My new address! Hangzhou, China

 The view from my office window is the this track from the middle school across the street.  All this past week it has been a hive of activity as the students prepared for a big presentation that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday.  I have so enjoyed the quiet since they completed their activities, it was daily blaring of a loud speaker, drums and music.  Every day, they play different music depending on the time of day.  It's a nice way to keep track of the time and they play wonderful selections of classical music, just wish they would change the tunes occasionally.

We live on the 26th floor and have a wonderful view of the river, the apartment is about 1400 sq feet.  We have 3 bedrooms and two baths.  The living room is a nice size although we hardly ever use it.  When Dave is home he tends to be in the office working on the computer, he has enjoyed reading the news about the upcoming election in the USA.  I, on the other hand, am often taken aback at how rude and cruel his cousin and sister are.  It's ok to have different views (that's one of the great things about America, is we can agree to disagree) but to post lies, to belittle someone for their beliefs is just wrong.  My daughter tells me to just let it go, but I think the words were never truer, you can't unring a bell, I will always look at them differently for how cruel they were to their brother and cousin. I will be very glad to have this election behind us!

This the view from one of our balconies, to the park at the complex, it's a wonderful park with walking paths, a place for the nightly dancing that the women here participate in, and a great play ground for the children.  Even if it is an apartment it's a very nice nice environment to live in. At the entrance to our complex are various stores and a brand new Subway!

Yes, sad but true, it was a great day for our family when the subway opened!  It's definitely a taste of home and very convenient  when you just don't feel like cooking! We are now eagerly anticipating the opening of an Italian restaurant next door to the subway! We also like LA Cafe when we are hungry for a nice salad and Splash when we want Mexican! (Can you tell that Hangzhou has a little bit of everything?)

Not to be negative, but I don't like the hot water heater, each morning you get about 1 min of hot water, so you get to soap up quickly and then freeze while you rinse off. Really makes you consider whether you really want to take a shower or not! The benefit of the hot water heater here though is, I can wash my dishes in hot water unlike India where I had to boil my water to wash the dishes.

On the washing front, our washing machine is on one of our balconies.  Every morning begins with a load of laundry.  As you can see from the picture the clothesline is also there.  Very convenient to be able to hang up the clothes right out of the washer.  The weather is getting colder though and the clothes aren't drying so I fear we will have to break down and purchase a dryer.  But, good news!  They have dryers here! So very many things to be grateful here!  Of Course the most important of which is David really enjoys his job.  He likes making a difference and sharing his knowledge with those who work for him.

We attend a wonderful branch of our church here in Hangzhou, the people are so warm and welcoming.  We are so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to meet such fine people.  To attend our branch you must have a visa to visit China. So our members are from all over the world.  Such a blessing from Tim to be able to interact with so many wonderful people.

Tim attends the Hangzhou International School.  He has really enjoyed the transition.  Tomorrow he will travel to Shanghi where he will have the opportunity to hear Jane Goodall speak.  How amazing is that?  When I told my children my children in the states they had a serious case of envy!

I finished a baby blanket that I started before the move.  The pattern was cast on 121 stitches, knit the first 5 rows, knit first and last 6 stitches of every row.  Then the pattern stitch for the blanket was:
row 1: Knit
row 2: P
row 3: K1, yo, p1, p3 tog, p1, yo, k1; repeat across
row 4: P
Rep 1-4 until desired length.

I used Lion Brand Babysoft Solid, it's soft and lays nicely.  I am considering taking apart and making it bigger.  It is rather small but it would be great for covering a baby or maybe adding a crocheted edging to the blanket to make it wider.

I am casting on today, http://digitalnabi.com/blog/2010/10/the-prettiest-hot-pad-ever/
I will be using prima cotton by knitpicks, sure wished they shipped overseas.  I purchased a great pattern for a jacket that I will have to wait until I return to the states to purchase yarn for...