tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978482886010067992024-03-13T14:49:47.049+08:00Not Just Another Blonde in BeijingMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-57925378109133239642012-01-05T06:02:00.004+08:002012-01-05T06:21:36.346+08:00An Update, and Destination: ParisHI everyone!<br /><br />I'm sorry I've been such a terrible blogger. Since moving back to the states, I've been a little uninspired, especially because this blog was so China and travel focused. Truth be told, life in the U.S. can be a little boring when you're used to living in a culture not your own, and jetting away every few weeks to see another corner of the world. <br /><br />In the past several months since being back, I have:<br /><br />- Vacationed in Kauai, Hawaii with my husband<br />- Started AND quit a Master of Social Work program (I already have a masters and decided I was tired of school)<br />- Sent my husband off on a deployment<br />- Became absolutely addicted to Pilates<br />- Visited my family for a couple months<br />- Finally got a job!!<br />and<br />- Been crazily building my work-wardrobe during all these Christmas sales<br /><br />Pretty soon, me, my mom, and my best Beijing friend will all be rendezvousing in Paris for a little winter fun before I head back to California to start my new job.<br /><br />I plan to do a Kauai related travel post soon, and definitely stay tuned for my Paris trip report in the next few weeks... <br /><br />I hope everything is going well for all of you, and Happy New Year!<br /><br />Where do you hope to travel in 2012?<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-44076759263009573642011-06-26T02:15:00.007+08:002011-06-26T02:30:37.609+08:00I'm still blonde.....but I am no longer in Beijing!<br /><br />Sorry for the lack of updates... I know I have been really terrible about it recently and especially in the last month or two. We are officially back in the States... What happened to our AMAZING summer trip that was all booked and almost completely paid for, you wonder? Well - the military happened. My husband was required to report back to his new unit much earlier than planned, and we had to cancel our trip. In fact, I am supposed to be on a plane back to LAX right now after a week in the Cook Islands, a week in New Zealand and almost 2 weeks in Australia. Instead I am staying with a friend in CA while we wait to move in to our house next Friday, and my husband is flying back from Afghanistan.<br /><br />Oh well! Next summer, maybe. Or maybe we'll do the South Africa trip we had to cancel due to the military... ha ha! Theme, anyone?<br /><br />So, what is going to happen to this blog - I really don't know. But I do know that I have a TON of pictures and trips that we took in China that have not been posted at all... I promise I will make an effort to post those periodically.<br /><br />In the mean time, if anyone ever has any questions about Beijing or China in general, please let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Between my husband and I, I think we are pretty much China travel pros, and I'd love to help others with the knowledge we have learned.<br /><br />On another note, I was paid to write my first travel article! Here is a link.... keep an eye out for my husband's next article on Xizang - Tibet, and Mt. Everest Base Camp (which I did not go on).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onleavemagazine.com/mongolia-off-the-yak-beaten-trail/">http://www.onleavemagazine.com/mongolia-off-the-yak-beaten-trail/<br /></a><br />Additionally, if you are in China and looking for a great Chinese teacher/tutor/class, my tutor is in the process of starting her own school and has the website up. The website is still under construction, but check it out - I am on there as a testimonial to how great her teaching method is!<br /><br /><a href="http://keyimandarin.com/">http://keyimandarin.com/<br /></a><br />Hope you guys are doing well! Now it's just job searching for me... this market is rough but I have an interview Wednesday.<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-66716066926915183242011-04-20T15:16:00.009+08:002011-04-20T16:51:44.306+08:00Up close & personal with the Terracotta warriors, and Hong Kong!Family from the States was in town visiting, and although we originally planned to take them to OUR favorite place in China (Guangxi province), we decided that due to it being the rainy season in that region, we'd take them somewhere else. We ended up spending time in Beijing, then headed to Xi'an for a VIP tour of the Terracotta Warriors, and finally, we ended up in Hong Kong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgPbc7Fp1BAvHEdHMiqltpwt-r6k_7zqOyVG_U9TeZfAjnb1iFS9N0p3lubXF9UYqoogo5BmjNLp4ED1cJF8u1qmuGu4fMUwqjye3G45sVLla5M1PaNQpQhEdxdHOxc1fiEP_qBcHvjs/s1600/DSC_0535.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgPbc7Fp1BAvHEdHMiqltpwt-r6k_7zqOyVG_U9TeZfAjnb1iFS9N0p3lubXF9UYqoogo5BmjNLp4ED1cJF8u1qmuGu4fMUwqjye3G45sVLla5M1PaNQpQhEdxdHOxc1fiEP_qBcHvjs/s400/DSC_0535.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597573991850618674" /></a><br />Dinner at the Noodle Loft in Beijing - good Shaanxi noodles and fun to watch the noodle makers throwing the noodles around in front of you<br /><br />My husband and our guests headed to Xi'an on an overnight train, and I flew with a friend and met them there the next day. I had a really cool cab driver drive me from the airport to my hotel. He was super chatty the entire way and loved that I could speak Chinese. When he realized I could <span style="font-style:italic;">read</span> Chinese, too, that really sent him over the edge - he'd excitedly point out billboards on the roadsides as we passed and say "And that one?" "and THAT one?!!!" "and that one!!" as he had me read the billboards aloud to him. I'll tell ya - me and cab drivers in China - we have come a long way. I have learned that a friendly smile, a big "NI HAO!" (hello!), and a good attitude works wonders! I think it's pretty cool that since my last trip to Xi'an, I've pretty much come full circle - from 万事开头难 (everything has a difficult beginning) to what I think is now the opposite - everything has a difficult end! I leave China late next month. The adventure is almost over.<br /><br />Because my friend's husband is the President of the Asian branch of a huge company - and the company contributes a huge amount of money to Shaanxi province's tax base - we were able to get the real VIP tour at the Terracotta Warriors site! This is the same tour that is extended to U.S. Presidents and other heads of state.<br /><br />The average person only gets this close: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQS-uib75EUuieUrVr2t5Lv77AXxB_CyXyMkOmFAI-1mPjA2q4YYA_Zeg_CdA0SRR2IdWeHLDgZw6sikMNkDQ-vnCXmFW-H_zo2_AkQuKX8FiioUs9yTCczL2vWKi9-MHHVBeYt6640/s1600/DSC_0679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQS-uib75EUuieUrVr2t5Lv77AXxB_CyXyMkOmFAI-1mPjA2q4YYA_Zeg_CdA0SRR2IdWeHLDgZw6sikMNkDQ-vnCXmFW-H_zo2_AkQuKX8FiioUs9yTCczL2vWKi9-MHHVBeYt6640/s400/DSC_0679.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597572314041058274" /></a><br />We got THISclose:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuWeYo0ey5KXoYHJuWSOVHGcbrroE-zcpAPvr_GmjYaF4Dbk2JbfwINcBRRCt0fQfIOqfE87t3jI4yJ4GlXUQd67may0zfp2ci9Sdg0kjKJtt_1Nw3pGnLHNV18fdsy3v2BR_VU4VGQQ/s1600/DSC_0698.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuWeYo0ey5KXoYHJuWSOVHGcbrroE-zcpAPvr_GmjYaF4Dbk2JbfwINcBRRCt0fQfIOqfE87t3jI4yJ4GlXUQd67may0zfp2ci9Sdg0kjKJtt_1Nw3pGnLHNV18fdsy3v2BR_VU4VGQQ/s400/DSC_0698.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597572317500073090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0bQNnOl7pm5YrkmcoItCoB3olrJzujWRc-MKSXUxuRUP6XgPkUZ65ykRfQ-OKSKVHjp1sk8yV78siOxios56ko_7dmjr7sqDBcNhwWC-j-vqv8SEu-0NPdhIdFbiVF-CKKFKN-xrVZg/s1600/DSC_0708.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0bQNnOl7pm5YrkmcoItCoB3olrJzujWRc-MKSXUxuRUP6XgPkUZ65ykRfQ-OKSKVHjp1sk8yV78siOxios56ko_7dmjr7sqDBcNhwWC-j-vqv8SEu-0NPdhIdFbiVF-CKKFKN-xrVZg/s400/DSC_0708.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597572322640070210" /></a><br />We were very careful not to even sneeze. Can you imagine stumbling into a cultural relic dating back to <span style="font-weight:bold;">210 B.C.</span>?!!! These statues guard the tomb of the <span style="font-style:italic;">First Emperor of China</span>, Qin Shi Huang.<br /><br />After our time in Xi'an, we headed to Hong Kong. Actually, we landed in Shenzhen, which is still in mainland China just across the way from Hong Kong. Because Hong Kong is considered an international flight, prices flying in are often much more expensive than flying into Shenzhen, which is considered a domestic flight. The process of landing in Shenzhen, taking a bus to the Hong Kong border, going through customs, and being dropped off in Causeway Bay took about 3 hours. Luckily, we flew out of Hong Kong International Airport - but if the price difference is huge, it may be worth it to fly into Shenzhen.<br /><br />Bamboo scaffolding! I've only seen that in movies. Rush Hour, anyone?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFOQpPGT7H8qkIrRzy5J1j9GMQvG4smiVZ2FcM3ZAHIAU2tsuFtSiyC5mpQMxAnbWWydBI9PKQHyprU3n1Mijq5n7z8aYYs0_y5TzoHVix7qTZBKBcq0-8ys9tLzTSfhfTotG1S8ixbM/s1600/DSC_0725.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFOQpPGT7H8qkIrRzy5J1j9GMQvG4smiVZ2FcM3ZAHIAU2tsuFtSiyC5mpQMxAnbWWydBI9PKQHyprU3n1Mijq5n7z8aYYs0_y5TzoHVix7qTZBKBcq0-8ys9tLzTSfhfTotG1S8ixbM/s400/DSC_0725.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597572331320176674" /></a><br />The famous Hong Kong trolley system, and double decker buses! (British influence, anyone?!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pw4EeRYu9MTRrPcbjPoCHcYEbOQgCXByJirHbzvWsKf3kykl_vf_OgFC9LDs6o5VIKQzjsIi1AzG_xeHeD9vaL2lcS1xCuyq-eT4EVLlDlaqT9yKnU6FOV_HAMDEUi-vz2LqmEPvdu8/s1600/DSC_0740.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pw4EeRYu9MTRrPcbjPoCHcYEbOQgCXByJirHbzvWsKf3kykl_vf_OgFC9LDs6o5VIKQzjsIi1AzG_xeHeD9vaL2lcS1xCuyq-eT4EVLlDlaqT9yKnU6FOV_HAMDEUi-vz2LqmEPvdu8/s400/DSC_0740.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597573995423105026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5jJzZE7eJkhLmXQgKqX8-LZiXVoo3sYkLvMAKPU3xYntqtK6VINePbhL6B74YoC-ZES3Q80tAy3-aYPZc11NghKcQBDl-T0pGyY5ytBH0uET_N-8w_XID-F22JDMej4xrTlTQVq7BI4/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5jJzZE7eJkhLmXQgKqX8-LZiXVoo3sYkLvMAKPU3xYntqtK6VINePbhL6B74YoC-ZES3Q80tAy3-aYPZc11NghKcQBDl-T0pGyY5ytBH0uET_N-8w_XID-F22JDMej4xrTlTQVq7BI4/s400/DSC_0807.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597574001298818978" /></a><br />Pretty views taken from a junket ride in Victoria Harbour<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXZk8IoVtNBs6iVxHggH7fOJSE4IE_1n3VV_VY-YwUeqQDY3frUxd4XaGhOF7Yq2JAzi5k0ajGCFkm6Bubc9eSpM3bKazw0FdiMS0dL3YQm40nddjfXsuodlJvGWoFKVWXPwI6vsu2Y/s1600/DSC_0922.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXZk8IoVtNBs6iVxHggH7fOJSE4IE_1n3VV_VY-YwUeqQDY3frUxd4XaGhOF7Yq2JAzi5k0ajGCFkm6Bubc9eSpM3bKazw0FdiMS0dL3YQm40nddjfXsuodlJvGWoFKVWXPwI6vsu2Y/s400/DSC_0922.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597574014857842946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63YNQ_TqUEDmtqgffw88FxQS8dz2uBbKbKJnx1jsHG02t6HQEwY59KYSyxl9knfTaqV4WK63Y58ZXZTpSaxc4wEXIC19IXr67wM9W6PB7HVw12xG0l1uJdGJujZPlh2rLQ-crHx1Wpu0/s1600/DSC_0868.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63YNQ_TqUEDmtqgffw88FxQS8dz2uBbKbKJnx1jsHG02t6HQEwY59KYSyxl9knfTaqV4WK63Y58ZXZTpSaxc4wEXIC19IXr67wM9W6PB7HVw12xG0l1uJdGJujZPlh2rLQ-crHx1Wpu0/s400/DSC_0868.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597574005421699954" /></a><br />This is the site where in 1997 Hong Kong was officially handed back to China after more than 150 years of British rule<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m4mmc2DFLUfFIKdREjEj1OqcgdqIuEHwBb6VnENLvdu8JG53GzW42r5Vu0pmH-JAQ115XtWhEp_ULJpRqBMnXPp_YvSTR-kIlSLwoFYloy_WRfBMf6mJMntd6oFrvhqKeNMr6L2UJw4/s1600/DSC_0945.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m4mmc2DFLUfFIKdREjEj1OqcgdqIuEHwBb6VnENLvdu8JG53GzW42r5Vu0pmH-JAQ115XtWhEp_ULJpRqBMnXPp_YvSTR-kIlSLwoFYloy_WRfBMf6mJMntd6oFrvhqKeNMr6L2UJw4/s400/DSC_0945.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597579714290868626" /></a><br />Night scenes, hard to get a good pic without a tripod<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALX0wSs3GEx82VgpKPapHW480Cuhek8OoysRAvTjvsOuJEvUmCfRDIIZyic-UCQkWIZtdUa8bbei3VtIQjCM__K0JmXiHnOloF6go2sO7xb7dUdAQYgzAolsqxVjAA26AHXw3Kjt3mwQ/s1600/DSC_0825.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALX0wSs3GEx82VgpKPapHW480Cuhek8OoysRAvTjvsOuJEvUmCfRDIIZyic-UCQkWIZtdUa8bbei3VtIQjCM__K0JmXiHnOloF6go2sO7xb7dUdAQYgzAolsqxVjAA26AHXw3Kjt3mwQ/s400/DSC_0825.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597579720456537426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqg6buzCaVVeVgX6hNTVouvSon3TxrEly4PSGErdTYqZjqCKirOXpVKAjYaZ0haaPxC2pZ7YRj_fpZCuu2PVn2yJQigawVW39Owkvz6uNE07jmuLqKr3v4Ps2OtfJGEQ94Li7lOEGnV4/s1600/DSC_0836.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqg6buzCaVVeVgX6hNTVouvSon3TxrEly4PSGErdTYqZjqCKirOXpVKAjYaZ0haaPxC2pZ7YRj_fpZCuu2PVn2yJQigawVW39Owkvz6uNE07jmuLqKr3v4Ps2OtfJGEQ94Li7lOEGnV4/s400/DSC_0836.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597579719231844226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5PoIouX7z0GYws_aA_GnUrM85nwNfjwmmhPkcmIxCRhTfsMiDuBs8Jk5TXdUjk5xfkBJWro6YTzPJhqcjRIZV5mxQMFs2RPXWK6JOH0VdO1ACf8mcPiqDXlc9e5cvMe-XT4Ms5LgnPM/s1600/DSC_0818.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5PoIouX7z0GYws_aA_GnUrM85nwNfjwmmhPkcmIxCRhTfsMiDuBs8Jk5TXdUjk5xfkBJWro6YTzPJhqcjRIZV5mxQMFs2RPXWK6JOH0VdO1ACf8mcPiqDXlc9e5cvMe-XT4Ms5LgnPM/s400/DSC_0818.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597581060298827538" /></a><br />Me staring longingly into one of Hong Kong's many beautiful boutiques<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbjq0vZ3h2qXjnMoiHuH21AZzLoN8WgtbIgsmm8_V0k7b8dOqeTjKLcAyRw3jEKRzHvCC6vJNqUaVUExhcak1MRFjtELp-nK5oVG2jN8QBCXuOVfeAgm8HRDw8c0kholC7rgrZOeuYoQ/s1600/DSC_0812.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbjq0vZ3h2qXjnMoiHuH21AZzLoN8WgtbIgsmm8_V0k7b8dOqeTjKLcAyRw3jEKRzHvCC6vJNqUaVUExhcak1MRFjtELp-nK5oVG2jN8QBCXuOVfeAgm8HRDw8c0kholC7rgrZOeuYoQ/s400/DSC_0812.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597582963144341778" /></a><br />View from The Peak<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gUhAJEgymfQoZDzeh6hfzaJgrE6IVfo1lkJEP0FgeWeGO_-V6jiJZp1fXv96hWb1oY5I6F7YHNxT6EJxPfry_0jeNyjdJVx4wJPvXv4ZaD3400NeH7KOLzIo-GSzaJT-cplBaLjXJLI/s1600/DSC_0775.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gUhAJEgymfQoZDzeh6hfzaJgrE6IVfo1lkJEP0FgeWeGO_-V6jiJZp1fXv96hWb1oY5I6F7YHNxT6EJxPfry_0jeNyjdJVx4wJPvXv4ZaD3400NeH7KOLzIo-GSzaJT-cplBaLjXJLI/s400/DSC_0775.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597582551824834002" /></a><br />A reason I loved Hong Kong: a city built amid palm trees <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKALz9ZVYOCh1QLPwb9d6Gw6QYqD5iox5pqh1e7Ih8aT2lQP-Xh557tTOxrmg41-FeNo4TbIsYE_JdmXrQGScmDkT8NzvxlClcaJlfEuiIPuScx4Mk0ARjSiPOCoFxyHiaSNcOSkeu0k/s1600/DSC_0788.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKALz9ZVYOCh1QLPwb9d6Gw6QYqD5iox5pqh1e7Ih8aT2lQP-Xh557tTOxrmg41-FeNo4TbIsYE_JdmXrQGScmDkT8NzvxlClcaJlfEuiIPuScx4Mk0ARjSiPOCoFxyHiaSNcOSkeu0k/s400/DSC_0788.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597581058132789650" /></a><br />Not the only car of this caliber seen on the streets of Hong Kong!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8fznSVxFkL-okaK1oh08u-Bs1HPXfXcWHNdBMoZ7WXj8f7GH5SUU4xPz6ZsPdO1LObBwfQXjR0ejgNCtqCfZUhTSaJ30ipz95bdcdys45U0C2Tng9kkHpb_f9rvfGxJtjOG48Qt-bg/s1600/DSC_0780.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8fznSVxFkL-okaK1oh08u-Bs1HPXfXcWHNdBMoZ7WXj8f7GH5SUU4xPz6ZsPdO1LObBwfQXjR0ejgNCtqCfZUhTSaJ30ipz95bdcdys45U0C2Tng9kkHpb_f9rvfGxJtjOG48Qt-bg/s400/DSC_0780.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597581053650730978" /></a><br />The Big Buddha at Lantau Island<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tlUQgl2yA8-zrqOr87dGX7XuH6O6TPI2RO8QGuRmhTAcmuFvKkjAxjtEDHagjCfR48_6PVAkKi0zuL9LFR6GaX_DECHiE-guOrGY8FRzLfnKxG6sdW7DP-Ow-B9NMlSY5-yM8M0k79Y/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tlUQgl2yA8-zrqOr87dGX7XuH6O6TPI2RO8QGuRmhTAcmuFvKkjAxjtEDHagjCfR48_6PVAkKi0zuL9LFR6GaX_DECHiE-guOrGY8FRzLfnKxG6sdW7DP-Ow-B9NMlSY5-yM8M0k79Y/s400/DSC_0953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597581043242662370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlZ9CXd4UC4YBZDD-jt-vjUol32cmghw1sQ12d-ISTWdOCjqEYKeCPUUb3u_dcBX0mrMqGCDeoFi6-COqKDuh5Dq_JVcvJ29qxGwg1krTWsbKSxpKww8wt-UkpBNEif17UwuoyaZv9rc/s1600/DSC_0965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlZ9CXd4UC4YBZDD-jt-vjUol32cmghw1sQ12d-ISTWdOCjqEYKeCPUUb3u_dcBX0mrMqGCDeoFi6-COqKDuh5Dq_JVcvJ29qxGwg1krTWsbKSxpKww8wt-UkpBNEif17UwuoyaZv9rc/s400/DSC_0965.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597579733092866978" /></a><br />I also ate at California Pizza Kitchen, which rocked my world, and the hubby and I also went to see an American movie in the super nice mall across the street from our hotel (we sort of have a tradition of seeing a movie in foreign cities we've been to - we've seen movies in Brugges, Victoria, Hong Kong, and Vienna).<br /><br />And that's it. Hong Kong was truly one of the coolest cities I've ever been to. I love the tropical clime, the palm trees, the city built around it, the proximity to the ocean, and all the amazing shopping and restaurants. It's also definitely one of the most crowded (the most?) city I've ever been to - streets are very narrow, surrounded by high rises - it makes the streets of Beijing look extremely wide and spread out!<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-24444979708356555272011-04-12T19:05:00.004+08:002011-04-12T19:10:55.958+08:00Now you can have your very own PET!!! Wait... in a *key chain*?China.<br /><br />China China China China.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />This is one of the times my brain screams out "PETA!!!! PETA where ARE you?!!!" China desperately needs PETA. <br /><br />Thanks to my friend Christa for finding this little guy and FREEING him - I can share with you the trend in China - or Beijing at least - to have a pet. IN a key chain. Turtles, fish, and even newts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i51.tinypic.com/s63hoz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 247px;" src="http://i51.tinypic.com/s63hoz.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />My friend Katharine asks a good question. How do you feed it?<br /><br />Apparently you don't? You just let them slowly suffocate and die?<br /><br />Gross. This is gross on so many levels.<br /><br />**Please no political comments! (don't want me to get in trouble right?!)<br /><br />Anyway - I just returned from a trip to Xi'an (again).... this time we had the super special VIP tour that is only given to special people, such as heads of state and CEOs of major companies. My friend's husband is one of these special people and we were able to stand right next to the Terracotta warriors. Very very cool. Then we went onto Hong Kong - just a few words: COOLEST CITY EVER. Like, in the world.<br /><br />I love Hong Kong.<br /><br />Pictures to come.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />The very bad absent bloggerMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-14467797989654509252011-03-18T15:35:00.011+08:002011-03-20T10:57:46.898+08:00**(Mini) Blog sale!** Cleaning out my closet!Do you ever have a few items that you hold onto and hold onto, because they are really cute and you don't want to let them go? but then time passes, and for whatever reason, you rarely end up wearing them, if at all?