoosh-fest put on by Nike to strengthen their brand here in the world's largest market. They built 10 new basketball courts around the 80,000 seat Shanghai Stadium and created stations for nearly every sport. Even MMA. They made products available for people to wear, skills challenges and brought in pro athletes to conduct clinics. NBA players like Lebron, Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Chris Bosh and Kyrie Irving were all here. Along with Duke and the now China-infamous Georgetown basketball teams. All FREE to the public. A couple of my friends work for Nike China, so we got the insiders tour. A really cool event. Nike knows marketing.
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<br /><font size="1"><b>Nike Festival of Sport - 2011 Shanghai</b></font>
<br /><center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6102744943_3006371193_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6102744943_3006371193_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6102744675_ee012e1d57_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6102744675_ee012e1d57_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6102733347_9402dd2eed_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6102733347_9402dd2eed_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6102734729_3c8e5fe166_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6102734729_3c8e5fe166_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><font size="1" ALIGN="top"><b>LaMarcus Aldridge</b></font>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6102744309_e6aaafa42d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6102744309_e6aaafa42d_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6103283546_5366002066_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6103283546_5366002066_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
<br /><font size="1"><b>Chris Bosh; me with former Knick, Othella Harrington (aka Biz Markie)</b></font>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6102743033_75384afc2f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6102743033_75384afc2f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6104728075_7c14fbc317_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6104728075_7c14fbc317_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
<br /><font size="1"><b>Georgetown warming up behind us; NBAer's at closing ceremony</b></font>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6103285084_b238b6a94d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6103285084_b238b6a94d_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6105185210_92c705b9b4_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6105185210_92c705b9b4_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
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<br />If you're not into sports, sorry. Here's Janie:
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<br /><font size="1"><b>Janie & Anna-Sophie (1 mo younger..confirming that Germans are huge); Janie and Daisy in our new apt</b></font>
<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6105202015_3fd3b6ea36_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6105202015_3fd3b6ea36_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6105198807_d46de5bcfe_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6105198807_d46de5bcfe_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6105205453_26cbdd3595_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6105205453_26cbdd3595_b.jpg" width="153" height="200" /></a></center>
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<br /><u>Response to comments:</u>
<br /><b>Elyse</b> - Yup, that's Katie. It's funny how the more you go out into the world, the smaller it becomes. See you on this side sometime soon!Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-78018285410253476752011-08-20T11:38:00.002-04:002011-08-20T11:39:36.864-04:00Sichuanposted by Alan
<br />click on the pictures to see them full size
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<br />At the end of June, just before our trip to the US (two days before our flight), I joined the SCF Youth Group on their annual trip with Habitat for Humanity. We went to help rebuild homes in areas that were affected by the devastating 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province (or as out-dated Chinese take-out joints call it, Szechuan). A team of 18 of us spent 9 days diligently working our butts off to try to get these apartment buildings ready for people to move in. This wasn't a typical HfH build, in that we weren't really building homes, we were pretty much working a construction site. But nevertheless, all that mattered was that people needed homes.
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<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6062324456_34dc7978ea_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6062324456_34dc7978ea_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6061516953_0fded3c2d3_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6061516953_0fded3c2d3_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
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<br />Two of the major things that stood out from this trip was once again, incredible community and simplicity of life. Our schedules were pretty constant. Wake up, group devotion time, work, lunch, work, shower, dinner, sharing/fellowship/games. It sounds repetitive, but simplifying life that way really was enjoyable. And everything we did was together. There was no complaining or whining, despite the grueling work we were doing. Team building at its finest.
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<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6061772095_07c72f361d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6061772095_07c72f361d_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6061773605_7b714ba7c1_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6061773605_7b714ba7c1_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
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<br />We also visited an earthquake memorial site and temporary housing shelters for the people who were waiting to move into the homes we worked on. The memorial site really showed the magnitude of the devastation the earthquake caused, while the shelters and meeting the people reflected devastation of a deeper level. The shelters were basically tin boxes. One man had me come inside and told me to touch the wall. It was almost to hot to put my hand on. These people have been living like this for three years. Motivation to work was not a problem.
