Random Happenings

So I've been back a week and a half. It's been busy making up classes and meeting up with people. The first week back I was awake before 7 almost every day. Not cool. Although I did get a lot of work done in the mornings so I guess that was a good thing. Here's some of the fun stuff I've been up to this week:
Thursday:

Baking cookies with our Hankou Women's Study

 Friday: I met with my new Chinese tutor, Joan. She is the wife of Dean, the head of the foreign English teachers. She lives on the same floor, which is very convenient.  Should help with the motivation and sticking with the lessons.  Friday afternoon, I made up my first 2 hours of classes, then headed next door to Jess's apartment to play games with a bunch of our Chinese friends. My good friend Bella came too and afterwards, gave Jessica and I back massages.  Quite relaxing.  We also played some Twister, decorated for Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving, and had a nice late night chat.

Saturday: Jess was not feeling well in the morning, so I taught her first class from 8-10. After lunch I headed to Hankou to hang out with Lisa (FoC member in Hankou) for some PB&J time (pr@yer buddy and J-s-s). Hannah joined us, and we went to the mall, got some smoothies, people watched, read some of the Book, then headed back to Hannah's apartment for dinner.  After dinner, I headed over to Aaron's apartment to play Super Mario 3 with Aaron and Jolie.  It wasn't our worst night of playing, but it definitely wasn't the best. It was still a good time though.

I have seen this bag in a couple different stores.  I would like to purchase it. Unfortunately it costs a LOT of money and apparently others already have it (See below). Not so much of a unique bag. I'm still thinking about it :)

Sunday: We had our last Chinese Sunday meeting together as a whole group. This coming Sunday, a sister group will start Chinese meetings in Hankou. Our Sunday schedule is going to change now, so our English meeting is going to be in the evening now so that everyone can get together. This past Sunday, Johnny and Jonathan were installed as Leaders of the two Meeting groups. Please keep them and the Meeting groups in your thoughts.

The iPod touch: How to keep two 2-year olds quiet on Sunday mornings.....until they start fighting over it.

 

After the afternoon Study,  I invited two of our friends, Chen Jing and Rachel, over to bake. They cooked curry for Jess and I first and then we made apple crisp.   It was all very tasty. The apple crisp was a little sweet for Rachel, but they both really enjoyed making it.

Rachel and Chen Jing cooking curry

Making the apple goodness

Super tasty!

Wednesday: Today Jess and I celebrated her birthday which happened way back in the beginning of September.  Why so late you ask? Well, in lieu of a present, I told Jess that I would bake whatever and watch whatever movie she wanted. This tradition started our first year in China, when Jess asked if she needed to get me a present for my birthday (this was a legit question because I didn't get her anything). I told her no but she could watch Pirates of the Caribbean 3, part of my favorite movie series, with me. She had never seen the movie before, which is shocking since we're friends. She agreed.  And so began the tradition of baking/movie watching for a birthday.  This is how she got me to watch Racing Stripes, her favorite movie, last year. This year she chose butterscotch brownies and You've Got Mail.  A win-win for both of us since I like both of those :)

So, that should have caught you up my life.  Hope all of you are having a wonderful week.

Until next time.....His will be done.

A Grand American Adventure: Steve and Katie's Wedding

As a friend recently pointed out, I have not been as faithful as a blogger as I promised in my first (and only) blog of the new China year. My apologies.  Here’s an update on my most recent adventures.
      The first week of October is always National Holiday in China. This means no school for the whole week and usually a trip somewhere. My first year I went to Chengdu. Last year I went to Jiuzhaigou. This year I went to America, and not for one week, but two (well, almost two).  As most of you already know, my brother Steve got married two Saturdays ago.  I flew back the Monday before, had a 20-hour layover in Detroit which worked out well because Steve lives about 20 minutes from the airport. I landed at about 11 am. He came and picked me up (with Taco Bell!), took me to his principals house so I could shower, than I walked to his school to give a presentation about China to his school and some members of the congregation.  At the end, I answered questions that people had, and my favorite question was from a boy in either 1st or 2nd grade. He asked me if I had ever seen any ninjas.  I told him I hadn't but they are very sneaky and don't like to be seen.  This seemed to satisfy him :)

