哈尔滨 Harbin

Last weekend a group of us went to Harbin. We went to Harbin Disney on Ice, a snow sculpture park, the ice city, and the siberian tiger park. It was great fun and I felt like a kid again!

Happy "Niu" Year!!!

今年快乐！

Happy Chinese New Year！！！

看我！

我的电脑说中文。

你好我的中国朋友！

Harbin

I'm taking an overnight train to this place this weekend. I'm soooo excited about the ice and snow festival!!!

I'm pretty sure I'll be staying in a hostel for the first time... Unfortunately, I can't help but think of Hostel and want a hotel!

It's going to be COLD! Yesterday I bought all the necessary gear... snow boots, ear muffs, warm and fuzzy hat, North Fake jacket... well, actually, I'm not convinced it's a fake. It's really nice and has down feathers inside. I got it laughably cheap and it's three sizes too big but I will be WARM in the -16 C to -25 C weather we're expecting.

If you know me, you know I love cold and snow, I can't wait!!!

Temple of Heaven

Friday we went to the Temple of Heaven.

The sky was deliciously blue.

Inside the temple of prayer for good harvest.

The temple of prayer for rain. It is surrounded by an "echo wall" which was pretty neat. You face the wall and speak and people can hear you on the opposite side.

As always, I am fascinated by rooftop design. Below is a "fairy" riding a "chicken." I don't know what it means but I love it!

Then at the end of the day, everyone at Real Life threw me a surprise birthday party. My staff and students are the best! They gave me cake, red wine, and loads of cool presents... It made my day!

Karaoke Time!

Despite a handful of invites, I've been putting off going to KTV for months. I decided to take my students up on their offer to go for New Year's. (Thanks to Jason who got us a room and paid for it all!)

I LOVE to sing.... but I'm a closet singer. With a limited vocal range to beat all!

But last night I gave in and had a blast singing random songs by Britney Spears and John Denver. My grandmother would be so pleased to know I did not pass the mic when invited to sing Take Me Home Country Roads! (Sorry Grandma, no video!)

I really am a horrible singer! But everyone was so nice and just said I "need a little practice." We'll see!


Michelle teaching me how to use the karaoke machine.

This is my OMG I'm so embarrassed face.

Oh, here it is again.

And again!
On my right, Julia. She works with me and I love her very much! She's an awesome singer!

Missing Christmas Pictures

Here they are! Sorry it took so long! I was so sooo sick, for a little over a week, but I'm feeling much better now!

On Christmas Eve we had a party at RLE. I made it half-way through The Night Before Christmas before having to peek at the words!

Then there was a friendly game of "white elephant." And I mean friendly! The only gift that was stolen was returned to its original owner at the end of the game... out of guilt for having stolen it. I give her an A++ for trying! (Here I am explaining the rules, and encouraging everyone to steal steal steal!)


Christmas morning we went to the migrant school for a quick program and to pass out gifts.


I think this is one of my favorite pictures so far.

And at the end of the day it was time for presents! I think we've decided to leave the tree up until Beth gets here... we don't have too many decorations and the lights are nice!

Happy New Year!

2008! This year has come and gone so quickly, it's hard to believe it's over!

It was the year of inflatable rafting down the Chattahoochee River, learning how to make lattes, late night Guitar Hero, making the most amazing new friends (and cooking many great meals with them), late night swimming, MJQ, long conversations on rocks by the river and on bench swings, Taco Bell, open mic nights, farewell parties, and of course new adventures in China.

I could not have asked for a better year! 2009, you have big shoes to fill.

Happy new year! May your wishes be easy to fulfill, your friends close, and your heart full of love and happiness!