Judy had another fitful night of sleeping with the coughing. She has been using Nyquil, and it helps, but there are still some rough moments. She’s been drinking a lot of hot water with lemon and honey. She gets through the day, but ready to relax when she gets home. There is no school tomorrow or Friday due to the national Labor Day holiday. It’ll be a real chance to recover.

One of the Chinese teachers at BISS brought Judy a Chinese cough remedy.

I spent yesterday and today getting “closely” acquainted with “Garageband”. Now that I have the “interpreted” version of the school song, I wanted to get it into a form that would be more permanent, with an accompaniment. When we learn this with the music classes, I want them to have a finished product they can sing along with. I had to write/record the melodic line, and then a bass line. The most difficult part was the percussion accompaniment. It took half of today just to figure out how to create a snare roll, and then write/record the whole piece. I know there will be adjustments later, but at least I have solid base to work from.

Today is a big day for the Elementary School at BISS. 5^th grade is the top level of the PYP (Primary Years Program). At the end of the 5^th grade year, the students take part in the “Exhibition”. It’s the culmination of their elementary school experience. Each student has a stationary exhibit of their work on display, and then the group does a performance using different media, to demonstrate some of what they’ve learned. This year’s main topics were “Peace & Conflict”, and the specific concepts studied were ownership, injustice, inequality, and prejudice.

I went up to BISS for one of the three performances during the day. Other grade levels attended the performances, as well as Grade 5 students from two other International Schools. There was also an evening performance for the parents. The topics studied were not “soft” topics, and it was interesting how the students handled their individual projects, as well as the group performance. Judy provided a song about peace, rehearsing them and teaching them the deaf hand signs to accompany it. It made for a very nice moment at the end of the show. She had spent a lot of time helping them learn their finale, as well as selecting and editing accompaniment music for their performance.

I was impressed with the whole “Exhibition” presentation, and it was well received by the student audiences. Judy had a sub for her regular classes so she could be available for all the daytime performances. She spent a lot of time preparing the sub plans for 7 classes. She also had to attend the evening performance. When she finally got home, around 8:30, she was beat. The only bad coughing fit she experienced that got out of control was during the performance I attended. And to top it off, as she tried to exit the backstage area to deal with the cough, she kicked some of the sound system cords loose. “When it rains, it pours.”

We have our fingers crossed that Judy’s cough stays subdued today.  She had a decent night of sleeping, but still has the occasional convulsive attack.  Monday is now her heaviest day, and she doesn’t have time for a coughing fit. 

I stayed really busy.  Leaving the apt. at 11:00 am, I walked to the police station (1 mile) to register my return to China from my US trip.  There was no line, and I was in and out with my new Temporary Residence Permit in 3 minutes.  Then I walked to the nearby subway station, and traveled to Sanlitun.  I was looking for printer ink, and swim goggles (I’ve lost mine since Saturday?).  Didn’t find any goggles.  I end up having to buy some over-priced ones at the pool.  I ate lunch at Cantina Agave (beef burrito), and then walked back to the train.  Next, I traveled to the Marriott for my swim session, and then walked down Tianze Lu (the street with all the embassies) to the shop where I get my hair cut.

I was worried about this haircut.  When I called to schedule an appointment with Suky, my regular stylist, they indicated he no longer worked there.  They scheduled me with another stylist.  Since language is an issue, and I was really satisfied with the haircuts I had been getting with Suky, it’s scary switching to someone else.  The techniques he used to cut my hair were different (different scissors, etc.).  He seemed to be cutting it a too short.  When he finished, it was definitely shorter, but the look was basically the same, and I like it.  We’ll see what happens when I try to “tame” it tomorrow. 

I walked to the train afterwards, heading home.  Back at the apartment, I decide to go out looking for lemons for Judy’s cough treatment (honey & lemon).  I’ve seen some neighborhood “wet markets”.  Time to check them out.  I find a small indoor market, and purchased the needed lemons.  It’s in the same building as the neighborhood spa, and after all today’s walking, I stopped in for a foot massage.  I’m posting links to a couple of dimly lit videos demonstrating cupping, and then the use of rubber mallets on my legs.  If I start posting many of these videos or photos of my feet, I’m going to have to get a pedicure.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ak9mumd3tggfz0/BDgi4TnK-u

We end up spending most of Saturday and Sunday around the apartment. Judy is trying to rest and get over her cold. The coughing gets convulsive at times, and she’s ready to be done with it. Jet lag is wearing me down. I’m still waking up in the middle of the night, and can’t get back to sleep. Then I find myself sleep-walking in the middle of the day. I figure it’ll resolve itself around Wednesday or Thursday.

