We decided not to open until the new year. I know, I know, Christmas business... but family comes first. Plus, so many of you have stopped by anyway and bought and bought. Thanks for your support!
We had a fabulous Christmas, are getting really close to open and some exciting new products and vendors. I can't wait!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sale Tomorrow 12/12/08 and Sat 12/13/08
We are still not done, BUT we are having a sale anyway!
Everyone who comes in gets 10% off the entire purchase and a 25% off coupon for a return purchase. Naturally, as a perfectionist I am nervous, because things are not perfect. What is perfect though are the prices, unbelievably low. We are blowing out the big 30" clocks that you cannot find anywhere for less than $100.00 - $240.00 for $45.00. All the other sales are similar from 30-70% off plus you are getting the 10% discount on top. Wow! Hope to see you there!
Everyone who comes in gets 10% off the entire purchase and a 25% off coupon for a return purchase. Naturally, as a perfectionist I am nervous, because things are not perfect. What is perfect though are the prices, unbelievably low. We are blowing out the big 30" clocks that you cannot find anywhere for less than $100.00 - $240.00 for $45.00. All the other sales are similar from 30-70% off plus you are getting the 10% discount on top. Wow! Hope to see you there!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Where are we?
Mentally: Not sure!
Progress: It's coming. We finally got carpet today and lights and sod tomorrow.
Physically: 10803 N Alpine Highway, Highland, UT 84003.
Any signs? Nope Highland city won't allow it; you will just have to find us in a little yellow house by the road.
Progress: It's coming. We finally got carpet today and lights and sod tomorrow.
Physically: 10803 N Alpine Highway, Highland, UT 84003.
Any signs? Nope Highland city won't allow it; you will just have to find us in a little yellow house by the road.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
New products in store!
Wow, so much to do! We got a huge container with the coolest stuff to sell. We've unloaded for the last two days, 1000s of items. Look at the slide show to get some ideas. The store is stocked to the brim, only problem: we are not open yet. Some of the workers got delayed, we have no carpet or lights as of yet. To top it all off: our advertisement came out 3 days early, sooooooo I hope no one will show up and get locked out. But my friend Dawn had a great idea: I will just put a sign on the door and let people go through the boxes, if they want to.
Also, ohsweetsadie.com just called. I am doing one of their shows this weekend. Very excited, but I just found out about it and I have to go and set up right now. Go check them out on their website. They are a great boutique with tons of different stuff. This week, it will be held at daybreak in 3 beautiful model homes. Don't miss it! Better go, get some stuff done.
Also, ohsweetsadie.com just called. I am doing one of their shows this weekend. Very excited, but I just found out about it and I have to go and set up right now. Go check them out on their website. They are a great boutique with tons of different stuff. This week, it will be held at daybreak in 3 beautiful model homes. Don't miss it! Better go, get some stuff done.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Why did we go to China anyway?
After I tell people a few details about our trip, inevitably the question is posed, "Why did you go anyway?" Aside from having fun?
"To find new products for you guys, bringing you the funnest, newest stuff at wholesale prices. Tashina and I sacrificed ourselves and shopped till we dropped, to give the girls in Utah and Salt Lake Counties (and everywhere) some great bargains. Hey, you can't say we stop short of going the extra mile ;)"
Stay posted, soon we will tell you where and when our new store opens and show you some of the wonderful new products we will offer for our big opening sale!
"To find new products for you guys, bringing you the funnest, newest stuff at wholesale prices. Tashina and I sacrificed ourselves and shopped till we dropped, to give the girls in Utah and Salt Lake Counties (and everywhere) some great bargains. Hey, you can't say we stop short of going the extra mile ;)"
Stay posted, soon we will tell you where and when our new store opens and show you some of the wonderful new products we will offer for our big opening sale!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Two Girls in China -- Beggars
Today was the saddest part of our journey. The closer we got to the Buddhist temples, the more beggars we encountered. These are not people who are lazy or have nothing better to do. They are truly on the margins of society. We saw children, women and men who were amputees, completely deformed, crippled, burned, or just so old that they could hardly move. Our hearts went out to all of them.
Long ago, I had decided that I will give when I am asked. This was hard to do, there were so many and I did not just want to give money, I also wanted to give a smile or some encouraging gesture. Perhaps I am just fooling myself but I wanted them to see that they matter. I realized that we could give and leave, they however, would receive and stay -- a fate ultimately harder than ours would ever be.
