Turkey, Turkey and more Turkey

Happy late Thanksgiving cyberworld!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I certainly have had a great one.  It was not spent with my blood family, but it was spent with non-blood family.  I had a total of 5 meals with turkey this Thanksgiving season.  The first was last Saturday at a student-athlete of mine's house.  The second was Thursday at school; following that was an evening dinner at a new friend's home.  Friday evening there was another dinner at a friend's house with a bunch of the newbies from WAB.  Today, I was at my last dinner with some other friends from WAB.  All were delicious meals and greatly appreciated-however, I think I have had enough turkey to last a good while.  

In the spirit of the season, I have done a little post-thanksgiving shopping.  Over the past two days I have been to this place called Ya Show to get some winter clothes.  Ya Show is the market where you have to haggle to get a good price.  Yesterday I purchased a North Face Jacket, the Summit Series, 900 jacket for less than $75.  On the website, it shows that it retails for $299.  I don't think it was a bad deal.  I also purchased a cashmere scarf that looks like a a Burberry scarf, but done in black, white and red (go foxes!) for just under $10.  Today I went back and got a pair of Prada leather driving gloves for less than $10 and 3 Polo light weight sweaters for just at $50.  I also purchased a couple small Chinese nick-nacks for the folks I will be staying with while in New Zealand.  I am so excited to finally have some proper winter gear.  I could have gotten everything cheaper, I know, but I am still learning just how to not offend so that the sellers don't just shut me down.  One day, I will take a photo wearing some of the clothes so that everyone can see that some of the quality is actually pretty good.  

Now for a quick story from this past week.  I was covering recess duty while I was subbing and I noticed a kid away from the other kids.  For the entire recess I noted that he was alone with his head down or watching the other kids playing.  I decided to go over and talk to the kid.  I asked him if everything was alright and he just nodded his head.  I asked if he was sure, and I noticed his eyes start to well up.  As I kneeled down to get on his level he just started crying and I asked what was going on.  He then said that he just didn't like being called names.  My heart broke.  I asked what was he called and he said "Dennis the menace," and a couple other ones, but I can't remember what they were.  I asked him if he knew who Dennis the Menace was and he shook his head.  I explained who DTM was but it wasn't really any consolation to him.  So I asked who said this; and that I wouldn't do anything to make a scene but that I just wanted to know to keep an eye on him.  He wouldn't say, because he said they were friends.  I said that if he called you names that you didn't like that he just had to stand up to him and say that he had to stop and if he didn't stop, I told the little boy that he wasn't a very good friend.  Knowing that there were plenty of other kids at the school and that he should look to playing with other friends that don't make fun of you.  As we talked the tears kept rolling-I reached into my jacket pocket and found some tissue.  (At that moment, I felt like a older more mature woman, the one who always has a kleenex or tissue at any moment.) The bell then rang and he was off.    I will follow-up with his teacher just to let them know to look out for him.  Like I said, my heart just broke out there on that field as the little third grader spilt his heart and cried there.  

On a lighter note-only 2.5 weeks until I head off to New Zealand!  I can't believe that in less than 20 days, I get to live out another dream!  I do hate that I will not get to be with my family, but I am super excited to be able to live out another dream.  I am also super excited to travel with Jenny!  She and I have done Las Vegas together and it was a great time.  

A few more of my favorite things…

So today was the first Sunday I have had off since NFL-China Started (with the exception of the one for National Holiday).  What did I do today?  This question brings me to the title of todays post, "A few more of my favorite things."

The first of the few is sleeping late.  Since I had no where pressing to be, I slept in-and boy did it feel ever-so-good! By sleeping late, I mean I didn't wake up until around 10 but I didn't get out of bed until after 11.  When I finally got up and going, I started cleaning my room.  See last week I couldn't take it any longer, so I told  my roommates we had to have a "family" cleaning day.  (Meaning, I wasn't going to be the only one cleaning!)  So I awoke and started cleaning my room because the other roommates were up and about yet.  After about 15-20 mins one of the other roommates arose and started helping.  Shortly after, the other was in the mix as well.  After a good hour and half/45 mins we had cleaned pretty much the whole apartment.  Item number two on today's list:  a clean apartment!

