Home Boss and a Cough

Didn't do much today because she was up coughing most of the night.  Had several things scheduled but asked Michael to take us only to the zoo so we could be back in time for her nap.  She hasn't had a nap since we got her, and that, combined with the drier air from air conditioning, are probably the cause for her congestion.  The previous days had required, official meetings during her nap, but today was only sightseeing.  Took a few snapshots with the pandas, slurped up an ice cream, and called it a day.  It is 40 degrees celsius (around 100 F) so I am thrilled to be back, cooling off.

Brent, Michael and Beck are out to lunch and running to the pharmacy.  We brought an arsenal of medicines from home but Michael suggested a particular herbal remedy.  I hope they run to the grocery store again too because E finished off that stash of bananas.  The store is literally the next building over, inside a four story mall.  We ventured there on our own two nights ago to grab snacks.  It's a whole other world.  Dried goods like rice, beans and noodles are in open bins and you bag them yourself like we do produce. On each end cap was a worker speaking though a microphone, attempting to sell her product.  It was very loud and very chaotic.  Just across the street is another mall, even bigger.  Eight stories tall.  Subway is on the fourth floor and we've eaten there a couple of times.  Oh, America.  We penetrate every culture on the globe.  But thank you, for giving us familiar six inch subs!  

Speaking of cultures, here are my observations:  (I wrote this on the plane from Beijing but hadn't found the right time to insert my musings until now.)

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In many ways, China is the complete opposite of Italy.  People stay busy, are soft spoken, and don't care if they match.  Women here are completely obsessed with panty hose, even an weird ankle sock kind worn with sandals and flats.  They follow the rules, drive the speed limit, and wait until the plane is at the gate to unbuckle.  The sole exception is line formation.  You've got to elbow your way into places, even public toilets.  There is no waiting in line.   

Italy had daily ripsoso (naps,)  animated voices with lots of gesturing, high fashion and expensive eyewear.  It was an "anything goes" culture in terms of rules and work.  There were no speed limits enforced, families ate late, and tasks were put off until tomorrow… domani, domani.  Italians stood up as soon as a plane's nose touched down, grabbed their luggage in the overhead compartments, and stayed in the aisles while it taxied to the gate.  The only rule they follow is to live life.

Perfect example of cultural differences:  Swimming.  The Chinese require a swim cap and appear to only swim laps.  When Brent cannonballed in with Beck, we got a lot of chuckles and stares.  They don't let themselves have any fun.  

The Italians would have had one too many bottles of wine and swam naked.    

Americans fall somewhere in between the systematic, obedient Chinese and the passionate, pleasure-driven Italians.  I'd like to think we Waldmans fall somewhere closer to the latter.  

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Without any creative writing segue because I am too tired to think...

I've said how she favors Brent (who wouldn't) but I forgot to mention how possessive she was yesterday at the orphanage.  Any kid that came near Baba was shoved.  She put them in their place... Step back, that's MY Daddy!  She seriously lights up the moment she sees him.

Hey, they just walked through the door.  Guess what they brought me?!  A sub.

The medicine they bought came in a long, rectangular, flat box similar to a milk duds carton.  Inside are six glass vials. You puncture the seal with a thin, needle-like straw and suck it up.  E will have to drink her magic potion.  Hope it does the trick!

My love to you all.  Oh, oh.  I have a new title.  I am a Home Boss.  They don't call stay-at-home moms homemakers here.  They call them home bosses.  I'm running with it!