Chen's Do China...Again!

Here we are, two years later, back in China. The last two years have been crazy with Rich constantly traveling and the kids and I moving three times. It made the decision to move back here easier knowing our family would all be in one place and it should be the same place for a few years.

The other factor that helped sway the pendulum in favor of China is an Ayi: Ayi is the Chinese word for aunt. It is what you call all women, unless they're really old then they're a Nai-Nai; or really young then you're a Mei-Mei. The first time we came to China, before I was China-savvy, I asked Rich why so many women were named Ayi?

Nearly everyone, foreign or not, has an Ayi that works in their home. Foreigners just pay their Ayi more since we require the use of crazy stuff like dish soap and disinfectant. There are so many stories of people that realize, after several months, and a few stomach viruses, that their Ayi isn't using soap, for anything; just water and friction.
So we have an Ayi and she does all the laundry. I hate laundry. It is worth living here just to have someone do our laundry for $3/hour.

Hold on! I am waiting in line for a roller coaster while I type this and the girl in front of me is eating squid on a stick; full on tentacles, eyes , the whole enchilada.
Small example of why his country smells so bad! People eat anything, regardless of looks or smell.
Sorry, tangent.

I feel a little guilty for having someone clean and do the laundry but it gets so dirty here so quickly all I would do all day is clean and I can do that in Texas. Also, the dryer is miniscule so most laundry gets hung outside and needs ironed. Just justifying my guilt.

This is Eli's first experience in China. He's doing great, except he is such a juicy fruit the mosquitos can't resist him. He currently has 45 mosquito bites!  Poor baby!