It amazed us how respectful the beggars were. When we came out of the 1st temple onto a large square, one beggar came and since we gave him a little money, ALL the beggars on the square came. They encircled us like a flock of birds. They were so nice: just smiling with heartwarming smiles which communicated an eternal truth: we are all just part of one human race, all trying to survive and making our journey here on earth the best we can. They did not get into our personal space, nor did they pull on us, nor did they make us feel uncomfortable. Not at any moment for instance were we worried that one of them would grab my wallet with all our money. They were happy with receiving whatever we were willing to impart and did not want more than was given. At the end when we had given to and smiled at everyone who was in the large circle around us, I was especially touched by one sweet old lady. She looked quite haggard, ancient really, like an old knotty tree, still standing in spite of the wind, hardly any teeth, clothes in shreds, no worldly possessions and yet this lady touched me deeply. I think that the term lady is the only term befitting her, notwithstanding her appearance, for she had compassion and love for her fellow man. After we were done divvying out to all the beggars she urged us on to come with her. She wanted us to bless her friend's life who could not come to us because his disability and she had taken it upon herself to lead us to him. She wasn't thinking of herself, she wasn't greedy, she was compassionate! There are truly kings and queens among beggars. Another lesson learned!
The other beggar who moved me deeply was a little boy. We found him near Beijing Road which is the main shopping street in Guangzhou. He sat there all by himself on a little platform that had wheels and a box nailed to it for the donations. This little guy was about 7 (my guess), horribly deformed (feet were on backwards) and he had hydrocephalus. He was clearly mentally challenged and his caregivers had pulled down his pants and sawed a hole in the platform so he could relieve himself and they would not have to come all day. Lethargically, he was sucking on some crackers, his eyes were kind of dim. No light in them, no interest for the world. I bent down to put some money in his box when when all of a sudden I realized that he would not benefit from it -- he couldn't with his disabilities. I still donated because I do not know the mentally of people who would put a little child by himself on the street all day long. Perhaps they have no other choice; perhaps by earning his keep it enabled him to secure the little care that he did get. Either way I did not want him to be negatively affected, but I also did not want to walk away without giving to him instead of giving to whoever collected his money. I squatted down beside him and pulled some peanut M&Ms out of my purse. I think in the States you would get arrested for giving candy to a strange kid but in China no one cares. I gave him a M&M and he clearly had no idea what to do with it. It was big and bright and blue. I pulled out another one, put it into my mouth and motioned him to do the same. He sort of spit out his cracker. He was very slow, so the entire thing seemed to happen in slow motion, and then he inserted the blue shape into his mouth. No expression at first, he just started sucking on it, then he chewed and all of a sudden he gave me the biggest smile, blue teeth and all, chocolate squirting out between his teeth. I don't know if he ever had chocolate before but he clearly liked it and it made him very happy. He just couldn't keep from grinning.
As he smiled, the same thing happened that happened when the beggar lady urged us to meet her friend: All of a sudden we could see the little guy's spirit -- who he really was not the deformed body that represents him on this earth. He aroused such compassion in me and I felt a kinship towards him, just one human being to another. It is interesting how we find kindred spirits in the most unlikely of places. Indeed he is a special child, just like all children are.
I am so sorry that I cannot go and care for him often, but I hope that tasting chocolate brightened his day just a bit. I will definitely go and visit him when I am in Guangzhou the next time, only I hope he wont' be there and will have met a better fate replete with peanut M&Ms.
P.S. Dear children, I did not tell you these stories to show how grand I am to donate, it was really nothing, and I do not fool myself into thinking I have made a difference in their lives; although the opposite is true, they made a difference in mine. However, I would like you to have compassion towards those who have less, always. There are many. Whether you will find them in China on a trip half way across the world or right at your school, lonely and without friends. Always give of yourself, that is when miracles happen that is when you can show true compassion that is when you can share one human being to the next, just like our greatest example!
P.P.S. I did not take any pictures of those I described, it did not seem right. The pictures I am posting here are of beggars in Guangzhou, but they are street scenes taken mostly from the car, so you can see for yourself. I think gratitude for our easy and wonderful life is in place.
Long ago, I had decided that I will give when I am asked. This was hard to do, there were so many and I did not just want to give money, I also wanted to give a smile or some encouraging gesture. Perhaps I am just fooling myself but I wanted them to see that they matter. I realized that we could give and leave, they however, would receive and stay -- a fate ultimately harder than ours would ever be.
