Search
Adventures of Life in Beijing

Roof over a Pig

April 25, 2019Beijing, China, Ex-pat life, Home, Moving

What does home mean to you?  A place to rest your head, nourish your body and relax with your family? In Chinese, the character for home or family comes from the pictograph that symbolizes a roof over a pig.

 

 

I’m not sure why it’s depicted this way, perhaps because if you had a pig in your house and a roof over your head, you had food and shelter and life was good.

My concept of home has changed over time, from the security of my childhood home surrounded by family and furry friends on our farm, to the excitement of my first home-away-from-home, my college dorm where I met people who helped shape me into who I am today.

Now that I have my own family, home is  where we gather to pray before dinner, track my sons’ height on the garage wall (I stopped once theirs surpassed mine), light the candles on our Christmas tree and celebrate birthdays with homemade lemon bundt cake.

It’s the weird stains on the carpet from experiments gone wrong, shoes by the front door, crumbs on the placemats and half-full water glasses littering the counter (why do all of the other dishes make it into the dishwasher?)

A home lives and breathes the connections and love of the people who live in it. It’s more than food and shelter. It’s more than a roof over a pig. I think about these things as I get ready to head to Beijing next week to look for our new home.

Should we go for a house in the suburbs?

 

Or a high-rise apartment in the city center?

Sure, I’ll ask about square footage, count the outlets in the kitchen and check the air purification system, but  what I am really looking for is a place our family can thrive. We need an oven to fill our apartment with the smell of fresh baked cookies.

Cookies smell like home

We need space to  decompress with a good book, play music or just be alone for a bit. We need a table where we can gather, thanking God for this grand adventure and share a meal together. I would love a space large enough to host visitors from home (now taking reservations), welcome new friends and reconnect with team members who have gone before us.

I want  our home to be safe, comfortable and conveniently located, but that’s just the house. It’s the laughter, tears, frustrations, joys and memories that we will experience together behind those walls that will turn into a home. I can’t wait to find it. But please, no pig.

What makes your house a home? How did you know when you found the right one?

Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the next post: House Hunting in Beijing

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (1,315):

  1. Maggie

    April 26, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Praying you find a great home. Sure a high-rise apartment would be fun to have, specially if you never lived in one. But I don’t know if I am able to go back to live in the city. I think I am getting to old for that. And for me, I need to be close to my every day trips, like work, school, church. Oh, but I am sure God already picked the best place for you. Be blessed my friend!

  2. Natalie

    April 26, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    So excited to follow you throughout this journey, in this thing we call life! I will say that in the past 23 years I have lived in 2 countries, 8 states and 15 different residences. I never chose my home, my home chose my family. I would go into a home and have my mind set on the stainless steel appliances I HAD to have, the wood floors and berber carpet that were all a MUST, until my children would run into a room (of course, with the house that had NONE of those things) and say… “Mom, this is my room!” Without second guessing, I was sold! That is when I realized the white walls and awful tile were just the bones, but the love and personal touches that we brought into the home made it ours! The feeling of safety, that my children could walk in a bare room and imagine themselves on the window seat with their new friends, made it all the better. And that old white stove never bothered me again, when the baked cookie smell was still the same. Good Luck!!

  3. Kirsten Harrington

    April 27, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Thanks Natalie! You are so right. It’s about the feeling we get when we walk into a place not the place itself. I can’t wait to see which home will “speak to us” next week!

  4. Kirsten Harrington

    April 27, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    Thank you Maggie. I have no doubt that God goes ahead of us. And yes it would be super convenient if our daily trips weren’t too far – especially in Beijing traffic!

  20. JenneepaEn

    July 28, 2022 at 12:26 am

    dissertation data analysis help
    help tutor
    phd dissertation writing help

  49. JeraleepaEn

    August 25, 2022 at 1:20 am

    college gay dating dite
    [url=”https://gayedating.com”]gay macho dating[/url]
    is it smart for gay teens to use dating apps

  69. Alvenbeede

    September 5, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    Really a lot of fantastic advice! do my homework how to write a essay proposal

  79. BruceLourl

    September 11, 2022 at 6:28 am

    Nicely put, Regards!
    pharmacy price comparison cialis canada walgreens online pharmacy

  89. BruceLourl

    September 12, 2022 at 7:44 am

    Seriously many of valuable material.
    canadian pharmacy certified canada pharmacy online national pharmacies online no prescription pharmacy