That night I was falling asleep by 7:30, but forced myself to stay awake until 8:30. The next morning I flew to Milwaukee since the wedding was in Lannon.  Katie (Steve's new wife) came and picked me up.  I stayed with her, her mom, and her aunt for the week, helped them get final stuff ready for the rehearsal and wedding day.  On Thursday, my friend Amanda Bode and her daughter Aurora came to Milwaukee and we spent the day at a mall. It was really nice to see her and catch up. 

 Friday, I met my brother Andrew and his girlfriend Bethany for lunch.  Then helped get stuff ready for the rehearsal dinner.  Friday night after the rehearsal, Katie wanted to break in her wedding shoes some more. We also wanted to go to Walmart to by a movie. So, we dressed up Walmart style. Unfortunately, Walmart did not have the movie we wanted so we had to run to Target in our Walmart outfits.  Got a couple weird looks, but nobody commented on them. Sadness. Target did have the movie we wanted, so it was a successful trip.

We are the people of Walmart. Through mark downs, roll backs, and shopping carts.....

Saturday was the wedding. In the morning all the girl's came to Katie's mom's house to get our hair done and for brunch.  At noon, we headed to the church to finish getting ready and to take some pre-wedding pictures.  2:00 was the wedding. It was a beautiful service.  Afterwards were more pictures, first at the church, then at a park.  The reception was a lot of fun too.  Lots of good food, good company, and good quality dancing :)  The whole day was a great day. I feel very blessed to be part of Katie and Steve's special day.

(I tried adding more pictures from the wedding, but my computer wasn't letting me....)

 On Sunday, I went to the gift opening, and then met FoCers from last year Peter, Darin, Andy, and Julie for dinner.  I requested someplace I could get a big juicy burger. It was fun to catch up with all of them, and a little weird to be hanging out with them in America when I felt like we could have been in China. After hanging out with them, I had a second dinner at Bethany's house with her, Mom, and Andrew. I had to cram as much American goodness in me as I could before I left ;)
Mom stayed in Milwaukee til Monday so we hung out til she had to leave.  We were going to drive around and maybe do some shopping, but Andrew accidentally took his car keys to work with him. We just watched a movie and ordered in food.  It took us three tries because restaurants either weren't delivering yet, or their driver never showed up....aiya.  But when we finally got our pasta and sub sandwich from Domino's it was quite tasty. 
Other highlights from the rest of the week: basketball and line dancing with Carrie Schumacher and her husband, bike ride, and carving pumpkins with Katie and Steve during another 20 hour layover :)

Katie and Steve's pumpkins were craving some seeds, while mine wasn't really sure what was going on....

 It was a really great time back in the States.  I'm glad I got to see as many friend's and family as I did. I wish I could have seen more people and for a longer time, but those visits will have to wait until summer, or via skype.
Congratulations Steve and Katie on your marriage.  May He bless your new life together!

Until next time.....His will be done.

Back for Year Three!

Hi everyone! I'm back in Wuhan for year 3! I've made it a goal to be better at updating my blog, so here we go :)
I had a great 2 1/2 months back home. I got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. I even got to catch up with some friends I haven't seen in years! There were some friends I didn't get to see that I wish I could have seen, and other friends and family who I wish I could have spent more time with, but all in all, it was a great summer. And.... I get to see many of them again for Steve and Katie's wedding...woot-woot!!!!
 Summer in the States ended with the Commissioning service in Stillwater, MN.  It was so great to be with so many people eager to serve in China and even more who are willing to support those of us who go!

