Thursday, July 25, 2013

Nothing says 'welcome home' like a dead cat and a mutant flying cockroach!


Well I made it to Taiwan safely a couple of days ago. Been trying to get settled in and recover from jet lag (boy, that's an ordeal!).

It was smooth flying the whole way...on the long flight (13 hours) from Dallas to Tokyo I even had a row of 5 seats all to myself!!! It was a beautiful thing!! Everything went great and then when I got back to school/my apartment things got a little wacky! 

First, there was a rotting cat carcass on my front porch (Not sure if it was a stray or the lady's downstairs). It was so gross!! Thankfully, my head boss (the superintendent of the school) was awake at 10 o'clock at night and he came over with a shovel and removed it. Then when I got inside my apartment a HUGE FLYING cockroach (the size of a small rodent) decided to accompany me inside and start flying around the living room!! After that, I found two small maggots kind of inching around my front door (probably tracked in from my shoes). Then, I had a very cold shower (gas wasn't working) to settle me down for the night (not!). 
Needless to say, it was quite the adventure getting home. hahaha

Overall, though, it's good to be back even though there is still some anxiety lingering around in my mind (and stomach) about starting the school year and other things. Prayers are always appreciated!

Anyways, just writing a quick note to let you all know I am safe and that I miss you all so very much. 

I had a very full and blessed summer and it was wonderful seeing each of you this summer. I hope to keep in better touch with you. 

Here are some pictures from my time in the US. Hope you enjoy!




My friend Amanda's oldest son's birthday (he's the one with the hat on!)




Washington DC pictures...starting off the summer with an NKOTB concert!!



Boyz II Men


Waiting for New Kids on the Block!

98 degrees (didn't really know any of their songs)



New Kids is next!! Wahoo!!

AHHHHHHH!!!! NKOTB!!!! 


JORDAN KNIGHT!!!! MY FAVORITE!!!

They aren't so "New" anymore, but they still put on a GREAT show!!





Touring DC with Liz...at the Library of Congress



Library of Congress...such beautiful architecture in DC



Beautiful day in DC

Very symbolic...I live in the "Far East" and Liz is in "the West"..haha



WARNING: Goofy photoshoot ahead :)

Pose 1

Pose 2

Nice pose

Test shot with mini-tripod

Test shot 2

A little off-center, but fun nonetheless :)

Ended the day with an amazing and HUGE dish of pasta and veggies

Surprise belated birthday party for me with these beautiful friends


Delicious homecooked gourmet meal by the Mitchells (Cater even attempted to write something in Taiwanese!)


The Mitchells :)

My last day in DC with a few hours to kill, so I toured a bit of Arlington National Cemetery. This is the view from the "Robert E. Lee" memorial house

Weirdo :)

Robert E. Lee's house (Technically George Washington's stepson's house first...learned some history while I was there!)



Saw this on a soldier's tombstone. Very powerful.






Second half of the trip was to Sunny South Florida!
My 2nd family...the Sanfords (minus Mr. Sanford, Ryan, and Kristin...they were outside!)

My "adopted nephews" (2 of the 3)
Matthias (top) Luke (bottom)

Gotta love random things..."Ohio Redneck" apparently living in South Florida


Kristin and Jessica after Jessica's wonderful children's theater performance 

My youngest brudda Mason (who is now taller than me!)


Hollywood Beach...oh how I have missed this place!


Took a drive by my old house



My dad :)



Back to Ohio for the last 3 weeks of my summer break in the US:
 My friend Nate


My family :) (some of them)


My friend Haley and her sweet family

 My former Bible Study leader, Terri (how I miss being under her teaching!)


My dear former small group leaders and their daughters...The Goodwins


Saw this sign...struck me as I thought the only way to freedom ("liberty") is through Grace (God's grace)


Special dinner with the family


Great view of Cincinnati from the restaurant


Mom & Jim's birthday dinner with the family


Hiking with my friend Nate in Hocking Hills, Ohio



 Mom's actual birthday evening (she'll probably kill me for posting this, but it is too funny!)


LOVE these two! Grandma and Thaddeus



Reds' Game (this picture is for you Haley! Go-gurt...was there a huge mobility problem with eating regular yogurt?....lol)



My beautiful mom and grandma :)



Visited my Grandpa Jack's grave. Miss him. 


My uncles and great grandma. Miss them too. 



Like I said, what a full and very blessed summer I had. Thanks be to God! Thankful for all my family and dear, precious friends that I was able to catch up with in person (some who I unfortunately didn't get pictures with...I'm terrible!) and on the phone. Looking forward to another great year here in Taiwan and hopefully keeping in touch with all of you back in the US.