Some FUN stuff from our travels

We know we didn't blog very much while we traveled but we promise that we will do a better job from here on out. So much to share!

The semester ahead is looking very promising, and we are both excited about our classes and our schedules. I know some of you have been asking, "Where have they been for the last month?!"

So, I wanted to take some time and catch you up on some of the fun things we did during our break between semesters.

We had the opportunity to travel for about a month. We did some traveling in China: to Hohhot, Beijing, and Harbin. Then, we got to go to Thailand for our organization's mid-year conference.

During our travels, we did a "few" fun things. As my brother pointed out while checking out some of our pictures, there are colorful stories that go with all these pictures. I hope that some of these explanations will fill you in a bit!

But I am not lying when I say that Amanda and I are very excited to get to come back to Minnesota this summer and share all of these pics and the stories that go with them. So, here we go!

As I mentioned before, we started with a train ride to Hohhot, with our good friend Kelley in tow! While in Hohhot, we visited some fellow teachers and saw their campus.

While on the new campus, we did some extreme walking with the cool guys there. This consisted of jumping over things and walking fancy down through the ravine in the middle of their campus.

We would like to say a special thank you to our friends for letting us stay overnight, cooking an AMAZING breakfast, and showing us around.

Extreme Walking (Invented who knows where. Perfected in Hohhot)

Our next stop was the capital city of China, Beijing. We saw a great deal of exciting things there including the GREAT WALL, the Water Cube, the Birds Next, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace.

Just hanging out at the Great Wall!!!

Jim, Kelley, and Amanda checking out where Michael Phelps crushed the competition.

We had our own opening ceremony!

Not forbidden any more! We actually met the last remaining relative of the last emperor while visiting the Forbidden City! We also had a great guide to tell us all of the history.

Yes, we are standing on the frozen lake inside the Summer Palace grounds. (Kinda felt like Minnesota!)

While all that was really really cool, my favorite thing was probably skiing. Yes, Skiing in Beijing! Actually, we went to an indoor ski dome. I highly recommend it if you are in town.

Not a long ski run but the snow was actually quite nice!

As you can see skiing indoors really tires you out!

After Beijing, we went on to the frigid northeast to Harbin to visit more teacher friends. We also tried to go skiing at the supposed biggest and best ski area in China).

The "Best" ski resort in China.

We were supposed to ski for 2 days and actually ended up skiing for only 2 hours on only one run. It is really a great story for you to hear sometime but too long to write here now. We can't wait to share it with you when we see you next.

The only run you can ski, or I should say they let you ski at the "Best" ski resort in China

Harbin is well-known for its world famous Ice Festival. It is truly a sight to see: massive ice sculptures and ice buildings all lit up.

I am not going to lie: It was cold, even for a Minnesotan like me. While it was cold... they had little warming huts with coffee and hot cocoa to help us survive. If you ever come to China in the winter you have to check it out!

Warming up?! Not us Minnesotans, but our friends from Alabama, Texas, and Kansas.
(WINK, WINK)

After enjoying the cold of northeast China, we headed down to Thailand for our annual meeting with other teachers from our organization.

It was a very exciting time as we received training to help us be better teachers, were able to fellowship with hundreds of other teachers, heard about friends' teaching experiences, and completed some important relaxing activities after a long semester of teaching, Chinese food, and busy schedules. We also got to see some great friends from the States!

Before conference started, we had a few days free. One day, we went on a zip line adventure called Flight of the Gibbon. All in all, it was about 11 zip lines, 3 rappels, and 2 suspension bridges. It took about 2 hours, then they served us a great Thai lunch, and we got to hike in and see this amazing waterfall.

Everyone's a little nervous before the first line.

Amanda, flying high in the rain forest!

Look, Ma: no hands!

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Our whole zip line adventure crew, hilarious guides included!

One other thing we did before conference was watch the kiddos of the team leaders so that they could have some meetings and training. Here I am with one little one (no, she is not mine but I would take her in an instant) enjoying the hotel pool.


Then conference started and we got a little busy (but with good stuff) and we still had some time for fun.

We went on an elephant tour with our friends the Lindquists. We grabbed a bite with the whole MN crew. We relished the great P & W with a team made up mostly of English teachers. We were thankful for some really solid teaching from the book by some guys from the states. Of course, we had a blast with all our friends too!

Who are these people?

Who is DRIVING??

Minnesota friends enjoying dinner together!

Solid teaching and some fantastic and much needed P&W!

Woo, teacher-friends!

Catch up, hang out, fellowship time with our teaching buddies.

Sports Day. Yes, for those of you who are wondering, the guy in the blue is Jim A. out there mixing it up with the young guys and girls and holding his own, I might add.

If you are in Thailand, you must get a Thai foot massage: only 100 Baht. Don't forget about the jam packed night markets either!

Thai foot massage. In the words of Brian Regan: "Can it get any better? I submit that it cannot!"

Checking out the Night Market. (Ali and Brenda would be poor!)

Finally, one other thing I have to mention about Thailand is the ROTEE. It is basically a crepe with different stuff on the inside, with butter and sweet milk on the outside. And, MAN, are they good!

I can't lie: This first-night-of-conference picture documents my SECOND rotee of the night!

The best is the banana chocolate. Whenever I want to retire from the tough life of an English teacher, I am going to go back to MN and have a Rotee stand at the State Fair. I would make a lot of money!

The Rotee...

I was just slowing the Rotee guy down.
(I have no idea who that guy in the back is. He just jumped in the shot!)

Matt says, "Hey, I am supposed to get half, dad!!" Oh, and look: Jonathan was actually ready for the picture. :)

After 10 days at conference, Amanda and I needed a little alone time, so we headed to the south of Thailand. We enjoyed a few more days of relaxing on a beach before we headed back to the busy-ness.

We picked a cheap place because of our budget: it was a place that some other teachers had been to and recommended. We swam in the ocean, read a few books, and caught up on some much needed sleep.

Checking out our pristine and quiet beach!

Catching up on some reading and relaxing!

Loving the difference between 85 degreeThailand and -10 degree Harbin!

Feeding the monkeys at Phi Phi island.

So, that is some of what has been going on in our lives for the last month or so. We have many more pics from our travels, and you can check them out at www.Photobucket.com (see post below for instructions).

We thank all our friends for being so great. To those of you who support us: we wouldn't have these opportunities without you. To those that spent time with us this last month: you really lifted our hearts and spirits after a long semester of transition.

We praise and thank the Father for loving us and watching over us. We miss you all (you know who you are) and we can't wait to see you and share with you more specific and uplifting stories like I mentioned above.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts, especially as we start spring semester tomorrow. Amanda hasn't been feeling good the last few days so please lift her up. And please don't forget to keep in touch: Those emails and thoughts really help us survive!

Until next time... Peace to you!