Keeping it simple

It was a low key tenth anniversary.  Then again, after a decade and a kid, do we have the time or energy to really blow it out?  

We ordered in Indian food.  Had a night.  Simple.

The highlight of the night was the Kiddo cards.  We got these slipped under her bedroom door after bedtime and she is the sweetest and most thoughtful little love.  I mean, how can you NOT love this.  She is beyond thoughtful.

Other than that, we got out to Decathlon today and updated some of our clothes and swimsuits and all of that for Vietnam.  Plus, Kiddo got some new sunglasses.  Otherwise, she got a few new shirts and shorts, plus a new swimsuit, so she is set.  I didn’t think getting changing room pics was kosher, so you’ll all just have to wait until she actually wears them for pics of the new threads in action.  After that, the highlight of Decathlon… The trampoline.  

As for Kiddo, here’s some random pics of her being her.  Poley photo op, love face, and choco-smile!

Also, the mall, Central Rama 2, is changing up again.  The basement, near Tops, is now a Chinese Market in it’s aesthetic and vibe.  Kiddo, however, was amazed at the big pot that one of the vendors had.  Look at this thing…. HUGE!

We’re in a holding pattern right now, end of school year is coming and Kiddo had her stuff going on, J has the same… only on the teacher and parent side of things.  For me, I’m just air traffic controlling it all and keeping dinner on the table.  As this is my tenth year as a teacher husband and sixth as a dad teacher husband, I get it and it’s typical.  Just like end of August and early September are crazy with back to school.  It all starts to kind of wind down in October and J usually pops her head back up and can ease off a little right about the time I take her out for her Bday dinner or celebration.  Good thing we have nothing major between August and October.  

Lastly, I’m hoping to get some opinions, because J and I have been talking about the next steps for us as we will be applying again for jobs this coming autumn.  China has recently popped up on our radar and due to some of J’s contacts and the like, she could basically just ask for a job and she would be handed one in China.  I’ve been a hard NO on that, especially with Hong Kong and the political climate and US/China relations.  My opinions are, obviously, slanted and biased based on my own thoughts and readings, but maybe I am missing something or too conservative/overly protective in my thinking.

So, if you have opinions on China and teaching there, pop into the comments or message me offline and let me know thoughts.  I told J I would be more open to the idea after the 2024 election to see how America shapes up and how that impacts global relations and policies, but again, I’m open to hearing the opinions of others and getting insight that I’ve missed or overlooked.  I know the US State Department has it at a Level 3 (reconsider travel/limited Consular protections in region) and that a number of US based Chinese scholars have (in the last 3-5 years) have either fled or refused academics invitations due to the current political climates, but it also seems that those individuals had been vocal and public on their thoughts on both Hong Kong and Tibet, so that isn’t a fair gauge for us to use; necessarily.  

I’m open to any thoughts, comments, or links that might help us as we start down this path and as those choices come open to us.  Also, thanks in advance.

Let’s go, Kiddo… a week of school left and then a few days later, Vietnam.  Mumma and I are so so so very excited to take you and show you more of the world.  We love you and thanks for all of your love this week.