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<br /><center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6061532497_b74564040b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6061532497_b74564040b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6061513483_ae92abfa3a_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6061513483_ae92abfa3a_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6062062398_532e99739c_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6062062398_532e99739c_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a>
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<br />It was an unforgettable trip. The region we were in was in a mountain valley with blue skies and rivers. The bonds and relationships formed with the kids were lasting. But the most impactful memory I will have is the one below:
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<br />I straggled into the shelters behind the rest of the group. As I was walking, this woman came out with her baby. I spoke with her and showed her pictures of Janie and it just felt like nice parent-talk stuff. But then it hit me. We're constantly adjusting Janie's AC to make it comfortable for her. Letting her try different foods and different toys. These parents can't do any of that for their baby. Janie has trouble sleeping when she's hot. This one doesn't have a choice. Disasters happen and it's big news for awhile...and then it's not. It's so easy to forget. I look forward to the day I can bring Janie on a trip like this one.
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<br />Click here to see a full album of our trip to NYC: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157627352107449/">Habitat for Humanity - Sichuan 2011</a>
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<br />oh, and no trip to Sichuan is complete without hot pot and pandas.
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<br />Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-26194648758611767202011-07-28T10:09:00.011-04:002011-08-02T20:56:19.383-04:00San Diego 2011Before we made it to NYC, we flew directly to San Diego to attend the wedding of our good friends, Jeff and Helen. San Diego itself is amazing. It's like the whole city is a resort. As our Brazilian sister Su kept saying, "This isn't real life!"<br /><br />About the wedding, Jeff is Chinese-American, Helen is Chinese-Brazilian and they met and fell in love here in Shanghai. About 30 of us from Shanghai were there for the wedding and made a weeklong vacation out of it. It was one of the most enjoyable vacations we’ve ever had, really enjoying the sense of community we shared with our friends. Jeff’s parents hosted a July 4th BBQ at their awesome house overlooking Rancho Bernardo. It was a perfect way to end a great week and send Jeff and Helen off as newlyweds.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5156/5913503395_54e9c3896d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5156/5913503395_54e9c3896d_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5914070282_c9b2ebd76b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5914070282_c9b2ebd76b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5273/5913532365_c75243711e_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5273/5913532365_c75243711e_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5913546409_96504e3af9_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5913546409_96504e3af9_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/5913498521_8a9ae63ce9_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/5913498521_8a9ae63ce9_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5913502829_4f5724812b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5913502829_4f5724812b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/6003820528_9d705f7ac4_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/6003820528_9d705f7ac4_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/5913573145_0b616b16ed_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/5913573145_0b616b16ed_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5271/5914095296_55648768f1_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5271/5914095296_55648768f1_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5913539893_d8a127a80d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5913539893_d8a127a80d_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5275/5914098172_6eff9665b7_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5275/5914098172_6eff9665b7_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><br /><br />Shoutout to Rachel and endless Chick-Fil-A!<br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/5914122632_f874cfde6b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/5914122632_f874cfde6b_b.jpg" width="180" height="135" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5914124624_71f9463c63_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5914124624_71f9463c63_b.jpg" width="180" height="135" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157627142647360/">Click here to see a full album of our San Diego trip</a>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-44403562615315395152011-07-28T09:25:00.013-04:002011-07-28T10:31:02.885-04:00NYC JULY 2011posted by Alan<br />Click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />It amazes me how as life progresses and things change, we constantly learn and grow with it. We just returned to Shanghai from our sixth (seventh for me) visit home to New York since we first moved out here in 2008. After every trip, Daisy and I usually reflect on what we experienced, and each time we learn/see/realize something new. I won’t go into the specifics here, but we’ve learned to appreciate the process and it certainly keeps life exciting. One thing I DID learn is how many people actually read this thing (despite what the number of comments might suggest), so here goes another post.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5983670682_d2973d6201_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5983670682_d2973d6201_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5983630652_dd91d26eb0_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5983630652_dd91d26eb0_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><font size="1"><b>Grandpa Chan and Grandma Gong</b></font><br /><br />Even without the growing experience, this trip was easily justifiable with two weddings (congrats Bum and Wendy!) and the birth of Janie’s first cousin, Hayden. It also marked Janie’s first time at the beach, in a pool and lots of quality time with her grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends. And compared to the usual Shanghai summer, the NYC heatwave felt like nothing. We hope to be back yet again during Christmas, but can somebody please do something about those NYC gas prices before we get back?