Found in Fishers

The wheels on the bus go 'round & 'round

Ah, the joy of riding a school bus for 2+ hours with a bunch of guard girls. The trip to Cincinnati went quickly; the ride home seemed to take forever.

I did something I vowed never to do: I rode the school bus to Cincinnati, Ohio last weekend for the band competition at Colerain High School. It's not that I necessarily mind riding a bus, but school buses do not have the leg room for tall people like me. My legs don'tt fit in the seat unless I sit sideways. And noisy kids for three hours, well...not exactly my cup of tea. However, with the long week of preparing for and greeting my Chinese guests John and I both agreed that it was not safe for us to drive to Ohio so tired. We were afraid we would get there, but struggle to drive back home. We were right; way too tired to be driving home at 1 a.m.

Kelly Daniels, one of the guard directors, applies Liz's makeup on the bus ride to Cincinnati. The girls start getting ready long before arriving at a competition.

Once we arrived at the high school, I got to see more backstage preparations, as I usually arrive a bit later and immediately sit with friends in the bleachers. Liz and the guard girls put makeup on during the bus ride. I actually enjoyed my bus ride to Ohio. I got to talk about my favorite subject: China. There was one gal in particular, Tori, who wanted to hear all about the visitors last week and my trip to China. The time flew by. We arrived about 11 a.m. and the kids had to get dressed almost right away. There were 29 bands performing during the day and only the top 10 bands would go to finals. Mark and the band members dress outside in the grassy areas. The guard dresses on their bus or in the school; it just depends on a school's particular facilities.

There was a lot of standing around and sitting on bleachers with very little leg room. But the Royal Command & Guard came out of preliminary competition with a 1st place in their class and the trophy for best color guard and best percussion. That was wonderful with such competition. We went into finals as one of the 5 top bands. The group, me included, rode to a local mall after the performance because there were quite a few kids feeling sick and they needed not only some rest but also some food. We had a 9:15 p.m. finals performance.

That's Mark on the left getting dressed with the rest of the band before heading off to warm up prior to prelims.

Our score improved again and we were against bands much larger than the RCG. We were happy to take a second place overall for the color guard and 5th in placement. The color guard should be proud; they were competing against some big dogs! The ride home wasn't pleasant as the trip there. By 11 in the evening my hips were sore from having to sit all day in uncomfortable settings, my foot was throbbing, and the bus was too hot. Yikes! 2:15 a.m. couldn't come fast enough for my sore body. I did keep reminding myself that the bus ride did save me gas money. What a way to celebrate Sweetest Day.

More about our guests from China

I have so much to say about our Chinese visitors that I wanted another day to tell you more. Compulsory education in China goes through 8th grade. High school is not free and is very difficult to get into. This is because there are so many children; it's very competitive to get into high school. Additionally, students must take a high school entrance exam. Many high schools have dorms because students come from all over a province to attend high school. That was the case for most the of the principals who visited Indiana. They house at least half of their students, and on average, had 4000 students per high school. Even more amazing is that in the more rural areas, the principals said kids only go home a couple times a year. They asked many questions about American high schools and were very interested in how our teens fit in working and extra curricular activities. This is especially true for Chinese teens who go to school 6 days a week from 7:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night - and study for the college entrance exam - since only 20% of students are able to go to college. I would love to see a copy of questions from a college entrance exam, but have found only a couple questions on the internet.

There were lessons galore, among them: Eating from a plate that one holds on their lap.

I was thinking more about the dinner at my house. It was something I really wanted to do so that my guests could experience some American culture. They commented on how surprised they were with how polite my kids were. The kids visited with the principals but what they really liked was when they saw them taking people's plates and putting them in the dishwasher without being asked. I guess my training for manners was taking. Okay, we did have to remind them beforehand that neither of them touch a plate of food until every guest was servedand that it was appropriate for them to help clear dishes. Whew, it worked. The kids had fun though, too. They want to go to China. I watched my guests to see their expressions while learning about informal eating in an American home. In China, people go to restaurants to eat and for banquets. And the one who invites also pays. First, I demonstrated how to put a hotdog together. I was laughing because it was something we all take for granted, but they have never seen a hotdog. Some of the guests squirted more than the hotdog when using the ketchup and mustard. Another thing I found had to do with beverages. The entire time I was in China, I was always served cold soda, cold water, etc. I found out at my party that isn't true for the Chinese themselves. I had beer, lemonade, soda, and water...all cold. So I made a bath of warm water in my sink and as soon as I warmed up the beer, the men all drank. I'm not sure what they were toasting too but they were all smiles. It was a great time for them too since they had a chance to visit with each other; they only met a week ago. It was pretty funny when they saw me taking the twist off beer tops. They didn'tt know they were twist off so they thought I was Hercules.

All of our Chinese guests tried a bit of everything, even the apple pie we served for desert.