It amazed us how respectful the beggars were. When we came out of the 1st temple onto a large square, one beggar came and since we gave him a little money, ALL the beggars on the square came. They encircled us like a flock of birds. They were so nice: just smiling with heartwarming smiles which communicated an eternal truth: we are all just part of one human race, all trying to survive and making our journey here on earth the best we can. They did not get into our personal space, nor did they pull on us, nor did they make us feel uncomfortable. Not at any moment for instance were we worried that one of them would grab my wallet with all our money. They were happy with receiving whatever we were willing to impart and did not want more than was given. At the end when we had given to and smiled at everyone who was in the large circle around us, I was especially touched by one sweet old lady. She looked quite haggard, ancient really, like an old knotty tree, still standing in spite of the wind, hardly any teeth, clothes in shreds, no worldly possessions and yet this lady touched me deeply. I think that the term lady is the only term befitting her, notwithstanding her appearance, for she had compassion and love for her fellow man. After we were done divvying out to all the beggars she urged us on to come with her. She wanted us to bless her friend's life who could not come to us because his disability and she had taken it upon herself to lead us to him. She wasn't thinking of herself, she wasn't greedy, she was compassionate! There are truly kings and queens among beggars. Another lesson learned!
The other beggar who moved me deeply was a little boy. We found him near Beijing Road which is the main shopping street in Guangzhou. He sat there all by himself on a little platform that had wheels and a box nailed to it for the donations. This little guy was about 7 (my guess), horribly deformed (feet were on backwards) and he had hydrocephalus. He was clearly mentally challenged and his caregivers had pulled down his pants and sawed a hole in the platform so he could relieve himself and they would not have to come all day. Lethargically, he was sucking on some crackers, his eyes were kind of dim. No light in them, no interest for the world. I bent down to put some money in his box when when all of a sudden I realized that he would not benefit from it -- he couldn't with his disabilities. I still donated because I do not know the mentally of people who would put a little child by himself on the street all day long. Perhaps they have no other choice; perhaps by earning his keep it enabled him to secure the little care that he did get. Either way I did not want him to be negatively affected, but I also did not want to walk away without giving to him instead of giving to whoever collected his money. I squatted down beside him and pulled some peanut M&Ms out of my purse. I think in the States you would get arrested for giving candy to a strange kid but in China no one cares. I gave him a M&M and he clearly had no idea what to do with it. It was big and bright and blue. I pulled out another one, put it into my mouth and motioned him to do the same. He sort of spit out his cracker. He was very slow, so the entire thing seemed to happen in slow motion, and then he inserted the blue shape into his mouth. No expression at first, he just started sucking on it, then he chewed and all of a sudden he gave me the biggest smile, blue teeth and all, chocolate squirting out between his teeth. I don't know if he ever had chocolate before but he clearly liked it and it made him very happy. He just couldn't keep from grinning.
As he smiled, the same thing happened that happened when the beggar lady urged us to meet her friend: All of a sudden we could see the little guy's spirit -- who he really was not the deformed body that represents him on this earth. He aroused such compassion in me and I felt a kinship towards him, just one human being to another. It is interesting how we find kindred spirits in the most unlikely of places. Indeed he is a special child, just like all children are.
I am so sorry that I cannot go and care for him often, but I hope that tasting chocolate brightened his day just a bit. I will definitely go and visit him when I am in Guangzhou the next time, only I hope he wont' be there and will have met a better fate replete with peanut M&Ms.
P.S. Dear children, I did not tell you these stories to show how grand I am to donate, it was really nothing, and I do not fool myself into thinking I have made a difference in their lives; although the opposite is true, they made a difference in mine. However, I would like you to have compassion towards those who have less, always. There are many. Whether you will find them in China on a trip half way across the world or right at your school, lonely and without friends. Always give of yourself, that is when miracles happen that is when you can show true compassion that is when you can share one human being to the next, just like our greatest example!
P.P.S. I did not take any pictures of those I described, it did not seem right. The pictures I am posting here are of beggars in Guangzhou, but they are street scenes taken mostly from the car, so you can see for yourself. I think gratitude for our easy and wonderful life is in place.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Two Girls in China -- Shopping at the Wholesale Clothes Market
We have been looking for the wholesale clothing market for a week. No success. Finally, a girl at the cloth market told me where to go but as of yet, we did not have a chance to. Yesterday, we missed the shuttle to the fair and decided to take the metro instead. The hotel person who spoke little English pointed us into the direction of the metro. We thought we understood and ended up in an underground shopping area instead. Initially we thought it was just a couple of stores on our way to the metro. NOOOOO, it was a huge, two story, underground shopping center with no markings at all upstairs, you would have never known there was even anything down there. Just a stairwell going underground that looks like a nondescript metro entrance or road underpass.
They had the coolest stuff, but many stores kept wanting me to buy a hundred of each. All of a sudden I have an epiphany. Could we have found the clothing wholesale market? Indeed, we stumbled upon it effortless. How funny. Needless to say we never made it to the metro. In the 1.5 hrs we were there we bought so much stuff that we had to go back to the hotel to drop it off. Then we found an English speaker who pointed us to the metro, just a few feet away from the entrance to the market. What luck, we did not have good directions the first time!
