Nanjing

After Beijing we flew to Nanjing. Nanjing is a beautiful city and continued to do more shopping.

There are a few highlights in this city.

First, the Nanjing Massacre Museum, which I had just learned about in my Atomic Bomb class. In Sept. 1937, Japan invaded Nanjing and killed and raped the city. About 300,000 people died during the invasion. When the city was excavating for a project they found the mass grave of some of the people who died during the massacre. They abandoned the project and set up a museum instead.

Another highlight is Dr. Sun Yet-Sian's Mausoleum. He was the guy who overthrew the Imperial System in China. On his death bed, he requested to be buried in Nanjing. This place was beautiful and offered a great scenic view of the city.

If you go to Nanjing, don't forget to marvel at their bridge. The people of Nanjing needed to build a bridge, but did not have the technology nor the know-how and approached the Soviet Union for assistance. The Soviet's said ok, as long as they could gain control over China. China of course said "no. Thank you." They ended up building this bridge without any assistance and are quite proud of it. The top section is for cars and trucks. The bottom section is for trains. It was beautiful there. We also saw an artist who paints inside glass globes here.

We also visited the Confucius Temple. This had everyone on the trip confused. We thought we were going to an actual temple, but it was a market. I bought a fan for $.80 - what a deal!! I hate bargaining and Jason, thrifty as he is, loves it. So I would walk away and let him do his magic. 80 cents for a fan isn't bad considering they wanted about $10 for it.

Of course no trip to Nanjing would be complete without a trip to Wal-mart. That's right, I said it, Wal-mart. We were driving along the streets headed back to the hotel when I "Oh look, Wal-mart." Then the entire bus erupted and started screaming. Dr. Shen said we could stop to take a picture, but that turned into a 30 minute shopping spree. It was hilarious! It actually was a good thing for me to shop there because I had forgotten sunscreen and I was worried I was going to be a burnt tater by the time we got home. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to buy some and a pair of cheap shoes, which I love!

China

We had a fabulous 12 days in China!! We saw so much and are so exhausted.

We visited Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong. We saw almost everything you can see in the short amount of time.

I'm going to try and write about a different city each day to share with everyone what all we did. Otherwise, it would be like a huge novel. Each day started between 6-7am and ended between 9-10pm. It was non-stop, but so worth it!!

First is Beijing, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

We loved Beijing and Jason got his Peking Duck Dinner, one of the highlights of the trip for him.

We started our tour by visiting the Golden Street, a famous commercial street, the afternoon of our arrival. Interesting here was the side street with the vendors that were selling just about any type of food you can imagine grilled and fried. They had silk worms, star fish, fruit, and no telling what else. I didn't want to know.

We woke early the next day and headed to the Summer Palace. It was amazing! Looking out towards the water is a mini Marco Polo bridge the emperor had built in honor of Polo.

After lunch, we toured the Forbidden City, saw Tianeman Square and even went into the South Facing Gate (they were closing, but let us in anyway). That's the night Jason feasted on his Duck. After dinner we went to see a Chinese Acrobatic Show. It was like watching the kid version of Cirque. They were so young and did some of the same tricks. It was really cool!

The following day we toured a Pearl Factory and learned the whole process of getting the pearls and what they can make with the leftovers (Pearl Powder for the face - said to be a great sunscreen type agent). Then we hit up the infamous Great Wall!! Those steps were insane!! It would be one thing if they were even of it there were little stopping points along the way, but there was not. I made it up till the gift shop and stopped. Jason is a "hero" because he made it to the very end! That was exhausting and our legs were killing us after that! Before lunch we toured a Cloisonne factory. We saw a fantastic show at the urban planning museum and had a few minutes to explore before we headed back to the bus to see a demonstration by a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. That was also an interesting experience. The doctor keeps his fingers on your pulse, looks at you asks only a few questions and then makes a diagnosis on what herbal remedies would help put your yin-yang back in balance. After dinner we went to a Flea Market and Jason really enjoyed bargaining with the vendors. His thriftiness paid off. We got some games for our Wii and 4 TV seasons on DVD for less than $40. I also got some pants. We ended the day with a traditional Chinese Massage. It was interesting. There were six of us in the room and for $25 we got an hour and a half massage, including the feet. The guy freaked me out when he lit this jar on fire and put it on my foot. It wasn't hot, but seeing fire near your foot would freak anyone out if they weren't expecting it.

That's all we did in Beijing. Tomorrow Nanjing.

Countdown Trip #1

The countdown has begun for our China trip. We leave in 10 days and I can't believe it! I am super psyched!

I still have a paper to write before we leave and I have a friend visiting for a few days. Still trying to find a way to get it all done. I have to keep reminding myself there are more important things in life to worry about, but it's a hard habit to break.