The favorite food of the day: Pickles. I had a pickle tray with all kinds of pickles...dill, gerkins, bread & butter. All gone!. I also had a tray with raw veggies. I was afraid that would go untouched as Joey, our Chinese language teacher, said that Asian people do not eat raw veggies. They were gone too, along with the potato chips. Everyone was polite and did try the food. I told them before eating that I would not be insulted if they tasted something and did not finish it. The dessert was apple pie. Chinese people do not like very sweet things but they all took a taste. Being the big planner I am, I have enough food for 2 more delegations but I would much rather have more than not enough. I expected that the group would take hamburgers over hotdogs or brats because those principals living in big cities have McDonald's but that was the food least taken. The hotdogs and brats were all gone. Pasta salad was the favorite salad. I am sure it had to do with noodles being in the salad.

Busy life is slowing down in Fishers. The band season is almost over, my Fulbright curriculum project is done, this delegation has come and gone. I can't believe it. It will be quite for just a bit then it is surgery season for the Reichanadters. John is having knee surgery before Thanksgiving, and I'm having foot surgery before Xmas, while Liz is having her tonsils out Dec. 27. Welcome to the Reichanadter Nursing Home!

A Night to remember: China comes to Fishers

What a wonderful experience; I have new friends from China! Thursday was the big day for me when a delegation of 12 principals came to Hamilton Southeastern to learn more about high school reform. I greeted the guests in the morning at the administration center. During the morning session, the high school principals, the vice principals from both high schools, a counselor, the secondary curriculum director and I shared information about the high school curriculum. I also shared information about the school district. The food services director fixed a lovely lunch and we were off to HSE High School for a tour. The delegation really enjoyed seeing classes and watching students in the hallways. Their visit brought back so many memories of my visit to China. One funny one was when they took pictures. They took some odd pictures. A fan, a water fountain, a locker. The Chinese probably talked about me during the summer like I am about them taking funny pictures.

Everybody got into the act! Two of our guests helped John at the grill.

After the high school, the group took a trip to Castleton Mall. It allowed me a couple hours to get dinner ready. I invited the group to my house for an American indoor picnic. I had homemade potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, cole slaw, burgers, brats, and dogs. Even apple pie. But their favorite food of the day: Pickles. I had a large tray with a variety of pickles and it was gone. John took charge of the grill. I also invited Joey, our teacher from Taiwan, over for dinner as well as all of the high school administrators. Due to a big volleyball tournament, Joey was the only HSE person to come but it was great to have an extra translator on hand.

When Joey arrived I shared with her the snacks I set out on the counter that my guests could try. She laughed because I had raw veggies. She expressed that veggies are suppose to be cooked and would be surprised if they were eat. But I did have potato chips too, that surely would be a favorite. My guests were brave, they ate the snacks almost gone. I have so many fabulous stories to share with you after only one day. Even when I sorted through these pictures, I smiled and remember how much fun last night was. I could not even sleep last night. Partly because my legs were totally exhausted and partly because the experience was just so amazing I kept thinking of it. So much more to tell you. Keep checking.

Preparing for my Chinese guests

Weekends are suppose to be relaxing, not. Saturday we spent the day in St. Leon, Indiana at the band competition. The Royal Command and Guard got first place again. They also took home the caption awards for best percussion, best color guard, best music, and best general effects. The kids did not compete in the finals as the directors decided to let the buses come home so the kids could go to homecoming.

Now, time to plan for my guests coming on Thursday evening. Mark and John cleaned up the yard today, probably the last mow of the season. I went shopping for food for my indoor American picnic. I am making homemade potato salad, even though it will not taste as good as Mom's. I am also going to make pasta salad, baked beans, have veggies and a relish tray and then brats, hotdogs, and burgers. I think I am going to get some beer too. I know Chinese people like beer. I also decided to make Halloween treat bags for each person with some samples of what kids in the US get on Halloween night. I plan on topping the evening off with some apple pie.

I think one challenge is going to be showing my guests how to mingle in the house with their food. When I was in China it was all sit down dinners. I want them to experience dinner on the counter, eating on couches, chairs and on paper plates. I am hoping the weather is nice that night so that we can also use the deck. I expect 20 people and it will be nice to move around outside as well. I hope things go well. I was thinking of getting some yard games but we are starting at 5:30 and there is a 50% chance of rain on Thursday. Yuck.

Much to be said about what's really Lost in Lansing

You all know that I am Found in Fishers. Since Sarah moved she is Lost in Lansing. But that is not the only thing Lost in Lansing.
I decided last weekend that I needed a break. A chance to relax and to sleep in. I decided to spent the weekend up north with my sister. I got to sleep, as a matter of fact, I slept in both days until 9:00 Fishers time. That is a record for me.
As I visited and relaxed, it was brought to my attention some additional things that I must admit are really Lost in Lansing. Number One, cleaning. No more excuses Princess! Liam was having fun in the living room playing when he called me to the piano. Why, because he wrote his first and last name in the dust! It was quite entertaining to see that he did such a wonderful job printing his name. But in the dust, that is pathetic. Ok, Sarah has been sick for the last week, but there was much more than a week's worth of dust on her piano. Look carefully at the photo. Yup, clearly a very thick layer of dust.

