As my belly grows and I know that our Fong-Romig baby is growing by the day,  I just can't wait to meet this little one.  And I wonder what he or she will look like.  I mean, its parents are very different looking, so its basic features will probably remain a mystery to us until he or she is born.  We know we'll love this little darling no matter what he/she looks like.  It's just fun to imagine.  Can you imagine what our child will look like based on the evidence?  

Our little one is 17 weeks today, and it's the size of a turnip!  My belly is expanding everyday and I can sure feel it.  It's been awkward for me to move around.  Sometimes I'm a little still unaware of my belly and am prone to bumping into things (not hard) or knocking things over.  It's all quite fun and new (most of the time).  Here's this week's belly pic.  It's definitely there now!

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend! We cannot believe that it's been a year already since that sunny/ windy day in Brisbane, CA, when we said our vows and made our lifelong commitment to each other before God and some of our closest friends.  As I watched some of the video of that day, I couldn't believe how beautiful the ceremony and the whole day was.  I couldn't have asked for more. 

Since that day, it's been a bit of a wild ride, first with how many cities and places we've seen and stayed.  Second, we moved to another country and settled in a bit of a hard town.  We also took over a restaurant business that has been stressful to say the least.  And in the midst of that, we found out that we're expecting a baby, propelling us into new roles and another learning curve that we're sure will be filled with its joys and adventures. 

But this weekend, it wasn't about any of that (well a little about the baby... we're just very aware and excited that it's there!)  It was a very nice time, as we just kind of holed up in a nice hotel for the weekend.  We again neglected to take any pictures (sorry!)  But we would like to premier our baby bump which has finally appeared!  Oh what a difference a year makes!

There it is!

Curt's version... pretty unconvincing considering he's been losing weight!

Us on our wedding day one year ago

Today, I go into week 14 of pregnancy, the official start of the second trimester!  According to babycenter.com, our baby is the size of a lemon this week.  That just blows my mind.  Weeks ago, it was no larger than a bean!  As Curt and I track the development of our beloved baby, it absolutely amazes all the little things it can do each week.  There's just no denying that there's a little human being in there, growing, moving, and even developing a personality!  This week, our baby can make facial expressions and possibly even suck its thumb!  The thought of it just warms my heart.  It makes me all the more excited to meet him or her in six months.  And we can hardly wait!   

Ok, so admittedly the last couple of posts on our blog have been somewhat dark and solemn - probably reflecting a little bit of how we've felt since moving to a new city with some pretty difficult circumstances.  But recently we've been really excited about a new beginning for us: we're having a baby!  Yep, I am 3 months along and really looking forward to this beautiful addition to our family.  

For those who are wondering, I haven't been feeling my best for about two months now (the constant stinky drains in our apartment certainly don't help either).  But all it takes is the thought of our little baby growing and developing, and it makes it all seem a little more worth it.  

I just cannot wait to meet our little baby in six months.  Please pray with us for a healthy and happy baby, one that grows up to be a faithful man or woman of the Lord.  

We know we're not the best at posting pictures of our lives here (partially because we're often too busy to snap photos here and there), but I promise that as we get the time and nerve to visit a local hospital and get a good picture of our baby, we will share the goodness with you all.  :-)  Thanks for keeping up with us!

Love,
Michelle

We've been living in our current home for about five months now, and every day is a reminder of the reality that we live in a hard place.  It's hard in so many ways.  The weather is definitely hard (ex: today's low is negtive .   The transportation is beyond difficult (I waited for an hour for a bus or taxi the other day, and ended up walking to my destination... in the negative 15 weather).  Things seem to break easier here  (ex: our water heater has broken at least once every month since we've been here).  Even the people seem to be harder, and there are days that we do not enjoy the people here at all! 

It's easy at times for me to just want to throw up my hands and say "I give up!  I'm leaving this God-forsaken place!"  And trust me, I've had my fair share of near-breakdowns in five months.  But as this new year begins, I'm surprisingly inspired.  I'm inspired by people who have gone before me and clung to hope in the midst of difficulties.  I'm inspired by people like Rich Mullins who unabashedly and honestly lived a live covered by grace.  I'm inspired by people in San Francisco who spend time on their knees for the healing and transformation of that city.  And I'm inspired by a man who chose humility, and who, for the joy set before him, endured persecution and death.  Because of this, I know that I do not have to be sucked into the habitual hardness of this place, but rather be strengthened for as long as I am here to show that there is hope.  There is great hope!

