Being a father of 2, I can appreciate moms a lot more now. They always say you’ll appreciate your parents the most when you become one yourself – and that couldn’t be more true. The pains and sacrifices of being a parent are significant, yet I still highly recommend it #crazyiknow But I’m just a dad. A mom has to …
The Times We Live For – Mike’s Blog 086
We should all take our birthday as a time to reflect. I remember when I was living at home, I would come home from school and my mom would have stacks of baby photos piled up on the living room table for me to review. I had no recollection of those photos – those early 1980 blurry kodak photos of …
Our Beautiful Aunt Nina Passed Away
The hard thing about being on the other side of the globe is getting Facebook messages in the morning with news like this: Our Aunt Nina has passed away. The funeral will be in Athens, Vermont in March on a Saturday. Life is a journey. Life is a time for us to challenge ourselves, to learn, to meet new people. …
Happy Birthday, My Dear Maggie
Sneaking in some internet action on my “Digital Detox” to share my amazing daughter’s first year birthday. The snow princess. Born on the coldest day EVER for Shenzhen, China last year – she truly is an ice queen 🙂 We are here in the middle of nowhere Guangdong province. One of those Ghost cities in China that the American news …
Going to Try To Take a Week Off!
Can you believe it? I don’t think it is possible, but the last week of January I am going to try to not check my computer or my phone – at least not too much. It is Chinese New Year anyway, so most of China is on lock down and closed for business. But normally I’m working on website development …
Shipped Our Kid Off To Hometown for Chinese New Year
Much quieter here in my morning writing session. Productivity will go up – but up, but missing the little dude already. We sent Miles up with his grandpa to my wife’s hometown for Chinese New Year. My wife wanted all of us to go, but between financial, business sense, and it is so COLD up there, we decided instead to …
Taking This Photo Made Me Think Of My Childhood
Walking around a local park in Shenzhen, China on New Years Day with the family – what could be cooler? Having a flashback of your own childhood during the walk. And that is what happened – there is a construction area at the park where they buried the crane instead of moving it – guessing its for kids to play …
Baby Maggie is Sick – Does The Whole Family Cancel Their Work?
Maggie is sick again. She got bit by a bee yesterday. Her fever is really high. We’re not sure if it is because of the bee or something else. So we want to take her to the hospital again this morning to get a better doctor’s opinion. Last time we didn’t feel the doctor was too qualified or knowledgable. I …
Making Blogs For My Kids
So, I bought their domain names as soon as they were born, but never really setup the website. This is for a couple reasons, one I was so busy, and the other because many of my friends say it is not good to put your kids on the internet. I have convinced myself that they are going to thank me …
My Kids Are Speaking More Chinese Than Me, already!
So I have been really trying lately to improve my Chinese. At least 30 minutes of study each morning, for over a year and a half now. In the middle of HSK 3 studies for those who know the system. But my 2 year old son is still out-speaking me in Chinese at home! I have video calls to my …
Longest Trip Ever – Being Away from Wife and Kids
Typing this up from my friend’s office in Prague. He worked in my coworking space when he was visiting Shenzhen and now is returning the favor. So fortunate to have good friends around the world. But friends aren’t the same as family – especially when you are a new dad and have a 2 year old and a 5 month …
Will I Live in China For The Rest of My Life?
As I am in Europe, people always perk their ears up when they hear I have been living in China for about 10 years now. The next logical question is – will you live in China for the rest of your life? Or, how long do you plan to live in China. When they hear I’m married with 2 kids, …
Considering Homeschooling For My Kids
My son Miles is turning 2 years old this month. Insane how fast life is going! And now that he’s reaching 2 – the beginning of school is on the horizon. This is the big challenge for foreigners in China. He’s not local Chinese, so he can’t go to the public schools. And the private schools are insane expensive. Where …
Another Year, Another Birthday – I’m 35 Years Old!
Thank you everyone for being awesome. Life is good. Each year keeps getting better and better. The last year was a bit of a roller coaster. But one thing is for sure – I am pushing myself harder than ever. Not sure how to explain it. Just feel like that maybe the stoic books I am reading is setting in. …
Anxiously Awaiting Baby Maggie…!!
Saturday morning as I type this up. Been waiting a few days for the baby to come. Second baby so I should be used to this right? Nope. Still. Nerve racking as the first. This one is a bit of a different situation, it is more of a slow process. Trying To Still Keep On Work Track Doing your own …