The Forever Flight to China

Yes, it took the regular time of 48 minutes to Atlanta, sit and wait, 2 and a half hours to Detroit, sit and wait, and then 13 1/2 hours to Shanghai, but that alone wasn't the "forever" part.  We had a very chatty flight crew who kept turning the lights on delivering everything imaginable to everyone--including  Duty Free items, water, snacks, small amounts of food in a little tray, etc., etc., but did they have to have the lights on almost the entire way?  Plus, we had a little toddler two rows behind me who cried the first ten hours.  When the parents finally got him asleep, the flight attendant went by and freaked out because the parents had laid him out on the trays for your food, and she said the little boy would break them.  Seriously?  We really didn't care about the trays that much at that point.  So, the parents had to wake the little guy up again by moving him, and we got to spend another couple hours with him crying.  I felt so bad for the parents--and us.  I don't think anyone got any sleep on that flight!  But, like I said, "Sleep is overrated!"  Hah!

John and Alison's home in Shanghai

Overlooking the backyard.

 

Tyson (second from left) with some of his friends.



I had to take this picture of the signs on the gate by their house.  The Chinese translation of many of our terms seem to always strike me funny!

Living room--notice the terracotta warrior which John got in Xi-an when the 24 of us went a couple of years ago. 

John and Alison have many beautiful pieces of furniture which they have purchased throughout their six years in China.

After arriving in Shanghai, all of the long flight was forgotten.  It was great seeing the Wilde family and helping with John's recuperation.

How This All Came About.  Three weeks ago, John went out to play a friendly little game of basketball with Parker.   He wasn't out there five minutes when he went down in sheer agony with a popped Achilles tendon.  The surgery was set a couple of days later, and John now says that he thinks the doctor wrapped the leg too tightly after his surgery, because a few days later, he was in extreme pain.  He was again rushed to the hospital where he learned he had developed blood clots.  They admitted him and started giving him blood thinners, but soon the clots became worse and things became extremely tense.  The blood clots had traveled to his lungs and could go to his heart.  He now had to have another surgery to put in a stint in his leg so that the clots wouldn't travel further.  Wow!  Alison called and asked if I could come to Shanghai to help out, and of course, I said, "Gladly." 

This was hysterical.  The next-door neighbor wanted to recreate the "crime" scene where the accident happened.  She used Bracken to draw around on the pavement.

She had even made a big sign.

All of this couldn't have happened at a worse time!  John had business meetings in the states, Bracken was graduating from high school, the realtor said their house in San Francisco had to be closed on almost immediately, and there was still many items to be sold which they didn't plan on taking or they were of the wrong voltage for America.  Anyway, waaay too much to do when one person couldn't even get out of bed at the hospital for two weeks!  So, Alison has had an extremely big load.  Hopefully my going alleviated the stress a little!    

 

One of the days, we had to check John out of his room to take him to the American Consulate in order to get a Power of Attorney so that Alison could sign all the papers to buy their new home in San Francisco.  They will be moving there in July after living in Shanghai for six years and Paris for three. 

 

Even going for just a couple of hours totally wore him out, but afterwards, we checked him back in as the doctors didn't want to release him yet.


 The darling sign Alison and the boys made for John.  Some of the candy had fallen off by the time I took this picture, but you get the idea!

Added Bonus.  In addition to helping out, I was able to enjoy doing many fun activities with the grandkids, such as:


 Bicycle rides to the park---or should I say--walking to the park.  Preston got tired half way there and I ended up pulling the bike along the other half way there--and all the way home!

We went to the little "Superstore" by the park (like our 7-11), and bought some ice cream and a Diet Coke for Grandma. 


Playing ball out in the cauldesak in front of their house.   Mostly we played baseball and had so much fun.  One day when Tyson was playing with us, out came one kid from next door who wanted to play, then three little kids came and wanted to play;  Tyson and I were getting pretty tired of chasing the ball and pitching to every kid in the neighborhood.   Finally, a Chinese nanny came out with a little toddler and let the kids park the stroller with the toddler in it right in the middle of the ball diamond.  At that time, Tyson, Preston, and I just shook our heads in disbelief and left the scene for them all to figure out.  I don't think the nanny knew the rules of American baseball.  Hah!







John and Alison's kids love to play card and board games.  Look at my face!  Seriously, do I look competitive or not--and Tyson was still beating me!

Going to Preston's Pre-School.  Since little Preston was born in China, John and Alison felt he should learn as much Chinese as possible while living there.  The school they put him in is called "The Wonder School."  It certainly is a wonder!  I have never seen so many ways for the young children to learn as they have there--plus with both English and Chinese speaking teachers, they listen and speak both languages every day. 

Animals to care for, plus seeds and food items which they grow and harvest. 

The most unique artwork I have ever seen.  The art teacher is a guy from Taiwan--unbelievable the things he has the children create.

