"Normal" life in China

A lot has happened in the past couple weeks. We are finally starting to get into our "normal" life routine here in China. David is at school everyday except for Wednesday. So we definitely take advantage of that extra day we get to spend with him.
David was asked to give a presentation at his school about his experience and how to get a job at Goldman Sachs. I was able to attend and as I sat down the person in charge setting it all up said something along the lines of, "We tried to find the best and most popular students of the school to talk to us." Haha it gave me a good chuckle, I think he is the best and most popular, it is just cute to hear how highly his classmates think of him as well. He is the first and only American Foreigner to attend Peking University Business school, so David is a big deal 😉 (I can say that because I am his wife and if I don't brag for him, who will). He did an amazing job, he was so informative and gave lots of great information for the students on how they can try and work for Goldman Sachs someday. The room was filled to the brim. It was so cool to see him in his element, he really is a great speaker and leader. Ok, ok rant over about how great my husband is...for now...

A common thing for foreigners to do is modeling. Sounded funny to me at first, buts it's a legit thing here. So Macy had her first gig this past week. It was a 4 hour shoot. I was a bit nervous not knowing what to expect and I especially nervous to take my 18 month old to take pictures for 4 hours. She was a rock star and was so so nice. Our agent is great with kids and made her feel so comfortable the entire time. Macy was even upset when I had to take her away from the photo shoot area to change outfits cause she was having so much with the bubbles and toys they had ready for the kids. Overall it was a positive experience and I wanted to add this in my post so I can show Mace later how she was a model at 18 months. 😂

 This week is a Holiday week in China. (Sort of like fourth of July in America). So most businesses and schools were closed. We have loved spending time together staying busy each day. One day we went to the zoo, and it was awesome. You can feed giraffes, bears, tigers and elephants all for about a dollar. So cool, and slightly scary because you're so close to the animals. No way would that fly in America!

We also went to Hong Kong another day. To get to Hong Kong from where we live we have to ride a ferry for about 45 minutes. Since Hong Kong is essentially its own country (not technically a communist government like China) it was nice to go over there and actually see people handing out bibles and what not. Most people speak English and there is a lot more foreigners, so it was fun to go over there for a day and experience our own little piece of America, or as close as we can get for now.
Ending this blog post with my sweet Macy Day loving the scooter.

❤❤

Halls take on China

[A bit of back story to the reason behind moving to China]
David has been planning to attend Graduate School sooner than later, and an opportunity arose, so here we are! David served his mission in Taiwan, so he speaks mandarin, and his parents have lived in China for about 7 years. So in considering China, we knew we wouldn't going into this experience blind. David's program is 21 months so we are here for that long, then who knows where life will take us after that - considering I am in China I never say never.

I wanted to write a blog for myself, and whomever wanted to follow along with our crazy/fun journey.

The airplane ride to China from LAX was a little over 15 hours. 15 hours on an airplane with two little ones. I was so nervous about the flight, but my kids were SO nice. It was a real miracle, I kept saying "prayers work". It gave me a little hope of living in a different country and flying back and forth often with two kids.
We made it China and started living with David's parents until we found our own place. David had to be at school the day we flew into China so I went apartment hunting without him and we were lucky enough to have found an awesome place that is clean and will be perfect for the next 21 months. The Chinese, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't known for their cleanliness, so finding a clean nice place was a big deal. This is a picture of the outside of our apartment complex.

Here's a picture from the view outside of our balcony.

Shenzhen is a big city with lots of tall buildings and lots of people everywhere. The weather is very hot and humid, coming from Idaho and Utah that's pretty new for me. I don't think we'll ever get used to it but in a few weeks people say it should cool down. 

We have a scooter to get around, and I love it. It is so fun, and here there really isn't many rules so you can scoot and ride on the sidewalks, and roads, pretty much anywhere you can walk or drive you can scooter. Cars are crazy, bikers are crazy, scooters are crazy, and the craziest thing of all is that accidents never happen. My kids love scooting around just as much as me!

Another common mode of transportation is the subway. Today was the first time we all took it, and my goal is to be really comfortable on it by the end of this journey. Its a super cheap way to go longer distances.

There's lots of food options where we are, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, American, and of course McDonalds. So we can really get anything just like in America, just for a price. There is also lots of import grocery stores close by. We can get pretty much anything, it just makes you appreciate the American Walmart a little more. Everything isn't quite as accessible or cheap....but its definitely not impossible to get. I have so much that has happened in the past few weeks I almost can't even wrap my head around it all. I will include more in the next blog.

Life is definitely different here in China, but the thing I like the most about it is experiencing a new life with my two kids and husband, whom isn't nearly as busy as he would be if we were still in Utah-His schedule is awesome this semester. We are so lucky to be able to be together through it all, and though we miss our family, we are lucky enough to be close to David's parents. (I am planning to come home to Idaho all next summer so that's helping me get through.)
This is just a little bit of what we have been through the past three-ish weeks. Don't hesitate to ask if you want to know more of our life in China ☺☺

Arizona Adventure!

David and I recently moved to Scottsdale Arizona. Dave got offered a job working for Vanguard, and we felt like it was a great opportunity and a great place for us to begin our lives together. Seeing how we are away from our friends and family I decided to start a blog to document our adventure and let everyone know what we are up to.

 A little about our life as of late, Dave is a client relationship specialist, which means he works with people that have over a million dollars and pretty much just makes sure they are happy.

So coming to Arizona we knew it would be hot, but we had no idea it would be THIS hot. Wow, within seconds of walking outside the heat is overwhelming (as of today it just started to cool down, the high was only 96). Everyone keeps telling us the weather is perfect here October-April. I am excited to feel that perfect weather because to be honest I miss Idaho summers. Besides the heat we are really enjoying our time here so far. Scottsdale is AMAZING for stuff to do, anything you can think of, and I mean anything, is here. It is so fun to go out and eat and not have to eat at the same place over again the next week. So far we have been able to enjoy PF Changs, Boston Market, Paradise Bakery, a cute little diner that has yummy ice cream and much much more.

While Dave is working I nanny for a family with a little girl who is 3 and a boy who is 8, it has been perfect. I work in the morning and then go back in the afternoon. So I have during the day to do whatever and then I head back to work, finishing the same time David does. It has been great! I like having something to do and the kids are fun. 

Before coming to Arizona I was a bit nervous of what this new life experience would bring, but being here I have come to realize that life is what you make of it. I have really missed being at home and enjoying time with my family but thank goodness for technology. It makes it bearable, and I am lucky enough to go home to visit in just a month. So excited to get to see everyone so soon!

There are days when I get bummed and miss my family but then I realize that my happiness is all about my attitude, if I look for all of the good in my life there is no way I can let anything get me down. I really am SO blessed. I have the best husband who is so supportive and just amazing, and this adventure has brought us so close already! We do so many fun things and I can't wait to blog about it and keep everyone involved in our wonderful life :)