PTL!!
The adventures of a man and woman and little gift from God. We lived in China for two years... moved and now the adventure continues in America. Blog Penned by Avery
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Lunch with Student Christmas Eve
We had the great opportunity to meet during the semester with 5 students each week to study the Book. The students told me they wanted to treat Wes and I to lunch on Christmas Eve. They took us to a special restaurant across from our school. We had a delicious meal and even took some silly pictures. Here one of the group
Christmas Day in China
We had a great Christmas.
We excitedly woke up to a beautiful snow fall. It didn't stick to the ground... but it was beautiful falling from the sky.
We are so blessed to have family in America to send us Christmas packages. My parents sent a 27 pound box of goodness... my sisters box ranking second heaviest at 17 pounds. (She told me she had to sit on it to close it :-)
We had so much fun opening and ooohh and awwwing over goodies.
Here is what we racked up on from my parents and sister :-)
I told Karen about how cold it has gotten in Hengyang and how we were freezing!! She lovingly sent Under Armour clothing :-) We have worn it faithfully and don't want to take it off even to wash ... this may present a problem :-)
After opening all the presents, we were able to Skype with our family :-) Even though it certainly isn't the same as being in the same house, laughing together and being with each other... it provides a sense of connectedness.
At 9:30 am, we went to a teammates house to have "Team Christmas" We first ate a delicious American breakfast (no Chinese food allowed) After a delicious meal, we sat around in the living room and opened presents. Our team did a great job of gifting :-) We got games, gloves, chocolate, lotions, McDondalds gift cards and even a wheel of cheese. I was super excited about the wheel of cheese. I thought to myself-- if you had told me when I was 16 years old, that I would be excited about getting a wheel of cheese for Christmas, I would have laughed (really hard) BUT oh the excitement of cheese :-) Not only did I get a wheel of cheese from a teammate... but I got Mac and Cheese from both my parents and sister. Happy times in the Thomas household.
Here are some pictures from our Christmas day.
Tree and Present
Wes was our photographer for all presents opened. I think this picture was towards the end of the opening. I love how Portia and I are both looking at Wes with funny looks.
Wesley
After all presents were opened, we played Settlers of Catan. I had never played the game before... but with the amazing strategy of making my city look pretty :-) I WON :-) haha.
After the game, we made pizza. I don't think we officially stopped eating all day. We ate pizza and watched The Christmas Story movie. After the movie, we decided to do individual activities all in the same room, some people read a book other drew pictures. After a short time of quietness, we started to eat cheese, peperoni and crackers (all brought from the US) and watched the Christmas episode of The Office.
It was a successful fun enjoyable Christmas.
I have discovered... I miss my family on holidays (of course) but the times I am most homesick... isn't holidays... it is random times during the week when I miss a hug from my mom or hanging out with my Dad.
Thank you Mom, Dad, Ashley, Salmon, Karen and Barry for making Christmas special with packages from home. :-) WE love you!!
We excitedly woke up to a beautiful snow fall. It didn't stick to the ground... but it was beautiful falling from the sky.
We are so blessed to have family in America to send us Christmas packages. My parents sent a 27 pound box of goodness... my sisters box ranking second heaviest at 17 pounds. (She told me she had to sit on it to close it :-)
We had so much fun opening and ooohh and awwwing over goodies.
Here is what we racked up on from my parents and sister :-)
I told Karen about how cold it has gotten in Hengyang and how we were freezing!! She lovingly sent Under Armour clothing :-) We have worn it faithfully and don't want to take it off even to wash ... this may present a problem :-)
After opening all the presents, we were able to Skype with our family :-) Even though it certainly isn't the same as being in the same house, laughing together and being with each other... it provides a sense of connectedness.
At 9:30 am, we went to a teammates house to have "Team Christmas" We first ate a delicious American breakfast (no Chinese food allowed) After a delicious meal, we sat around in the living room and opened presents. Our team did a great job of gifting :-) We got games, gloves, chocolate, lotions, McDondalds gift cards and even a wheel of cheese. I was super excited about the wheel of cheese. I thought to myself-- if you had told me when I was 16 years old, that I would be excited about getting a wheel of cheese for Christmas, I would have laughed (really hard) BUT oh the excitement of cheese :-) Not only did I get a wheel of cheese from a teammate... but I got Mac and Cheese from both my parents and sister. Happy times in the Thomas household.
Here are some pictures from our Christmas day.
Tree and Present
Wes was our photographer for all presents opened. I think this picture was towards the end of the opening. I love how Portia and I are both looking at Wes with funny looks.
