Where Have You Been?

Growing

Playing in the sprinklers

Playing with cousins.

Going to the temple

Having a birthday.

Playing tennis







Going to Nauvoo.






Working for world peace.

Visiting the train in Topeka.
And much, much more.

Guangzhou, China Day 1 - Tuesday

I mentioned about the insanity surrounding swine flu. It is blown to epic proportions and China did not skimp on the precautions. After taking a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China we were waiting to enter the country officially at the train station when I snapped this photo. There were about 500 people waiting in lines to get in because they were screening for swine flu with scanners and such. I was told that you are not allowed to take photos of government officials or anything that is even related to a government facility. I thought that the train station would be ok, but the man you see in the photo with the surgical mask came over to me directly and told me to put my camera. I guess I was lucky because they often take cameras for such actions. Welcome to China!
Bill took us on a tour of South China Normal University after we arrived at our hotel (which is also located on campus). The campus was beautiful and unique of course. The students were very kind and polite to us and this proved to be true with nearly everyone I came across in and outside of the campus. The first thing I did notice in China was the thickness in the air. Hong Kong was very humid but nothing like Guangzhou. This was hands down, the most humid and muggy air I have ever experienced. I think one could chew the air if they really wanted to.
This is Luann Hoover and Bronwyn Fees (faculty in my department at K-State) in front of the Education building. Two days later, the 3 of us each presented and an enormous education conference for kindergarten teachers and directors.
A statue of one of the most revered teachers here: Confuscious and two of his top pupils.
One of the older dorms on campus. Nearly all students and faculty live on campus which is a bit different than my school back in the heartland. Another interesting tidbit is the clothes that are hanging out at every building in the city where people reside. I was told because it is so humid, people will get home from a long day and hand wash their clothes in the sink then hang them out to dry immediately. If they were to let their clothes pile up then they would begin to grow mildew quickly.
This was a large area of equipment that looked a bit like a child's playground. Bill told us that it was actually adult workout equipment so he decided to demonstrate to us how it is used. We saw places like this all over Guangzhou.
I am not sure what kind of school this was but it is on SCNU campus. They were well behaved and excited to practice their English on us.
Another great sign in China. I will let you draw your own conclusions on what it is supposed to mean.
We were treated to several high class, fancy dinners in Guangzhou. This was the first of many. This happens to be with the President of SCNU who is sitting next to Bronwyn. His first question for us was, "What do you think about our philosophy to push mathematics to our youngsters?" We thought we were in for a long dinner with intense questions but it turned out to be comfortable and interesting. The table you see has a lazy susan in the middle of it with all of the food. Nearly every single meal we ate was this format: large round table, lazy susan, variety of foods, warm-wet handtowel instead of napkin, chopsticks, and hot tea. The President made a couple of toasts with the wine you see on the table. Needless to say I can't remember the rest of the night.

Hong Kong Day 2 - Monday

Ok, I think you can figure out what this is for and how to use it. Let's just say that this is very common in the restrooms and you can really build up your triceps and quads if so desired.

We went to a less touristy (yes, that is a word) part of Hong Kong on Day 2. While looking around the boat marina we had the privilege of being hassled by one of the boat owners who wanted to take us for a boat ride. She kept trying to bargain with us and followed us for a while. It is amazing how many salesmen are in Hong Kong, everyone it seems is trying to sell you something. It is annoying, interesting, sad, and understandable all at the same time.
We eventually picked a boat to ride around the area. If you go to the right places you can get really good deals on neat little experiences such as the one we had. We paid a small fee for a half hour boat ride around the area. The boat belonged to an older couple who use it to make a living by giving tourists rides around the area. They were very sweet but did not speak a lick of English. This part of Hong Kong had very few folks who speak English and I think it I prefer it that way because it makes for a more foreign experience.

This is the couple who gave us the boat ride, they were sweet (double meaning). I have a small glimpse of what a new missionary must feel like when beginning his mission in a foreign country. I wanted several times to chat with people throughout my trip but my Cantonese and Mandarin proved to be insufficient.

Just an FYI to those of you who are going to be in Hong Kong and thinking about fishing (this was photo taken right next to the dock). You'll have to click on the picture to be able to read it all. Notice how much the turtle is enjoying himself.

