Here they come to save the day!!

Introducing Ms. Cat Woman and Mr. Batman!
(click on the picture to see more pictures of the Superhero birthday party)

Let the Party Begin!

The birthday celebrations have officially begun. Sophia had her school birthday party today with her friends. After we sang happy birthday to her in Chinese, we introduced many of her classmates to their first cupcake. It was really interesting.... Even though we kept telling them it was dan gao (cake), it wasn't until we cut it into smaller slices of cake that they decided it was safe enough to try. Good thing they had Sophia showing them how it's done!

Sheng ri kuai le Sophia!

The big cupcake reveal

"I'll take THAT one."

"Zhu ni sheng ri kaui le" (Happy Birthday to you!)

"What?? You can't waste it!"

Privileged

Having just concluded the holiest week in the Christian faith, we have been to church three times in the past week. And every time, we go through our standard checklist before leaving the house: coloring books and markers – check. Snacks – check. The church address in Chinese – check. Passports – check. Wait, passports? Why? Simply put, it is illegal to attend church in China if you are a Chinese citizen. Now, there are a few exceptions depending on the nationality of your children and spouse, but in general, that is the rule.

Good Friday service, passports in tow, we entered church without a second thought. We marveled at the diverse crowd, watching kids get scolded in at least 10 different languages for not sitting still. As we sat through mass, it was easy to forget where we were. A service like most others. I even found myself humming along with a favorite hymn from my childhood. When it came time for the Prayers of the Faithful, this one really hit home…

“Almighty and eternal God, you know the longings of people’s hearts and you
protect their rights. In your goodness watch over those in authority, so that
people everywhere may enjoy religious freedom, security and peace."

Religious freedom. My mind immediately stopped listening and started trying to digest the actual meaning of those words as I sat inside this immaculate Catholic Church in communist China. Looking down each pew, my thoughts were transformed. I now wondered how many people were “breaking the rules” by being there and how many others wanted to but couldn’t. Glancing down at my purse, I thought of my passport. Not necessarily its blue cover with the American Eagle on the inside, but the rights inherited by one lucky enough to possess it, both home and abroad.

As we walked out of the church into the bustling streets of the high-end downtown neighborhood where the church was located, one word immediately came to mind. Privileged. No matter what we believe, we have the right to think and to openly choose, even here in China. We are truly privileged. But what a shame that it requires a foreign passport to be so.

Happy Easter everyone!

Guts

We are official...we have our own set of wheels. And it takes guts, lots of them, to ride around here. But it is fun and has given us our freedom back. Eric thinks it is pretty cool. Pia...well, as you can see she is laid back, with her mind on her money and her money on her mind. ;O)

Sand and Sun

Rock and Roll Baby!

Zai Jian Barbie!

A few weeks ago, little girls all over Shanghai went into mourning. The Barbie store closed its doors. No going out of business sale, just there one day, gone the next. Brown paper over the windows, little girls peering through the cracks, hoping for a final glimpse of those hard to find pretty ladies before they boarded the boat back to Mattel. Lucky for them, this beauty already has established her presence here and shows her face in every clothing store in Shanghai. No doubt, it will only be a matter of time before she starts showing up doll-size in the markets right next to Dora.

And don't forget Ken!