It's been a rough couple of months for us, and we were quite happy to finally get to the happiest time of the year: Christmas!  I have to admit that I (Michelle) had some pretty high expectations- not just for myself, but also for my husband and how special I'd be able to make this Christmas for us.  I wanted to make some great traditions for us and be like a Martha Stewart super-wife who would give the Proverbs 31 woman a run for her money.   But let's be honest here.  I'm new to being a wife.  I'm new to cooking and baking.  I'm new to running a business.  And I'm still new to this city we live in.  No wonder that when Christmas was over, I just felt tired and a little lost.  No wonder that's what I feel like most days... I try and do to much!   So in the new year, I definitely want to adjust my expectations a bit.  Maybe then I'll be able to relax enough to actually enjoy the experiences and gifts I've been given, instead of focusing on what I'm lacking.   Hope your Christmas was Merry!


Here are a few more highlights from our Christmas:

Curt hanging the first ornament on our "Charlie Brown" Tree. Poor dinky little thing!

Santa Claus made an appearance!  That's right, while Curt sang carols, who should visit us but St. Nick himself!

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2011!

Reflecting a lot about grace again these days.  In the last three days, we have yet again lost both of our waitresses, leaving us with none.  Although everything was going pretty well with our staff for about two months, suddenly one gave us 3 days notice (circumstances out of her control), and the other simply took her salary and didn't show up for work the next day (chalk that one up to just plain irresponsibility). Also, our staff is apparently all upset with us and talking behind our backs because we don't pay them how much they want, when they want, in the manner in which they want.  Oh, they were all happy to hear about a new bonus program (although I'm sure there will be some discontentment even when we do give them the extra money).  It just never seems to be enough.  Tomorrow, I (Michelle) have to go to work early even though I've been sick for two days and Curt doesn't get his rest day again because our microwave also broke so he has to get a new one. All of these circumstances, combined with the fact that we've really do care about and try to be fair to our staff, just makes me a little angry.  Now I really don't like being angry.  It feels like it can just eat me up inside and turn me into someone I know I'm not.  I can become vindictive, cold, and cunning; thinking of ways to tear down the person who angered me.  If I go this route, I may feel some sort of justice at the end of the day, but I certainly haven't gained much because my heart would still just be angry.  But, to go the harder route...  to forgive and let go of my anger, trusting that there is more to life than this small situation...  to trust that there is joy before me...  to trust that I have the freedom to move on and be ok...  to trust that love can triumph over hate; that is extremely difficult for a person with a high value of justice like me.  But in the end, it's worth it.  It is very much worth it.  "Her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much."

Today I (Curt) was walking down the street, and noticed a drunk guy about my age.  I tried to avoid eye contact, but it was too late, and so he approached me.  He said to me in broken Chinese, "Hey we are friends."  I tried the whole routine of me not understanding Chinese, but he was determined.  He again said, "Hey we are friends" and extended his hand to shake mine.  "Ok sure we are friends, thanks" I said.  Then he again reached his hand out to shake my hand a second time, and I again said, "Thanks."  He sensed my annoyance with him though, and so then he says more angrily, "Hey, I said we are friends, I shook your hand, not this!"  And he proceeds to reach his hand around my pants pocket area.  Well, instinct took over and I immediately swiped his hand away, pushed him back a bit, and then pointed a finger in his face and said, "Leave me alone".  In this culture, shame is a big thing, and so I had sufficiently shamed him on a big street, so he left me alone.  And no he didn't get anything from my pocket.  But, I also gotta be careful that in a situation like that, I don't get too angry or use too much force.  Was he really a pickpocketer?  I dunno, but they often run in packs, so if I make one mad, I could have a gang of them on me in seconds.  A wise man controls his temper, so hopefully I will be wise in future situations like that, and not get pickpocketed either!