A possible victim of swine flu?

This little girl (about age 4-5) was left here by herself while her mom shopped in the market. It was quite hot and when we saw her there she was fast asleep. This photo is a great representation of the collectivist culture where everyone is kind of "in this together". This would not fly in the States and was a great cultural moment for me. Little did I know of the experiences to come.
This is supposed to be the longest outdoor escalator in the world. Whether or not that is true I do not know but it was incredibly long. As you can see we could have chosen an alternate route but in true American style we went for the easy route.
Our yield signs need to be changed to something a bit more commanding like this.
Yao is big here and even bigger in China. But Kobe is king, he is everywhere and the Chinese love him. They were shocked when I told them he was a good friend of mine. More details on that to come in future blogs.
Every night at 8pm there is a light show on the huge business buildings on the island across the harbor. It was a little anti-climatic. The skyline itself is awesome enough by itself. This concluded the end of a long yet exciting day.

Little did I know of the amazing experiences that yet awaited me in Guangzhou, China. I will say this over and over.......this experience as a whole has been so indescribable that I don't know how I am going to recount it to my family and friends when I return. I have been so blessed to have a journey on the other side of the world. To meet the Saints who are dedicated to the gospel in southeast Asia. Meeting the humble, kind, and warm people of China has truly warmed my heart and it feels as though I have left a little piece of me there........or maybe I have taken a piece of China with me as there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the people and culture.

Hong Kong Day 1 - Sunday

This is in Tokyo on the plane when we were scanned because of the extreme paranoia for swine flu. Two can play this camera game buddy! I can't even begin to tell you the level of paranoia in these Asian countries. Don't cough or you might get put in jail.

This is the Mickey D's that is a few blocks from our hotel. I ate here on my way to church yesterday (a Big Mac tastes exactly the same in case you were wondering). This place was wall-to-wall people just like the rest of the city.


The harbor that I road a ferry across to get to church on Sunday. I went all over the city by myself for about 6 hours. It was an amazing adventure.


The ferry that took us across the harbor to Hong Kong island.


Sunday was District Conference and it was one of the most spiritual meetings I have been to. The church is consistent and true around the world!


I am the visitor and I was indeed welcome.



Words cannot describe the immensity of this city. Building go on far beyond your vision. This is a little piece of it from Victoria Peak.


Riding the ferry back across the harbor.



Looking for a place to eat that is authentic yet safe.


Chop sticks? No problem (just as long as I can eat really slow).

Naomi

Tim, my fabulous husband, really out did himself this year for my birthday. He got me a nice camera so that I could develop a hobby that I have always wanted to. This is one of my first tries at taking a nice picture.

For anyone who loves "I've been working on the railroad"

Grandma Vellinga thank you for the piano. As you can see Carter loves it.

38

So I hope this does not offend anyone out there who 38 or older but this is a conversation I had with Carter today.
"Mom when Naomi is 8 how old will you be?"
"38"
" [Gasp!] Are you still going to have brown hair?"
"Of course I am." (Even if it comes in a bottle)
"Are you going to have an old person face?"
"No, I am going to keep this face, What does an old person face look like?"
And this is the answer I got..............




This is what Molly came up with when I asked her to show me her old person face. Yikes! How does she know that old people don't have teeth?

Naomi Rocks

Apparently Naomi has a fancy for 80's rock and shakin' baby syndrome can happen even without touch. But know this, that Naomi was head bangin' by choice! Thanks Bon Jovi.

I love Wall-E

Normally I am not a big fan of quoting movies. Actually, it kinda drives me crazy for so many reasons. I guess it is a little bit different when it is your two-year old doing it. The other day Molly came up to me and said "Mom, you look gorgeous." (A line quoted from the movie Wall-E).

Molly you can quote movies anytime.