New and Old FoC teachers

Mom, Steve, and Katie came :)

After commissioning, I stayed up in the Cities area since Mom and Dad had school that week. Jess and I flew out of Minneapolis with a layover in Chicago.  Our long flight to Shanghai was amazing! We each at our own little TV screens so we could watch whatever we wanted! They even had "The Hunger Games".  I sat next to the mascot from the Memphis Grizzlies.  He was on his way to China to do some performances and autograph signings.  He won mascot of the year last year. I should have asked for his autograph......
We got back to Wuhan around 7:30 PM Friday.  CJ, a friend from Sundays, picked us up at the airport. We got back to our apartments around 9. It was great coming back to an apartment that was already all set up. 
The next couple days were busy with getting over jet lag, unpacking, meeting up with friends, Sunday at Dingziqiao, catching up with more friends...... lots of fun stuff :)

My Sunday buddy Bruce!! Watching "Larry Boy and the Bad Apple"

Jess and I have taken up running in the morning since we were getting up early from the time change.  We've actually done a pretty good job of sticking to it.  It helps that we don't have school/studies going on yet so we have lots of time. We're hoping the habit sticks all year....or at least until it gets really cold.
Last year Andrea had a pet rabbit named Romulus (Rom for short). Since she is back in America, I have adopted Rom.  So far he's been a very good roommate.  He randomly chews on stuff, like the base of my fan, but so far he hasn't gotten into any big trouble.  Last night, he followed me around the apartment. He followed me in and out of the kitchen, and then when I went to sit on the window seat, he jumped up and joined me. It was cute :)

Fun story: Last night Brian, Kelsey, Jessica, Olli, Olli's friend, and I went to an outdoor basketball court to play basketball.  The way they play at this court, is 3-on-3, make it/take it, first to 5 wins, winner stays.  When it was finally our turn to play, the three guys played first. They won, so we got to play again.  Brian let me play for him. Now, in China, girls don't usually play sports and if they do, they don't usually play with boys. So, when I went out there, there were many laughs from the sidelines and nobody wanted to guard/be guarded by the girl.  I felt the need to prove myself, and prove myself I did.  In the first 5 seconds of playing I slipped and fell on my tuckus.  I blame worn out shoes.  Many people laughed. I laughed. The guy I was guarding rolled his eyes.  We did end up winning the game. I got better, I even scored a point.  The rest of the night we rotated in and out so we could all play.  Jess got a round of applause for a nice pick-and-roll. Most of the boys wouldn't touch us and some of them even backed away if we got to close to them. Apparently somebody told them we had cooties......

   

Tomorrow we pick up the newbies from the airport! Jess and I made our midtown boys signs:

Tomorrow we also move things from the Zhongnan apartment to the boys' new apartment, which is early in the morning, which means it's time for bed.  Hope everyone has a good holiday weekend!

Until next time..... His will be done.

The Mystical Tales in the Land of Qingdao

Traveling with Beth this past year, my travel companions and I were always treated to a bedtime story each night from her, based on the happenings of that day.  Even though Beth didn't travel with us over May Holiday, the tradition lived on.  I've decided to treat you to these bedtime stories, since they are more colorful than the actual events :)  If you would like what really happened, you can check out Jess's blog. Enjoy the story!(Don't mind the editing...I just copied and pasted this from it's original draft...)

Seafood galore!

Once upon a time, 3 beautiful princesses and one handsome prince decided to leave the responsibilities of their kingdom behind and to go to a land rumored to be flowing with beer and seafood.
 As they were reaching the outskirts of their kingdom, the heavens began to cry, fearing their kingdom would lose four of their favorite royalty to this mysterious and wonderful new kingdom.  As they boarded their magical lucky swans, they waved and promised they would return fully devoted to the work of their kingdom.  The luck swans flew gracefully to the land of Qingdao. Once in the land of QD, the royal friends took a carriage ride to a beautiful chrch homestay.  After settling into their chambers, the friends went out to explore the land of beer and shaokao.  After filling their bellies with delicious food and decent beer the royal friends went back to their humble abode and prepared for the next day of exploring adventures.  They hoped to dream of mermaids and beer goddesses.  