During the cleaning, I bit of my mother got into me…I haven't liked how our living room was set up so I began moving things.  Bless my mom, she is constantly moving furniture in the house, or the heaviest darn benches out in the yard.  Oh, and when she decides to move them, it usually isn't just a couple feet away, it is either upstairs from downstairs (or visa-versa) or from one side of the yard to the other.  So while the mops and vacuums were out, I took it upon myself to move the fridge, couch, tv stand and a chair.  It opened up the room tremendously.  I hesitantly write this, but item number 3 today:  a newly rearranged room.  (Now mom will have me moving everything when I get back!)

After we finished I went out to visit a friend who was hurt and has been cooped up in their place for about 2-3 weeks.  I took some lunch over and we ate and talked.  Number 4 for today:  friends-ALL my friends.  Coming home from my friends place (and going) I started listening to Christmas music.  Last night I had my first (for this year) Thanksgiving dinner with the family and friends of a student-athlete that I took care of this year.  After Thanksgiving, comes Christmas-and in a place like China, I'm not sure how much it is celebrated; so I decided to start celebrating myself with listening to my Christmas playlist.  Item #5:  Christmas music.

Once I got to the area of my apartment I decided I was a little hungry, so I decided to have some noodles from a great little "whole-in-the-wall" place that we eat at all the time.  I have had these noodles many times (and Charlie, one roommate has the fried rice like every night) but I have never really watched them make them.  Tonight I ordered as I usually do and I watched as the man began to make my noodles.  He didn't grab a pile of noodles and through them into water; no, he started kneading some dough, then cut about a 3-4 inch wad of dough from the big dough ball.  I watched as he stretched the dough and each time he stretched the dough he would somehow make more and more noodle strands.  When he achieved the desired amount of noodles he through them into the pot of boiling water for literally a minute and a half.  (The stretching of the noodles only took about 2 minutes total) He scooped the noodles out and put them in a bag with some of the beef broth/stock and I was on my way home with the freshest noodles you could have.  Now, I LOVE these noodles-and this was even before today, but now I love them even more, knowing that they are made when I order them.  

So there you have it…just a few more of my favorite things.

Finally, the NFL Finals...

So I finally have a bit of time to sit down and provide a few updates.  First off, let me say thanks to those of you who keep telling me that you enjoy reading what I have to say and that you look forward to what I post (here or on Facebook).  

So, for what has happened lately…NFL-China is finally over!!!  I can't begin to express how happy I am that it is over.  (For those of you who stated that I looked happy in the photos from Hong Kong, now you know why!)  My last day was Sunday, November 17.  For the final game, I was asked to come down to Guangzhou and help cover the event.  This was also where I got to meet Joe Montana.  Completely down-to-earth, Joe was.  After he did the mandatory signing of autographs (of which I did get a football signed) and the small "how to through a football" session, and the obligatory interviews-Joe came onto the field and hung out with the Athletic Trainers.  Here we talked about a few different things.  He showed us this new app for the iPhone called "front/back" which is a photo app that takes a photo of what you are looking at, as well as you looking at it…(or something like that)  He showed us a few photos he had taken while he had been in China.  We then talked a little about different burgers, because he had not eaten and the "handlers" brought him over 3 burgers to eat.  (He only ate 2!)  I then had to go to work and help the injured.  

Chandler cheesing...

Joe talking to the QB's

Me getting my ball signed

While I was at the NFL-China finals I was a little shocked at something.  (Some of you will not find this unusual, but I actually did.)  While I went to take care of one of the injured athletes, I was running across the field, and all of a sudden I hear "JOSH!!!" coming from a crowd in the stands.  I look over and saw a group of college kids from Beijing waving at me.  Now being back in the states and seeing someone you know is nice, but it is so much better being in a completely different country and having someone yell at you from across the field.  It reminded me of being in NYC my freshman year in college and walking down Broadway Street, and hearing "Josh Euten, what are you doing in New York City?"  I turned around, as did the group I was with only to find Mrs. Hines, my twelfth grade Business Law teacher with another teacher from my high school.  I earned so many "cool points" when that happened…My friends asked "Gosh, Josh-do you know EVERYbody?"  Anyway, it was a good feeling having my colleagues ask the same thing, "Josh, is there anyone you don't know?"

She was captivating! 

