FILE UNDER "FUNNY/SCARY":
Naturally, Cec wants to take the best possible care of herself and our baby. We've chosen, for instance, to pay more for the privilege of going to a very nice and comfortable foreign clinic within a well-respected local hospital. In between visits she faithfully reads all the books, takes walks and does some exercise, eats her fruits and vegetables...
As an added precaution, she decided she'd call the aforementioned, high-priced, well-respected foreign clinic and ask about getting her flu shots -- specifically, for the "swine flu" -- more properly known as the H1N1 virus. So, she asked, "Can I get the H1N1 vaccination?"
"What kind?" they asked.
"H1N1."
And, believe it or not, they actually said, "I'm sorry... How do you spell it?"
I know it sounds like one of those impossibly corny jokes out of Reader's Digest, but we promise it really happened.
We just hope that they know how to spell "C-section" if the need should arise!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday @ Hardin House
The Clarks and Hardins have recently started meeting together at the Hardins' home. It's been two weeks now, and already it's a HUGE success!
The idea was actually Gao Yan's (even though they're not able to attend because of other Sunday obligations), and it was orignially thought of as a way to get Margaret and ShenLi (and Elaine, when she returns soon) to meet and worship with the Hardins since they all already have kids. We hoped that maybe the family-focused environment would be encouraging to the parents, would get the Chinese children more involved, and would be something they could invite other families to visit. We try to sing more, have time for fellowship, and have engaging lessons for both the kids and adults. And like I said, it's going really well!
ShenLi has brought Linda both times -- whereas she'd not brought her to church at the Clarks' in quite a while. Also, she's taken over inviting and accompanying Junmei (the egg lady's sister) and her daughter, Leona. We also met and invited a Chinese sister who has lived in Nashville (!) for the past couple of years and has recently returned to HZ where she lives at Josh & Yan's old apartment complex(!!). She and her daughter, Grace, both came and plan to return weekly!
And, as a bonus, the Rays and Hendrixes -- not to mention, Bonnie's friends, the Hendrick family, and our old pal, Heather... We had nearly 30 people -- up from an average of 3 or 4 just a few weeks ago! Of course, some of the Americans are just visiting, but it did make for a great fellowship!
Soon we plan to have one or more additional family units visiting -- people that the Davises will introduce to this group -- people they met when they lived in town last year. In short... it's growing, and we're excited!
[to the Hardins: If you took pictures, maybe you can post some]
The idea was actually Gao Yan's (even though they're not able to attend because of other Sunday obligations), and it was orignially thought of as a way to get Margaret and ShenLi (and Elaine, when she returns soon) to meet and worship with the Hardins since they all already have kids. We hoped that maybe the family-focused environment would be encouraging to the parents, would get the Chinese children more involved, and would be something they could invite other families to visit. We try to sing more, have time for fellowship, and have engaging lessons for both the kids and adults. And like I said, it's going really well!
ShenLi has brought Linda both times -- whereas she'd not brought her to church at the Clarks' in quite a while. Also, she's taken over inviting and accompanying Junmei (the egg lady's sister) and her daughter, Leona. We also met and invited a Chinese sister who has lived in Nashville (!) for the past couple of years and has recently returned to HZ where she lives at Josh & Yan's old apartment complex(!!). She and her daughter, Grace, both came and plan to return weekly!
And, as a bonus, the Rays and Hendrixes -- not to mention, Bonnie's friends, the Hendrick family, and our old pal, Heather... We had nearly 30 people -- up from an average of 3 or 4 just a few weeks ago! Of course, some of the Americans are just visiting, but it did make for a great fellowship!
Soon we plan to have one or more additional family units visiting -- people that the Davises will introduce to this group -- people they met when they lived in town last year. In short... it's growing, and we're excited!
[to the Hardins: If you took pictures, maybe you can post some]
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Clarks are back!
We just purchased a VPN, so we are back to the blog, back to facebook, etc.
