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.
Glad we got to share your birthday with you!
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