We have been back in China for three weeks. This is our third year and it looks like it will be our final year here in Suzhou. It is bittersweet as we have made some good friends and had amazing, life-changing experiences but I don't feel right about moving once James enters high school (next year, yikes) so next summer looks like the best time to move on to another international location. But... more about that later.
The first three weeks of the school year have been busy. James is settling into grade 8, has joined the cross country team and is in student council for the second year in a row. Abigail is in grade 5 and has a new teacher who is from Fiji, she has already started choir and girl scouts and was excited to see her friends after the summer break. Mark started a new position this school year teaching computer technology as well as "learning technology teacher", which means he trains other teachers in how to use technology more effectively in the classroom. I was asked to teach elementary music as the teacher who was supposed to come and teach this year has no showed. Hopefully they will find someone to fill the position soon because I am definitely out of my comfort zone! I am also coaching the high school and middle school tennis teams, leading girl scouts for grades 2 and 3 and teaching a staff step class.
Now that you're all caught up, here's what we've been doing this weekend.
Abigail and I embarked on our third annual trip to the Shanghai Ikea yesterday. The main purpose of the trip is for new staff to shop for whatever they might need to set up their new apartments but anyone can come along and I wanted to pick up a few items. Abigail is always keen to come on shopping trips! The bus trip was about 2 hours, we got stuck in a little traffic but nothing too major. I took this as we approached the city.
Here it is! Looks like the Ikea close to you doesn't it? The inside does as well but I didn't take any pictures of the inside.
Here's Abigail enjoying her lunch of swedish meatballs (fueling up for round two of shopping).
We spent the whole day at Ikea. We were picked up at 8am and weren't home until 5pm. Of course I had to get everything I bought all set up and looking the way I wanted. So we were working hard until bedtime. Here are some pictures of the apartment. I know some of you are curious about our digs :)
kitchen/dining
James' room
I thought I had a picture of Abigail's room but I guess I don't. I would go and take one right now but she's asleep so it will have to wait.
Speaking of bed, it's time to wrap this up. Mark and James went on a 30km bike ride yesterday and explored our neighborhood a bit. They took pictures so I will post those tomorrow night. Hopefully I can get back into the habit of blogging.
Good night!
Speaking of bed, it's time to wrap this up. Mark and James went on a 30km bike ride yesterday and explored our neighborhood a bit. They took pictures so I will post those tomorrow night. Hopefully I can get back into the habit of blogging.
Good night!
