tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43413437173303060602024-02-06T22:38:14.944-08:00Around the World with LisaFrom October 2006 through July 2007, I lived in Zhangzhou, Fujian, China. I was teaching English at the University Level and also spent a lot of time traveling around the incredible country.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-66551442520853756712009-02-01T16:11:00.001-08:002009-02-01T16:30:55.393-08:002008 - In ReviewA little late to be doing this post, but better late than never.<br />Here are a FEW of things I can remember doing in 2008:<br /><br />January<br />- Michael Buble concert in Hamilton with Nicole, Jenn & Maricel - Jan. 29<br /><br />Febuary<br />- Santi's birthday in TO<br />- Nicole's Wedding Shower - Feb. 15<br /><br />March<br />- Nicole & Matt marry - March 1<br />- Dirty Dancing with Santi onstage in TO - March 30<br /><br />April<br />- Blue Jays game - April 20<br />- Vegas Girl's Trip - Vanessa, Nicole, Stef, etc - 5 days<br /><br />May<br />- Blue Jays game (free awesome tickets from Siemens) May 25<br /><br />June<br />- Day trip to Stratford (one of many throughout the year)<br /><br />July<br />- Stef & Ryan Stag'n'Doe in London - July 26<br /><br />August<br />- Jack Johnson concert with Sonia near Barrie - Aug. 3<br />- Beerfest in TO with Max, Neil & Nina - Aug. 9<br />- Goodbye Get-Together for Nicole - Aug. 16<br />- Stef's Bachelorette Night Out in London - Aug. 23<br />- Trip to BC & Alberta - Aug. 29<br /><br />September<br />- Stef & Ryan marry - Sept. 27<br /><br />October<br />- Alanis Morissette concert with Max - Oct. 11<br />- Karen's Pre-Baby Shower in Kitchener - Oct. 19<br /><br />November<br />- Max's Birthday Celebration - Slainte's Hamilton - Nov. 15<br />- Sarah & Rob's Wedding Reception - Warplane Museum Hamilton - Nov. 22<br />- James Blunt concert with Santi in TO - Nov. 27<br /><br />December<br />- The Trews concert in TO with Max - Dec. 18Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-55445351012076930472008-12-25T11:34:00.001-08:002008-12-28T12:06:52.123-08:00Christmas 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ0A0CfW2F3ryPdkDHj1kCEffSYE-wvPpwCS41zB0TTxymTsYGlwquAaSv3PP9Gb22_Vth7S31YlGXoBll3tAHcm3i8ZKkpjNbkYsLi7RXuB8S4Zmib7W81bhtG4jl8XGncde4GRd8oQ/s1600-h/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ0A0CfW2F3ryPdkDHj1kCEffSYE-wvPpwCS41zB0TTxymTsYGlwquAaSv3PP9Gb22_Vth7S31YlGXoBll3tAHcm3i8ZKkpjNbkYsLi7RXuB8S4Zmib7W81bhtG4jl8XGncde4GRd8oQ/s320/IMG_0030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283814953769646658" border="0" /></a>Just a few photo's of Christmas morning. Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55138&l=140d4&id=517331023">HERE</a> for more photo's of Christmas Day and Boxing Day with the family.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSVzx7jCI3JTB9pbrk77QHKAatuRT4GuY8XLTtnqk329DE5NBijNbk0PkiynXuRB-1qhwKI8hmwdktjj8N1b1ot3l1azTc-MVONLDAC4dZDsUUEe7PnKUFflchCoDrW5LMiWUVhPkMH4/s1600-h/IMG_0029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSVzx7jCI3JTB9pbrk77QHKAatuRT4GuY8XLTtnqk329DE5NBijNbk0PkiynXuRB-1qhwKI8hmwdktjj8N1b1ot3l1azTc-MVONLDAC4dZDsUUEe7PnKUFflchCoDrW5LMiWUVhPkMH4/s320/IMG_0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283814699458413890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdduAI3y0ThejypB-T4wOmQKotCxQev5io72yUMfXAIYB3UXrEc05aKe0gtU7E4wBxQgHL51TFUzj3ugGcLKjDsc5lL1-VjHt5EUnUEzwgf9gu26oKnRjeF-H4qnlL1R39pUfxVn7_k/s1600-h/IMG_0027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdduAI3y0ThejypB-T4wOmQKotCxQev5io72yUMfXAIYB3UXrEc05aKe0gtU7E4wBxQgHL51TFUzj3ugGcLKjDsc5lL1-VjHt5EUnUEzwgf9gu26oKnRjeF-H4qnlL1R39pUfxVn7_k/s320/IMG_0027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283814405147206546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6e-ou6AbuJ7RLXRip-6lHJcO49cJzfptDrtzl6HyzgLdxgv4pUtLf-cm6yVVuX_U5aF_EaEGRzrOMSCGOa7q8N31HVPOZx_2vpB9Prh4k0AUIkHldXEnWxOyLZ0nt05v6_X7c2P7Ow0/s1600-h/IMG_0022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6e-ou6AbuJ7RLXRip-6lHJcO49cJzfptDrtzl6HyzgLdxgv4pUtLf-cm6yVVuX_U5aF_EaEGRzrOMSCGOa7q8N31HVPOZx_2vpB9Prh4k0AUIkHldXEnWxOyLZ0nt05v6_X7c2P7Ow0/s320/IMG_0022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283814139889907298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAixR33SK86pjPQrwdWV_AOOqb68pwzJ9ocxmuT7Uy18_gVKwnLB6mWnLH7aRtsj8SpRYtEAnEDXwzr8tY7y79MNJDF8M9_meOYnqWqvFuC11Wy84PedI0tD4PGply3iNfyUnMq_lygs/s1600-h/IMG_0021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAixR33SK86pjPQrwdWV_AOOqb68pwzJ9ocxmuT7Uy18_gVKwnLB6mWnLH7aRtsj8SpRYtEAnEDXwzr8tY7y79MNJDF8M9_meOYnqWqvFuC11Wy84PedI0tD4PGply3iNfyUnMq_lygs/s320/IMG_0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283813852334895170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r5MpyQ8itII-jw9V2IbxoEBCAJHh0nRCsIFQRN7IZTRVp1dBg50GS4AJGOHS9lNLjyZVbPMEoW_HZWfsjglPhiIu5rCUG-3YqWEcHhjxke74gy4_QXXq7Qe3LNUkXOLuaXhyIVdooBY/s1600-h/IMG_0018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r5MpyQ8itII-jw9V2IbxoEBCAJHh0nRCsIFQRN7IZTRVp1dBg50GS4AJGOHS9lNLjyZVbPMEoW_HZWfsjglPhiIu5rCUG-3YqWEcHhjxke74gy4_QXXq7Qe3LNUkXOLuaXhyIVdooBY/s320/IMG_0018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283813549997850146" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-40660783261816415962008-12-07T10:31:00.001-08:002008-12-07T10:38:21.908-08:00A little bit of Christmas at Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtKVfXUWaksNri9Gmjg9qZcthxSYNjqfCaANt-0iuerKNQdkoPtTCUaErasJlBrn68UwFQXdYIMRbHBi78EfLOnKjyXM0m7FTHsOpjFVOfdaIXtGxpm9M9zVOAe-f13D3TtQmS12nMMw/s1600-h/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtKVfXUWaksNri9Gmjg9qZcthxSYNjqfCaANt-0iuerKNQdkoPtTCUaErasJlBrn68UwFQXdYIMRbHBi78EfLOnKjyXM0m7FTHsOpjFVOfdaIXtGxpm9M9zVOAe-f13D3TtQmS12nMMw/s320/IMG_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277119207692758114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhXDpbdR1Iw4tWMb21kZ9Qak-QsLiJ3Toia9molr1O4o2YYUHoGQzJ0EfeVw2kaM6cVVPRrPtgtcv7FoQhQ-du3H7hwBRN8gQ7Ds5fvw-8tyg75q2gmGHVCuS6a3hcYUcuhNcksn8BA4/s1600-h/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhXDpbdR1Iw4tWMb21kZ9Qak-QsLiJ3Toia9molr1O4o2YYUHoGQzJ0EfeVw2kaM6cVVPRrPtgtcv7FoQhQ-du3H7hwBRN8gQ7Ds5fvw-8tyg75q2gmGHVCuS6a3hcYUcuhNcksn8BA4/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277118637629805266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4opp46UeaJ6qTe3KqUJaeW-p4g0u5DR3e0D0IpE3UulQHBrclLsttTrv-fw3QWLnZqF-lACTMvm_ezbzdKx5NoZVswuHO45fdCoOP7gyEtWDjg7qRlR7_AxO0cH-_jRP2qtdVli5458M/s1600-h/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4opp46UeaJ6qTe3KqUJaeW-p4g0u5DR3e0D0IpE3UulQHBrclLsttTrv-fw3QWLnZqF-lACTMvm_ezbzdKx5NoZVswuHO45fdCoOP7gyEtWDjg7qRlR7_AxO0cH-_jRP2qtdVli5458M/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277118480526661074" border="0" /></a><br />Our small apartment can't handle much in the way of Christmas decor, but we've got a little holiday spirit!