<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5983660584_70af9f622f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5983660584_70af9f622f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5983039467_fc0c1128a1_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5983039467_fc0c1128a1_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5983676150_c98bbfecf3_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5983676150_c98bbfecf3_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5983080895_39d29af6f1_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5983080895_39d29af6f1_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5983038167_a39d7882ee_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5983038167_a39d7882ee_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5983057999_238f0e9e59_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5983057999_238f0e9e59_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5983608004_4278c5bc7b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5983608004_4278c5bc7b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5983657746_d80b45b012_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5983657746_d80b45b012_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5983050529_563c15a907_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5983050529_563c15a907_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5983661530_a325f79dbd_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5983661530_a325f79dbd_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5983036883_c254d780da_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5983036883_c254d780da_b.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><br /><font size="1"><b>Great Grandma Gong, Uncle Steven, Great Grandma Yuen</b></font><br /><br />Click here to see a full album of our trip to NYC: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157627174031413/">NYC July 2011</a>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-66142087584038714742011-06-28T21:21:00.007-04:002011-06-28T23:33:59.346-04:00California - NYCposted by Alan<br />Click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />As is usual in Shanghai, life never stops moving. As was the case two years ago when we first came here, we never know what's going to happen next here, but we know it's not going to be boring.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6050/5882870171_77416116c0_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6050/5882870171_77416116c0_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 85px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://shanghaifellowship.org/">Shanghaifellowship.org</a><br /><br />About 6 months ago, I was presented with a couple of job opportunities. One of which was presented by my good friend Jeff, who at the time was the Community Life Director at <a href="http://shanghaifellowship.org/">Shanghai Community Fellowship</a>, the largest international church in Shanghai. Since then, he has moved back to California where we will attend his wedding on Saturday and I am now the full time Community Life Director at SCF. My job is to look after over 50 small groups and a community of over 1000 foreigners here in Shanghai that attend our church. Training leaders, coordinating events and building community. This job allows me the flexibility to spend time with Daisy and Janie, affords for Daisy to not have to work, and me to utilize certain gifts that I was blessed with. I'm never less than amazed with how God works things out when we trust Him.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/5883424874_dc5f78622f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/5883424874_dc5f78622f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5883423526_01f54f5e78_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5883423526_01f54f5e78_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />Tonight we leave Shanghai for sunny San Diego for the wedding of our good friends Jeff(Cali) and Helen(Brazil), who met here in Shanghai. It will be a mini-reunion of sorts with over 40 Shanghai people flying over there. On July 5th, we'll head back east to NYC until the 25th to see you all again and so you can play with Janie. Also Daisy's sister giving birth, my cousin Wendy's wedding and picking up new visas. Send either of us an email to make plans. We'd love to see as many of you as possible. <br /><br />agong029@gmail.com<br />daisydaze@gmail.com<br />(if you don't know which email belongs to whom, you probably don't know us well enough to see us anyway)<br /><br />See you soon!Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-3945584109825991532011-06-05T23:25:00.007-04:002011-06-06T00:59:37.624-04:00Summer Plansposted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />Expat life in Shanghai kind of mirrors the school year. During the summer, most people take time to travel or visit home for an extended amount of time. Then in the fall, everyone returns and a new batch of people arrive and settle in for awhile until Christmastime. <br /><br />Our summer travel plans are booked. In two weeks, I’ll be travelling to Sichuan province with our church youth group to work with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild homes in places that were decimated by the 2008 earthquake. A step out of comfy Shanghai and back into real China.<br /><br />A few days after that, we head to San Diego for the wedding of our friends Jeff and Helen. He’s Chinese-American from Cali and she’s Chinese-Brazilian from Sao Paolo. They met and fell in love in Shanghai. That stuff happens here.<br /><br />Then on July 5th, it’s back to NYC for a few weeks. Daisy’s sister Cecilia is going to pop out Janie’s first cousin and we’ll also be able to go to my cousin Wendy’s wedding. Lots going on in July and it’s going to be an exhaustingly good time. See you all soon!