Wesley
After all presents were opened, we played Settlers of Catan. I had never played the game before... but with the amazing strategy of making my city look pretty :-) I WON :-) haha.
After the game, we made pizza. I don't think we officially stopped eating all day. We ate pizza and watched The Christmas Story movie. After the movie, we decided to do individual activities all in the same room, some people read a book other drew pictures. After a short time of quietness, we started to eat cheese, peperoni and crackers (all brought from the US) and watched the Christmas episode of The Office.
It was a successful fun enjoyable Christmas.
I have discovered... I miss my family on holidays (of course) but the times I am most homesick... isn't holidays... it is random times during the week when I miss a hug from my mom or hanging out with my Dad.
Thank you Mom, Dad, Ashley, Salmon, Karen and Barry for making Christmas special with packages from home. :-) WE love you!!
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Cure to ANY Ailment
In the Hengyang mind, the cure to any ailment-- "put on more clothes." You have a headache- put on more clothes, you have a stomachache- put on more clothes, your knee is hurt- wear more clothes. Many of my students and people in our community take this very seriously. The Ayi at the apartment gate will pinch my leg to see if I have on long johns and my students will ask me how many shirts I am wearing and if I feel cold.
I find this extremely funny... but they take it very seriously... especially when it comes to children. Many children cannot bend their arms because they have on so many layers. I have always wanted to capture this in a photograph but did not want to appear rude. This week I had the perfect opportunity. The child in this picture is only 3 months old. I counted the layers of clothes-- 5 LAYERS and 2 HATS!!! OH MY GOODNESS. This deserves the phrase "poor baby" But this Hengyang mommy is doing her duty of putting on more clothes.
I find this extremely funny... but they take it very seriously... especially when it comes to children. Many children cannot bend their arms because they have on so many layers. I have always wanted to capture this in a photograph but did not want to appear rude. This week I had the perfect opportunity. The child in this picture is only 3 months old. I counted the layers of clothes-- 5 LAYERS and 2 HATS!!! OH MY GOODNESS. This deserves the phrase "poor baby" But this Hengyang mommy is doing her duty of putting on more clothes.
Christmas from our Home Fellowship
We received a Christmas package yesterday from our Home Fellowship- Capital Community.
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Here are the presents under our "Charlie Brown" tree.
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Here are the presents under our "Charlie Brown" tree.
Anniversary Weekend in Yangshuo
Happy Anniversary
Wes and I just celebrated 3 years of marriage. Wes planned a wonderful trip to one of the most beautiful cities in China- Guilin and Yangshuo. We boarded the train (slow train) at 12:30 pm and arrived in Guilin 6.5 hours later. The train ride was beautiful!! Here is a view from the window
The whole weekend was perfect. We stayed one of the best hotels in all of China- Yangshuo Village Inn. Our room was located in the "Farm House" Since we were the only guest the Farm House was all ours.
The Farm House entrance -- absolutely beautiful!
Our Room
We arrived at the hotel about 10:30 at night... upon our arrival- Welcome Ginger Tea (which proved to be our favorite drink of choice all weekend). No better place to sip tea on a cold night than in front of the fire place!!
The next morning we woke up to a drizzly rain. But that didn't stop us. The hotel staff gave us a couple recommendations for the day and we decided on a bamboo boat ride along the river.
There was a lady selling flower crowns... and of course... Wes' Princess needed a crown.
It was a 2 hour ride of the most beautiful scenery. Here are some of the pictures
That evening the rain started to pour from the sky... but one thing we were told not to miss is the Light Show. So, we bundled up, grabbed the umbrellas and headed to the Light Show. Here are a few pictures. If you want my professional tour guide opinion-- you can miss the light show :-) it was okay... but not worth the money.
The next morning, we enjoyed a nice American breakfast at the hotel. We decided since the rain hadn't stopped, we would take part in the Yangshuo Cooking School!! This you do not want to miss. We had the best time going to the market, picking out the food and then learning how to cook local Yangshuo food. Here is our teacher--
Us in the Kitchen
Having new recipes and full bellies, we set out to explore the town. We went to West Street (the shopping area of Yangshuo. We got some great gifts and a few decorations for our home. Right before we reached West Street, we saw these beautiful waterfall.