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-28249416524642408092008-12-07T09:52:00.000-08:002008-12-07T10:02:24.646-08:00Student Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfs4z1WXDoUG1LhWAGn-j3ciyFCkya_XDFRDSF2LQBjTDZi3RrHgLfwB8sDbSdSmm_NOtcIOEFCKegVAOPYDQIUqlNKDN2rh7l8lSSahaRgm_0CnQ6FDM36KVnKq7h-c8AZODvabIOVs/s1600-h/Beijing+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfs4z1WXDoUG1LhWAGn-j3ciyFCkya_XDFRDSF2LQBjTDZi3RrHgLfwB8sDbSdSmm_NOtcIOEFCKegVAOPYDQIUqlNKDN2rh7l8lSSahaRgm_0CnQ6FDM36KVnKq7h-c8AZODvabIOVs/s320/Beijing+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277109842872396418" border="0" /></a><br />Going through my MANY pictures from China, I found myself missing so many friends. I've posted a new album on Facebook of a few students - click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50866&l=7ef2b&id=517331023">HERE</a> to see them.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-25526999156183488942008-12-07T09:34:00.001-08:002008-12-07T09:51:53.997-08:00The Amazing James Blunt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxDiUH3ZXThqrMZckNP9IGlY02eVm5JawlT2z_6AKeGxeFN01bVwQAZRObgnjbypKFC73f-ceq0QEVfqgkkl_FcyXUbLM58S3xszLqDzzscnS90uc-DyeWd35smzy_BSGmLjK69_3nDs/s1600-h/IMG_0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxDiUH3ZXThqrMZckNP9IGlY02eVm5JawlT2z_6AKeGxeFN01bVwQAZRObgnjbypKFC73f-ceq0QEVfqgkkl_FcyXUbLM58S3xszLqDzzscnS90uc-DyeWd35smzy_BSGmLjK69_3nDs/s200/IMG_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277107327233646834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSeyAmuq5UbhXvpFTpfzhQ4sLsJKLUbOJOrDOGQXQUZB6fppP2iIcoa5hOlpb7qq8qHHCGdPC_pKQ9FY7rOFgAjzP5maqV2SMIP4ZL4S8uHOFsZBQ1np87UzO1g0rhjUjS3nqPuk2uLM/s1600-h/IMG_9992.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSeyAmuq5UbhXvpFTpfzhQ4sLsJKLUbOJOrDOGQXQUZB6fppP2iIcoa5hOlpb7qq8qHHCGdPC_pKQ9FY7rOFgAjzP5maqV2SMIP4ZL4S8uHOFsZBQ1np87UzO1g0rhjUjS3nqPuk2uLM/s200/IMG_9992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277104170379779922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The James Blunt show was amazing! Here are some pictures from my crappy camera:<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50814&l=83b64&id=517331023">James Blunt</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-69296684266252354912008-11-26T18:07:00.000-08:002008-11-26T18:13:38.514-08:00James Blunt ConcertTomorrow I am going to see James Blunt with my good friend Santi. The concert is in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre and I can't wait! I've loved his music since before he became famous and have been dying to see him forever!!<br /><br />Listen to some of his music at<br /><a href="http://www.jamesblunt.com/">www.jamesblunt.com</a><br /><br />or<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jamesblunt"><br />http://www.myspace.com/jamesblunt</a><br /><br />I will hopefully be able to post pictures and / or videos from the concert afterwards! Fingers crossed!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-4781331770330292792008-11-23T07:03:00.000-08:002008-11-23T07:18:26.887-08:00Robin's Kitchen - Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLPOhajvtsmlu331Iu4uRKTivq9PV25ETNKm1dWWkwz5MFCcxGRFvAjX_UCcAen2qbFV6wX3CGw0MNJDwDmPMpgZI4nsngjVcTtg05bmGwj0pZmmMddwFMMgboNWkYvEEPYMLxMTTmTk/s1600-h/P1010052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLPOhajvtsmlu331Iu4uRKTivq9PV25ETNKm1dWWkwz5MFCcxGRFvAjX_UCcAen2qbFV6wX3CGw0MNJDwDmPMpgZI4nsngjVcTtg05bmGwj0pZmmMddwFMMgboNWkYvEEPYMLxMTTmTk/s320/P1010052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271871333718898882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmcXWnMzua-ITIn3qOVemRqt7vyE_czjMLEbjshry5w0ULmsdul4Sj__x7UXCDnK4Dlhey0RWvUJvTHb7pXjc2dtI-rwHzyhhqleNKH2Pg2B9DF7vziyGPrdasqtOb9S7iHUU2ciLnes/s1600-h/P1010051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmcXWnMzua-ITIn3qOVemRqt7vyE_czjMLEbjshry5w0ULmsdul4Sj__x7UXCDnK4Dlhey0RWvUJvTHb7pXjc2dtI-rwHzyhhqleNKH2Pg2B9DF7vziyGPrdasqtOb9S7iHUU2ciLnes/s320/P1010051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271870724419581298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS0afvhvh3cUKRUjuG7zcBWvzZ_Y9f1IW1a4SIFXJVYKkVbpAv6UC4fu2Qg4xpE16n7wPx7D6tzEVLMFy9i9Tvdr_bsNp3_4wUHVA7spnOplYC2J7Rl7e4z04b6_6A7WUG88bWrHEawE/s1600-h/P1010050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS0afvhvh3cUKRUjuG7zcBWvzZ_Y9f1IW1a4SIFXJVYKkVbpAv6UC4fu2Qg4xpE16n7wPx7D6tzEVLMFy9i9Tvdr_bsNp3_4wUHVA7spnOplYC2J7Rl7e4z04b6_6A7WUG88bWrHEawE/s320/P1010050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271870272504472370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaDWQudUXY8-S7AlIQZEW4TX9nYd2PteQ3QE7I1z5c3wBAvR_EZOEvl5i2f1S4UH2CEWNAJpnOjqvs8OWz1EJnSmuUWjbWpH9IF3iiuliLA7ShkPsDk6mQmHM_SQm69kVOjDVoHBq9Es/s1600-h/P1010049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaDWQudUXY8-S7AlIQZEW4TX9nYd2PteQ3QE7I1z5c3wBAvR_EZOEvl5i2f1S4UH2CEWNAJpnOjqvs8OWz1EJnSmuUWjbWpH9IF3iiuliLA7ShkPsDk6mQmHM_SQm69kVOjDVoHBq9Es/s320/P1010049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271869649150622146" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few more pictures of Robin's kitchen reno's.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-21087415084977529202008-11-14T19:43:00.000-08:002008-11-14T19:47:16.997-08:00My Grandma's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxzk5r19wGk_eDcqdc1ZiBS-oLNBL3XeZnoNee0HbySJhAs2nNt81jHWMFQ_S_aT4JU1efR9iMupQvzebJaWAV-9_5XvUs28rF1tn_oarR6db5f0iYSooOk7-02Ptyk3QfmcO17IoqTM/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxzk5r19wGk_eDcqdc1ZiBS-oLNBL3XeZnoNee0HbySJhAs2nNt81jHWMFQ_S_aT4JU1efR9iMupQvzebJaWAV-9_5XvUs28rF1tn_oarR6db5f0iYSooOk7-02Ptyk3QfmcO17IoqTM/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268725699269383890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxlMBM_2mUphiMvHXP0WiMmZZN56sEOI5b58N-puIpdERce3LFS7KSLH_bBqt1BKaauI7a84UYNMmC_k0V9c5bJ6N7XIRxVHz8yO8tVWz0GNTP6iFmmvI4eKnwRWUKbl1tjmZIi9qtgA/s1600-h/IMG_0915.