Merry Christmas from Beijing

We are flying home to Houston in 2 day.  Wishing all those that pop on to read our blog a wonderful holiday and if you happen to be in Houston from the 12th to the 31st, then give us a yell. 

I personally am looking forward to shopping without a negotiation battle, speaking without playing Charades and breathing some really 'clean' Houston air.  The girls are excited about Chuy's dip, beignets and Memorial City mall playground.  We are all REALLY looking forward to seeing our friends and family.

Happy Holidays!
xoxo

Patricks' Triumphs in China

You blog readers out there don't hear too much about Patrick's job here in China since all I seem to blab about is parks, shopping and parties.  I know it's a shock but Patrick is working hard for Shell and he had a big milestone last week. 

Patrick (far right) - A Head Taller than the Rest

Signing the Contract with PetroChina

The Deal is Done

Let's Celebrate!

Halloween 2010

What do 2 homemade costumes plus 4 parties in 24 hours get you besides a lot of candy??  A mom who was sick of Halloween before Halloween and a Best Costume award.  Yay Patrick!

Sugar Power

Must have MORE Sugar!

Could I look any sweeter?

Embassy House's 8th Anniversary Party

The building we live in is FABULOUS!!  They have 3 big parties every year and a bunch of little ones throughout.  This past Saturday was their BIGGEST of the year as it was the building's anniversary party.  Here was the party layout...
     - Main Hall - dress up as Imperial Emperors, etc. (see below for evidence)
     - Great Wall Bar - Open Bar and Whiskey Trail (choose a number and drink one of 61 whiskeys - I pulled Glen Elgin but gave it away - yuk!)
     - Library - Calligraphy, Paper Cutting, Artists & Dough Figurines
     - Pool area - Fruit Bar and Foot Massages (FYI - foot massage are VERY nice with a good margarita buzz)
     - In the Garden - Live Band, Sushi, Indian, BBQ buffets

How spoiled are we!!??!!  Next Friday they are having a Halloween Party for the kiddos.  If only there was foot massages at every party!  But next time our ayi will be there to babysit.

A Good Deal at the Silk Market

So I gave you a teaser two weeks ago and now I'm finally getting to typing the story.  (I mentioned my over-commitment in the last post....well, nothing has changed.)

Beijing winters are COLD.  I'm a Southern girl whose winter experience is living in Chicago for 3 winters 16 years ago and an annual ski trip.  This girl's gotta shop!!

So Patrick and I went to the infamous Silk Market where tourists are bussed in by the hundreds.  We usually go to Yashow because it is in our neighborhood but the Silk Market is bigger (but more aggressive.)  For those who have never been to a market in China, it is really hard to imagine every stall yelling at you to buy something from them.  You learn to ignore the constant barrage or you do what my parents did and promise everyone you'd come back.  (Trust me, they remember you on the way back.)

 P and I wanted to see what the market had in down coats because I was thinking of having one made and didn't know what quality was available ready-made.  One of the first stalls we went to had a coat I liked so I tried it on.  It seemed to be good quality so we asked the price (as we didn't have a point of reference).  The lady (let's call her Ming) tells me she normally would charge 2800 yuan but since I seem so nice (yeah, yeah, right) she'll take 20% off to 2240 yuan ($337).  I tell P the starting price and he counters with 1000 yuan.  He obviously wasn't thinking b/c she immediately accepted.  Oops!  Too high for the counteroffer so a little back-pedaling had us leaving her stall saying we need to look around.

Ming proceeds to follow us for about 75 feet through the market, down different rows, shouting how we said 1000 so where are we going.  We honestly told her that we had just started looking so we didn't know the prices yet and hadn't seen enough coats to decide on which one to buy.  Ming then yells several times while pointing her finger at Patrick "NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME!!".  Ok, then...this does not happen at Target.

She then asks what we are willing to pay so to get rid of her, Patrick throws out 500 yuan.  Eventually she accepts.  We still want to look around for all the reasons mentioned above.  This was just not acceptable to Ming.  She storms off in a huff.

