Gas

I filled up on gas on Monday, and wouldn't you know it the next day it went down 4 cents! Just my luck. Geezzzz...

In other news - Peanut is growing FAST and is now exploring under my rib cage. That's fun. He is moving A LOT and I think he is practicing his back flips.

April

Wow what a crazy month this has been and will continue to be, no doubt. I can't believe the last time I posted was LAST Monday! I have many projects that I would like to stay on top of but because of going back and forth from China to America and back while balancing a few different agendas I just don't think I can make the commitment to stay on top of this blog thing. I will be back in May but for now I can't promise much. I will update and add stuff as I have time, however I can't promise any consistency like I was trying before BUT I do hope we can continue our Deck of You we have continued. So I will list the next month of prompts on here so you can do them at your leisure and hopefully share them with us. I will post mine when I can but I don't want people waiting around for me to post during this busy time.



Thanks SO much for your patience and I can't wait to get settled and get more consistent but that maybe be very rare this year. Who knows! Don't you just love living each day as it comes!



Since I have more or less been putting the new prompts out on Friday's I will list those Friday dates for reference as well as the week we are on



Week 7 -Last week's Prompt - April 3 -- Shoes, Shoes, Shoes! There is always a story with Shoes

Week 8- This week- April 10 - Who (or What) do you miss?

Week 9- April 17- Inspiration Found! (something that inspired you or you inspired or whatever!)

Week 10- April 24- Note to Self (write a note to yourself, big or small)

Week 11- May 1 - Your Initial ( Do something fun with your initial!)

Week 12- May 8- I believe...(something you believe in)

Week 13 - May 15 - What's on your mind...



I really hope to be back by May 15 but you never know, just trying to cover my bases! Hope you enjoy it and keep us updated on your cards so we can check them out! If you want the previous weeks prompts they are located under the "deck of you" categories on the right hand side. Feel free to jump in if you are just joining!!!



Stay Simple!!

Manic Monday on Monday!!

Yes, I am finally getting a handle on my days. I am actually going to do the Manic Monday on Monday!!

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
Both! I love brain teasers books. I have bought a few and do them when I feel the need to learn or stretch my brain. Also while traveling, planes, trains, cars - Good time fillers because they are short (usually) and you feel like you accomplished something after you finish! Sometimes I get frustrated at certain ones, or skip them all together. The ones I feel most frustrated with are simple ones that I know I learned in high school but can't for the life of me remember how to do it! (math problems) For the most part I can remember but every now and then it really gets me!

Do you have any unusual collections?
No, I don't think so. Well actually maybe. I was telling Curtis and Josh I save all of my papers and homework from college but also from projects and everything I do. I save it all on my computer. You never know when you might need it again, right?
But I can't think of other unusual collections. I love bags but that's not to unusual and I don't have a lot.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
My friends later tell me they are usually intimidated by me. Which I feel extremely bad about! I am usually quite and not that talkative because I feel nervous and uncomfortable around new people. I guess this can come across as stuck-up and too good for people but that is NOT what I am thinking or feeling. I am actually extremely nervous ha ha! So if you meet me for the first time, know that I love to make friends, I'm just not that good at it!
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On another note: check out the Whole food market blog. Have you ever wondered about those "Good Fats" people are always taking about? I have and this awesome post gave me a whole new perspective! Especially this part "If you crave a lot of sugar and feel hungry within just a couple of hours after eating..." Check it out!!

Deck of You!!!!

Its about that time of the week again. This time I am getting caught up. Both week 5 (last week) and Week 6 (this week) I am going to post right now!!! It feels so good to be caught up. Thank you participants for being patient as its kind of scattered with my traveling.



So week 5 was to use an ephemera- I used my boarding pass- how convenient. I am using a list from this website and its really fun to see how it lines up with my life. Kinda crazy actually.

This next week is......

Week 6 Prompt: Love, Love, Love

Pretty self explanatory!!! Run with it!!

Can't wait to see 'em!!!

Here is mine:

I used oil pastel for the background, purple paper and sharpie! Love God. Love Others. Love Yourself. That's what I think of when I think of love. Plus the prompt is love, love, love so it worked out quite well that I had three things that I thought of when I thought of love. And what I believe in when I think of love.