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxlMBM_2mUphiMvHXP0WiMmZZN56sEOI5b58N-puIpdERce3LFS7KSLH_bBqt1BKaauI7a84UYNMmC_k0V9c5bJ6N7XIRxVHz8yO8tVWz0GNTP6iFmmvI4eKnwRWUKbl1tjmZIi9qtgA/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268725518369176082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO66ICGrT06UptPyhp5CWjnH8iBF7_xRDKphhvZYgJoL2XQFce1l9i58sKkD6Nwy5akwwe1ZQEbHs-T_HQnfW43j2W-8gS3yh_I0BS6EZIqdECm5VNPm1zY4q6-dcgM0S1dOd36iF7f8/s1600-h/IMG_0913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO66ICGrT06UptPyhp5CWjnH8iBF7_xRDKphhvZYgJoL2XQFce1l9i58sKkD6Nwy5akwwe1ZQEbHs-T_HQnfW43j2W-8gS3yh_I0BS6EZIqdECm5VNPm1zY4q6-dcgM0S1dOd36iF7f8/s320/IMG_0913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268725326189710434" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-88500217940694835722008-10-30T17:51:00.000-07:002008-10-30T17:58:22.910-07:00Robin's Kitchen Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66YsqwoHU-AWOu5vSp_09m21A914aIZ1xLgOf_ZG9fUXOeEAcb0DMoAhDB0vxg8TTN4VUj_TfmoaItQ29McuzWw7q7sFmaILvWyEy4vEcRW73hy9f1371ySIh_wMFHaLQDJc17g9IQwA/s1600-h/P1000974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66YsqwoHU-AWOu5vSp_09m21A914aIZ1xLgOf_ZG9fUXOeEAcb0DMoAhDB0vxg8TTN4VUj_TfmoaItQ29McuzWw7q7sFmaILvWyEy4vEcRW73hy9f1371ySIh_wMFHaLQDJc17g9IQwA/s320/P1000974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263115959840690898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So Robin has been updating his kitchen since AT LEAST the August long weekend (I know this because Sonia & I stayed there after the Jack Johnson Concert and he was just laying the tile at that time - the fridge was in the livingroom, the oven was in the spare bedroom - it was out of control).<br />Anyway, he sent me some pictures, so here they are!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ9UrUlov1QQLDcOV5Xu0eCeCn1kE1Dl_yUBMIu6DYlzragfnIBBqCizBFDdYlIOHCwA_M2QSJW24uiu13bFIhaUC85eBSD8cGLCe3aAX6hwsfO3FjCZl58Gdx_bSZVVZuS7WIXYvDZo/s1600-h/P1000972.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ9UrUlov1QQLDcOV5Xu0eCeCn1kE1Dl_yUBMIu6DYlzragfnIBBqCizBFDdYlIOHCwA_M2QSJW24uiu13bFIhaUC85eBSD8cGLCe3aAX6hwsfO3FjCZl58Gdx_bSZVVZuS7WIXYvDZo/s320/P1000972.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263115644335332546" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-82744211394971312602008-10-25T18:40:00.000-07:002008-10-25T18:45:06.264-07:00Life on Locke Street SouthMax and I have been living on Locke Street since May. I love the neighbourhood - it reminds me of a small town because so many things are within walking distance - shops, restaurants, friends and STARBUCKS - my new best friend in the mornings before work.<br /><br />Check out some <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30926&l=24368&id=517331023">photo's of our place here</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYO6EX95dF4MiVwJpAapbnHmOLNX3yGMtgHO9B2suJrThYmLHxkmA6R4_I0_PToqNvdu_R_CzkLjvpm5NRI0QO06lvFvYxua_L0546S5J0LmzEwQO7QLQr3Uvjo0ihoyNv4VrMFHt5UM/s1600-h/IMG_9856.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYO6EX95dF4MiVwJpAapbnHmOLNX3yGMtgHO9B2suJrThYmLHxkmA6R4_I0_PToqNvdu_R_CzkLjvpm5NRI0QO06lvFvYxua_L0546S5J0LmzEwQO7QLQr3Uvjo0ihoyNv4VrMFHt5UM/s320/IMG_9856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261272368002805922" border="0" /></a>We inherited our cat, Cash, from Nicole before she left for BC. As you can tell, he's awfully spoiled here.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-21702575039476324722008-10-25T17:21:00.000-07:002008-10-25T17:50:27.059-07:00Where is Saltillo, Mexico??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqVxlY9tQNc4G7Sq1qKL2PUnTtmyjQ3f2FFV2CiZSf9L-trrREZI6ePE9cZE18Uq2_CXQ4WczMsYPsEuifxqKnuP6etLR9_cUYq3dL3qv_3iN3Oo-iVNqHkkIbWPNolmeoBfjc0Gyb0U/s1600-h/Map+of+Mexico.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqVxlY9tQNc4G7Sq1qKL2PUnTtmyjQ3f2FFV2CiZSf9L-trrREZI6ePE9cZE18Uq2_CXQ4WczMsYPsEuifxqKnuP6etLR9_cUYq3dL3qv_3iN3Oo-iVNqHkkIbWPNolmeoBfjc0Gyb0U/s320/Map+of+Mexico.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261251416453592770" border="0" /></a><br />Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico is currently where my dad, Regina & Ricky live. Vanessa & I went to visit them just before I went to China in 2006.<br /><br />The best way to get there is to fly to Monterrey and have dad & Regina pick you up. It's about an hour drive from Saltillo.<br /><br />On the map, you can see that it is in the North of Mexico, just below the Texas border.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttWWaWNOX_NLwsWI5I42ioBJclykh8TdNifzc3LWL61AiLBAb9B5C6JlzomBVAhyphenhyphenWPYFEO06DDzMDOmvt7SHH1hVeeFDMkuxewuIGjlkLbQKcq0vcbHGd1p6ON174GCrRyoa0scppDVs/s1600-h/IMG_0672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttWWaWNOX_NLwsWI5I42ioBJclykh8TdNifzc3LWL61AiLBAb9B5C6JlzomBVAhyphenhyphenWPYFEO06DDzMDOmvt7SHH1hVeeFDMkuxewuIGjlkLbQKcq0vcbHGd1p6ON174GCrRyoa0scppDVs/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261252597325630242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKsQtwvmHUb0KRfMOCSFgZwxttYIxGGDoKBTgukzAxN252Xe5Y16jFYri_cZUu5uurvMPmgUZG7-KbYxrXRbgBzPtWeQZ_yLW5KPEAm5D404nQ3f4A4p8omxVD5K0AbQs00J7Cldk84Q/s1600-h/IMG_0216.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKsQtwvmHUb0KRfMOCSFgZwxttYIxGGDoKBTgukzAxN252Xe5Y16jFYri_cZUu5uurvMPmgUZG7-KbYxrXRbgBzPtWeQZ_yLW5KPEAm5D404nQ3f4A4p8omxVD5K0AbQs00J7Cldk84Q/s320/IMG_0216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261252895542045202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sometime within the next year, my family will be moving to Queretaro as my dad is doing more and more business there.<br /><br />My dad's first Mexican city was Puebla, a little South East of Mexico City. I went to visit there when I was 16. We went on a road trip to Oaxaca and Hualtulco, but I have never been to a popular tourist 'all-inclusive' type city.<br /><br />Here is a video from one of the restaurants we ate at. I believe at this dinner, CACTUS was the appetizer!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzfkvMbw72X_Ic3zx6hlW8bfhUYAGK9Z1SHW52FhhkRYp273-UpoDHBGK1vpUwknTDMihMuhAKq7XILzFd77Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-29398737550441134922008-10-25T17:01:00.000-07:002008-10-25T17:51:07.891-07:00Where is Zhangzhou anyways?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLPNQhwrnMiwjhZyimvE3blq2Be-ccBMwerrHBZpMJ-R4-bAkVLjYAP2yunnIFLsWcYbqn8oaujTCVZmnSoBMBxJ5Mo3nk8XxCkQWN7C_RTxVT4wnkgiREuD8yGBPV7bY2Yn5wvlUyQ/s1600-h/Map+of+Fujian+Province.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLPNQhwrnMiwjhZyimvE3blq2Be-ccBMwerrHBZpMJ-R4-bAkVLjYAP2yunnIFLsWcYbqn8oaujTCVZmnSoBMBxJ5Mo3nk8XxCkQWN7C_RTxVT4wnkgiREuD8yGBPV7bY2Yn5wvlUyQ/s320/Map+of+Fujian+Province.