  90. Alvinmayob

    September 12, 2022 at 8:27 am

    Incredible many of awesome knowledge!
    how to write a poetry analysis essay write my essays writing services reviews

  93. WendellTot

    September 12, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    You actually explained this wonderfully!
    pharmacy online drugs for sale rx price comparison

  104. Alvinmayob

    September 13, 2022 at 8:55 pm

    You actually mentioned it effectively!
    writing an explanatory essay custom order essays help with writing personal statement

  109. Alvinmayob

    September 14, 2022 at 9:43 am

    Thanks. Good stuff.
    how to write an essay on yourself write my essay cheap custom writings

  110. BruceLourl

    September 14, 2022 at 11:46 am

    You actually explained this perfectly!
    buy viagra pharmacy 100mg pharmacy drug store cialis from canada

  111. Alvinmayob

    September 14, 2022 at 11:55 am

    Wow lots of fantastic facts.
    how to write a poetry analysis essay essays writing services i need help writing my personal statement

  115. Alvinmayob

    September 15, 2022 at 4:09 am

    Awesome info. Kudos!
    how to write an essay on poetry write my essay college writing service

  116. WendellTot

    September 15, 2022 at 6:57 am

    Effectively spoken indeed. .
    canadian pharmacies top best prescription online canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg

  121. Alvinmayob

    September 15, 2022 at 4:48 pm

    Terrific write ups. Regards.
    how to write a good compare and contrast essay https://agbsl.pro/ help in writing

  124. Alvinmayob

    September 16, 2022 at 2:04 am

    Thanks, Loads of stuff.
    best writing services college essay best freelance content writing websites

  127. WendellTot

    September 16, 2022 at 9:36 am

    Nicely put. Thanks a lot!
    visit poster’s website canada rx buying drugs canada

  130. Alvinmayob

    September 16, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    Whoa a good deal of fantastic advice.
    how to write a thesis statement for an essay https://englishessayhelp.com/ online professional resume writing services

  131. BruceLourl

    September 16, 2022 at 5:05 pm

    Nicely put. Cheers!
    online rx pharmacy pharmacy cvs pharmacy online

  134. Alvinmayob

    September 17, 2022 at 1:35 am

    Seriously a good deal of beneficial advice!
    academic essay writer essay writer essay about website

  138. WendellTot

    September 17, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Amazing material. Kudos.
    canada pharmacy online reviews pharmacy tech canada discount drug

  141. Alvinmayob

    September 17, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    You actually expressed that perfectly!
    what to write a narrative essay about essay writing services essay writing services

  152. Alvinmayob

    September 18, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    Thanks a lot, Loads of forum posts.
    best essay service argumentative essay i need someone to write my assignment

  156. Alvinmayob

    September 19, 2022 at 5:28 am

    You actually mentioned this effectively!
    styles of writing essays help essays assignment writing help

  161. Alvinmayob

    September 19, 2022 at 6:27 pm

    Regards, I enjoy it!
    how to write reflective essays essay writer the best writing service

  170. BruceLourl

    September 20, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    You actually stated this effectively!
    canadian pharmacy viagra generic order medicine online canadian online pharmacy

  172. WendellTot

    September 20, 2022 at 10:10 pm

    Cheers! A lot of data!
    canadian pharmaceuticals online board of pharmacy pharmacy online drugstore

  173. Alvinmayob

    September 20, 2022 at 10:30 pm

    Terrific stuff. Appreciate it.
    how to write a correct essay essay typer content writing services company

  175. Alvinmayob

    September 21, 2022 at 2:18 am

    Well spoken certainly! .
    what is a college application essay essay homework help websites to write essays

  176. BruceLourl

    September 21, 2022 at 6:02 am

    Appreciate it, Loads of material!
    canada drug meds online walgreens pharmacy

  177. Alvinmayob

    September 21, 2022 at 9:31 am

    Cheers. Quite a lot of advice!
    college essay help service we write essays personal statement writing company

  178. Alvinmayob

    September 21, 2022 at 11:28 am

    With thanks. Valuable stuff.
    introduction college essay writing essays help help with writing a thesis statement

  179. WendellTot

    September 21, 2022 at 11:58 am

    Point well utilized.!
    medicine online shopping pharmacie canadienne pharmacy technician classes online free