Now before going to Guangzhou I was covering APAC Dance festival.  This was an event where all the APAC teams (our high school conference) got together at WAB worked together and participated in different workshops.  We had different dancers/choreographers come in and teach the kids.  Before the festival started, we had a couple Mongolian Throat singers and a dancer perform.  This dancer was special, she had a tragic accident when she was younger and lost her arm from the shoulder.  Her performance was nothing short of amazing!  It was actually emotional watching her dance-I completely understood her story; she was truly an artist!

Now, for one of the coolest things…what did I do on Monday-I spent the day in Hong Kong!  (Sorry for the 5th/6th grade slang) It totally rocks to be able to say that!  That is the cool thing about this international living.  One day I am in Beijing (a desert climate), the next Guangzhou (a tropical climate) and Hong Kong (coastal climate) the following day.  If you have never been to Hong Kong, picture China or the typical Chinatown in any major city and that is Hong Kong.  I was shocked at how western it was.  One of the things that I have said while I have lived here in Beijing is that I keep turning a corner expecting to see english on the next street, something more like home-well that just hasn't happened…not until I got to Hong Kong.  I will admit, this was the first time that I actually did miss home…it was so familiar that I did actually miss home somewhat.  

Looking out over The Peak..

Katie and I with Hong Kong Is.  in the background

So, three weeks left and this first semester in Beijing is over!  I can't believe just under 4 months have gone by since I left Hartsville, South Carolina.  Time has flown by.  I anticipate the next couple months to be faster than ever.  Plans for New Zealand are starting to firm up, as are the plans for Cambodia for Chinese New Year.  

Stay tuned for more updates…I hope to be better about keeping this updated… :)

I am back....but I have some catching up to do....Here is what I was going to post on Oct. 30...

October 30, 2013

Wow!  What a busy time of year!  I thought that taking a job internationally wouldn't be the exact same as working back in the states…but I guess Athletic Training is Athletic Training anywhere in the world.  Back home, October seems to be one of the most busy months for ATCs (at least in the jobs I have had!)  I can remember working daily (including Saturday and Sundays) from September all the way to the start of November and basketball season; yes-no days off!  I thought for sure that would change when I took this job.  I was not correct in my assumption.  

Now the difference is I choose to work as much as I do.  Let me explain this…I do NOT choose to work daily as that is just "par for the course" in the life of an ATC.  However, I do choose to work the amount of time that I work.  Technically with this job I could just work from 2(ish) in the afternoon to 6-7 during the week and practices on Saturday, with NFL-China (an all day event) on Sundays.  While this schedule does sound nice, I tend to like making more money than I do with just this job (as well as I get bored sitting around the house waiting for 2 to come)-so I decided to be a substitute teacher for our school (actually this was part of the contract between the two companies I work for).  I guess I am a good sub, because I am booked for a week or two in advance.  One thing that helps is that I am willing to sub for any grade level and any subject.  I have found this to be quiet lucrative…but it means I work ALL DAY LONG.  In order to play hard, I guess I have to work hard.  

I didn't think that I would like subbing, but I actually do look forward to most of the assignments that I get.  By now, I have subbed every grade and I have actually subbed for almost every kid in the school.  It is really awesome to walk the halls of the school and see the little kids look up and say "Hey Mr. J!" or "Hey Mr. Josh!"  It is an even better feeling when a teacher stops me in the hallway and asks me if I am free a certain day because they want to request me; or when a student comes up to me and says "Why aren't you our sub today, we like you!"  For someone who doesn't really want kids, I guess I do have a soft spot for them.  However, I am not that easy sub that lets everything pass…In fact this week I have a whole week in one class, a grade 5 class.  There are a couple kids in the class that are testing their limits.  Today I had pull the old saying "You have ONE more time!"  Luckily, they didn't test that threat.  However, I do have a special guest coming in the class in the morning just to make her presence known-the Assistant Principle-I am hoping this will nip the issues on the spot.  I was close to putting some kids in the hallway today…we all made it through the day!

