Guess it was inevitable to be in China and become a teacher. But this is different, Doing this for my kids. With schools shut down now until at least the fall here in China (they just announced in early May 2020 that schools will be further delayed from opening until the Fall) – I have to finally take matters in …
The New Normal – Searching For An Apartment Back in China
Can you believe we are almost halfway through the year 2020? Still feel it is January and preparing to fly to Philippines for a few months. Sitting in the same desk and chair in my aunt-in-law’s spare bedroom that is a makeshift home office, the same spot I booked a flight to Manila in January. But we are approaching mid-May …
Digesting and Processing and Transforming in Shenyang
Well, after the “music stops” and the pursuit of getting to a ’final” destination has been reached – there is the “morning after”. I mean I am so happy to be re-united with my wife and kids, but now the next big adventure and question is – where do we go from here? No one knows how long the world …
Adjusting to Life After Quarantine: Getting a Haircut in Shenyang City
Well, talking to others in quarantine – a haircut is one of the first things on my mind. Even before entering quarantine a haircut would have been nice. It averages about one haircut every few weeks, and with the madness of the Bohol, Cebu, Korea, Shenyang, China travel – and then sitting in a hotel room for a half month …
Out of Quarantine and Delayed Birthday Cake
Well, I know many of you have been waiting for this video blog – I am out of quarantine. Immediately upon checkout, and a photo with one of the nurses in the lobby – I headed back to see the family. Wendy picked me up with a family member and we drove home. Monday April 6, 2020 about 7:30pm we …
Cancelled Flights & Locked Down in Cebu
I have been running away from an avalanche for a week now – lockdown in Manila, lockdown in Bohol – and in Cebu booking flight to China. Thought I would make it – literally by the skin of my teeth – with a Tuesday March 18, 2020 flight to China – with 2 connections – for 800USD. But failed. The …
Company Retreat in Bohol Turned Operation: Evacuation
Writing this up from my hotel room in Bohol under much different circumstances than I expected for our team retreat. Rushing to the airport on Thursday, Marc told me that Manila is considering going on full lockdown. I wasn’t sure if I could make my flight before the lockdown was announced or what would even happen. Flight went like normal …
Update: My Kids Are Allowed to Play Outside in China
Seeing this quick photo and video on my “Family wechat group” yesterday got me to sit up and get excited. My kids are allowed to leave the apartment and play in the garden of the apartment compound. It has been now almost 2 months since I last saw them. Watching them wearing their masks and play in a quiet and …
Looking For An Online Teaching System For My Kids (Stuck in China)
Makes me think back to the John Graham story of “Stuck in China” – but now it is my wife and kids. Been so tempted to book a flight and head out to China, but even my wife has been telling me to hold off on hitting the buy now button on that travel site. Schools are still closed in …
That Feeling of a Father Who Isn’t There For His Family
How did I get in this situation? Those following the vlog, saw it – but today I just want to step back and review how it turned out I’m in another country while my wife and kids are experiencing the next SARS is in China and it is spreading. It started back in November, 2019 – when I returned to …
My Ice Princess: Happy Birthday Maggie, Turning 4
My Ice Princess: Happy Birthday Maggie, Turning 4 Time is truly flying by. And having children is definitely the ultimate life counter. My daughter turned 4 years old. She’s up in Shenyang and I had to watch video recordings and a video call from down in Manila. That is tough, not being there for your daughter’s fourth birthday. And it …
Ice Lake, Crab Cooking and [Leaving The Kids Behind]
The last video blog with the kids for some time, so enjoy. Unless you’re that friend of mine that can’t stand the baby and kid content, then you’ll have more of the “just Mike” content coming soon. But this video was the last few days of mine in Shenyang, China with the wife, kids, and extended family. Then down to …
Traditional Northern (Dong Bei) Chinese Meal
Less than a week before I kiss the wife and kids goodbye for a few months and fly down to Manila, Philippines. So how else to celebrate than to get the whole family together and eat a massive meal. Everywhere in the world, but especially in China, this is how people gather. Wendy booked a nice traditional North Eastern Chinese …
Miles Made a Snowman
The joys of being in north China – taking your son for a walk on a Friday afternoon and ….experimenting with teaching him how to make a snowman with an inch or so of snow
How Long Will You Be Alive For？Put a Number on it!
I’m almost half dead! (Morbid I know but it motivates me to take action In life and try to make a difference) Life is short, and we need to make the most of it. I had Jasper on the team help make a cool little app to remind everyone (including myself) how long we have been alive for – but …