We had some "shady" software that ended up being blocked, so we finally had to break down and buy a real VPN so that we could have normal internet access from within China. Anyway, we're back now, and I'm sure you'll be seeing much more of us in the near future!
Before I go... Today we had another good study with Helen (a senior in Jason's cross-cultural communication class). She's the one that we received that email from, that I sent to those of you on our "mailing list". Also, we've made contact with a sister who happens to live in Josh & Gao Yan's old apartment complex, who has just recently returned to Hangzhou after a couple years at Vanderbilt. She'll be joining us tomorrow for the big Sunday service at the Hardins' house. Also, we expect Bobby & Bonnie & the girls to be there, too. Big fun!
Enough for now.
Oh, Cec is good, and we have lots of stuff for Little Clark. We'll keep you informed and give more details and maybe a picture of Cecely soon!
We had some "shady" software that ended up being blocked, so we finally had to break down and buy a real VPN so that we could have normal internet access from within China. Anyway, we're back now, and I'm sure you'll be seeing much more of us in the near future!
Before I go... Today we had another good study with Helen (a senior in Jason's cross-cultural communication class). She's the one that we received that email from, that I sent to those of you on our "mailing list". Also, we've made contact with a sister who happens to live in Josh & Gao Yan's old apartment complex, who has just recently returned to Hangzhou after a couple years at Vanderbilt. She'll be joining us tomorrow for the big Sunday service at the Hardins' house. Also, we expect Bobby & Bonnie & the girls to be there, too. Big fun!
Enough for now.
Oh, Cec is good, and we have lots of stuff for Little Clark. We'll keep you informed and give more details and maybe a picture of Cecely soon!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Party
This post is pretty late, sorry. But better late than never. On September 19, when Chuck and Nelda Harle were in town hosted a get-together for the teachers that are in Hangzhou. There are many more workers this year in the city. I think that I had more than 45 people in our house!
A sign of a party in China is all the shoes by the door. No on e wears shoes in the house.
These are just pictures of folks mingling and chatting.
Chuck and Nelda wanted to get a group photo.
This group is folks that are from Henderson or at least lived there for a while.
We had snacks but I think most people just talked. We are spread all over the city and Xia Sha
and even though there are a lot of people, in a city of more than seven million we do not see the other foreigners very often. The noise level in our apartment was really high!
A sign of a party in China is all the shoes by the door. No on e wears shoes in the house.These are just pictures of folks mingling and chatting.
Chuck and Nelda wanted to get a group photo.
This group is folks that are from Henderson or at least lived there for a while. 
Sunday, October 4, 2009
National day decorations
October 1st is National Day in China. It is the anniversary of the founding of the PRC (People's Republic of China). This year was the 60th anniversary. Everywhere, all over town there were decorations.
At the gate of our apartment complex
Near the lake
Outside shops and restaurants
On light poles
Along the tops of buildings
On the bus! (sorry it is so dark)
At the gate of our apartment complex
Near the lake
Outside shops and restaurants
On light poles
Along the tops of buildings
On the bus! (sorry it is so dark)
Even shop girls were decorated
We have found that the Chinese people are an extremely patriotic people.
We watched the huge parade and review of the troops in Beijing (on TV).
We have off from school for several days. The legal holiday is about 8 days this year, so most folks are also off for a week. The stores are packed. The lake was crowded. Traffic is weird. In some places around town it is really good and then in some places it is crazy. We went to the lake today, but two different taxis would not take us there.
I am sure that the train stations and normal tourist places would be beyond crazy. We chose not to travel outside of HZ this time.
I will try and post some of the things that we will do and did this week.
We watched the huge parade and review of the troops in Beijing (on TV).
We have off from school for several days. The legal holiday is about 8 days this year, so most folks are also off for a week. The stores are packed. The lake was crowded. Traffic is weird. In some places around town it is really good and then in some places it is crazy. We went to the lake today, but two different taxis would not take us there.
I am sure that the train stations and normal tourist places would be beyond crazy. We chose not to travel outside of HZ this time.
I will try and post some of the things that we will do and did this week.
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