So, as I said, I am covering for one class this week-this is because the teacher has pneumonia and is out for at least a week.  I was a little nervous about this as I actually have to teach, rather than just babysit.  But it has been pretty cool-we have been learning about energy, the scientific method and division techniques.  While I was going over division, I used a cookie cake as an example (not a real one, but pretend) and I started craving chocolate chip cookies.  So I decided I would be an awesome sub and I just ordered a cookie cake from Mrs. Fields so that we can "practice division" on Friday.  Yep, I am taking one for the team…I am going to eat a piece in the name of education!  (LOL)  I have told the class today that if they are good the rest of the week, then I would surprise them with something on Friday; I didn't tell them what, just said something…

Today, we made a video for the teacher wishing him well.  I hope he likes it.  I am by no means a good video editor, but I did enjoy taking the time doing this…and when I mentioned to the kids that we should send him a video, they all erupted in excitement.  So after all their work was done, we took about 5 minutes to film, and I used a planning period to edit a little…and this is what we came up with…

http://media.wab.edu/media/11481/MR._M/

I am sure he will enjoy it!

Now for a quick update on the past few weeks:

The weather has changed to Autumn…(it is really cool to actually see and feel a change in seasons!)  Frosted this morning for the first time!

Only one more week of NFL-China in Beijing…In 3 weekends I go to Guangzhou for the China finals of NFL China…There I will meet Joe Montana!!

Two weekends ago, I met these folks….

This past weekend, Beijing had their first tackle football game of the year…

Last week WAB hosted the APAC Volleyball tournament and I met coaches and students from all over Asia (WAB didn't win!)

Rugby ended last weekend as well!  

Went to see the Red Hot Chili Pipers (Yes, Pipers-as in Bag Pipes!)  They ROCKED!!

Got asked and hired to work with the Arena Football league in two weeks when they come to Beijing!

Matt and Abby announced that I get to be Uncle, again!  

Booked the car and the ferry tickets for "Josh and Jenny's Awesome New Zealand Adventure!!!!" 

I think that about covers it!  I have to throw a "shout-out" to Mr. Ken Hughes for keeping me accountable.  I am sorry it has been 3 weeks, but thanks for reminding me that folks do actually read this stuff!!

One last "shout-out,"  Ella, I love you dearly!  I hope you had a beautiful birthday, and I am so sorry that I was not able to celebrate it in Alabama, but I did celebrate it for you here in Beijing!  I love you and miss you!!!

Expectations!?!

Cough, cough!  That is what I have been doing for the past week now.  For the past week I was ailing with a cold.  However, I did not let that stop me.  If you remember from my last post, this week was National Holiday in China.  On Thursday I was able to go to the China Open and see Serena Williams and Novak Djacovic play tennis.  Being able to watch two of the world's greatest tennis players of my day was pretty amazing; though both didn't seem to be playing at their best.  Nonetheless, it was still great to see them play.

Now, for a couple other things; first to my Asian friends-I don't mean anything in the following post to be disrespectful to you or to your culture, but I simply say it for understanding.  To my non-Asian friends, and family, reading this know that when I return home, I may have picked up a few "quirks" from China.  

First of all, when eating, I may put my head down and eat and slurp my noodles.  This is perfectly okay here in China.  To the westerners, this may seem rude, but it really isn't; it is just the way of eating noodles with chopsticks.  So if we are eating spaghetti or some type of noodles and I start slurping my noodles while keeping my head down, it is just because I have picked this up here.  

 Next of all, if ever we are in a crowded area, I may start throwing elbows.  This is completely normal here in China.  The other day I was getting on the subway, and this older lady (at least 70-75 years old) elbowed me out of the way to make sure she got in and where she wanted.  Yes, this seems rude and it did seem rude at the moment, but then I got to thinking. (especially after seeing a graphic about the world's population.)  I realize now that I currently live in the most populated area in the world.  There are so many people here, that if you don't look out for yourself, you get lost in the shuffle or even get hurt or taken advantage of.  This goes completely against my southern roots where you hold the door for the people coming after you; but here, if you do that, you never get inside.  This happens even more when driving.  It is amazing to see how people drive here.  It is a free-for-all.  I am not wanting to drive in the city, because it would totally stress me out; but the way to do it is act as though you are in a school of fish.  When the school moves, you move along.  You really can't move alone until you are on the outside of the school.  Like driving, you use this same mentality in the crowded subways, and hallways, and ticket lines and such.  So, if you see me driving wild, or acting strange in crowd, just chalk it up to living in China for a year!

(This photo was found on Yahoo!)

