Playing Favorites - Part Deux

Celebrating the May 1st holiday with a game of Mahjong.


Love these girls. Last May the Olympic Torch passed through the city and all of Suzhou came out to see it.

One of the many sculptures scattered throughout SIP (Suzhou Industrial Park).

Klynt snapped this last summer while visiting the great state of California.

We also spent some time in the Sequoia National Forest. The Sequoias are giants. Their size reconfirms just how small and insignificant we really are in the grand scheme of things.

Me love you long time!

My Fidel!

Two weeks on the tropical Hawaiian island of Oahu. Need I say more?

Christmas 2008. This photo oozes cheese but I love it!

The city of Suzhou will always be grateful to Trent Smith for his heroic efforts in saving this historical landmark.

Street art in Shanghai.

Hall and Alice singing a duet. Karaoke is very popular in China

Bowling is what we do best (not really). We had a blast though.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year. A few of Klynt's co-workers did a little dance - hilarious.

The Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an - souvenir version of course.

I enjoyed showing my sister around Suzhou.

This photo is one of my absolute favorites; even if the Balinese girls are laughing at us. Nice work Klynt. :)

SSCAC - The Suzhou Science and Cultural Arts Center is one of the most unique buildings in the city (in my humble opinion).

What can I say? I'm easily entertained.

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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Local Victuals

While it’s not kettle corn, pronto pups, elephant ears, cotton candy or freshly squeezed lemonade; it is China’s rendition of street/festival type food.

Nothing says summer quite like a fish on a stick. ;)

Boy with Flowers = Girl with Smile

*****

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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This Expat Wishes You a Happy 4th!

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.

-Woody Guthrie-