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261246955823107058" border="0" /></a><br />Zhangzhou is a "smaller" Chinese city, located in Fujian Province. It is about an hour's drive from Xiamen - across the way from Taiwan, or in the map below, the "Chinese Taipei". According to Wikipedia today, the population is more than 3.7 million people, so more than a million people more than Toronto, ON.<br />None of the larger maps of China showed Zhangzhou, so I've to posted some larger maps.<br /><br />For more information on this city, check out:<br /><a href="http://www.zhangzhouchina.com/">http://www.zhangzhouchina.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.66163.com/Fujian_w/city/zzhou/e-index.html">http://www.66163.com/Fujian_w/city/zzhou/e-index.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.fzu.edu.cn/fujian/ezhangz.html">http://www.fzu.edu.cn/fujian/ezhangz.html</a><br /><br />Other cities I visited during my 10 month stay in China included Xiamen, Hong Kong, Sanya, Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, as well as a number of smaller towns that would almost never appear on a map.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr97BmZQNMlSd3N90KvyaUejwqki16EJ_2K2guBl88lv4-kRsf-WZhdg-aU69-AY3WzdqAUeSoFyInx1FgYi-kkCNZtiyn8avU-8Ry5xUcqiqDxp-Mpbaq0EUZ5AJK5G94ZE7jrhXJ7mc/s1600-h/Map+of+China.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr97BmZQNMlSd3N90KvyaUejwqki16EJ_2K2guBl88lv4-kRsf-WZhdg-aU69-AY3WzdqAUeSoFyInx1FgYi-kkCNZtiyn8avU-8Ry5xUcqiqDxp-Mpbaq0EUZ5AJK5G94ZE7jrhXJ7mc/s320/Map+of+China.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261247404021486994" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-50378441090202098742008-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:002008-10-25T09:26:25.039-07:00Happy Birthday Stefanie!!!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyF_ovSEvTmf9_Z-NXigSYJmfC-oc5NJAkkUNUlx-PrUmQ-LZ2caNDelif35CQBPsRW9eEoE7FVKjo3o6eQnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-18084904407954645512008-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:002008-10-18T16:11:13.433-07:00Sept 2008 - BC & Alberta in 4 Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWSvK49jIErmVuMNBWINDyMeuFJpbt66RrSc406K1d2nCGXehp-wc_L1SZX1a_i7GDRzVYoe4x7V2iH9d70WPFpyUK5B6IrcgbOzBirl8MkTB5zZVbVCYOV1afycMp9Sus6b53JwKEvY/s1600-h/IMG_9620.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWSvK49jIErmVuMNBWINDyMeuFJpbt66RrSc406K1d2nCGXehp-wc_L1SZX1a_i7GDRzVYoe4x7V2iH9d70WPFpyUK5B6IrcgbOzBirl8MkTB5zZVbVCYOV1afycMp9Sus6b53JwKEvY/s320/IMG_9620.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275822313078322" border="0" /></a><br />A four day getaway over the Labour Day weekend landed us in some of the most beautiful parts of Canada. We saw the great town of Vulcan, AB (a must see for Trekkies), played with the World's Biggest Dump Truck in Sparwood BC, visited Nicole & Matt in Elkford, BC, explored the pretty town of Fernie and froze our asses off in Canmore & Banff!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38549&l=cbc13&id=517331023">Vulcan AB & Sparwood BC</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38552&l=e4b0a&id=517331023"><br />Elkford & Fernie BC</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38556&l=034f2&id=517331023">Canmore & Banff AB</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38557&l=1350c&id=517331023"><br />Lake Moraine & a Gondola Ride in Banff</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANQZ4hRCflXZwOGg493rBNvgj1AhX0tmF3rEiQV4bD3JjoGjiuJ3_UIwr3aOs5ZnENz7kHmcBGv4bnvjQhl3ZrfqcEj3Po8RnjNJrpuy_6NdS0lieJygShT2B_UYSx9UF-zu1PONBgYA/s1600-h/IMG_9383.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANQZ4hRCflXZwOGg493rBNvgj1AhX0tmF3rEiQV4bD3JjoGjiuJ3_UIwr3aOs5ZnENz7kHmcBGv4bnvjQhl3ZrfqcEj3Po8RnjNJrpuy_6NdS0lieJygShT2B_UYSx9UF-zu1PONBgYA/s320/IMG_9383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258526097817327618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL1a2tCAQw9p0CdN85pwB3uDsIxEkxeFjq_NoF2kSDpColrickTuyPMYdWiA4bFfV7io7i0rZnrv5K_VvSeiGE8Bq2oDy0fzTPEzYF15lkViRMpwea4jSXUn9QQ5LJcBnljayB5e6lbQ/s1600-h/IMG_9478.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL1a2tCAQw9p0CdN85pwB3uDsIxEkxeFjq_NoF2kSDpColrickTuyPMYdWiA4bFfV7io7i0rZnrv5K_VvSeiGE8Bq2oDy0fzTPEzYF15lkViRMpwea4jSXUn9QQ5LJcBnljayB5e6lbQ/s320/IMG_9478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258526547405898770" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-28052329658451038712008-10-08T18:00:00.000-07:002008-10-08T18:00:00.807-07:00Starting Up the New BlogI've decided to move all of the stories posted on my Windows Live Space website to this page. I'll do my best to keep the original dates & photo's in tact.<br />Here is the original website:<br />http://lisambatty.spaces.live.com/Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-17195616466061593492008-10-08T17:31:00.001-07:002008-10-18T09:01:01.234-07:00Aug. 23 2007 - Missing China<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp5SEmFoFffmj-PM8I7mGdflCBDRKIOcnhMULuhsQUZpMAnTqMCkzMZZL9vp9yor09hguAsRVZKNYrgIdtGL_xRq8Mps1rIATi_qjllTfJsnKSIhK7e5oQMIoIzq7qy_WDRv5XOS89tM/s1600-h/IMG_3907.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp5SEmFoFffmj-PM8I7mGdflCBDRKIOcnhMULuhsQUZpMAnTqMCkzMZZL9vp9yor09hguAsRVZKNYrgIdtGL_xRq8Mps1rIATi_qjllTfJsnKSIhK7e5oQMIoIzq7qy_WDRv5XOS89tM/s320/IMG_3907.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256297914575982434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:100%;">After spending 10 months in China and making some really great friends, it is difficult to accept that I will most likely never see them again. When I left Canada in October, there were some sad good-byes, but none that were forever. More of a "See you later". Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be home again, but saying "Goodbye Forever" to so many wonderful people is something that will stay with me for a very long time. I don't think I've ever been in a "Goodbye Forever" type situation. Certainly not with anyone I've been close to.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLaDK7WuYea3aIzv5eRhXUAKJbhTC9ViPnl4vq82PvceK1HPKAFTzz7nixrlrd7xq9T9CKgIXoQYKvlOkWyoje1nmWhyCV1x3zJb5XElqtvQF267nY40OmLoS9cT5dn7AY5qiuWaICrw/s1600-h/IMG_6854.