happy thanksgiving!

even though today was just another normal work day for me and i wasn't able to celebrate thanksgiving like i always have, it was a special day. i went to eat dinner at moonriver diner (it's pretty much the only place in all of china to get a dr. pepper!) and had a "traditional" thanksgiving dinner with some close friends. we enjoyed our dinner and just sat around talking about all the things we are truly thankful for. one thing we all agreed on is that we are thankful that Father is sovereign and has specific plans for all of us. even though sometimes, well, most of the time, we can't see or understand what His plans are, we can continue to walk in faith and trust Him to fulfill the promises He's given us. it's hard being away from everything that is familiar...family, friends, culture, food, language...but it 's comforting knowing that no matter where we are, He always holds us in His hands!

me, audra, russ, and melinda

mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes,
cranberry sauce, turkey, and gravy...all piled up.
it doesn't look very good, but it sure tasted yummy!

(i added more pictures here)

running

i ran 1.75 miles tonight!! i know, it doesn't sound like much, but i really haven't done much running since i played soccer at dbu...3 years ago...wow, that was a long time ago! anyway, next time i'm gonna make it a whole 2 miles...not that i know i can do it! it has been refreshing to be running again. i never really want to run, but i'm always glad that i did when i've done it. hopefully i will be able to keep this up. i know this isn't too exciting or "adventuresome" but ya'll wanted to know what i do here...so here it is.

oh yeah, it's almost thanksgiving...i gotta find some turkey...

lost in translation

i decided to get my haircut last night...i know, it's a big risk when you don't speak the same language as the guy with the scissors. but, i thought i had that covered when i asked my Chinese friend Alice to translate for me. i explained to her that i wanted to keep my hair the same length and just add a few layers. so, after my hairwash and massage i sat down in the chair and closed my eyes. when i opened them again i was a little bit surprised...but i guess i shouldn't have been. it looked as if the hair dresser just took a pair of scissors and started cutting wherever he felt like it! anyway, now my hair is much shorter than i would have liked it and there are random pieces sticking out all over. i guess the explanation i gave to my friend to give to the hair dresser got a little bit mixed up. so, i'll be wearing my hair up for the next few months until it grows out! next time i'm gonna bring a picture...i guess they really are worth a thousand words...and bilingual too! :)

*EDIT*
Sorry...no pictures this time. Maybe in a few weeks...

still here :)

hey everybody!! yes, i'm still alive! i've been having some computer and internet problems lately so i haven't been able to update, but i think that they're all fixed...for now at least. in china, you just never know when they will decide to block websites. anyway, nothing too unordinary has happened the last few weeks. i've just been working and hanging out. i can't believe it's november already! where has the time gone?? anyway, leave me a comment and let me know what you've been up to...or send me an email...i always love hearing about what's going on back home!