Dinner

I will apologize ahead of time for the lack of pictures... we don't get wireless here and I am using a school computer. Possibly on Sunday I will delight your visual senses with some pictures.

 

I just have a few notes on eating here in China. First of all, I would hate to be the bus boy at restaurants here. It's customary (can't think of a better word) to put whatever you want on the floor; garbage, leftovers, spit, etc. Gross. I had the hardest time letting my chopsticks wrapper fall to the floor, I was just waiting for someone to scold me. Second of all, I love being the guest here, I mean, REALLY love going to dinner where they insist that I try some of this, or some of that 'it's delicious!' or have the honor of eating the chicken head (that was Matt's duty tonight, poor guy).

 

Last but not least, I have discovered the secret weapon for picky eaters in China! I have the great talent of being able to swallow big things whole (like jello squares, dry swallowing multiple pills)... people mocked me in the past, but I'm pretty sure right now it is the most useful skill I have. I don't like lots of things because of their texture (weird, I know) so sometimes I don't mind the flavor, but I hate chewing it. Hence, the swallowing. Our liaison insisted that I try the Chinese tofu and fish last night (not a big fish eater) so I cut it up into pieces, stuck it in my mouth and swallowed, then I finished it off with our Nutri-Express (apple flavored milk instead of tea). Perfect.

 

So word to the wise picky eater, practice now... and you can eat anything they throw at you here.

 

And just a quick PS, I don't hate living in China, I just want to remember all the little things that I think are weird now, since I will probably come back a public spitter myself. I may even follow after the small children here and walk around pantie-less with a big hole in my pants so I can pee wherever I feel the urge.

I want my mommy!

And a big fatty chocolate chip cookie.

 

And a shower that has a shower curtain.

 

And a whole list of other things...

 

and I've only been here for a week. Does living abroad get easier? I am desperately homesick. All the stuff we did right before we left the US seems like another lifetime.

 

*just a side note, yesterday I ate pig's blood (all clotted up so it looked like jello squares) and pig ear. Then, on the way to our city, we ate at a place that reminded me of the O'Teals cabin on Christy (if you have seen that show) and they literally served us a WHOLE chicken in a bowl of broth. And I didn't even notice until everyone had eaten all the meat and just the little footsies poked out and the head was looking at me. Dong'an is a far cry from Beijing.

The Great Wall

You can't really describe the Great Wall... it was just great. The hike up was crazy steep, so I look terrible in all of the pictures (the humidity here is horrible, especially for a desert dwelling person such as myself). But it was really fun, and Matt and I literally helped to rebuild the Wall. We went up past were we were allowed to and there were some workers there and they let us help them out for a bit, it was sweet!

We are ALIVE!

We are here in China! And we just finished touring Beijing, which was AWESOME! I have so much to say, but the way that I have to blog is emailing my blog, so the pictures and everything will probably be weird... but I know that it works! Also, I do have google reader! But... I don't have pictures. So, the solution to this is for all of you to add me to your email list (settings-email and mobile- and then add me to that list that sends me your posts whenever you write them!) I really do want to hear from all of you! So, if you want me to see your pictures, add my email (kristalthepistol@gmail.com).

 

And I am just about to blog a boat-load of stuff, and probably in seperate posts, just for all of your sanity. We are super excited to live here, but I already miss America! (we are soooo spoiled in the States)

We are in love... haven't you heard?

I love my sugar! And today, we have been married for two. whole. years. and I am still more in love with Matt than the day I married him! We have had some awesome adventures so far, and we are starting our craziest adventure tomorrow! I love you Matty!

Skype

Matt and I are crossing our fingers that Skype will work in China. From what I understand it's a free internet communication thingy majig. I thought it was only for video but you can use it just like a telephone too if you just have a microphone. So, if this works, it will be our primary means of communication with the outside world. Anyone else have skype? Because if you do I will add you on there so we can video chat! Just let me know your skype name or the email address you used to set it up.

PS.  Our skype username is mattandkristal if you want to add us!  

Panda Juice and Pirate Milk

Matt and I are livin' it up in Vegas right now! We are here visiting our good friends the Smith's who we knew from the Burg. Sweet action right? They are pretty cool friends, since today they are letting me tag along to a wedding that they are doing photography for so I can get some practice! Wish me luck!

P.S. I highlighted my hair so I could be a six foot tall, blonde haired, blue eyed American in China! Wonderful huh?

P.P.S. Practically the entire content of the internet is blocked in China... so if you want to stay in contact I need your email! Hopefully I will be able to blog(via my mom) but who knows, soooo basically, I need to have people's emails written down on paper in my little hand before we leave, because we aren't sure if any of our email accounts are going to work!

You can't handle the truth...

I want to remember this link. And I'm sorry, but I can't post the reasons why I want to remember it on the world wide web. Check it out if you want... but really, it's not that exciting. And, if you must know, I will tell you in the privacy of an email or telephone call.
And since I don't like posting without pictures, here is a lovely one from the same time period in which that link gained significance.

Everyone have a lovely day! (And I would apologize for using this blog as an online storage bin, but hey, it's my blog...:)

Just another day in Paradise...

Matt and I are currently chilling and relaxing in Paradise, CA with his parents and my little brother Mitch (random, I know, but he really likes the Carter's so we brought him along). Anyways... I have been meaning to post forever about some pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. So, here goes.

Baby Boston is my cousin Jennifer's babe, and he is sooo cute! We had to dress him up like a cowboy of course... since Jenn is from Texas.
My fabulous sister-in-law Liv:


And a few family pictures with Scott, Liv, Syd and Berto.