One thing that I love here, is using chopsticks.  Actually, it is a love/hate relationship.  I love using them because I believe it slows down my eating so in the end, I don't eat as much.  The concept in my mind is that at home (in America) I ate usually about the same amount of time per meal.  Using spoons and forks, one obviously can eat more in one bite than using chopsticks.  (well most people!)  After 30 years of eating that way, I have gotten used to eating a certain length of time; now I eat with chopsticks here, and when I have eaten about the same amount of time that I have always eaten, I feel like I should be done-weather or not I am full.  Many times I realize that I am not full, but I am not still hungry.  I think that by doing this I have lost some weight.  (that's a good thing!)  Now, the hate part, I am still not a pro at using them.  Korean chopsticks, I absolutely HATE!  The Korean chopsticks are typically metal and are so hard to grab anything with. I try to use them, but I typically end up asking for the chopsticks that they give with to-go orders.  Chinese chopsticks I am much better with; in fact I have actually gotten used to eating noodles and rice with them; but I still need practice with them.  

(This was found running a Google search.)

So, in essence, when I return and do something odd (or what seems odd to you) know that I probably just picked up a different habit here.  Embrace it as I have embraced the culture here, and accept that different people are exactly that, different.  We all weren't taught like our mom's and dad's taught us; not every culture is the same, not every family is the same-embrace the differences and know that those differences make life interesting.  

Golden Holiday...

So this week is the Chinese National Holiday, that is also called the Golden Holiday (I think).  This means, we have the entire week off.  Most ex-pats leave the area because Beijing is a huge tourist spot for the Chinese this week.  (Think of Washington DC on the week of the July 4)  I chose not to go out of town due to funds (saving them for the big trip to New Zealand in December) but to stay around Beijing and see what all the fuss is about.  

Before that, on Friday a couple guys I work with and I went to get massages.  Two hour foot and body massages...all for less than $20.  Here they are after the foot massage...

(Li Peng at the end and Caleb closest)

Afterwards, we had Korean fried chicken...Just like us Southerners like it!  Crispy!!!

Saturday, I worked with NFL China.  Just a broken collarbone was the only casualty of the weekend, so nothing really major.  Sunday and Monday was disgusting.  On Sunday the smog was so thick that it was just gross.  Monday it was again nasty, but it also rained most of the day.  The afternoon, it finally cleared up, but was too late to really do anything.  Tuesday was much nicer, so Charlie and I decided to go out to town and see some sites.  He wanted to go to Tiananman Square, and I tried to talk him out, but he insisted.  So off we went, and found out that about a billion (embellishing a little) other Chinese wanted to go to there as well.  It was a zoo!!!  Here are a few photos from there.  When we finally got through there, I wanted to take him to the Lama Temple (if you remember, this is my favorite spot in Beijing), but when we got there, it was closed.  Oh well, another time perhaps.  

 This was coming up from the subway onto the sidewalk near the square

 Pictures from the Square...

 Leaving to get to the Lama Temple, I tried to get a photo of the subway line, You can't really tell, but we were packed like sardines...(actually, they may have had more room than we did!)  My hands couldn't fit beside my body, I had to keep them up, so I snapped a quick photo! (That's Charlie behind me.)

Today when I woke up, the day was too nice to be in the subway, in the apartment, or anywhere actually except outside enjoying the beautiful blue skies and the clean air-so Charlie and I decided to take the bikes out for a ride.  we ended up being gone for about 3-4 hours and rode about 10-15 miles around the area we live.  Earphones in, singing to the top of my lungs while trekking around the outskirts of Beijing-I couldn't help but think "How do I deserve this?"  I can't begin to explain how beautiful today was.  The temp was maybe high 60s, sunny, clean with a nice little breeze...we just couldn't ask for a better day.  Biking was amazing too.  Last week I was under the weather and am just now getting over it, so the ride today was great for that.  (Here are some selfies from the ride...)

Tomorrow, I just found out that I am going to the China Open; the national tennis tournament.  I have not been to a major tennis event, and after tomorrow I will be able to say I have done this too!  Can I just say "showered with blessings!!!"  While I am extremely thankful to God for all these opportunities, I just can't help but think that I don't deserve them.   He (God) truly is amazing!!!

Quick shout-out to my Gamecock friends, and good-doers...Some great people I know and love have started an organization in Columbia (Public Works of HeART) that raises money for Non-Profit organizations while beautifying the Columbia area with art.  Please check out their website and if you can and feel led to, donate as well.  This particular project helps the Harvest Hope Food Bank and the mural will be done in Cayce!  Like I said, the creators of this project (Public Works of HeART) are dear friends and former church members and school mates from college with me...Will and Katie!
Gamecock Mural, Public Works of HeART

Sorry for the delay...