-          After a night of frightful dreams, the royal highnesses slowly woke  up. See, the queen of the land of Qingdao was not fully convinced of their royalty, had hid a pea in the princesses’ bed and because they were   true royalty, they felt every ridge of the pea.  The prince, however,  slept soundly, since the test only works on princesses.  After a family meeting, it was decided that the next night it would be best if the  prince would spend the night with commoners so that he could better understand the simple life.  The queen, satisfied with the royal status   of the family, treated them to a delicious foreign breakfast.  Once their bellies were filled, they headed out into the ever increasing gloomy weather, unaware that the evil sorcerer was watching their every move. 

  First stop was the beautiful ocean. Even through the mist and fog, they could still see the splendor of the majestic ocean. They made their way to the mystical underwater world, stopping along the way to eat a fish caught amongst the stars.

 

 

 Once at the mystical world, the royal family was disappointed to see that all the underwater creatures were frozen   in time under an evil spell from the evil sorcerer.

This princess is clearly masking her sadness.

      Crestfallen, the   royal highnesses walked through the sea of frozen creatures, wishing that something could be done to save them. As they walked along, the creatures slowly woke up from their trance, because unbeknownst to the royal highnesses, they too possessed magical powers. Excited about this turn events, the family skipped and sang their way through  the rest of the mystical world and to a feast of delicious sea food.

       Next stop was to the wonderful world of 啤酒 (pi jiu, aka beer). Armed with beer in a bag, they trekked to the world where the 啤酒 flowed freely.

Beer in a bag: not any tastier than beer in a bottle/can

      After seeing where all the magic happens, they decided it was time to go find more food. They got in a carriage not knowing it was the evil sorcerer trying to get them lost in the wooded mountain. They climbed to the top of the mountain  to see what they could see but all that they could see was the other side of the mountain. However, they combined their recently discovered magical powers and found their way back to the hostel. They enjoyed a night of tasty food, watered down drinks and watching tiny men kick a tiny ball into tiny goals. They went to bed with hopes of a more restful night sleep and wondering what their day would bring tomorrow.

wandering in the wilderness

if you look closely through the trees, you can see a golf course

     The next night brought a more restful night to the princesses. When they woke up in the morning, they enjoyed another elegant breakfast. They decided to dress like commoners to experience life outside of royalty and headed off to see the stones of the elderly. They boarded the band wagon and headed off sure of their destination not knowing that the evil sorcerer had mixed the stops on the bus so that the friends would get loss in the wilderness. However, the friends, proving once again their superior cleverness, found beautiful ocean views and enjoyed a delightful picnic on the beach. 

Two of the princesses treated everyone to these awesome family shirts :)

      They did not find the wondrous rock garden of the elderly, but they did find their way to the mystical red orb, which was told to possess magical energies that when used for good, could bring health and happiness to all. Still under the guise of commoners, the friends thought that they could snap a few photos whilst blending in with the crowd, however the magical vigor from the orb cast a special glow over the royal highnesses and soon everyone and their grandchild wanted their pictures with the foreign royalty. 

We each took turns blending in with the crowd

Can you find us all?

when acting naturally didn't work, we decided to try donning the very popular bonnet to blend in.

      After appeasing a many commoners as they could without lashing out, the royal friends decided to run for it. They ran and they ran until they could run no more. Tired and famished, they began to search for anyplace that would give them food. They found a small shack hidden against the side of the sea and feasted on the most delicious of clams and cabbage. 

      Reenergized and satisfied the friends found a carriage back to their home stay where they enjoyed another enthrall ing game of little men hitting little balls into little goals. After which they finished off their night with bags of liquid gold and silver sticks of shao kao goodness. With bellies full and taste buds satisfied, the royal friends went to bed with more dreams of mermaids and beer goddesses.

