Holiday Letter 2008

Ni hao friends and family,

As always, Travis and I hope this letter finds you and your family happy and healthy this holiday season…

Here are some of the highlights of our year:

Summer: This summer we went home to Washington State and had a great time visiting with family and friends. One of the highlights was visiting the farm in Wisconsin where Travis’ mom grew up. We visited with many of his relatives who made us feel right at home. Another Wisconsin highlight was sharing time with Travis’ grandma Gert. We had a lovely visit and enjoyed hearing stories about the farm and how life was back in the day. It was particularly nice for Gabby to meet her great-grandma. This trip turned out to be quite timely because the family farm was sold this fall. We were really happy we made that trip and feel lucky to have created warm memories that will last a lifetime… While in Wisconsin, we made a trek to visit some friends in Minnesota and I did a ton of shopping at the Great Mall of America (no tax!). We also made two separate trips to Oregon. One time we drove to visit my brother, Todd, in Astoria, where we had a great visit with him. The second time, we drove to Bend to visit some friends and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and also the no tax shopping! I have to say, there’s no place like the northwest…

Olympic Games: This was awesome. Travis and I got tickets to see the final women’s Gymnastics Team Medal competition and ceremony. If you recall, U.S.A. came in second to China. We also saw a men’s beach volleyball game, which was a total blast. I’m a huge fan now. There’s lots of loud music and people cheering and it was fast-paced. I loved it. China did a decent job representing itself and although I complain about China a lot, I’m proud that our host country pulled this off. Now the Chinese gymnasts all being sixteen and over? That’s another story.

The “Today Show:” This was the biggest highlight of my year! If you’re familiar with the NBC morning show, then you know that they tape live and show people in the crowd. We ended up getting there and pushing our way to the front. I know the producers are suckers for cute babies, so I was literally holding up Gabby and saying “meet my baby girl!” It worked and during a segment we were in the background for a long time waving at the camera at like idiots. I had a huge, yellow sign that said, “Hello Bremerton, WA.” This is the best part! At one point they got a close-up of Gabby smiling and waving two American flags. THEN, while they were taping live, Gabby dropped a flag and Matt Lauer picked it up. Of course, she dropped it again, and Meredith, Ann, and Al were laughing because they know toddlers do that on purpose. Ann Curry graciously picked up the flags and gave them back. About thirty seconds later, while I was looking at Gabby and trying to get her to wave the flags more… SUDDENLY, Al Roker was in our face with a microphone asking where we were from, etc. Travis and I sounded a bit lame but we were really excited. We I had no idea we were going to be interviewed on live TV so neither of us was prepared. This is where I have to brag… after we were interviewed, Meredith, Ann, and the anchor from New York (Natalie Brown) were talking about how cute Gabby was on live TV… I thought that was pretty cool and wanted to share. I had no idea until I watched the show the next day. Fortunately, we have TV that airs the “Today Show” the following day, so we got to watch it. One of these days I’ll get that on video and send it out. We were diligent enough to get autographs of Nadia Comaneci, Meredith Viera, Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker, and Voda (she does the show afterwards with Kathy Lee Griffin). We also met Stephanie Brown-Trafton Gold Medalist for discus (This is corrected, initially we said shotput). I have to say everyone was really friendly. My favorite Olympic memory was walking around at night through the Olympic village with all the lights from the bubble and bird’s nest lit up. The energy and excitement, or “Olympic fever,” was contagious. I never thought I’d be waving an American flag in a communist country, but on this night it was okay. I have to say it was a very, “I’m proud to be an American” moment.

Growing Family: Gabby has two new cousins! Toby (Travis’ brother) and Debbie had a boy, Wesley Thomas, in July. Tahnee (Trav’s sister) and Geoff had a boy, Langston Geoffrey, in September.

Travis: He continues to work as a seventh grade math/science teacher. As most of you know, he’s hoping to pursue administration in the near future. In the meantime, he’s gaining leadership experience and still finds teaching rewarding. He has also picked up the saxophone again and is learning to play the guitar. He plays it everyday and makes up new, funny songs. This has quickly become a family ritual every night. We also have video of Gabby dancing to his guitar playing that I need to show you guys.

Cara: I’m not really doing anything exciting… Hmmm… I did finish my college counseling internship and will earn my certificate through UCLA, so that’s good. It’s nice to finally be finished. Work is very busy and with any free time I get, I like spending it with my family.

Gabby: I don’t even know where to start… If you’re counting, she’ll be 18 months on the 28th of December. It was a bit of a bummer, but she was recently diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease, which means she has an intolerance to gluten or wheat- so anything with flour, rye, or barley she can’t digest or absorb nutrients. It’s been a challenge and a significant lifestyle change but we’re getting the hang of it and will be seeing a specialist soon. However, we’re happy to know that we can fix her issues by just changing her diet. It could be a lot worse. She’s growing like a weed too, which is cliché to say, but true. She’s hitting all the developmental milestones and surprises us by how much she learns each day. Some highlights include- learning sign language, such as please, more, hat, food, cheese, shoes, and so on. She is also talking up a storm now in both Chinese and English. Just yesterday she said, “Wake up daddy!” Instead of thank you, she says “shieh shieh,” which means ‘thank you’ in Chinese. I think it’s just easier for her to say. My favorite thing she says now is, “wuv wu.” Music to my ears! My least favorite word is, “no!” I think I hear that about a thousand times a day. Travis and I love her so much and are truly enjoying being parents…

For this winter break, we’re off again to Washington to spend it with family and friends. We wish everyone a safe and FUN holiday season and have a Happy New Year!