Simply Love this week!!!

Windy Poop

That's how I feel about wind- its poop. I hate it. Its been so windy these past couple days in CO. My dad said its been very windy this winter here. I hope it goes away. One of the most wonderful things about Colorado is its lack of wind.

Last week I started to do Manic Monday's. But I seem to be getting them done on Tuesdays- humm. I should work on that. But here we go!

Do you screen your phone calls?

No. I may make a few groans or take some deep breaths before I answer but try to always answer when I am available for a conversation. I don't really like talking on the phone. I would rather talk in person so phone conversations are hard for me but I have realized since being away from family and friends how necessary phone calls are. Also, how they can make me or a friend/family member feel so much better!

When was the last time you lost your temper?

Probably the night before I left for America. Curtis and I were having a conversation and I think my emotions got to involved and I got a little upset but nothing too bad. I don't think- ha ha

When you're lost, do you ask for directions?

Not typically. If you ask my friends and family, they can testify to the fact that I usually have a great sense of direction and very good memory when it comes to locations and whatnot. I usually know if I have a good idea of where I am or heading in the right direction and when I'm completely guessing. My husband is patient enough to wait and see if I am right when we have the time, however if we are in a hurry or limited time I'll have no problem asking for directions. I just like to try to figure it out if I can!

Hope your Monday/Tuesday wasn't so poopy windy as mine!

Simply Live and Love today!!

America!

Well I made it. Thursday night- after a long journey and pushing over 200 lbs. of luggage to terminal 7 in LAX (15 minutes walk) after already having traveled over 15 hours with no sleep, I made it to Denver and into a nice comfy bed at my dad's house. Its been great being back with friends and family but I miss my husband terribly, terribly, terribly!

Since being home things have been going non-stop. I finally got around to the blog, but am very behind with the Deck of You. If you are participating- thank you thank you thank you for your patience and here is the week 5 prompt!

Week 5 - Use an ephemera from your week

I hope to have mine up in a couple days along with Week 6 prompt!

See you tomorrow!!

Deck of You Card....A little late.

So here it is! Just in time before I share the next prompt.

So the prompt was a symbol that I love. Since living in China I have grown to love the symbol of the dragon and cherry blossom

Honestly, I had to research the meanings of both of them to gain a fully understanding but I just love them both because in my mind they remind me of the life these past two years in China.

Monday Monday Monday/Tuesday

I came across this Manic Monday site and thought it would be fun to give it a try every Monday, help me get in the grove of blogging at the beginning of the week and keep things updated. So here we go.....



you a saver or spender?

Definitely a spender, I would like to believe I was a saver and try to be a saver but I just don't do it very well- when I am in the US. However, living in China makes it REALLY easy to save. I just don't feel the need or urge to go out and shop and buy things from Target (cause there isn't one) and clothes that I really don't need (especially because we have limited room in our closet).



When I first got to China I had urges to go shopping and buy stuff but that was almost two years ago and the urges have stopped. I hope when we return this summer I can keep the mindset of not shopping just to shop and save more. I hope I will be a saver...



Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes?

Without a doubt barefoot. I don't like wearing socks and shoes. Barefoot is what I prefer but doesn't happen all the time. My feet ALWAYS get cold, so I have to put on socks. Again, living in China calls for different circumstances. We always wear our Mammoth Crocs inside. Mostly because the tile floor is SO cold and get dirty really easy. But when we return- barefoot here I come!!!



Do you talk to yourself?

Haha- yes, but not fully conversations like some people I know....I yell at myself when I do something stupid or that doesn't make sense. Or when I feel overwhelmed. These are all very rare occasions in which I talk to myself but I do do it sometimes. Most of the time I just think, or pretend like I am talking to Curtis.



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DECK OF YOU- WEEK # 4



No, I didn't forget. I have just gotten really short on time lately. I went to upload the picture and my computer refuses to do so. I promise I will get it up later today or tomorrow. Week 5 is coming soon!!!

mmmmmmm mangos

My wonderful husband went to the veggie market last night to grab me a few things for dinner and brought back some wonderful surprises! Mangos and delicious looking Strawberries!!! I hadn't really eaten many mango (real mangos) before coming to China and last spring I feel in love with them! I cant wait to make some mango smoothies and enjoy them! Sadly, it looks like I am going to be missing a good part of mango season when I head back to the Continental US in a few days....so sad.