Secret Meetings

I don't know when they have time to have these secret meetings but I know my kids have them. The plan: to overtake Tim and I, most of the time they are conspiring against our sleep.
I think the last few meetings must have gone something like this.
Carter: I will take the first shift, I have got this awesome trick that I don't even have to be awake for. I call it my ha ha you thought you were going to be at a decent time trick. I'll wake them about 15 minutes after they fall asleep by crying and whining and walking around in circles. It totally freaks them out.
Naomi: I will take the next shift. Since it has been barely 3 hours since I last ate and I am starving to death and withering away in my sleep. I just have to have some milk at 11:45 or I just can't go on.
Molly: That sounds great. I have this lingering cough that I can throw in all night long that keeps the fear in them. You know how they can't sleep when they are afraid of me screaming out for no reason at all.
Naomi: I think I will take the next shift at 2:00 because I will be so hungry I can hardly scream at the top of my lungs, But I will give it my best. I make this one a good one because I don't think I will want to go right back to bed after that. It's another fear tactic that I have mastered.
Molly: I guess I will take the 3:00 hour and I will wake up a few times crying for dad. I like that extra piece that you added Naomi, I don't think that I will really want to go back to bed either.
Carter: That sounds like an excellent plan. Molly you just need to add a few more coughing fits with some light whining and with my guided trip to the bathroom around 4:00, my snoring and teeth grinding through out the night I think we are set.
I know dad has to get up at 5:00 so I will be the one to wake up mom at about 6:50.

And when all has gone as planned I am exhausted the next day.

I think my favorite part of it is when I have lost my pleasant disposition sometime though out the day Carter says "mom you sound like you need a nap."

If only he were offering to baby sit Naomi for me so I could. Ha!

Who is that girl?

It is Carter's new love. Her name is Word Girl, she's from the planet Lexicon, she has super-powers, and she "looks just the way I want her to" at least that is what Carter told me when I asked him why he liked her so much. Word Girl is actually a show on PBS. It is on at 4:30, just about the time when I am as my weakest, so Carter and Molly have become regular Word Girl watchers. Almost every half hour today Carter has been asking me "Is Word Girl on yet?" He, like any other child enjoys watching the TV, but today's interest was far beyond normal levels. Finally the hour had come and it was time to watch Word Girl save the city from Two Brains, and Tobey. The Molly & Carter sat entranced and I was able to get Naomi fed and a head start on dinner. When the final credits rolled and the TV was turned off I noticed something different in Carter's eyes. Then he started asking questions and I knew what that something different was. It was love, not the love of television. It was love for her, love for Word girl. I did, like any mother of a love-sick son should do, started asking some questions so I could see how deep this love was. First, "Why do you like Word girl?" "Because she looks just the way I want her to." The words say "like" but the tone, the light in his eyes, and the silly little smile all said LOVE. Then my next question: "What would you do if you saw her?" "I would just follow her around wherever she goes" (in a dreamy, twitterpated voice). The conversation went on. I tried to start to explain that she so 2 dimensional and that nothing could ever happen between the two of them (because she is not real) but I just couldn't break his sweet little heart. But tears soon followed when I told him that I don't know where Word Girl lives and if we went to try to find her we might get lost. So in the end I just broke his heart anyway, and I am sure I will get to do it again tomorrow.

Pomp, Christmas, & Our Circumstances

One might think that because our last post was before my thesis defense and we have not updated it since that I failed miserably. Well check the picture you fools, this freak has a Masters Degree (apparel donated by Mike Anderson). I thought that getting my masters might feel anti-climatic since I have already started my doctoral work in August and I will be in school for at least 2 more years. Well it was very fulfilling and good fuel to keep going. Jodi deserves to share in all the congratulations and praise as she has been an absolutely amazing wife, mother, and friend during my graduate studies thus far. My parents and my sister Debbie (w/ Toby) came out for the festivities and we had a grand ole' time.

For the holiday season, Jodi and I decided to stick around here and do our own thing. Now we both love being with our families, but I must say that we had one of our best holiday seasons ever. This was largely due to the following:
1. Avoiding 32 hours in the van w/ an infant, toddler, & preschooler
2. Having total control over the kids schedule (& our own)
3. Visiting Kansas City & Liberty, MO to do some stuff together
4. Completing many projects that gives more order to home & life
5. No detoxing the kids from the incessant spoiling from grandparents
6. Spending time w/ friends who stuck around here as well
7. Feeling relaxed yet productive
8. More time to get ready for the coming semester
9. You are probably getting bored of the blog now so.....

Needless to say it has been a good break. What made this break even better is to watch the #2 Utah Utes give a thumpin' to the Alabama Crimson Tide!!! There is much more to tell but this will have to suffice for now.