<br /><br />I feel this way about a few items in my closet for sure! As I was looking through my closet to take an inventory of what I will need for spring and summer, my eyes kept falling on a few things that I like, but for whatever reason just don't work for me or haven't been worn. (Okay, and I also decided that if I sold a few things, maybe some of the guilt I have over splurging at Piperlime's "Give & Get" will go away...;))<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How this will work</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1. If you are interested in an item, e-mail me at Misshark122 at aol dot com - use the item description as the subject line. Items are reserved first come first serve. <br /></span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">2. I will accept payment only through paypal: use the same e-mail address as shown above.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">3. Shipping - I will ship USPS priority mail, which you will receive within 2 weeks. Shipping will vary depending on the item weight, but I will always ship the cheapest possible way. For the dresses and top, I anticipate shipping to be approximately $6, for the shoes, a little more because of weight. I will scan the receipt for you so you see exactly what I paid.<br /></span><br />OK, here we go... not too many things at this point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #1. Banana Republic Navy & White Striped Dress</span> - on trend with Spring & Summer's nautical theme! <br /><br />Size: XS <br />Fabric: 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex<br />Made in Vietnam, Hand wash or machine wash cold, gentle cycle<br />Worn <span style="font-style:italic;">once</span>, item is in "like new" condition, no snags, no holes, absolutely no imperfections.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ASKING PRICE: $20<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWIXYdaf2oAPS5c3dnJ7WCsiXMjDHFs2Q6idtw-_hoNryFOYsT-4wXVDJjmYmV6Ml5GDA9C72fJj17ptUiWbfbuI4P6AyUWnA59YLSBrB_3OzfhOfrd5t1xDzMSrgoIyBZP7MjnJYeH4/s1600/IMG_1917.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWIXYdaf2oAPS5c3dnJ7WCsiXMjDHFs2Q6idtw-_hoNryFOYsT-4wXVDJjmYmV6Ml5GDA9C72fJj17ptUiWbfbuI4P6AyUWnA59YLSBrB_3OzfhOfrd5t1xDzMSrgoIyBZP7MjnJYeH4/s400/IMG_1917.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585324386098290290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZWlEEMV-w6JjCZO_IXPK4ES3SB7uva3EEb2qaO0pvBrdrggQjxpHfVSN5tCC2RiBV0qu7zGEphzV4l8K46PgK3zblKwW_h3X_nMKjmZYP3QTQzzBcF9wshZnoVwhOpzribjuQ__bloE/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZWlEEMV-w6JjCZO_IXPK4ES3SB7uva3EEb2qaO0pvBrdrggQjxpHfVSN5tCC2RiBV0qu7zGEphzV4l8K46PgK3zblKwW_h3X_nMKjmZYP3QTQzzBcF9wshZnoVwhOpzribjuQ__bloE/s400/IMG_1919.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585324389852776210" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #2. Banana Republic Blue Dress</span> - very pretty bright blue, great for spring and summer!<br /><br />Size: XS<br />Fabric: 93% Rayon, 5% Spandex<br />Made in Vietnam, hand wash or machine wash cold, gentle cycle<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Never worn</span> (aside from trying it on and off), like-new condition, no snags, no imperfections<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ASKING PRICE: $20<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxlo5n2u3Sm2ROSJlwdNxpw4T4dLHUMzREL-_PgEQDVxOmuEuwoyGe-bUHYzn28d6RaNkGNlEFDknfWDZuwRzGYqnpWT8wck5i1YPNMKw2S0_stxprZiDyZ_b-ohdV26671bj1vP-Qkw/s1600/IMG_1920.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxlo5n2u3Sm2ROSJlwdNxpw4T4dLHUMzREL-_PgEQDVxOmuEuwoyGe-bUHYzn28d6RaNkGNlEFDknfWDZuwRzGYqnpWT8wck5i1YPNMKw2S0_stxprZiDyZ_b-ohdV26671bj1vP-Qkw/s400/IMG_1920.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585324393898928882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89w6m-2IDkOkyKqf41HhPH147Lvauc9cIV-LiIlTd-X81mRDv_1jWjzHRInm_tp_IzS-HAHCPSD0WbO8rzF7dCQcGQ8HdbU9HnTPdzCjHpqOO7Q8EfWnuMIVC6lpepoHllgL_O90oFsA/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89w6m-2IDkOkyKqf41HhPH147Lvauc9cIV-LiIlTd-X81mRDv_1jWjzHRInm_tp_IzS-HAHCPSD0WbO8rzF7dCQcGQ8HdbU9HnTPdzCjHpqOO7Q8EfWnuMIVC6lpepoHllgL_O90oFsA/s400/IMG_1921.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585324395882633170" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #3. Express Floral Dress</span><br />Size: 4<br />Fabric: 100% Silk shell, 100% polyester lining<br />Dry clean only<br />Worn once for a wedding, like-new condition, no defects or imperfections<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ASKING PRICE: $15</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ofz5CTfJZ01qLeW-VYDJYK2hQwTbehUOR_oK0M6dlB-p2sS-6bZbTqGh3T-QPF-XxF6dzPZvx-LiYtmrAOyp19esph-Q2P4TJeXw6Ww10gb5sLgq5JNy7fQ7xGBBUuStq1twHkhyi8/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ofz5CTfJZ01qLeW-VYDJYK2hQwTbehUOR_oK0M6dlB-p2sS-6bZbTqGh3T-QPF-XxF6dzPZvx-LiYtmrAOyp19esph-Q2P4TJeXw6Ww10gb5sLgq5JNy7fQ7xGBBUuStq1twHkhyi8/s400/IMG_1926.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585328361697442162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-HjI2rA1aHJi_Dy7C5_PttZvXEC10Xw0vxPWptcWJrsXEo9eoBwYNHbvNAe8JipBtFEYdMcDiHUUcyL3oL7e8fdDIBonRXmfKwyVo-NGKhnnuZjPv4fwS11ZaJFFw_2iauZgLvOJM4g/s1600/IMG_1925.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-HjI2rA1aHJi_Dy7C5_PttZvXEC10Xw0vxPWptcWJrsXEo9eoBwYNHbvNAe8JipBtFEYdMcDiHUUcyL3oL7e8fdDIBonRXmfKwyVo-NGKhnnuZjPv4fwS11ZaJFFw_2iauZgLvOJM4g/s400/IMG_1925.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585324401953810962" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #4. Anthropologie Navy Ric Rac Brand Sweetheart Ruffle Shirt</span><br /><br />Size: S<br />100% Cotton, machine wash cold<br />Worn once or twice, in like-new condition, no defects or imperfections<br />ASKING PRICE: $15<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZSgeMhWVbb5DHD4ydL2uWX2dAxZg1I7o8h_I5_pacYXh0vuPbkhlkWaS-s1mCyZo_AaUsUjbQqvJRBKxvpP1P7Q0p72uIEagzi5XmXDzadAF4rwYCIiXtNhb3NarcStgiXoFDMZ3xlg/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZSgeMhWVbb5DHD4ydL2uWX2dAxZg1I7o8h_I5_pacYXh0vuPbkhlkWaS-s1mCyZo_AaUsUjbQqvJRBKxvpP1P7Q0p72uIEagzi5XmXDzadAF4rwYCIiXtNhb3NarcStgiXoFDMZ3xlg/s400/IMG_1923.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585328353102723874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W3-FdPjWZcsIesrTMHQfHofzj7X_KxFggJGlFQ8Vsl14qUyRZX1ODEDJ2XS8cRlhMxZQ_S0OXoSEU9NQtGp0gDogWKwNOy5rKamrFHzaDgKFtjcN_qKRUWDeeBriqlD6JoSlbzxuHK0/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W3-FdPjWZcsIesrTMHQfHofzj7X_KxFggJGlFQ8Vsl14qUyRZX1ODEDJ2XS8cRlhMxZQ_S0OXoSEU9NQtGp0gDogWKwNOy5rKamrFHzaDgKFtjcN_qKRUWDeeBriqlD6JoSlbzxuHK0/s400/IMG_1924.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585328358289506658" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #5. Banana Republic Brown Leather Espradille Wedges</span> - on trend for spring and summer!<br /><br />Size: 8 1/2<br />Brown leather upper with Espradille "straw style" wedge<br />Lightweight and solid, comfortable, good quality<br />Worn probably once for a few hours!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ASKING PRICE: $40</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX5gPnO4IM32zhSDgh7JjyQgH3fsPP6o-GOoMy6RWfdABhAreGn63-INZqJDjVnjvipFcNX7ynwCi_1BhcOpckfBhOX4mJupvHNawEOZpENInPhHGn3VCwquatW8weYkuKl1CJLuu7YI/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX5gPnO4IM32zhSDgh7JjyQgH3fsPP6o-GOoMy6RWfdABhAreGn63-INZqJDjVnjvipFcNX7ynwCi_1BhcOpckfBhOX4mJupvHNawEOZpENInPhHGn3VCwquatW8weYkuKl1CJLuu7YI/s400/IMG_1928.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585328367937800818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPPc2-Xj6YUTFxNFJ4oniU5PmAaDJbvVSjyMu5B8ELKGJsZ7H2LXEhKkf48rHCDAaQZv_Gp6veFqTy4zBJLWjVxf5Ra1DMEgh9dCG36gqQIfp_lhJq_AAGl998tlpbOun6trNHm69ovU/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPPc2-Xj6YUTFxNFJ4oniU5PmAaDJbvVSjyMu5B8ELKGJsZ7H2LXEhKkf48rHCDAaQZv_Gp6veFqTy4zBJLWjVxf5Ra1DMEgh9dCG36gqQIfp_lhJq_AAGl998tlpbOun6trNHm69ovU/s400/IMG_1929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585328370676794642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg9YIQuAhxzzkv2fPnOCnLV8hzdSF5vaDtc-lZ9T5fDIhqoKYlhBG2YnpFimPjTgpEnnHVUOSiOwhD2-qZKs8bHuAbS0VixSjRwHk07ElOArRiVgP1IBDsImsqydd5Xj_w43PyezIxzA/s1600/IMG_1927.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg9YIQuAhxzzkv2fPnOCnLV8hzdSF5vaDtc-lZ9T5fDIhqoKYlhBG2YnpFimPjTgpEnnHVUOSiOwhD2-qZKs8bHuAbS0VixSjRwHk07ElOArRiVgP1IBDsImsqydd5Xj_w43PyezIxzA/s400/IMG_1927.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585330760288477074" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Item #6. Ann Taylor Deep V-neck Crimson Top</span><br />Size: S<br />Fabric: 96% Viscose, 4% Elastene<br />Machine wash<br />Worn once or twice, like new condition, no issues or imperfections - this fabric is very nice and soft, comfy<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ASKING PRICE: $10<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvpqhFAkzUYi5hpcAxQF2uKxMa4SGeGBP4tmSrr3GQUOELNGq4WVDKLK6ipOitVr9io8e3cV3vaXYOAVKPne_V3GYPEpW6EvGA06xuXL3XlKfnmSKyAHY7cjjMW-IMKLMpyAyr9kHB4E/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvpqhFAkzUYi5hpcAxQF2uKxMa4SGeGBP4tmSrr3GQUOELNGq4WVDKLK6ipOitVr9io8e3cV3vaXYOAVKPne_V3GYPEpW6EvGA06xuXL3XlKfnmSKyAHY7cjjMW-IMKLMpyAyr9kHB4E/s400/IMG_1932.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585336340215857266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCBUmYktxHBwFQDnZsJFN8JP4CbBlRvV-aFmcE6cMPf4Z9wnJ2JDuGfAcwAw7yihddxrYDkqtFDOjI5Tyhpx2jn0Rl0TGMLbaYDZ0GMY5wUbRsqn_xuk5hV5NRbmzCNH2LiGoSXnsjxc/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCBUmYktxHBwFQDnZsJFN8JP4CbBlRvV-aFmcE6cMPf4Z9wnJ2JDuGfAcwAw7yihddxrYDkqtFDOjI5Tyhpx2jn0Rl0TGMLbaYDZ0GMY5wUbRsqn_xuk5hV5NRbmzCNH2LiGoSXnsjxc/s400/IMG_1931.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585336343183382194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jVsGvL4ZxXFpvilG2fnx-UFTmpfwsv_8uINQ65qKgt1twpTTGRdmI_R465a1rwFvwY4mldt45M0Qq1Yblw6J39HguqHMi5DPsprevv0IPFwgvK1sk5fz2hdv80DTfOgCpDjjDuMWWI4/s1600/IMG_1930.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jVsGvL4ZxXFpvilG2fnx-UFTmpfwsv_8uINQ65qKgt1twpTTGRdmI_R465a1rwFvwY4mldt45M0Qq1Yblw6J39HguqHMi5DPsprevv0IPFwgvK1sk5fz2hdv80DTfOgCpDjjDuMWWI4/s400/IMG_1930.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585336331519897970" /></a><br />That's all for now. I have a few other things I KNOW I should part with, but I just can't bring myself to yet.<br /><br />If you are interested in any of the above, be sure to e-mail me to reserve.<br /><br />Thanks!MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-46682527633009295612011-03-13T16:13:00.006+08:002011-03-13T16:24:58.052+08:00Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui Province, China<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoR6KcluCRwFMZ1C7vOcVSWxhQ0cdLD2UItJN9JkkSm1GkkCOMduFY2GOPrh17VtykXnBtiPVKoY4dCbDMhmwkrLZuDuvUgqRHHRW2xDyoDHyY1rOxlEsntV7YIWLrw4MpeHUleGmMIs/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoR6KcluCRwFMZ1C7vOcVSWxhQ0cdLD2UItJN9JkkSm1GkkCOMduFY2GOPrh17VtykXnBtiPVKoY4dCbDMhmwkrLZuDuvUgqRHHRW2xDyoDHyY1rOxlEsntV7YIWLrw4MpeHUleGmMIs/s400/DSC_0265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583476786303387154" /></a><br />The Walkway<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyuefOQEF3qofeh1QYlLyUrn2VwMkKMwbiHqjaS8uXUYsqOkTcB0vFd0H29Ii0Kb966X5MLaqXowHbqNMRgQkl4ResMzs0wJ1jaNFFHaevNpqyEUJaqVkqdUu4MwSUBLhZ9Rb9zyTD2E/s1600/DSC_0325.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyuefOQEF3qofeh1QYlLyUrn2VwMkKMwbiHqjaS8uXUYsqOkTcB0vFd0H29Ii0Kb966X5MLaqXowHbqNMRgQkl4ResMzs0wJ1jaNFFHaevNpqyEUJaqVkqdUu4MwSUBLhZ9Rb9zyTD2E/s400/DSC_0325.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583476795309401602" /></a><br />This is how they carry up supplies to the hotel at the top. It is back breaking work and they do it for 15 USD a day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk4Zo6ZaibYK97dMPXijSpxamljYXKaYJBPslquAldAwxVf2a0dv9OfpqUF2BamgpX-qyk5ssfGVmCUScaixrgqGuz75663wuedM4mLp78OhLNzxJU9HiOHUeAsXaseawRIPy66paSTQ/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk4Zo6ZaibYK97dMPXijSpxamljYXKaYJBPslquAldAwxVf2a0dv9OfpqUF2BamgpX-qyk5ssfGVmCUScaixrgqGuz75663wuedM4mLp78OhLNzxJU9HiOHUeAsXaseawRIPy66paSTQ/s400/DSC_0150.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583476789532975778" /></a><br />And a last glimpse<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9Yp1pxI0IyoBdRzfMRGjaeSQbxfMA1e541jWnxcTQlZ_DUENZyaoRzgFNGDG49rj5CbOQuEcb-XehLeyiZlzgZdYIia5HLOPxmhyiW9OrjgBETO6XX0Ahp8YglkeFhE1O079vFmtEyE/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9Yp1pxI0IyoBdRzfMRGjaeSQbxfMA1e541jWnxcTQlZ_DUENZyaoRzgFNGDG49rj5CbOQuEcb-XehLeyiZlzgZdYIia5HLOPxmhyiW9OrjgBETO6XX0Ahp8YglkeFhE1O079vFmtEyE/s400/DSC_0272.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583476779902289570" /></a><br />There is a saying that once you see Huangshan, you don't need to see the 5 most famous mountains in China.MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-81456845016816626342011-03-13T10:38:00.004+08:002011-03-13T10:50:57.619+08:00Donate directly to the Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami Relief EffortsMany thoughts and prayers to everyone in Japan affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. If you want to donate directly to the relief efforts in Japan, you can do so with the Red Cross.<br /><br /><a href="https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052">CLICK HERE</a> to donate specifically to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-48732627700327679172011-03-07T11:54:00.009+08:002011-03-07T13:17:33.008+08:00Adventures in custom tailoringA couple friends and I set out early Saturday morning to Beijing's largest fabric market. This fabric market is located in Beijing's Fengtai district, near the Muxiyuan long distance bus station. It is called Muxiyuan fabric market, 木樨园纺织品市场 in Chinese.<br /> It is filled with stall after stall of fabric - every type imaginable. Not many foreigners venture out this way, so the prices are low.<br /><br /> I didn't go with anything in particular in mind, but I stumbled across a print that reminded me of exotic, far away places and beach destinations. I'm always drawn to exotic looking prints like ikat or batik.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr2aJs_CCh1f4Cmc7rShg8_R_hi5f6URW_t5e72mRWneMf4gLL7ckfdhc7WxofZGALmytjL8dZvKhQwRmTR21PZAqv2EZtFVfjCF6M5_zun9ztg9UH3-KO0ZeDWnZ8-4FCUvxgxg2kvM/s1600/Photo+on+2011-03-07+at+11.50.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr2aJs_CCh1f4Cmc7rShg8_R_hi5f6URW_t5e72mRWneMf4gLL7ckfdhc7WxofZGALmytjL8dZvKhQwRmTR21PZAqv2EZtFVfjCF6M5_zun9ztg9UH3-KO0ZeDWnZ8-4FCUvxgxg2kvM/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-07+at+11.50.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581182911016365026" /></a><br />I decided I didn't have anything to lose, as I paid less than 10 dollars for enough meters of fabric to make myself a beach tunic/swimsuit cover up. The colors are more vibrant in real life and sort of fade into each other. The fabric is a light linen-y type fabric, very lightweight and slightly sheer with one layer.<br /><br />Now I just have to find a picture of what I want and bring it to the tailor... who is currently making me a shift dress and a pencil skirt out of some super 120s wool fabric I bought a couple months ago - for $39 USD total. Basically, for $55 USD (fabric plus tailoring) I will have a pencil skirt and a shift dress completely tailored to my body, in the fabric and design of my choosing. Pretty awesome, huh?<br /><br />Anyway, back to the issue at hand - which tunic style should I have them re-create?<br /><br />Should I have some unique edging added to the neckline, bottom of the sleeves, and hem of the tunic, like this Milly Cabana Tunic?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJNaJQWVT4ySj89fg1Z4MZpDPQ-erOqpx82mYNN8Y1uj30Um5KsPXdzo4iFnxaYJR7E0n-tWCNlKrbA1whaibpd7OJL6pHvjrYBa3j9re8qw3jCmW4U8i4CFF0cZYkQzBx-b3WBgFDo/s1600/tunic3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJNaJQWVT4ySj89fg1Z4MZpDPQ-erOqpx82mYNN8Y1uj30Um5KsPXdzo4iFnxaYJR7E0n-tWCNlKrbA1whaibpd7OJL6pHvjrYBa3j9re8qw3jCmW4U8i4CFF0cZYkQzBx-b3WBgFDo/s400/tunic3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581185321301675794" /></a><br />Or just have them create a simple, casual design like the one below?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHYsjrFha6mof5F59ysJt_CKTEj7DFB5Z7xNlHFkun4d7a0phuddgRqQRq0Xr_ztkFCdVBGtUDEgTfvkWargipFFrovsoYEOFLNvjlM9iB2Jh3h7061AYanokE-XvMEU2_0mjcpbODwE/s1600/tunic2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHYsjrFha6mof5F59ysJt_CKTEj7DFB5Z7xNlHFkun4d7a0phuddgRqQRq0Xr_ztkFCdVBGtUDEgTfvkWargipFFrovsoYEOFLNvjlM9iB2Jh3h7061AYanokE-XvMEU2_0mjcpbODwE/s400/tunic2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581185314223271426" /></a><br />Or this shape?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gBtjpSeqFjNr1-vDExfCLbp4EuarelBvDvlBWKVbdCPdWu23VGAjjDDpgeYyku7sEzOQkvvsT-8nw2ImYmcMRGK5RJj4qEktRQn06OF3Fd82sDwzzgk32xhjxmHkouKFazutOtaSFSo/s1600/tunic1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gBtjpSeqFjNr1-vDExfCLbp4EuarelBvDvlBWKVbdCPdWu23VGAjjDDpgeYyku7sEzOQkvvsT-8nw2ImYmcMRGK5RJj4qEktRQn06OF3Fd82sDwzzgk32xhjxmHkouKFazutOtaSFSo/s400/tunic1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581185311496959602" /></a><br />Any thoughts?<br /><br />I'll post pictures of my tailor-made shift, pencil skirt, and tunic when I receive the finished products!<br /><br />ETA: Another picture of the fabric so you can see that it is actually pretty sheer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_Hdgy_PNW5_570gzqtzZ9EJMHh-5yfKkftxNQqMtwhaATfd2p27-Qw0zkp6sldnRjwJ23fYqAqAb55YWm1QbndlFM-LdVgpTnUVylXkrEFUWFrAzPyIbjKBCYeySf4G_QK5K9GV0ffY/s1600/Photo+on+2011-03-07+at+13.04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_Hdgy_PNW5_570gzqtzZ9EJMHh-5yfKkftxNQqMtwhaATfd2p27-Qw0zkp6sldnRjwJ23fYqAqAb55YWm1QbndlFM-LdVgpTnUVylXkrEFUWFrAzPyIbjKBCYeySf4G_QK5K9GV0ffY/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-07+at+13.04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581199769816000450" /></a>MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-67649585854391277102011-03-02T14:53:00.001+08:002011-03-02T14:54:56.528+08:00Hong Kong help!HI everyone - currently planning a trip to Hong Kong and hoping for some help from my readers! If you've been, what area is the best place to stay in? Hong Kong seems huge and I'm having a hard time figuring out where to stay.<br /><br />Thanks for the help!MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-72527362015933935492011-02-16T08:50:00.004+08:002011-02-16T09:23:04.283+08:00Busy planning our summer trip!We've officially received military orders.... you know what that means, right? ... Summer trip planning has officially commenced! <br /><br />I am so excited about the places we are going! We are spending a few days in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia</span> - just around Kuala Lumpur, so if you have any recommendations or thoughts on possible day trips, let me know! ...followed by a flight to Brisbane. <br /><br />The <span style="font-weight:bold;">Australia</span> portion of the trip, believe it or not, is the difficult one to plan. The country is just so darn big.... and expensive! Everything worthwhile costs a pretty penny. We are going to spend some time with our friends around Brisbane, but we still have time to see something else. I was of the belief "you can't go to Australia and not see the Great Barrier Reef" ... but as it turns out, trips to see the reef are crazy expensive! And to stay on one of the lovely islands around the reef, it is really, really expensive - what I like to call "French Polynesia overwater bungalow expensive!" And when you are taking a month long trip and what feels like a million flights, you have to save where you can, right? <br /><br />I haven't given up on seeing the Great Barrier Reef yet, but our alternate plan is to head to Melbourne, drive along the Great Ocean Road and maybe stop in one of the little towns for a night, and finally go to Phillips Island animal parks where you can watch wild penguins come out of the water and up onto the beach to their nests. Aww.