On another note. I watched the movie Twilight with some friends last night. I was greatly disappointed as it did not do the book justice at all. However, I continued to read the book last night and this morning and still love it, even though the movie was so vague.

My suggestion: don't watch the movie- read the books!

Deck of You- Week 4...

Wouldn't you know it, just when I feel like I have ALL the time in the world my days get way too short. I hope to do more updates soon but it seems other plans are being made- just gotta go with the flow sometimes...especially when there is no schedule you can set.

Deck of You prompt for week 4- A symbol that you love
You know you have it, don't be ashamed of it! Why does it speak to you! When did you first encounter it? Tell us! Show us!

I will post my card soon- as soon as I do it- ha.

Yay for busy fun days that leave you not being able to keep your eyes open when you need to get things done.

Warm Weather = Happiness

I feel like my mood changes with the weather. As much as I try to be happy on a daily basis there is nothing like warm weather to lift my spirits. Friday morning started with a walk to the store with one of my good friends Jada and then a yummy tuna melt for me and tuna sandwich for her. We then proceed to chat as she went through my clothes. I love giving my clothes away, I am not sure why but it makes me happy. While going through the clothes this conversation happened many times:

Jada "you don't want/like this!!!??!"

Me "yes but I have so much back in America"

Jada "oh." As she picks up another piece of clothing and exclaims "you don't want/like this!??!"

She soon realized we were having the same conversation every two seconds and we both laughed. Ah, I'm going to miss that girl a whole lot.

I am currently involved in the Self Challenge by Self Magazine. Trying to get into better shape- you know its an on going process. This past week I have been hanging out on the stationary bike at the gym. I have been riding for about one hour. I bring along my Twilight Book (I'm on the third one in the series now) and the time just flies by! It amazes me!

We then came back from the gym and whipped up some yummy smoothies and fixed homemade pizza for dinner! I am getting a little braver in trying new things in my cooking and baking now. This time I added some ground flax seed and wheat germ to the pizza dough. It was still delicious AND healthy. Curtis and I love cooking together. We do it whenever we can. It gives us time to do something together, chat and just relax. Plus we both love food. I used a different kind of yeast then normal and for some reason it didn't rise. I'll have to figure that out. Spicy BBQ Chicken Pizza
Fresh Veggie Pizza

We enjoyed our veggie and spicy BBQ chicken pizzas while watching the movie Fireproof. It was an interesting movie. The acting was not very good but it had some good messages in it. I'm sure it got some differing reactions by the public as well.

Saturday I enjoyed a sunny day in Beijing with Rena. We ate a delicious meal at Outback Steakhouse, tracked down a tanning salon and stocked up at Jenny Lous (the western grocery store). On the way home we met some students who were carrying along a little turtle in a plastic bag. They graciously let him out to run on the silver platter for a good portion of the trip. We tried to have a conversation but my Chinese is horrible and their English was "poor" (as they say). We discovered they went to the same school we teach at and they live at the airport. However I'm sure the second part was some sort of a mistake - but ya never know!

The two students. The one on the right is trying to think of the English he knows...

Deck of You- Week 3!

Well we are onto our third week! I hope you are checking out the awesome cards others are doing and feel free to jump in at any time. There is no need to start at the beginning!

This weeks prompt is - I AM...
Make an "I am" statement. Use it in any sort of a way, long sentence short sentence whatever...I am one of a kind. I am living bright (trying to at least). This past month has been a month of revelations. I have had more ideas and felt more alive then I have in a while and I love it! I feel like I am in my skin again...I want to be me, and live that to the fullest without the worry of what others think. I will keep trying....

I tried to put the "one of a kind" over the word average but it didn't turn out as obvious as I had hoped. Can't wait to see yours!!

One of those days....