P and I wander the market (buy some jewelry, buy me a mahjong set) and eventually make our way back to Ming.  (Trust me...if I didn't like the coat we would have been long gone.) She has her arms crossed and refuses to look at us and is mumbling Chinese which I can only imagine was not positive.  When I ask to try on the coat again, she refuses.  She then demands a price before she'll take it off the coat hanger.  I am exasperated by this point and just ask her whether she wants to make a sale or not.  As I'm trying the coat on, I'm telling her she needs to relax.  This is the way Laowais shop...we like to browse, price things out, think about, etc.  P and I decide we want it but we'll only pay 400 yuan ($60), mainly b/c she was a pain in the @$$.  She puts up a fight for a few seconds and then snatches the bills out of Patrick's hand while yelling "YOU ARE A VERY BAD MAN!!!".  Alrighty then!

Now there are a lot of counterfeit products in China (NEWS FLASH) so you would assume that the coat I purchased is a fake.  Well I think it is a real because it is exactly like one I found online with all the same labels, tags, belt buckle, etc.  China usually just makes a bunch of coats and plops different designer labels on the inside.  You might see a coat with a Max Mara label on it but you would never be able to find that coat on any Max Mara website since it is not a Max Mara design.  Well, this Montcler coat is last seasons' design and it is currently selling on DownJacketSale.com for $306.99, originally $1134.99.  YAY!!  I love a deal!  Makes me love the coat even more...especially when there is a story to go with it.

♪♫♪ I love a rainy night♪♫♪ Such a beautiful sight♪♫♪

The pollution in Beijing has been 'hazardous' since Thursday.  Here's a view from our bedroom window yesterday.

The rain came last night and washed it all away.  The pollution level is now 'good'.  I even saw the mountains in the distance.  Yay!!

Has it really been 6 weeks?

What do you mean I haven't posted since August 15th?  Well I did post twice on that day so that gives me a little leeway, right?  Oh well, I shouldn't be surprised that 6 weeks have zoomed by since our 6 month anniversary in Beijing is this week.

All is going well.  We are enjoying our first National Week where almost everyone in China is off of work.  A bit busy everywhere you go (to say the least) but beautiful weather to enjoy some of those parks I mentioned in my last posting.

 The girls started school on August 30th.  I think they were ready for it and so was I!!  They like their new teachers and are excited to go (almost) every day.

 My Brownie troop started meeting last month and it is great fun.  Fiona seems to LOVE it and it doing the Girl Scout sign at every opportunity....in her PJs and in fancy dress.

My troop has 12 girls in it and I am testing all my organization skills to get 12 girls to be entertained and learning something.  We'll see how it goes but so far so good.

Fiona had her House Competition last week which is why she is all fancy above. The Green House (the Saxons) sang "Money, Money, Money" by ABBA and Fiona was in center stage and shared one line with 3 girls. Very exciting!

 

The other BIG news in the McVeigh family is we bought 2 guinea pigs.  (I plead temporary insanity.)  Fiona named hers "Fluffy" and Isla named hers "Pet-ty".  It didn't take long for Isla to get mad at poor Petty for scratching her so she tossed her in the air.  We didn't think poor Petty would pull through but she is still alive.  Petty is no longer Isla's pet but mine!  His name now is Spike.  They are both very sweet and will hopefully be alive the next time I blog.

I am keeping busy with Girl Scouts, class rep for Isla's class and now Secretary of the PTA.  I know!!  Totally over-volunteered but there was some coercion involved in the PTA thing.  I play Mahjong every Tuesday afternoon after exploring the city with a group called Tuesday Trotters.  The founder, Eleanor Liu, is 90-something years old, lived in BJ for 30 years and has taken ladies around the city for 21 years.  She even wrote a book called "Off the Beaten Path in Beijing".  Fascinating lady!  I am happy to be a part of the group.

Eleanor is in the front in black

Our exploration of Beijing parks has continued.  I just posted a bunch of pics from September on Facebook but here's a few of my favorites.  The parks are absolutely the best thing about China.  Every time I go, I am amazed at how much fun the Chinese have dancing, singing, playing, etc.  They are so NOT self-conscious and being with their community means everything to them.

Dancing in Ditan Park (Isla on her bike)

Ritan Park

Bike Ride to Houhai

I'll be posting a funny (crazy) story from the Silk Market.  A little teaser...you know you got a good deal when the shop lady calls your husband "a VERY BAD man!"  Stay tuned...it won't be another 6 weeks....

