Will switched schools from last year and June has now started school. She was happy that she gets to go to school with her brother but she gets picked up after lunch while Will stays for the full day. Last year Will's school was supposed to be 60% in Chinese and 40% in English but he reality seemed to be more like 90%/10%. This year there is no option - it's 100% in Chinese. Its an international school but the teachers are all Chinese and all of the instruction is completely in Chinese. Will and June have a leg up on most of the other students because they have spoken Chinese in the home a lot. Most of the other students have had limited opportunities to learn and speak. The teachers have told us that both of them often act as translators for the other students so they can know what is going on. After a few weeks we have already noticed that June is speaking a lot more Chinese than she used to. Yesterday Will was walking around the house singing a song in Chinese that he learned at school. Will be interesting to see how things shape out at the end of the school year. So far neither of the kids seem to mind at all.
Will turned 5 last week and he was oh so excited about it. We had a few friends over for cake, but no ice cream since Will is not a fan, and the kids had a great time.
After nearly nine years with ICON Health & Fitness I had my last day at work on September 18th. It has been a great run but an opportunity came knocking that I couldn't turn down. I start my new job tomorrow at Specialized as the China GM. We will still be based in Shanghai and this puts us here for likely at least five more years.
Jen ran a 10km race this week and it was one of the first running races that she has done in many years. It was an all women's race with 2,000 ladies lined up. She fought her way to the front of the race and the gun went off. A lead pack of 6 women quickly established and they went out fast, faster than she had planned on. Without having run any races for a long time the pacing was a bit of a guess so she just went out with the lead pack. 1st, and 2nd place in this race won a free trip to Milan, Italy so the motivation was high. Unfortunately there were three other runners that were a bit quicker today and she came in 4th. No trip to Italy but it was a great event to start to get back to racing. She is preparing for her first 70.3 half ironman in Taiwan in November so she has been doing a lot of the swim/bike/run lately. The best news is that her hip is no longer giving her any problems and she is training pain free (well, minus the normal pain from training…)
Today Jen got released from nursery and put in the primary presidency as a counselor. I got released as branch mission leader but am still a primary teacher.
Will's 5th birthday. Jen spent a lot of time to make a special Batman cake for his school party.
Last day at work with ICON. Yes, in China I am the shortest guy...
First day of school.
June just striking a pose.
Cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Tour de France being won on a Specialized bike at the China Dealer Event. On my right is the founder and CEO of Specialized.
Selfie with the new company.
Jen during her 10km race. Small pic but the only one we have.
TP in another rainy race last weekend.
Will & June on way to church.
Will & June just being Will & June.
