Thursday, February 12, 2015

Time to Empty the Pantry

As an expat I think it’s pretty common to bring back food from your home country.  Sometimes it’s because the the same product is just ridiculously expensive-hello $10/box cereal.  (I even know one person who would freeze big blocks of cheese and hide them deep in her checked luggage.  The cheese would thaw during the flight, but still be cool when she landed.) Or, you stockpile because you just can’t find it in the country you’re living in (mmm, Girl Scout cookies, candy corn, etc.)  I also tend to buy multiples of things when they’re either one sale or just randomly happen to be in the store (butterscotch chips).

We think our time in Suzhou is limited, although we don’t know anything for certain.  So, I decided that it might be time to start eating from the pantry.  A few weeks ago I went to the store, bought $50 worth of food (although not just for one meal, but still) and all I managed to eliminate from my stockpile was a taco seasoning packet.  I must rethink my tactics.

For anyone who lived with me at 4-H House in college it brings back memories of the end of the semester.  If the commissar did a good job managing the finances, we’d have a surplus at the end of the semester, and we’d dine like queens during finals week.  Shrimp, steak and other foods we hadn’t eaten for a whole semester.  Except for our situation, I foresee a lot of tacos, tea, Crystal Light, lentils and butterscotch cookies in our future!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Chinese New Year: Married to Spiderman (& Batman)

The year of the horse is ending and the year of the sheep will begin soon.  Last night Jamie had his annual dinner at work to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY).  We've attended a few of these before...2012, 2013, and in 2014 (apparently I didn't blog about that one).  

I am always so impressed with everyone's willingness to participate in the entertainment.  It is common for different business groups at Jamie's company to perform dances, skits or songs and it is taken very seriously.  It's great that the expat employees embrace the experience too and take part in the celebrations.

This year Jamie had the option to perform a dance to a pop song that is very popular right now (Xiao Ping Guo-Little Apple) or dress-up in costume.  He voted for the costume.  

Now, I get to tell people that I'm married to Spiderman (and Batman too....flashback to EBean's Children's Day last year.)  Have I ever told you about how my husband is such a great sport?

Making his entrance
The big reveal!
The employees had to guess the name
of the person in the costume.
Some of the other expat husbands performing
their dance to Xiao Ping Guo. 
Some of the husbands (too many to fit
into a single picture!)
The supportive spouses.  I'm so glad that these women are
also friends.
Happy New Year!