<br /><br />After Australia, we are heading to <span style="font-weight:bold;">New</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Zealand's</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">South</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Island</span> for some winter fun! The South Island is a ski destination for many, so hopefully we will get some winter sports in, too. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5WY4cvNqxv_V0PBJovOOJYJIye8_2rIXM_8pPUkc3gSqSR5q7LnCbY55y_zWO6IC6vlhWUoOv7ZdBiduc8xraYQ6DVWD9y9I8BqNo_yIqvEh2ByL80Lbb4kxe1vTB7dl38ZUvD3freI/s1600/Southisland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5WY4cvNqxv_V0PBJovOOJYJIye8_2rIXM_8pPUkc3gSqSR5q7LnCbY55y_zWO6IC6vlhWUoOv7ZdBiduc8xraYQ6DVWD9y9I8BqNo_yIqvEh2ByL80Lbb4kxe1vTB7dl38ZUvD3freI/s400/Southisland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574091161775614370" /></a><br />Followed by a wonderful, relaxing week on <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rarotonga</span> in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cook</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Islands</span>. Skiing in New Zealand one week, laying on the beach in the Cooks the next - awesome! After our trip to French Polynesia, I have been desperately waiting to head back to a tropical South Pacific island. We have rented a 1 bedroom 1 bath "villa" less than a 30 second walk to our own semi-private (no big resorts with screaming children near by!) beach. Don't get me wrong - I love kids. Just not while I'm laying on the beach in the Cook Islands. ;)<br /><br />This is the beach I will be resting my pretty little head on come June! (the black stuff underwater? It's coral... teeming with life and pretty fishes!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPFUgVLfIWd84BD_uIeAQx303kH1708OX_Cd3BftAYtjBhyLOJ_1QZXYzXSu2H2MS3Fg-ZKReSwS2e_XiWbki1vts4SvLnjR1QFbhgfzFb6n5hQ7E8aXEu0pi6UK1X2D_kRHE6c2Srgc/s1600/maeva_5_lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPFUgVLfIWd84BD_uIeAQx303kH1708OX_Cd3BftAYtjBhyLOJ_1QZXYzXSu2H2MS3Fg-ZKReSwS2e_XiWbki1vts4SvLnjR1QFbhgfzFb6n5hQ7E8aXEu0pi6UK1X2D_kRHE6c2Srgc/s400/maeva_5_lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574088402028226562" /></a><br />Almost all of our tickets and hotels/B&Bs (we are big B&B fans) are booked - just waiting to explore our options in Australia some more before booking our flight to New Zealand. I had to assure my credit card that this was indeed not fraud as I booked tickets all over the world yesterday.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">If anyone has any input on any of these places, including must see places and must do activities, please don't hesitate to comment below. </span> Help with the Australia portion is especially appreciated!!<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-64335869141107939042011-02-08T15:56:00.003+08:002011-02-08T15:58:24.946+08:00Another reason I love China...the flower market rocks my world.<br /><br />I paid less than $9 USD for about 40 gerber daisies in vibrant red, orange, and pink. And I was so shocked at how cheap it was, I didn't even try to bargain, so I probably could have paid less.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PotaDaugPlJY72DonmIe7pO2HyVbx0mXXywB8g83opcHFanq-xmaJSGfI7rHM_diM3gTvNt_G9C5JstWipxI0voPJHZrYpc9LU1rWY-gJux0_mRjfYVqKviL5j-S9BY0XXLkK8uDsH4/s1600/flowersmakemehappy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PotaDaugPlJY72DonmIe7pO2HyVbx0mXXywB8g83opcHFanq-xmaJSGfI7rHM_diM3gTvNt_G9C5JstWipxI0voPJHZrYpc9LU1rWY-gJux0_mRjfYVqKviL5j-S9BY0XXLkK8uDsH4/s400/flowersmakemehappy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571224879347022258" /></a><br />Flowers make me happy.MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-45551486154535471112011-02-07T13:06:00.008+08:002011-02-07T13:58:41.257+08:00An interesting proposition (and other language fumbles)A couple weeks ago I was getting off the subway at my stop and a local girl came over and was told me she is a photographer, and works at the local art village over here, and needs a foreign girl for one of her projects. I was holding onto my purse and looking around because who knows if it was a diversion to pickpocket me or what, so I gave her my email address and told her to email me info about it.<br /><br />So, she emailed me and her english was pretty bad, I couldn't really understand what she was asking, so I said, look I speak and understand Chinese, can you tell me what you want me to do?<br /><br />And so, she writes me this thing about how she is doing an art project on the understanding of different religions with people from different backgrounds. She wants me to be in photos and video doing some Buddhism actions and words. OK so I get to this point and I don't exactly know what this one Chinese word means, but she is talking about taking photos in her art studio, so I skip over it. (Then she says of course if I worry about safety I can bring friends with me, etc). I skipped over the word because when you are learning Chinese, you sometimes have to ignore a word you don't know, because often, you can get the meaning without knowing the word.<br /><br />OK so I finished reading and something kept tugging at me.... I was like, hmmm, I think I should go back to that one word I don't know (sometimes when reading Chinese it is impossible to know every word, but you might know the characters the word is composed of which allows you to figure out the meaning). I go back and I am like, hm, TUO means to take off or get rid of (like tuo yifu de tuo 脱衣服, or the verb used in "to take of your clothes"), and GUANG can mean light but it can also mean to use up... at this point an image of a bald head flashes into my mind, because I realized that this same guang is also used in guangtou 光头,which means bald... and finally, realization dawns on me... but I looked it up in the dictionary to be sure and sure enough, the word I was looking for, "tuoguang" 脱光, means TO STRIP NAKED! LOL!<br /><br />OK that was a long story, but I thought it was hilarious that if I had skipped that ONE crucial word, you never know what would have happened, hahaha. In learning Chinese, there are times you HAVE to skip the word you don't know and move on, and more often than not you still understand the meaning... but sometimes (like this!), the word you don't know is apparently crucial to the situation, and it is better to do some more digging. ;)<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-41802163340672695962011-02-06T15:51:00.005+08:002011-02-06T16:29:00.716+08:00Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐!OK, so Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday in China. It is a pretty amazing time and lasts from February 2nd to February 15th. On the 2nd, the amount of fireworks going on was absolutely insane. I am talking about Disney World style fireworks being let off literally all night long, RIGHT outside my window - <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> all across the city. It was amazing. The fireworks have abated, but they are still going on. For a few days, Beijing sounded like a warzone - and I didn't sleep so well. The fireworks would stop at about 2am and start up again by 8am.<br /><br />Spring Festival (AKA Chinese New Year) is the largest human migration on earth. A large majority of city populations leave the city to head home and spend the festival with loved ones. An estimated <span style="font-style:italic;">230</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">million</span> people this year are using China's railways to head home for the holiday. You can imagine traveling at this time of year is absolutely crazy.<br /><br />The sheer amount of people who left Beijing to head home for the holiday is obvious. Beijing is noticeably empty (for the most part). The streets, which are always clogged with cars no matter what day it is or what time of day it is, are virtually empty. (The NY Times recently reported that Beijing and Mexico City are tied for the #1 worst traffic in the world... so for the streets to be empty, it is pretty amazing.)<br /><br />One place that is NOT empty.... all the temple fairs (also known as Miaohui - 庙会) scattered around the city.<br /><br />Today some friends and I went to the temple fair at Ditan Park... here are a few I-phone quality pics ... and some video!!! to share.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EZa7RjBWbl4XkZpjBo0HqzZ1vpHchx95koljWVcQEIdEUo4U1KMXPjSyr-pEhDD7SFaDruLeRGB6EeR8yOhZij8vgt7bDUxNM8ilr-ocRb7PFt9vb_3J9atN_kD3oB38PBca1Ofnf9w/s1600/miaohui1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EZa7RjBWbl4XkZpjBo0HqzZ1vpHchx95koljWVcQEIdEUo4U1KMXPjSyr-pEhDD7SFaDruLeRGB6EeR8yOhZij8vgt7bDUxNM8ilr-ocRb7PFt9vb_3J9atN_kD3oB38PBca1Ofnf9w/s400/miaohui1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570486396741566258"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79uEX-MJOIpEO_12xfF-V9M1IEBtW2tz88P8UsWb2wn8XVItWoftlxJtrSXQe2-uo6VjGAO5xPboVbF0Orr4721HSKIrRJAodBfekES6m0hkxjceRNTJkq6iFRLI7oXaYaTVbymu8qAw/s1600/miaohui2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79uEX-MJOIpEO_12xfF-V9M1IEBtW2tz88P8UsWb2wn8XVItWoftlxJtrSXQe2-uo6VjGAO5xPboVbF0Orr4721HSKIrRJAodBfekES6m0hkxjceRNTJkq6iFRLI7oXaYaTVbymu8qAw/s400/miaohui2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570486408154062018"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrCmT4HAuzavNHXdhZDKPY0jcbc4U6b-gJo6MUasez5VwuUj22KiFpjjtn46Xv6RTvmND6iH1rzp4DwniUO1U-8G_Bj2rSFzPuy8duFSjYM5YUhMZ333yuh29YU4lNbFuB6_x7madHSg/s1600/miaohuiiii.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrCmT4HAuzavNHXdhZDKPY0jcbc4U6b-gJo6MUasez5VwuUj22KiFpjjtn46Xv6RTvmND6iH1rzp4DwniUO1U-8G_Bj2rSFzPuy8duFSjYM5YUhMZ333yuh29YU4lNbFuB6_x7madHSg/s400/miaohuiiii.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570486404653491186"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYun6N272b9WoQ7of4A4D0lFOQ5qa9G3GiM9wQ78dL9ZVfzZK_MRhh9zfdj7Z9jt-YHcb6FeMJ5TycBjvr-FsD_EZPK0DmV5IauuPaNQeh-lLW0ujrtl0_VFfO7btp5fEdBuItImZgLY/s1600/moremiaohui.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYun6N272b9WoQ7of4A4D0lFOQ5qa9G3GiM9wQ78dL9ZVfzZK_MRhh9zfdj7Z9jt-YHcb6FeMJ5TycBjvr-FsD_EZPK0DmV5IauuPaNQeh-lLW0ujrtl0_VFfO7btp5fEdBuItImZgLY/s400/moremiaohui.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570486410531578802"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDN-t4Br5G_1gnzU1leh5E_Ok8ysOL4SouHc75v7eh-x5vx92Nk8eYDa4dkPSv3MksdQtd6JGvEuY9IDrn1tEyoqW3WLlwyWimYRqO7J4gkLM2waThjudaMvNxNDIYmkFTzrj6miysms/s1600/moremiaohui2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDN-t4Br5G_1gnzU1leh5E_Ok8ysOL4SouHc75v7eh-x5vx92Nk8eYDa4dkPSv3MksdQtd6JGvEuY9IDrn1tEyoqW3WLlwyWimYRqO7J4gkLM2waThjudaMvNxNDIYmkFTzrj6miysms/s400/moremiaohui2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570486416599057154"></a><br />At the end of this video, my friend is like "Are you hiding behind me so you won't be on video?" and I'm like "yup!"<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2leRF0Sfw9-cXM5AEpuvr2Z-qQOWoQo43HBHaLTcgMsSGdMV0HBbSb7cAQfsH5bXo0ndzQ4Ekp3cmpHsq8Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />And this one is a little something we like to call 人山人海 in Chinese - <span style="font-style:italic;">renshanrenhai</span> - which means a mountain and ocean of people... which means, a helluvalot of people! It wouldn't be China if it were any other way, eh?<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzHP-twZ1dlIu9LGFYJV8vyuIKHQXuI02z1kvdud5j_klTdhuxW05FuHqxOY8GkoH-0GQm6kT9BQwDi-CduGQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I hope this gives you a little taste of Chinese New Year here in Beijing!MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-42408965344648684122011-02-01T16:44:00.010+08:002011-02-01T17:25:50.276+08:00Harbin Ice Festival!It was absolutely amazing! But soo ridiculously cold. How cold you ask? -29 degrees Fahrenheit cold. Which is like frozen tundra cold. Frostbite cold. Your handwarmers freeze kind of cold. Ice on your eyelashes kind of cold (seriously). But it was worth it! All the ice is taken from the local river, which is amazing when you look at how huge these ice sculptures are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mm3uH6l13YSXRbDx_Xaapwr9UDcIY16J7d8aybeYTSpRlKl9dvPVstNNrWsV7DJ6ZjMMa1K3iPX49ighb-dWUb695GiioHFIqRPo647-uHFFVf3upEgPmlaYZdx_ldKHWNCsJtqgo_Q/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mm3uH6l13YSXRbDx_Xaapwr9UDcIY16J7d8aybeYTSpRlKl9dvPVstNNrWsV7DJ6ZjMMa1K3iPX49ighb-dWUb695GiioHFIqRPo647-uHFFVf3upEgPmlaYZdx_ldKHWNCsJtqgo_Q/s400/DSC_0400.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568640600614318482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-mDL4bSHZBil9lKUSo2Np3eTfpH5Vs1nXcTrN7u58zPeCsI7B_qZ74-QCRARWf0y96BThmITHH33OUdjVU59GHiG_QkmF3cA_HQYds0yx5ILn-A1eKBkN_rAExu2HFoYelYxspp5-bI/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-mDL4bSHZBil9lKUSo2Np3eTfpH5Vs1nXcTrN7u58zPeCsI7B_qZ74-QCRARWf0y96BThmITHH33OUdjVU59GHiG_QkmF3cA_HQYds0yx5ILn-A1eKBkN_rAExu2HFoYelYxspp5-bI/s400/DSC_0405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568640606537704402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-JKyCOKlOWlcf6odS3OTOSXCfiK2-gCo686S1WO9PBK8emZIqY-e079z1dbnkAY38NuLy5av5X1MtcS8QBhe9EstvXcIrsRDyxxTNds3tfJ0Xl25_kYGDZLzWY2KpQ_ylhPfYG8lMe0/s1600/DSC_0431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-JKyCOKlOWlcf6odS3OTOSXCfiK2-gCo686S1WO9PBK8emZIqY-e079z1dbnkAY38NuLy5av5X1MtcS8QBhe9EstvXcIrsRDyxxTNds3tfJ0Xl25_kYGDZLzWY2KpQ_ylhPfYG8lMe0/s400/DSC_0431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568640621270261250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp75ICh5lUo320nwwn6C8MNZTRcLkVLIcujequHyHnczwHKyrs255PSZ1kx0bCQh4hX7jN1Y8tdD4DEnotwWyKDKDLFBJA_A2nFvy0HMff9I9Klghht8dZr7fAJweibdoLnYqAwtSvbg/s1600/DSC_0425.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp75ICh5lUo320nwwn6C8MNZTRcLkVLIcujequHyHnczwHKyrs255PSZ1kx0bCQh4hX7jN1Y8tdD4DEnotwWyKDKDLFBJA_A2nFvy0HMff9I9Klghht8dZr7fAJweibdoLnYqAwtSvbg/s400/DSC_0425.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568640615463141202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuXSmW49ApPJihCtAvkxyxCAgiWSwA0F9aBBIAO78w4Mq7WwNNgXNzHRkWub_856xXreCpK0dSgsrv5_TSxoZOe-IHbiU7cIeISTAhthVkiAlRq-aZv__jrzBsNQFSQZOGP_kWKWCmmA/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuXSmW49ApPJihCtAvkxyxCAgiWSwA0F9aBBIAO78w4Mq7WwNNgXNzHRkWub_856xXreCpK0dSgsrv5_TSxoZOe-IHbiU7cIeISTAhthVkiAlRq-aZv__jrzBsNQFSQZOGP_kWKWCmmA/s400/DSC_0412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568640611605850818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlwfvv9vJjZuz_5yrVgwXkVBgc3HJm0q8_2DEfNU153UXoRRim3n4_swygicr8Zl8w0pS8jGJiJXeHm2twhLHp1K85qwT-S2-KYwsdxcFwn1cHAFMu75bKhOff5u-_bhTAAnH3M5VyvA/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlwfvv9vJjZuz_5yrVgwXkVBgc3HJm0q8_2DEfNU153UXoRRim3n4_swygicr8Zl8w0pS8jGJiJXeHm2twhLHp1K85qwT-S2-KYwsdxcFwn1cHAFMu75bKhOff5u-_bhTAAnH3M5VyvA/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568643171237844962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieys1f8AJIDe61oHq8X0my8nlkPrGr1koePEaDou8pVcKq9Y5oEZ4kfekmy2xusaxm6nBW0T1Oj0W6Lo-dwmHbi1yenJhPQhjkkoCrzvFajwj9mNMsTjEQaXajxP5tizaQwCznml-4_ZU/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieys1f8AJIDe61oHq8X0my8nlkPrGr1koePEaDou8pVcKq9Y5oEZ4kfekmy2xusaxm6nBW0T1Oj0W6Lo-dwmHbi1yenJhPQhjkkoCrzvFajwj9mNMsTjEQaXajxP5tizaQwCznml-4_ZU/s400/DSC_0422.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568643177743792034" /></a><br />This is Harbin's most famous piece of architecture... St. Sophia's church. Love the Russian influence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZhpr0Tm6pNzVcntvvWW_M_YTfFkpX3yaMHEfPzMjXE0CinaD5Acx8dfyqlthmQLMHXmMN7CQ6qTFR9IxvLwnmwWdgdm9kY2xUqKBPb-3Nmi98m2JRsrCGHavJ7oByUZ56TkleM5lZ4o/s1600/DSC_0454.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZhpr0Tm6pNzVcntvvWW_M_YTfFkpX3yaMHEfPzMjXE0CinaD5Acx8dfyqlthmQLMHXmMN7CQ6qTFR9IxvLwnmwWdgdm9kY2xUqKBPb-3Nmi98m2JRsrCGHavJ7oByUZ56TkleM5lZ4o/s400/DSC_0454.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568643193816138530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YCBZdnsZZltIQzjjd_FPrLaWRhtMB93tFPPstZs7wjOnWY5cQx1d1Wf8SI-5V7EbphBp73VoPMoERph71DEEiNO5IhMMj-ig3hFVd5lvabJSfJkml69Q7vxOLJ06ThCSkl77tAOKG3E/s1600/DSC_0460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YCBZdnsZZltIQzjjd_FPrLaWRhtMB93tFPPstZs7wjOnWY5cQx1d1Wf8SI-5V7EbphBp73VoPMoERph71DEEiNO5IhMMj-ig3hFVd5lvabJSfJkml69Q7vxOLJ06ThCSkl77tAOKG3E/s400/DSC_0460.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568646878196515442" /></a><br />Beautiful European style streets. I really liked the feel of Harbin, felt very different than other Chinese cities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa9auwE28LJ8F3SuaUKjhKTofhzHTFI4Y2-sks2PgI36F2Y6HR_tRW3_V0O642YEsnlYE9-INjTDNPZ6Kq2nX_ZNSYTvx7i6BhTbNb8hXy75nzM5fAiDkjEmOinwp3ToAOjwYcifpJa8/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa9auwE28LJ8F3SuaUKjhKTofhzHTFI4Y2-sks2PgI36F2Y6HR_tRW3_V0O642YEsnlYE9-INjTDNPZ6Kq2nX_ZNSYTvx7i6BhTbNb8hXy75nzM5fAiDkjEmOinwp3ToAOjwYcifpJa8/s400/DSC_0473.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568645007853414658" /></a><br />And I took a picture of this girl because I could not get over the fact that it was -29F and she was walking around in a skirt with just fishnet stockings (which I guess you can't really see with the picture! But I was wearing the equivalent of a sleeping bag and was uncomfortably cold!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Er-2sVnTPbWPgrOUcQiBYb_Zv1D6lAZS-f1BQ1uM063KDMw5qmZRNwGEvLRqYfQ4OeO9sJvDmiZPu-faQq_Ioa2KoqYPOCiKNrwdsgnmfrI68GEevxQRw-1YrjcSru3ulrbcwssKfK0/s1600/DSC_0468.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Er-2sVnTPbWPgrOUcQiBYb_Zv1D6lAZS-f1BQ1uM063KDMw5qmZRNwGEvLRqYfQ4OeO9sJvDmiZPu-faQq_Ioa2KoqYPOCiKNrwdsgnmfrI68GEevxQRw-1YrjcSru3ulrbcwssKfK0/s400/DSC_0468.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568645014055650818" /></a><br />Chinese New Year starts soon and it's the year of the Rabbit! Snow sculptures<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuCb09qYsoB3W3pQVjvbG8J0VzGs4jNIXMLftwxHF0MtEtkSVFbAkwumaEQyU7RSYyW5MD0CAFDVSdYompP7vjpHlxR4SqtQDpUhtrmE1T_Hb5J9qW_evolcvCUuvJ8mCL2tfnP06cnA/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuCb09qYsoB3W3pQVjvbG8J0VzGs4jNIXMLftwxHF0MtEtkSVFbAkwumaEQyU7RSYyW5MD0CAFDVSdYompP7vjpHlxR4SqtQDpUhtrmE1T_Hb5J9qW_evolcvCUuvJ8mCL2tfnP06cnA/s400/DSC_0502.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568645038069357426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBhoe15WW_nr_vlRHSvu8XL40od_yq3fofe_GlZWX2bCV6B_iMMFLv6Uxe2y2z5rO69KDcFIbReR3GzG_arSQjcHVe9rGBzpkah0y_V6H8jSE-dQ8zth5erU3vdrrOYD9uVDHzYCMT8o/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBhoe15WW_nr_vlRHSvu8XL40od_yq3fofe_GlZWX2bCV6B_iMMFLv6Uxe2y2z5rO69KDcFIbReR3GzG_arSQjcHVe9rGBzpkah0y_V6H8jSE-dQ8zth5erU3vdrrOYD9uVDHzYCMT8o/s400/DSC_0494.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568645024697774546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-dfdZrGdQYtPEXvipwdmeWGIBRISScGW5-rUEEqgWKewEwG64FJrIIhZ8UmMWhqLvPBegSIr713bEO41e1saxPMhnb4z3d6IeDzJbpTuLY_51hfaRwJtttL7wHYGCdA8N2hL4e9Tx2U/s1600/DSC_0518.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-dfdZrGdQYtPEXvipwdmeWGIBRISScGW5-rUEEqgWKewEwG64FJrIIhZ8UmMWhqLvPBegSIr713bEO41e1saxPMhnb4z3d6IeDzJbpTuLY_51hfaRwJtttL7wHYGCdA8N2hL4e9Tx2U/s400/DSC_0518.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568646901530416994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhMuBgrFJAEvzLDt_HYWVvEmFVj5WKo5UPcHvMY3GLe-NDlyfcsLfSfzvN4EWKEoZaVjxSPCafjUMHfcCxc590UXvQwIfCQsyhtUCOdlXI5YyAxiCIs7ccRJvMXLm2sPJi5xn7MqAkH4/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhMuBgrFJAEvzLDt_HYWVvEmFVj5WKo5UPcHvMY3GLe-NDlyfcsLfSfzvN4EWKEoZaVjxSPCafjUMHfcCxc590UXvQwIfCQsyhtUCOdlXI5YyAxiCIs7ccRJvMXLm2sPJi5xn7MqAkH4/s400/DSC_0503.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568646893499711570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlLkWAfB6I9qE5sTMUppdSIb1jjO5T-AP0AQz6WfI9rQp5_xYVeIVQUwS17IZu6va0e4lEJqX6sCsLDGkU1o7bgi0z5RtS-a73-hWsCQS1u3vgo2SH5w1e4e1Kgx4ZbLxr8eB3cLebwQ/s1600/DSC_0498.