Not your typical two-year old...

As I watch over Sarah's shoulder as she reads different blogs of friends and complete strangers, I have noticed that people like to make a post of accomplishments about their child. They will post things such as "Billy is now 1-year old and can say juice" or "Suzy is 6-years old and can do a cartwheel". The list is typically pretty long with cute accomplishments of their child over a certain time frame. This post is along those lines, but is not necessarily about her accomplishments, just some things that I realized she has done over the last year that most kids will never experience!

All of these have occurred in the last year:

1. Travel:
     a. Airplane: Brynn has taken six round trip flights with a seventh coming in May.
     b. Countries: Brynn has visited (not counting US) Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, China and            Thailand.
     c. Accommodations: Backpacker's Hostel in Singapore; 5-star hotel in Qingdao; condo in Thailand; Smallest hotel room ever, without any power in Malaysia

2. Transportation:
     a. Taxi: Brynn rides in a taxi on a daily basis. She knows how to properly motion for a taxi.
     b. Public Bus: Brynn rides public buses weekly. These are not American buses with plenty of room, but Chinese buses with people hanging out the doors and windows.
     c. Three-wheel scooter: How many children's parent's main form of transportation is a battery powered, three-wheel scooter? Brynn can check that box!
     d. Seat Belts or Car Seats: Brynn has not used one since July.

3. Food:
     a. Fresh fruits and vegetables: Brynn and Sarah visit the market daily for fresh fruit and vegetables. Brynn gets her choice of grapes, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, etc... Any kind of vegetable can be found for Sarah to steam.
     b. World cuisine: Brynn has tried all sorts of food from authentic Chinese (Swen is not the real deal, but I still love it) to traditional Thai on the beach. She still prefers a ham and cheese or hot dog, but does not turn down some interesting Chinese, Korean or Thai dishes.
     c. Milk: How many kids can say that their mom serves them  milkoff the shelf? Who needs refrigeration when your milk stays fresh in the heat? We do not ask questions, just let her drink away.
     d. Hooters: How many kids eat at Hooters at least twice a month? Brynn is a regular at the Chengdu chain of America's favorite wing joint. The waitresses love her and play with her during our meals. Brynn takes home a Hooters' balloon after every visit. For those who think we are terrible parents for taking our daughter to Hooters, I must reassure you that the atmosphere is much different than the US version!

4. Rock-Star Treatment
     - Brynn knows what Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus feels like when mobbed by thousands of teenagers. Chinese people flock to our daughter. Sarah and I get awkward stares but Brynn gets adored. We will be sitting at a restaurant eating and a complete stranger will take Brynn from her seat and play with her while we eat. We have even had people take her out of the restaurant, which makes Sarah quiet nervous. When she walks or strolls down the street, everyone stops and talks with her. For Sarah and I, it was fun at first but can get annoying. Sometimes it can take a while to get places or interrupt our meal. We just have to remember the reason we are in China and Brynn typically does not mind.

5. Communication
     a. Brynn is taught two languages on a daily basis... Chinese and English. Our housekeeper constantly teaches Brynn Chinese numbers and words. She does not know how to say thank you or hello in English, but says both easily in Chinese.
     b. Brynn is more familiar with Skype than a telephone or cell phone.