This past week my dad started a group to do a Bible study for Lent together over the Internet. I have really enjoyed doing it. It consists of a short Bible reading, prayer and reflection time everyday. Its been really challenging me a lot. Just a simple little verse and prayer has opened my eyes and heart up to the little changes I can make in my life. One that really stuck out to me was "In your anger, do not sin. Do not give the Devil a foothold. Get rid of bitterness"- Ephesians 26,27 & 31. Maybe its because I am an emotional girl but I get upset and anger over the silliest things and it only lasts for a brief second. That should tell me it not worth getting upset over. But I do. I am trying to learn how to catch myself BEFORE I say something I later regret that would hurt the other person. I have made some mistakes lately and they have really eaten away at my heart and I feel horrible, even though I have asked for forgiveness. Its a daily struggle I have, among others.

But I think I have the best squishy face....what do you think?

My Mask

I just shared this on my Family Blog but I wanted to share it will all of you. I love my pock-a-dot mask. It has served me well here in China. I will cherish it (but not wear it) always!

Deck of You - Week 2!

This week my emotions have been on high: I've been crying more, laughing more, loving more. Every part of my emotions have been making themselves known.

This weeks prompt is : somthing powerful to you

There was only one thing I could think of (this week) that was very powerful to me:

There you have it! I cant wait to see yours! Post your comments and leave a link to your picture! You can join in at any time!

Twilight and a Latte

So one of my friends/co-teacher here in China returned from her winter break back in America. This Christmas she introduced me to the book series called Twilight. I think I read it in like four days while we traveled to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. Every free minute I had I wanted to return to this other life I felt like I had with my good friends Bella and Edward. When Rena returned from America, she brought me the other three books in the series. I am SOO excited - I started to read the first one already and can feel the desire of simply ditching this world for the next two weeks and spending it with them. It's a very possible scenario but probably not too healthy. I do have some work I need to get done. Plus what would you do without me for two weeks - ha.

This morning I woke up feeling EXTREMELY tired, more than normal, it was very difficult to keep my eyes open- but I managed to make myself a latte. I thought it would cure the lack of energy my body was sending to my eyelids but nope. However, I did fix my espresso machine. For the past month or two the frother has been frothing very very very slowly. Despite my incredibly drowsy state my mind managed to problem solve - this happens at random times. I guess I was able to think of a solution because I could only focus on one thing at a time due to my tiredness. Usually I am multitasking physically as well as mentally. This morning I could only think about my espresso machine - one step at a time - putting espresso in it, filing it with cold water, adding white mocha to the milk and Irish cream to the mug and then dwelling over the fact I would have to stand there holding my milk under the frother for 10 minutes due to the amazingly tiny amount of steam that was casually spraying out. So, by random impulse I stuck a tooth pick up the frother and sure enough more steam than I had seen in 4 months came shooting out! I am so happy my lattes wont take 10 minutes to make anymore. I wonder if I hadn't been so sleepy if my mind would have figured this solution out or not. Its the little things in life that can bring the most joy. I must go enter another world now!

Candles

I absloutely LOVE candles- especially pillar candles. I have noticed that sometimes the candles start to grow crooked or uneven and look horrible. Here are some tips on how to burn candles properly. Incase you wanted to know like I did!

I can't wait any longer!

Well the time has come. Since there is high anticipation mounting among the participants of the Deck of You project we are going to go ahead and start!!

The prompt for this week (1): something you are proud of.

Tonight Curtis and I did ours. Yes, Curtis is doing too! And I didn't make him. I simply asked him if he wanted to and he was all for it! So you will get he lovely, I mean totally awesome cards up here too. I'm sure he'll comment on his own and tell you how he made them....

Here is mine.

The Meaning: I know, this may sound a little conceited but its not. While I was pondering the thing I am most proud of its my life. Me. What I've been through, what I have overcome. The strength that has come to me only from Him. My passions and where I have been. I know I wouldn't be where I am without my experiences and the people in my life. But I am proud of who I have grown into and can't wait to see how I continue to grow.

The Process: Painted the background red, splattered white paint. Cut out a black square from reg. paper. Sewed on a button and a few other lines. Painted "Me." and found words in magazines- used Matte Medium (My FAVORITE STUFF) to put on the paper and words. WA-la!