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlLkWAfB6I9qE5sTMUppdSIb1jjO5T-AP0AQz6WfI9rQp5_xYVeIVQUwS17IZu6va0e4lEJqX6sCsLDGkU1o7bgi0z5RtS-a73-hWsCQS1u3vgo2SH5w1e4e1Kgx4ZbLxr8eB3cLebwQ/s400/DSC_0498.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568646890677991890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2TTJGefY42sZV33V5O9mE0AFahrHuFsg0PQWTYiLTHmTVoUUjduK3gTBm6dXF-GAe9h9Uh1RCF4phpzyBboRkzcXWRnhs_C-pJX8iHoPIngKUUThJT_boKRH-IIepL7R5_hSLdo7i_4/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2TTJGefY42sZV33V5O9mE0AFahrHuFsg0PQWTYiLTHmTVoUUjduK3gTBm6dXF-GAe9h9Uh1RCF4phpzyBboRkzcXWRnhs_C-pJX8iHoPIngKUUThJT_boKRH-IIepL7R5_hSLdo7i_4/s400/DSC_0509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568646882783110946" /></a><br />"Please don't make me go over that bridge. It's slippery and I am freezing and I hope my nose and toes aren't frostbitten."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqiPOJaQcFlPrOUbDjywQwaG5sk3rKjz-KhM3fprwDSsLwjzK6l7BudP0VtsTUx4AVTqo7MzQA4CDekoHnr9s3R_HaAy5RPvWcyjYDgzgMnuuThoZbVYDVUfIaQRFTLS8LVu3Y8YTNk8/s1600/DSC_0519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqiPOJaQcFlPrOUbDjywQwaG5sk3rKjz-KhM3fprwDSsLwjzK6l7BudP0VtsTUx4AVTqo7MzQA4CDekoHnr9s3R_HaAy5RPvWcyjYDgzgMnuuThoZbVYDVUfIaQRFTLS8LVu3Y8YTNk8/s400/DSC_0519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568647902488516002" /></a><br />We went to a Siberian tiger park. They were very well fed tigers. We could have bought a live chicken to feed to the tiger, but no one in our tour group sprung for the $4.50 it would have cost.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3UTIoXCiq98terfE4tDByRkh29wu68GJQwth77yXzsd4Zj-h2SXd6GLQINPDjtkgaDcUejEL-pzzDL_AL0Mewgda4hHOBKw-w_PHqWs8imW-UhGczS8LOY76rx4WAawHrOq9bCQOZLM/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3UTIoXCiq98terfE4tDByRkh29wu68GJQwth77yXzsd4Zj-h2SXd6GLQINPDjtkgaDcUejEL-pzzDL_AL0Mewgda4hHOBKw-w_PHqWs8imW-UhGczS8LOY76rx4WAawHrOq9bCQOZLM/s400/DSC_0481.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568645022551826066" /></a><br />And this is a little coffee shop igloo where we huddled for warmth and a hot cup of tea while we let our fingers and toes defrost a bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexaaF7_QZwrgx1SQavnFYYVlsZUlktlfKmG43k8bBP9mmwn95-CpfYqZnJH1ykpJW5OgpR8Iykv3wtb1OFRVbkJ7G5HLmiwOsbG38Y7fKSd3hDYv2ZJOhXTVXe3ivEYh4h3zchuL5KsI/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexaaF7_QZwrgx1SQavnFYYVlsZUlktlfKmG43k8bBP9mmwn95-CpfYqZnJH1ykpJW5OgpR8Iykv3wtb1OFRVbkJ7G5HLmiwOsbG38Y7fKSd3hDYv2ZJOhXTVXe3ivEYh4h3zchuL5KsI/s400/DSC_0500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568648453422098642" /></a><br />As you can see, it was cold, but awesome.... if you ever happen to find yourself in China between January and February, definitely take the 2 hour flight from Beijing to Harbin to see one of the biggest and best ice festivals there is!<br /><br />Tomorrow is the first day of the Chinese New Year (which goes by the lunar calendar). It is beautiful around here with red lanterns hung everywhere.... and I have heard it will be fireworks galore. <br /><br />...more on Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, tomorrow!<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-33003508517570683252011-01-17T10:10:00.005+08:002011-01-17T10:22:52.158+08:00Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior<span style="font-style:italic;">I was out to lunch with a friend yesterday who told me about a very controversial article titled "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior." I read it this morning and thought it was a very interesting piece, indeed. I know I have a lot of readers who may have been raised by a "Chinese mother" (a term the author uses to encompass not just ethnically Chinese mothers, but those that follow this style of parenting) - and I wondered, if you were raised in this type of environment, what are your thoughts on this parenting style? How do you feel it affected you? And regardless if you were raised by Westerns Parents or Chinese Parents - any thoughts?<br /><br /></span><br />THE SATURDAY ESSAY<br />JANUARY 8, 2011<br />Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior<br />Can a regimen of no playdates, no TV, no computer games and hours of music practice create happy kids? And what happens when they fight back?<br />By AMY CHUA<br /><br />A lot of people wonder how Chinese parents raise such stereotypically successful kids. They wonder what these parents do to produce so many math whizzes and music prodigies, what it's like inside the family, and whether they could do it too. Well, I can tell them, because I've done it. Here are some things my daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were never allowed to do:<br /><br />• attend a sleepover<br /><br />• have a playdate<br /><br />• be in a school play<br /><br />• complain about not being in a school play<br /><br />• watch TV or play computer games<br /><br />• choose their own extracurricular activities<br /><br />• get any grade less than an A<br /><br />• not be the No. 1 student in every subject except gym and drama<br /><br />• play any instrument other than the piano or violin<br /><br />• not play the piano or violin.<br /><br />I'm using the term "Chinese mother" loosely. I know some Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Irish and Ghanaian parents who qualify too. Conversely, I know some mothers of Chinese heritage, almost always born in the West, who are not Chinese mothers, by choice or otherwise. I'm also using the term "Western parents" loosely. Western parents come in all varieties.<br /><br />All the same, even when Western parents think they're being strict, they usually don't come close to being Chinese mothers. For example, my Western friends who consider themselves strict make their children practice their instruments 30 minutes every day. An hour at most. For a Chinese mother, the first hour is the easy part. It's hours two and three that get tough.<br /><br />When it comes to parenting, the Chinese seem to produce children who display academic excellence, musical mastery and professional success - or so the stereotype goes. WSJ's Christina Tsuei speaks to two moms raised by Chinese immigrants who share what it was like growing up and how they hope to raise their children.<br /><br />Despite our squeamishness about cultural stereotypes, there are tons of studies out there showing marked and quantifiable differences between Chinese and Westerners when it comes to parenting. In one study of 50 Western American mothers and 48 Chinese immigrant mothers, almost 70% of the Western mothers said either that "stressing academic success is not good for children" or that "parents need to foster the idea that learning is fun." By contrast, roughly 0% of the Chinese mothers felt the same way. Instead, the vast majority of the Chinese mothers said that they believe their children can be "the best" students, that "academic achievement reflects successful parenting," and that if children did not excel at school then there was "a problem" and parents "were not doing their job." Other studies indicate that compared to Western parents, Chinese parents spend approximately 10 times as long every day drilling academic activities with their children. By contrast, Western kids are more likely to participate in sports teams.<br /><br />What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires fortitude on the part of the parents because the child will resist; things are always hardest at the beginning, which is where Western parents tend to give up. But if done properly, the Chinese strategy produces a virtuous circle. Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America. Once a child starts to excel at something—whether it's math, piano, pitching or ballet—he or she gets praise, admiration and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun. This in turn makes it easier for the parent to get the child to work even more.<br /><br />Chinese parents can get away with things that Western parents can't. Once when I was young—maybe more than once—when I was extremely disrespectful to my mother, my father angrily called me "garbage" in our native Hokkien dialect. It worked really well. I felt terrible and deeply ashamed of what I had done. But it didn't damage my self-esteem or anything like that. I knew exactly how highly he thought of me. I didn't actually think I was worthless or feel like a piece of garbage.<br /><br />As an adult, I once did the same thing to Sophia, calling her garbage in English when she acted extremely disrespectfully toward me. When I mentioned that I had done this at a dinner party, I was immediately ostracized. One guest named Marcy got so upset she broke down in tears and had to leave early. My friend Susan, the host, tried to rehabilitate me with the remaining guests.<br /><br />The fact is that Chinese parents can do things that would seem unimaginable—even legally actionable—to Westerners. Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "Hey fatty—lose some weight." By contrast, Western parents have to tiptoe around the issue, talking in terms of "health" and never ever mentioning the f-word, and their kids still end up in therapy for eating disorders and negative self-image. (I also once heard a Western father toast his adult daughter by calling her "beautiful and incredibly competent." She later told me that made her feel like garbage.)<br /><br />Chinese parents can order their kids to get straight As. Western parents can only ask their kids to try their best. Chinese parents can say, "You're lazy. All your classmates are getting ahead of you." By contrast, Western parents have to struggle with their own conflicted feelings about achievement, and try to persuade themselves that they're not disappointed about how their kids turned out.<br /><br />I've thought long and hard about how Chinese parents can get away with what they do. I think there are three big differences between the Chinese and Western parental mind-sets.<br /><br />First, I've noticed that Western parents are extremely anxious about their children's self-esteem. They worry about how their children will feel if they fail at something, and they constantly try to reassure their children about how good they are notwithstanding a mediocre performance on a test or at a recital. In other words, Western parents are concerned about their children's psyches. Chinese parents aren't. They assume strength, not fragility, and as a result they behave very differently.<br /><br />For example, if a child comes home with an A-minus on a test, a Western parent will most likely praise the child. The Chinese mother will gasp in horror and ask what went wrong. If the child comes home with a B on the test, some Western parents will still praise the child. Other Western parents will sit their child down and express disapproval, but they will be careful not to make their child feel inadequate or insecure, and they will not call their child "stupid," "worthless" or "a disgrace." Privately, the Western parents may worry that their child does not test well or have aptitude in the subject or that there is something wrong with the curriculum and possibly the whole school. If the child's grades do not improve, they may eventually schedule a meeting with the school principal to challenge the way the subject is being taught or to call into question the teacher's credentials.<br /><br />If a Chinese child gets a B—which would never happen—there would first be a screaming, hair-tearing explosion. The devastated Chinese mother would then get dozens, maybe hundreds of practice tests and work through them with her child for as long as it takes to get the grade up to an A.<br /><br />Chinese parents demand perfect grades because they believe that their child can get them. If their child doesn't get them, the Chinese parent assumes it's because the child didn't work hard enough. That's why the solution to substandard performance is always to excoriate, punish and shame the child. The Chinese parent believes that their child will be strong enough to take the shaming and to improve from it. (And when Chinese kids do excel, there is plenty of ego-inflating parental praise lavished in the privacy of the home.)<br /><br />Second, Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything. The reason for this is a little unclear, but it's probably a combination of Confucian filial piety and the fact that the parents have sacrificed and done so much for their children. (And it's true that Chinese mothers get in the trenches, putting in long grueling hours personally tutoring, training, interrogating and spying on their kids.) Anyway, the understanding is that Chinese children must spend their lives repaying their parents by obeying them and making them proud.<br /><br />By contrast, I don't think most Westerners have the same view of children being permanently indebted to their parents. My husband, Jed, actually has the opposite view. "Children don't choose their parents," he once said to me. "They don't even choose to be born. It's parents who foist life on their kids, so it's the parents' responsibility to provide for them. Kids don't owe their parents anything. Their duty will be to their own kids." This strikes me as a terrible deal for the Western parent.<br /><br />Third, Chinese parents believe that they know what is best for their children and therefore override all of their children's own desires and preferences. That's why Chinese daughters can't have boyfriends in high school and why Chinese kids can't go to sleepaway camp. It's also why no Chinese kid would ever dare say to their mother, "I got a part in the school play! I'm Villager Number Six. I'll have to stay after school for rehearsal every day from 3:00 to 7:00, and I'll also need a ride on weekends." God help any Chinese kid who tried that one.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong: It's not that Chinese parents don't care about their children. Just the opposite. They would give up anything for their children. It's just an entirely different parenting mode.<br /><br />Here's a story in favor of coercion, Chinese-style. Lulu was about 7, still playing two instruments, and working on a piano piece called "The Little White Donkey" by the French composer Jacques Ibert. The piece is really cute—you can just imagine a little donkey ambling along a country road with its master—but it's also incredibly difficult for young players because the two hands have to keep schizophrenically different rhythms.<br /><br />Lulu couldn't do it. We worked on it nonstop for a week, drilling each of her hands separately, over and over. But whenever we tried putting the hands together, one always morphed into the other, and everything fell apart. Finally, the day before her lesson, Lulu announced in exasperation that she was giving up and stomped off.<br /><br />"Get back to the piano now," I ordered.<br /><br />"You can't make me."<br /><br />"Oh yes, I can."<br /><br />Back at the piano, Lulu made me pay. She punched, thrashed and kicked. She grabbed the music score and tore it to shreds. I taped the score back together and encased it in a plastic shield so that it could never be destroyed again. Then I hauled Lulu's dollhouse to the car and told her I'd donate it to the Salvation Army piece by piece if she didn't have "The Little White Donkey" perfect by the next day. When Lulu said, "I thought you were going to the Salvation Army, why are you still here?" I threatened her with no lunch, no dinner, no Christmas or Hanukkah presents, no birthday parties for two, three, four years. When she still kept playing it wrong, I told her she was purposely working herself into a frenzy because she was secretly afraid she couldn't do it. I told her to stop being lazy, cowardly, self-indulgent and pathetic.<br /><br />Jed took me aside. He told me to stop insulting Lulu—which I wasn't even doing, I was just motivating her—and that he didn't think threatening Lulu was helpful. Also, he said, maybe Lulu really just couldn't do the technique—perhaps she didn't have the coordination yet—had I considered that possibility?<br /><br />"You just don't believe in her," I accused.<br /><br />"That's ridiculous," Jed said scornfully. "Of course I do."<br /><br />"Sophia could play the piece when she was this age."<br /><br />"But Lulu and Sophia are different people," Jed pointed out.<br /><br />"Oh no, not this," I said, rolling my eyes. "Everyone is special in their special own way," I mimicked sarcastically. "Even losers are special in their own special way. Well don't worry, you don't have to lift a finger. I'm willing to put in as long as it takes, and I'm happy to be the one hated. And you can be the one they adore because you make them pancakes and take them to Yankees games."<br /><br />I rolled up my sleeves and went back to Lulu. I used every weapon and tactic I could think of. We worked right through dinner into the night, and I wouldn't let Lulu get up, not for water, not even to go to the bathroom. The house became a war zone, and I lost my voice yelling, but still there seemed to be only negative progress, and even I began to have doubts.<br /><br />Then, out of the blue, Lulu did it. Her hands suddenly came together—her right and left hands each doing their own imperturbable thing—just like that.<br /><br />Lulu realized it the same time I did. I held my breath. She tried it tentatively again. Then she played it more confidently and faster, and still the rhythm held. A moment later, she was beaming.<br /><br />"Mommy, look—it's easy!" After that, she wanted to play the piece over and over and wouldn't leave the piano. That night, she came to sleep in my bed, and we snuggled and hugged, cracking each other up. When she performed "The Little White Donkey" at a recital a few weeks later, parents came up to me and said, "What a perfect piece for Lulu—it's so spunky and so her."<br /><br />Even Jed gave me credit for that one. Western parents worry a lot about their children's self-esteem. But as a parent, one of the worst things you can do for your child's self-esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.<br /><br />There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests. For their part, many Chinese secretly believe that they care more about their children and are willing to sacrifice much more for them than Westerners, who seem perfectly content to let their children turn out badly. I think it's a misunderstanding on both sides. All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.<br /><br />Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.<br /><br />—Amy Chua is a professor at Yale Law School and author of "Day of Empire" and "World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability." This essay is excerpted from "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" by Amy Chua, to be published Tuesday by the Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright © 2011 by Amy Chua.<br />Other WSJ Articles You Might Enjoy<br /><br />Original link <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Let me know your thoughts below!<br /></span>MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-75849226395537618762011-01-07T10:33:00.005+08:002011-01-07T11:27:54.981+08:00Officially the worst blogger ever, & home decor!Hi guys, Happy New Year! I know, I am officially the worst blogger ever... 2 posts in December?!! I mean, what's up with that?! The truth is, I've just been majorly busy! Running around town, exploring different markets, trying new restaurants with friends. It's been fun but the blog has suffered - sorry about that. I'll try to be better! At least 3 posts a month... ha ha ha! I recently went to a huge fabric market in Beijing and bought some super 120s wool that I am going to have made into a shift dress - you know, with the hopes that one day I will have a legitimate job to wear it to! I'll keep you updated on how that goes and post pics when it is finished.