August 29, 2012

Everyday I spend sometime reading about the culture in which I will soon be immersed.  I'd like to share a series of images that I stole from a friend's blog.  I think it is one of the clearest ways to explain some key cultural differences between the Western world and China.  They were created by Liu Yang, a Chinese-German designer.

For more of Liu Yang's East v. West Click HERE

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Last night my wonderful friends Rachel, Kevin and Kerry threw me a going away party!  We had a great time eating Asian food and taking ridiculous photos.  My friends wrote me fortunes to send me off on my journey.  I've posted some of my favorite below:

Your shining heart will light a beautiful path…We hope it brings you safely there and back!

May the chopsticks be kind to you.

You will continue to inspire and aspire.  Much accomplishment and fulfillment coming your way.

Tomorrow you will meet a tall, blonde, Scottish speaking French man

Distance is not a barrier to true friendship.

You are amazing and bring much joy to others!

You will be successful in all future endeavors.

Lao Tzu said that the journey of a thousand miles (how did he know what a mile is?) begins with a single step.  What a big and wonderful step you’re taking!  I will be saying prayers that you have the best time ever- thank you for being such an inspiration!

New friends and experiences await.

Ms. V, I love you!

You will spread joy and teamwork wherever you go!

“Being yourself never goes out of style!” –Legally Blonde

He (Jesus) came that you might have life and have it abundantly.  I wish you an abundance of life and adventure in China!

May you have fun, adventure, and find yourself.

“May all your dreams come true!” –Julie Andrews

GET LOST! (Gonna miss you)

You will inspire everyone there like you did here.

I will miss you so much!  You have made my life richer in so many ways.  I will never be the same.  I love you!

August 23, 2012

I'm finally wrapping things up in Tucson and getting ready to head to Phoenix where I'll spend my final days in America.  Only two and a half weeks until I arrive in my new home: CHINA!  First I'll spend about a month doing training in Shanghai.

Where I'll see this...

And this...

After that I'm off to the city that I chose to be my home for the next year: Hangzhou, China!
Known for its beautiful West Lake

And for its tea plantations

 And for The Grand Canal

And of course it's a bustling city of 8 million people!  (One of the main reasons I chose it is that it's mid-size.  Shanghai, which is 75 miles away, has an estimated pop of 23 million)