<br /><br />Lots of Janie:<br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5615390725_4c3a37c65c_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5615390725_4c3a37c65c_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/5786171923_34dd452f90_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/5786171923_34dd452f90_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5311/5803167240_70fd318849_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5311/5803167240_70fd318849_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5786718760_14c24fa98b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5786718760_14c24fa98b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5692328920_8b42e21dcd_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5692328920_8b42e21dcd_o.jpg" width="124" height="175" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/5802610071_eac0476ceb_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/5802610071_eac0476ceb_o.jpg" width="124" height="175" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/5786735054_db403af564_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/5786735054_db403af564_o.jpg" width="124" height="175" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5786169523_e4472a6336_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5786169523_e4472a6336_o.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/5786163453_2e10f2ee84_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/5786163453_2e10f2ee84_o.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5786179367_8b8981e98b_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5786179367_8b8981e98b_o.jpg" width="124" height="180" /></a>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-13694127293556190112011-06-01T03:02:00.006-04:002011-06-01T03:11:17.282-04:00=)posted by Alan<br /><br /><center><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/5714926148_bae9425586_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/5714926148_bae9425586_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center><br />Dear God,<br /><br />Thank you for summertime. =)<br /><br />Love, AlanAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-80820360898856264422011-05-15T11:32:00.011-04:002011-05-16T01:33:09.597-04:00Machoposted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />Before you read this post, just note that I am not confused, nor wavering on my manliness…<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/5722854746_f9a5f02392_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/5722854746_f9a5f02392_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a> vs. <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/5722298773_eb66ce9c13_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/5722298773_eb66ce9c13_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />After watching Fast 5 yesterday (which I enjoyed very much), it got me wondering. Girls in Shanghai see girls in western movies and seem to be influenced by the way they look, act, etc. Guys on the other hand.... I was once told ‘In Shanghai, girls aren’t attracted to guys with muscles because it means you have to spend time in the gym, which means you’re not focused on making money.’ This is a city where it’s common to see skinny guys with tousled hair, wearing capris and carrying man purses. Shanghai women have the stereotype of being “li hai” which means fierce, while the men are stereotyped to be submissive. It’s hard to argue when you see guys holding the girls hand on one side and her purse or frilly umbrella in the other. It’s weird to say this, but I try to exude a sense of masculinity. I think as Americans, we’re conditioned as men to be big, tough and assertive. Most of you reading this are from there, so you know what a picture of masculinity looks like. It makes me wonder what they think of when they see that here. Do they not recognize it? Do they see it, but dismiss it? Or do they say ‘Ew, who would want to be like that?’<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/5722356099_b8d3a5051e_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/5722356099_b8d3a5051e_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 70px; height: 120px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/5722299257_eca526d75b_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/5722299257_eca526d75b_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 120px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5722911324_65b1fa210b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5722911324_65b1fa210b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 120px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />What I’m about to say is merely my personal opinion. Feel free to disagree with me. We can still be friends.<br /><br />I’ve wondered if I should concede to the different culture and accept that this is what manhood means here, but I can’t do it. I believe it’s not a cultural thing, it’s an inherent thing. I believe that men SHOULD be masculine. Men and women are different and it’s meant to be that way. There is room in masculinity for patience, sensitivity and compassion. But we should also be bold and firm in what we believe and not be afraid to make tough decisions and assume responsibility for them. We should command respect.<br /><br />Of course, these are stereotypes and not ALL men here fit the description. I know some local chinese guys that are as manly as any red-blooded, meat-eating American. But I feel that in general, the guys in Shanghai need to man up. I will now step down from my soapbox.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-61482954551552617592011-05-02T09:23:00.002-04:002011-05-02T10:32:26.885-04:00Modern FamilyPosted by Alan<br />Click on pictures to see them full sized<br /><br /><center><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5679556581_f4c689d067_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5679556581_f4c689d067_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><font size="1"><b>Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren (minus Daisy and Janie)</b></font></center><br />In 1911, Chen Fung Yeu was born in Tai Shan, China. 100 years, 6 children, 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren later, on April 24, 2011, 120 of us gathered in Queens, New York to celebrate the matriarch of our large and awesome family.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5679515727_b11d3563e1_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5679515727_b11d3563e1_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5680126706_17461f73d8_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5680126706_17461f73d8_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><font size="1"><b>Family portraits; Granddaughters</b></font><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5679579123_633f9a8828_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5679579123_633f9a8828_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5680081078_322c3642a2_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5680081078_322c3642a2_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />While much of the family is based in New York, dozens more came in from Canada, Boston, California, Hong Kong, Georgia and me from Shanghai for this reunion, hosted by her grandchildren, headed up by my cousins Shirley and Jennifer. It was years in the making and when it happened, it was pretty incredible that everyone was actually together in one place.