I'm currently finishing up an amazing week in DC. I came out to see a good friend from high school, who I hadn't seen since moving to China four years ago. It's been great to catch up and reminisce, and I've had plenty of time to traipse around the city with my camera while she's been at work. Pictures and updates will be forthcoming.
Several of you mentioned a desire to help the two kids from the orphanage with club feet. They are now down in the south of China at the center, and they need your help! While we were able to raise the funds for their travel costs to and from the center, we are not paying for their treatment. The amazing part of An Orphan's Wish is that they will not turn away kids. To see their beautiful faces and to see ways to help, head on over to Stefanie's blog for more information. Her most recent post (Lookie, Lookie) is dedicated to the kids at the club foot center. My orphanage's two little ones are Joey and Lexi. And yes, tears pooled in my eyes when I discovered them on her blog this morning!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Confession
I'll go ahead and admit it. I'm a little bit of a snob. I love a good glass of wine, a good meal, and a good dose of culture. Due to the fact that for a majority of the year I live in a small city in China, where art museums and free opera in the park are hard to come by, it's been a treat to indulge in a bit of snobbery this summer. I have been frequently jumping on the treadmill in the attempt to justify caloric extravagances such as linguine in a white wine and truffle oil sauce with grilled asparagus. Let me tell you, that was well worth a two mile run.
Earlier this week my mom and I headed out to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She patiently waited (and wisely brought a book) while I soaked in the surroundings with camera in hand. It was a delightful afternoon, as we moved from appreciating the artistry in the petals of an orchid to the metaphor of thousands of hands supporting a floor. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the day.
Earlier this week my mom and I headed out to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She patiently waited (and wisely brought a book) while I soaked in the surroundings with camera in hand. It was a delightful afternoon, as we moved from appreciating the artistry in the petals of an orchid to the metaphor of thousands of hands supporting a floor. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the day.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
It's all about the people
The last two weeks have been filled to the brim with good classes, good food, and most importantly, good friends. Wheaton is always one of my favorite stops of the summer because: a) I'm a nerd and I like going to class and writing papers, b) Chicago in the summer is just about as good as it gets, c) I get to see dear friends who serve across Asia and show them around "my town", d) I get to worship with a community of people I love, e) I get to sit and talk and just be with amazing friends. Most of the time I was too busy drinking in the moment to pull out my camera, but here are a few shots of the people and places that made the time pretty much perfect.
Like I said, there's nothing like Chicago in the summer. Perfect temperatures. Beautiful evening. Free opera in the park. Good friends. Yes, please.
I was blessed by the hospitality of Greg & Noel, who fed me, provided a comfy bed, made mudslides, taught me a new card game, and got me addicted to hewering orcs on PS2.
Every summer Rachel cooks at least one meal for me, and every summer I'm reminded why I keep her around as a friend. :) Ok, even if she wasn't an amazing cook, I'd still be her friend. But it sure is a nice perk! That and the fact that we can talk for hours on end.
These are just a few of my classmates who are graduating from the program this summer. I'm going to miss learning with and from them!
Like I said, there's nothing like Chicago in the summer. Perfect temperatures. Beautiful evening. Free opera in the park. Good friends. Yes, please.I was blessed by the hospitality of Greg & Noel, who fed me, provided a comfy bed, made mudslides, taught me a new card game, and got me addicted to hewering orcs on PS2.Every summer Rachel cooks at least one meal for me, and every summer I'm reminded why I keep her around as a friend. :) Ok, even if she wasn't an amazing cook, I'd still be her friend. But it sure is a nice perk! That and the fact that we can talk for hours on end.These are just a few of my classmates who are graduating from the program this summer. I'm going to miss learning with and from them!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
In love
I have fallen head over heels in love. Undeniably, unequivocally in love. Ok, I know in the English language we're not supposed to profess love to inanimate objects (for an interesting discussion on why it's just fine to say you love things like parmesan cheese check out C.S. Lewis' Four Loves--an excellent book). Ahem, side-tracked. I apologize. Getting side-tracked is the reason I can't sit here...
...for more than ten minutes without finding something better to do than write graduate papers with impending due dates.
I'm partly distracted by the desire to take out and use my new love. My new love does this:
Alright, you've probably guessed it! I've recently acquired a new lens, and I am super excited about it. I'm looking forward to trying it out as a portrait lens on all those faces I love in Wheaton. I make the drive up this Friday.
...for more than ten minutes without finding something better to do than write graduate papers with impending due dates.I'm partly distracted by the desire to take out and use my new love. My new love does this:
Alright, you've probably guessed it! I've recently acquired a new lens, and I am super excited about it. I'm looking forward to trying it out as a portrait lens on all those faces I love in Wheaton. I make the drive up this Friday.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
More end of the year
I'm currently sitting in Panera bread, surrounded by the hum of multitudes of people. Internet has been down at my parents' place, so I headed here with the express purpose of doing research for a paper with a due date sooner than I'd like to admit. Instead I'm updating my blog. I need a serious injection of motivation...stat. But while I wait for the caffeine in my coffee to work its magic in substituting for sleep (last night the total was three and a half hours...my body's a little out of whack...there's no one to blame but myself, I totally broke my no naps in the first week rule), I thought I'd clue you in on a few more end of the year activities.