Except I think, luck had nothing to do with it!
They had the coolest stuff, but many stores kept wanting me to buy a hundred of each. All of a sudden I have an epiphany. Could we have found the clothing wholesale market? Indeed, we stumbled upon it effortless. How funny. Needless to say we never made it to the metro. In the 1.5 hrs we were there we bought so much stuff that we had to go back to the hotel to drop it off. Then we found an English speaker who pointed us to the metro, just a few feet away from the entrance to the market. What luck, we did not have good directions the first time!
Except I think, luck had nothing to do with it!
Two Girls in China -- Moldy Water Part IV
I sooooooooooooo hoped there would not be a part IV, but alas there is!
Last night Tash and I went out to eat. Western restaurant.
Yummy food, well mostly.
First course, fruit salad. The fruit here is so fresh and ripe and wonderful, I have never loved fruit as much.
Then, an asparagus cream soup with the awesome Chinese rolls that we have come to love. Yummy too!
Main course, interesting potato slices with broccoli and asparagus and fillet of sole in a yogurt, wine sauce (alcohol all cooked out). It looked so good. The potatoes and the veggies and the sauce WERE so good but there was also the sole. We should have thought about it; fish that swims in moldy water probably tastes like moldy water. The first bite, mold pure, I don't think I have ever spit out anything as fast as I did this fish. Tashina looked at me and asked how it was. I told her to just try it. Let's just say we both had the same reaction.
In China you don't send stuff back like here, when something is not ok. We ate our veggies and potatoes and the waitress was completely stumped when she picked up our dishes with the entire serving of fish on it.
Then we ordered western style fried rice. That was not great but eatable, we asked them to leave out the shrimp ;)
Dessert: Chocolate crepes. There too was something wrong but that is because they were fried in oil instead of butter.
Over all pretty good meal but we learned our lesson: No fish in Guangzhou.
P.S. Anyone remember my Bombay Duck experience from last time? Well they apparently cook all the fish half done, because the sole was prepared the same way as the Bombay Duck (which is a fish not a duck). Tastes are different I guess!
Last night Tash and I went out to eat. Western restaurant.
Yummy food, well mostly.
First course, fruit salad. The fruit here is so fresh and ripe and wonderful, I have never loved fruit as much.
Then, an asparagus cream soup with the awesome Chinese rolls that we have come to love. Yummy too!
Main course, interesting potato slices with broccoli and asparagus and fillet of sole in a yogurt, wine sauce (alcohol all cooked out). It looked so good. The potatoes and the veggies and the sauce WERE so good but there was also the sole. We should have thought about it; fish that swims in moldy water probably tastes like moldy water. The first bite, mold pure, I don't think I have ever spit out anything as fast as I did this fish. Tashina looked at me and asked how it was. I told her to just try it. Let's just say we both had the same reaction.
In China you don't send stuff back like here, when something is not ok. We ate our veggies and potatoes and the waitress was completely stumped when she picked up our dishes with the entire serving of fish on it.
Then we ordered western style fried rice. That was not great but eatable, we asked them to leave out the shrimp ;)
Dessert: Chocolate crepes. There too was something wrong but that is because they were fried in oil instead of butter.
Over all pretty good meal but we learned our lesson: No fish in Guangzhou.
P.S. Anyone remember my Bombay Duck experience from last time? Well they apparently cook all the fish half done, because the sole was prepared the same way as the Bombay Duck (which is a fish not a duck). Tastes are different I guess!
Two Girls in China -- Tashina and the Monkey
We walked along the promenade of the Pearl River when a monkey came along. Tashina loved it so much and said it was one of the best moments of her life.
Anytime I see my children happy especially over little things, it counts among the best moments of my life.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Two Girls in China -- Moldy Water Part III
26 October 2008
Tonight we went on a cruise on the pearl river. It was really wonderful! Lights sounds and so much more. We met nice people, had great conversations. The weather is perfect for such an activity. The nights are so warm, a little breeze out on the river is very welcome.
When we crossed the bridge to get on board, we got a sniff of the pearl river. Guess what it smells like? Well, Tash’s question will give it away.
"Mom, is this were they are getting our water from, it smells the same way?"
I hope she is wrong, is all I can say. But I fear our noses and taste buds suggest otherwise.
BTW, we are now in the 3rd place and the water has yet to smell or taste any different.
Tonight we went on a cruise on the pearl river. It was really wonderful! Lights sounds and so much more. We met nice people, had great conversations. The weather is perfect for such an activity. The nights are so warm, a little breeze out on the river is very welcome.