The 3 days went buy extremely fast. It was so nice to slow down and connect just the two of us. If you are on this side of the globe... Yangshuo is a must see :)
Wes and I just celebrated 3 years of marriage. Wes planned a wonderful trip to one of the most beautiful cities in China- Guilin and Yangshuo. We boarded the train (slow train) at 12:30 pm and arrived in Guilin 6.5 hours later. The train ride was beautiful!! Here is a view from the window
The whole weekend was perfect. We stayed one of the best hotels in all of China- Yangshuo Village Inn. Our room was located in the "Farm House" Since we were the only guest the Farm House was all ours.
The Farm House entrance -- absolutely beautiful!
Our Room
We arrived at the hotel about 10:30 at night... upon our arrival- Welcome Ginger Tea (which proved to be our favorite drink of choice all weekend). No better place to sip tea on a cold night than in front of the fire place!!
The next morning we woke up to a drizzly rain. But that didn't stop us. The hotel staff gave us a couple recommendations for the day and we decided on a bamboo boat ride along the river.
There was a lady selling flower crowns... and of course... Wes' Princess needed a crown.
It was a 2 hour ride of the most beautiful scenery. Here are some of the pictures
That evening the rain started to pour from the sky... but one thing we were told not to miss is the Light Show. So, we bundled up, grabbed the umbrellas and headed to the Light Show. Here are a few pictures. If you want my professional tour guide opinion-- you can miss the light show :-) it was okay... but not worth the money.
The next morning, we enjoyed a nice American breakfast at the hotel. We decided since the rain hadn't stopped, we would take part in the Yangshuo Cooking School!! This you do not want to miss. We had the best time going to the market, picking out the food and then learning how to cook local Yangshuo food. Here is our teacher--
Us in the Kitchen
Having new recipes and full bellies, we set out to explore the town. We went to West Street (the shopping area of Yangshuo. We got some great gifts and a few decorations for our home. Right before we reached West Street, we saw these beautiful waterfall.
The 3 days went buy extremely fast. It was so nice to slow down and connect just the two of us. If you are on this side of the globe... Yangshuo is a must see :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Peppermint Biscotti
Wes love Biscotti and I love Wes... so... I surprised Wes with homemade Biscotti :-)
This afternoon I made Peppermint Biscotti. It turned out pretty delicious!
I found the recipe on Taste of Home. It wasn't that hard to make... just to some muscles in the stirring department :-) no Kitchen Aid Mixer in China :-)
Here is the recipe. Happy Christmas Baking
First Sunrise in Hengyang
Here is a picture of the first sunrise we have seen in Hengyang... not because we don't get up early... but between the smog and the rain, it seems the sun is rarely out.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Belle is getting BIGGER :-)
Many of you know that every Thursday I make a trip to the Orphanage in our city. The first day I went, I feel in love with a little girl. I named Belle. She came to the Orphanage weighing only 1 kg-- that is only 2.2 pounds. Every week, I go to hold her and sing to her. Last week, I saw a noticeable difference in her size. She has gotten bigger and more aware.
Here is Belle on my first visit
And here she is last week.
Here is Belle on my first visit
And here she is last week.
Hot Chocolate
Most recent goodies...
Thomas and Kathy sent us a care package with many treats!! Enclosed... Marshmallow Lovers Hot Chocolate :-)
Delicious!!
Thomas and Kathy sent us a care package with many treats!! Enclosed... Marshmallow Lovers Hot Chocolate :-)
Delicious!!
New Recipes... New Website
My friend recently introduced me to a blog called The Pioneer Woman... I love her cooking page and have recently been obsessed with trying out her recipes. My most recent -- Cinnamon Swirl Loaf... It was amazing!! It took a long time to make... started at about 4:00 and took the loaf out at 10:00 pm... but it was so worth it.
Here is the link to the recipe
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/08/homemade-cinnamon-bread/
And -- Here is a picture of the loaf... good thing I took a picture because it was devoured within 2 days :-)
Here is the link to the recipe
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/08/homemade-cinnamon-bread/
And -- Here is a picture of the loaf... good thing I took a picture because it was devoured within 2 days :-)
Super nice Surprise at the Local Market
I make a weekly trip to the grocery store that you have read about in a previous post. In each Market (the larger ones) there is an "import section" Generally in this section-- items from Korea and other unrecognizable products. As I was walking the aisle ... always wishing for something from America... I spot it... the song immediately pops in my head... I like fishes, I like fishes, I like fishes they are so delicious and a heavenly beam-- GOLDFISH!! Wow. That was exciting. They were 35 RMB per bag (a little expensive for a cracker but that didn't stop me from buying 3 bags) Likely once they are gone from the shelves... they will never return.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Great Friend... Great Goodies
Jen surprised me with goodies from a Western Store in Beijing called Jenny Lou's. She is so great... here are the goodies she blessed me with.