<br /><br /><font size="1"><b>Granddaughers and Grandsons</b></font><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5679540217_bbff55eec2_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5679540217_bbff55eec2_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5680096950_acac49044a_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5680096950_acac49044a_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><font size="1"><b>Restaurant Takeover</b></font><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5679568907_e259f35850_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5679568907_e259f35850_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5680129870_5d188cd4b8_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5680129870_5d188cd4b8_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />I always knew our family was pretty special. I’ve always appreciated how we truly enjoy being with each other and no matter how far or how long it has been since we’ve seen each other, we still feel close. This weekend gave me a new appreciation for the gift of family. Thanks to all of my cousins for making it happen.<br /><br /><center><font size="1"><b>The Grandchildren</b></font><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5680086252_58f89ce0e6_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5680086252_58f89ce0e6_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-53154863038542386512011-04-19T07:46:00.005-04:002011-04-19T14:20:50.519-04:00"A yute? What is a yute?"posted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />A free pat on the back for anyone that can tell me what movie that quote is from.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5634741210_0a2e276718_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5634741210_0a2e276718_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center><br />Just five days after we got back from our NY trip, we left Shanghai for the Shanghai Community Fellowship Youth retreat for the second year in a row. Over two hundred international middle and high school students, one weekend, ICBC Bank corporate retreat site and guest speaker, Pastor Jeff Pratt. I served again as a counselor and workshop leader, while Daisy was mostly there for support and Janie duty. <br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5634741024_741d9363da_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5634741024_741d9363da_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5634740972_60de27c919_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5634740972_60de27c919_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5634740642_584600f57c_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5634740642_584600f57c_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5635480902_7ce41ef2dd_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5635480902_7ce41ef2dd_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5634740766_69c33ce243_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5634740766_69c33ce243_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><br /><br />There is a term for kids who are born and grew up overseas. They're called Third Culture Kids (TCK's). They're citizens of one culture, but grew up in another, sometimes leaving them not feeling like they belong to either, thus forming their own. It's not good or bad, it's just different (cue ABC afterschool special music.) It can lead to some identity and social struggles, especially as TCK's are in their high school/college years and try to assimilate to one culture. But it also takes away the sense of entitlement and self-centered thinking that you see in many American teens today. These kids seem to understand that the world doesn't exist to cater to them.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5634159973_a2f1d024cc_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5634159973_a2f1d024cc_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5634740112_54a4dd3bf9_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5634740112_54a4dd3bf9_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5634740074_2b5e3f1605_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5634740074_2b5e3f1605_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5634159119_f7a1696a9e_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5634159119_f7a1696a9e_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />Nobody knows the future, but there is a real chance that Janie will be a TCK. While I do think about the adjustments and challenges that she might have to deal with, part of me is kind of glad she won't be bombarded with the Jersey Shore, the Kardashians and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Either way, if she grows up with the maturity, passion and broad view of the world of these teens we spent the weekend with, I'll be a happy daddy.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-46108093235805266572011-04-13T09:27:00.005-04:002011-04-13T10:11:07.994-04:00American Footballposted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />Yes, outside of the USA, it must be referred to as "American football," with "football" actually meaning "soccer." Why couldn't we have just called our version of football "soccer" and avoided this entire mess?<br /><br />Semantics aside, a friend asked me to be a coach for an American football clinic last month sponsored by NFL China and Under Armour. The main draw was Ed Wang, rookie offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills and the first NFL player of full Chinese descent. His parents were both Chinese Olympic athletes before moving to Virginia, where Ed grew up and became an All-American at Virginia Tech. If you don't know American football, the offensive line is made up of giant freaks of nature, whose job is to protect the quarterback and make room for running backs. Ed is about 6'5 315lbs and has hands the size of baseball gloves.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5550977048_3287cca785_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5550977048_3287cca785_o.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5550394527_f859717f13_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5550394527_f859717f13_o.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5550976678_4553a80acf_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5550976678_4553a80acf_o.