A “Beijing Buggy”. It’s the perfect vehicle in a city where parking is at a premium. It’s also electric!

Judy had a haircut on Saturday, so I swam, and then we met at Fatburger. It’s not a good habit to get into, but it’s so much fun. After lunch, we stop in at Dragonfly Spa (same building as Fatburger) to check out their deal on a prepaid discount card. Like many of the Beijing businesses, you can purchase a prepaid card, and receive a discount on services, depending on the size of the card you purchase. They had a special promotion where an additional 1000rmb was added to the card, so we are now set-up for massages for while.

Judy has two groups performing at assembly today at BISS.   She’s a busy girl. The cough isn’t any better. She makes it through the day. Her recovery begins after school at Lily Nails. A foot massage, a shoulder and head massage, and a nails touch-up with the girls helps. Anna, the art teacher from New Zealand joins the group. She is newly pregnant, so there’s a lot to discuss.

I begin my jet lag recovery. It usually takes 7-8 days. Today isn’t too bad. I even made it to the swimming pool and began to work back into my routine. Judy calls after Lily Nails, and we’re headed to Flamme for dinner. The steaks are really good. Dom (Shannon’s husband) and I travel together. It’s beginning to rain as we exit the taxi. Fortunately, it’s not too bad after dinner, just bad enough that there are no taxis. After 20 minutes of aggressive searching, we get a cab for the three “girls”. Dom and I aren’t far behind.

Need some fruits or vegetables as you head home.

A little fresh orange juice for the walk home.

Street Vendors. This one crushes sugar cane into a drink, and has added “juicing” to his product line.

Back to BHSFIC for me today. I received an email from my principal asking if I could teach the school song to the students. No problem, if I can get a copy of it. She found it for me when I asked her today. I posted a copy of it below.  Check it out!  It’s called simple notation.

BHSF School Song

I began to decipher it when my class of 10^th grade music students came in. I asked a few questions, and one of the kids agreed to write it out for me (at least the music). No one seemed too eager to translate the words. Maybe next class?   I may try to have the 11^th grade classes write lyrics (in English) for a new version. Apparently the original version is very specific to the BHSF main campus, describing buildings and landmarks. We’ll need to come up with a version for our campus.

As it has worked out, my classes don’t meet tomorrow. Next week, Thursday and Friday are a holiday, so no classes next week. I’m not sure when I’m having classes again, maybe not until May 15^th.

Judy’s cold and cough is back. The coughing fits come in waves. Here’s hoping it goes away. She has a busy two weeks ahead of her.

I’m back in Beijing.  The trip back to China was uneventful, but long.  The first leg to Washington, DC, Dulles Airport was slightly less than 3 hours.  I was worried about a short layover.  On paper it was going to be 50 minutes.  Sometimes, negotiating a big airport and the occasional extra trip through security can make the time between gates really long.  I was lucky today.  I walked out of the gate, across the hall, and into the gate for my next flight.  That was the easiest transition I can remember.

The trip from Dulles to Beijing is 13 hours.  Whew!  They serve two full meals, and a snack (small sandwich) in the middle.  This was a newer plane, so I had the chance to watch 4 movies and two NCIS episodes on my own individual screen on the headrest in front of me.  I’ve also learned to pay a little more for “Economy Plus”, with an added 5 inches between seats for your legs.  I had no one else in the seats with me, so I was able to stretch out and sleep when I felt like it.

I took this as we flew over Japan to the US on Monday, 4/14. I haven’t seen too many snow covered volcanos in Texas & New Mexico.

My trip to the US was productive.  I was able to help with my parent’s move to Baton Rouge.  It was tough for them to figure out how to downsize from their home of 50 years.  Lots of memories had to be left behind, for now.  Even with as much stuff as they left in Fort Worth, they probably have even more “cutting” to do.  Sometimes it’s less about what you think you need, and more about the size of the closets.  The “crew” from the church was exactly what we needed.  They were efficient, quick, and strong.  Even with Brad & Courtney helping, it would have been a daunting task.

Robert (my brother), his wife Susan, my sister Kathryn, and my parents, pulled out Friday afternoon in a 3-vehicle caravan, including a stuffed trailer, headed to Houston.  After spending the night at Kathryn’s house,  they make the drive to Baton Rouge, arriving Saturday afternoon.  Robert and Susan were joined by sons Geoffrey and Nicholas, and moved mom & dad into their new residence.  I think Robert’s body was reminding him the next day about his age.