When we crossed the bridge to get on board, we got a sniff of the pearl river. Guess what it smells like? Well, Tash’s question will give it away.
"Mom, is this were they are getting our water from, it smells the same way?"
I hope she is wrong, is all I can say. But I fear our noses and taste buds suggest otherwise.
BTW, we are now in the 3rd place and the water has yet to smell or taste any different.
Two Girls in China -- Outdoor Markets, Fabric Market
October 26, 2008
Today we went to the fabric market with Laura. Cool place, very well organized and surprisingly clean. The most beautiful fabric. Unfortunately, no tailors on site. Surrounding the market are all sorts of little stands with notions. I found the exact ribbon I was looking for for the store. I could not be any happier. I ordered 2000 yards, can pick it up Tuesday. Also found wonderful appliqués for shirts. They are great. Just got some for the kids but I need to figure out how to use them for the store. They are just too pretty to not share with human kind. We got these cool Mickey and Minnie Mouse ones. They would be so expensive it Disneyland. My dream? Get a contract with them for some t-shirt designs that I have in mind. But I need to settle down. I see all this stuff and have all these ideas what I can do with it. Just need to remember that I am doing home décor and gift items.
We bought some bread from a street vendor. He was pretty clean and the bread was good. It tasted a little like the Indian nan-bread. Very yummy! I am trying to be daring with the food but I am really cautious with the milk and I just heard on TV Asia that they now found melamine in eggs. Will it ever stop? It amazes me that people have no compunction to contaminate food to make a buck. I really think you can tell that they have no understanding of who they are and who their fellow man is. If they only knew of their divine heritage. How can you poison a member of your own royal family? The more I think about it, to know who you are, changes everything! How can you teach that? I will ponder this one some more?
Today we went to the fabric market with Laura. Cool place, very well organized and surprisingly clean. The most beautiful fabric. Unfortunately, no tailors on site. Surrounding the market are all sorts of little stands with notions. I found the exact ribbon I was looking for for the store. I could not be any happier. I ordered 2000 yards, can pick it up Tuesday. Also found wonderful appliqués for shirts. They are great. Just got some for the kids but I need to figure out how to use them for the store. They are just too pretty to not share with human kind. We got these cool Mickey and Minnie Mouse ones. They would be so expensive it Disneyland. My dream? Get a contract with them for some t-shirt designs that I have in mind. But I need to settle down. I see all this stuff and have all these ideas what I can do with it. Just need to remember that I am doing home décor and gift items.
We bought some bread from a street vendor. He was pretty clean and the bread was good. It tasted a little like the Indian nan-bread. Very yummy! I am trying to be daring with the food but I am really cautious with the milk and I just heard on TV Asia that they now found melamine in eggs. Will it ever stop? It amazes me that people have no compunction to contaminate food to make a buck. I really think you can tell that they have no understanding of who they are and who their fellow man is. If they only knew of their divine heritage. How can you poison a member of your own royal family? The more I think about it, to know who you are, changes everything! How can you teach that? I will ponder this one some more?
Two Girls in China -- Notebook
Oct 25, 2008, Saturday
I lost my notebook with all my stuff. Read: 4 days worth of fare going are in there. I am so frustrated. I pray fervently. If I do not find this, it is a big problem, I have all my contacts and orders in there, I basically came for nothing. BUT Heavenly Father comes through for me, as always. I had a distinct impression where to go, got it back. This is China the place is huge, I did not discover its disappearance until the next day. It could have been anywhere, found by anyone.
If there is one legacy I want to leave to my children it is this: I have prayed throughout my journey here on earth and my prayers are answered. While scientifically the existence of God perhaps cannot be ratified, statistically it has been proven in my life. Too many coincidences become proof. I testify that He lives, that He cares, that He loves us, that He wants to be involved in your life as a loving parent, and that you will find the most joy, if you yourself establish a relationship with HIM. It doesn’t matter who you are, what religion you belong to, what you have done. Don’t pray to fulfill a requirement, don’t pray as a task, don’t pray in a form-letter. GO TALK TO HIM!
I lost my notebook with all my stuff. Read: 4 days worth of fare going are in there. I am so frustrated. I pray fervently. If I do not find this, it is a big problem, I have all my contacts and orders in there, I basically came for nothing. BUT Heavenly Father comes through for me, as always. I had a distinct impression where to go, got it back. This is China the place is huge, I did not discover its disappearance until the next day. It could have been anywhere, found by anyone.