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">4 months. I only have 4 months left in China... can you believe it?!</span> I'm not going to lie - at some point (in the midst of my homesickness, I am sure), it felt like I'd NEVER get this far, and now here we are, 4 months left, and I know I have to really make them count. We have travel plans for every month we have left here, so we'll see how that goes! We are going to Harbin soon to see the Ice Festival.... it's like -15F in Harbin, so I am hoping the (ugly)(but warm) Northface snow boots I bought will arrive in time. <br /><br />What else have we been up to... buying furniture. I love Asian style furniture, and it works well with many different types of decor styles without being overwhelmingly Asian. I'm hoping to find somewhat unique pieces that I can use to add a little Asian flare to our house, without someone walking in the room and feeling like they entered a traditional Chinese house or a badly decorated Chinese-themed hotel. So we'll see. I've been scouring photos on the web to draw inspiration from, and I have definitely settled on the look I am going for. Check out this amazingly decorated home I found on Apartment Therapy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8ZGMjmUChY_LsoNElr-EvduK0y1iIIIKNC6rp-HhN62I5SsLrO8rLeCa7_3gbvlmQj6KKu1E2x8qyGwHhbkm2N1kS0kx-JfcXdumlX5rTaz9ZpO5XAav7CXXgamvVlBWnJpjkQLrc4E/s1600/paulhousetourlg1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8ZGMjmUChY_LsoNElr-EvduK0y1iIIIKNC6rp-HhN62I5SsLrO8rLeCa7_3gbvlmQj6KKu1E2x8qyGwHhbkm2N1kS0kx-JfcXdumlX5rTaz9ZpO5XAav7CXXgamvVlBWnJpjkQLrc4E/s400/paulhousetourlg1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559269239774330178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZgJmf0TmUJQ-6ASKH0LayhMsm2EQ9-QodbAbmwZ3D9v3mPzuCHyv1M1yS_r1rAGVDGwBJICubU4lmC_iqfniuQ2S-ZPQzbnJQZwmZUKaCFL8d_DYpmo4U3mVQtLtbAvx2PK8QWqDJVU/s1600/paulhousetourlg2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZgJmf0TmUJQ-6ASKH0LayhMsm2EQ9-QodbAbmwZ3D9v3mPzuCHyv1M1yS_r1rAGVDGwBJICubU4lmC_iqfniuQ2S-ZPQzbnJQZwmZUKaCFL8d_DYpmo4U3mVQtLtbAvx2PK8QWqDJVU/s400/paulhousetourlg2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559269246468196482" /></a><br />That's just the living room. I love the warm colors, how it looks homey and cozy but also amazingly decorated, with interesting pieces that make you wonder the story behind them. The statement piece that keeps drawing my eye in that photo is definitely the Beijing cabinets.<br /><br />You can see more pictures of this amazing house <a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/house-tour-new-york-paul/item/84300">here</a>.<br /><br />We've purchased a few things recently in our quest to recreate this sort of look in our own living room (when we move back to the U.S.) I'm using the picture as a guide - I was afraid that if I didn't have a guide like that, I'd end up buying a bunch of things that may not work well together.<br /><br />We bought this table at an antique shop near my hair salon. This place is like a treasure cove... I really want to go back and buy a chest. This table is from sometime in the early 1900s and is made from Elm wood. Supposedly. Who knows in China?! We don't care whether the stuff we buy is an antique or not - so long as we think it looks good and is well-made. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqQ1M9jWMZqI1yaWgfsiL1rJ87NA4MtAB_DmffeMQ8ke4gxJsnNHSZOTCyMzrlQvgI2D62B2P731XM0KIvntTzmWma5ly3VSIY40P6VidV3kyJfCXA4HkVATsyZhckJznafTUNg-Cf9g/s1600/DSC_0383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqQ1M9jWMZqI1yaWgfsiL1rJ87NA4MtAB_DmffeMQ8ke4gxJsnNHSZOTCyMzrlQvgI2D62B2P731XM0KIvntTzmWma5ly3VSIY40P6VidV3kyJfCXA4HkVATsyZhckJznafTUNg-Cf9g/s400/DSC_0383.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559272911027495954" /></a><br />Close up of the carving details<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QlMj1DVLh9PyzW1MeSgbJLcqrDEKab_wMUb2_o4DL_7D4wvYPEZRnUPVEcdcpIhLYKggBd-3GDJHMRNlJUvB30DPzx7qGIEvRA4M5H_51eNssy1isSlYLsWHJHhUy9RsS90ZflIMaUM/s1600/DSC_0385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QlMj1DVLh9PyzW1MeSgbJLcqrDEKab_wMUb2_o4DL_7D4wvYPEZRnUPVEcdcpIhLYKggBd-3GDJHMRNlJUvB30DPzx7qGIEvRA4M5H_51eNssy1isSlYLsWHJHhUy9RsS90ZflIMaUM/s400/DSC_0385.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559272920920705506" /></a><br />Funny story about this bowl <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyApSK7icbaKTCHc0MPEpHJMhPRLuuoN4aFpV9ouv9Xmd62im8QsXPuSJHyiSIcGJmGccBZq8-Xi47JiFwi5ms7aMFb0WZe5bi4lxkHJMrgooCCBgI1xx2tf-0LO8U5_-09futX6etxU/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyApSK7icbaKTCHc0MPEpHJMhPRLuuoN4aFpV9ouv9Xmd62im8QsXPuSJHyiSIcGJmGccBZq8-Xi47JiFwi5ms7aMFb0WZe5bi4lxkHJMrgooCCBgI1xx2tf-0LO8U5_-09futX6etxU/s400/DSC_0389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559272924827444034" /></a><br />We bought it for about 250 Kuai (a little over 40 USD) at a small shop at Gaobeidian furniture street. At Beijing's 798 Art District the other day, we saw this same exact bowl but the smaller version being sold for 2600 Kuai! OMG! Are you kidding me?!! That made us feel reaaalllll good!<br /><br />These next two pieces are just small little basins that look cool strategically placed on the floor. The first one is a wash basin that used to be used to wash clothes or dishes in. It's made of walnut wood. Every time we buy something like this, the seller tells us we can raise a fish in it, and other Chinese people look at us like we are crazy for buying these things. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF50iascARP5FypjZXAY6N6nTIxmKgbUy9qj55W-yu5iSjFtbrGtVBU83O5VFVuPmjqLVOXuszXW_VByV0hUzGn8qYOn7YUoOyfPaQmUNRLQsYcWDb5Kzhf_diePcwskjntNl6ip8nCs/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF50iascARP5FypjZXAY6N6nTIxmKgbUy9qj55W-yu5iSjFtbrGtVBU83O5VFVuPmjqLVOXuszXW_VByV0hUzGn8qYOn7YUoOyfPaQmUNRLQsYcWDb5Kzhf_diePcwskjntNl6ip8nCs/s400/DSC_0391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559272928572928242" /></a><br />This is just a bucket, made of willow wood, and you can still see people in the countryside using these to carry water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wjqZ5agDfKBtRuSOQ5pkoJeaMsQQa-sBG0MWJHs4N5hVujrDWoAMLB6N5Jvy8ihwXr9PHqN2V-F17g5EMQd88bP-rTks_MCXFrEw8cR5tXe5tfqNQ8UeSuLOCE5mLCpAWRElN3BubQw/s1600/DSC_0398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wjqZ5agDfKBtRuSOQ5pkoJeaMsQQa-sBG0MWJHs4N5hVujrDWoAMLB6N5Jvy8ihwXr9PHqN2V-F17g5EMQd88bP-rTks_MCXFrEw8cR5tXe5tfqNQ8UeSuLOCE5mLCpAWRElN3BubQw/s400/DSC_0398.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559272937127080626" /></a><br />I did some research online and decided I wanted to check out an antique store (that also produces reproduction furniture and custom designs) in the Tongzhou part of Beijing. So, my husband I jumped in a cab and off we went... after driving an hour and ending up in the middle of nowhere, we realized it was a lot farther than we thought. The cab driver gave us a big smile and told us he'd wait for us... which I was very grateful for, there would have been no catching of the cabs way out there! I told him if he didn't wait, we'd end up sleeping there, which he thought was very funny coming out of my mouth. When we arrived, we stepped out a little like, now what? It was deserted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIIG96aK4mamRes1P98f7CKWBN_MZFPKMPtVXfMT-BFsK6iwg-u-7OGQ0qWGS7EPguA0be-NFWCn8ZRvrVxVg0w22AAFZfVbk8aDlCbL6N_iIPWYo_5khx-RsDyzx26SZFUSCHWmTk-E/s1600/DSC_0392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIIG96aK4mamRes1P98f7CKWBN_MZFPKMPtVXfMT-BFsK6iwg-u-7OGQ0qWGS7EPguA0be-NFWCn8ZRvrVxVg0w22AAFZfVbk8aDlCbL6N_iIPWYo_5khx-RsDyzx26SZFUSCHWmTk-E/s400/DSC_0392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559276957581576658" /></a><br />We eventually found someone to help and purchased a Beijing cabinet, and a chair.<br /><br />This is made of elm wood and is not too old, about 80 years. We are going to purchase another chest to put on top of it, like in the picture of the Beijing cabinet in the "inspiration picture" I posted above. We did not purchase the colorful chest on top of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoGOApYcqTkWWU8Ynwc1BUaaP4p7RzqXojmkM80HzyoEbmUGJ9Pr_B_LstHtc21Z1_ad_Dx-miWlBXQqI0F5dbjudKrazR-DjN1WT2k6eEP7kp2mJeC5O-nOT4tZP1lvhrvOJETQc4A8/s1600/S2968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoGOApYcqTkWWU8Ynwc1BUaaP4p7RzqXojmkM80HzyoEbmUGJ9Pr_B_LstHtc21Z1_ad_Dx-miWlBXQqI0F5dbjudKrazR-DjN1WT2k6eEP7kp2mJeC5O-nOT4tZP1lvhrvOJETQc4A8/s400/S2968.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559276937838498962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J-kWePCkNzhkTLlwQ2n34hjY0k5ebKY2uD6-V3G9Uf0wnv06dHZZLAfmrozBtmvJ07e7tlV0uTNgSmcb1BycOluYl6NCEr14bUyij22CwApUTSOmhG-Pa7Nc_u2v2zE-tVK3YjPkh8M/s1600/DSC_0395.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J-kWePCkNzhkTLlwQ2n34hjY0k5ebKY2uD6-V3G9Uf0wnv06dHZZLAfmrozBtmvJ07e7tlV0uTNgSmcb1BycOluYl6NCEr14bUyij22CwApUTSOmhG-Pa7Nc_u2v2zE-tVK3YjPkh8M/s400/DSC_0395.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559276941372545890" /></a><br />And our chair, made of walnut wood... I love the geometric shape of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX_DKzxOlZhnTlHKjY6tLk7cjgeuyUR7uCHdqEgXVq7IF_QMNi_-QMUkVKMHyP13YhjS7n2Cpiaup0Zk9g_oOvn2NHH1dGv-FB8eXiRDDewTbI5iWizdipb7QOqdEEx9MTi_iptBb7mc/s1600/DSC_0396.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX_DKzxOlZhnTlHKjY6tLk7cjgeuyUR7uCHdqEgXVq7IF_QMNi_-QMUkVKMHyP13YhjS7n2Cpiaup0Zk9g_oOvn2NHH1dGv-FB8eXiRDDewTbI5iWizdipb7QOqdEEx9MTi_iptBb7mc/s400/DSC_0396.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559276950447997570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8qqZSPm8Ss3sVU8UL5MTLr9-O4UkgQk9tA7d9TbIAJ6fgPHb5dkcjCT1lr4kgY1I8sxqQyYtkKF87rwo51g60MVxV-kafyaoFf9Uq9He_2EbCjmbgzwiZwvDRMFQ-jJZiDzj3WCzu5o/s1600/DSC_0397.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8qqZSPm8Ss3sVU8UL5MTLr9-O4UkgQk9tA7d9TbIAJ6fgPHb5dkcjCT1lr4kgY1I8sxqQyYtkKF87rwo51g60MVxV-kafyaoFf9Uq9He_2EbCjmbgzwiZwvDRMFQ-jJZiDzj3WCzu5o/s400/DSC_0397.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559276956252880082" /></a><br />I plan to place it somewhere off to the side, with a simple piece of artwork above it, like <a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/house-tour-new-york-paul/item/84300">this</a>. <br /><br />So, over all I think we are off on the right foot in creating a unique space for our house when we return to the States. <br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-33577510356164826742010-12-14T19:31:00.006+08:002010-12-14T20:01:56.738+08:00Shanghai rocks my world.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5U4IpRW2JpSxVKgvii_yh6-n3wGDBr_olRxzHYD8OFxrzPmS1NtYe0d3KL7udwCSSXfp4xAWgs80HkV22AjI669xP_FB17UPZlAHvahV5VQMIGVakOgbJ77E4jVEcGyOrJKV9zNoyGs/s1600/DSC_1022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5U4IpRW2JpSxVKgvii_yh6-n3wGDBr_olRxzHYD8OFxrzPmS1NtYe0d3KL7udwCSSXfp4xAWgs80HkV22AjI669xP_FB17UPZlAHvahV5VQMIGVakOgbJ77E4jVEcGyOrJKV9zNoyGs/s400/DSC_1022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550501744497538354" /></a><br />Loved Shanghai. LOVED. I couldn't help myself from listing the ways I prefer it to Beijing (I wrote the list while I was there):<br /><br />1. Less pollution, wow! What a difference.<br /><br />2. Where is the traffic?! Amazed at the lack of traffic here. In Beijing, at any given time of the day, anywhere in the city, you are stuck sitting in terrible traffic.<br /><br />3. Better food! Sure Beijing has good Chinese food, but I'm talking Western food.... Shanghai has much more options. I've eaten the better this week than I have in the entire 7 months I've been in China.<br /><br />4. The subway is more efficient and way less crowded. You can actually take the subway at rush hour here without wanting to cry. It also goes all over the place! There are a lot of places in BJ you just can't get to from the subway, or you have a long walk from the nearest station.<br /><br />5. Shanghai has real bagels! WHAT?!<br /><br />6. Shanghai is cleaner than BJ.<br /><br />7. Really pretty architecture, much is European influenced, in some parts of the city you can imagine you are in Paris and in others NYC. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJErRk1ExFJIXkbKWO8LDGZbPuQlTM7SX8ViKJ51bJaSQUzMh5HEjGnqMeGCBXnfrVqqOazeUM6APi6c9VQ0m3aVw0CIEJCE1vkh-sMGzcDv1I3rADa6hyphenhypheno5pQvZmOwT3SIjp9VIA73QI/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJErRk1ExFJIXkbKWO8LDGZbPuQlTM7SX8ViKJ51bJaSQUzMh5HEjGnqMeGCBXnfrVqqOazeUM6APi6c9VQ0m3aVw0CIEJCE1vkh-sMGzcDv1I3rADa6hyphenhypheno5pQvZmOwT3SIjp9VIA73QI/s400/DSC_0996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550501758895244466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDWeZp4abZ9ac68kREB2LZ8OJaUO3h5yWf476200za8SEOkHLX35kYPZJWSH_FFCeJCjOJgZQ14P0G4A-HBWCnwCjzfqBDegfNCS4oHtwFtEFONW1XyUQ3J5mjnNUv9ejJSF1IKIIq0E/s1600/DSC_1035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDWeZp4abZ9ac68kREB2LZ8OJaUO3h5yWf476200za8SEOkHLX35kYPZJWSH_FFCeJCjOJgZQ14P0G4A-HBWCnwCjzfqBDegfNCS4oHtwFtEFONW1XyUQ3J5mjnNUv9ejJSF1IKIIq0E/s400/DSC_1035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550501749981946514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv_YZ6ykUHlNKpAi0U5AYsJjrq5DJP6oebb69xNsibOar2qCk0fNsyboN5kDHselfVd5Uux463MjeIQCokNCAmEIvUXU4XtT_HJN4qO5krdMtTBwe3n6k43M5UgUFxhIdnHmL5q3_Ysk/s1600/DSC_1014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv_YZ6ykUHlNKpAi0U5AYsJjrq5DJP6oebb69xNsibOar2qCk0fNsyboN5kDHselfVd5Uux463MjeIQCokNCAmEIvUXU4XtT_HJN4qO5krdMtTBwe3n6k43M5UgUFxhIdnHmL5q3_Ysk/s400/DSC_1014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550501737682394578" /></a><br />8. Every taxi driver we came across was so nice! And in some subway stations they actually STOOD IN LINE! My friend said it was due to all the World Expo behavioral training the city's residents were recently exposed to. <br /><br />OK OK I'm ragging on Beijing a little. Beijing is awesome, too. In fact, if you are a tourist, you'd probably be better of coming to Beijing if you can only see one... Beijing does have all the history! But if you were going to choose to live in one of these two cities, in my opinion, the quality of life in Shanghai is better. Just sayin'. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo27jYC0_n3wEHQ0wC6YKbDkEkazKwgs1aaUYmkGSDjIqM1KkkF4zrODDdCoXkK_1atOSZxeUoldbS-NNdMFmNl8o2ELf9TgmM0a7u4ttOyqsxDAwnlC_6r1-Ore7vH6NVMQuuqoqMac8/s1600/DSC_1012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo27jYC0_n3wEHQ0wC6YKbDkEkazKwgs1aaUYmkGSDjIqM1KkkF4zrODDdCoXkK_1atOSZxeUoldbS-NNdMFmNl8o2ELf9TgmM0a7u4ttOyqsxDAwnlC_6r1-Ore7vH6NVMQuuqoqMac8/s400/DSC_1012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550501730117666498" /></a><br />We had a fantastic time! Now we are back in Beijing, which is super cold right now, by the way! Today it was 15 degrees. You shouldn't have to wear 3 shirts, a sweater and a coat just to go outside... and talk about a pain in the butt - gloves and scarves and hats, and then bending down to put on boots.... such a pain! But the sky has been blue so I shouldn't really complain :) I just wish it would snow! I hate being so cold with no reward (i.e.: snow). I don't know what I am going to wear when we go to the Ice Festival in Ha'erbin this January.<br /><br />Well, that's all I got. I have an apple pie baking in the oven... I highly underestimated the difficulty of making a pie crust. Betty Crocker would cry if she saw what is in my oven right now. LOL. Hopefully it tastes good.<br /><br />Steph<br /><br />P.S. Can you believe I only have 5 months left here?! And still don't know where we are going to end up!<br /><br />P.S.x2. Check out what is waiting for me in the U.S! My new car! I debated getting such a small car but I decided it is the perfect time in my life to go for it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1j1XgAdaai7ssSKxm5oBu9J_IgXQ8mpm2eprr2GDiUja_tebYv8KLXeSNrgzNa0CpGnN-wT-chaocAwJX1St97uUg9FAhOlWPSdItCz25NOzTnItdC_YtJJ6stItsY9L67b4ccnILAU/s1600/59143.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1j1XgAdaai7ssSKxm5oBu9J_IgXQ8mpm2eprr2GDiUja_tebYv8KLXeSNrgzNa0CpGnN-wT-chaocAwJX1St97uUg9FAhOlWPSdItCz25NOzTnItdC_YtJJ6stItsY9L67b4ccnILAU/s400/59143.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550504109864947522" /></a><br />I'm already picturing cruising down Pacific Coast Highway with the top down. :)MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-51813817772853845072010-12-03T11:16:00.006+08:002010-12-03T11:26:29.648+08:00Our China-tree and heading to Shanghai!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLtgST4oDYGNq_yvEtOb3BUo2QraoXzs-gE5GXHIl12Q-r9KLoIFka_7ItmNNwpiVI7ALQnVQdrQYuBLGAPMbI9gIVdxNVO7Wf030C8pHJkJWEbfOHvdbnJLYw1cmglFh-mZbSDm4NC0/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-02+at+19.29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLtgST4oDYGNq_yvEtOb3BUo2QraoXzs-gE5GXHIl12Q-r9KLoIFka_7ItmNNwpiVI7ALQnVQdrQYuBLGAPMbI9gIVdxNVO7Wf030C8pHJkJWEbfOHvdbnJLYw1cmglFh-mZbSDm4NC0/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-02+at+19.29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546289807710104514" /></a><br />Yeah. We ran out of lights near the bottom. LOL! I swear it's not as noticeable in person, HAHA! Oh well, I think it's pretty decent for a China-tree! And my favorite ornaments are these Beijing specialty Jingtailan ornaments: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHqKzlO2CHMA4XUa4f_GBRNItitomrOgQGccaZtOdMRujAcWJPOjTHOFNRrNrnRZFHPsyivR315wJm24eWj80Jzx5D80RskT33WDTDJLrMT2EdKHWiskpbDuNP8woP63D5NMP9hjqy9E/s1600/pandaorna.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHqKzlO2CHMA4XUa4f_GBRNItitomrOgQGccaZtOdMRujAcWJPOjTHOFNRrNrnRZFHPsyivR315wJm24eWj80Jzx5D80RskT33WDTDJLrMT2EdKHWiskpbDuNP8woP63D5NMP9hjqy9E/s400/pandaorna.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546291721652715922" /></a><br />Aww Pandas!<br /><br />Anyway, I'm heading out to Shanghai so I'll have some fun new pictures sometime next week! Everyone have a great week!! IF you have any Shanghai recs please share!:)<br /><br />OHH... I had some awesome Black Friday scores, one which involves Rebecca Minkoff, and the other Linea Pelle.... details next week!<br /><br />Steph<br /><br />P.S. - it's noon right now, and 34 degrees! Hello winter!MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-92189054809572591302010-11-20T08:17:00.009+08:002010-11-20T09:14:10.320+08:00Beijing in the fallis so pretty! We had over 2 weeks of blue sky days... it was absolutely amazing. I knew it had to come to an end soon, and when it did, it was with a vengeance! The embassy was getting pretty funny with their air quality read-outs... instead of "hazardous" they chose "crazy bad," which was hysterical to me. Yesterday, the pollution read-outs were off the charts, so they literally had to write "beyond index." Hopefully we get some wind and it clears up!<br /><br />Beijing has been really pretty in the fall and I thought I'd post a few pictures to show the change of seasons. These pics are from all over Beijing - random streets, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu.<br /><br />At the Forbidden City<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeLVdmlAqjN6i-S0kJmXgwPWMESe8R_NQTGKE8TSOX0VHKZfnLbz9pwGjNM4IxejvepJis6DNu0K0DOBOJQQ9ZzRzdQM5ssExaPICHzAdnUKcGcU8OLudMqJNr9XCISZkCv_jhyphenhyphen00Hl0/s1600/DSC_0856.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeLVdmlAqjN6i-S0kJmXgwPWMESe8R_NQTGKE8TSOX0VHKZfnLbz9pwGjNM4IxejvepJis6DNu0K0DOBOJQQ9ZzRzdQM5ssExaPICHzAdnUKcGcU8OLudMqJNr9XCISZkCv_jhyphenhyphen00Hl0/s400/DSC_0856.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541423762467413874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFvWLGfL-iEbtDYL0P2ldndylTw38Xm4ckDFPDMpVMzI7hG1tmAq_erWVYx1cMqHxLmuQyPcjTmAWvKJO2HkuFcYM4XRwOIHJrfsSlJW6zKW5eGL9RLQvQyqIul8ix6Q7qJaU6KiEXJs/s1600/DSC_0854.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFvWLGfL-iEbtDYL0P2ldndylTw38Xm4ckDFPDMpVMzI7hG1tmAq_erWVYx1cMqHxLmuQyPcjTmAWvKJO2HkuFcYM4XRwOIHJrfsSlJW6zKW5eGL9RLQvQyqIul8ix6Q7qJaU6KiEXJs/s400/DSC_0854.