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLaDK7WuYea3aIzv5eRhXUAKJbhTC9ViPnl4vq82PvceK1HPKAFTzz7nixrlrd7xq9T9CKgIXoQYKvlOkWyoje1nmWhyCV1x3zJb5XElqtvQF267nY40OmLoS9cT5dn7AY5qiuWaICrw/s320/IMG_6854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256298520412512738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadQhcWB1WgMYpHEv1C_5YF0h94JU8qEPuQvu9YdIDbXJPFHDBR2cZyCJDD0cL5XtcDZVga94cPcr6LPV_cEC0xqep7ZPGGAbRTGiYtcd0SVqf_fnhung-3pGGDGvEiG-HV-lKcPb1MKc/s1600-h/IMG_5898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadQhcWB1WgMYpHEv1C_5YF0h94JU8qEPuQvu9YdIDbXJPFHDBR2cZyCJDD0cL5XtcDZVga94cPcr6LPV_cEC0xqep7ZPGGAbRTGiYtcd0SVqf_fnhung-3pGGDGvEiG-HV-lKcPb1MKc/s320/IMG_5898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258523067471416818" border="0" /></a></div></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I am lucky to have met the people I met and to have experienced (most of) the things I did (public toilet experiences excluded!). At times, it wasn't easy living so far away from everything and everyone I knew, there were times when I really couldn't wait to come home again, but looking back, I think the experience may have made me stronger in some ways. Plus I learned a few curse words in Chinese that may come in handy someday.<br /></span><br /></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">With email, MSN and the internet, it is pretty easy to keep in touch with many people. But of course, it is not the same as spending time together. I miss teaching, I miss the English Loft and I miss taking pictures of things that are normal in China, but strange in Canada. Of course I still email and MSN with some of my friends there - I've also convinced a few of them to join Facebook - but it's sad to know that it is almost impossible for the majority of them to visit me here.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=858&l=aae70&id=517331023">Strange Sights in China</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1698&l=902d7&id=517331023"><br />Alcohol + Robby, Luc & Amber</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=940&l=c5b97&id=517331023">Random Fun in China</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJo0LlMfb-MFeKKVSXpqJcOTYeOw26xUGQ18HAAqAUJykF9dZF-5AC0Y8fwDw3qIjvtBmpH3OlpFh9tjDMqAHmurthwbfJMyScoIw4okin1606RcMWbDucw4aSgJVJ4YdzkkcN81ne_o/s1600-h/IMG_0933.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJo0LlMfb-MFeKKVSXpqJcOTYeOw26xUGQ18HAAqAUJykF9dZF-5AC0Y8fwDw3qIjvtBmpH3OlpFh9tjDMqAHmurthwbfJMyScoIw4okin1606RcMWbDucw4aSgJVJ4YdzkkcN81ne_o/s320/IMG_0933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258522013175311698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-76411803982732558972008-10-08T17:28:00.000-07:002008-10-18T16:11:52.373-07:00July 24 2007 - Beijing & Robin<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">About a month has passed since our trip to Beijing - actually, it's already been two weeks since I've been back in Canada. And in some ways, it feels like I never left. But back to the Beijing story.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />To be updated!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZpbSK5S7uXHLihn8g2usstHqNI4YP92-cPSc8PjYhfBP4iJWR6Qcf7rwHKlp7quHMTEpvjjTjrX0Cpl9YKgAIf5btSWKKD3JqBRx4CkMhfmpZyctOpZ4nQR1Fk-yQyiGJurAPGjA9VE/s1600-h/Beijing+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZpbSK5S7uXHLihn8g2usstHqNI4YP92-cPSc8PjYhfBP4iJWR6Qcf7rwHKlp7quHMTEpvjjTjrX0Cpl9YKgAIf5btSWKKD3JqBRx4CkMhfmpZyctOpZ4nQR1Fk-yQyiGJurAPGjA9VE/s320/Beijing+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256270094645605986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here are some photo albums on Facebook:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4147&l=820f2&id=517331023">The Beijing Story - 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4149&l=9cbfa&id=517331023">The Beijing Story - 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4151&l=1d3c8&id=517331023">The Beijing Story - The Final Chapter</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IPLq84Yj4vPnKCpM-llD4peDWFHFru-sBT3QRMQm0qWuHhqw_UjFk2iw9bovAfhNm-maUpwrDhRHnDpllyv_4PKuMqMiJYrCjHml5LgnpzHRqR74wR-wh6zcohEMUrzgwqb8K9QtnkQ/s1600-h/Beijing+451.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IPLq84Yj4vPnKCpM-llD4peDWFHFru-sBT3QRMQm0qWuHhqw_UjFk2iw9bovAfhNm-maUpwrDhRHnDpllyv_4PKuMqMiJYrCjHml5LgnpzHRqR74wR-wh6zcohEMUrzgwqb8K9QtnkQ/s320/Beijing+451.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258528001294591586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-26412304674769832252008-10-08T17:27:00.001-07:002008-10-18T16:04:27.914-07:00June 8 2007 - Another one for Dr. Tony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWujWaqGdJqECBFd_aIfg6U_FJaCHfzRmmWtWVx0lJWkHRoGHJyqAlgoaKHfx1vF8vpOQm1ysMefdJWFgprFE8Odra7epg9l_JoTeAFjq0VHN_2Z7BJYSEZsCKYkI4bnkfpAoDe1MvS4/s1600-h/Beijing+454.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWujWaqGdJqECBFd_aIfg6U_FJaCHfzRmmWtWVx0lJWkHRoGHJyqAlgoaKHfx1vF8vpOQm1ysMefdJWFgprFE8Odra7epg9l_JoTeAFjq0VHN_2Z7BJYSEZsCKYkI4bnkfpAoDe1MvS4/s320/Beijing+454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258529047676170610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Tony shi wo de yi sheng = Tony is my doctor. I can form SOME sentences in Chinese, but saying them is a completely different story.</span><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1958" class="bvMsg"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyways, Tony is an orthopedic surgeon in Zhangzhou. He is the brightest surgeon at his hospital (or so he says) and he is one of the funniest people I've met here. He is always telling me about the inappropriate things he says to nurses, which means that his English vocabulary is expanding - but in a dirty way. I think it's hilarious.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">A few weeks ago, my ankle was really bothering me - always sore and aching. Three years (or is it four now) ago, I broke my ankle skiing with Stefanie - what an adventure for my first time on skiis. A week later, I had surgery and have had a metal plate & four screws in there ever since. I have no problems with flexibility, but it does sometimes pain me - during cold or rainy days. So Tony invited me to the hospital for an X-Ray - this is the kind of surgery that he does. We took 2 pictures (I kept them) and it turns out that one of my screws is loose (insert clever jokes now). I could have the surgery here to have the plate removed, but I may have some pain after and the thought of climbing the 100 steps to my apartment in pain doesn't strike me as "cool". So sooner or later, I'll need to have it out. But it's not painful every day, so I can tough it out for a while longer.