Once again, sorry for not posting earlier, this past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of things.  All last week I was preparing for the big WABX to the Max, this is our fall tournament for boys and girls rugby, tennis, and volleyball and a Jazz festival.  We had roughly 10-15 different teams on our campus and I was in charge of the medical coverage for the entire tournament.  To make matters even more interesting, NFL China decided to move their competition day from Sunday to Saturday.  So we had to bring up reinforcement from Shanghai to help with the tournament and on Saturday, to help with NFL China.  IWS decided to bring up Gina another IWS ATC.  This was the first time I have actually met Gina, but we hit it off like old friends.  

Before getting to the tournament; on last Thursday we had a day off due to the Mid-Autumn Holiday or another term used is the Moon Holiday.  For this day off, one of the other interns, Nate and I decided to visit the Summer Palace.  This is the place where the old emperors would go during the summer.  It was massive!  We spent about 5-6 hours there and we saw maybe half of the estate.  The other thing about the day was it was a little hazy so the photos didn't turn out the way I would have liked; however, here are a couple.

This is Nate

Now, the tournament on Friday went on, with no casualties; a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing really major.  Saturday was a little more interesting.  During the final girl's rugby match, one girl got hit and fell to the ground.  When she hit the ground her head bounced and hit twice, and then a girl came in and seemed to accidentally hit the girl in the head again.  The young girl had now hit her head three times and immediately went into a seizure.  This was the first time I had ever seen a concussion cause a seizure.  I ran onto the field and just held the young lady as she seized so that she wouldn't hurt herself.  Her father some how got to field and was yelling to find out what was happening.  I casually asked him if his daughter had a history of epilepsy and he said "No, what is happening?"  I stated to him that she was having a seizure and that she would come out of it in just a bit.  He immediately grabbed her and spoke "Baby, I am here!  You are going to be okay, please wake up."  At this, she immediately stopped her seizure.  I told the father that she would be dazed and act strangely and that it was completely normal, just to keep calm and comfort his daughter.  I then asked what his daughter's name was and she immediately turned her head and spoke her name in a very matter-of-fact manner wrapped in joy.  It was the oddest situation that I have ever been in.  After about 3-4 minutes, she was very responsive and moving about with no signs of any issue what-so-ever, but I still insisted she go to the hospital.  On Wednesday of this week, I talked to the young lady and the testing all came back normal and she was diagnosed with a "convulsive concussion."  I've never heard that term, but I am in China!  That pretty much wrapped up the tournament.  (Though there was another injury, one of our guys broke his clavicle.) 

On Sunday and Monday, Gina and I decided to tour Beijing.  On Sunday we visited the Forbidden City and a park just beyond their.  The Forbidden City was huge.  I will say that the gardens inside were worth seeing, but other than that, not much but a bunch of old buildings.  The park behind had a great view of the Forbidden City and just beyond.  Here are a couple photos from both.

This is Gina as we are walking in...

On Monday, we got up and it was rainy, but we still decided to go to the Temple of Heaven and the Lama Temple.  The Temple of Heaven was a huge park with different temples in it.  This site was where the Emperor had to go every year to sacrifice so that it would be a bountiful year for the crops.  After spending an hour and a half there we were off to the Lama Temple.  

The Lama Temple is a working Tibetan temple in the middle of Beijing.  To date, this is probably my favorite site I have visited.  The beauty of this place was beyond words.  This temple was filled with Budha's and burning incense.  Monks roamed the grounds as visitors paid homage to the different temples housing the many different Budha's .  One building housed the world's tallest golden Budha.  It stood some 3-stories high and you could hardly see the face.  Unfortunately, due to the weather, I did not get many photos, but please be sure I will be visiting again with camera in hand.  

This next week is the Golden Holiday and we have the entire week off.  I haven't planned anything as of yet to do, but I will be seeing a few sites here and possibly even visiting a couple other cities around.  Stay tuned…And as usual, thanks so much for following me in my journeys!!!

PS-It's official, I am going to New Zealand from December 17-January 5!  I can't wait!  Jenny and I will have a blast, I know it!  (Now to make enough money so that we can enjoy it!)