Warm Wishes,

Travis, Cara, and Gabriella Tebo

Winter Ball 2008

Our school does a fantastic job of celebrating the holiday season with organizing a winter ball. The men wear tuxes and the women dress up in cocktail dresses. It's the equivalent to the prom but for grown-ups. We always have a blast and this was no exception.

Early X-Mas in Beijing

I bought x-mas presents this summer for Gabby because I thought we would be staying in China... I couldn't wait to give them to her so we decided to have an early x-mas... why not? I LOVED Fisher Price Little People growing up, so I got her the barn, which she really likes, an airplane (I figured a plane is something she can relate to since she flies half-way around the world at least four times a year), a car, a boat w/ building blocks, and a princess horse and carriage that comes with these really cool purple and pink building blocks. Where were these when I was growing up? It was also a good X-mas for Trav too. In an effort to have a husband who will sing and play the guitar like Dave Matthews, I bought Trav one. I completely surprised him and whipped it out after he was complaining that I wasn't being supportive. Ha! He's been practicing everyday and can play a mean version of Johnny Cash's, "Folsom Prison Blues". Where were my presents, you ask? I'm ordering them online. All in all, it was a grand day but the next one will be even better with family around.

Guys Night Out

On Friday we had a guy's night out on the town. We started with dinner at a Chinese restaurant with great food, especially the ribs with meat so tender it just falls off the bone. With our stomachs full we headed to an indoor GoKart racing track. The picture above shows us with the showercaps we had to wear under our helmets. Even though I didn't go very fast compared to the other guys the experience was pretty exhilerating. I kept getting passed by people who would nudge me into the tires causing me to flail my hands in the air to get the workers to come push me loose.
We left the races around midnight and headed to a new establishment downtown that was playing 80's music. After a short time we left there to go to a Russian restaurant that has a dance and music show. They have dancing woman, breakdancers, and a fire eater. Several times during the performance they drag some sorry soul onto the stage to involve the audience. Since I moved to Beijing, whenever we go to a place with these types of shows, I am ALWAYS one of the first people that gets chosen. Friday night was no exception, I was pulled up not once but twice on stage to dance, once with a live snake wrapped around my neck. I don't necessarily hate the experience, but what is it about me that makes this happen so often?
My favorite performance of the night was from a break dancing group who were incredibly talented. They dressed up like old Russian women and acted out a skit that intersperced break dancing. At around 3AM a group of us decided we had had enough and left right after the fire eating act. When we left the restaurant the party was just getting started.

Gabby Girl

Here are three of my favorite pictures of Gabby in the last couple months.

Thanksgiving - Beijing Style - Part One

While growing up in the USA, Thanksgiving was one of my favorite times of the year. Living in Beijing and working at an international school, neither of the Canadian and US Thanksgiving holidays are days off from school. In general, those that celebrate Thanksgiving have two or more gatherings during the week of Thanksgiving, once at a nice restaurant, and once as a potluck at someone's home. Keeping with expat tradition, we gave Thanks twice last week.

Our first feast was on the evening of November 27th at a middle eastern restaurant called Zhatar. The co-owners of the restaurant both work at our school, and the husband of one of the owners is the Head Chef and Manager. About 50 people attended the private event, many of them from my school. The menu included two kinds of soup, babaganush, hummus, pita bread, zhatar, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potato, and three kinds of desert. The price was around $20 and included all you could drink softdrinks, wine, beer, and sangria. The food and drink were excellent, and being around our good friends, many of which will be leaving Beijing this year, made for a wonderful evening.

My friend Stephen who organized the event made a playful toast to recognize Gassan the chef, that went something like this...When I was thinking of a place to have Thanksgiving this year I thought, we need restaurant with a Palestinian chef, raised in Jordan and Italy, trained in Middle Eastern cooking, to prepare an American style Thanksgiving feast, and at Zhatar I found what I was looking for!
The success of this event shows that in Beijing, anything is possible!

Thanksgiving - Beijing Style - Part Two

On Sunday November 30th we went to a potluck Thanksgiving gathering in downtown Beijing. Most people were members of our school staff who come from not only the US but Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and China. One thing I quickly learned when moving away from America, is that people everywhere are eager to adopt the traditions and celebrations of other countries. Every year at Thanksgiving time, people from all over want to join in. From this perspective, I have come to think of Thanksgiving as more of a global holiday.

In many ways, this is the exact same type of gathering I remember as a child. My parents had moved away from where they grew up soon after graduating high school. Our family eventually settled in Bremerton, Washington State with no relatives nearby. During our first Thanksgivings we would go to large parties where the adults got drunk and the kids ran all over the place on a sugar high from too much desert. These occasions made me feel like I wasn't missing out by not having extended family around.

Although it would be great to be back in Bremerton for Thanksgiving with my family, my experiences of the past four Thanksgivings here in China have been some of my most memorable. One of the traditions started at our group's first Thanksgiving gathering is for everyone to share something they are thankful for in the past year. This year one person was thankful that her boyfriend is in remission from cancer, another was thankful for her friends that helped her get through a divorce, overall everyone expressed thankfulness for the community that we had formed, and felt a bit of sadness that so many people will be leaving at the end of this school year.

I couldn't help but think back at my first Thanksgiving in Beijing. It is difficult to cook a large 16 pound turkey in an oven that can barely fit a chicken. The people in charge of the gathering decided to have cooked turkey delivered. None of us knew much Chinese which comes in handy when you are trying communicate the concepts of Giant Turkey, Cooked to Perfection, and Delivered Ontime. The person who negotiated this difficult task was successful in getting a turkey to the door, but instead of it being "fresh cooked", it was just plain "fresh", as in still frozen! Thankfully it was still several hours before meal time. With the help of many knives, at least three ovens, and a six pack of Tsingtao beer (for me, not the turkey) the turkey was cut up and baked just in time for dinner.