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyOFDtUPD5ZDfcSdz7FjkO20x22jKyIXcD1XLqI3ch82jqO-9oJlGsLsSBhypBnwqQ6kW1JEvDXeunZpy08NyH81vQkiY1ko4LvqTK-IEGD2DUWcSOocC9JZ9LEmyoSMt2QkWnDrLb-4/s1600-h/IMG_4272.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyOFDtUPD5ZDfcSdz7FjkO20x22jKyIXcD1XLqI3ch82jqO-9oJlGsLsSBhypBnwqQ6kW1JEvDXeunZpy08NyH81vQkiY1ko4LvqTK-IEGD2DUWcSOocC9JZ9LEmyoSMt2QkWnDrLb-4/s320/IMG_4272.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258529582660340418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Last weekend, Tony took Max into the operating room. I was out of town, so I didn't get to go (I'm not sure that I would have gone). Tony got a call at home about a man who had been cut with a knife by another man during an arguement about a woman. Max posed as a Canadian medical student - he put on the scrubs, facemask and flip flops (that's what they wear in the operating room here). The man had been cut by what sounds like some kind of knife used on a farm maybe - his right shoulder bone was damaged and he required 30 cm of stitches on that arm. On his left forearm, a number of stitches were also needed. Tony tells me all of the technical medical terms for repairing the nerves and other things inside the arm, but I don't really remember all of those details. The surgery lasted about 4 hours. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">A few weeks ago, another man lost the tip of his thumb. Tony & his team made a small incision into the mans abdomen and sewed the partial thumb in there. After a few weeks, the man returned to the hospital, and Tony removed the thumb from its place inside the man. The skin had grown back - no thumbnail. Success!</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">A man came to the hospital and his leg was so badly infected that Tony had no choice but to cut it off. And then the hospital gave the family the leg to bury.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">These are just a few of the Tony stories. I'm sure there will be more to come before I leave!</span><br /></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-8013956033555151972008-10-08T17:26:00.001-07:002008-10-12T07:37:01.448-07:00June 8 2007 - Dedicated to Doctor Tony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH6whrIf_17fjssDu5_x41kaQMBzqwKb6qqFm4Xty17-8Gyt0R0eXHIt-ckNgYJ88XV-4cJr3FsWbyCt9RtoKsfyIH9811aZyJAJM6oKzLX5OPmOwOTACfwlDVfBecnIXrmlaI_1Uv6c/s1600-h/IMG_5908.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH6whrIf_17fjssDu5_x41kaQMBzqwKb6qqFm4Xty17-8Gyt0R0eXHIt-ckNgYJ88XV-4cJr3FsWbyCt9RtoKsfyIH9811aZyJAJM6oKzLX5OPmOwOTACfwlDVfBecnIXrmlaI_1Uv6c/s320/IMG_5908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256276395782922818" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1957" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;">My friend Tony has been giving me the evil eye for not updating my blog lately. So I apologize to him. I don't really have a lot going on right now. Next week, I have final exams at the university. I will have a 5 minute conversation with each student (108 to be exact) and determine their grade. My last exam day is June 20. On the 24th, my brother Robin is flying to Beijing for a week. We are meeting him there. The plan is to spend a few days in Beijing, a day or two in Xi'an and then we have a few days to play around with. I think it will be a good trip - we've done some research on what to see and do. Some friends have also been to Beijing and have given us advice. He flies back to Canada on the 1st and we will come back to Zhangzhou. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">At the Loft, we are still teaching the adult classes twice a week. I really like teaching my students, because it's not frustrating or disappointing. The book we have is excellent - it's current, fairly easy for the students to relate to and fun. I hope that Karen will keep it open after we leave - but that is up to her.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I've been busy selling clothes, purses, wallets, etc via Facebook - if you're on there, please add me and check out my goods - time is running out to shop!</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I've already started sending boxes home to myself - I'm shipping them via ground, so I'll see my things in two months or so. I'm trying to figure out whether or not my old job at Siemens is still available - if not, does anyone have a job for me? Hahaha. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm thinking that July 9th will be the day we leave. Fingers crossed.</span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-21888666384268111372008-10-08T17:24:00.000-07:002008-10-12T07:08:32.719-07:00May 10 2007 - Xiamen Boat Trip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ4JOQkIwPp0rRRFFMi-V7sDWvUTzoxjLz_nAvauIGIFQRyjY_Ua4dOQ_2txkIsr4rRLM4Ec_-YGMT_DT_muz3f8Y3kidOMgPtRL-LI8nJ4cOozbvSQ7Je8VsCEEMl4099yrjC8O65HM/s1600-h/IMG_5270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ4JOQkIwPp0rRRFFMi-V7sDWvUTzoxjLz_nAvauIGIFQRyjY_Ua4dOQ_2txkIsr4rRLM4Ec_-YGMT_DT_muz3f8Y3kidOMgPtRL-LI8nJ4cOozbvSQ7Je8VsCEEMl4099yrjC8O65HM/s320/IMG_5270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256269057661041890" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1955" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;">The best part of this day was meeting Luc's friend from Montreal, Mattieu (I hope I have the right spelling). </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">May 1st is a holiday in China - International Labour Day. But most of the country celebrates for a week. We went to Xiamen for the day before heading to Shanghai. Amber's friends organize an annual boat trip and she invited us. Max and I brought Catherine & Joe 2. The day was beautiful - hot and sunny. We left the dock around noon-ish and spent the afternoon chatting with new people while enjoying a few cold beers. The two boats 'parked' near an island and some people jumped in the water to cool off. The owners of the boat BBQ'd some skewers for everyone before heading back. I took a few pictures (of course) and they are posted in the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2101&l=874c0&id=517331023">photo album</a>.