Dr. Pepper :-)
Twix Candy Bar
Cookies, Brownies and Muffin Mixes!!
Dr. Pepper :-)
Twix Candy Bar
Cookies, Brownies and Muffin Mixes!!
What did we buy??
Metro (the Sams Club of Changsha... not to be confused with the train)
This super store has many Western treats... what did we buy and lug home to Hengyang...
Hersey's Syrup, Coffee, Peppermint tea, Creamy Peanut Butter, Beef for Stew, Bacon, Pancake mix, Mustard, Granola, Pizza sauce and Cheese for pizza... Lot of deliciousness!!
This super store has many Western treats... what did we buy and lug home to Hengyang...
Hersey's Syrup, Coffee, Peppermint tea, Creamy Peanut Butter, Beef for Stew, Bacon, Pancake mix, Mustard, Granola, Pizza sauce and Cheese for pizza... Lot of deliciousness!!
Thanksgiving... thankful for Friends in Changsha
This year... my first year away from family on Thanksgiving.
I think the hardest part was skyping and seeing everybody... but it was also the best part :-) I dearly love and miss my family.
So what did we do this year
A visit to our family in China... The Bart Family. As they say in China, we are "country mates" with the Barts. Their hometown is also in NC and a stones throw from Raleigh. We became good friends with them back in the state through the China process and were very excited to be placed in the same province.
So Thursday, Thanksgiving day, Wes and I go to the Fast Train Station for our first "bullet train ride" It was incredible. Here is a picture of us at the train station, the train (it looks more like a spaceship) and the speed of the train at one point in our journey.
Departure time 11:58 ... the train literally only stopped for 2 minutes. There is not time for dilly dalling.
Our speed-- 334km/h ... that is 207.5 mph ... WOW!!! That is FAST :-)
It seemed like the moment we sat down in our seats... we arrived in Changsha. We got a taxi to the Bart's house. After the hussel and bussel of travel... the best greeting possible-- a HUG from a good friend.
We had a great weekend (despite the fact I was out for the count the first night and day with a stomach bug)
We planned our winter trip to Thailand, took a shopping trip to Metro (the Sams Club of Changsha), ate Western food, decorated the Bart's house and simply enjoyed each others company.
It was a great weekend and this year... I am truly grateful for our China family. Love you Bart Family.
I think the hardest part was skyping and seeing everybody... but it was also the best part :-) I dearly love and miss my family.
So what did we do this year
A visit to our family in China... The Bart Family. As they say in China, we are "country mates" with the Barts. Their hometown is also in NC and a stones throw from Raleigh. We became good friends with them back in the state through the China process and were very excited to be placed in the same province.
So Thursday, Thanksgiving day, Wes and I go to the Fast Train Station for our first "bullet train ride" It was incredible. Here is a picture of us at the train station, the train (it looks more like a spaceship) and the speed of the train at one point in our journey.
Departure time 11:58 ... the train literally only stopped for 2 minutes. There is not time for dilly dalling.
Our speed-- 334km/h ... that is 207.5 mph ... WOW!!! That is FAST :-)
It seemed like the moment we sat down in our seats... we arrived in Changsha. We got a taxi to the Bart's house. After the hussel and bussel of travel... the best greeting possible-- a HUG from a good friend.
We had a great weekend (despite the fact I was out for the count the first night and day with a stomach bug)
We planned our winter trip to Thailand, took a shopping trip to Metro (the Sams Club of Changsha), ate Western food, decorated the Bart's house and simply enjoyed each others company.
It was a great weekend and this year... I am truly grateful for our China family. Love you Bart Family.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tomorrow Lesson for Sophomores...
Weddings!!
I very excited to teach my Sophomore students about American weddings and traditions tomorrow in class... so in order to prepare for my lesson... I watched our wedding video! THANK YOU Uncle Coerte for having this video made for us! Wes and I had a great night watching and thinking back on the great memories. The video truly captured the beauty and love of our wedding. Thank you for blessing us with this special memory.
Wes and I celebrate 3 years on December 15!!
I very excited to teach my Sophomore students about American weddings and traditions tomorrow in class... so in order to prepare for my lesson... I watched our wedding video! THANK YOU Uncle Coerte for having this video made for us! Wes and I had a great night watching and thinking back on the great memories. The video truly captured the beauty and love of our wedding. Thank you for blessing us with this special memory.
