As many of you travelers know, being away from your birthday and being thousands of miles away from your mom's homemade Hersheys chocolate cake can be titering on the edge of unbearable. Yesterday I celebrated my birthday here in Xizhou. Like many other birthdays, when I woke up right away, I didn't feel a year older, but I knew it was going to be harder to be so far away from home (this girl is a Momma and Daddy's girl to her core). I knew that we were all goi...

Here is my recent interpretation of the two week celebration of Chinese New Year: The Year of the Tiger has finally shown it's true colors through the fireworks, lively village squares, and traditional celebrations of the Chinese New Year. On the eve of Chinese New Year, Jeanee, Bryce, and I gathered up our thick blankets to brave the midnight chill. The Linden Centre's rooftop terrace was the perfect place to perch and watch the firework display that rang in ...

So I went into Dali to just bum around for the afternoon. Bought some fun things for presents to bring back home and then headed back home with lots of bakery goodies for the Lindens. When I got on the bus, I had to sit all the way in the back near these men that looked like they had just come from funeral (white hats on their head). Right when I sat down, one of the men said to me.."You havve-a yellow hair." "yes, I do," I replied, "and ...

So I went into Dali to just bum around for the afternoon. Bought some fun things for presents to being back home and then headed back home with lots of bakery goodies for the Lindens. When I got on the bus, I had to sit all the way in the back near these men that looked like they had just come from funeral (white hats on their head). Right when I sat down, one of the men said to me.."You havve-a yellow hair." "yes, I do," I replied, "and ...

Yikes Bikes! Yes, I apologize once again for my poor blogging skills. I promise, in my next life, I will be a blogging machine. But due to a sick computer and little time to type, I have barely been able to type up a new blog. I have just returned from the most amazing solo adventure of my life. Thailand. Words can't describe how beautiful the landscapes are, how generous and friendly the people are, and how amazing and crazy some of my adventures were. No need t...