An American Girl in a Chinese World

" I'm having a bad hair day. Well...more like a bad hair month" - Gracie Hart This is still one of my favorite movies. It never gets old :) Today when looking in the mirror this quote came to mind. Ever have those moments, or months, where you just don't feel attractive? You feel like nothing you do to your appearance matters? I have had one of those months. I am trying new make-up techniques, looking up new hair styles, and feel like I should throw away all the clothes I own and replace them....its ridiculous! "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of the Father? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Gal 1:10 I find that I get these "bad hair months", its because I have lost sight of what is most important. When pleasing man, I want outward beauty and style, but when my heart is focused on my eternal home and pleasing my Father, then I feel more acceptance and beaut

Marry my daughter please. She is 25 and successful at her career. 5" 1' and 90 pounds. Smart, knows Chinese, English, Japanese, and German. Plays Violin, piano, and owns a car. Sound like a newspaper add? Its because it is. The paper and flyers you see here are from parents and grandparents trying to find their son and daughters spouses! These are people carefully picking their selections. I couldn't believe it....but what was crazy is that this went on throughout the whole park. I mean thousands of adds everywhere. I wasn't sure what I should think about it....but i found it very intriguing. How would you like for your parents to go the park every weekend to try to sell you to those who passed by?  

Jeremy had to go to Shanghai this past weekend for some training and instead of staying home I decided to tag along for the journey. On Friday night we were able to go on a date to a Western Restaurant and walk around the walking street ( very similar to Times Square). Then on Saturday I went adventuring on my own. I met up with a friend to see the international hospital and my first ultrasound! That night Jeremy and I both got foot massages and went to bed early. haha Then on Easter Sunday my Rose was in Shanghai and we just hung out all day walking and exploring a new city. My body and feet were so sore!! Shanghai is a huge city, and there are many foreigners and western style places, but I don't think I would want to live there. It is funny how much I like Nanjing and how much I missed it when I was away :) Only in China.. Chocolate Peanut butter milkshake = best part of the weekend! Cool view! This was at a museum....its a pillow?!? I love him I love h

Today with I communicated through text in Chinese! (I did have a little help) It was a great feeling!!!

Acupunture....yes it does kind hurt. They made me sit like this for 30 minutes....Its not the most attractive pose. For those of you who don't know, the past 2 months I have been battling neck pain. I have lost my cervical curve of my spine, which is causing some pain and a lot of stress in my muscles! I have been going to the doctor and receiving therapy. I have been a good patient and doing stretches and exercises at home as well :) Here are some pictures of my Chinese therapy :)

Our newest member of the team! Oliver Merwin is 1 week old and a bundle of joy! I love babies not to mention the whole Merwin family. This semester I have really been getting to know Kellie and her 3 (now 4) kids. Grady, who is almost 2, has been my little buddy. It is  blessing to be apart of a family and be able to be an aunt and uncle over here!  The Father really does provide for your every need, even if it is the need to wrestle with and make kids laugh!

This semester I decided I wanted to become more serious about studying Chinese. I wanted to get a tutor. I didn't know who my tutor would be and therefore was somewhat worried. The day came for me to meet the person I would spend 2 hours with 5 days a week and when I walked into Costa Coffee I was greeted with this sweet face! Meet Rose!! She is my Chinese best friend! She is 24, a chinese traditional architect doctorate student, and an excellent teacher. To my surprise Rose was also an eternal sister. We immediately felt we were the Father's gift to each other! I had been wanting a close friend and she had been in need of encouragement in her walk and self confidence! This beautiful woman is my miracle this semester! Without her, life would have been very different :) She has been not only my language tutor, but a cultural guide, shopping partner, hospital and doctor visit companion, and the person that reminds me everyday that the Father is so good!

When you live in China, everyday is an adventure! It is hard to explain to you the joys of laughing at culture, or finding something so small as a normal size broom that makes you feel more at home! I have attempted to get pictures of orange tailed puddles, babies with 6-8 layers of clothes that depict exactly the scene from the "Christmas Story", and the Chinese ability to carry anything and everything on a bike...but those pictures are just hard to catch! I will share with you some that I have managed to catch :) I found a new broom!! The green one is what I had been using...haha Our shopping trip to ikea to look at beds that we will have to purchase next semester. The Chinese take the "try it out"  VERY literal! ( that is a kid napping alongside his grandma) These were surprisingly really good! Ikea....I am not joking when I tell you that out of the 50 couches on the show floor about 30-40 had people sleeping on them! Found an Orange pan. S

Yesterday we invited some of our Chinese friends over to help us decorate Easter Eggs! It was the first time for me to make egg dye without a "fizzy tablet". The dye turned out great, as did the eggs! While decorating, we took the time to introduce the Easter Holiday and its meaning. Then explained how the eggs are a representation of new life. We really had a great time and enjoyed watching all the creative juices flowing! I bought 30 eggs, this little egg was spotted :) Rachel, Zoe, Rose, Roy, & Me :) I like these two! Strawberry, fish bowl, bikini, and a rabbit were among the favorites! I love all the colors!

....when you go to rural king! Flowers, seeds, individual bags of popcorn, and little baby chicks!! We don't have a rural king, but we do have baby chicks! Every corner and store has these cute little guys! I don't like poultry especially in China...but these little dudes are pretty darn cute! It reminds me of spring and why we celebrate  our "new life"!!