Author Archives: starghillrm

One of the best things about living abroad are the once in a lifetime experiences; experiences we would have never dreamed that we would be having.  It’s these opportunities that carry us through the harder times, the times when we miss home. Rachel had one of these “unforgettable experiences” when she and her 5th gradeContinue reading “Rachel’s Unforgettable Experience”

If you know me, you know that I tend to take the safe route.  From selecting a college, to accepting a new job, to figuring out what to order at a restaurant, I have to admit, I’m not the biggest risk taker.  When I do take a risk, it’s been so well-researched that it beingContinue reading “Let the Adventures Begin”

#Summer17 was everything a summer should be.  We did everything on our US wish list: we went on a cruise, visited the National Museum of African-American History, celebrated my mom’s birthday in Savannah, celebrated Rachel’s birthday at Great Wolf Lodge, attended camp (well this kids did), visited family and friends; and in between took care ofContinue reading “Welcome Baaack!”

Well, we made it; we’ve made it to the end of our first ‘semester’ in China.  And, like many expats here in Guangzhou, the kids and I will head home for the summer,  Rob will join us for part of our stay. So, I gave everyone in the family an assignment: reflect on our timeContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home (Part Two)”

When I had Rachel, everyone told me that “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”. Despite this advice, I still tried to do most things on my own.  When Robby came along, I fully acknowledged that I needed help!  That willingness to accept help is just what I need in China. It takes a village toContinue reading “It Takes a (Global) Village”

2200 hours That’s how long it takes to learn Mandarin fluently, at least that’s what l’ve heard. So, if I studied Mandarin for 8 hours a day (which I don’t), it would take me 275 days, almost a whole year, before I would become fluent in Mandarin. Instead, I study Mandarin about 5 hours a week.Continue reading “The New Student”

For the big move, I bought the kids “Moving Journals”.  I’m not always the ‘let’s explore your feelings’ type of mom, but I thought the books would be a good way to actually let the kids explore their feelings.  I also thought it would be a good activity to keep the kids busy on our longContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home”

To whom much is given, much is required. This notion is in the Bible (Luke 12, I looked it up!), and often quoted.  It’s an ideal I try my best to live by — some weeks I do a better job of it than others. A few weekends ago, I thought I would try toContinue reading “Hope for the Hopeless”

Often times, I assume that the way I go about doing something is the best way to do it.  I’ve thrown a side eye to parents of kids who are having a temper tantrum, as I question their methods of discipline.  I’ve tasted someone else’s food while thinking about how I could make the sameContinue reading “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better”

When I was in school, I was a good student; partly because I was motivated to learn, but mostly because my parents put the fear of God in me if I brought home anything lower than a B. Some subjects stuck, other topics, I just memorized to get a good grade; then as soon asContinue reading “Meters, Grams and Liters, Oh My!”