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541433253936819474" /></a><br />In this picture, we wandering down a hutong and stepped in to show my parents where the cook lives for the cooking class I go to. These two women, mother and daughter, used to live in the house back to the left... they left in '62, when the daughter was just a baby. We all went back and the people currently living in the home invited us in and showed us around. It was so cool to have the opportunity to see the inside! My husband and the older woman not only spoke Chinese together, but practiced their Russian as well.<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJRy1iHqbwZb9w11i9mbhNto8TbaeJQFKnTSf2EJ8kRNjX76rIrKqyWnj1iAYXgzTVpDz14AbTsdKCqQjBC7Qm2uxkVgnVohSNuv7D8-Ols40uTmz73HRo44Pma3HTokj5WNlCpqkVLY/s1600/DSC_0870.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJRy1iHqbwZb9w11i9mbhNto8TbaeJQFKnTSf2EJ8kRNjX76rIrKqyWnj1iAYXgzTVpDz14AbTsdKCqQjBC7Qm2uxkVgnVohSNuv7D8-Ols40uTmz73HRo44Pma3HTokj5WNlCpqkVLY/s400/DSC_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541423793596357586" /></a><br /></div><div>Pretty fall leaves on a random Beijing street</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzzGO0v3idk17SvkzumwCsKUklhaN8LZ05zKLvMpQIq-l_-UjsvZz-lpVnophn-SIwD2l0oXVNtlxzlZ9p_Oy2Y02SzkaxPb1kbBoAqT_hctaGmHkm7pe6K-QKZ5jI1-txGHQX8xGXyw/s1600/DSC_0875.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzzGO0v3idk17SvkzumwCsKUklhaN8LZ05zKLvMpQIq-l_-UjsvZz-lpVnophn-SIwD2l0oXVNtlxzlZ9p_Oy2Y02SzkaxPb1kbBoAqT_hctaGmHkm7pe6K-QKZ5jI1-txGHQX8xGXyw/s400/DSC_0875.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541423781600238290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXB0e7Aw27JwIrGUzefshgvDeidKTw5i-scQ2o8A4FBvB95a1pcGnWTJMoFP6tnphmDVHdhKpdPPljx_mltADx3YO3DetOySdEuIZgqSQAdE8UObu05dcah_7LrNhnz0o2nYcduJktkU/s1600/DSC_0876.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXB0e7Aw27JwIrGUzefshgvDeidKTw5i-scQ2o8A4FBvB95a1pcGnWTJMoFP6tnphmDVHdhKpdPPljx_mltADx3YO3DetOySdEuIZgqSQAdE8UObu05dcah_7LrNhnz0o2nYcduJktkU/s400/DSC_0876.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541423777016167826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQcXObSb42ywZSrWM9f9v2QxoJOdQxxT9CX63LOnSw9spmNTGMRAvtrNaLx-ytifSBlFN7efmNNZ9uMXQEw2RB4aJNh4xSnJaE8Iv4uFhdkNJT7NIffA1rGKswzxezDWVT_SQPS9qt7s/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQcXObSb42ywZSrWM9f9v2QxoJOdQxxT9CX63LOnSw9spmNTGMRAvtrNaLx-ytifSBlFN7efmNNZ9uMXQEw2RB4aJNh4xSnJaE8Iv4uFhdkNJT7NIffA1rGKswzxezDWVT_SQPS9qt7s/s400/DSC_0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541423767098170770" /></a><br /></div><div>The Great Wall at Mutianyu</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezy3bpz3MvJuNVL3_rLzZ2XwCcfT03cTiY45C2QQsYL714CaM4ItVX_IOSDbkAg0sKXI4UynSaml8PdfHalPGLPsRu08IZiXXOmqQLPv1s0j0pFfiT8tcwJR5zXHI4BD2Donx_cx5EAk/s1600/DSC_0904.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezy3bpz3MvJuNVL3_rLzZ2XwCcfT03cTiY45C2QQsYL714CaM4ItVX_IOSDbkAg0sKXI4UynSaml8PdfHalPGLPsRu08IZiXXOmqQLPv1s0j0pFfiT8tcwJR5zXHI4BD2Donx_cx5EAk/s400/DSC_0904.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541425668388647666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpb3QiBff4uglY6bbxivCqfrfjPb1dJdrOvj1LExBlt1tEB6GQ_p7XjJ97GpKzUUOsTc-js1JjzajP4cgx77wh1j1QYNbY2fvVejffbdMhyKLTB2CGt3M9BvmhyphenhyphensuGjIcHpIJzII0sWg/s1600/DSC_0920.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpb3QiBff4uglY6bbxivCqfrfjPb1dJdrOvj1LExBlt1tEB6GQ_p7XjJ97GpKzUUOsTc-js1JjzajP4cgx77wh1j1QYNbY2fvVejffbdMhyKLTB2CGt3M9BvmhyphenhyphensuGjIcHpIJzII0sWg/s400/DSC_0920.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541425665883775410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievZDT2BinxT-lC5CJeGJFozswWiLx1OWV6Kai2jh5Z67rBr_lnCMyhJEXHT43heeNc589Ri4xzDqFu7sdyFovY44DtGJV-32BD4wnwILq_wfVFauvLbJaAdLCewiLyFWc38JxzJsKtzQ/s1600/DSC_0901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievZDT2BinxT-lC5CJeGJFozswWiLx1OWV6Kai2jh5Z67rBr_lnCMyhJEXHT43heeNc589Ri4xzDqFu7sdyFovY44DtGJV-32BD4wnwILq_wfVFauvLbJaAdLCewiLyFWc38JxzJsKtzQ/s400/DSC_0901.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541425656925763314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23HWYEVOIiKc_9oM0r1SABoZERzpSkXMVLyIq0kg23ILaaQMqlXpaRn1QNuQVXhuBpqxHvCUT4k8H-LLwS5a1ipVp-YeSMBorhPhZddl7k3_uhdNcirYaMG4hlOIC1JnmLRNpQgLoaaU/s1600/DSC_0892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23HWYEVOIiKc_9oM0r1SABoZERzpSkXMVLyIq0kg23ILaaQMqlXpaRn1QNuQVXhuBpqxHvCUT4k8H-LLwS5a1ipVp-YeSMBorhPhZddl7k3_uhdNcirYaMG4hlOIC1JnmLRNpQgLoaaU/s400/DSC_0892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541425647487467170" /></a><br /></div><div>The hubby and I at my favorite park in Beijing: Beihai. See that tree? It was COLD that day!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHafW-5suSFEDEAAfGYBKgGwD4I-cOJnI6oMiET0YipBHfV4AZmtwtEs-24Wyi7qMLn_-mcXpm0NM-EUsEgk3pwFDT365c7UCfRDv5yEUgF0FNEnPinoB2nKBh3DfZgVkYh9ZqoaxrqNA/s1600/DSC_0929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHafW-5suSFEDEAAfGYBKgGwD4I-cOJnI6oMiET0YipBHfV4AZmtwtEs-24Wyi7qMLn_-mcXpm0NM-EUsEgk3pwFDT365c7UCfRDv5yEUgF0FNEnPinoB2nKBh3DfZgVkYh9ZqoaxrqNA/s400/DSC_0929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541425642631953218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycv4LbEnf3McGTKE-VqWoHo1nAmwpxDn5qqkUL2TiBHh4KE8iQ0zakPm75fBbarwOppWJkfHR35qMCIM1F-0wfJ98nLuScQy_v5eLuqtWaekb5iXhNl0IQ-Zro_Lq5VgGSP5qrj61fik/s1600/DSC_0932.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycv4LbEnf3McGTKE-VqWoHo1nAmwpxDn5qqkUL2TiBHh4KE8iQ0zakPm75fBbarwOppWJkfHR35qMCIM1F-0wfJ98nLuScQy_v5eLuqtWaekb5iXhNl0IQ-Zro_Lq5VgGSP5qrj61fik/s400/DSC_0932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541430214959393938" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the market with the chef, shopping for our cooking class. Sometimes the uggs need to be worn, what can I say? They are so warm and super comfy to walk around in for me (but my feet don't really have an arch, so that may be why I find them so comfy to walk in for hours on end). </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzcpsLLuQJ80DXU3cLmmLW1p1eUjnAZjHADFI8CYBTzaVJUh3hWgoEkUY3eontfO-IGsYqM3cdLDY09wuZXIrqz5jDpbTgI5SEnH1az9l_04zoSlWxFUf7MHRH822EcL8qUS6ZIEzTVc/s1600/DSC_0946.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzcpsLLuQJ80DXU3cLmmLW1p1eUjnAZjHADFI8CYBTzaVJUh3hWgoEkUY3eontfO-IGsYqM3cdLDY09wuZXIrqz5jDpbTgI5SEnH1az9l_04zoSlWxFUf7MHRH822EcL8qUS6ZIEzTVc/s400/DSC_0946.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541430205425034594" /></a>"What's this called?"</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWtmGNZWlDUZ5eClt8b3sqfWNQJX53d-5wrn9PeLhuLbrHi2sAQJg8eAtB8ZT44bcX1D0otVemiup1-FcKnBK7-QGTkJ4sjrzanes_RhVXg01GYE22ipN5A2wG8mf9-62KHNK4B0E44s/s1600/DSC_0953.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWtmGNZWlDUZ5eClt8b3sqfWNQJX53d-5wrn9PeLhuLbrHi2sAQJg8eAtB8ZT44bcX1D0otVemiup1-FcKnBK7-QGTkJ4sjrzanes_RhVXg01GYE22ipN5A2wG8mf9-62KHNK4B0E44s/s400/DSC_0953.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541430202710246578" /></a>Making dumplings</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylx3nM_7k81jsbyrWE9JLw4BXyvLIeIhdIvqfA8822ZW24eg7lduTs42pcmyiEy0b3s_LVrsBJ5k6CGFAsFqo6ArEIe1YjVsg31X2hGBBimr69tRqgmqalUbIswqjhszyuD1ST9xVjQw/s1600/DSC_0961.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylx3nM_7k81jsbyrWE9JLw4BXyvLIeIhdIvqfA8822ZW24eg7lduTs42pcmyiEy0b3s_LVrsBJ5k6CGFAsFqo6ArEIe1YjVsg31X2hGBBimr69tRqgmqalUbIswqjhszyuD1ST9xVjQw/s400/DSC_0961.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541430191551893858" /></a><br /></div><div>Mmm the yummy Sichuan noodles we made. SO delish! 担担面</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeXhz48sSdvjsUD5GSbC0Ba1YwnVQabVQ3YeMVMThN5A82iq1Kd77ulcNmNh7KjeSWQxARnIdlS7OhePlOGmMizWcdkctQ5nHqtyOHQEZ0X1-BX2ex95b-96bIMT0KR28Q9GYC9qHYEc/s1600/DSC_0976.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeXhz48sSdvjsUD5GSbC0Ba1YwnVQabVQ3YeMVMThN5A82iq1Kd77ulcNmNh7KjeSWQxARnIdlS7OhePlOGmMizWcdkctQ5nHqtyOHQEZ0X1-BX2ex95b-96bIMT0KR28Q9GYC9qHYEc/s400/DSC_0976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541430186131875234" /></a><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-36868208976615867312010-11-11T09:37:00.011+08:002010-11-11T10:42:22.002+08:00桂林山水甲天下! Guilin and Yangshuo, Guangxi ProvinceHow beautiful. Like something out of a movie. Definitely my favorite place in China, not a single thing disappointed me or made me think it looked better in the brochure. Before going to Guilin, we had been in Guizhou Province, one of China's poorest provinces. We didn't see a single other Westerner the entire time we were in Guizhou. When we arrived in Guilin, it was Westerners galore... but, for good reason... it was really amazing, no wonder people flock there in droves. If you are coming to China and limited on time, the Guilin area is definitely something not to be missed.<br /><br />Cruising down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Highly recommend - from the river is the best way to see the mountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rfbhb0cjwMrrLEvKeFNDlfN0bvw0TpGr9ptUNTWWmrR580b19uKEH07SA8GOhGY4BI5rGlrQ0Zyom0WnKYCyIaQJi4nzIEJ2eubNCzBAnQeZIAOtBIfM-tKL_4oL7wMMCTKD6JlG4YE/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rfbhb0cjwMrrLEvKeFNDlfN0bvw0TpGr9ptUNTWWmrR580b19uKEH07SA8GOhGY4BI5rGlrQ0Zyom0WnKYCyIaQJi4nzIEJ2eubNCzBAnQeZIAOtBIfM-tKL_4oL7wMMCTKD6JlG4YE/s400/DSC_0556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102967823384930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwLzPaBXb_bdMGtaUsSpvr_MbLz5txYh3ieSem_fUwnjHeoRCHy4aWB1QBEpqGAOWypzx1X6C9ZDHT1jN0SCTvDuOKZO-a1aWV4AjoNuZjTda-9bgRn8Qmyd0crTh6O-BNETE0ZjCtQ/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwLzPaBXb_bdMGtaUsSpvr_MbLz5txYh3ieSem_fUwnjHeoRCHy4aWB1QBEpqGAOWypzx1X6C9ZDHT1jN0SCTvDuOKZO-a1aWV4AjoNuZjTda-9bgRn8Qmyd0crTh6O-BNETE0ZjCtQ/s400/DSC_0495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102965118372866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2DlFT2jynaLKAsiz2ztr2IglHdJ2AOgDEuEst220Np5tVKkylR41XE4qWrGXltZz1bQ5FwQb6HoiLnwVDdzhW8lBYFcsdkIFncw08VV7cBQThxqACwPUthMlErZS3ABlTHR-qjV23m4/s1600/DSC_0584.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2DlFT2jynaLKAsiz2ztr2IglHdJ2AOgDEuEst220Np5tVKkylR41XE4qWrGXltZz1bQ5FwQb6HoiLnwVDdzhW8lBYFcsdkIFncw08VV7cBQThxqACwPUthMlErZS3ABlTHR-qjV23m4/s400/DSC_0584.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102987899618082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-c1ZMq2Fs3Dfb-GskmaCXiMN_5kNjE_VcM35deVWCMTr7p5g71UoepojT8nwaHfI21fF3LHLT7FNP0xAHLgFNqgQ7QfyZ7RPeEhTOamW8aqGX-XaGfWK3SvbDOVVsmRWxOB0lQeW6Uw/s1600/DSC_0574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-c1ZMq2Fs3Dfb-GskmaCXiMN_5kNjE_VcM35deVWCMTr7p5g71UoepojT8nwaHfI21fF3LHLT7FNP0xAHLgFNqgQ7QfyZ7RPeEhTOamW8aqGX-XaGfWK3SvbDOVVsmRWxOB0lQeW6Uw/s400/DSC_0574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102974049124802" /></a><br />Look familiar?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxqO5xASlShdtYexMF5Sg4ErVtrQ68TJbIjJO46Fpbwis3AxD-9UZOn6HvfCFtXpp5v7MY-jfw2hmK1xtFll54H5RMc5HsQK4IsxpTrPNi8W9fBTMlut_LEH6SL-zNeMB9S0BPu25hOI/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxqO5xASlShdtYexMF5Sg4ErVtrQ68TJbIjJO46Fpbwis3AxD-9UZOn6HvfCFtXpp5v7MY-jfw2hmK1xtFll54H5RMc5HsQK4IsxpTrPNi8W9fBTMlut_LEH6SL-zNeMB9S0BPu25hOI/s400/DSC_0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102986073599330" /></a><br />The view of the village we stayed in from Moon Hill<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLIqOxKjqnv9qMKOFHm_4Ajg27dgPpbZwqW1Idp71FKXofctj0K16dffQDRBWg6m40GY7BGm3yXDdOnWECRkca7LRiQpodQeTwH1CpKWIruDTOSs8WzLGiiZ7Lcpgwbs6F9WtRaGft5k/s1600/DSC_0762.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLIqOxKjqnv9qMKOFHm_4Ajg27dgPpbZwqW1Idp71FKXofctj0K16dffQDRBWg6m40GY7BGm3yXDdOnWECRkca7LRiQpodQeTwH1CpKWIruDTOSs8WzLGiiZ7Lcpgwbs6F9WtRaGft5k/s400/DSC_0762.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538104987034748386" /></a><br />The view from our room... how amazing is that?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXFh7hKBvAOtlKwnp-lFCxOY0KtOPuBUarDuaRJw6hP3gZ-dalvezzjX0LGDuv8U2h4u-yT_e7IR9266OaMfS4e1mTN5NNEYYawEbPzeASFzgH9TOO54lHHXddpH6ZARgwF8bsTBNjO8/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXFh7hKBvAOtlKwnp-lFCxOY0KtOPuBUarDuaRJw6hP3gZ-dalvezzjX0LGDuv8U2h4u-yT_e7IR9266OaMfS4e1mTN5NNEYYawEbPzeASFzgH9TOO54lHHXddpH6ZARgwF8bsTBNjO8/s400/DSC_0604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538104981912497714" /></a><br />The night we arrived, we went in a boat alongside this cormorant fisher so we can watch him work! What they do is take a string and tie it around the cormorant's neck... that way when the bird catches fish, he can't swallow the fish... the farmer keeps the bigger fish for himself, and feeds the bird the smaller ones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hJptvH4C-NyJBTeI7z9VKWNzKdOGquGDCrbPtUsIROYdsIuyf56_XzWx56ostuaq-FPq-agUBlFXDFkxbcHhEHVjNsT2wZ5dmZQQzAHyXNxOFMe4of-Z3IItTm5kpB7hLDrU28WTgP8/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hJptvH4C-NyJBTeI7z9VKWNzKdOGquGDCrbPtUsIROYdsIuyf56_XzWx56ostuaq-FPq-agUBlFXDFkxbcHhEHVjNsT2wZ5dmZQQzAHyXNxOFMe4of-Z3IItTm5kpB7hLDrU28WTgP8/s400/DSC_0618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538104994240324594" /></a><br />Some fishies he caught.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWniYugtjt9b58E06DrB3qKn-V3nHma4PLPmif5MePXKn3natUJU2L_UcvaM8j-tULF3BKLjB7kcPrtSpqX5Yr4Sk6yuWNMx2dv4GWHEPT5wuehyphenhyphen-A42CW1TTZtRcSZY4_kuNL2Fji3-E/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWniYugtjt9b58E06DrB3qKn-V3nHma4PLPmif5MePXKn3natUJU2L_UcvaM8j-tULF3BKLjB7kcPrtSpqX5Yr4Sk6yuWNMx2dv4GWHEPT5wuehyphenhyphen-A42CW1TTZtRcSZY4_kuNL2Fji3-E/s400/DSC_0621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538105003828045314" /></a><br />Yes I actually held the bird, even though birds in general scare me... hah. And yes. I was creeped out. But I did it! haha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqujI-lM0rW-6AnvnkkZshhpW0weFMW6aex3cx2vCA-aT7ZEnhvfpgaoOgkIFMaO0StUY5B6RAazD9Y5iwIb7ldEM8Ox7SfKwJRDGglp_C0J77YNA1mxIdRw4GekJN_BUShPmnKXAOmA/s1600/DSC_0626.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqujI-lM0rW-6AnvnkkZshhpW0weFMW6aex3cx2vCA-aT7ZEnhvfpgaoOgkIFMaO0StUY5B6RAazD9Y5iwIb7ldEM8Ox7SfKwJRDGglp_C0J77YNA1mxIdRw4GekJN_BUShPmnKXAOmA/s400/DSC_0626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538105007110913154" /></a><br />The next day our amazing guide took us to the village she grew up in. It was about an hour and a half boat ride away from Yangshuo. It was so amazing to be out on a part of the river where we were basically the only ones out there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl989r7V-BhtiavQavCwodaOAC3VswaPayzU1TFCU1HPBQEAStNhbFtt2jc5tGb-7z25qc45x1uLfDfDcpNquu0ymRYXf2DkIawt8EJQcmiY2n48dM2tgjS8xIJg6yisn1NUFtIVc_95k/s1600/DSC_0651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl989r7V-BhtiavQavCwodaOAC3VswaPayzU1TFCU1HPBQEAStNhbFtt2jc5tGb-7z25qc45x1uLfDfDcpNquu0ymRYXf2DkIawt8EJQcmiY2n48dM2tgjS8xIJg6yisn1NUFtIVc_95k/s400/DSC_0651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538107253827956002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hQunzk6Z2RaPdZswIYOGI1BRb2sleIPRVEpA6t_CiEx1NYSFDwGp-H5kbi2eQv_TH76cXfTnSvicWnKOZdI4RKJyp0S02cuAJOSZNJRof8-No9GB2XDmjYZQr9x81Hj8_PBEKuYWQW4/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hQunzk6Z2RaPdZswIYOGI1BRb2sleIPRVEpA6t_CiEx1NYSFDwGp-H5kbi2eQv_TH76cXfTnSvicWnKOZdI4RKJyp0S02cuAJOSZNJRof8-No9GB2XDmjYZQr9x81Hj8_PBEKuYWQW4/s400/DSC_0643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538107242452951474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRz5BzydSZJp4093WClS2ATGomW1VNcKOXmfQ-IbLOaGLqn24habkvts61BlJNbfc3ucqbJF6z9QOdw1QEQQqS5go2yDElI4__lwqvioPXL-UozU7qVrmfgOV6LI1Aw53RtIe4S2Lm8w/s1600/DSC_0697.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRz5BzydSZJp4093WClS2ATGomW1VNcKOXmfQ-IbLOaGLqn24habkvts61BlJNbfc3ucqbJF6z9QOdw1QEQQqS5go2yDElI4__lwqvioPXL-UozU7qVrmfgOV6LI1Aw53RtIe4S2Lm8w/s400/DSC_0697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538107256712545250" /></a><br />Harvesting the rice. My favorite photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43molTVYAJISd0ykamPW8axwNUg5OqGrtlWLk9WfaMuPsXZmtkqYHS1J7JwyUHOg3iaQxbFXDz7rN_ZRUOr6WNAXBL7CvsrvrkH9K6YWd6twO8MEvjXXnQhhMpbA8zctsa_RqMmd0JUA/s1600/DSC_0727.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43molTVYAJISd0ykamPW8axwNUg5OqGrtlWLk9WfaMuPsXZmtkqYHS1J7JwyUHOg3iaQxbFXDz7rN_ZRUOr6WNAXBL7CvsrvrkH9K6YWd6twO8MEvjXXnQhhMpbA8zctsa_RqMmd0JUA/s400/DSC_0727.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538107264989249010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenivICcz_dVNZ-p-4lCkDSMVqCwllGTo20xDJbdPnm_qLR7t-4yxP67Za1tTkOgCXOT8ybCl_rNxvCm9vOw32Jy1VI9rBjWLygyGJGY_XveA-oHj_e7Q6o7VS5pCqU7gsAR9A-l4N3_A/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenivICcz_dVNZ-p-4lCkDSMVqCwllGTo20xDJbdPnm_qLR7t-4yxP67Za1tTkOgCXOT8ybCl_rNxvCm9vOw32Jy1VI9rBjWLygyGJGY_XveA-oHj_e7Q6o7VS5pCqU7gsAR9A-l4N3_A/s400/DSC_0695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538108997100967170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X0RSgaWYlme0LPY487vV-E64isT8anGOCwgUskokVOq4UYR28CIdNcUU0HQdBEmigua32h3Q1LchyUNQtr9QuRAC0f6dUNaAuS8YV8gWJv0ig13_vFyT8qiqG1ZLiEoJUKCfJjaiMOY/s1600/DSC_0733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X0RSgaWYlme0LPY487vV-E64isT8anGOCwgUskokVOq4UYR28CIdNcUU0HQdBEmigua32h3Q1LchyUNQtr9QuRAC0f6dUNaAuS8YV8gWJv0ig13_vFyT8qiqG1ZLiEoJUKCfJjaiMOY/s400/DSC_0733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538107272719298530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-hFUkaexZSHGx4vKl_Ss8NTKQfp5ghstQDbJ-_Hmxs90nI1HwxmUIPX-L9mcig9art-Id89dQVg3Nz0Yn782V1VPOdP2XgPt4shO-KeinEwHN6RJOLkKWQt2rm7GNBYhJQRx-KSu3Dc/s1600/DSC_0723.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-hFUkaexZSHGx4vKl_Ss8NTKQfp5ghstQDbJ-_Hmxs90nI1HwxmUIPX-L9mcig9art-Id89dQVg3Nz0Yn782V1VPOdP2XgPt4shO-KeinEwHN6RJOLkKWQt2rm7GNBYhJQRx-KSu3Dc/s400/DSC_0723.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538109018899164850" /></a><br />Some village children peeking around the corner to check us out. They stayed there all day! too cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4OppcQ0x0vbHlGZPhUM15oloiWEZSJTKQA_pdJ5K8soxbefHPMIqY_keByXMlHgwPlPnVD-tY0csRUl2Ja5QFdX-RQhWuk8v-3EmluAWvAgCPIiOPaVvK4U3xq5WqVB0PENL9Uq6J-U/s1600/DSC_0719.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4OppcQ0x0vbHlGZPhUM15oloiWEZSJTKQA_pdJ5K8soxbefHPMIqY_keByXMlHgwPlPnVD-tY0csRUl2Ja5QFdX-RQhWuk8v-3EmluAWvAgCPIiOPaVvK4U3xq5WqVB0PENL9Uq6J-U/s400/DSC_0719.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538109005426249378" /></a><br />Our guide took us to her own parents' home... they made homemade springrolls, dumplings, and yes, snails, for us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rIGJj2UTeIdxZYy3p8V5qeALBCOMJsRaOQ9-ipBgwYosio9v2T3jybzXWo3kwJb-EI0iOLO_oSb6G8RmyAJkxbMLwEQI8jRBNX0F7VT6mgHP1r9DEtjB0X0NSlzL-CGpy5Esixny5jU/s1600/DSC_0704.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rIGJj2UTeIdxZYy3p8V5qeALBCOMJsRaOQ9-ipBgwYosio9v2T3jybzXWo3kwJb-EI0iOLO_oSb6G8RmyAJkxbMLwEQI8jRBNX0F7VT6mgHP1r9DEtjB0X0NSlzL-CGpy5Esixny5jU/s400/DSC_0704.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538109014034990290" /></a><br />This is our guide's father, who was trying to teach me how to play the erhu.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC9OSEchUoXw69gOEWes5s5thxqBf0L6OswqIxXGfawMCwVLV0Y0yMHfxNrqGodntnWGnKisLVTIq8WG56kD7qBbhP1mFYOHX05fPqve9b0KGnjiK0q7pjg54RlqTlHvYXRRAL-UxUCM/s1600/DSC_0710.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC9OSEchUoXw69gOEWes5s5thxqBf0L6OswqIxXGfawMCwVLV0Y0yMHfxNrqGodntnWGnKisLVTIq8WG56kD7qBbhP1mFYOHX05fPqve9b0KGnjiK0q7pjg54RlqTlHvYXRRAL-UxUCM/s400/DSC_0710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538110271484017138" /></a><br />This is right near where Edward Norton and Naomi Watts filmed The Painted Veil<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uUWUJ4OiW0gHgtsYHELk81OIpb_ZJXBlKGKv-1wIQ6nzS_ChvbJioMtMfJy7wWpKWZfzH4FuaewZvaTuPXI7VO6WIb0_mzm7JXPSCxHQhkFWinaOlnpYThV55Bf7FFVPMTmaA_9CC8o/s1600/DSC_0798.