The Fabulous Dr. Jayne

03.11.10

Hubs picked up our passports at the visa office as soon as the doors were opened. Next stop: Beijing.

The cheapest way to the Hong Kong airport is by public bus. We hauled two happy kids, one medium sized suitcase, one carry-on suitcase, a diaper bag and a computer bag down to the bus stop. After waiting and waiting, the bus arrived. Just as we were getting the last of our things on, the bus driver said, “Are you going to the airport?” Of course! “Well, you should be on the other side of the street.” Ugh.

At that point, time was not on our side so we took a taxi to the express train which also goes to the airport.

The train is more expensive, but it can get you to the airport in 13 incredibly fast minutes. Schäfer was so impressed, he took his shoes off as soon as he got on the train.

In Asia, people don’t wear their shoes inside the house. So when Schäfer took his shoe off, he expressed that he was in a nice place. He was right.

All went smooth with our check-in. Schäfer scored this incredible gummies-on-a-stick from the China Eastern representative.

All ready for take off.

Three hours later, we landed in Beijing, grabbed our bags and hopped on the subway to get to our hotel. As best we could tell, we would have to change three lines to get to the hotel. It was a huge endeavor considering two energetic kids, one medium sized suitcase, one carry-on suitcase, a diaper bag and a computer bag, but one thing kept us going: rush hour traffic. Not only was the subway the cheapest way to reach our destination, it was definitely the fastest way.

We maneuvered the subway fairly well. I think there were two large sets of stairs Hubs had to haul the luggage down, but overall, the subway was chaotically doable.

When exited the subway as per Google Maps recommendation. After 30 minutes of walking, we decided that Google maps was off by about a mile.

It was cold. It was late.

We were tired. We were hungry.

We tried to get a cab because we were only about 2 Beijing Blocks (seriously, the longest city blocks I’ve ever known) from the hotel, but no cab would stop for us.

They slowed down. They looked us over. They drove on.

And so we, our 2 exhausted kids, one medium sized suitcase, one carry-on suitcase, a diaper bag and a computer bag crossed the overpass to take a bus going in the appropriate direction. The bus assistant told us where to hop off. We were then about half a block from our hotel.

We were delighted to enter our cozy room. (Thanks c-trip for the March discounted rate.)

Bliss.

03.12.10

We traveled all the way to Beijing to spend a day with one of my graduate school professors: the ever mindful Dr. Jayne. She came to China to deliver a Letter of Intent regarding a new university partnership, but she managed to set some free time in her schedule.

Considering some of the dreams we have and a recent opportunity to be adjunct professors, we felt like we needed someone to act as a consultant. Since we desire to further evolve US study abroad programs, we wanted someone with an academic background to come in and work through some of our ideas/goals. Those dreams became a 3 page document flushing out ideas and asking many, many questions.

Our conversation with Dr. Jayne started at 9:30am and ended at 11:30pm. There was a brief break on our part for the kids afternoon naps. Bless Dr. Jayne’s heart. She moved into another meeting while Hubs and I scored a power nap to process an entire morning of conversation.

After the kids woke up, we returned to our document and continued refining our professional goals.

Of course, throughout the day diapers were changed, bottles were made, play dough airplanes were built and Thomas the Tank Engine was watched.

Fourteen hours with Dr. Jayne was completely well worth the trip. Our dreams have been elevated and our action steps refined.

03.13.10

Bright and early the next morning, we hopped on the subway and three lines later we were back at the airport ready to go home.

Schäfer is so ridiculously happy in the morning. I think his “winter hair” looks so British.

His early morning hair classifies as British Punk.

Just because he can…

We made it home by 2pm. I put the kids down for naps and started attacking the ever growing monster: laundry. The weather seems to have warmed up a bit. In the late afternoon Hubs and Schäfer played Frisbee while Sianna and I got a few groceries.

I made blueberry pancakes for supper. I love breakfast for supper.

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