What else is Lost in Lansing? Fashion. Not that I am qualified to be the fashion police but please call What Not to Wear. Let me explain. After we moved to Fishers, I found that it was very popular to wear Crocs. Crocs are soft plastic shoes, often clogs, that are very comfortable. I asked for a pair for Christmas last year, kids in the schools around here wear them daily. They come in a variety of colors and are quite the thing around here. I bought Liam a pair of yellow ones for his birthday and Sarah bought Dad a pair for his birthday in August. If you have ever had a pair on, you can attest to their comfort. Wearing them bare foot is kinda sweaty. But knee socks, yes knee socks. And white knee socks to boot. Wrong! Walmart sells low cut socks for a reason. And, if you are wearing crocs with long pants, the socks need to be dark and not white. Dad decided to make quite the fashion statement in Lansing. He of course claimed he did not care, but as you can see by the picture, it was not an easy one to take as he ran around the house trying to get away from my camera knowing that he would be a target of the blog. Too bad, so sad. Here is the proof that Dad's fashion is Lost in Lansing.

Keep checking the blog, some great things are coming up. Friday night is homecoming at HSE High School, Saturday a band competition in St. Leon, Indiana, and next week I am hosting a group of 13 secondary principals from China and 2 representatives from the Ministry of Education. They are here to learn more about our high school and coming to my house for an American indoor picnic.

God Bless Nancy Svendsen

Who would have known what an incredible impact our friend Nancy would have on our lives in such a short amount of time during the summer on our trip to China. In this picture you see from left to right, Terri from Iowa, Nancy, me and Cathy from Kansas.
Nancy passed away Friday. I feel so lucky that Nancy crossed my path this summer but at the same time I am saddened by her passing so quickly. What an incredible life Nancy had! When Nancy graduated from college she started teaching in Bogota, Columbia. After  marriage, she and her husband became peace corp volunteers in Iraq. Not much later, Nancy's husband took a job with the Department of State. During that time she and her family lived in Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Austria. How amazing! Most recently Nancy was an teacher of students whose first language is not English where she taught science to secondary students helping them prepare for the state assessments in Fairfax, VA.
I had so many wonderful conversations with Nancy while in China. I was so touched when I met her and she explained that she was learning to live life without her husband who died a year earlier. I was also touched by the love they had for each other.
Nancy shared so many stories about her students in Fairfax. We often would laugh together and share stories while climbing all those darn steps in the schools of China. Our famous phrase was, If it is in China there are steps to climb to get there.
Nancy loved China and lived each day to the fullest. Never complaining, always with a great personality and none of us knowing exactly how tired she was getting. Nancy even walked up to the Great Wall in Beijing. Slow and steady but she made it!
If you remember from my blog, Nancy got very ill in Yanji and had to fly to Beijing for blood transfusions before being able to fly home. Nancy was diagnosed with leukemia last July. As our Fulbright group kept communicating with Nancy and each other, she shared that her prognosis was poor because of the genetic composition of her leukemia. Thankfully some of our Fulbrighters live near the hospital Nancy was in and was able to visit and bring her books and music on our behalf.
You never know when it is your time to go. Making the most of each day was Nancy's motto and she lived it everyday. I feel incredibly blessed to have so many fond memories of Nancy and our trip but at the same time am deeply saddened by her passing. God Bless Nancy!

Check, check, and check

Wonder where I have been the last couple days? Buried in paperwork and meetings. I cannot believe the week I had.  I keep thinking that the day will come that I might have nothing to do and actually feel bored, but I don't see that in my immediate future. I guess I just kept thinking, after China... after the band competition... Well it keeps on coming.
This week was full of workshops for me, most nights at work until at least 7:00 PM. Then at night trying to catch up on the band commitments I have with typing rosters and getting paperwork finished from the band competition and the breakfast program I run. But, I can honestly say, things are getting checked off and done.
I am done with my big curriculum project for the US Department of Education. I created 6 electronic books for elementary students about Chinese culture. They are called We are the Same, We are Different. The books focus on Introduction to China, Everyday China, School in China, Fun and Games, Food, and Transportation. They were not due until Nov. 30th but they are submitted and DONE.
Then there was the documentation for outreach programs from my China trip and the school board presentation. DONE.
The band competition as concession stand manager. DONE
Next up, I need to start my China scrapbook. The photos are printed and organized, the supplies are bought and I am ready to find some time to get it started. Then there is the deck that I want to stain before winter sets in. There is the Chinese principal delegation coming to Fishers on Oct. 18th that I am hosting during the day and having an American picnic that night at my house. There are the band competitions each weekend until mid-November. YIKES. I am not really done.
And finally, my foot. My darn foot. It is still sore and cannot fit into a shoe. The 4th toe continues to give me problems with swelling. I do have a doctor appointment next week but I am seeing no progress and that is troublesome. The surgery that was suggested could wait, I was told, but now I am starting to wonder because the misaligned toes are causing the problem too. I have not time in my schedule and cannot see how I can find 2 weeks right now to take off work. My friend Donna once told me that these little health annoyances are little messages from above to slow down....maybe she is right.