What China Does Well...Parks and a Sense of Community

We discovered a new favorite park today called Jingshan Park.  Here's a little history from Wikipedia.

Jingshan is immediately north of the Forbidden City.  The 45.7-metre high artificial hill was constructed in the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty entirely from the soil excavated in forming the moats of the Imperial Palace and nearby canals. It is especially impressive when one considers that all of this material was moved only by manual labor and animal power. According to the dictates of Feng Shui, it is favorable to site a residence to the south of a nearby hill (and it is also practical, gaining protection from chilly northern winds). The imperial palaces in the other capitals of previous dynasties were situated to the south of a hill. When the capital was moved to Beijing, no such hill existed at this location, so one was constructed. It is popularly known as Feng Shui Hill. It is also known as Coal Hill, a direct translation of its old popular Chinese name. Jingshan is especially a popular place for elderly people socializing and gathering. One can often find elderly folks dancing, singing opera and doing other cultural activities, such as kuai ban, at Jingshan.

Ok, enough education...it's a beautiful park and it was a beautiful day to be there.  We didn't know what to expect but we walked in to see dinosaur skeletons and over 30 animatronic dinosaurs scattered throughout the park.  Surprise!  Only in China!  While wandering through the park we also saw people skipping rope, playing their version of hacky sack but with feathers, dancing, playing the violin and the accordion. 

Look at Fiona's face...she still LOVES Dinosaurs!

 The point I'd like to make...the Chinese have a real sense of community and are not in the least bit self-conscious.  I thought it was wonderful that people just find a park and hang out in it, doing what they enjoy with the people they want to spend their Sunday with.  I saw 5 middle aged people skip roping together and a 50+ year old woman dancing by herself.  None of them cared we were staring, they just smiled.

The Forbidden City from the top of Coal Hill (pretty big, huh?)

It was such a clear day you could see the mountains.  This lake is in the park called Beihai.

There's this great picture of my family when I was about 8 and Amy was just a baby.  My parents and the 2 of us were dressed as frontier people and it was shot in sepia.  I'm sure you've seen something similar.  Well China has its own frontier photo op...here is the 3 of us in the Imperial garb of the Ming Dynasty.

Each time I post about a park in China, I say "it's our favorite" so now I'm going to say "It's our favorite SO FAR..."  The Chinese do their parks very well.

The Burklews Discover the Middle Kingdom

Mimi and Pops' trip to China was a success!  They said they had a great time, saw all they wanted to see and left saying they would live in China.  I don't see that happening but I'm glad they enjoyed it enough to come back.  We miss them already!

Houhai Lake District

Forbidden City

Great Wall at Mutianyu

My 40th Birthday Dinner

Trip to Thailand - July 12-23, 2010

The McVeigh family had a wonderful time in Thailand.  We had a few bumps (like getting kicked out of our first tuk-tuk and booking a hotel ACROSS from the beach) but we went with and it all turned out wonderfully.
Bangkok
We absolutely LOVED our hotel in Bangkok.  If you are ever in Bangkok, stay at the Chatrium on the river.  We just hopped on the river taxi and visited all the popular sites like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.  The food was so good in the hotel restaurant that we ate 6 of the 7 meals there.

One of the 2 pics from the entire holiday with the four of us

The Tuk-Tuk story 

We arrived at the pier for the Grand Palace and were told by 2 separate people that the Grand Palace was closed for the morning.  The 2nd person was a tuk-tuk driver who offered to take us to see other sights around Bangkok for 80 bahts.  What a deal!!  Ok, let's hop in and see some of Bangkok.  He took us to the Wat Inthara Wihan (pictured above and below)

Feeling the Need to Get OUT of Beijing

In April we went to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, in May we went to Fragrant Hills and in June we went to Longqing Gorge.  Our goal is to get out of town every weekend but we haven't managed that yet.  One weekend we told our driver we wanted to get out of Beijing and he drove us to this ranch with horseback riding, go-carts, carnival games and ONLY Chinese.  We had to explain to Hubo that when we say “OUT” of Beijing, we sometimes mean “AWAY” from people.  Getting away from people in China is difficult but a few less than usual feels good.  

Now if the darn pollution would improve, we'd be happy to explore Beijing as there are so many things to see in the city.  Unfortunately we feel the need to escape the air quality by going out of Beijing.

