Oh My Lotus!

Good grief. Getting up close and personal with a lotus blossom is no easy task. Early morning arrival is always a good idea; soft lighting is definitely a bonus. Of course you don't want to get up too early 'cause our flower friend is slow to wake up. They live in a mud "puddle". Supposedly the pods taste good, and if they are within reach, will be carted home for dinner. Fortunately, this blossom went undetected.

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Boy with Flowers = Girl with Smile

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I’ll have a Whopper Jr. w/ Fries and a Coke Please

The skies cleared momentarily and were blue. The sun was shining. There were no conference calls to be made or reports that needed to be sent. We had a bit of free time, and a craving - a big craving, for something juicy and flame broiled. Rumor had it there was a new burger joint in town. It was said to be located on the other side of the lake in the new Times Square Shopping Center. Within minutes we flagged down a taxi and were on our way; windows down, hair blowing in the breeze, and a Chinese tune on the radio. I didn’t know the words but the melody was catchy and I hummed along. Now the details of the actual meal are sketchy at best. I remember opening the door and what happened after that is really anybody’s guess. This I know for sure: when we exited the restaurant and stepped out into a wave of humidity, our stomachs were full and we were content. With dinner over in five minutes flat, Klynt suggested we survey The Square, and so we did.

This photo’s a little blurry, but I’m standing near the Expo Center, designed to look like the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

I have an announcement. Uncle and Aunt (that would be us), now have 26 nieces and nephews, thanks to the recent arrival of Jack and Kami’s (Klynt’s sister) little Elijah. Of course in January, thanks to Kaleb (Klynt’s brother) and Whitney’s extracurricular activities, the count will be at 27. My guess is half of them (the nieces and nephews) don’t even know who we are, and the other half that do, are trying to forget. Anyway, I thought it was pretty exciting, and worth a mention.

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Perspective

You say, “Mmm fresh fruit.” I say, “Mmm natural laxative.”

Your Vote Counts!

This is me. It’s been exactly two weeks since my most recent haircut. I asked the stylist to cut my bangs on an angle. Wow. I guess I should just be happy to still have bangs. Klynt tries to tell me that a bag over my head isn’t necessary when we’re out in public, but I’m not convinced. Does anyone else think I look like a Shetland pony?

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BLOCKED

It looks like my days of freely posting on my blog are done. Blogger has been blocked. I’ve attempted to log in everyday since returning from our tropical getaway, but with no luck. No luck at all. From now on, it will take a little more effort on my part. I will be forced to follow Klynt to work every now and then and hi-jack his laptop. Don’t worry, he has his own computer. The poor man will still be able to work. So that’s that.

Bali or Bust

The husband and I are headed to Bali today. I just wanted to say goodbye. I’ll be back in a week. Hopefully with a tan! Here’s a picture for you to look at while I’m gone. :)

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The Topless Bus

The topless bus costs 2 RMB and takes you on a 1/2 hour jaunt around Jin-Ji Lake. In case you were wondering, the bus is topless, not the passengers. ;)

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Foot Fetish

Klynt gets the biggest kick out of Chinese footwear. I know, the poor guy doesn’t get out much. Anyway, here are a few of the photos he snapped while I was immensely enjoying a chocolate sundae.

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Green Grass, Blue Sky and Sunshine

Now that’s not a shabby way to kick off the weekend; is it? May 1st was the beginning of a national holiday here in China. On Friday Klynt managed to skip out of work early, so we hopped on the scooter, headed down to the park and found a nice shaded spot to sit back, chat and watch the kites. Everyone seemed to be in celebratory mode, and the city was busy with people.

04.27.09

These were snapped early this morning on the way to Starbucks. It’s hard to be grumpy with the sun shining so brightly, and the promise of a latte!

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Pile O' Pansies

Move over Pansies, it’s time to make way for the summer Petunias! Crews throughout the city have been busy-as little bees uprooting the flowers and replacing them with something a little more heat-hardy; just in time for the upcoming meltdown. Blaaahck!

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Noteworthy

In a few short hours I will be off to the airport to pick up my little Sis and our good friend Trent. I’m really looking forward to their visit. Let me try that again. I am really, REALLY looking forward to their visit! Better. While Trent was here over the holidays, it will be Jena’s first trip to China. I can’t wait to show her around Suzhou and give her a sample of what life’s been like for Klynt and me over the past two years. I realize the upcoming days are going to fly by and we’ll be wishing for more time, but I am ever so thankful for the following weeks ahead.

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Welcome Spring

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
~Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

Chinese + English = Chinglish

I got a kick out of reading some of the signs we came across over the weekend, and thought you might too.

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Therefore we did.

Please watch for falling rocks. Will do.

Just how exactly would you go about lighting a candle with smoke? I didn’t get a photo of the next sign but it said “No burning.” You just can’t win.


A nice little warning.

I love this one!

Yes we do.

No gawkers! Stop and have a look or please keep movin’!

If the light is on, the toilet is in use. If the light is off, come on in. Klynt had to explain this one to me.

No Flash?

The shower in our hotel room posted this friendly little reminder.

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