If there is one legacy I want to leave to my children it is this: I have prayed throughout my journey here on earth and my prayers are answered. While scientifically the existence of God perhaps cannot be ratified, statistically it has been proven in my life. Too many coincidences become proof. I testify that He lives, that He cares, that He loves us, that He wants to be involved in your life as a loving parent, and that you will find the most joy, if you yourself establish a relationship with HIM. It doesn’t matter who you are, what religion you belong to, what you have done. Don’t pray to fulfill a requirement, don’t pray as a task, don’t pray in a form-letter. GO TALK TO HIM!
Two Girls in China -- The "Metro Sniff"
Today, Friday, October 24, 2008 shall be recorded in the annals of history, as the day when the “metro sniff” was developed. Life in China and elsewhere will never be the same for people who find their olfactory senses challenged. We could say that the “metro sniff” almost, yes folks, almost, advances the well being of this race like the invention of sliced bread. I do believe the metro sniff can mingle with other great inventions like washing machines, dishwashers and the automobile without hanging its head in shame.
You see, people here don’t always smell so good; well that is the understatement of the year. I think when you are in this damp hot climate perhaps you just stop to care, or take it for granted, par for the course to smell a little, you know. And everything does just smell a little warm and damp and not so clean. BUT then there are those who smell a bit more than a bit. Their penetrating stench reaches every corner of your nose, and while you wish the aroma would deaden your senses, it does the opposite. You are even more acutely aware of the unsanitary conditions of your neighbor's body, when he then decides to hold on to the overhead bars and stuff his armpits into your face for added measure. Gagging comes as the natural reaction. For just such a circumstance, we developed the metro sniff. It works like this: Talita puts arm around Tashina, Tashina leans head against Talita’s shoulder and sniffs, Talita leans down onto Tashina’s hair and sniffs. To the world, it seems like a friendly embrace between mother and daughter. However, it is our way of saying, keep your stench to yourself, we’d rather smell each other.
I do wonder if our fellow Chinese have developed a similar tactic to avoid our “smell?"
You see, people here don’t always smell so good; well that is the understatement of the year. I think when you are in this damp hot climate perhaps you just stop to care, or take it for granted, par for the course to smell a little, you know. And everything does just smell a little warm and damp and not so clean. BUT then there are those who smell a bit more than a bit. Their penetrating stench reaches every corner of your nose, and while you wish the aroma would deaden your senses, it does the opposite. You are even more acutely aware of the unsanitary conditions of your neighbor's body, when he then decides to hold on to the overhead bars and stuff his armpits into your face for added measure. Gagging comes as the natural reaction. For just such a circumstance, we developed the metro sniff. It works like this: Talita puts arm around Tashina, Tashina leans head against Talita’s shoulder and sniffs, Talita leans down onto Tashina’s hair and sniffs. To the world, it seems like a friendly embrace between mother and daughter. However, it is our way of saying, keep your stench to yourself, we’d rather smell each other.
I do wonder if our fellow Chinese have developed a similar tactic to avoid our “smell?"
Two Girls in China -- The Blimp Driver
A blimp comes by, Tash is intrigued. Mom when we are big (meaning the business) and have a blimp, I will be your blimp driver.
Hon, I don’t think we will have a blimp when we are big.
O that’s too bad, I always wanted to fly one.
Hon, I don’t think we will have a blimp when we are big.
O that’s too bad, I always wanted to fly one.
Two Girls in China -- Food
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Well that was an adventure today. OK the food at lunch was as bad I remember it from last time and I am not even a picky eater. We had goop with some grease and bad smell sans spices. But we only paid 10 bucks for lunch for 2 incl. drinks. Given that it was at the convention hall, it was a bargain. And folks you have been deceived for years it is all a myth. In an attempt to spice things up I asked for soy sauce. They had never even heard of it. So next time when you get soy sauce at say Panda Express, do not think you are actually eating Chinese food ;)
Now, to be fair, let’s not just concentrate on the negative. There were some things that were great: They have the best candy. Way better than in the US. Not as sweet and totally fruity . Soooooo good, we loved it. Also, they had a lounge with free food for overseas buyers (which we unfortunately did not discover until after lunch). There we had an interesting thing called deep fried pineapple rolls. It is pineapples spears in some sort of tempura like batter that is deep fried. They were kind of cold but really good otherwise. Also at the lounge, we had the best butter cookies ever, even better than in Austria. Seriously, that’s a feat! Another thing that is fantastic is their bananas. I thought bananas all tasted the same. But the one we had was the yummiest ever, flavor that burst in your mouth, not mushy, not hard, not too sweet, not too tart, it was perfect. But the best thing is their citrus fruit and the mango juice we had a lunch. The citrus stuff does not look too appetizing to be sure. No Florida Citrus Growers coloration in China. They had weird brown spots and looked not at all ready for commercial consumption if you know what I mean, maybe you could say someone pulled them off their own trees in the back yard. But they tasted soooooo good. No seeds, pungent flavor, firm but soft at the same time. They gave us oranges, mandarin oranges and tiny things that I had never seen before, smaller than a ping pong ball, maybe as big as an oversized marble. Yum , they were good. After discovering them, we stocked up and we now have a ready supply in my purse. Last but not least came the mango juice that Tash ordered for lunch. They took a whole mango, added ice and blended it. That’s it. It was so good and refreshing, again not too sweet. I love that about the Chinese food in this area, they seem to know just the right balance of sweet.