Before the final push, the team took a long weekend retreat to the coastal town of Dalian. I was incredibly thankful for two 9 hour train rides where I had nothing to do (like updating my blog) other than graduate work.
We spent some of the time reflecting on the year, and a lot of time just hanging out and eating Western food. I must admit, Starbucks was likely the highlight of the trip for me. There is just something I love about curling up in a Starbucks armchair early in the morning, starting my day off with a Caramel macchiato. Pure bliss.
We visited the local "amusement" park in Dalian, where the kids (big and small) enjoyed many overpriced rides.
We also headed to the aquarium, which we were herded through in the midst of massive crowds of people just trying to make it to the end of the aquarium in time for the dolphin show. The crowds were massive. I live in China. I'm used to crowds. This was...well, I seriously began to feel claustrophobic in the underwater tunnel exhibit. After seeing the show, we snuck back in the front of the aquarium for a much calmer view of the place.
While in Dalian we also took time to relax on the "beach". As a midwesterner, I know I shouldn't be picky about my beaches. But really...I find piles of pebbles hardly noteworthy. I guess I've been spoiled by the sandy shores of Thailand.
Regardless, the kids seemed to enjoy the plethora of rocks available for throwing into the water.
After returning from the retreat, we had a few weeks left which were jam packed with (but not limited to) the following: grading, giving finals, more grading, team leader appreciation day, teammate goodbye party (to Sarah and Vance, who won't be returning to Siping), end of the year banquet with brothers and sisters, foreign affairs department end of the year banquet, Senior performances, saying goodbye to seniors, arranging the details for the orphanage, packing up all of my belongings in my small office, and a little bit of sleep.
One of my hardest goodbyes this year was with my tutors of two years. Both of them are moving away and I will greatly miss their friendship!
Caffeine is beginning to work its magic. Time for this day's attempt at productivity!
Before the final push, the team took a long weekend retreat to the coastal town of Dalian. I was incredibly thankful for two 9 hour train rides where I had nothing to do (like updating my blog) other than graduate work.
We spent some of the time reflecting on the year, and a lot of time just hanging out and eating Western food. I must admit, Starbucks was likely the highlight of the trip for me. There is just something I love about curling up in a Starbucks armchair early in the morning, starting my day off with a Caramel macchiato. Pure bliss.
We visited the local "amusement" park in Dalian, where the kids (big and small) enjoyed many overpriced rides.
We also headed to the aquarium, which we were herded through in the midst of massive crowds of people just trying to make it to the end of the aquarium in time for the dolphin show. The crowds were massive. I live in China. I'm used to crowds. This was...well, I seriously began to feel claustrophobic in the underwater tunnel exhibit. After seeing the show, we snuck back in the front of the aquarium for a much calmer view of the place.
While in Dalian we also took time to relax on the "beach". As a midwesterner, I know I shouldn't be picky about my beaches. But really...I find piles of pebbles hardly noteworthy. I guess I've been spoiled by the sandy shores of Thailand.
Regardless, the kids seemed to enjoy the plethora of rocks available for throwing into the water.After returning from the retreat, we had a few weeks left which were jam packed with (but not limited to) the following: grading, giving finals, more grading, team leader appreciation day, teammate goodbye party (to Sarah and Vance, who won't be returning to Siping), end of the year banquet with brothers and sisters, foreign affairs department end of the year banquet, Senior performances, saying goodbye to seniors, arranging the details for the orphanage, packing up all of my belongings in my small office, and a little bit of sleep.
One of my hardest goodbyes this year was with my tutors of two years. Both of them are moving away and I will greatly miss their friendship!
Caffeine is beginning to work its magic. Time for this day's attempt at productivity!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Orphanage raffle outcome
After two weeks of selling tickets for the orphanage raffle, we opened up the foreign teacher's library to draw the winners. Excitement was in the air as we drew winners for everything from dinner to a trip to the Great Wall. 
Below is the winner of the trip to the Great Wall with Mark. She was allowed to choose one person to go with her. We felt bad for her, as we were sure many roommates and friends would vie for the coveted position. She ended up taking the safe route of not offending anyone by choosing to take her mother (who has never been to Beijing). Smart girl!
But the most exciting part was the fact that we raised just over 7,000 RMB ($1,000) for the kids. If all goes according to plan, the two kids will be on their way down to the south of China July 5th for treatment.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Long time no see!
As you may have guessed, blogspot got blocked the last couple weeks in China. I'm now safely stateside, without my luggage, but happy to be home. There will be lots of updates in the coming days! Sorry for the silence! For now, here are the dates & locations of my summer. I'd love to see as many of you as possible!
More updates after some sleep and father's day celebrating!
- June 20-July 3: Indianapolis
- July 3-July 19: Wheaton/Chicago
- July 19-July 25: Indianapolis
- July 25-August 1: Washington D.C.
- August 1-4: Indianpolis
- August 4-17: Tampa, FL
- August 17-20: Indianapolis
- August 20: Head home to China!
More updates after some sleep and father's day celebrating!
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