  180. Alvinmayob

    September 21, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Thank you, I like this.
    best cheap essay write my essay article writers wanted

  186. Alvinmayob

    September 22, 2022 at 4:30 am

    You have made your point!
    college essays about yourself write my essay website analysis essay

  191. Alvinmayob

    September 22, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Thank you! Wonderful stuff!
    essay on freedom writers writing my essay cheap dissertation writing services

  196. WendellTot

    September 23, 2022 at 5:19 am

    Awesome info. Thanks!
    medical pharmacies pharmacy intern best online international pharmacies

  197. Alvinmayob

    September 23, 2022 at 6:21 am

    Regards. Excellent information.
    college essay papers essay college professional writing company

  199. Alvinmayob

    September 23, 2022 at 1:34 pm

    Beneficial postings. Thanks.
    essay writing homework help essay writer medical residency personal statement writing services

  202. WendellTot

    September 23, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    Cheers! Valuable information.
    online medicine tablets shopping canadian prescription canada drugs pharmacy online

  210. BruceLourl

    September 24, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    You actually reported this wonderfully!
    canada medication pharmacy pharmacies in canada discount canadian drugs

  219. WendellTot

    September 25, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    Nicely put. Thanks a lot.
    online pharmacy no prescription needed viagra canada online drugstore pharmacy

  250. Williampiche

    October 14, 2022 at 1:35 pm

    no puedo tener una ereccion cialis se le paro el pito

  254. Griweette

    November 1, 2022 at 3:56 am

    cialis and viagra sales All your dear pets they email address, capsules are the longevity diet article secrets for potential drug

  256. RenaldoKip

    November 8, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    Helpful facts. Kudos.

  266. Keithvieks

    November 14, 2022 at 3:05 am

    Thanks. I appreciate this.
    why are drugs cheaper in canada eu online pharmacy safeway pharmacy (inside safeway)

  268. RichardTox

    November 14, 2022 at 4:53 pm

    You actually mentioned that perfectly.
    no prescription canadian pharmacy canadian direct pharmacy cheapest pharmacy for prescriptions without insurance

  274. Keithvieks

    November 15, 2022 at 7:15 pm

    You expressed that really well!
    canadian drug store viagra online dog pharmacy buy cialis online prescription

  291. ScottBep

    November 18, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    You actually mentioned this superbly.
    buy drugs online canada pharmacy online school pharmacy technician online courses free

  295. Thomasmeelt

    November 19, 2022 at 1:57 am

    Incredible many of amazing information.
    online pharmacy program rx online pharmacy canadian pharmacy no prescription required

  300. Peterfuert

    November 19, 2022 at 6:27 pm

    Wonderful content. Appreciate it.
    prescription drugs that get you high corner drug store which canadian online pharmacy is the best

  305. Keithvieks

    November 20, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    You said it adequately..
    cvs pharmacy online refill non prescription valium online pharmacy

  306. MartypaEn

    November 20, 2022 at 5:22 pm

    english essay helper
    the help essay
    help writing a comparison and contrast essay

  309. Keithvieks

    November 21, 2022 at 1:51 am

    Seriously lots of wonderful knowledge.
    online pharmacy fioricet blink online pharmacy oxymorphone online pharmacy

  311. JustinCal

    November 21, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    Seriously a lot of wonderful info.
    cedarwood pharmacy canada ed meds canadian pharmacies for viagra

  319. Keithvieks

    November 22, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks a lot. An abundance of knowledge!
    get canadian drugs rx plus pharmacy my canadian pharmacy

  320. Davidquate

    November 22, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    With thanks, Wonderful stuff.
    tour de pharmacy watch online ez rx pharmacy cheap canadian cialis online

  339. Rogerwroge

    November 28, 2022 at 5:46 am

    Fine posts. Appreciate it!
    canadian drugstore hair loss costco online pharmacy

  362. AntonioNic

    December 5, 2022 at 4:44 pm

    Really plenty of beneficial material.
    antibiotics online pharmacy value rx pharmacy pharmacy rx one

  423. Williamligue

    December 10, 2022 at 8:42 pm

    You actually revealed this really well!
    penalty for mailing prescription drugs aetna rx pharmacy pharmacy store window

  722. CharlieDuh

    January 6, 2023 at 3:38 am

    cipro ciprofloxacin generic

  800. DavidNeoks

    January 17, 2023 at 1:44 pm

    plentyoffish login free singles