This and that

It's been a pretty quite week. Last Monday it was a little nicer weather and we decided to go exploring a little more. We took abut a 30 min bus ride and went to, what I think is called, the Ancient town of Hexia. Basically it's a little suburb here in Huai'an. It had old cobble stone streets that weren't very wide at all and they seemed to go on forever, maybe a couple of miles really. These are the only pictures that we took. BUT we will go back in the spring and there are gardens there that will be gorgeous! There were a lot of signs that showed names of plants/flowers and their medicinal properties, which Jami REALLY enjoyed.

Looking up the street...

...looking the other way on the street and it keeps going and going and going...

 Afterwards we treated ourselves to a little of Papa Johns! It was so good and they were not stingy with the Cheese! Oh, sweet cheese! how we have missed you!

Some Papa Johns action

Something that we found that we really enjoy getting is this bread that is made and baked in this huge barrel. You have to get in line and then wait and wait. There are always people there, but it's worth the wait.

Big barrel of bread

Finished bread

Here's a picture of the BBQ stand that we feel has the best BBQ meat and this is at the top of our street.

Some skewered BBQ meat 

This week we taught about gardens and growing up and on Saturday we combined the classes and the girls (Sue and Lynn) put together videos and pictures of all the kids as babies and growing up. It was fun to see all the kids as babies and to show them how much they have grown so far.

Jami teaching about growing up

Grandma Collins these baby photos are for you! We know how much you love oriental babies.

Juju as a baby

Juju getting older

Juju almost all grown up!

Mike growing

On the way to the Ideal Kindergarten we came across these neat little security cars. The apartment complex around the school must have just gotten 'em. Now we can rest easy with the men in uniform cruising around in these.

Bad boys, bad boys whatcha go'in do? Whatcha go'in to do when they come for you!?

Jami's Wondering Thoughts:I remember my first steps onto the plane to embark on what would be the beginning of an adventure of a lifetime. I wasn’t just heading to China, I was daring to live the life I have always known I was born for. I had the support of my family, My hub and sons with me, a suitcase and hope. I wasn’t scared or nervous. I was set free. I have a blessed life. I left a beautiful home with wonderful neighbors in a cozy little town. My home was just the way I wanted it. My garden was something I was proud of and that constantly surprised me and filled me with gratitude with its abundance. I am blessed. Then why did I feel fidgety and restless? I felt like I was in another’s shoes. I had the perfect life, but it was someone else’s dream. My dream has always been more adventurous, messy and unstable. All words that cause eyebrows to lift and questioning looks.

I will start to write little snippets of…well, life here in China. You’ve gotten pictures but I’d like to share a little deeper side. On the surface China is crazy different. Under the surface it is…still crazy different. I had to keep digging to find some similarities. We have been warmly welcomed by all. The Chinese, those that I have met, are kind and generous. I have come to appreciate and look forward to their warmth. One of the big differences is……..drum roll….DOGS!

I remember watching 101 Dalmatians and laughing at the part where all the owners and their dogs look alike. As Jared and I were walking home from class I had an epiphany. In America we have hundreds of types of dogs. I have seen a plethora of breeds and everyone I meet practically has a new mix or a mutt. Americans will spend large sums of money on “pure breeds”. However, in China there is one dominant animal…the brown poodle. Yes, we’ve seen a Lassie dog here or there and one or two other types but it’s THE BROWN POODLE that dominates our sidewalks.

And so it is…In America, with all its diversity of races and mixing of blood, one would hardly look in the direction, let alone stare at and take pictures, of someone NOT of their race. Here in China where Asians and brown poodles dominate we are the one’s getting stared at, approached for pictures or are the victims of stealth photography…Yeah, we know you’re there. It’s okay as long as you get my thin side.

We laugh constantly about this. WE ARE FAMOUS! Disappointingly, all fame is NOT followed by fortune.

Stay tuned for next week…There’s so much more to come! PS They LOVE to dress them up...

Below you will find pictures of THE BROWN POODLE and CHINESE CAUGHT ON CAMERA...

 You get my point....Right?