EDITH...HIKING TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD...GIRLS WITH BEARDS... AND A BROKEN TOILET

I bought a bike….her name is Edith.  We have already spent so much time together  :D  I was completely terrified to buy one at first as the bikes ride alongside the cars...crossing the big intersections especially scared me….but the guys talked us into it and I am so happy I did!  The first day we went on this huge biking adventure up to a large bridge across the river.  We hit a round-about and you literally have to just go with the cars! Ai-ya!  I waited and thought it was clear so I headed out.  Everything was going smoothly until I heard a brake screech and saw the car stopped a foot away from me!  Just a little scary, but I can proudly say that I am much more Asian when I bike now and have been free of close car encounters for a time!  We biked out to an island and I suddenly found myself riding against traffic on a four lane freeway!!  It was one of those moments where I just stopped and realized here I am in China…riding my bike…against traffic…on a freeway…..  Life is going to seem so boring next semester!  On the island, we were able to see more of the country and the quieter life people live out there.  On one of our bike adventures, we passed these brand new skyscraper apartments that were right next to old, worn-down, tiny square homes.  That is China….the old and the new right next to each other.  It is so interesting to see these great differences in people’s lives here.  Having a bike has helped me to see so much more of the city and get to know the city a lot better.  I love Edith! :-) 

We took a weekend trip to Huangshan, (Yellow Mountain).  It is one of the largest mountains in China and one of the most beautiful places I have seen!  We had the option of hiking up the mountain or taking a tram and then hiking down.  About eight of us decided to attempt the hike up.  It was stairs and stairs with sweaty red faces and burning calves, but so beautiful!  It was the first time we were actually able to see Fall since we have been here!  At the top, we met up with the rest of the group and hiked even higher.  We literally had to climb with our hands and feet as we cut through little crevices, but the view was to die for!  I literally felt like I was on top of the world!  Another “Aaaaa” moment where you feel like you can accomplish anything, go anywhere, fulfill all of your dreams.   Looking out over the clouds, I couldn’t help but feel an immense gratitude for God’s creations.  What an absolutely beautiful world we live in and how I yearn to see all of it!  Huangshan was also the place where I first realized I would never want to be a celebrity.  I was sitting there all gross from hiking, when this cute Chinese college-aged girl asked me to be in a photo with her.  One was ok, but then a huge group of 30 or so showed up and one by one wanted a picture with me!  It was insane!!  My group was just laughing and enjoying the entertainment as I kept trying to sneak away!  It was just cookoo!!  Do they not know that they can see a million blondes if they come to the U.S.

As facial hair is generally not allowed at BYU, the guys have taken full advantage of their ability to grow it now.  The guys all started on their own little scrubby beards, mustaches, or other designs.  The girls decided we didn't want to feel left out and to make a statement of our own.  We decided to show up to class with our own drawn on "facial hair."

So I can now say I grew my first beard in China! ;D Living in China sometimes makes you grateful for the simple things in life.  Our 7 girl apartment has been wonderful, no drama, constant laughing, and best of friends.  Our little tiny bathroom has been working out surprisingly well…until a few weeks ago.  Our toilet has always had a little leak, which requires shoes in the bathroom at all times, so we put in a new pipe.  Turns out that kind of messed up the flushing mechanism so we had to tie floss to the drain so you could pull it to flush.  That lasted a few hours until the floss ripped.  So now we just stick our hands down the tank, pull up the drain clog, let the water fill with a little mini old faithful geyser, and it is just like a real flushing toilet! :P Never again will I take a flushing toilet for granted!  Just as if our little bathroom couldn’t get any worse, our little shower head decided to pop right off….now we use a little tube to shower that acts like a flying snake if you let it go! Taha  I am finding living in China has really taught me to enjoy the simple things in life…such as cheese!  I feel that I am not just learning the language here, but so much about China, life, people, and myself.  :-)

