TIC (This Is China)

From april1209

Welcome to warm days and pleasant evenings. Gail and I often walk around and gush at how much we love China because of the warm weather.

I've been making a sincere effort at taking it easier these days. It's funny to me how I seem to manage to create a whirlwind of work, public appearances, commitments, and what not on a whim. It takes some self discipline to just say "no" to things and relax. I have to remember that it really isn't about the money and that it's about TIME. Yes, I know the old adage nipping at our Laowai behinds "time=money".

From april1209

Still, how can I put a value on being able to just "chill" by the Koi pond and listen to water fall? At what price do I dare collect being apart from my wife?
I have to remind myself of why I got into the teaching abroad game, FREEDOM. Freedom that comes from having time to read the books I enjoy reading. Freedom that comes from having the time to post what you see before you here. (And dear reader, your time is valuable too.)

From april1209

I suggest that you brace yourself as I have done and say "no" to that next externalized commitment. I know times are tough and we are apt to get a bit nervy about job security, savings, etc. Again, where is the real value in your life? I relish the time I have to "examine my navel", explore my ideas, question my faith, whatever. Coming to China was about something more than trying to make money. My wife has the right idea and heart to greet everyone she sees and proclaim out loud "Wo ai Zhongor" (I love China). It's a manner of what we focus on that continually manifests itself in our lives. (Being sick and watching the entire third season of HBO's Big Love will remind anyone of this.)

From april1209

I wish you the best and know that I do miss you. You're welcome to come and experience TIC (This Is China) anytime.

Thursday Thusly

From ikea weekend

Welcome to the Ikea nesting instinct. Don't mind the random Fight Club quote, but I can't help it every time I enter that big blue store. We wanted to get a few things to further domestic ourselves in our flat. "The Laowai are staying!". We examined the phenomena why it seems so familiar and comfortable to us shopping there, despite being there on a Saturday with the masses. It just feels like our turf and the locals are along for the ride as opposed to our day to day surreal adventures when the Kung Fu slippers are on the other foot. For example the random fans who want their photo taken with us. "Your picture with us gets our picture with you."

From ikea weekend

It's been a busy week even if I only worked 1.5 days of it and you wonder why we stay in China?

Gail, just nailed it at an English corner in Dali where they have no FT (foreign teacher) she says, "How could I do any wrong?" They loved her. Honestly 1.3 billion people here do.

Rockin' the Mozart via Neville Marriner- Dia Zauberflote (The Magic Flute). Makes for good blogging music.

Tomorrow heading into GZ (Guangzhou) to work out with my main man Brad at GETFITGZ and make sure we are ready for the Open Fitness event on Sunday Morning in Yuexiue Park. He was kind enough to post a new recipe. It's hard to believe how much weight I've lost. It's hard for me to tell, but the numbers, lose clothes, and other people don't lie.

I really want people to come and join me this summer to see China and workout. It will transform your life in way you only dreamed.

From ikea weekend

Chef Gail's tasty fit recipes for this week

From Gail pix

Light Cream of Celery Soup

2 med. potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups celery, chopped
1 cup (heaping) celery, very finely minced
3 cups water or veggie broth
1 3/4 tsp. salt
1-2 TBS butter
1 cup milk or soy milk

Bring to boil potatoes, 4 c celery, water and 1 1/4 tsp. salt in saucepan. Simmer, covered for about 15 min. (until veggies are soft). Puree' and transfer to larger pot. Melt butter in skillet with onions, minced celery and 1/4 tsp. salt. Saute until veggies are tender (about 10 Minutes). Add to the puree'. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat gently and top with fresh parsley or chives if you like.

From Gail pix

Ginger Dressing - think tasty, healthy and great on top of greens

1/2 cup purple onions
1/2 c peanut oil
1/3 c/ rice vinegar
2 Tbs water
2 Tbs freshly peeled and sliced ginger
2 Tbs celery, chopped
4 tsp soy
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp pepper

Blend in blender until ingredients are fully blended. Put on top of our favorite green salad mixture. Our favorite - iceberg lettuce or spinach (both is nice!), chopped cucumber, chopped cabbage, chopped carrots, chopped tomatoes, and a few springs of chopped cilantro

Blend throughly in a blender and top with:

From Gail pix

[This Ginger Dressing of Gail's isn't a beverage, but it should be!-Roc]

Do you have a piece of Ginger that is starting to sprout? Plant it! I took a chance a while back when Gail had some Ginger that was getting the Fu Manchu finger nail action with some sprouts. Sure enough it grew in the small pot and produced some long greens that after awhile began to dry up. Gail dug into the pot to replant and we found our one little piece turned into several others. We've been growing our own Ginger ever since.

From fitnessGZ