The DeSmet Family Worldwide

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

U15 girls Beijing International Football Club

Starting this spring Julia, my 12 year old, started playing on a new all girls soccer team. She is the baby on the team but really enjoys the camaraderie of playing with girls again. The team is made up of the best players from different international school around Beijing. They are being coached by none other than one of my best friends here. She used to work for the Women's National team and played college soccer herself. She is just an awesome coach and person in general so I couldn't think of a better person to share her love of the game with my child! (Julia's father most definitely approves too!)
These are a few shots that I took during a scimmage game that they played against ISB varsity. The game ended in a tie, which is pretty darn good for a bunch of 8th graders, a 7th grader and my 6th grader! They are currently working on finding other competition for them to play against and getting them fitted with cool new uniforms and warm ups (compliments of Nike and the Danish embassy).

Julia is still playing on the China Club Football boys team as well, and is really having fun with that too, but sometimes the boys just don't want to talk about clothes and hair!

Julia bringing the ball up the left side.

My friend, Coach Hilary Biggs.

Julia in action. (These are borrowed uniform shirts from her school.)

Kelly's new position on the sidelines. He sits as far away as possible so he doesn't "coach" from the sidelines!

Ella hanging out on the sidelines, playing with Hil's daughter and my other friends son!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Black Sesame Kitchen

Had a great adult night out in Beijing with some friends at Black Sesame Kitchen. It is a family style Chinese restaurant, in the middle of a hutong (Chinese neighborhood), that has unbelievable good food.
We enjoyed strolling past the shops and vendors, and I even bought me some Cheetah ear barrettes. I have admired them on many of the local Chinese women (seriously), and decided that I needed to blend in a bit more.
It was a great night that involved way to much beer, wine and bijiu (Chinese liqueur that taste worse than rubbing alcohol). Thank goodness we got to sleep in the next morning because I had a MSG hangover and Kelly had a regular one!

The chef's cooking one of the many courses.

Our cute little American waitress that is studying abroad.

And here comes the bijiu.....gombay!! (what you say before you take your shot)

Our friend Jason liked the bijiu a little too much.....until the next morning!

Streets of the hutong!

Had a few drinks at a bar called "The Wiggly Jiggly". The minute we walked in they started playing country music. They must aim to please but do I look country???? How about a little Linkin Park???

We had to walk through a maze of houses to get to the restaurant. This is in in front of the restaurant. I love the clothes hanging on the line!

Black Sesame Kitchen. It is a top restaurant in Beijing on TripAdvisor.

Our group

My friend Heather rocking my Cheetah ears.......Meowwwwww!

I love this hutong area. It is an experience in itself and I also love my kitty ears (which have now been confinscated by kids).

Friday, May 3, 2013

Springtime in Beijing!

It has been beautiful here the past few weeks! Temps in the 70's and 80's, flowers in full bloom and low pollution levels! Yahoo! We have been outside as much as possible and loving every minute of it! My friend took the girls out for an impromptu photo session to get some test shots for her upcoming shoots. They look like little garden fairies!

Julia's ISB 6th grade Basketball team wins the ISAC tournament!

The 6th grade girls basketball team played in a tournament with all of the other teams in the ISAC conference. They went undefeated and won the whole thing. The coach let Julia bring home the hardware for the weekend. Way to go ISB Dragons!

Flat Stanley visits China!

Okay....so I know that I am way behind on this blog, but between training for the 1/2 marathon, Chinese lessons and working on Flat Stanley projects I haven't really had extra computer time........so I am back at it again.
If you haven't heard of Flat Stanley, let me explain. He is a paper boy from a book that is supposed to travel through the mail to visit and learn how other people live in the world. My kids both did this in 2nd grade at their school, so now it is my turn to give back. There were 2 family friends whom sent me their Stanley's, so we were on a mission to hit up as many spots in Beijing as we could and show them how the DeSmet's live here in China. It was really pretty fun and made me realize how different and yet the same things can be. I will share with you some of the pics that were my favorites and hope that Kaleb and Megan enjoyed them (and their chopsticks) as much as we did!

Stanley at HoHi lake

Checking out the local cuisine.

Stanley meeting my friends at Cross Fit!

Meeting my friends and some of the interesting ways of traveling here.

Stanley on The Great Wall of China with a couple getting wedding pictures taken.

Stanley and my tutor Simon.

Stanley, Mr. Wei (my friends driver) and a very little "smart" car. Easy to find a parking spot with one of these babies!

Stanley at our house!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Spring Break

We were scheduled to go on a holiday to Singapore on April 1, but were rerouted back to the US, with news of the death of Kelly's father. He had been battling leukemia for several months and due to the chemotherapy, blood transfusions and heart issues, it was a tougher fight than any one man could handle.
Grandpa Dave passed away March 26th and is now in a place where he can kick back in his recliner, with his old dog curled at his feet, swapping jokes with his father. A place where his beloved Cubbies and Notre Dame football win every game. (Note: Mother, this is Dave's version of heaven, not yours, so please don't worry. In our heaven it will be Ohio State and the Cardinals!)
Kelly was already in the States on business and fortunately got to see his Dad one last time. The girls and I flew out of Beijing on Saturday, March 30, for the brief 13 hour flight to Chicago. It felt great to be standing on US soil again! Kelly picked us up and we headed for the QC. Our first stop....Culver's restaurant for a burger and shakes. (Let the ridiculous amount of calories to be consumed begin.)
We finally made it to Grandma and Grandpa Wilson's, where we were thoroughly hugged and kissed. We were also treated to some homemade carrot cake. (I should have gone directly to the treadmill right then!) We were able to spend Easter with my family on Sunday and did some power shopping on Monday morning. I can not tell you how much I missed Target and Kohl's! After the retail therapy and stocking up on some much needed items to import back into China, we had Dave's visitation to attend on Monday evening.
It was very nice to see the DeSmet side of the family again. Keri, Kelly's sister flew in from Florida, so we got to see Aunt Keri and spend some time with Great Grandma DeSmet too. It was also very touching to see the people that come to offer their condolences. Kelly and I both had several friends and coworkers show up to pay their respect and we were both humbled and genuinely touched by their kindness. There were also a couple of beautiful baskets that were sent from our soccer families and it brought tears to our eyes to receive them and feel their love. Some of them came to the visitation (they had practice at the same time) but it was so good to see some of them and hug them. If any of you are reading this, you have no idea how much we miss you all!
The funeral was the following day and Dave, who was a Vietnam veteran, had a full military burial. I can't explain the feeling other than pride. It was a beautiful and powerful send off, with gun salute and "Taps" being played. Dave ultimately gave his life for our countries freedom. His leukemia was a result of being exposed to Agent Orange while he was in the jungles of Vietnam. We have talked to our girls about this and will never let them forget that their Grandpa was an American hero, as are all of our men and women in the military and in uniform!
On Wednesday, the girls got to visit their schools and have lunch with their friends. It was great to see how tall everyone had gotten and to catch up on the hub bub. Ella went to spend the afternoon with her "bestie" Kendall. Julia and I hit the mall again with Grandma for a bit and then we all had a family dinner at my folks that evening. I enjoyed every second I spent with my family. I miss my mom and sister so much and the girls miss their third "Amiga", Morgan. (cousin)
Thursday morning we left bright and early for the long haul back to Beijing. Ya know, it's kind of funny. When we arrived back in the US the kids said, "It's good to be home" and when we arrived back in Beijing the kids said, "It's good to be home." I guess home is where your family and friends are. Glad we have made so many new friends here and gained some new family members too! Now I am off to take the dog for a run and burn off some of the thousand extra calories I consumed while we were home! Love to you all!