You know, this image isn’t about growing. It isn’t about changing. Nothing too deep.
This is just my attempt to make something better.
The process of refinement.
The voyage toward new possibilities.
Starting with the realization that you always have room to grow, to change, and to think deeper.
While We were on errands around our neighborhood a few days ago we came across this small vender selling some traditional Chinese Flat Bread. Since so many people were waiting for this toasty snack we figured it must be good. So we “placed” our order, paid about 20¢, and enjoyed this salty treat on our way back home!
Living in China leaves you with so many new experiences, discovering new foods is one of the major adventures I have found while living here. You can buy flat bread, fruit, popcorn, or even Cotten Candy while walking down the road on a nice evening. I have gotten to discover so much from living in China, it is definitely a blessing being able to live in this foreign place.
I have enjoyed getting to know a new special friend during this spring semester. She and her family moved from Malaysia late last fall. They have three sweet children, one in Maddie’s class and two younger. Our families often get together on Sunday afternoons. Megan enjoys playing with the two younger children, Maddie hangs out with her friend, and Sean and I share life together with Sharon and her husband. Living in China as expatriates can be both challenging and rewarding. The biggest rewards come with forming new relationships.
I felt a mixture of nostalgia and embarrassment as I went through my middle school sketchbook yesterday. But in some ways these forgotten ideas and simple sketches have the power of suggestion for the future.
It is powerful to review the old and make revisions.
But it’s also powerful to realize, maybe some things in the past should be left there.
As we close a chapter on another school year, there will be some changes in the office at school where mom works. She has been so blessed to co-labor with a Chinese American lady who grew up in Nanjing, China, in very difficult living conditions. In my World History class this semester, Mrs. Kimmel was a guest lecturer for one of my class periods. I learned from her about many sad things that happened in the course of Mrs. Kimmel’s childhood. In God’s great providence, Mrs. Kimmel married an American man and moved to the US in the late 1980’s. She and her husband became Christians, and after 17 years of living in America, felt a calling to return to her homeland of China. She is a remarkable woman of faith and perseverance. Here is a picture of my mom with Mrs. Kimmel, she is the one wearing glasses. Other ladies pictured are Korean liason/translators and our Chinese school Registrar.
As I just ended my first year of Architecture, I wanted to just show a few pages from my portfolio. Below are some selected pages that I felt personally were interesting.
For more portfolio goodness, check out my full Fall Semester and Spring Semester portfolios.
Reporting from Texas here: I am having a hard time believing that I’m actually back in America again after two years! When I returned I discovered that my grandmother had her cave-of-a-laundry-room transformed into a delightfully styled one! I was so inspired with the style and all the individual pieces that I just had to share some of the pictures!
1. A adorable Spoon Fork painting that my grandmother found at a antique market (antique markets have some serious hidden treasures!)
2. A framed vintage paper doll – one of five framed in her laundry room. Love it!
3. A little wooden desk with a slide up cover
4. (Just had to take a picture of this) Uniquely shaped wooden light switch cover (none of that cheapy plastic stuff!)
5. A little straw hat that was hiding behind the door
6. Old wicker basket
Since coming to China, I’ve been eating like crazy.
Here are some foods you MUST try:
Korean:
Korean BBQ Pork. Not quite barbecue at all, more like deep fried heaven. With a side of sweet and sour sause.
Kimchi. My favorite korean vegetable. The spicier, the better!
Korean appetizers. An assortment of all the best, and you don’t even have to pay for them, Korean service win.
Chinese:
Chinese “Zongzi”. Bamboo leaf rice dumpling. Filled with all kinds of surprises.
Soup Dumplings “Xiaolongbao”. Traditional dumpling with a twist. Caution: the soup you are about to drink is extremely hot!
Western.
Pastries. Who doesn’t love brownies, cheesecake and eclares.
Blended Coffee Drink at Coffee Factory. Best cold coffee drink I’ve tasted in a while. Maybe the best ever.
Cappuccino. Frothy goodness. Add a pack of sugar for the perfect balance of espresso and sweet.
The dreaded week of final exams has begun. Final Exams week is almost here and I’m sure everyone will agree that the weekend before the “battle” is always the worst. I woke up somewhat late this Saturday morning and started studying. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought that I only have to get past these 4 days of torture and then I’ll be on my way to America! Family, good food, green grass, outdoor swimming pools… the list is endless! There are no words to express just how excited I am to see my relatives as well. But for now, I better stop thinking about that and start focusing on school work… Wish me luck on my finals!
Sources: From Ignant
Sunglasses add a whole new aspect to an outfit that are not only useful but can be totally stylish if you wear them right. Unfortunately, last week on my Spring Trip I didn’t have any sunglasses (pictures of my adventures coming soon!) and I will admit it did get a little sunny at times. So with the summer season around the corner, shopping for some new sunglasses isn’t a bad idea. Although sometimes they can get pricey, sunglasses can be your best friend! Personally, I adore the Red Apple Sunglasses from Mod Cloth (#4) because they are so creative – and to tell you the truth I am not one for small lensed sunglasses – so these are perfect for me! Hope you’re summer is starting off fabulously with beautiful a pair of sunglasses!
Sources: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight