Elise informed me Sunday night that she needed to make a chocolate seder cake for her world religion class on Tuesday. So I'm thinking cool that will be really easy because I have about 25 cake mixes (to go along with all of my tampons, shampoo and deoderant). However, me not being Jewish, I had no idea what went into a seder cake. When I read the recipe I was a little overwhelmed. I was sure there weren't any Chinese Jews around here that I could borrow some Matzo meal from. Whatever matzo meal is. So I went on a hunt for it! The difficult part was not really knowing what I was looking for. I went to three different stores and I gave up. I went on line and found substitutes for matzo meal. So I used potato starch in it's place that I was able to find at one of the stores. So you are thinking what's the big deal about going to three stores. I can't even explain, everything just takes extra long here and the language barrier is always an issue. So anyway, after going to all of the stores I had all the ingredients to make this cake. Everything was going along well until it came time to bake it. It was the first time I used my stove. I lost my conversion chart for temperatures that my friend gave me but thank goodness I had brought an oven thermometer. So I light my fine gas stove and it kept going out. I seriously used a whole box of matches and had to keep relighting the stove the whole time that the cake was baking. I think it baked for about an hour and fifteen minutes, in 5 minute intervals as I would reopen the door and light it again. But every bit of heat that was in there would escape while I was relighting it. What a nightmare. But the cake is done and hopefully her class will eat it!!!! Now I will just have to deal with the service center to have them fix my stove. That's always a treat in and of itself.
Not much else is new around here. We are settling into life pretty well. The kids are all doing great. Today we met with Noah and Levi's teachers and they told us that they had never seen kids acclimate so well before. When I hear those things from teachers, I know they aren't just saying those things to say them. They really mean it and I can only attribute how well they are doing to all of the people who have been praying for us. So thank you! Yes, life can be tricky here sometimes but all in all we are doing very well.
For all of you who read this blog feel free to write comments. I look forward to reading them as much as your hopefully look forward to reading this.
Our love to all!!!!!
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10 comments:
I enjoy reading the comments, too, as well as your posts, and half the fun for me is trying to figure out who people are. I think I figured out that Angie and Lori are Mark's sisters? Beth is of course your sister, and Karen we all know (and miss! Hi, Karen!) Don't you have another sister, too, besides Beth and Wendy? I can't remember her name. Aunt Carol must be your Aunt Carol. Or is she the kids' aunt Carol? I really don't know aunt Carol. Anyhoo...it sounds as though you are all doing great...meeting each challenge head-on and keeping things in perspective. The whole squatty-potty process-of-elimination thing in China is quite a hoot. Makes using the bathroom in Mexico seem totally benign.
When people find out that you have a driver, and a housekeeper, do they ever ask, "So...what do you DO all day?" Do you ever slap them?
Betsy
I give you big time credit for getting that cake baked. The idea of baking a normal box cake in a working oven is almost overwhelming for me. Though thanks to you I can bake pumpkin cookies now, though I haven't done it since you taught me:). I'm really happy that everyone is settling in so well. I'm really really happy that you are keeping the blog up so faithfully. I almost feel like you're not halfway around the world! It's definitely been educational for all of us here. I send all your updates to Jolene and she's always asking me questions and making statements about them (she was especially curious about the squatty potties). Anyway, thanks for the updates and we miss you!
Love, Angie
Hello all!
Natalie, I love reading your blog, and I must admit sometimes I read it quickly and then move on to all the other stuff in my life! I should write more often and tell you how entertaining it is to read!! I often tell Ed, Ryan and Jason about the funny stories of your life. Sometimes I even tell my co-workers.
And, to Betsy...I am the other sister! I live in Indiana and you've never met me. I am right after Beth,and right before Wendy in the sister line-up, (aka) the forgotten middle child! Once you meet me you probably wouldn't forget me though...I am pretty much like the rest of them! We have a blast when we get together..in fact my hubby says I am a different person when I am around my sisters.
Nats..I am winding down my classes and moving to finals next week. Can you believe I am getting an A in Algebra!!? The class I barely squeaked by in high school! I email more later, but I really must get back to my homework.
Love ya,
deb and all the other grafs!
Thanks for all the updates, Natalie - sure is a hoot keeping up with all your "FUN" things. The one about the ayi standing on Jacob's bed to make this so called Loft bed just really cracks me up. You really could throw in a few pictures so we would know what these folks really look like.
To Betsy "Aunt Carol" is a sister to Natalie's Dad - does that help you.
Natalie, someone asked me the other day what you are doing, if you have a maid, etc.
This is my first attempt at this "Blog" thing so will sign off for tonight.
Love you all,
Mom R
Natalie - Thanks for writing the blog. I've just started reading and had to go back a ways to catch up. Sounds like quite an adventure you're all on. I agree with your mom that pictures would be swell. Anyway, your blog is now in my bookmarks so I can check it every day after I read the comics - particularly when I'm procrastinating doing any work.
Love,
Christi (i'm a cousin, betsy)
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
Okay I don't have a blog, but here's my day. Cecily got some new hand-me-downs and we were trying them all on having a great time. I noticed she had goosebumps all over her tummy, we laughed because she is very sensative to touch! But the little bumps didn't go away so we took her to see the doctor - Strep rash! I told her she had the Mumsies because I tease them all by telling them if they don't do what they're told, "I'll be all over them like a bad rash!" So..Cecily has the Mumsies. At dinner as I finished telling Roger the story, Kal lifts his shorts up to call the question, "Mom, is THIS a "bad rash?" He proceeded to show me his own personal red blotchy, pimple like bumps all over his upper thigh! Yes, Kal! That IS a bad rash! Back to Urgent care we go, but not before doing the line up to see if anyone else had something to tell me about! So we are now on antibiotics/ointments/and HIGH ALERT for any other unidentified skin disorders! Hope you don't find any unusual things at your home for a LONG time!
Karen and the Welser's
I second your Mom's motion on pictures. Pictures would be great! Think about it...
I actually did meet your sister Deb, at one of the Advent Dinners where I hosted a table. As I recall, she looks exactly like you, Natalie. Very pretty ladies.
I'm stealing Karen's "Mumsies" idea. (Not the rash itself, please...just the name!) I love it!
I'd better go start homeschool...the teacher blogging away while the children work can only be but so educational.
Have a great day, Bergs!
Betsy
Well, right here in the good old U.S.A. I had a similar experience with Jeff's French class. It wasn't until about 9:00-9:30 P.M. when Jeff smelled Lisa'a quiche baking that he remember that he, too, had signed up to make something--floating meringues, no less! "Oh mom, I forgot!!!!" I think it was midnight until we quit trying to make floating meringues! The next morning I got up and tried a quicky version. The teacher didn't complain. After that I gave Jeff strict orders to sign up for only what we know what it is and what is easy!!! AT LEAST THE OVEN WORKED!
Aunt Carol
Aunt Carol...I am wondering...What in the world are floating meringues?! That Jeffy...can you believe it!
love ya,
Deb
Hey Nats,
Sorry that I had to stop our conversation short the other day. As you know after a month of waiting, my carpet finally came. Hallelujah. I now have fresh, and clean carpet. It looks beautimous (yes, I know that is not a word). I enjoyed our conversation and thanks a million for calling me. Next time we'll hopefully get to talk more. I too am loving this blog thing. I guess we needed someone to move out of the country sooner so we could all stay connected. And wow, you're so funny you come right after the comics for Christi. She is setting herself up for a "fun, fun" day. Here is a little story for everyone to insure that you have a fun, fun day as well. Wendy sent it to me once. It goes like this:
How is YOUR attitude?
Once there was a little lady who woke up one morning and looked in the mirror. Lo and behold there were only three hairs on her head. "Hmmm", she said, "I think I will braid my hair today." So, she did and she had a wonderful day!
The next morning she woke up and there were only two hairs on her head. "Today, I shall part my hair down the middle", she said. So, she did and went out and had a wonderful day!
The next morning, yep, you guessed it - she woke up with only one hair on her head! "Well", she said, "today I will fix my hair in a ponytail!" So, she did and then she went out and had a fun, fun day!"
The next morning this same little lady woke up with no hairs on her head! "YAAAAAAY", she said,"today I don't have to fix my hair!" And she went out and had a wonderful day!!!
How are you fixing your hair today?
Mine is not doing what I want it to, but I am going to have a fun fun day anyhow. I hope you do too.
Love ya Nats,
Beth
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