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.
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