The Long Train To (and From) Shanghai

A couple of the girls in our group and I really wanted to attend a District Conference in Shanghai, but did not want to pay a lot for tickets.  We ended up finding pretty cheap tickets for the slow train and decided to do it.  We didn’t even know for sure how long it would take us to get to Shanghai, but just knew everything was better than a 24hr train :P  The train ride there actually really was not bad!  You sit straight across from people with 5 people surrounding each table. Becca and I were at our own table with three other Chinese people.  The train became more and more crowded as people stood in the aisles, but there were two college students who spoke a little English.  We tried to speak Chinese when we could and then they helped us if we didn’t understand what someone was asking us.  We were attempting to do our homework on the train and it was so great because the people around us helped us do it!  They were so fascinated by these two white girls studying Chinese and they were very willing to help us.  As I was sitting there writing Chinese, surrounded by Chinese people on a train in China…..it felt like the complete epitome of all of my Chinese studying!!  I just couldn’t believe the scenario I was experiencing!  There was this really cute guy sitting across from us and we taught him how to play the “Dot Game.”  He asked us if that was like the real name and we kind of chuckled as we realized it really didn’t have a better name.  The guy next to him kept helping him and people were getting into it.  The train ride ended up being just over 4 hours and we arrived in Shanghai just after 6 p.m.  I rode my first Chinese subway, which reminded me of the D.C. Metro.  Some of the stops were completely stuffed full and luckily my chubby back-pack took up a little space.  Shanghai is an amazing city!!  We were going crazy as we were driving through the downtown area with lit-up skyscraper buildings!  It is kind of a cross between NY, D.C., and Vegas…but times three!!  It was also not nearly as humid and the air was more clear and fresh as it was near the coast.  

So the people we stayed with, the Parkinsons, are the most wonderful people!  Bro. Parkinson is the 1^st Counselor in the District Presidency so he had been to our branch a couple weeks before to set up some callings.  They are going on their fourth year living in Shanghai.  They are originally from the Detroit area I believe and Bro. Parkinson is the GM designer, as in he designs and draws all of the cars, for GM’s Asian department.  Sis. Parkinson is one of those people who just lights up a room with her smile, is very friendly to everyone, and is just a very welcoming person.  I could honestly live in Shanghai for years if I lived where they live!  It is this beautiful apartment/condo community outside the busy area of Shanghai.  It feels like you are in Europe as you walk down the streets lined with trees and street lamps.  They live in a two-story apartment and if felt just like a home!....a beautiful grand piano, white couches, wood floors and doors, a completely modern kitchen, and a beautiful dining table.  They have guests a lot so they had these bunk-beds made that are double sized mattresses on both the top and the bottom.  They were so comfy to sleep in and I totally want to make them for my house one day!  It was so homey with family pictures everywhere and the Proclamation to the Family on the wall.  We all about passed out as her daughter pulled out sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, tortillas, and cheese!! for us to make tacos with!  We had not seen that much American food the whole time we have been here!  I guess because there are so many foreigners living in that area, there is a large imported foods store so you can find tons of American foods!  It was the most delicious meal and we all could not get over it!  Some of the boys in our group, had called us and asked if we wanted to meet them at “The Bun.”  This place is across the bay from the skyscrapers and the needle so it gives you a perfect view of that part of the city!  It is also an old-fashioned, classy district with European architecture.  It was soooo much fun though!  We started a jumping picture phenomenon with the group so we totally had to take some there too! There were tons of people around and some Asians even tried to take some jumping pictures of their own after watching us.  We just walked up and down taking pictures all night with the city back-drop.  I love the historic China, but I also love the big city, modern China as well J 

We woke up the next day to find muffins with butter, cereal, milk, and yogurt!!  I thought I was in heaven again!  Sis. Parkinson just made us feel so at home and took such good care of us!  She dropped us off at an underground market in the early afternoon on sat. and all of my bargaining memories came back to me!  I had to warm up to it again, but then we got into the rhythm and I bought a huge pink purse( so me, I know :D) for about 16 U.S. dollars, red sunglasses, and an I love Shanghai t-shirts that Becca and I bargained hard together for.  Later, we attended a session of the conference in a beautiful meeting hall and I guess they have only had that building for a year or so.  We went around a more traditional decorated part of the city that night and then came home to freshly baked cookies :D…mmmmmmmm  We had conference the next morning and it was great.  The conference was mainly about families, and also living the gospel in China. I couldn’t believe how much I felt at home sitting in that room.  As they would talk about Utah or Salt Lake, it just brought everything together for me.  It was so wonderful to realize that the gospel is the same wherever you go, even in China.  They talked about families, a forgiving heart, always remembering the Lord, and many other wonderful things.  We had a young adult luncheon and fireside with Bro. and Sis. Pratt after as well.  The District Conference was great and it was worth going to Shanghai just for that. 