Don't Hate Me Because I Live In China

My last post talked about the kooky, sometimes unpleasant aspects of Beijing.  I wanted to balance that out with some good stuff.  

Some of you would never have done what we have done...leave our lovely home, close to our family and dear friends to move half way around the world to such a foreign country.  Most of you think it is a fabulous experience but when push came to shove, you would probably not trade places.  I could be wrong but I've seen the eyes of people when I told them we were moving to China...their eyes got as round as saucers, their mouths dropped and then they were usually speechless, trying to grasp something positive to say.  Well here's something positive...

I have servants!

Kooky Tales from Planet China

I am reading this fabulous book called "Lost on Planet China" that my British School of Houston gal pals gave me as a going away present.  I am so glad I waited to read it as it is hilarious once you know that he is speaking the truth.   China is a whole other planet, strange and mystifying but familiar in some ways.  Beijing can be just like Houston.  You might forget for a while where you are but then some kooky thing happens and reality rushes in.

Hocking Loogies, Shooting Snot, Urinating in Public - Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China.  Hello!?!  It is NOT civilized to purge an immense, glutinous loogie from somewhere deep within your innards or expel snot from first one nostril and then the other!  I hear the city has improved in this regard since there was a crackdown pre-Olympics to curtail the expulsion of the contents of noses and lungs.  There is nothing like seeing this lovely sweet Chinese grandmother, hocking the biggest loogie in the history of mankind, right before your shocked and appalled eyes.

    My Facebook friends will be familiar with this story but it's a doozie and worth sharing again.  I was at Shin Kong Place which is a Galleria type mall with high-end stores and a huge indoor playground.  I took Isla in the family bathroom and was helping her in one of the many open stalls.  As I exit the stall, I notice another mother standing in front of the sink, holding her toddler boy as he wizzes into the sink.  Isla points to the little boy's willie and asks what it is.  I'm too busy gaping in utter horror and amazement, waiting for the woman to turn around so she can see the perfectly clear disgust on my face.  Unfortunately, she never looked at me and she definitely didn't understand my words of revulsion. 

Paparazzi

The girls are looked at and photographed quite often in Beijing.  It is usually one guy or gal who whips out their camera phone to shoot a pic of their lovely locks and big blue eyes.

But when we went to the Great Wall this past weekend, it all changed.  Suddenly we weren't in Beijing where they are somewhat used to seeing the occasional expat.  Now we were in the country where the rural Chinese were in awe of these two gorgeous girls.

Or they wanted pictures with the girls.

The Great Wall photos above are only 2 of the many instances when the paparazzi descended on the girls.  You have to see it to believe it!

School Days

Fiona's 1st Week at the British School of Beijing (BSB)

Fiona had a fantastic first day - made 6 new friends and loved her teacher and teaching assistant.  I was very touched by the warm welcome she received from everyone.  She is such a social child so having a group of gals to chat with and play with is very important to her (and me I suppose).  She seems to like the lessons, especially her Chinese lessons.  She is coming home telling me all the shapes and it's going in one ear and out the other.  She could count to 5 by the first day and is already up to 10 after a week.  We hope to get an Ayi who will help her with her pronunciation.

She started her swim class in P.E. today and her first day of After School Activity is this afternoon.  She chose Endangered Animals on Tuesdays and I chose Chinese Culture on Wednesdays.

She really wants to participate in the BSB Idol which is a talent show but it is on April 29th (9 days away).  I think she is so brave to want to try out but I'm not sure we  have time to put something together.  I don't even know the other mom's so how am I suppose to help organize some act?  I think it would be best for her to do something with others but who?

Her favorite friend from the first day is now "not very nice" so a very important lesson has been learned.  You have to get to know someone before you'll know whether you'll like them.  ;-)

Isla's First Days at BSB

Isla just wants to be like her big sister.  She loves that she has a uniform and a water bottle...just like Fiona.  She has an adorable cubby hole and hook with her name and picture on it.  Her teacher is super sweet just like she should be.  Isla gave her a BIG hug goodbye on the 2nd day.  They are learning about bugs this week - butterfly & caterpillar crafts are decorating our apartment and she was crawling around like a worm today.  Her day starts at 8:30 and ends at noon.  We have lunch together then she naps before we head back to BSB to pick up Fiona.  It will be much more convenient when we move to our apartment 4 blocks away from the school...10 more days. 