Wes and I celebrate 3 years on December 15!!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Reality Check
Today is a beautiful sunny day in Hengyang. It is a little chilly... enough to wear a sweater but warm enough that you can't see your breath. Wes and I did a little venture out today ... just to get out for a bit. We went to the other side of town. We had just walked across a busy intersection, I was looking back at the intersection and saw the traffic guy kick a man on a his moving motorcycle... within seconds the motorcycle t-bones a taxi. The driver flies off his bike and hits the ground. I stand off to the side ... helplessly watching it all take place. Within an instant my whole body becomes hot and my lunch nearly comes for a revisit. The man did not move for minutes... my thoughts... he isn't alive. But after what seemed like forever, he sat up. His life spared by the Father. Hurt, nonetheless, but alive.
What a reminder to me... life is fragile.
And after the shock and sick feelings wore off... I thought about how Mototaxis are not a good option for getting around town.
What a reminder to me... life is fragile.
And after the shock and sick feelings wore off... I thought about how Mototaxis are not a good option for getting around town.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Fellowship Friends
About 2 months ago, we meet some other American at Nanyua University - University of South China (in our same city... just across town)
We have LOVE spending time with them... laughing, eating, singing, talking about our Father and blessing other people.
One Sunday after fellowship and lunch, we saw a lady selling balloons... we all thought it would be great to buy all the balloons and hand them out to children we saw on our walk home... so that just what we did. Edwin and Mary pulled out 50 RMB (less than $10 US) and we made LOTS of kid's day. It was so great to see the little smiles :-)
Here is Edwin and Mary with the mass of balloons!!
Capturing the smiles
We have LOVE spending time with them... laughing, eating, singing, talking about our Father and blessing other people.
One Sunday after fellowship and lunch, we saw a lady selling balloons... we all thought it would be great to buy all the balloons and hand them out to children we saw on our walk home... so that just what we did. Edwin and Mary pulled out 50 RMB (less than $10 US) and we made LOTS of kid's day. It was so great to see the little smiles :-)
Here is Edwin and Mary with the mass of balloons!!
Capturing the smiles
sister of the year award goes to...
Ashley Velazquez!!!
My sister sent me a package for Thanksgiving that made my week!!
She is amazing at packing boxes!! She even included a list of everything that was inside!! If you want to send the perfect box... here is the list... but don't forget to include all the LOVE that she did. THANK YOU ASHLEY!!
My sister sent me a package for Thanksgiving that made my week!!
She is amazing at packing boxes!! She even included a list of everything that was inside!! If you want to send the perfect box... here is the list... but don't forget to include all the LOVE that she did. THANK YOU ASHLEY!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Chinese Name for Avery
My friends and students came up with a Chinese name for me.
This all came about after going to the Three-Self Church one Friday. The pastor came to speak to me after the service and one of my students translated. The first phrase (of course) -- what is your name? I say "Avery" He says "huh... I mean your Chinese name" My student told the pastor she would work on that :-) I told them the only requirement I have for a Chinese name is -- I must be able to say it and it should have a good meaning (as this is important in culture)
A few days later... they told me they have a name.
Ai Xi
This name isn't common in China -- but then neither is Avery in America
The name means "Precious One or Something to be Cherished" If you break the name apart-- Ai is for Love, Xi is for Hope for a new day.
I think they did an amazing job picking out a name for me!!
This all came about after going to the Three-Self Church one Friday. The pastor came to speak to me after the service and one of my students translated. The first phrase (of course) -- what is your name? I say "Avery" He says "huh... I mean your Chinese name" My student told the pastor she would work on that :-) I told them the only requirement I have for a Chinese name is -- I must be able to say it and it should have a good meaning (as this is important in culture)
A few days later... they told me they have a name.
Ai Xi
This name isn't common in China -- but then neither is Avery in America
The name means "Precious One or Something to be Cherished" If you break the name apart-- Ai is for Love, Xi is for Hope for a new day.
I think they did an amazing job picking out a name for me!!
more cooking with Avery
Every Sunday morning I make a tasty treat to take to our fellowship. So far I have taken
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Cinnamon Rolls - my first time ever to make from scratch and they were delicious!!
Orange Lemon Muffins and Pumpkin bread
Next week I am thinking about apple pastries or apple fritters... we will see what the ingredients I can find!! Lets just say- our friends always anticipate the sweet treat in the red basket.
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Cinnamon Rolls - my first time ever to make from scratch and they were delicious!!
Orange Lemon Muffins and Pumpkin bread
Next week I am thinking about apple pastries or apple fritters... we will see what the ingredients I can find!! Lets just say- our friends always anticipate the sweet treat in the red basket.
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