I’m trying to keep myself on a positive note as the train ride home was unlike anything I have experienced and probably will ever experience!  We got to the train station about an hour and a half early, but the train was a little late so it was just about a push and shove to get on the train.  There were actually people sitting in our seats so we had to kind of be a little pushy to get our seats :P  The train began super crowded with people squishing on seats and already had tons of people standing in the aisle.  I was sitting across the aisle from two other girls and another girl was sitting behind me.  The train ride there had been just over 4 hours so we guessed it would be the same again and would probably get less and less crowded as we got closer.  We hit 4 hours which was now almost 10 and it didn’t appear we were getting close.  I was now squished on my seat with Chinese people on all sides of me and had been straddling a lady who put a little chair in-between my legs for a good long while.  Some people just have standing tickets, so they try to take someone’s or make a seat whenever they can!  It is crazy! I had talked a little with the people around me, but my language ability had stumped me a few times and I was beginning to get a little tired.  Luckily there was a girl who spoke a little English and we talked for a little.  I was trying to write some characters and people were literally watching me from the left, right, up, down, and across (closest I ever felt to being a celebrity signing some important document) and they couldn’t believe how I held my pencil!  People were grabbing my fingers and trying to fix how I held the pencil.  It was just so funny and I thought about my younger days when my Mom used to work with me over and over on that, so maybe now I will actually write correctly! Lol  There was a cute little girl with her mom who drew on my paper for a little while, which kept me a little entertained.  We hit 5 hours………and my “bubble” was completely popped.  It is really quite wonderful actually….I can be smashed up against Asians now and have them all over me and it doesn’t even phase me.  That’s what 6 ½ hours on a Chinese double-packed train will do for you!  We heard Nanjing was the next stop so we stood up and the people in the aisles were extremely willing to help us get our heavy backpacks down and we thought, O how nice of them!  They immediately sat in our seats, but we figured we were just about there so we didn’t mind.  Ha…….turns out we still had another HOUR til the next stop……..so here we are at 11:00 at night, with huge heavy backpacks on our backs, standing in a crowded aisle as our seats are taken.  Come to find out later, foreigners are very rarely found on this train….which explains the hundreds of stares and pretty much the whole situation.  After 6 ½ hours, we finally made it, but we literally had to walk on and push with all our might to get off the train!  It was about the craziest experience I have ever had in my life and as much fun as it was, I think I will be paying a little more to take the faster train next time ;)  I do have to say I am grateful I had it though, because it will be something to remember forever!  China is wonderful!

An Adventure A Day.... Keeps the Fromnies Away :D

Have I really only been here for less than 3 weeks?!  It feels like much longer!  Every day is filled with exciting new things, new people, new foods, and new smells :)  We finally found an apartment which is actually in a gated community so it makes us feel a little safer.  We have accomplished the impossible!  7 girls in one apartment with one bathroom!  So far....no issues, but it has only been three weeks....I think we will survive though.  The boys can not quite wrap their head around us doing it. taha We took a vacation to Guilin the week before school.  It was absolutely beautiful!  The tall, green mountains completely surround you.  My least favorite part would have to be the lovely 24hr train ride we took there and back.  There are six beds in each compartment; a top, middle, and bottom.  You sleep about 3 ft. away from each other, so I expected our group to be next to each other.  Come to find out, we were all spread out between the Chinese people!  I slept across from one boy in our group in the middle bunk and we listened to our snoring Chinese neighbors all night long :)  Quite the bonding experience!  I appreciate the 14hr plane ride much more now!  taha......Started school!  I don't think I have ever had to take a test on the first day of school before, but they had us test here to see which class to place us in.  I have a very ecentric guy teacher for reading and writing who loves to talk about the U.S. Presidents and Arnold Schwartzanager.  I have a high speed talking conversation teacher who is a little Chinese lady.  We also have a Tai Chi class, which is the slow moving work-out you see the little old people in the park doing every morning, which I am excited for!

