Two Front Teeth....

Angelica cut her first two teeth on Friday. I can already see two little pearly whites poking through her bottom gums, and she is not afraid to use them! She likes to test out their "strength" during feeding time....I bet she spends her napping HOURS sharpening them! OUCH! As always, she continues to drool, gnaw, and lick anything and everything ....even arms of complete strangers. Here is her story:


On Wednesdays I have my ladies' bible study group in the afternoon and my Home Group in the evening. Of course, Angelica comes with me to both. At my ladies' bible study she usually sits beside me on the couch, and plays quietly with her toys.

Shelley, another lady in my group, sat beside us this past week and Angelica was very playful with her. She thoroughly enjoyed all the attention she received. Halfway through the study, however, Angelica's centre of gravity eventually started to work against her. That's right! My leaning pillar of baby started inching her way, closer and closer toward her new companion. So what did she do? She gently put her hand on Shelley's arm, braced herself, and then proceeded to lick her! Overcome by shock, I apologized and gave Angelica her teething ring to gnaw away on, yet in that same moment I had to laugh. Talk about acceptance! It's not everyday a baby thinks you're good enough to eat! That's her way of saying, "Savoury, but sweet. Yes....I think you're OK!".


The other ladies enjoy having a "younger" member in the group, and I am so thankful for that. Angelica loves being in the spot light, and I enjoy being able to share her with them.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - International Movers!

It was SUPPOSED to be Christmas in October. We had waited 3 whole months for our shipment to arrive from Suwon, South Korea to Guangzhou, China. When the day finally arrived, we were beside ourselves with excitement (Well, mostly just me!)! Finally!! After months of waiting, I would be reunited with my ceramics! My cookbooks! And toys for Angelica to play with!

Well . . . it certainly WASN'T Christmas when I opened up our boxes and found this:


My heart was broken when I unwrapped this one. I had to put it down and walk away. I know it is just a "thing" and things are not important, people are . . . but I was livid! Let's just say, it's a good thing I don't believe in, or practice, voodoo . . . or there would be A LOT of movers with pins sticking out of them!


Tong-In International Movers was the company we used in Korea. I was shocked and appalled by the level of incompetence. I expected more! If you are living in Korea and looking for a moving company, please be wary of this name. I have moved within Asia before, the only difference was that I packed everything MYSELF and nothing broke. Why? Because I didn't just throw things in a box and hope for the best! I took the time and effort to ensure that things were packed carefully - ESPECIALLY IF IT WAS FRAGILE! Since Glenn and I did not have our stuff insured, they will not reimburse us for the things that were broken. So . . . I have taken it upon myself to advertise on their behalf.

This WAS an unbreakable plastic frame. "It will not brrrrrrreak (knock, knock) . . . it brrroke."

Fortunately, I can glue this one back together.

This one is so intricate that I CANNOT glue it back together.

This was a bamboo bowl. The foot of the bowl was shoved up through the middle.



One of my favorite pieces of Korean pottery purchased in Icheon. It WAS a work of art . . .

Again . . . the evil moving company! SCOUNDRELS!

Glenn's Nativity Stable purchased this past Christmas as a gift. The result of shoving all the items down so the box would close (I actually watched them do this . . . and prayed for a miracle that didn't happen).

Fortunately, I was able to put it back together.

The morning they came, I drank out of the mug belonging to this tea strainer. They had the audacity to tell us WE broke it and just taped it back together. First of all, NOTHING on my countertop was broken by ME THAT morning. Second of all, I would NEVER "tape" ANYTHING back together.

And the list of breakables continues to grow with each box I unpack. They even ripped the covers of some of my school books. The level of incompetence is rising at an alarming speed!

Yide Lu Market

Last weekend Glenn, Angelica, and I ventured over to Yide Lu Market to explore a little bit. Actually, we were really in search of the Ultimate CHEESE Block, but we couldn't find it. We took in some interesting sights along the way, however, so I considered it a wonderful outing (even if we didn't bring home any cheese).

In Guangzhou, you can expect to see people biking with loads even bigger and heavier than this one. They are truly hardworking people.


If you are willing to suspend your disbelief, then I can tell you this is NOT a motorized vehicle. It is man-powered.

Of course, no post is complete without a picture of our little beauty.

Sacred Heart Church

I quickly snapped this shot through the window of our speeding taxi (sorry for the glare). This is the Chinese version of Hercules! How many of YOU are able to do THIS on a daily basis? WOW!


Glenn and I had some SPICY Korean food the night before....so we decided to "stock up" (ahem).

Recipe for Laughter

This is what you will need:

A very well-fed, and I mean JUST FED, little baby, with perfectly proportioned rolls and chub in all the right places

An eager and playful father

A pair of shoulders

A freshly washed head of hair (just enough to grab onto)

Okay Dad, place your little skwirmy-wormy on top of your shoulders and dance around the house. The more movement, the better the outcome! Be sure to stop periodically in front of shiny objects and reflective surfaces for best results. Lastly, tell your wife, "I hope (insert baby's name here) doesn't throw up on me!" And presto-whamo! Your wish will NOT be granted.....but it's guaranteed to send your wife to the floor, rolling with laughter!

Let me just conclude by saying that once you've introduced your little one to the world of solid food, the following changes will take place:

1) Poop will smell and look like poop
2) Vomit will look and smell like vomit

Have fun!