Well that was an adventure today. OK the food at lunch was as bad I remember it from last time and I am not even a picky eater. We had goop with some grease and bad smell sans spices. But we only paid 10 bucks for lunch for 2 incl. drinks. Given that it was at the convention hall, it was a bargain. And folks you have been deceived for years it is all a myth. In an attempt to spice things up I asked for soy sauce. They had never even heard of it. So next time when you get soy sauce at say Panda Express, do not think you are actually eating Chinese food ;)
Now, to be fair, let’s not just concentrate on the negative. There were some things that were great: They have the best candy. Way better than in the US. Not as sweet and totally fruity . Soooooo good, we loved it. Also, they had a lounge with free food for overseas buyers (which we unfortunately did not discover until after lunch). There we had an interesting thing called deep fried pineapple rolls. It is pineapples spears in some sort of tempura like batter that is deep fried. They were kind of cold but really good otherwise. Also at the lounge, we had the best butter cookies ever, even better than in Austria. Seriously, that’s a feat! Another thing that is fantastic is their bananas. I thought bananas all tasted the same. But the one we had was the yummiest ever, flavor that burst in your mouth, not mushy, not hard, not too sweet, not too tart, it was perfect. But the best thing is their citrus fruit and the mango juice we had a lunch. The citrus stuff does not look too appetizing to be sure. No Florida Citrus Growers coloration in China. They had weird brown spots and looked not at all ready for commercial consumption if you know what I mean, maybe you could say someone pulled them off their own trees in the back yard. But they tasted soooooo good. No seeds, pungent flavor, firm but soft at the same time. They gave us oranges, mandarin oranges and tiny things that I had never seen before, smaller than a ping pong ball, maybe as big as an oversized marble. Yum , they were good. After discovering them, we stocked up and we now have a ready supply in my purse. Last but not least came the mango juice that Tash ordered for lunch. They took a whole mango, added ice and blended it. That’s it. It was so good and refreshing, again not too sweet. I love that about the Chinese food in this area, they seem to know just the right balance of sweet.
Two girls in China -- more Water news!
Anyone who knows me at all, knows that Talita needs a bath once in a while no matter what. Bathing soothes my soul and my body, washes away all the excess, leaving Talita essence into which I need to dip to recover my strength. So it was, the first morning after we arrived. Only problem, we still have moldy water which we discovered was a nice sunshiny yellow on top of it. Drawing upon my background knowledge I acquired in Kindergarten, I reasoned that adding some bath foam of a certain color to my water would react with the yellow , creating a nice saturated green color. It worked, the bath was beautiful, in fact I delighted in the contrast of white tub, dark granite and green water with some happy foam clouds bobbing on the surface. Now I only needed to forget the smell. Easily done, I do have imagination. I told Tashina that the people here probably don’t even realize it anymore and smelling it after perhaps not having had the chance to do so for a while conjures up happy childhood memories, similar to the feelings the fragrance a Thanksgiving turkey invokes in us. Well perhaps, we are stretching things here a bit but we decided to take this approach anyway. Moldy smell is now a positive! It could be, right?
While I am luxuriating in my bath, it comes time to wash my hair. The shampoo does its trick, washes away the airport grime out of my brown locks but unfortunately also bleaches the beautiful green color out of the tub, leaving me with…, well never mind. At that moment Tashina steps in and the following dialogue ensues:
Mom, your water is very yellow.
Yes, I am trying to forget that.
Mom, your water looks like pee.
I am trying to forget that too, thanks for letting me.
You are welcome.
Ah, the joys of overseas travel…
While I am luxuriating in my bath, it comes time to wash my hair. The shampoo does its trick, washes away the airport grime out of my brown locks but unfortunately also bleaches the beautiful green color out of the tub, leaving me with…, well never mind. At that moment Tashina steps in and the following dialogue ensues:
Mom, your water is very yellow.
Yes, I am trying to forget that.
Mom, your water looks like pee.
I am trying to forget that too, thanks for letting me.
You are welcome.