Blake is due to leave any day now for war. It is going to be so hard for Becca and the two cute kids when he's gone. At least this time is only for four months. I think it's his shortest tour yet. Please pray for her sanity and his safety.

I have two cousins graduating from high school this year. I feel so old. I wish I could be there to watch them walk across the stage and get their degree, but unfortunately I can't make it. Sorry Katie and Taylor - Congratulations on your accomplishment!!!

I just finished the most intensive class to date. The reading on the atomic bombs and their effects just tore me up all week. It's so sad and it makes it hard to focus on research to finish my paper.

I only have two more classes and I will be halfway finished with my degrees. Since China counts and I have one in June that will but me at the halfway point. I can't believe how quickly it has all gone, especially since I just started in October. I've really overloaded myself too much and am going back to no more than 9 hours a semester. That will put me with walking spring 2011. I could graduate before that, but I really want to go to campus and walk. We'll see how it all shakes out.

Don't forget to say your prayers for Becca and Blake and their two kids!

Have Visa Will Travel

It's official....we picked up our Visa's from the Chinese Embassy in Frankfurt Friday. I am super stoked!!!

Now I just have to read two books, attend a week of class, write a 10 page paper, enjoy a visit from a friend and then pack for China.

Of course this is not to mention when we get back I have to write another 10 page paper, read a text book and attend another class. Then it will be smooth sailing until we come home in July.

I am so looking forward to having an entire month off from school!!!

This week is finals week for Jason so he gets a pass on helping with the cleaning.

Also, it looks like he'll be gone for his birthday for another NASA mission. Luckily these missions are only a week long and they are a little extra cash for us. This definitely helps the pocketbook, since we decided to plan China and our trips to the states so close together.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

I know it's been awhile since I've up-dated the blog, but things are just a little busy.

I decided to overload myself and take two classes in March. This has lead to a significant reduction in hair, but I some how made it. I just have one more paper to write and secure another A. This really keeps adding fuel for me to continue.

April holds a class that I think will be the most interesting of them all: Modern Japan and the Atomic Bomb. I have four books to read for this course and after the first one, I can already tell there really is a lot regarding the Pacific War the average American doesn't know.

Jason is still plugging along in his studies and doing very well. He may be taking a few classes with BYU to help him finish his degree before we leave.

Since we had to cancel our trip to Venice because of Jason's NASA misstion, we booked a trip to China. We leave mid-May and will come home towards the end of May. I am super stoked about this trip and I even get to earn graduate hours for this trip.

Also, we have finally booked our flight home. We will fly into Louisville around midnight on June 30th and leave to come back on the 14th of July. We will let everyone know our schedule when it gets a little closer.

Becca had her baby! He's a handsome baby boy named David Alexander Henry. He will go by Alex. Everything went really well for her. She's blessed to have her mom here to help her adjust to dealing with two kids.

Other than that, we have boring lives.......until May.

Sorry

I am truly sorry it has been so long since the last post. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and is enjoying a very Happy New Year!

Today is Jason's last shift of mids for about 2 months. Instead of going to a day shift, he will be going back to swings. Swings are my favorite work schedule of his, as I get to see him the most. He'll be leaving in February for a week for another mission and when he gets back we are planning on going to Venice and Florence for Carnavale. I am really excited about this! It will be the first time away since seeing Tammy and the family in July. It's just for a few days, but I am still looking forward to getting away.

Jason and I are both well into our new school term. This time Jason is also taking a class through University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Upon completing this course he will officially have his Associates degree from the Community College of the Air Force. This will also put him one step closer to his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State.

I am really excited about some of my classes this semester and look forward to learning all kinds of new ideas and theories.

Other than that, we are leading a pretty boring life. Wish I had more fun things to post, but I am sure I will after our trip in February.

I hope everyone is doing well and look forward to hearing from each of you!

The Week of Laughter

Jennifer and Michaele's trip was non-stop laughter. This country is even more beautiful with all the lights and decorations. We went to Trier, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Worms and Belgium. Trier really has the better Christmas Market, but I think Rothenburg's is the oldest. If my memory is correct is has been going on every year since the middle ages. All the churches smelled wonderful with the fresh trees and greenery inside. It was truly a sight to behold.

A life-size pyramid whose base is a store (Trier)

The girls outside Kathe Wohlfarht's (Rothenburg)

We also we to Bruge, Belgium via train. It took us 6 hours to get there and 6 hours back, all to spend 4 hours at the Ice and Snow Festival. This year's theme was inspired by Harry Potter. There were wizards and dragons. I am amazed at how talented these artists really are. 40 artists sculpted the event on ice brought in from Iceland.

I was sad to see them go, but I am glad they had a great time.