Shots around town

So I've been saving up a few pictures over the last few months.  These items of interest span the globe, so put your seat belts on as it's going to be a wild ride!!!

Rebecca and I checked out this Ramen noodle / Japanese restaurant on date night once.  That's the menu hanging down over the cooks head.

I thought this was an interesting shot.  The painter was doing a beautiful job of capturing the scene.  Although as I recall, there was less flowers (note the jacket in the picture) than what appeared in the painting.

The boys outside of Mammamia, a great Italian restaurant in town.

OK, so I have no idea what this add says.  I can only imagine the BK Chinese Marketing Manager selling the concept to management saying something like:  "If the Americans will use Paris Hilton washing a car to sell hamburgers; then it's proof that sex sells, baby."

We walked into a local convenience store and the guy behind the counter runs over to Riley with the latest issue of "What's on in Suzhou", saying:  "This is you, this is you!"  Riley was quite pleased with himself.  Interesting that the only other white kid in the picture is the headmasters daughter; coincidence???

I'm not sure they know what the phrase "friends with benefits" means.

Ad for our psychological assistance service at work.  To avoid confusion, here's what the English says:  "Ask the Suzhou clear what, only tell the mood of melancholy."

Another ad from the assistance program.  Yikes!

Again, not sure if the hot dog stand was really trying to sell hot dogs and milk tea...

Hong Kongs top brand of oil:  "Po Sum On".

Is there something backwards, or have I been away from golf that long?

That's right, proof that Rebecca's friend, AMG, is a Kommunest.  Go ahead and rebuke me Michael, I dare you.

While in Shanghai, I fell deeply and madly in love with this painting.  It's oil based and the paint stands up about 1/4 of an inch, so it looks very 3D.  A veritable steal at only $4,000 USD.  I briefly considered asking my dad if I gave it to him for his 70th birthday, could I expect to have it back through the estate?

Korean BBQ - Georgia style.  Pork barbecue, kimchee cole slaw, with a side of spicy mac and cheese.  Wow!

Oh yeah, Gladys Knight's chicken and waffle place.  This was on the Facebook "food list challenge".  Overall, the experience was so underwhelming I think if you've ever had fried chicken and if you've ever eaten a waffle, even separately, you should go ahead and count it.  There was nothing special about putting them on the same plate (regardless of what you hear from Man vs. Food).  Although, you do get to "Ride the Midnight Train", which is the combo name on the menu...

A purse and shoe shop, of course.

Becky's Big Day

While, of course, we try to make every day Mother's Day, last Sunday we had an excuse to pay special attention to the most revered and cherished member of our family!  So, here's a quick rundown of the events, then we'll go to the pictures:

Sunday (previous):  Announcement that regularly scheduled church service will be replaced by a professional Christian ballet troupe.
Thursday:  Call from a church friend that they needed a boy to play Pharaoh's son in the production of the story of Moses.  Reid jumped at the chance.
Saturday:  Reid's friend-who's-a-girl tells him (all the while quite jealous) that a ballet is where people prance around.  Slight look of fear / anxiety when Reid asks me if he would have to dance.  For some reason I played it straight and told him he just had to play dead.
Sunday:  Run Reid to the theatre at 9am for his "training".  Praise music, then ballet from 10:15 to 12pm.  Lunch reservations at 12:30pm.  At the hotel where we ate, free portrait sitting for the kids from 2:15 to 4:15pm (Bec headed off for a foot massage with her friend at 3:15).  Made it home by 4:30.  Pizza for dinner for the kids, as the adults were too full.

The start of the ballet.

A colorful display when Moses finds his new family after being exiled for killing the Egyptian slave driver.

There's Reid in the chair watching Egyptians who were walking like, you guessed it, Egyptians.

Reid standing next to Pharaoh looking unimpressed (and quite tough / stoic) by the show around him. 

Reid's big moment - lay there like a wet dish rag.  The Angel of Death in the last plague did not pass over Reid that night.  It was unanimous that Reid delivered the best dead Pharaoh's son performance ever seen in Suzhou.

Why are they celebrating???  Don't they know that was Reid McLain that died?  Oh yeah, the Jewish slaves were freed.

Reid with Pharaoh after the production was over.

At lunch there was an outstanding buffet and a clown, who could ask for anything more?

Well, I guess there's always chocolate fondue drippings.

Oh yeah, that's good.

My lovely bride and the object of her affection.  I know, I question her judgement sometimes too.

RiRo posing for the portrait.  Yes, that's someone from the hotel taking a picture of them while they are posing for someone to draw their likeness.

Well worth the two hour wait!  Reid's looks great, we still don't know who those kids are on the right.

It's always nice to get a surprise picture of a knuckle head, who you apparently can't leave your camera around.

What's better than one knucklehead?  That's right, two!  Good times.

Dulwich International Day

Hard to believe it's been a year since we scored the Slovenia and Denmark baskets in the SSIS International Day.  Well, this one was much more enjoyable as we were all able to go, the weather was great, and the food was set up quite well for grazing.  The McLain boys became men when it came to pacing themselves and finding room for that next pastry.  I was also quite proud when Riley bypassed a vast array of cookies and opted for the shortbread at the English table (no, it wasn't Scottish, but at least it appeared to be close). 

With over 20 countries, there was quite a bit to do and see.  The boys all received "passports" that they had to get stamped at each of the country booths.  Upon completion of the book, they of course got a prize (a rugby ball and cotton candy).

A shot of the athletic field, full of fun things to do.

The Sweden booth, we picked up a few pastries here.

Turkey, another fine example of one of the booths.

The spoils of victory and the satisfaction in a job well done.

Performance by Japan.

English pole weaving display.  Yes, I'm sure it has a name, but I was honestly scared of what the results of a Google search would yield. 

A little slice of Bollywood.

Reid - Git' R Done!

Riley under the pile in the bouncy castle thingy.

Makes me proud to be an American - the Hillbilly basket.  Hmm, I have more than 3/4 of these items in my pantry right now!

Oh yeah, we picked up Iran.  Oblivious to all things political and events current, I am always drawn to random baskets that appear as though they had a little extra love (often at a discount, by the way).  My American friend almost disowned me, babbling about trade embargoes and breaking the law.  Sometimes I've found a little ignorance can be a good thing.  In China, ignorance is actually a valid reason to break the law.  Look it up.

Score!  Buried in the basket, the most saffron I've ever seen in one place!  Who's laughing now?!?!?!

Sports Day for Riley

Last Thursday was sports day for Riley's school.  If you recall, the school is set up with different "houses" (think Harry Potter).  Throughout the year are competitions ranging from academic to athletic.  Thursday, his house won "Best Spirit", which I've found to be synonymous globally with last place...  Anywho, below are the photos of the fine event, which was a great time as most Dulwich events are.  Only one parent broke their arm in the parent - child race (yes, really).

Riley scoring a goal after dribbling around the cones behind.

Blasting through an obstacle course not worthy of his superior abilities.

Riley and his good buddy.  She still hasn't taken the place of his best girl back in WB, but she sure is cute!

Another balance beam, another stunning performance.

The tire roll.

This one he didn't do so well at.  The fact he doesn't play hopscotch coupled with the McLain jumping genes were just too much for the poor kid to overcome.

Thankfully the hurdles were nice and short, he was able to fly through them.

We jail broke Rowan from his playground to watch.  He thought he'd get a head start on practicing for his (in 2 years) during the medal ceremony.

Riley's team.