1. On Friday after writing about Compassion International kids, I received this from one of my favorite kids, my youngest niece.
I miss you too dearie!
2. A colleauge blogged the following:
Today we got this email from the Foreign Affairs Office:
“Dear colleagues,
There are many snakes in the campus recently. During the last two weeks, two students were bitten. So please take more attention.
Have a good day!” Keep reading to learn how many snakes were recently released :) … oh China, I love your randomness!
3. Rode a train this week that went 292 km/h (or 181 mph).
4. Reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and enjoying it. I will say it’s getting a bit long and drawn out, but you know, that’s probably how WWII felt to those who lived it!
5. Got to climb up a church bell tower with my friend who is researching church bells in China. We saw a bell from 1867 that is still rung every Sunday morning! Let me repeat, the bell is from 1867! Think of what was going on around the world at that time. Seeing the bell was a powerful reminder/symbol of how VAST and GREAT and AMAZING and INDESTRUCTIBLE the church is.
6. I was given my first moon cake of the season yesterday. I know they are the kind of thing many people roll their eyes at, but I love them (not the ones without egg yolks in the middle, those give me the shivers!).
Any random news from your neck of the woods? Amy
I’d like to share a few small slices:
1. I was able to choose, buy, have delivered, put together, and sleep in a bed from Ikea. No more sleeping on the floor.
2. I’m blessed to be able to be teaching kids again. Although I must admit I feel almost like a first year teacher getting used to the curriculum and making the best use of resources.
3. I’ve enjoyed learning how to get around what will be my neighborhood for the next 10 months. I particularly like trying to buy things with practically no Chinese and taking walks. My Saturday (late morning) walk along the canal was a great escape.
4. Getting to know new people.
Thanks for letting us taste a few of your slices. The one about the bell was especially encouraging to me! Most often it’s the little things in life that bring us the deepest pleasures.
And thanks for sharing a bit of what’s going on in your world …and I love the order. A good bed. Yes, must start there :)
Missing mooncakes! Glad I’m not hiking on Nan Shan with all those snakes!
Yes and Yes! I’d love to have been a fly on the wall as it was decided to release that many poisonous snakes. There is obviously something I am missing :)
haha, glad you enjoyed the story and thanks for the mention! You should resurrect the story you wrote on Joann’s blog about the red hats!
Oh good call!! And your post was the most delightful one I read all last week! I LOVED it!
You got mooncakes!!! I have found real chocolate chip cookies over here. How does tradies sound? :)
DEAL!!
Randomness:
1. I received pumpkin bread from a stranger today.
2. I learned that Colorado has a DMV and Indiana has a BMV.
3. I bought three pumpkin spice products last week (latte, hershey kisses, and a candle).
4. Twice, I was stuck in line behind people expressing their doubts about Peyton Manning and then was driving behind a Patriots fan.
5. I would love to get a moon cake.
BMV?! I’ve only heard of DMV’s :). And all the pumpkin stuff sounds lovely! Are you still an Indy fan? I’d totally understand if you are!
Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) – I am still an Indy fan…we just need a couple rebuilding years! However, I have decided I can cheer for the Colts and the Broncos while remaining loyal to my roots. But the Colts will always be 1st in my heart.
I’m going to have to go google moon cake now, and that is a really fast train!
The moon festival is August 15th of the lunar calendar (this year, I think it’s September 30th) and everyone gets together to eat moon cakes and look at the moon — it’s kind of like Thanksgiving in that it’s a holiday where you are with your family and thankful. The idea is that even if you’re not with your family, you’re united by looking at the same moon. Moon cakes have a similar reputation to Christmas fruit cakes :)
The title of your post drew me in and I love your *random* creativity with the post. The bell tower, that is so amazing and thought provoking. Nice to visit with you sweet Amy, your life is so inspiring.
Thanks Shelly!