I hope you will leave comments and post pictures of your cards when you are finished! Tell us how you did it or whatever!

4 a.m.

Somehow I missed the memo that staying up till 4 in the morning is a new thing - at least my body thinks so. The first night it happened I had a coke at 4p.m. so I thought the caffine (since I hadn't had any in a while) was the reason. But yesterday I didn't have any caffine. I did however have some anxiety. Once I get excited about something - forget about sleeping. I am wired - awake - engergized. Whatever could possibly done to further the thing I am excited about I want to, scratch that - NEED to do at that very moment. IF I had an idea at 1 or 2 in the morning I would understand why I would still be awake at 4. But last night I had the idea at 11pm. Came down from my mountain high anxiety attack around 1 or 2 then proceed to lay in bed awake while I wondered why my eyes were still wide open without the slightest bit of heaviness. Does anyone else expereince anxiety like this or missing memo's from your body that staying up till 4 is going to be the new thing? Have any stories to share?

Here is some inspiration for you today -

Keeping it simple.

So I decided that I am just going to keep the "Deck of You" project here. I will post the new prompt/idea on Friday/Saturday. So come back here and check it out!

Remember this week to keep decorating your backgrounds and gather supplies! Remember you can do whatever you want. Some are decorating the front with the prompt/idea and then journaling on the back or whatever. I am not painting the backs of mine and plan on decorating the front plus journaling on it. Its really just up to you!

If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment - even if you don't have a blogger account you can still comment!

Info on the "Deck of You" project

I decided to add a link to where the "Deck of You" Art Journal Project will take place so I can continue to post my regular randomness and you don't have to sort through it all to find each weeks prompts and pictures. So if you are participating or following along please locate the link on the right hand side of this page under "My Projects" labeled "Deck of You" Art Journal. Hope to see you there soon! Keep working on your backgrounds!

A Deck of You!

First of all I would like to say Happy Valentines Day!

For those of you who really know me you know that I love to create and craft stuff. Lately I have been really out of sync with myself and have been struggling to find that niche again. But through a process of random events I stumbled across a super cool idea and I wanted to share it with you guys. I am going to do it and think it would be fun for anyone else to participate and we can encourage and watch each other as we go. Please feel free to encourage anyone else to join the journey. I will not take credit for any of this idea. I read about it on someone elses blog. Maybe you have heard of it before in fact. But here is the main jest. We will create 'a deck of you'; an art journal on a deck of cards - one card to be used for every week of the year. all you need is a deck of cards (i am going to use funky pink and purple ones in target for around $4), and a desire to give yourself this gift - you can join in anytime. Whether you have done an art journal before or not I highly recommend doing this with me. I promise it will be worth it!

This woman taught a class on it and she said : in my class we spent most of the time creating bases or backgrounds to then add journalling and other fun things to each week. if you have time and energy one day - bust out the paint or patterned paper and start layering some fun stuff onto the blank cards. you don't need to do them all at once, but maybe have a few 'ready' for when you want to create on top.

here is my little stash of cards waiting for the fun stuff to be added each week!we also made little pouches from felt and fabric to hold the art journal cards in, carry it around in your bag and pull it out when inspiration strikes or is needed!

so each week i will post a prompt for you to use if you need it. but anything goes! won't it be fun in a year to have this fat wad of color and personality, this little snapshot of you right now? please post if you have any questions, and if you feel comfortable link to an image of your card that week, so we can all get inspired and enjoy from one another! art journal journeys are the best when taken together :)

I will post pictures of my cards as we go along. I hope you will too!

So this week we will work on finding the deck of cards and getting the base and backgrounds painted for a majority of them so they will be dry and handy each week. Here are some pictures of the women's who's idea I am borrowing. Feel free to check out the site. I hope it provides some inspiration!

Here are pictures of the "deck of you" done by the super talented lady I am borrowing these images and ideas from.

