Total System Meltdown

As an adult, you think of jet lag as a minor inconvenience, a few days of being a bit tired, going to bed early and maybe seeing your day start before the sun shows itself watching CNN. However, as a parent of two kids who board that 15-hour plane ride with a continued sense of adventure and flexibility, I have come to despise the mere mention of the word. I am not sure who actually came up with the English term “lag”, but it should be more aptly named “jet havoc” or perhaps “total system meltdown”.

We have gone through 3 bouts of this so-called jet lag with the kids now and it doesn’t get any easier. Eric in particular had a rough go this time. While we have done everything possible to keep him awake, tire him out, fill his belly up at dinner, without fail I hear the whisper next to me around 3AM. Momma, I am hungry. Momma, I have to poop. Momma, can I watch a show? Last night he literally fell asleep at the dinner table and then snuck into his bed to fall asleep again while we cleared the table. We had to prop him up in the tub to wash away the obvious fun-filled day he had. And again…4AM…Momma, is it time to get up yet?

They say give it 1 day for every time zone you cross. Guess that means another 5 more days until all systems are a go. At least I will have plenty of pre-dawn time to contemplate time travel.

Sheer Determination

Plum Rain

We are in the midst of our first Plum Rain season here in Shanghai. The Plum Rain is a "special" meteorological phenomenon of the middle and lowland areas of the Yangtze River. Usually, this glorious season starts in the middle of June and ends in early July, lasting for about 25 days. The climate during this season is characterized by continuous rain and hot temperatures. I think they should have named the season "afro season" because that is what has resulted of my hair over the last few weeks!

The season gets its name from the ancient Chinese, who timed the arrival of the season by the growth of the plum. Usually, the rainy season begins in early summer when the plums are ripe, and lasts about three weeks. There is an old saying about the rainy season: "When the rain falls on the ripe plums, there follows 40 rainy days".

I am amazed at how well people are able to stay dry, even on days like today where they are forecasting 100mm of rain (4 inches for those that don't want to do the math). Until around 10 years ago, Shanghai was mostly a bike/scooter city. So, no doubt there have been many rainy afternoons to tweak one's design.

Some choose to go the umbrella route (much easier with a backseat driver)

Others go straight plastic.

There are many colors to choose from so you can always coordinate it with your wardrobe so you look good when you show up at the bar.

And no worries about having to strap any purchases to your bike. There are plenty of strategies for that as well.

And of course...McDonalds will still deliver!

Face of Corning Life Sciences

Notice the pipet...Daddy was so proud. ;O)

Summertime

Future Red Sox - With the pink glove Pedro-style!

Yep, they still exist. And I have realized that they were outlawed everywhere else in the world for a very good reason!

Growing up

Our favorite smile

BFFs (for the moment)

Girls just want to have fun!

Must have been some party!

Not the Only One

Apparently, this is a bit more widespread than I thought! Not sure if that makes me feel better or worse about our future. Can anyone say food sanitation? But that would remove jobs from the economy and that, my friends, is just not the China way...