</span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-14078355153845949042008-10-08T17:23:00.000-07:002008-10-12T07:11:27.113-07:00May 10 2007 - Shanghai - The BIG City that makes me feel so very SMALL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeUR3IW6vks_erPHfh5sYdlVAo7mZ5I7mPZ91D5r2W-70Sbozb0R1TyIZWAKsogYrk7fjEKkJIff0ghoM8n6u8K9N1ZZAIBbuLn9XzYuFxvN9p8qg8qAtuT1OeWQIbJKF0suc2IoSI4o/s1600-h/IMG_5330.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeUR3IW6vks_erPHfh5sYdlVAo7mZ5I7mPZ91D5r2W-70Sbozb0R1TyIZWAKsogYrk7fjEKkJIff0ghoM8n6u8K9N1ZZAIBbuLn9XzYuFxvN9p8qg8qAtuT1OeWQIbJKF0suc2IoSI4o/s320/IMG_5330.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256269554849855378" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1954" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">This is definitely a city that makes you feel so small! Everything in Shanghai has been done on a BIG scale. The buildings tower over and the skyline is border-line crowded with skyscrapers. The design of the city is amazing - I thought it was fairly easy to get around, although things are VERY far apart.<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2228&l=ec6cc&id=517331023">PHOTO ALBUM</a><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">In the taxi from the airport to the hotel (we stayed in a Super 8 - NOT my idea - hahaha) we drove by an IKEA! That was our first stop the next morning. I wanted to buy EVERYTHING - I know most people have this feeling when they go to IKEA in Burlington (or wherever), but it was overwhelming here. After so much time without seeing familiar things, I wanted to bring it all back.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Shanghai is full of some really cool areas. Some are quite grand - the pedestrian mall on Nanjing Road (there's a McDonalds every 5 minutes on this road and it's also full of designer stores), People's Square - the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Grand Theatre are here, the area along The Bund - a walkway along the river with beautiful views of the buildings on the other side of the water. And some are a little smaller - we found a cool pub/bar/restaurant area. It reminded me of Hess Village in Hamilton, but much, much cooler. Lots of patio bars, candle light, live bands and so many foreigners (of course). </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">We did a lot of sight-seeing, but still didn't manage to see everything we planned. The Shanghai Museum was really interesting - I think there was 5 or 6 floors, all with different themed rooms. Old coins & paper money, traditional Chinese clothes, Ancient calligraphy, Jade, etc, etc. There was an exhibition of art from America - we saw some Andy Wharhol paintings - so cool.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">And the food - WOW. Mexican, French, American and all of the things that are not available in my city. Try living without variety for 8 months, and you can maybe know how I feel.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Shopping - we saw REAL Louis Vuitton, REAL Chanel, REAL Hermes, REAL Prada, etc. But we did not shop there - we found a fake market just down the road from the REAL stores. I bought some really nice designer bags, that even if they didn't have a name like Prada or Gucci, they would still be really nice.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">There are some downsides to such a big city, especially in China. The walkway near the water is a popular hang-out for local beggars. And they are not shy. They will come right up to you, shake their tin cup and say any English they can - "money please" and they look so sad and dirty. If you don't give them money right away, they will follow you for a few minutes. The garbage on the sidewalks & streets is ridiculous. People just throw their garbage on the ground as if it's nothing. I see this in my city too and it's worse in small villages. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I took a picture of a girl publicly urinating on the sidewalk. This happens ALL the time! My city, Hong Kong, Shanghai. I've tried to discuss it with some of my Chinese friends, but I don't think this will change anytime soon. If you want to start a business in China, please try to make diapers popular!</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Another really sad thing we saw involved an old man and a small girl. I don't know how common this sort of thing is, but everyone I tell this story to is not surprised - sometimes they come back with an even worse story. We were walking down a busy street, maybe around 8 or 9 at night. I think we were the only foreigners around. Coming towards us is an old man who is wearing really shabby clothes and is in serious need of a shower. I thought he was going to ask for money. Instead he grabbed the arm of a little girl beside him and whipped her in front of us. He continued walking and this sad dirty little girl is holding a cup in front of us and saying 'money, money'. Things like this are really hard to swallow. I've heard stories about men like this going to small villages and convincing really poor parents to sell their daughters. Then the girls are taken to other cities and forced to beg for money - or worse. I don't know what kind of help - if any - is really available in this kind of situation. It seems that many people know about, know it's wrong, but then it stops...it's this way with many things that would not be acceptable / tolerated in Canada.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">We also had some really nice local people help us around too. One taxi driver got a little lost taking us to the hotel one night, so he stopped the meter - quite surprising. Another time, we were looking at the subway map and trying to figure out where we were and which line to take (there are 4) and a girl around 20, came over to help us. We also had a conversation with a man in a wheelchair who had a scar around his head - apparently he had an accident in a factory when he was young (how young, I didn't ask). But he was really nice, told us not to shop in the expensive area and gave us some weather forecasts for the next day. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I would recommend Shanghai to anyone coming to China. Despite some of the sad things, it really is an interesting city. I posted lots of pictures in the photo album. Enjoy!<br /></span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-19038006526258957392008-10-08T17:22:00.001-07:002008-10-08T17:22:29.519-07:00Apr. 30 2007 - May Day Holiday = ANOTHER Week Off!!!