Sleep

I hate the smell of sleep but boy do I like to do it. Ever since my Sophomore/Junior year in College I have had a very difficult time waking up in the morning. Before my sophomore year I had a difficult time waking up early but now I am talking about a VERY difficult time waking up. For awhile I thought something was wrong with me. Maybe I was depressed, stressed.....who knows. But I don't think there is anything wrong with me. I think I like to stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning. If I can get a good 9-11 hours of sleep each night I feel refreshed and energized for the day. Wow! That's a lot! Some of you maybe be thinking. But let me help you along with this process. I have accepted it, that's just who I am and how I function. You should accept it too. Because I am not stressed, I'm not depressed and I'm not sick. I just really really enjoy my bed, pillow, blankets and dreams. Plus, there will come a day when I wont be able to get as much sleep so maybe I am just making up for that time now, or I guess for the past 5 years.

Whatever. I have learned and will continue to learn who I am of the rest of my life. And things go a lot better if I accept it instead of try to super analyse why I do everything that I do.

Today

The last two winter breaks we have had we have spent them traveling, as I'm sure you know. While doing this we get addicted to Coke and Chocolate. I also get addicted to oreos. So now that we are back home we are trying to get back into shape and away from the sweets. So here are my goals. Maybe if I post them on here I will be more accountable....

1. Go on at least a 15 min. walk every day
2. Run/walk 2 miles 2 times a week
3. Do 3 hour long yoga sessions per week
4. One day a week I can enjoy sweets and junk food
5. Do at least 15 mins. of any activity on the non-run/walk days

I don't think these will be that hard for me. But it will get me refocused and that's what I need. I love love love yoga. Its something I can do by myself that relaxes me and makes me feel better about myself. I have found out the love of yoga has planted itself in some of my other friends so I love talking to them about it. Hopefully, as I stay consistent on my goals, we can trade ideas and experiences. I really enjoy sharing ideas with others.

Peace, Happiness and Joy

Everyone longs for that feeling of peace, happiness and joy. But its seems so few find it on a daily basis. I try to seek it each day but its so hard. There are so many obstacles in the way. I think about people who are happy all the time, or seem joyous every time I hear from them or talk to them, and I wonder how they do that. I know all the spiritual rules and recommendations. I have heard it and tried it many times, but I seem to fall short a lot, the majority of the time. I hate getting out of bed in the morning, I have moments where I worry enough for 10 people. This isn't a pity party. I'm not trying to make people feel sorry for me. Just expressing my feelings most days.

But I am happy. I look at my life, what I've done and what I have and know that I am blessed more than I deserve. My husband, family, friends- they are all wonderful and bring happiness to my life. However, all these blessing and joys cant be enjoyed to the fullest. Why is it so difficult to find joy in every circumstance, in every minute. Why do I do what I don't want to do, why do I say things and look back with such regret in my heart for the words that ended up hurting people.

My heart has been in a 6 year drought. I have felt so empty and alone despite all the joys in my life. I finally figured it out. Bitterness. Bitterness has robbed me of the joy I should be experiencing each day. Bitterness has taken the kindness I desire to show and replaced it with hurtful actions and words towards those I love. Worst yet, its uncontrollable. Things happen to fast and then I experience remorse the rest of the day for what I've done. This bitterness started after a couple people I was very close to wronged me. Instead of forgiving them and moving on the situation consumed my heart and my soul. I held on to the hurt and pain. Slowly for the past six or seven years I have let the bitterness creep in. Letting a little in has allowed more bitterness from more recent events envelop my heart even more.

So now I need to fix this, I need to de-bitter my heart and soul. Because I know that when I do, peace, happiness and joy will flood my life again. And if I don't, well, I will be come someone I never want to be.

Mask and Earplugs

All my life I have been a very light sleeper. The smallest noise or light would wake me up instantly. I usually sleep with a fan on and that helps drown out the smaller noises that would usually wake me. Last year one of the girls on our team teaching here in China- Janella, would bring her eye mask and ear plugs on every trip we went on. I honestly thought it was silly but still marvelled at how well she slept amidst the bright lights on the train and the people talking rather loudly, no matter what hour. She would wake up and feel so refreshed while I sat there frustrated that the joint between the cars kept me awake ALL night. The first time I saw her use them I seriously doubted they could be so helpful in drowning out the noise, and I thought it would be very annoying to sleep with something strapped to my head. But after endless nights and trips of watching her wake up so rested, I had to try it. So last summer while were were back in the states I stopped by good 'ol Wal-Mart and got me a "sleep pretty in pink" mask and ear plugs. I may look silly when I sleep but I have sleep on more trips and more nights than I ever would had I not given in to my suspicions and tried those silly things. Planes, trains, hostels and even in some hotel rooms I put the mask on, shove those little things in my ears and I almost sleep as well as Curtis does each night.