I am very pleased with how well the girls have adapted to all the changes in their lives.  They are truly amazing!

First Impressions

I've been meaning to write this entry since we arrived last week.  Now it will be difficult to capture those first 2 days when I was thinking "What have we done?"  I am much happier and it has only been 6 days.  Alot of that has to do with Fiona's transition to her new school and how thrilled we are with our soon-to-be apartment, building and neighborhood.

As you know I am doing this blog as an electronic memory book which is my motivation.  I absolutely despise writing which explains why this is so late.  I feel like I'm in high school, procrastinating on a paper.  Hope you give me a good grade.  ;-)

I've read about it but to SEE it...

• Pollution - First day was bad - the air smelled funny and then we were idiots and decide to go out that evening at rush hour and "explore" the neighborhood.  Yeah, great idea!!  Let's breathe in fresh fumes while we walk around the masses of people staring at us (see below).  Since then, I haven't noticed it.  We've had several blue sky days but I hear from others that it can be bad so I must be prepared.
• Masses of People - yeah, I know, they have a billion+ people but to see them is another story.  The buses are filled to the brim, the bus stops, they are EVERYWHERE!  I ate at Subway the other day and there were 6 people behind the very small counter...doesn't sound all that odd but it was.  BUT they are a friendly billion people.  Have not met a rude person yet (except drivers-see below).  They are so friendly (even when they are staring and pointing) and kind.  They've got 'southern hospitality' down.
• Bad Driving - Imagine the worst driver you have ever seen and multiply it by 10 - no exaggeration!  They don't signal, they don't wait, they'll plow over pedestrians and bicyclists, they merge like it's a game of chicken.  I saw a poor man and his 3 year old stuck in the middle of the street b/c cars would not stop to let them cross.  I've heard that the drivers here are only one generation from the bicycle which is why they drive cars like they are bikes.  Very pleased we won't need to drive much when we get to our new home.  Fiona and Isla's school is a bike ride/long walk away and Patrick plans to bike to the subway station.  But now I am spending 2+ hours in traffic (see below) so I've seen some off-the-chart bad driving.  If it wasn't so dangerous, it'd be funny.
• Traffic - I'm from Houston...I've seen my fair share of traffic.  Just avoid certain areas during rush hour and you'll be fine.   How can you avoid the entire city when it is a parking lot?  I might be exaggerating but not by much.  Did I mention how I am thrilled to not be driving in the not-near-enough future?
• The Chinese Love Children (especially Western children) - That is 110% true.  Case in point: I was setting up a bank account on Friday and I look over to check on the girls and they are surrounded by SIX Chinese women hugging them, taking their picture with them, overall spoiling them with attention.  And that trend continues...wherever we go, Isla gets stares and smiles.  She, of course, loves it!  :-D
• Communism - I've only noticed it a few times - had to find a way 'out' of China to get access to Facebook, Iphones are sold here without Wi-Fi, that's about it so far.

Let me know if I missed something you have read about but would like to know how it compares to reality.  Also, please join Facebook or visit often.  I'm posting status updates, pics, etc.

Status Updates - April 5th to 11th

I know some of you are not on Facebook or don't check it regularly (or at all) so here is the day to day comments since we left Houston.  This is just to get you up-to-date.  No point in typing it out again when I can just cut and paste.  ;-)  I'll be writing a First Impressions article soon.

April 5, 2010 - Happy Easter Everyone! Just had lunch with the British fam in Wales. This keyboard is different than US ones...damn Brits have to make everything more difficult. :-P Head to Holland tomorrow. Hope to have more consistent internet. xoxo

April 6th - Arrived in Holland. Went to the beach for some fritas and mayo. P is working tomorrow and we have a playdate in Wassenaar. Happy to have internet access in the hotel - even if it is terribly slow. ;-)

April 7th - Had a wonderful day in Holland, lovely weather, fantastic company, yummy satay for dinner. Tomorrow is THE day...am I ready? Hell, that doesn't matter at this point. :-P

April 7th - Waiting in Schipohl for our flight to Beijing...relieved the wait is almost over, excited to see how it all compares to my imagination and nervous it won't live up to my imagination. I'll let you know as soon as I can bypass the Great Firewall of China. xoxo