THE FOOD!  I have not even begun to talk about the food!  It is delicious!....well the majority of it! lol.......We made the mistake of letting someone order for us at a noodle resauraunt about a week ago...I ended up eating some gizzard, tendon, and intestine!! mmmmhhhhmmm :P  I started gagging half-way through and just closed my eyes when I ate.  But everything else has been pretty good!  I am completely in love with the Chinese bakeries!  There is one across the street from our apartment and it tempts me every day!  I am so worried I will be rolling off the plane when I come home...chubby and tubby!  The dumplings, bao zi, and jiao zi are sooo delicious!  We finally caved into Mcdonalds last week and it actually tasted pretty good and I was even able to have an Oreo McFlurry! :)  The food is cheap, so it is so fun to walk down the street and just find some new delicious place to eat.  They also have delicious fruit "smoothies" and we named one the Jamba of China taha  There is a whole aisle dedicated to chocolate in the Chinese "Costco" next to our house, so I can still always find my comfort food :) Cheap food+Yummy+On Every Corner= Chubby Kirsi!    
 

Blessed Adventures

Here at last!! Holy capole what a crazy trip!! We arrived in L.A. (two obviously Mormon girls with 5 bags of luggage) and tried to figure out how to get to the international flights by the map my dad had showed me. We must have looked very lost as person after person asked us if we needed help. This nice older man saved our lives by helping us find the desk, but the desk people forgot to mention there was a nice, little shuttle we had to take before getting on the plane. We thought we had plenty of time so were just lolly-gagging around the airport. That same man found us again and asked us why we weren't waiting for our shuttle. Our what?! So we ran back to the gate, and luckily had a little time as they herded us like sheep onto the bus. Phew! Close call! As were sitting on the plane just about to take off, this lady ran over and asked for Ms. Stenquist, handing Rebecca her debit card. Apparently she had left it in the machine when she was getting her boarding pass two hours ago! Ahhh!! There were some very nice people in the L.A airport that night! A huge blessing! Next up, a 14 hour plane ride...wahoo. Tears began to swell in my eyes as they walked us past the business class, reclining on their "beds" and sipping their little champagne drinks. But come to find out, the economy seating was filled with adorable blue and purple seats and also with some surprising leg room. Flight actually wasn't too bad.....maybe due to the fact I could watch "Friends" or "Hannah Montana" when I couldn't sleep. Hong Kong! Beautiful Airport with an amazingly high ceiling! I was surrounded by people from all over the world and we even found some missionaries! Nothing like a missionary to make you feel at home ;) We had a lovely five hour layover and decided to try some HK Burger King breakfast. We received news of a plane crash in China and were slightly worried to fly again as it really hit home, but we were happy it was now daytime and it would be easier to see through the fog. We landed safely in China and couldn't believe we left on Monday and it was now Wednesday! If you ever want to feel like a celebrity, walk out to the waiting area at a Chinese airport and every eye will be on you. We met up with two boys and another girl from our group, so the plan was to have two taxis so girls didn't have to ride alone. Well apparently the Chinese do not like to squish luggage in their taxis and wouldn't let us take two, so Becca and I got pushed into our own! Ahh!! I was completely freaking out as this was what we were not supposed to do. I probably said a million prayers in 30 seconds and hopped into the taxi. I said I wanted to go to China to be forced to speak the language and lucky me had that experience in my first 10 minutes there! The taxi driver didn't speak any English other than "Bye Bye." I explained in the best Chinese I could where we wanted to go and just hoped he understood. Note to self, note to anyone.......NEVER DRIVE A CAR IN CHINA!! You see, there are no cops on the road so the dotted line dividing the lanes is just a pretty decoration which brings no need to use a blinker. We cut off every car, swerved left and right, didn't break until the last possible second......I was pushing my pretend break petal down many times as I wasn't sure we would make it. O! and pedestrians do not have the right away, well no rights at all in China. You kind of get to play "Frogger" every time you cross the street :P We tried to carry on a few random conversations with the driver, sometimes understanding and sometimes just nodding our heads. Come to find out, he didn't actually know where the hotel was. That was when I started to freak out a little. We drove around asking a couple people and some blessed person finally knew and told us where it was! One of the greatest reliefs of my life!! We wandered around town last night........blew out my converter(causing a little smoke in the hotel)......and enjoyed an eight course, spicy muslim meal. Hot tamale! Love it though....love the people, love the culture, love the country :)

Suffering from anxiety, excitement, nervouseness, thrilledness!

I am heading to the foreign land of China! O so crazy!  A whole new journey starts tomorrow :)