During the Lunar New Year here in China, fire crackers go off from 6 in the morning (when the sun comes up) till a couple hours after mid-night on the days surrounding the festival. The majority of these fire crackers are strictly for the noise. There is lights or colored fire that shoots up into the air, no - just loud continuous bangs, one right after another. I wish everyone could see and experience this, annoying as it is sometimes, it truly is amazing. The things they set off are sometimes so huge it scares me to walk by them. They really know how to bring in the new year here in China. And even though my ear plugs can block out all of the bangs, at least they make them softer so I eventually drift off to sleep...

Packing....

I try to live a simplistic lifestyle and for the most part I feel like I do a good job. However when I pack to go on a trip I realize how very non-simplistic I am....IF I packed everything I usually use in one day I would take 2 suite cases and would travel comfortably...That's how we packed last winter for Holiday break. And if you asked me, Curtis or Josh about our packing abilities for that trip we would all tell you we are HORRIBLE packers. Living in China calls for a different style of packing since most of the transportation takes place in tiny cabs, crowded train stations or buses and subways packed to the door with people. We have seen people squeeze onto buses and subways when we thought there was no more room for ANYONE. So carrying two suite cases while traveling in China just isn't possible, if you want to enjoy your vacation.

For this trip Curtis and I are each going to take a backpack. I am taking my backpacking backpack and Curtis is taking his new rather large backpack. We were able to get plane tickets at a cheaper price than train tickets to Xi'an so we will check my backpack once at the airport. I think we did a good job of packing for this trip. Thank goodness its only 5 days. After this trip we are headed to the north, so this will be a good trial at how well we survive on so little. We are only bringing extra pairs of underwear, socks and one other shirt, plus pj's. We might be stinky but at least the backpacks will be light!!!

But back to my simplicity packing. I usually start a day before the trip (if its a short one). Curtis (who only takes 7 mintues to pack) always jokes with me that I should start a week before. This is because I go through about 5 rounds of packing. The first time is in my head. I think about the days and what we could possibly do and all the things I should bring for those possibilities. Then I actually start laying clothes out on the bed, only to realize how much I like most of the clothes in my closet and would feel bad if I left some of them behind, so I throw those in with the already preplanned clothes. Then i stuff it all into my bag and realize its WAY to much...so I take it all out and go through it again. 4 piles - definitely going to take, definitely not going to take, take if there is enough room, and don't take if there isn't enough room. Anyways this process going on for awhile. Then I sleep on it, thinking about my choices while falling asleep and usually while I'm lying in bed trying to wake up. During the sleeping process my mind usually changes drastically and i switch a lot of things out. Then I leave it and go do other things. Come back and so on and so forth. Usually the clothes I think about in the very first step end up being the ones I take. But I can't help myself in going through the other 24 hours of the process. And you would think, with all of the traveling I do it would be really easy to pack. Well now that you've seen into my mind a little, you understand the complexity of packing...

I'll let you know how the choices turned out....Off to Beijing now!!

Now and Then

For the past few months I have been trying to live each day as it comes. To live in the moment, live in that day. Its all been fine and dandy but I realized that I have not motivation. No motivation because I don't think about the future. I don't think about what could come. At first I think I was under the assumption that I shouldn't think about the future because I am not promised the future. But that's not it, in fact if I live my life like that it can get dull and you kind of lose hope. No we aren't promised the future but we can think, dream and plan for the future. We are just not suppose to worry about the future. I have learned not to worry about the future, but while I was learning how to not worry I stopped dreaming and planning for the future. No wonder I have been so down and unmotivated. Basically what I'm trying to say is- we are not suppose to worry about the future, we are suppose to live in the moment because we are not promised tomorrow, but that doesn't mean we can't think about tomorrow, dream about the future and plan for great things that will come.