Pretty, pretty princesses (and a handsome prince)

-          The royal friends, tired from their excursion as commoners slept late the next morning. Although they enjoyed their experience as commoners, they missed their royal lifestyle and dressed to impress before exploring more of the hidden beauty the land of Qingdao had to offer. 

it's probably best not to ask....

       They trekked through the open land and soon stumbled upon an oasis of cherry trees. They gazed upon their beauty and feasted on some ice cream. Unfortunately the evil sorcerer did not want them to enjoy this delicious cool treat and put a curse on one princess's ice cream and it was almost a disaster. However, the princess, using her grace and eloquence averted this crisis and once again foiled the evil sorcerer's plot.

   

Can you find all the couples getting wedding pictures?

     They ventured next to the seaside where many other princes and princesses were basking in the warm sun.  The friends visited the ancient palace where their ancestors once ruled over the land of Qingdao.
     The next stop was to feast on the catch of the sea, followed by a trip to the street where the beer flowed freely.

      The royal friends enjoyed some quality bonding time whilst enjoying the land of Qingdao's finest before heading off for one last shao kao experience. It was a very bittersweet moment knowing that this wonderful union of meat/veggies and fire would soon be just a memory. The friends savored every moment, storing away the beautiful memories to share with their friends and family back home. After a final night enjoying all that the land of Qingdao had to offer, the royal friends headed to bed to reenergize for one last day in the land of Qingdao.

during the eating process of shaokao

all gone :(

-          Wanting to enjoy one last day in the mystical land of Qingdao, the royal friends headed to the pier to soak in the sunshine and gaze out at the beautiful sea. However, the increase of the evil sorcerer's pig-faced minions told the friends what they didn't want to hear... That the evil sorcerer was near and readying his evil army for an attack. 

the minion is in the background trying to lure a small child with his evilness

      Knowing that their time was limited and that without their powers the people of Qingdao would not be able to withstand the forces and would very quickly become subjected to the evil sorcerer's ways, the royal friends jumped into action. They ran to the enchanted Squidmire to ask for his sound advice.  He informed them that they could never  completely defeat him because his powers were just too strong, but if they could at least get him trapped, then they could contain him in the old observatory which was lined with ivy and covered in lady bugs, the two substances known to drain the evil sorcerer of his powers. 

consulting the enchanted Squidmire

Squidmire.....get it?

     Thanking the enchanted Squidmire, they left and  pooled all of their powers together and decided that the  best battle plan was to do the complicated, but effective Circle of Love and Happiness. They quickly put their plan into action circling the evil lair and quietly casting laughter and joy over it all while avoiding the pig-faced minions guarding the lair.  They had to seek refuge only once, in an old abandoned chrch where they could get reinforcements. 

      Once, reenergized and reinforced, they headed back out continuing to cast their spells of laughter and joy. In a disappointingly epic-less battle, the royal friends completed their Circle of Love and Happiness, grabbed the subdued evil sorcerer, and locked him in the old observatory.

The ol' observatory

      Seeing that their leader was gone, the pig-faced minions scampered off into the woods and the people of the land of Qingdao flooded the streets shouting for joy. To thank the royal friends, they offered one last meal of liquid gold and silver shao kao. The royal friends ate to their hearts content. Once satisfied the friends bid farewell to the town folk who begged them to stay in case the evil sorcerer's minions would come and try to free the sorcerer. The royal friends wished they could stay,  but the work of their own kingdom beckoned. They promised though to always look back at their time with fond memories, and that they would return if ever the evil sorcerer escaped. 

      With tears in their eyes, they waved goodbye and got in a carriage which took them to the docking port for their magical lucky swans. They boarded their swans and soon they were back in their kingdom, where their friends and family welcomed them with open arms. And they lived happily ever after.

      

      I had a wonderful time traveling with friends and have truly been blessed to be given such great friends and the opportunity to travel with them. I hope that you at least enjoyed the pictures,  and that you dream of princesses and princes and mystical sea creatures when you go to sleep tonight :)

   Until next time.....His will be done.