A few weeks back, I (Curt) was surprised to receive a phone call from my friend "Mitch."  I hadn't seen him for a year and a half, but he got my phone number, and called to tell me he was getting married the next day.  This is a typical invitation in this culture- at the last minute!  He told me to arrive around 5:30 for the banquet.
It was a Sunday, so I went into our Cafe to work in the morning.  Mitch then calls me around 2:00, telling me, "Hey man, you gotta come at 3:00 and hang out with all the guys before the wedding!"  I knew an interesting experience was coming.
I had planned on leaving work and going home to change clothes before the wedding, but at this point I had no time.  So I did what any Kansas guy would do: I asked if it was ok to wear my jeans, flannel shirt, and tennis shoes.  He said no problem, so I went out, grabbed a cab, and headed to the local banquet hall.
I arrived to see a dozen or so Central Asians in a small room around a table, mostly drinking (yes many Muslims here do drink).  They were passing around a shot glass- I knew this would be tricky, because it's quite impolite to refuse a drink.  It came to me and I introduced myself and said I would take one drink, and that's it.  They were happy enough with that, so I toasted Mitch, took my shot (it was intense!), and that was that.

Next, it was time for all us guys to go out to the other restaurant, where the bride was waiting.  I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was experiencing some serious culture!  The guys were all riled up, and as we walked, they were all hollering, "Happy wedding!  Happy wedding!" in their language.  And of course there was a guy with a horn, two guys with big drums, and another guy with an accordion.  Surely many of you have seen the famous Will Ferrell "more cowbell" sketch from SNL- well i felt like that with the accordion guy.  Anytime it got silent, someone would yell, "more accordion, we need more accordion!" and he would start up again.  Love it!
We arrived at the bride's restaurant, and her and her friends were in a private room as well.  So all us guys burst in, and the groom went through the traditional custom of pulling the bride away from her friends.  The friends pull back and pretend that he can't have her, but eventually they give in.  They sit together for awhile then while people take pictures, and of course the accordion is roaring and guys are still singing.

Then we ran up into a restaurant banquet hall, where their parents were waiting.  We all did a dance.  I just can't do the local dancing in tennis shoes; seriously, it just doesn't feel right unless I have black, pointy shoes on.  So after I danced one song, a guy comes up to me and says, "not bad for your first time dancing."  Ugh!  So the parents come out and do a blessing over the bride and groom, including a custom where they wave a piece of the local flat bread over their heads.  I asked around and apparently it's for good fortune.  Interesting.
Now it was time to drive an hour outside of town to a park to take pictures!  I'm getting tired at this point, particularly of the drum and accordion, but I thought hey a nice car ride.  Oh no.  I got in the wrong car, of 5 guys, me in the crowded back seat with two others.  The driver drove so fast and so crazy that I nearly asked him to pull over and I would catch a cab home.  And of course they were smoking in the car.  The driver was sober, but was racing another car in the wedding party.  I asked why no police would pull him over, and he said, "we are in a wedding party and have a sticker on our license plate for it, so we can drive however we want!"  Oh great!
We arrived at the park, and what do we do?  For 45 minutes the 20-25 of us dance while the bride and groom take pictures.  It's about 40 degrees out, so I'm pretty cold and not in the dancing mood after that car ride, but what choice do I have?  So again I danced a bit, this time in the grass with a Tajik guy.

So finally now we drive back into the city for the real banquet.  Our flurry of cars arrives at the banquet hall, accordion and drum still howling of course!  Below is the picture of the lead car, where a guy plays his little horn for the whole trip.

In the banquet hall, two things happen: Eating and dancing.  Well two more things happen as well: drinking and smoking!  But mostly eating and dancing, so I enjoyed a very nice meal of rice and carrots, fruit and nuts, some candy, tea, and my favorite dish in this land, translated to English as "Big Plate Chicken."  It's as if they go at the chicken with a big saw and put all the parts that come out in a huge bowl with seasonings and vegetables.  Honestly, it's really good, as long you avoid the weird parts of the chicken.
So I snapped a few more pics, danced a song or two (still didn't feel right in my tennis shoes!), gave my gift and got out of there early before they tried to push me to drink more shots!  The gift giving is interesting: a friend of the couple goes around to the tables with a notebook, and everyone gives cash.  Then the friend writes down your name in the notebook, and exactly how much you give.  I hope I gave a reasonable amount!
So below is a picture of Mitch and his bride, with me as the weird white guy in the background.  A very nice couple.  I had dinner with them a week or so later and they are an enjoyable pair.  So that's my wedding experience!