Hey! So, again I apologize for the delay between recent posts. I have allowed the past few weeks to get away from me. I am happy to be back with this blog, though.
So, like I mentioned in my last blog, I had some very special guests come visit me here in Xi'an, and who were so gracious and brought me some goodies from the States, including mac & cheese and toothpaste (toothpaste here is really gross and leaves an aftertaste).
The Manns, whom I have known my entire life, arrived on Tuesday, June 15 and stayed with me until their departure on the evening of Friday, June 18. They arrived in the middle of Dragon Boat Festival (would take too long to explain this festival, but you can google it and there are some great websites with information), so they were able to experience the mass of people out and about during that time. We spent the first day hanging out in my apartment catching up and then went out to dinner and to walk around the neighborhood. The next day we headed out early to register them at the police station (required of anyone that is not staying at a hotel - they do it for you at hotels) before heading to the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and the Muslim market. After a day of exploring these places we met up with my China family and all went to a restaurant for Beijing Roast Duck, which is a special treat that we reserve for guests and celebrations. The following day I had arranged for a Chinese friend, who has a van, to take us to the Terracotta Warriors. I think the Manns enjoyed the time with my Chinese friend, and he even convinced us to go see the Banpo Museum on our way home. We concluded the evening at one of my favorite restaurants here, Colabos, and it was delicious. On the final day we went to the Big Goose Pagoda, also known as the Dayanta. The Dayanta is one of the oldest monuments in Xi'an and the courtyard surrounding it includes a temple and many classrooms for Buddhist children to study. We were also able to enjoy lunch together before the Manns had to leave for the airport. I definitely enjoyed their visit, and have posted some pictures of the places that we visited while they were here.
Well, to be honest I never thought I would have visitors here in China, as I realize that it is not an easy trip to make or feasible for many people for that matter, so to have my first set of visitors was awesome. And, as it turns out, I will have another visitor, who is arriving tomorrow! Natasha and I did two schools together in Denver and were also on the team that went to Colombia together during the first school. Natasha is going to be working with the same company that I am working with, but just in Hong Kong starting on July 14, so she is coming to visit and stay with me until that time. Her visit is perfect timing as my last day of class is tomorrow.
Speaking of class.....sometimes it is hard to believe that I have studied for two full semesters now. I definitely can see great improvement in some areas, and other areas that I still need to work on more this summer. I am pleased however with my progress and am happy to report that I have completed 2 full books and 1/3 of the 3rd book for Chinese Made Easier.
Well, I know this has become a long post, so I will close here for now. I will be back soon to fill you in on the camp that I will be working at for 10 days in July, as well as when I will be stateside later this summer.
Hoping you all are staying cool!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
My 31st Birthday
Hey! Sorry for the absence of a blog last week - it seems like the past two weeks meshed together somewhere in my mind. I have provided you with plenty of pictures though, to make up for it. You will find three albums of pictures from these past two weeks - my University campus, a night at the Dayanta / park, and my birthday celebrations.
Well, this weekend, on June 12, I turned 31. Since my birthday and my sister-in-law's (Jennie) birthday are both in June, for many years I used to celebrate with my family when we were all together during the 4th of July holiday. Once my nephews entered the picture and we started spending Memorial Day weekend together as well, my mom posed the idea of two separate birthday celebrations for Jennie and I. Jennie and I did not care one way or another, but my nephew Ethan promptly told Grandma that we needed two parties and two cakes (smart kid since he wanted cake). So, the next year began the celebration of my birthday over Memorial Day weekend and Jennie's during the 4th of July. Well, this year I was not with my family to celebrate my birthday, but my mom has said that this summer when I am stateside that we will still have a cake (I know Ethan will be excited). Even though I was not with my stateside family and friends for my birthday, I still had a great two days of celebration with my family and friends here in China.
On Saturday, my teacher and two other teachers from school came over to my house where we had dinner, a Chinese cake, and watched some movies. And of course there was a dance party as well. It was a great night just hanging out with them.
On Sunday afternoon my friends took me to a new play place here in Xi'an, and it is amazing. This place has everything imaginable for kids and is even equipped for adults to play with the kids too. In my opinion it is better than Chuck E. Cheese! And of course any chance that I get to be a big kid makes me happy, so I loved the two hours we spent there. (I uploaded some pictures of the play place, with more to come later, but still feel like it doesn't do justice to this place). After the play place we went to Papa John's for dinner, and then to Baskin Robbins. I couldn't have asked for a better day!
Well, this week will be busy as well as I have some special guests here with me for the next few days. The Manns, who are like a second set of parents for me, are here for a few days. They have spent the past few days in Beijing, and arrived here in Xi'an this afternoon. I am having so much fun with them already and am looking forward to the next few days showing them my city. I will update you later this week about their visit.
Hope that you all are enjoying summer, but staying cool at the same time. Many blessings to each of you.
Well, this weekend, on June 12, I turned 31. Since my birthday and my sister-in-law's (Jennie) birthday are both in June, for many years I used to celebrate with my family when we were all together during the 4th of July holiday. Once my nephews entered the picture and we started spending Memorial Day weekend together as well, my mom posed the idea of two separate birthday celebrations for Jennie and I. Jennie and I did not care one way or another, but my nephew Ethan promptly told Grandma that we needed two parties and two cakes (smart kid since he wanted cake). So, the next year began the celebration of my birthday over Memorial Day weekend and Jennie's during the 4th of July. Well, this year I was not with my family to celebrate my birthday, but my mom has said that this summer when I am stateside that we will still have a cake (I know Ethan will be excited). Even though I was not with my stateside family and friends for my birthday, I still had a great two days of celebration with my family and friends here in China.
On Saturday, my teacher and two other teachers from school came over to my house where we had dinner, a Chinese cake, and watched some movies. And of course there was a dance party as well. It was a great night just hanging out with them.
On Sunday afternoon my friends took me to a new play place here in Xi'an, and it is amazing. This place has everything imaginable for kids and is even equipped for adults to play with the kids too. In my opinion it is better than Chuck E. Cheese! And of course any chance that I get to be a big kid makes me happy, so I loved the two hours we spent there. (I uploaded some pictures of the play place, with more to come later, but still feel like it doesn't do justice to this place). After the play place we went to Papa John's for dinner, and then to Baskin Robbins. I couldn't have asked for a better day!
Well, this week will be busy as well as I have some special guests here with me for the next few days. The Manns, who are like a second set of parents for me, are here for a few days. They have spent the past few days in Beijing, and arrived here in Xi'an this afternoon. I am having so much fun with them already and am looking forward to the next few days showing them my city. I will update you later this week about their visit.
Hope that you all are enjoying summer, but staying cool at the same time. Many blessings to each of you.
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