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5550975246_4173d70deb_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5550975246_4173d70deb_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5550976604_63c94f5e2b_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5550976604_63c94f5e2b_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5550393385_c6164bae06_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5550393385_c6164bae06_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5550976076_ca0ffb9f70_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5550976076_ca0ffb9f70_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />The clinics themselves were alot of fun. It was with the first full-pad, full-contact peewee league Chinese football team in the country. They were put together and coached by an American guy and they play against the other international teams in Shanghai. The Chinese parents really like that it makes their kids tougher and it was fun being around that little league atmosphere again. And the kids love it as well. Especially during the Oklahoma drill. One kid with the ball, one kid tries to tackle him head on. They totally went at each other and it was awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5550393599_f8d4f97ba6_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5550393599_f8d4f97ba6_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5550394133_77c6a07f99_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5550394133_77c6a07f99_o.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br />Click here to see the full album: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157626202325619/">NFL China Clinic with Ed Wang</a><br /><br />I don't know if any of those kids are going to be the Yao Ming of the NFL one day, but it's definitely a start and was alot of fun to be a part of.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-37220528999959337582011-04-07T21:43:00.005-04:002011-04-08T01:59:15.551-04:00Marchposted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />What a crazy past month it's been for our little family. As mentioned last post, we made a last second decision to visit home for almost the whole month of March. There was just too much going on during April/May, which is when we originally planned to bring Janie back for her first visit to New York. That's the real reason, not because the NCAA Tournament was going on. Honest...<br /><br />It was an awesome trip. I'll sum it up in a few words: food, family, friends, football, basketball, food. But as always, pictures say much more:<br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5574127975_7b6ce1112f_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5574127975_7b6ce1112f_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5570741388_024d68034b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5570741388_024d68034b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5550918056_73fbbab51e_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5550918056_73fbbab51e_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5550365793_1c42a35034_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5550365793_1c42a35034_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5550917510_80887bfe42_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5550917510_80887bfe42_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5550950412_0b8d6befed_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5550950412_0b8d6befed_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5550953198_b2f77ca10b_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5550953198_b2f77ca10b_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5550950148_29177158ef_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5550950148_29177158ef_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5599978492_c964a563ce_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5599978492_c964a563ce_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5574710656_de0587a269_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5574710656_de0587a269_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5550365233_333f6fc4f9_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5550365233_333f6fc4f9_b.jpg" width="124" height="170" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5550924690_76540bb983_z.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5550924690_76540bb983_z.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 160px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a></center><br />Click here to see the full album: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193247@N05/sets/72157626327471094/with/5550950148/">Janie in NY</a><br /><br />Thanks to everyone for making the effort and time to visit and arrange get-togethers. Especially to the Grandparents for hosting us and taking such good care of Janie. It took a little effort to un-spoil her, but I'm sure she's looking forward to more of it soon. It was a joy to see how much everyone loved her. <br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5550949350_6f7f01b39d_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5550949350_6f7f01b39d_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5574784676_d566b82bbb_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5574784676_d566b82bbb_b.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 140px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359009746781571074" /></a><br /><br />P.S. Baby jetlag sucks.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686765893816692383.post-35895172641856152362011-03-04T01:08:00.003-05:002011-03-05T09:50:24.166-05:00Gongs in Americaposted by Alan<br />click on pictures to see them full size<br /><br />So Tuesday night in Shanghai, Daisy and I realized that the most possible time we would have to bring Janie back to New York to visit was RIGHT NOW. Wednesday was a mad scramble, and Thursday we arrived at JFK. Spontaneous and kinda crazy, but you get used to that sort of thing living in China.<br /><br />Everything is OK, it was just such a sudden decision because we wanted to be able to spend as much time here as possible. No other reason. Because it was so quick, we had no time to bring back gifts or make many plans with anyone, so get in touch! We're excited to see everyone and eat food that we missed... not necessarily in that order.<br /><br />We'll be in NY/NJ until Sunday, March 27th. To reach us, send an email to me or Daisy. We'd love for you all to meet Janie.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18189456917199445443noreply@blogger.com0