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uUWUJ4OiW0gHgtsYHELk81OIpb_ZJXBlKGKv-1wIQ6nzS_ChvbJioMtMfJy7wWpKWZfzH4FuaewZvaTuPXI7VO6WIb0_mzm7JXPSCxHQhkFWinaOlnpYThV55Bf7FFVPMTmaA_9CC8o/s400/DSC_0798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538110286410074162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVeX8jVB8Mv_-5ZGmbWYFRZNPLl6AfoNwDt6WbQNiAjIlZwuId2IdYscx_UqszqveQRJDKiaEihKw7RqPJWGDkdcpkH-jmTz4vJ-9wGgJ6ipt-c2pfnak5YSNxkIHrmHnE11kA-Jg6Y8/s1600/DSC_0843.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVeX8jVB8Mv_-5ZGmbWYFRZNPLl6AfoNwDt6WbQNiAjIlZwuId2IdYscx_UqszqveQRJDKiaEihKw7RqPJWGDkdcpkH-jmTz4vJ-9wGgJ6ipt-c2pfnak5YSNxkIHrmHnE11kA-Jg6Y8/s400/DSC_0843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538110279597627938" /></a><br />Basically, it was really freaking awesome and I recommend it to everyone!<br /><br />I also highly recommend the hotel we stayed in: The Yangshuo Village Inn, and our guide, Jessie Lu. If you want any of their contact information, let me know!<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-81368153791110358792010-11-07T08:33:00.007+08:002010-11-07T10:06:40.488+08:00Giveaway Winner and my dress for the ball!After counting all the comments and omitting any duplicates, there were 45 comments total. I used random.org to generate a random number... # 23!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQssEYprzd-cOqOJhL_mqFMxI73iWO1nS8N5ZDu3FyubPcQQQ09QiKCTD9LFmUbTqoMUnXS2uVvLvEQVTjeqUSbHxbeL5zi4AzPDaoH4-vlgzPe_iPj_ogfLBLpMj-CsRuCFvJXO9uXM/s1600/Giveaway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQssEYprzd-cOqOJhL_mqFMxI73iWO1nS8N5ZDu3FyubPcQQQ09QiKCTD9LFmUbTqoMUnXS2uVvLvEQVTjeqUSbHxbeL5zi4AzPDaoH4-vlgzPe_iPj_ogfLBLpMj-CsRuCFvJXO9uXM/s400/Giveaway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536601521834653922" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Congratulations to one of my long-time readers, TMWAY!</span> You've won my giveaway! I sent an e-mail to you for further details so be on the lookout for that!<br /><br />In regards to the ball - thank you guys so much for commenting on which dress you think I should choose. The majority of you said the red velvet dress... so I, in typical Steph fashion (just ask my husband), went with the green dress. lol. I just couldn't get the image of Mrs. Claus out of my head with the red velvet.<br /><br />After receiving the green dress, I am thrilled with it. It is beautiful in person - the stock photo truly did not do this dress justice! It's amazing! The beading detail on the shoulder is gorgeous and the fit is perfect. The green velvet is rich and luxurious looking... I couldn't be happier with my choice! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy0XdtZy57FhN2vuVXsLvG9pxmrypFPGYddTuvZlcLCIjJSEXTba24MG_ZIuX5zK5HoHoexuf82SpWPlzrOEXKL3ACkovYFQUGOJou4rSp_-VI83mkrC8zmb1rMoP2MisUb-8qWgL6LY/s1600/DSC_0855.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy0XdtZy57FhN2vuVXsLvG9pxmrypFPGYddTuvZlcLCIjJSEXTba24MG_ZIuX5zK5HoHoexuf82SpWPlzrOEXKL3ACkovYFQUGOJou4rSp_-VI83mkrC8zmb1rMoP2MisUb-8qWgL6LY/s400/DSC_0855.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536604051531400914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXTHUV2fuFjqHIAJrGfPi1kxludxDXkT4RrttqyX45k2uYuwiW8eFxMtgcLbjj08NY_0ihGhOqB4sfPXTGYu5HBLafH3u2gobV7Kcn25A_M8IS2ilRHc_J7JUs64DgJ33TcdSAQMIKxE/s1600/DSC_0854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXTHUV2fuFjqHIAJrGfPi1kxludxDXkT4RrttqyX45k2uYuwiW8eFxMtgcLbjj08NY_0ihGhOqB4sfPXTGYu5HBLafH3u2gobV7Kcn25A_M8IS2ilRHc_J7JUs64DgJ33TcdSAQMIKxE/s400/DSC_0854.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536604043453483810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQEbSh6FMnZ84GhJ0X-HeNfL1c1IxHqVHCkefWATEjQEWDd2RoElfiCyxOP9IEmHQDyOAXnni9JCNYOpCIE-zK5TCM3NKsLWKNzct-g02YLvWT10_95aLvPMVmPRdmboaWxvK3o7eok8/s1600/DSC_0852.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQEbSh6FMnZ84GhJ0X-HeNfL1c1IxHqVHCkefWATEjQEWDd2RoElfiCyxOP9IEmHQDyOAXnni9JCNYOpCIE-zK5TCM3NKsLWKNzct-g02YLvWT10_95aLvPMVmPRdmboaWxvK3o7eok8/s400/DSC_0852.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536604038151523602" /></a><br />The ruching (on the right side in the picture) makes for a very flattering fit.<br /><br />I'm planning to do my hair like this... large waves/curls with one side pinned back (to see the shoulder detail!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1aqbVYwmTubcEfzj_fRu1qT-p1ORUJoPJ7otAed9Wh0UvldGzDhciN3AaQx-zGTZcZFflAc1GUCM1GyGhYq_7ZFFbVAyvOC7-Apk_EAjZWKSFarEgpdOQYKpIv8ysEUd-_R_8bTN4-4/s1600/Kate_Bosworth.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1aqbVYwmTubcEfzj_fRu1qT-p1ORUJoPJ7otAed9Wh0UvldGzDhciN3AaQx-zGTZcZFflAc1GUCM1GyGhYq_7ZFFbVAyvOC7-Apk_EAjZWKSFarEgpdOQYKpIv8ysEUd-_R_8bTN4-4/s400/Kate_Bosworth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536623162741281586" /></a><br />I'll post pics after the ball. It's still not for a few weeks!<br /><br />Pictures from my last trip still to come - Guizhou Province, and Guangxi (Guilin, Yangshuo).<br /><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-19624512477885887822010-11-03T17:54:00.015+08:002010-11-03T18:47:47.176+08:00Big review post! J. Crew, Cole Haan, and what dress did I choose for the ball?!!!ALLLLLL that stuff I ordered finally made it all the way to China and are finally in my little hands. Most everything worked out wonderfully! so lots to review!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">First up - do you need a good, basic long-sleeve layering tee? </span>If so, Nordstrom's juniors brand Rubbish makes awesome long-sleeve shirts. I've had some for a few years and it was finally time to pick up some new ones. <br /><br />This is the <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3067470?origin=category&resultback=2804">Rubbish Extended Cuff Tee</a>. Currently on sale for $12.90. Because it's juniors I size up to a medium.<br /><br />Here it is in grey on me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzWHjBKCxWvnlo_AWo-ggAs4-tIbdDBPiV0EosWEIzGuDaDI5B59B9_NyzaYYdSG_g8iUQHNrlG9acpvwGYOUPDbfzcBu-QdFve1-LuUMAVsfHQkxPV2cQ0SKIdhf-oCvOpg0wdziORQ/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+04.55.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzWHjBKCxWvnlo_AWo-ggAs4-tIbdDBPiV0EosWEIzGuDaDI5B59B9_NyzaYYdSG_g8iUQHNrlG9acpvwGYOUPDbfzcBu-QdFve1-LuUMAVsfHQkxPV2cQ0SKIdhf-oCvOpg0wdziORQ/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+04.55.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535261065678426482" /></a><br />Worn with my Lululemon Groove Pants (so stylin'! Hey, I didn't leave the house today...) BTW these tees are one million times better than J. Crew's "perfect fit" tee. I hate those things. They get so stretched out during wear and the sleeves are too short and the bottom rides up.. yuck.<br /><br />Next up, <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19396043&navAction=jump&navCount=">Anthropologie's Camp Facile Shirt by Odille</a>. I love this shirt. It's gorgeous. It feels like silk, but is actually rayon. I bought it in the army green color, which in my pictures actually looks a little distorted - it's more of a true army green in real life - you can see the true color in the photo below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IoDpy0eXabhdY5hvVYa8-FP5zFkOHu3Ap1yGeTdi0AmXJVPMpLxG_km_d1qUu-VL_Gj_ULF0cU679PKUDjp_aMJ-Z0FZbR3PHPKKONCTAHFaOrYZeeQ0k1kkZ-BcgUzDXDj3JFL_0pU/s1600/DSC_0857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IoDpy0eXabhdY5hvVYa8-FP5zFkOHu3Ap1yGeTdi0AmXJVPMpLxG_km_d1qUu-VL_Gj_ULF0cU679PKUDjp_aMJ-Z0FZbR3PHPKKONCTAHFaOrYZeeQ0k1kkZ-BcgUzDXDj3JFL_0pU/s400/DSC_0857.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535262656503391282" /></a><br />Look at the pretty details... gold buttons, the braiding on the sleeve cuff, which also goes along the back in a straight line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljN8xRHVav875XUlffOlnXeonz-20BPsBjPfIf8mbm1d746AeE-gOBdi_hFpbOb7DLlWnaD9TOWEB5kUyCYEndSwY1CJBj8zBlx-GtWJCkjHBh7sVVG4Q8iL_ES13IGpo5lURKbo0kE/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.08+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljN8xRHVav875XUlffOlnXeonz-20BPsBjPfIf8mbm1d746AeE-gOBdi_hFpbOb7DLlWnaD9TOWEB5kUyCYEndSwY1CJBj8zBlx-GtWJCkjHBh7sVVG4Q8iL_ES13IGpo5lURKbo0kE/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.08+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535262647160292066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyauiOz2g_BvNpcDXQGhgdJo_H7nrySihB4e7Qc-yUDMUYUzkl-Bg0fri8Qt1v4JEyxFOY9weBNh7cmGxBqSBqqV1kIIAY3XfxlA3GDOiPDuAGbCI-gGXMTFiSRIFEWA4a3htOza6OWg/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyauiOz2g_BvNpcDXQGhgdJo_H7nrySihB4e7Qc-yUDMUYUzkl-Bg0fri8Qt1v4JEyxFOY9weBNh7cmGxBqSBqqV1kIIAY3XfxlA3GDOiPDuAGbCI-gGXMTFiSRIFEWA4a3htOza6OWg/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535262644995150418" /></a><br />I own about 2 or 3 Odille blouses, and took a size 2 in all of them - so I bought a size 2 in this as well. Truth be told, I could have sized up to a 4 - the button pulls <span style="font-style:italic;">ever so slightly</span> across the chest. If I were in the US I'd exchange it for a 4 - being here, I will settle for the one I have. I also think that if I wear a less "pusher-upper" bra, that will solve the problem. ;)<br /><br />Next up, J. Crew reviews! very happy with my recent J. Crew purchases.<br /><br />First, the <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/knitstees/sweatshirtsandcardigans/PRDOVR~29810/99102096110/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~105~~6+25~15~~~~~~~/29810.jsp">Sherpa Zip Hoodie</a>, now on sale for $60. Love. So comfy! The sleeves and the pockets are not lined with the sherpa lining - I thought it was last year, but I don't know for sure. I took a size small - I think you should size up with this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OpmO_Mp1KjuQ4DhFUUjZ6U2fuEjom9DsKiOhRYz2D9RLn6_MDDkkX5SxNKT25VT11UWOzejwOUex1ZbkVy_oAsVLgL2YPLkueOAIjqHQgdAXD6LOMDEtWDhNftHFBsFJQAbXA2nfAac/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.00.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OpmO_Mp1KjuQ4DhFUUjZ6U2fuEjom9DsKiOhRYz2D9RLn6_MDDkkX5SxNKT25VT11UWOzejwOUex1ZbkVy_oAsVLgL2YPLkueOAIjqHQgdAXD6LOMDEtWDhNftHFBsFJQAbXA2nfAac/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535264818102659794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhtV5c5h4ycB08C2Lj45V5n7DhinetoPgcMG4fCqNrBhInfTUdsNM5vk6Be3YltXTkEgl69AbX-aEL1s2A5irqm-j94nZrr7l6rqxL7WEMNXTgRO_6yHlf03wnJPDFc1qk8hXPQQDgLo/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhtV5c5h4ycB08C2Lj45V5n7DhinetoPgcMG4fCqNrBhInfTUdsNM5vk6Be3YltXTkEgl69AbX-aEL1s2A5irqm-j94nZrr7l6rqxL7WEMNXTgRO_6yHlf03wnJPDFc1qk8hXPQQDgLo/s400/DSC_0851.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535264833056630690" /></a><br />MMM. Fuzzy. This is the warm taupe color.<br /><br />Next, the popular <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/sweaters/merino/PRDOVR~29002/29002.jsp">Arrow Sweater-jacket</a> (in black), which has been reviewed all over the blogging world. Currently on sale for $80, and I bought it during the additional 30% off sale. This sweater is 100% merino wool, very soft and very thick. Well worth the sale price. No quality issues so far, no pilling, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAayW-1AZFKwK4nOysIevuiEaOyt0G9ie0_7G_U3IpAeoQfJg22xjIQyJYzTWt-Iff7708ASLwm8wqtfzXfXqUTdwj9RdwwEpiOa-b52UjPiJgCWmYNF_1DFlGQEXuUcTG3sjkzZ-pvnQ/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+04.57.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAayW-1AZFKwK4nOysIevuiEaOyt0G9ie0_7G_U3IpAeoQfJg22xjIQyJYzTWt-Iff7708ASLwm8wqtfzXfXqUTdwj9RdwwEpiOa-b52UjPiJgCWmYNF_1DFlGQEXuUcTG3sjkzZ-pvnQ/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+04.57.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535265985633492450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihezy3d-JDeOsnyW8duCVvi0lORUR80iycOvRautPuhT9gYSXHrJNQEufJ7WDaKPyqWiQ355c-lCMw7mwMF7nGr0UEHqjucl_w7P_aKfSMQMpvf9L1VhCkN4SBw1ivvMzzrJ72zw7kDxo/s1600/DSC_0850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihezy3d-JDeOsnyW8duCVvi0lORUR80iycOvRautPuhT9gYSXHrJNQEufJ7WDaKPyqWiQ355c-lCMw7mwMF7nGr0UEHqjucl_w7P_aKfSMQMpvf9L1VhCkN4SBw1ivvMzzrJ72zw7kDxo/s400/DSC_0850.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535265983056346498" /></a><br />I took this in a size XS. I like a more form fitting look.<br /><br />Next is the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Glen-plaid Sasha Coat</span>. It appears to be sold out on the website, so no clicky. I bought this coat because it was on sale for such a great price... and I am so glad I did! I think it's super cute. It has a more boxy fit but it's still flattering - I like that it has a swingy look to it - very cute. Also love the plaid which is subtle but adds something extra. <a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/100516">Net-a-porter is selling it for $300 still</a>, but J. Crew just had it at a sale price of $99.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw5Y8tO8J9vg60FtOMZfRdwYYJ2-keuzRr-WgB4xEfp0L1VyDCmCRyNK1ySt2PRlDRxVrW3Km-NHnlJrF5hDPwBigwfkMhwp8XfKr7CT-1SXI7dhK09gJwR8DKaaRcooi2N2SNvhFjfw/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw5Y8tO8J9vg60FtOMZfRdwYYJ2-keuzRr-WgB4xEfp0L1VyDCmCRyNK1ySt2PRlDRxVrW3Km-NHnlJrF5hDPwBigwfkMhwp8XfKr7CT-1SXI7dhK09gJwR8DKaaRcooi2N2SNvhFjfw/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535267039121740818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFnnk_32SpGbfVrx3gJcffrkeCWsxblMdrVsQxeT-R0aXO7Ztm8MRvQ13LmlBygmS6e3GSnnvn_Xeiu1ziehbY-hf2knF667pI7e3menAgSePpW_6ZnFrx-Nhg5lbT5v9NXpe_wS7_Yo/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.15+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFnnk_32SpGbfVrx3gJcffrkeCWsxblMdrVsQxeT-R0aXO7Ztm8MRvQ13LmlBygmS6e3GSnnvn_Xeiu1ziehbY-hf2knF667pI7e3menAgSePpW_6ZnFrx-Nhg5lbT5v9NXpe_wS7_Yo/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.15+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535267038445218370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzM9xABww0-nlV8lnbZa5f-h2qHxVGe58jpXpAEVIdagprHY1QEN9N5bSysfC11-IesecHBOkHaYXHjxDWUSSZ6c7xdySRIOGHMwzaD-8caDp8e8cNmElfZrQjv5ySzPBl84ku3cTjCQ/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzM9xABww0-nlV8lnbZa5f-h2qHxVGe58jpXpAEVIdagprHY1QEN9N5bSysfC11-IesecHBOkHaYXHjxDWUSSZ6c7xdySRIOGHMwzaD-8caDp8e8cNmElfZrQjv5ySzPBl84ku3cTjCQ/s400/DSC_0859.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535267453681438850" /></a><br />I went with a size 2 - it is great because it is roomy and there is no problem layering underneath this coat. It's funny because this coat didn't catch my eye at all and I really bought it for the great price... and it ended up being an awesome purchase.<br /><br />In that picture I am also wearing my favorite style of jeans - <a href="http://www.7forallmankind.com/STRAIGHT_LEG_IN_RINSE/pd/np/421/p/3596.html">7 for all mankind's straight leg in rinse wash.</a> These are the ones I bought for 30% off at Tobi.com. I have other jeans in this same brand and style, and needed another.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL2MHD2imPelCcbhfSmKpcqrBVdFfzSVkzSiP1mO5DnZwkOfJ6xZa1wFmDj56zbR1rIwDpOpUfgq2UXNF_5QJSp4HiZGRSziHfg6I8q7x39BGueHSAvGrKuAc9T6uT3X3wZXxqjnBAn0/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.16+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL2MHD2imPelCcbhfSmKpcqrBVdFfzSVkzSiP1mO5DnZwkOfJ6xZa1wFmDj56zbR1rIwDpOpUfgq2UXNF_5QJSp4HiZGRSziHfg6I8q7x39BGueHSAvGrKuAc9T6uT3X3wZXxqjnBAn0/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.16+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535268255332811890" /></a><br />For me, 7 for all mankind fits true to my waist size. Strange, but in light color washes, I find they stretch out and I size down one size. I also bought 7FAM's newest fit "<a href="http://www.7forallmankind.com/store/productdetails.aspx?productid=4143&colorid=10989&sli=1">the skinny bootcut</a>" - no picture because they are really long and need to be hemmed, but I really like them - the fabric is definitely different than my other 7fam jeans - true to the product description on their website, this is a very stretchy, tighter-fit fabric - but my regular waist size still fit.<br /><br />Nextttttttt.... another J. Crew coat - the <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~29667/29667.jsp">Stadium Cloth Peacoat with Gold Buttons, in Navy</a>. I also got this with a 20% off code, yay!<br /><br />Sorry this pic is sideways... I really like the stadium cloth fabric - it feels very very warm and looks and feels rich and luxurious in my opinion! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwqww-LHohBhZcNmP1llPyN-cOiqsv8xS4YUXIxpVwzP4dwxXdXwFsRHUHXwxdiQg5JY9bT8ZEw5XvGYS5h3ihGEQEx7kAFTMZy5YWascxnYk3unDRshYCtjrqdRv0kjo2NRkWM_ZoTk/s1600/DSC_0862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwqww-LHohBhZcNmP1llPyN-cOiqsv8xS4YUXIxpVwzP4dwxXdXwFsRHUHXwxdiQg5JY9bT8ZEw5XvGYS5h3ihGEQEx7kAFTMZy5YWascxnYk3unDRshYCtjrqdRv0kjo2NRkWM_ZoTk/s400/DSC_0862.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535269744569034690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG1cFbqli4oKNMEnMF3cIIvHRE6iqhj8-hh5NFb9UJZ3tlFe_lhrQjqLm5h7MeO_fHM2dNHYhsNiUUz3f7jlBtgqrcKSgTVzOoYJEQcuWm3mZcM4_krrB9GqvywcSyWS_fsQu-uMEuhY/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG1cFbqli4oKNMEnMF3cIIvHRE6iqhj8-hh5NFb9UJZ3tlFe_lhrQjqLm5h7MeO_fHM2dNHYhsNiUUz3f7jlBtgqrcKSgTVzOoYJEQcuWm3mZcM4_krrB9GqvywcSyWS_fsQu-uMEuhY/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535269737305265346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxOuKzZL8GDYtKUfrsJ80gUPgY7Gsyfp00ir-K4ufejZZGeBR6CtTLqHoEZgZ1XczyxbmrH5z2uSPNiN3bGR00VGRBuYUI6t_pQTLKWoEDh3VTWFWLuxthEnOJx9o-HQFCISeUwIaQ10/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxOuKzZL8GDYtKUfrsJ80gUPgY7Gsyfp00ir-K4ufejZZGeBR6CtTLqHoEZgZ1XczyxbmrH5z2uSPNiN3bGR00VGRBuYUI6t_pQTLKWoEDh3VTWFWLuxthEnOJx9o-HQFCISeUwIaQ10/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535269731361237442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDoyLilNdyXvybfRTXW_-uCV0HjYtOzlRP40s_RN67uNOK9RbMHJyylTFuVrBCg8mIKa6JEUpYKbaGCFsP3Vp911oe5q2fjxwhBNQh-AQfJIhlsaEzaF6AatrRn7MYOOnsbNXvVjG7yA/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.19+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDoyLilNdyXvybfRTXW_-uCV0HjYtOzlRP40s_RN67uNOK9RbMHJyylTFuVrBCg8mIKa6JEUpYKbaGCFsP3Vp911oe5q2fjxwhBNQh-AQfJIhlsaEzaF6AatrRn7MYOOnsbNXvVjG7yA/s400/Photo+on+2010-11-03+at+05.19+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535269729931744930" /></a><br />I listened to my blogger friends and went with a size 4 in this, as I heard it runs a little snug - and the 4 is perfect. Can't wait to wear this coat! <br /><br />BTW can you see my shoes in that last picture? They are the Cole Haan Air Astrid flats in Beige. They are MUCH lighter (in color) than I thought they would be (you were right Ehayes!) I bought them on major sale at Neiman's. They are super comfy and TTS. The downside is I think they are really plain and sort of boring, and I thought the color was going to be a rich camel color, which it is not... I feel it's sort of a "matronly" (OK, GRANDMA-Y) color. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DbUK_fkQUtSPMxZhOArMjkUtdreeKVF-oCVJZGfiCpUhw1LwbxoPPC4hjqxX4Jm6AtkPHx5RHbAt4T7ZqpdhofgdRWLJ4qmrKyO0aHB-cEL11VZcIKcZwJ0VgQkXNpfCTtdvDCkyY58/s1600/DSC_0865.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DbUK_fkQUtSPMxZhOArMjkUtdreeKVF-oCVJZGfiCpUhw1LwbxoPPC4hjqxX4Jm6AtkPHx5RHbAt4T7ZqpdhofgdRWLJ4qmrKyO0aHB-cEL11VZcIKcZwJ0VgQkXNpfCTtdvDCkyY58/s400/DSC_0865.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535271136368904530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHdqrJmJCh2bl6C4K8sSewBPJL7XuAMO8hyphenhyphenT12aziO9fLnHDUmIX9wsvMKA_n5psTpghD205hzppEFmVhskqXSyGJ967I-1CnggntGEpSwHWytPn9LKSl9Z-CszWamiXaIlxH4QUOTQg/s1600/DSC_0863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHdqrJmJCh2bl6C4K8sSewBPJL7XuAMO8hyphenhyphenT12aziO9fLnHDUmIX9wsvMKA_n5psTpghD205hzppEFmVhskqXSyGJ967I-1CnggntGEpSwHWytPn9LKSl9Z-CszWamiXaIlxH4QUOTQg/s400/DSC_0863.