The Chinese Way

The alarm would ring at 6:30.  If we had remembered to turn on the hot water heater, we would take a quick shower; if we had not turned on the water heater, showering would be done later.

Breakfast; yoghurt with cereal in it and a piece of toast.

Time was slipping by rapidly, so I'd double check to make sure I had everything I would need for class: the flash drive, student rolls, and whatever else I would need for that day.

Out the door by quarter to eight and then the walk to school.

Past the canteen...
past the elementary school, where the children would be arriving with their parents and grandparents:       some came riding bikes, cars, walking....
past the Xinghan market....
past the other canteen....
now walking the little path beside the dirty, muddy river, but still very beautiful in its own way....
by the side of the library....
on the long wide path under the beautiful trees that shaded the walkway...
through the statue park with its statues of Lenin, Marx, Shakespeare, and others.....
past the morning breakfast-seller's cart...
and then into the building, climbing up the three flights of stairs.

I always loved that walk (except maybe two times when the heat nearly did me in!).

It was a great start to the morning....I would think about class, and what we would be doing that day.  I would think about the students and wonder how I could REALLY help them.

Then, after two classes in the morning, it was a reverse walk home; then after lunch, the walk back again and home again.

What a great way to begin a day...oh, I do miss those lovely walks through Guangdong University!

Just My Style

It certainly wouldn't appeal to everyone.

But, it fits us perfectly....

Sometimes there are very specific items to see, but oftentimes there is no agenda; just day by day play it by ear. 

Usually, there is no hurry...we can take our time.

We wing it, and that works for both of us.

So, yesterday when we were headed one place, and accidentally found another, it was sheer delight and oh, so fun.

(Lowcountry Lawyer)

I absolutely LOVE this picture of a Southern lawyer....it has so much character.

And, so while we were headed to a display celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, we came upon a faculty art show, and I'm so glad we did!

Where's the Beach?

Totally made me laugh...this sign is surrounded by trees; in fact, the whole area would be a great setting for a jungle movie. Loved it.

(But you are right, just down the road, there was an amazing beach!)

Church All Over the World

We have been to church in:
Russia,
Israel,
China,
Canada,
and lots of places in America.

I love visiting church all over the country or world. 

It's different, yet the same.

I'm grateful for the faithful Saints we meet no matter where we are.

So, this week, we were at church on Hilton Head Island.  The 2nd person we met as we walked through the front door was a young man who moved from St. George, Utah just one year ago.  That totally made me smile.  Oh, I love the adventures.

Tunnel Vision

I love living in St. George, Utah.  I like the size, the feel, the neighborhood, the weather, the PLACE.  I don't particularly like a desert, but there are other aspects that compensate for that.

But, living in Utah and Idaho for most of my life - gave me tunnel vision. 

There is such a big, wide world out there to explore.

There are so many customs, cultures, peoples, ideas, traditions, mores, foods, music, ideologies.

It is good to leave home for a brief moment to expand the vision of this amazing world created by God.

The charm of cape Cod is hard to describe and compare with anything.

I'm grateful for opportunities to see outside my little narrow vision.



We have recently been in Austin, SanAntonio, Cape Cod, and will now be in South Carolina for three weeks.  It will be grand and so different from anything we have experienced before.  (Allen has already set out the crab traps and he's eager to catch and eat these local crabs.)

But, I am always grateful when I return to the little corner of the world I call H.O.M.E.  I may have Tunnel Vision, but I do know that I'm grateful for a wonderful place to call my home.

If You Walk the Freedom Trail, Be Sure To....

Stop in at Mike's Pastries for a delicious treat....said President Barlow and his wife while we all ate lunch after the Sunday morning session of LDS conference.

So, we stopped in at Mike's on Monday as we walked along the Freedom Trail...now, none of our pants will fit!

Whale Watching - NOT!

I should have suspected it was not going to be the trip of lifetime - (as they advertised) - when the crew handed out FREE Dramamine.

NOTHING on a tour boat is free, but the Dramamine pills were on this sunny, slightly windy afternoon, as was the water to swallow it with.

Twenty five miles out to the ocean over rough, storm-tossed waters; one man down sick for the count, another lady down from falling as the ship tossed and turned.

Then, finally, after a very long ride on the stormy ocean, the voice over the intercom: "2 o:clock on the right....did you see it?" Everyone on the boat ran to the right.

I was straining to see anything but rolling waves.

Then quickly she added, "11: o'clock on the left." Everyone on the the boat ran to the left. I still couldn't see a thing.

Then, " 6:o'clock - behind us."

The boat quickly spun around making us all hold our mouths, stomachs, breath, and our seats so we wouldn't slip off.

Then, "Sorry, folks, looks like she is staying under longer than usual, so we'll be heading back to shore now; it's getting late, and the storm is not subsiding."

"We certainly hope you enjoyed our whale watching and that you will come again with us on the TRIP OF A LIFETIME!"