Water + The Word

 Last night, I got the opportunity to "wash" someone for the first time in my life. One of my Chinese friends who had been studying the B*ble for a while wanted to be "washed" and we did it right in the apartment where we have weekly B*ble studies.

 What sticks so vividly in my memory, is how moved to tears she was the second that the water hit her head and I began to say, "in the name of the F*ther, and of the S*n, and of the H*ly Sp*rit".

 G*d is awesome.

This got me thinking of my own "washing", done when I was a baby.

Beijing Bachelorette Party

 This is my friend Heather. She is a soon-to-be-bride. She works for Friends of China and I actually went to the same college as her, but now I get the privilege to get to know her better while in China. And....we all threw her a bachelorette part!

 The festivities included gifts like these sexy things. These undies ARE in fact meant for and worn by tiny old Chinese ladies and YES they are HUGE! But don't worry, she got better gifts too. We'll keep those a secret though ;)

 Brock's Bride. Just to be clear.

This was the gang at the end of the night for our last activity of scavenger hunting through the local club/bar scene in Wudaokou. Items to obtain included: a lock of a man's chest hair, a song sung for the bride, a man who speaks a language other than English or Chinese, a temporary tattoo for the bride, and oh so many more.

Michael Jackson Mask

China has a love for Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. Therefore, when I first got to China last year I made the mistake of thinking that they were all copying Jackson's style. It wouldn't be the first time a crazy style was copied by the masses. However, I realize now that its not a fad, but rather a smart accessory. It protects from the crazy Beijing dust, pollution, germs, and the winter's cold. I too might find myself sporting one of these "Michael Jackson" masks come winter. Stay tuned...

P.S. The masks come in varying colors, fabrics, and designs. So, basically everyone can find a style that works for them. To my family: watch out! I might have just figured out what to get you all for Christmas.

Typical walk home...

First of all let me tell you how much I love the Beijing subway. Its super cheap compared to other city subways, and coming from a foreigner, its so easy to figure out! Anyway, join me on a typical walk home from the subway.

Without a doubt I will run into an advertisement that makes me laugh to myself. Part of the problem is that I'm pretty much illiterate in China, so I am just the viewer taking in the pictures. Hence, I couldn't imagine what this guy was trying to sell?! A Chinese cowboy business man supporting eucation...is there such a thing? What do you think?

Then,

Huaqingjiayuan 23

 I thought it might be nice to show you my second home. This is where I spend a substantial amount of time in China. Teaching art class,weekend English classes, preschool, English tutoring, and my own Chinese lessons all center around Huaqingiayuan.

It may not look like a typical school, but thats because its not. There is a unique thing going on here with Christian foreign teachers educating a small amount of kids. Its an awesome loving learning environment and the kids love it.

Sunday's Catch

Sunday's after-church-brunch was spent at a new restaurant that our group found. When our group goes out to eat, I usually leave the ordering to the "oldies". They have the best Chinese and best knowledge about great Chinese food. However, this way its always a surprise when the food comes out. Sunday's surprise was this big guy! I love myself some fish, but I always am a little shocked when it comes on a plate the same way you catch it in the ocean. I do come from the land of fish sticks.

p.s. Fish in china are way better than any old frozen fish sticks :)

The Sad Truth

One thing that sadly seems so normal to me now is garbage! Really. When I arrived in Seattle for my summer visit to the U.S., I remember thinking, "It's so beautiful here." I took it for granted. I've been jaded by my current living situations. Beijing has so much to offer, but clean streets isn't one of them.

Bowel Pizza and French Packages and 7-Eleven....Oh My!

Tonight after teaching a late night class of little tiny chinese children, us teachers needed a little relaxation. All the local usual spots were packed, so we ended up getting a cozy drink at Cava. This little restaurant has a supurb ambiance, but HORRIBLE service. Let's just take a look for a second at what they are serving on the menu...

 Salamis BOWEL pizza????!!!!????? ahhh i'll be shying away from that one for obvious reasons.

 Ahh and now for the breakfast portion, where they offer nice "French Packages" with breakfast intestinal for only 35RMB. What will they come up with next?

More pics of our classy night...

It's the little things...

 After a long busy day, I was hopping off my bike in front of my apartment building as usual, when I ran across these "lovers". He was holding a radio in one hand and his lady in the other. One might say, "What's the big deal....It's just old people holding hands." However, its the elderly folk ,who still hold hands, that really get to me. The moment immediately puts a smile on my face and gives me a surge of hope, that despite this crazy world of divorce, disappointment, and difficulties, there could be that one person that stands by your side through it all.

Early Childhood Educator At Your Service

One of the many "hats" I wear during the week, is preschool teacher. That means that my Tuesday mornings are filled with fun things like, playing, screaming, spilling, singing, coloring cute little projects (like the one pictured), the alphabet, and finger painting. Oh, and did I mention that about 80% of what the kiddos say, I can't understand. They speak Chinese. We speak English. We have hopes of understanding each other one day :)

Yi Jia Jia Ju

 One of the luxuries of living in the big city of Beijing, is IKEA ("yi jia jia ju" in Chinese). Since my friends and I were in the market for a few reasonably priced items to freshen up our apartments (and some IKEA snacks), we made the trip. The funny part was getting there through! At about 8pm, we subway-ed as far as we could and then stood in the rain for a good ten minutes waiting for a taxi to transport us the rest of the way. However, nobody would take us, so we started out blindly walking in the approximate direction. After a few blocks, Becca yells and points..."IKEAAAA". It was like seeing the promised land off in the distance. We still had a ways to walk, but we knew that even though soaking wet, we would indeed make it. We got there, made a b-line to the food, and then shopped in comfort. I just love going to IKEA and pretending that I live in those fabulously set up showrooms....but then comes the reality check and I say "Danielle, you don't NEED that...put it back". Anyway, we got our goods and got back home just as the clock struck 12am. I have to admit that I still have some comforts of home in China ;)

Transformation

When you are living in Beijing, space is definitely something you will be lacking. Therefore, maximizing tiny little rooms, like kitchens, are very important! Last year, I also lived in this same apartment, but my roommate and I didn't really change anything. I would find myself screaming at my cramped kitchen when I cooked, because I'd bump into everything by just turning around with a skillet in hand! SO, this year a change had to be made. Megan (my new roomie) and I decided to get our hands a little DIRTY and give our kitchen a much needed deep clean and makeover. Despite the rotten meat in the freezer, bugs, and dirt, we made it (with the help of A LOT of bleach)!

We started out with this..

 And this....

And got it to this... :) Spacious and as clean as you're going to get!

Read on to see more pics of the apartment...

T-Rat Marries

Ted Rattei, friend and fellow FOC worker, has wedded his beautiful bride, Fiona, in what some might call the wedding of the season. I'm so glad that I DID make it! It was a close call since I had been unexpectedly sick with the stomach flu the night before. Anyway, the glorious east meets west shindig was a memorable night for us all. Love you Ted and Fiona! God's Blessings on your adventure :)

Going Green

When I got back to China last week, some of my friends were excited for me to see my bike. You can see why (this isn't even the worst)! Over the summer, the vines and shrubbery around the apartment complex I live in, decided to take hold of mine and plenty of others' bikes and use them as lattice. I 'm already promoting "Going Green" by riding a bike. No need to ride around with actual foliage.