<div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1648" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;">I am on holiday for ANOTHER week. The Chinese are celebrating something like our Labour Day, but for a week. No complaints here. Max and I are going to Xiamen for two days and then to Shanghai from Wednesday to Sunday. In Xiamen, we are going on a boating adventure with some other foreigners Tuesday afternoon. Then we fly out Wednesday afternoon and we're staying in a Super 8 - Max thinks this is hilarious! </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures and stories next week!</span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-37862378051081491852008-10-08T17:21:00.001-07:002008-10-12T08:40:15.938-07:00Apr. 30 2007 - Birthday Getaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75fa1dtmJS1ax-TdNwNPAC1GVphiqPiovAzBWh8cvqNVTEYVz7pfSO-JnED0HbwGnJ7XMoVxAJbJM10T3jyHBYq7OTr-at3EkefVnQlyLWzKwy29rEoCedVs2_pmEdBJl1BLnNtUamY8/s1600-h/IMG_4966.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75fa1dtmJS1ax-TdNwNPAC1GVphiqPiovAzBWh8cvqNVTEYVz7pfSO-JnED0HbwGnJ7XMoVxAJbJM10T3jyHBYq7OTr-at3EkefVnQlyLWzKwy29rEoCedVs2_pmEdBJl1BLnNtUamY8/s320/IMG_4966.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256292402183569442" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1647" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1852&l=80914&id=517331023">Sanya</a> is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I've been...in China! The beaches are so clean, the water is really clear, the hotels are enormous, but nothing was busy or crowded. We didn't run into any pushy or rude tourists. Many people thought we were Russian. Apparently Sanya is a hot spot for Russian tourists. A lot of the restaurant signs and menus, etc are printed in Chinese and Russian. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful. We met a taxi driver who drove us around for next to nothing. He took us to two tourist spots (one related to the history of the Hainan people and another was a hot spring resort) for about rmb 20 total. The hotel staff told us that each stop should be about rmb 150 - so we were very happy with our driver. He didn't speak any English, so Max spoke Chinese to him. I could follow some of the conversation, but I'm not at the level of participating quite yet.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">The hot springs had many different types of pools. There was one full of fish. I put my feet in and a bunch of fish come over and start eating away the dry/dead skin. It felt something like when a cat with a salty tongue licks your finger...but much more intense. I couldn't leave my feet in for very long. But some people were sitting in the pool.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot of the Chinese tourists seemed to have adapted a uniform - Hawaiian print tops & bottoms. We took more than a few pictures of these groups. But we couldn't bring ourselves to join in the trend. Maybe next time!</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">We hung out at our pool a lot, did some sightseeing, went to the beach and ate a lot of great food! </span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-8012760692193048262008-10-08T17:20:00.000-07:002008-10-08T17:21:09.912-07:00Apr. 10 2007 - I'd like to forget about getting OLDER<div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1637" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;">So to help with that, Max is taking me on a mini-vacation for 4 days. We are going to Hainan Province and staying in the city of Sanya.</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.sanyatravelguide.com/">http://www.sanyatravelguide.com</a></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Here are some links to the hotel we are staying at:</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=450">http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=450</a></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://resortgp.com/index.htm">http://resortgp.com/index.htm</a></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">According to the weather forecast, it will be mostly sunny and close to 30 while we're there! Keep your fingers crossed that I come back tanned!!!!</span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341343717330306060.post-88908766696027745602008-10-08T17:18:00.000-07:002008-10-12T07:39:11.146-07:00Apr. 10 2007 - Great Seats for Women's Olympic Volleyball Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D9VEAWtzZ3IZvazYbUFGruWPttUujkSOddT3zZ_EJbtvnEtiF6zmj2Vduiw_G3wubqQEUO78wkEryiC5ROtGABJYzWiXdHLCMuoq0Gc435mEi752xiYxtcSI-dvYrix3wSDFJ0XWtSA/s1600-h/IMG_4851.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D9VEAWtzZ3IZvazYbUFGruWPttUujkSOddT3zZ_EJbtvnEtiF6zmj2Vduiw_G3wubqQEUO78wkEryiC5ROtGABJYzWiXdHLCMuoq0Gc435mEi752xiYxtcSI-dvYrix3wSDFJ0XWtSA/s320/IMG_4851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256276927155602722" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="msgcns!4EC681E1CDD26571!1636" class="bvMsg"><div><span style="font-size:100%;">Yesterday, Max & I went to see China's Olympic Women's Volleyball team. Max was given free tickets from a guy he plays basketball with. The women played against the local men's team in the sports facility near my university. Our seats were up in the stands, but there were a few rows of seats courtside. As we were discussing how cool it would be to sit on the floor, I noticed one of my students from the Loft. I sent her a text saying "I CAN SEE YOU". Soon enough, she came up to where we were sitting. Lynda was there with her brother - they also had free tickets to the game and also to a huge lunch at the Zhangzhou Hotel. There were some empty seats on the floor, so Lynda took us down and the next thing we know, we're sitting in the front row courtside, just a few feet from the game! It was so cool! The men's team won the first game and the women won the second. They only played half of the 3rd game - I think it's because it was 11:30 and that's lunch time in China! We didn't get to meet the team (damn it) but it was still fun to watch and be that close to the action! The coach is from just outside of Zhangzhou, so he's something of a local celebrity (of course). After the game, Lynda & her brother took us to the hotel for a free buffet lunch. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">What a great Monday!<br /></span></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08764809942497561528noreply@blogger.com0