Ah, the joys of overseas travel…
Who is this for anyways?
Anyone invited. Though I am trying to reach the other side of my heart. Most of it was left home, when I journeyed. Andy, Mikki, Caelan, you will never know how much I love you. Just my way of sharing, while our bodies are far. Tashina too misses you. We will see where it goes from here. xoxo Tali
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Two Girls in China -- The Dong Fang Hotel and It's Water Issues
Ok, as promised, let's talk about the hotel. First, it is really nice. We got here safely and happily at about 1 am on the 22nd. We had left Utah on the 20 at 11 am. We felt tired but empowered especially since we took a real Chinese bus to the hotel instead of a private cab. We were the only westerners on board; it was fun to feel a bit integrated. Our room was ready and other than sleeping we had only one goal and that was to eat a snack, Tash and I were starving. No problem, after all we are armed with a suitcase of cup 'o noddles. Tash set out to accomplish the task, put water in the water cooker and off it went. After the water got cooked Tash was ready to pour when she noticed the water smelled moldy. Now I would like to put this into perspective for you, ok?! It wasn't a slight smell of mold nor our imagination playing a trick on our overly sensitive noses. It was outright, smack in your face, deep down, bolder than bold mold. The kind I have never experienced. Well, we know what to do, we call the concierge, get a new cooker because naturally the cooker must be at fault and start the process anew. Only, when we were just about to pour more water into the water cooker, we noticed it wasn't the cooker, the stuff came out of the faucet that way. Gross! Now I know why the Marriott where we stayed last time made such a big deal out of having a facility wide water-filtration system. Sure could use one here!
How did the story end? We used our hotel-provided water bottles and still got a dose of cup 'noodles.
There was only one worry and for me this was huge and occupied me the entire night, how am I going to take a shower in the morning?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Two Girls in China -- Getting There
Here we are! Guangzhou, China. Wow, what a place!
Yesterday, we traveled for a total of about 24 hrs half-way around the globe. Crossing the international dateline actually made us lose a day. I can now say that I never fully experienced the 20 + 21 Oct, 2008. At least not measured in dates. Measured in impressions, it is a whole different story.
Flight: good but very long
Airplane food: forgettable but we didn't die
Airplane space: I can so relate to sardines now. And... you probably didn't want to know that but for the first time in my life, I well let's just say didn't keep my food down on a plane. Just ghastly!
Airplane seat neighbors: pretty nice actually, a definite highlight. A cute Philippino lady who just had knee surgery and asked me the entire time to do stuff for her. I was really happy to help her out and I thought it was so great, that she would freely ask. She was kind and had a cute smile and she smelled so good... some kind of shower gel she must use. Then a couple who lives in Boston and went back to their hometown Guangzhou for the first time in 10 years. And of course, the absolute highlight, my sweet Tashina by my side. What a treat it is to have her!
Restrooms at the Tokyo Airport: It seems weird to have a special section for that but the toilets are incredible. They have buttons for water squirting out in different directions, buttons for sounds and buttons for smells. Very interesting!
Acquaintances: Met super nice people from Spokane who are doing the same thing I am doing.
Hotel: Nice, Dong Fang Hotel, Guangzhou, China. This hotel is beautiful in so many ways but we have a water issue. More of that later. For now, we are just so glad we are here.
Yesterday, we traveled for a total of about 24 hrs half-way around the globe. Crossing the international dateline actually made us lose a day. I can now say that I never fully experienced the 20 + 21 Oct, 2008. At least not measured in dates. Measured in impressions, it is a whole different story.
Flight: good but very long
Airplane food: forgettable but we didn't die
Airplane space: I can so relate to sardines now. And... you probably didn't want to know that but for the first time in my life, I well let's just say didn't keep my food down on a plane. Just ghastly!
Airplane seat neighbors: pretty nice actually, a definite highlight. A cute Philippino lady who just had knee surgery and asked me the entire time to do stuff for her. I was really happy to help her out and I thought it was so great, that she would freely ask. She was kind and had a cute smile and she smelled so good... some kind of shower gel she must use. Then a couple who lives in Boston and went back to their hometown Guangzhou for the first time in 10 years. And of course, the absolute highlight, my sweet Tashina by my side. What a treat it is to have her!
Restrooms at the Tokyo Airport: It seems weird to have a special section for that but the toilets are incredible. They have buttons for water squirting out in different directions, buttons for sounds and buttons for smells. Very interesting!
Acquaintances: Met super nice people from Spokane who are doing the same thing I am doing.
Hotel: Nice, Dong Fang Hotel, Guangzhou, China. This hotel is beautiful in so many ways but we have a water issue. More of that later. For now, we are just so glad we are here.
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