April 8th -Arrived in Beijing 12 hours ago...taken this long to battle the Great Firewall of China. Enjoying my small victory of finding Facebook Lite through some vtunnel but the war has not been won. Too tired to fight...going to bed. xoxo

April 9th - Is stilling using Facebook Lite which only allows me to post comments so no Mafia Wars :-( 

Took Fiona to her school for a tour and to buy uniforms. Also opened a bank account - P and I have to have separate accounts since there are no joint accounts. (What's the symbol for "how odd"?) Hope to write a blog entry soon ...but too busy running around. xoxo

April 10th - Has broken through the Great Firewall of China. Mao is no match for my obsession with Mafia Wars. Oh...and I also wanted to see what my friends were up to. ;-)

April 10th - Had a wonderful day in Beijing today...our 1st good day since we arrived on Thursday. Sunny, blue skies, looked at apartments, found one we really like so keep your fingers crossed, got Facebook to work so playing a bit of MW, took girls to Chaoyang Park to the best amusement park EVER, delicious dinner in a fun new area...could go on but I need to write that darn blog entry. Tomorrow, I promise.

April 11th - If yesterday was 'wonderful', then today was Fantastic! Found an apartment/location 20 times better than the one yesterday. Suddenly I am very excited about our time in Beijing. We are going to have a wonderful time biking/walking around our new neighborhood. Check out the website to see where we are moving in a week. Fiona starts school tomorrow so I'll update you tomorrow. xoxo  

http://www.embassyhouse.com/

What We Love About Houston

• Fabulous food - every nationality, every price range, every level of yumminess - Kanomwan, El Tiempo,  Pei Wei, RA Sushi, Churrasco's, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Melting Pot, Mark's, Captain Tom's, Beck's Prime in Memorial Park, Nirvana's, El Rey, you get the point...
• Things the Girls Will Miss - Memorial City Mall's playground, climbing wall and train, grandparents, letterboxing, zoo, cycling in Memorial Park, all the playgrounds, aunts, ball pit at Ikea, Pump It Up, friends, Cypress Gymnastics, WonderWild, dinosaur museum...
• Things Patrick Will Miss - shooting ranges, steaks, H1 Beef at Kanomwan, his garden, his house, his dog,  Miller Genuine Draft, inexpensive luxury cars, mountain bikes
• Things Kim Will Miss - her bookclub, Sami's skills at Touch of Red, Stacy at Faces365, monthly dates with Stephanie, ritas @ Spec's, lots of stuff @ Costco, Target, DSW, Half Price Books
• Fantastic Friends
• Kimmers - 20 years of friendship and it has never been difficult, we have never fought, never argued, never not seen eye to eye, how rare is that?, I'll miss just having you within a 20 mile radius
• Stephanie - I checked you out from across the room, thought you were a good looking, sassy, pregnant chick and said "hey, we could be friends" - 7 years later...As you said in your card, we are as different as we are similar but we'll be friends forever.
• Nichola - I've said it before and I'll say it again ... you are the most thoughtful, considerate, generous person I know.  You amaze me and I'm lucky you moved 2 door downs 7 years ago
• Ellen -  I remember the moment we realized we were neighbors, how long did that take??  You are such a generous and kind soul and I'm happy you moved caddy-corner to us.  I have enjoyed our walks, our chats and our Mafia Wars obsession.  Still miss you in SL.  ;-)
• Too many to keep on mentioning - thank you for your friendship and kindness.  I am a lucky woman!!

• Family
• Mom - What do you say about your Mom? - You rock!!  You're my rock!  You're a wonderful woman who I'm lucky to have as my role model.   I'll miss you and the girls will miss you but we'll be seeing you soon on Skype!
• Dad - You have always been my best friend.  Well, maybe not when you were waking me up in high school but the other times, I can say we have always been buds.
• Amy - 7 years age difference should be insurmountable but we managed to hang out in the 90s and the early 00s.  I know we don't hang out socially as much but I have enjoyed our Bachelor nights, our movie nights and just hanging with the girls. 
• Ashley - 11 years are pretty insurmountable but it won't always be.  We're living different lives but we'll always be sisters and I will always love you.

We'll miss you all.  We might be on the other side of the world but you'll all be in our thoughts and hearts every day.  xoxo