After the caravan left Fort Worth, I dealt with a few loose ends to close the house.  Lots of decisions still need to be made on the home, but not this trip.  The remainder of my trip included several meals with Courtney and Brad, and a visit to Granbury to see Judy’s dad with the kids.  I visited Martin HS and saw some familiar faces.  I had breakfast with Ken Valliant, lunch with Michael Knipe, and “afternoon tea” with Bill & Margaret Huff.  As always, the biggest regret on traveling back to DFW is there is never enough time to see everyone I want to visit.

Because of  time zone adjustments, Monday is a really long day.  The flight arrives in San Francisco at 8:00 am (11 hr flight.)  The Global Express kiosks are really fast.  The luggage, however takes 45 minutes to arrive.  I follow the signs through customs then to the transfer desk to re-check the luggage.  I have to go through security again to get to the new gate, and it’s really slow.  Lots of people are waiting, and not many scanners are open.  Airports are really fun!

The plane loads on-time and we’re off to DFW, arriving as schedule at 4:30. While I’m waiting on luggage, I “Facetime” Judy in Beijing.  She had worked out the apartment issues.  Electricity and water are not going to be cut off until Thursday, and it’s scheduled to take place while she’s at school.  Whew, what a relief.  Courtney picks me up really quickly, and we head into Dallas.  At her apartment, we eat dinner, and then she heads back to Lewisville to attend a school board meeting.  I get my car and drive to Fort Worth to surprise my parents.

When mom opened the front door, peering around to see who it was, she had a really confused look.  I could see she recognized me, but it took her a few seconds to process why I was standing at the front door?  Dad was in the back of the house, and had an equally confused reaction when he walked in and spotted me sitting on the couch.   Brad arrives about 15 minutes later, and we have a nice visit (kind of “the calm before the storm”.)  We leave around 8:00 pm.   I check-in to my hotel and unpack.  Work begins tomorrow morning.  Here’s hoping I get some sleep, since morning in Beijing is just beginning.  When we visited at Christmas, it took me 6-7 days before my body began to feel right.

For anyone who might be reading this, I’m going to shutdown the writing until I start back to Beijing.  Judy has full days at school all-week.  A couple of the Australians are celebrating a birthday this weekend, so she’s not going to be bored.  I feel sure my days are going to be filled with organizing and eventually packing.  The trailer loading and caravan departure is planned for Friday.  I left Monday (21^st) open to tie up loose ends if needed.  C’mon sleep!

Travel Day!  As Judy heads out, we’re comparing notes on details I’ve probably forgotten.  We haven’t been separated since we came to China.  I’m a little uncomfortable about leaving.  I know she’s a big girl, and everything, but it’s been a team effort over here for 8 months.

I grab a taxi and get to the airport in record time (1/2 hour).  Check-in is smooth, and I roll easily through security and immigration.  I’ve had a lot of recent practice working through this airport.  Just as the plane begins to load, I get a text from Lisa, our real estate agent.  She’s telling me the electricity and water will be turned off tomorrow (Tuesday) in our apartment building.  This is definitely a complication.

I hurriedly try to find out when, exactly, this will happen, and give her Judy’s phone number.  I also try to get the info to Judy so the two of them can communicate.  I’m about to be incommunicado (?) for 11-12 hours, till I get to San Francisco, and by then, Judy should be asleep.  I can’t believe this is happening the first time I leave.

Judy’s in class, so my texting skills are put to a major test, and not that successfully.  I’m just too slow.  I finally finish my texts on the plane with flight attendants glaring at my phone.  I can’t wait to find out how all this works out.  At least I received the information before I left.  If not, Judy wouldn’t have had any idea what was about to happen.  The text from Lisa wouldn’t have arrived to me in the US.  What a nice surprise for Judy the first morning I’m gone.

I woke up today, and decided to act on an idea that’s been rolling around in my head since Thursday.  I’m flying to DFW tomorrow.  My parents are moving from their home of 51 years in Fort Worth, this coming Friday.  It has become increasingly difficult for them to take care of their large home and lot (1 acre).  Since my brother, Robert, and his wife Susan, are both doctors, they have connections in the medical community where they work in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  My parents are moving to an apartment in an adult community in Baton Rouge, where they’ll have more convenient access to medical care and facilities.

Moving is never easy, but to pull up roots after that length of time is a major chore.  Since my classes at BHSFIC were not meeting due to mid-term tests.  It seemed like the appropriate time for a quick trip (not exactly quick) home to help.  I was able to get an airline ticket for the 17½ hr. flight to DFW.  Now comes the fun of preparing and packing for the trip. 

Judy still has classes, so she’s staying in Beijing.  I head for the grocery store, hoping to leave her set-up with enough food to last till I get back.  My own packing isn’t that tough since our ayi keeps our laundry and ironing caught up.  I just have to leave enough room in the suitcase for stuff to bring back from the US.