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535271131650951522" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Keep or return?</span><br /><br />And, OMG FINALLY, the final product.... which I am in love with. The <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/ballets/PRDOVR~28699/28699.jsp">J. Crew Studded Ballet Flats</a>, which I also had a coupon for (nice, J. Crew with all the recent coupons...). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7uHwFsk0vyrygPsVOqqeYbrE1n6JEJ9IiW6jgHsvvW6F-yoQRvit6bokYXrzvGIz2tkz9Dc5rMGgwaLGh4PHTE0oO24XZ7knXnMaqm3nifkddsj_UAlI4bEM8KkOkVXAkBpxy4bMXtY/s1600/DSC_0854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7uHwFsk0vyrygPsVOqqeYbrE1n6JEJ9IiW6jgHsvvW6F-yoQRvit6bokYXrzvGIz2tkz9Dc5rMGgwaLGh4PHTE0oO24XZ7knXnMaqm3nifkddsj_UAlI4bEM8KkOkVXAkBpxy4bMXtY/s400/DSC_0854.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535272091489216210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo9jr5zuFXND5Iv4YFFuonnLCtKhp9dXHdlJMTw6ukhdmGw8zT5U51SgLLp4Ng0Y3ITYpZT1paVLP4o1qkZQQGQcYaPdhAzpmwJ1W-iCBOJ7LPR0BDsENW_AKY5OfwoKJQrjpiEkeuwQ/s1600/DSC_0853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo9jr5zuFXND5Iv4YFFuonnLCtKhp9dXHdlJMTw6ukhdmGw8zT5U51SgLLp4Ng0Y3ITYpZT1paVLP4o1qkZQQGQcYaPdhAzpmwJ1W-iCBOJ7LPR0BDsENW_AKY5OfwoKJQrjpiEkeuwQ/s400/DSC_0853.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535272081732656706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTgsJu05nL3eXeEbfS12NdU-fP8K0kJmy5c9SZ9ZAksEi4rm_a6aFreXs3uaesAMsVEKpRemTbZMN3Ku0cbDs-qhg9tQbF5I5SOInypEugl_TPrBEzLRg9zfSUxa4E0Ua2OMPRKgnl-c/s1600/DSC_0852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTgsJu05nL3eXeEbfS12NdU-fP8K0kJmy5c9SZ9ZAksEi4rm_a6aFreXs3uaesAMsVEKpRemTbZMN3Ku0cbDs-qhg9tQbF5I5SOInypEugl_TPrBEzLRg9zfSUxa4E0Ua2OMPRKgnl-c/s400/DSC_0852.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535272074130573378" /></a><br />They run TTS, they feel extremely well made, the leather is so soft and supple.... I love them. Can't find any sort of fault with these.<br /><br />Their awesomeness, combined with my "blah-ness" over the Cole Haan flats prompted me to run out (well, run to the computer) to buy one more pair of J. Crew flats, the <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/ballets/PRDOVR~26273/26273.jsp">Kerrington flats</a> (currently on sale) in metallic pewter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho84C2F5fCV-iiSZnaLlVK5gqnRQ4YA2GwouiP1wlR-WwnbyjR5ewbQTUZprIShSqsfIScrfxbCfQPks6FnLRdfmJmTJyn8uPk33KEypfU1E6-RdgqXTn1ITcwbUExkakGhcXFNjDOXX0/s1600/erez.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho84C2F5fCV-iiSZnaLlVK5gqnRQ4YA2GwouiP1wlR-WwnbyjR5ewbQTUZprIShSqsfIScrfxbCfQPks6FnLRdfmJmTJyn8uPk33KEypfU1E6-RdgqXTn1ITcwbUExkakGhcXFNjDOXX0/s400/erez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535272719421274754" /></a><br /> I'll let you know how I like these when they come in.<br /><br />And that's it. And please don't add up all my purchases. I don't want to know. ;)<br /><br />Steph<br /><br />PS GIVEAWAY WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW! SORRY FOR THE DELAY!<br /><br />PPS - Am I a huge blonde or what? I didn't even post about my ball dress! I guess I'll save that for tomorrow. ;)MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-19877424883540530872010-10-27T12:59:00.002+08:002010-10-27T13:08:11.692+08:00Beautiful YunnanYunnan Province is gorgeous and has officially skyrocketed to the position of my favorite province in China.<br /><br />Honestly, if I were coming to China for 2 weeks, the one chance I had to come to China... I would fly into Beijing, spend a few days around Beijing to see the most important sights, like Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall... then fly to Lijiang, spend time in Lijiang (or Dali), then onto Guizhou's small minority villages - one is Xijiang, and finally onto Guangxi province to see Guilin/Yangshuo area. This is truly the China people envision when they think of China. (Have you see The Painted Veil? This is what I am talking about for the second/third part of the trip.)<br /><br />Anyway, we are now in Guizhou Province - I think which is officially known as China's poorest province. The city we are in is surrounded by karst limestone hills, which makes for very beautiful and unique topography. <span style="font-style:italic;"> Unfortunately, our guidebook warned us about the locals' love of dog meat. Consider me officially a vegetarian while I am here. Thank God for Pizza Hut!</span><br /><br />Here are a few pictures from our time in Yunnan. I am disappointed that I was sick during the time we were in Kunming - I really, really wanted to see the red fields (东川红土地), but unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be. I am, however, feeling much better, thank you for your well-wishes, they worked! :)<br /><br />These photos were all taken in the ancient city of Lijiang... yes Lijiang can be touristy but it's beautiful, has a special ambiance and is definitely worth a visit. It reminded me of Pingyao in Shanxi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FC2gjjMSg5r7fu8XqNDJsEe09PGM0PQDNWiuGiF6KeGYCkWxEI8ROlqQVI8op28C24PGz7rKw6h-sZUSql6WAUsBlzN09YqH8H8LMEpwRZZb3aya50ZbcqcSuNFYLo5ff1PImQPoD_Y/s1600/DSC_0935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FC2gjjMSg5r7fu8XqNDJsEe09PGM0PQDNWiuGiF6KeGYCkWxEI8ROlqQVI8op28C24PGz7rKw6h-sZUSql6WAUsBlzN09YqH8H8LMEpwRZZb3aya50ZbcqcSuNFYLo5ff1PImQPoD_Y/s400/DSC_0935.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532300724898831298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Sl-EVcz_nlbFQLiV-UTCxLfDE170y9KquThzPaBLX7agU_dzIMnyg3hlKcenJ8p5wdWmqSDUTrjSfOkWJRfp98f7Ka1z0FvkGBjgLorkKwfIjhnuxyoiSYGoD7VROYlhuaTL0i7lFK0/s1600/DSC_1091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Sl-EVcz_nlbFQLiV-UTCxLfDE170y9KquThzPaBLX7agU_dzIMnyg3hlKcenJ8p5wdWmqSDUTrjSfOkWJRfp98f7Ka1z0FvkGBjgLorkKwfIjhnuxyoiSYGoD7VROYlhuaTL0i7lFK0/s400/DSC_1091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532300716980955202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUlY6Wyn6KWPT9_tqyh8L2G59x7cUQYzZSvN7mVxFRHl3KgWnB_TYx6dZfVVbGKfLyq8B2sygd8apFH7cyrmMZ7l3J1l9AWlELWzZNyBcbUljS6xzINyxhLQNC4NmIYUmlc686guzFhg/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUlY6Wyn6KWPT9_tqyh8L2G59x7cUQYzZSvN7mVxFRHl3KgWnB_TYx6dZfVVbGKfLyq8B2sygd8apFH7cyrmMZ7l3J1l9AWlELWzZNyBcbUljS6xzINyxhLQNC4NmIYUmlc686guzFhg/s400/DSC_0972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532300709225720402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUa4G0nT8GAas39JH3oewDDqC3pWMcCph4TcSB89xBb-ftRulGBIvuli5vTltlZLd_O3cxV8QruXrgYFte_rSaB9QmQSoxv_SVINVwqHkyTRQetXEXai5-pNxHzFbmKJhNp_CbpV7k-4/s1600/DSC_0945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUa4G0nT8GAas39JH3oewDDqC3pWMcCph4TcSB89xBb-ftRulGBIvuli5vTltlZLd_O3cxV8QruXrgYFte_rSaB9QmQSoxv_SVINVwqHkyTRQetXEXai5-pNxHzFbmKJhNp_CbpV7k-4/s400/DSC_0945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532300706941927298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1leGN00GxxAkn9x3K7GdR_AV902VBZwAw7uB0ztGkN44IKnBBSSrF8yPTXRyd23-P8IYKM1ixoaZTpA1MCx9lZ55IcIOZ-gbfw281al2CTy9J1MmnupGvQAI4haB5PFH7_8i-qYv4at8/s1600/DSC_1107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1leGN00GxxAkn9x3K7GdR_AV902VBZwAw7uB0ztGkN44IKnBBSSrF8yPTXRyd23-P8IYKM1ixoaZTpA1MCx9lZ55IcIOZ-gbfw281al2CTy9J1MmnupGvQAI4haB5PFH7_8i-qYv4at8/s400/DSC_1107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532300697715219954" /></a><br /><br />The countryside<br /><br />This is the first bend of the Yangtze River<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAymrz-DJjyMPOZpiokK6iTZiDV4-QS9f_h_obSoHgQEgVtyH9EEznqfSLARsakNm_z_aX-uOIi-TZs67SmiOhaFrJkAd5d9-oGGGcDNOWbLtvhmaps3e9_CGWDZuTgHSL7Ts4lN30I-c/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAymrz-DJjyMPOZpiokK6iTZiDV4-QS9f_h_obSoHgQEgVtyH9EEznqfSLARsakNm_z_aX-uOIi-TZs67SmiOhaFrJkAd5d9-oGGGcDNOWbLtvhmaps3e9_CGWDZuTgHSL7Ts4lN30I-c/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532308086996684018" /></a><br />Naxi Villages<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xN8v7X3KU4ZUxcflBBLCIBG6p8aJ6dWgfdLRQ3VD6zC1nNTQMN_lkie_eeJ00ivsDyvV5dYkZuubZFkeqYh2uVQLhRS298J0PYnrHZCoEDKARnvVaG8onX28Nd1cmLMLdNfxr4iDhuM/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xN8v7X3KU4ZUxcflBBLCIBG6p8aJ6dWgfdLRQ3VD6zC1nNTQMN_lkie_eeJ00ivsDyvV5dYkZuubZFkeqYh2uVQLhRS298J0PYnrHZCoEDKARnvVaG8onX28Nd1cmLMLdNfxr4iDhuM/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532308077266192434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBZK5jre8D_oy_cvvRcwUXqq4VFk1rilIJeYEQndlbok6idWZwkyEYTwrmL_DK64cjctSgJJLJcQPMikhHT4AMAYG4tt_1bPmBK63EDjWh-QnJx6N3mY02gkiSLPOMu_GLWsfkF6kOik/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBZK5jre8D_oy_cvvRcwUXqq4VFk1rilIJeYEQndlbok6idWZwkyEYTwrmL_DK64cjctSgJJLJcQPMikhHT4AMAYG4tt_1bPmBK63EDjWh-QnJx6N3mY02gkiSLPOMu_GLWsfkF6kOik/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532308066488198514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1G8mSDbqcWugdWKBq6RmU1MnR93YsIriNjDO8diFgV8aWHMY47OfVf6hcS1uZvPtsROheg2zhZDFjxBxMzrq5ckNxIVmo3vmw4ZJzeCi4__WHQfzDqh5-eFuCMhYExnztrzbMH8lSfY/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1G8mSDbqcWugdWKBq6RmU1MnR93YsIriNjDO8diFgV8aWHMY47OfVf6hcS1uZvPtsROheg2zhZDFjxBxMzrq5ckNxIVmo3vmw4ZJzeCi4__WHQfzDqh5-eFuCMhYExnztrzbMH8lSfY/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532308054330613106" /></a><br />Tiger Leaping Gorge... yeah so the actual park was closed, so in typical China fashion, some guys trying to make money offered to take us to the other side...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohHXNLky8UfgJiMSSCi1TeQrGlBnA5juKbatRw0CN-m1p6mGSz4skcNE2-LmCXBSu5fdYO6IySmci714cjYNfNXzjJu_sdDRj_hMtjRxtL7pQX7Q6dP0Bv15T7AzsHBR7xNpRdEnnmdk/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohHXNLky8UfgJiMSSCi1TeQrGlBnA5juKbatRw0CN-m1p6mGSz4skcNE2-LmCXBSu5fdYO6IySmci714cjYNfNXzjJu_sdDRj_hMtjRxtL7pQX7Q6dP0Bv15T7AzsHBR7xNpRdEnnmdk/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohHXNLky8UfgJiMSSCi1TeQrGlBnA5juKbatRw0CN-m1p6mGSz4skcNE2-LmCXBSu5fdYO6IySmci714cjYNfNXzjJu_sdDRj_hMtjRxtL7pQX7Q6dP0Bv15T7AzsHBR7xNpRdEnnmdk/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532574861790843794" /></a><br /></div><div>We went, and came across this. Pretty sure this side was more dangerous than the closed side.... seeing as how half the road was gone and all....<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG900ws7xC4fE4PfLKApV5MhHsN7xRmKhYZRjH8h7mtlvc1oqQjM-IRnJ4HNbapJVD1hJofpdJoN_87RYk9u0QtxLwO8u0zRwlqPg1XJPmBlfbOaKImOgK_l5VDWbMh9mp7QSsXAI89I/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG900ws7xC4fE4PfLKApV5MhHsN7xRmKhYZRjH8h7mtlvc1oqQjM-IRnJ4HNbapJVD1hJofpdJoN_87RYk9u0QtxLwO8u0zRwlqPg1XJPmBlfbOaKImOgK_l5VDWbMh9mp7QSsXAI89I/s400/DSC_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532574854155059970" /></a><br /></div><div>Workmen working towards trying to prevent any (more) crazy landslides</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSA6gwkn2aSpyJmm0ewR3TrFp7dFwH7G3l6sqIEY6g1iD9bgQOeeM_qbZinLS4bcf8KTY_8FPuNxpLUCn1IVnVxbEnlMowAaGiwnxhZToiY4XKBB-aRmHvwTHOXumaqhyZF6PqumDXdU/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSA6gwkn2aSpyJmm0ewR3TrFp7dFwH7G3l6sqIEY6g1iD9bgQOeeM_qbZinLS4bcf8KTY_8FPuNxpLUCn1IVnVxbEnlMowAaGiwnxhZToiY4XKBB-aRmHvwTHOXumaqhyZF6PqumDXdU/s400/DSC_0116.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532574838399399394" /></a>The gorge</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu22Gh9EmYaIokJhNfPEU0ztmExIRRm5prVOajo7jNDn-9iNE5xuR_ktrAzFgft67q79acytQL0r3hQIyA9in0-fPSXbwk95idsRmGjWWioZexKym46syeGLnEDQSkdVuOftDh6JvrT4/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu22Gh9EmYaIokJhNfPEU0ztmExIRRm5prVOajo7jNDn-9iNE5xuR_ktrAzFgft67q79acytQL0r3hQIyA9in0-fPSXbwk95idsRmGjWWioZexKym46syeGLnEDQSkdVuOftDh6JvrT4/s400/DSC_0104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532583233553661810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlxfldqh0WxFR1FlALwPfg5pRTI6zvulAsq1SYsN0ULEgLyzhdwcaJmVmzV63vHj1WZhXQ65qXkQtG46kLM4e_i6hyphenhyphenc1IKBDoCwOBFRi_424HKZ6AyQVdhyphenhyphenHzDc2wuP_DN9D7tzTR_5o/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlxfldqh0WxFR1FlALwPfg5pRTI6zvulAsq1SYsN0ULEgLyzhdwcaJmVmzV63vHj1WZhXQ65qXkQtG46kLM4e_i6hyphenhyphenc1IKBDoCwOBFRi_424HKZ6AyQVdhyphenhyphenHzDc2wuP_DN9D7tzTR_5o/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532583250227568242" /></a><br />That's it for Yunnan. There was so much more amazingness to see, but like I said, I got sick and we had to rearrange our travel plans.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Feeling much better here in Guizhou! Though the weather report said a high of 80 and a low of 65.... I am currently freezing seeing as how I am working with a high of 40 degrees and we didn't pack anything warmer than a fleece!</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget to enter the giveaway <a href="http://notjustanotherblondeinbeijing.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-giveaway-not-just-another-blonde.html">here</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>Steph<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-70228797424842747572010-10-24T10:39:00.006+08:002010-10-24T11:14:15.035+08:00Only in ChinaWhy am I blogging from a hotel room, you ask? Why am I inside and not exploring Southern China?<br /><br />The answer would be... that... I am sick. Again. I'll have you know, prior to moving to China, the last time I was sick was 2007. Moved to China and something is always making me sick! I blame it on the food situation... anyway... hopefully this will pass before we move on tomorrow. Night trains, while sick, are not fun. I know, because I was "lucky" enough to experience it the night before last.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Anyway, I was looking through some of our pictures from the last couple days and some were making me laugh.<br /></span><br />This picture was taken inside a kid's playroom. Baowei Zuguo, 保卫祖国,means "Protect the Homeland." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwx9R8TGR3niqdHDVApF33c_URVDC5p8W7Qy1gSU-rvqGSFw36vo5dyeJvm52WhWxQ2g2wgdBDVx_yPvGx19ke5PCvVgR9TN0vlNf6tHCVPh11v28ZEKJiGGsvJGwFtjxe1FJfSydeuM/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwx9R8TGR3niqdHDVApF33c_URVDC5p8W7Qy1gSU-rvqGSFw36vo5dyeJvm52WhWxQ2g2wgdBDVx_yPvGx19ke5PCvVgR9TN0vlNf6tHCVPh11v28ZEKJiGGsvJGwFtjxe1FJfSydeuM/s400/DSC_0135.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531438767055900530" /></a><br /> I thought this was hysterical, seeing as how it was in a children's playroom, and the drawing is of a little kid carrying something like an AK-47!<br /><br />And then around town, we saw some awesome signs and translations..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UOwJ8ZuO-dvgd7BwGcCEbUWjLvEyJ6Aqc885g-ofd0V8Zx4OVvScxf7secwc1rJ6ypDeF3LoMPcWnb6Ryp8yaX7bDW8drtovtd5z-jLTNafjefH099wSQzZ1wZU8Xrz6e7ShsulPSSQ/s1600/DSC_1098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UOwJ8ZuO-dvgd7BwGcCEbUWjLvEyJ6Aqc885g-ofd0V8Zx4OVvScxf7secwc1rJ6ypDeF3LoMPcWnb6Ryp8yaX7bDW8drtovtd5z-jLTNafjefH099wSQzZ1wZU8Xrz6e7ShsulPSSQ/s400/DSC_1098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531441862415379474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkGN1quIEirFz9pjlQruk_BKh49HAGHHEwmCuwL6jQcnXsuV94yUNAUofzpcKGvcnaSvO__O46rV42_y9dtCXXhY_hlyc31Wvqs4yuhE0CdC7RCnMXVhF0ATFfPXPW707NCyaIOlDSds/s1600/DSC_1097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkGN1quIEirFz9pjlQruk_BKh49HAGHHEwmCuwL6jQcnXsuV94yUNAUofzpcKGvcnaSvO__O46rV42_y9dtCXXhY_hlyc31Wvqs4yuhE0CdC7RCnMXVhF0ATFfPXPW707NCyaIOlDSds/s400/DSC_1097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531441861061057202" /></a><br />The same Chinese, two different English translations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">And</span> I think we can all agree... shopping <span style="font-style:italic;">should</span> be rational!<br /><br />I was going to add a few more pics, but am suddenly feeling tired and am going to rest. <span style="font-weight:bold;">DON'T FORGET to enter the giveaway!! Enter in the post below this one.<br /></span><br />StephMsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97848288601006799.post-36529757761781138092010-10-21T10:40:00.008+08:002010-10-21T11:33:40.762+08:00What, a giveaway?! Not Just Another Blonde in Beijing's China Treasures Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hQ3_cW7bcH-57RWWSkbwMzP-SOUu8cUWwDwjkh4FqltpyNQKmTWF_2vW1BtpIvWNU3DZoM9AewZ_WvJTncSj07oK3DeSIU-JbkeH_qyO9FdKRcDeVXtb4rmnyWkgwjwh8D3t9RFyDuc/s1600/DSC_0935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hQ3_cW7bcH-57RWWSkbwMzP-SOUu8cUWwDwjkh4FqltpyNQKmTWF_2vW1BtpIvWNU3DZoM9AewZ_WvJTncSj07oK3DeSIU-JbkeH_qyO9FdKRcDeVXtb4rmnyWkgwjwh8D3t9RFyDuc/s400/DSC_0935.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530328204706482498" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style:italic;">School children walking down a street in Lijiang, Yunnan Province</span><br /></span><br />HI everyone! Right now I am in Yunnan Province, China, and having an absolute blast. Everywhere I turn there is something beautiful to see! Yunnan Province is home to about 25 minority groups, and their influence is seen everywhere I turn. One of the things that has caught my eye the most here are the beautiful scarves being sold on every street. Weaving and dying is a tradition among the ethnic groups here, so the scarves here are really one of the area's special products.<br /><br />According to an article I found online, <span style="font-style:italic;">"the embroidery and dyeing consists of many processes, such as brushing patterns, twisting and tying, soaking, dyeing the cloth, steam boiling, atmospheric drying, taking out stitches, rinsing and grinding the cloth, among which the knotting and dip-dyeing are main processes."</span> From what I have read, all the dyes are naturally occurring and found in different plants and berries.<br /><br />After walking through stall after stall of these beautiful, colorful scarves, I decided that because this area of China is so beautiful and unique, I really want to share part of this with one of my readers.<br /><br />For this giveaway, I can't really say exactly what will be in the "treasure box" I send, because as of right now, I'm not entirely sure. I DO know <span style="font-style:italic;">there will be one of these beautiful scarves</span>, dyed by a woman part of China's Bai ethnic group. There are also going to be other goodies, all of which are a surprise, and will be hand-picked by me. Think of it as a care package full of unique items handmade (mostly) in China.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mVFlpn59okT2YU3K_EiG3cODa1XhU0rPN6FpfxyCwvm_RNKvoDUNSybzY-Wn0xIb86mC5qONBYd8S9s4e-jPtdWwNf0x3bkQnICpUA2iSrmnyUR81z1fFNyFbfi5Hb-cSDXxSfbkSLU/s1600/Photo+on+2010-10-20+at+22.44+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mVFlpn59okT2YU3K_EiG3cODa1XhU0rPN6FpfxyCwvm_RNKvoDUNSybzY-Wn0xIb86mC5qONBYd8S9s4e-jPtdWwNf0x3bkQnICpUA2iSrmnyUR81z1fFNyFbfi5Hb-cSDXxSfbkSLU/s320/Photo+on+2010-10-20+at+22.44+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530332251583501746" /></a><br />There is more to China than the cheap manufacturing and crappy products so many of us associate with the country. <span style="font-style:italic;">China is really a special place and I am hoping to show that through this giveaway! </span> I am hoping whoever wins this giveaway will walk away with a greater appreciation for this country.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Giveaway Rules<br /></span><br />1. Must be a follower<br />2. Must live in the United States or Canada<br />3. I WILL ship to APO/FPO addresses<br />4. Tell me what colors you would want your scarf to be. I can't promise it will happen, but I can try!<br />5. Leave me your e-mail address, or another way to contact you<br /><br />Deadline to enter this giveaway is Halloween, October 31st!<br /><br />Good luck!MsHarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07023014736812574910noreply@blogger.com44