Plus, the children make their own lunch items.  Today, they had made granola and pizza.  They even make their own peanut butter!  I laughed when Preston said, "If you make it, you take it!"  Because the kids love to help make the items, they all learn to try everything.

Bracken's High School Graduation.  Of course, George and I knew that Bracken was graduating from high school, but we knew we would never be able to attend at this time.  However, with John's accident, I just happened to be there for the big event.  Oh, how happy I was to be able to see and be a part of all the fun activities!

 
Bracken going out the door on the day of his graduation.

Again, we had to go to the hospital to check John out for the big graduation.  He was now out of his cast and they had put a big "Transformer" boot on him.  That boot was huge!

John got all dressed up in his suit and looked so nice after being in his pajamas for two weeks!

We saw Bracken just before we went in.  This is his best friend who graduated last year.  His friend is from Mexico and is now doing an internship for the Hyatt Hotels in downtown Shanghai.  He and Bracken did the morning announcements on the school television all last year together.

The school's orchestra was playing as we took our seats in the audience.  They sounded like a college orchestra!

As you can see, the Commencement Exercises were held at the Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai.

The Vice Principal of the School. 

Bracken coming in the procession.

Starting at attending for one year, all of the students stood for how long they had attended Shanghai American School.  Bracken stood up with those attending for six years.  Two students had spent all twelve years at the school and one had even gone to kindergarten there.

After the student speaker and the faculty speaker spoke, some special awards were given.  This woman started speaking about a young man who epitomized warmth, friendliness, and enthusiasm for others and their achievements.  She started crying talking about this young man who encouraged others, attended all the activities to cheer others on, as well as did humanitarian work and scouting work.  All of a sudden, Parker poked me and said, "They are talking about Bracken!"  I looked over and both John and Alison had tears running down their cheeks!  This was such a surprise for everyone.  Bracken received the school's spirit award--a very coveted award to be so honored--plus he got a $1,000 check for using anyway he saw fit!

We all were so proud of Bracken!  He really does have a soft heart for all those around him.  We have seen this since he was a little boy, so I wasn't surprised at all!

After two hours of program, it was now time to award the diplomas.  Since John was on the school board, he got to hobble up and present his own son his diploma.  It truly was so touching!

An emotional father and son.

 About the last half hour of the graduation (which ended up lasting 2 1/2 hours), little Preston who had just sat there watching the whole thing, got thirsty.  I couldn't believe he lasted that long!

 The turning of the tassels--

and the throwing of the caps!

 One hundred twenty-five students of the Shanghai American School were now high school graduates.

That's a pretty happy smile that this program was done.

Lots of love and best wishes . . .

Tyson and his best friend.

Parker and some of his best friends.

About this time, John was getting pretty tuckered out.

Bracken and Lynette--his best "friend" throughout the past six years at Shanghai American School.

Lynette's brother is the young man on the left.  Such outstanding young people--all of them.

Although the school provided a wonderful array of foods after the graduation, Bracken had requested that the family eat at a fantastic buffet in one of the downtown hotels.  I took this picture through the window of some important landmarks in Shanghai as I was passing by them.

The fresh flowers in the lobby were just magnificent!

The food was stationed all around in different sections of different rooms.  You could walk around and get food freshly prepared right for you.  Divine!!!

I was amazed how all of the kids--even little Preston--were so good at using chopsticks!  I, myself, settled for a fork.

The fountains of chocolate for dipping fresh fruits were just exquisite. 

All in all, you would think the day couldn't have been more perfect--but there was more.  A couple of hours later, we went to a family's home who were Mormons, for Seminary Graduation.  Most of the kids arrived on their vehicles which they parked outside the door.  (I should have taken a picture just inside the door--all of the shoes were nicely lined up . . . as everyone removes their shoes as they walk in.)

Seminary for Mormon youth starts at the age of ninth grade.  The students attend an hour four mornings a week beginning at 5:50 a.m. to study scriptures and have inspirational classes to teach them about Christ and the gospel. 

Sixteen students from the Shanghai Branch attended each morning.  These three young people (including Bracken) finished their four-years of attendance and were able to graduate honorably.  Bracken was one of the speakers and spoke about his favorite scriptures and how they have affected his life.  He did such a dynamic job!  Here he is with the other two students, plus his teachers--a husband and wife team who live there in Shanghai.  I believe he is an attorney working there.

Parker just finished his first year and will continue with his seminary training after they move to San Francisco.  It might not be quite so convenient as in Shanghai because seminary was held right in the basement of John and Alison's home.  Tables and chairs, charts, maps, and boxes with each of the students' names were there permanently for the whole year.

Here are Bracken and Parker with their proud mother.  We had to take John back to the hospital as he hadn't been used to standing that long and needed to get off his foot.

Wonderful refreshments were served afterwards.

I love this picture!  Two brothers riding off together after simply a perfect day!  (The rest of us rode with the driver in the car.)

Coming up:  More Memories of the Wilde Times in Shanghai