New URL

Okay so this is the address to the new blog URL:

Www.silvestrijic.com

We will be posting there from here on out!

See you there!

Sabbath Nature Walk Part 1

I know we have a lot to catch up on but for now here is part one of our little adventue yesterday (part 2 will get much more interesting....promise).

Yesterday, we set out for a nice long 'nature walk'. We started out from the front of our apartment complex.


And across the highway to the famous 'Lovers Lane'.


Then down a random dirt path for the fun of exploring.


Then on past a typical Chinese apartment building. And actually this is one of the nicer ones.


Then on into one of the many beautiful parks here in Zhuhai(pronounced Juhigh).









Then on to wander the back streets near our complex.









And Hide and Seek with a few of the locals.



And into a supermarket.













Our walk was interesting. It showed us more of the China we expected. It was eye opening and at times shocking but more on that later.

The other part of our day actully involved much more 'nature' but I'm waiting for the photos to upload....

Trouble accessing blogger

Hey Guys!

We finally have Internet in our apartment! The only thing is that we are having trouble getting on blogger here in China (it's run by google).The only way to post is from the iPhones. We might need to change the URL but we'll let you know if that happens.

Can't wait to tell you all what's been going on here! Goat heads, live eel, Indian food, rain, taxi Mario Cart and so much much more soon to come!

Miss you all!

Happy Feet

Our first day here in Zhuhai has been really good.

Breakfast at Ron's hotel







Then off to a business 'meeting'. A 70 min foot and leg massage! Oh happy day!
























Then off for a walk along the beach. And then back for a planning session.

Zhuhai is pretty clean, the traffic is not to bad(although the drivers NEVER stop for pedestrians), warm and a bit humid. The people are nice and pretty helpful.

Ok, now off to lunch(Italian-how ironic)! So hungry!

Quote of the Week

The joy of learning is as indispensable in study as breathing is in running.

               - Simone Weil

                  French philosopher and social activist

                  1909 - 1943

The Other Side of the Story

Check out Jesse and Rach's blog:

www.jesseknight.com/blog

Team China!

250 lbs of packed bags and stuffed in the car, boys toting their bread and our Chinese Visas hot in our pockets......let's go!

Jesse, Rachel, Deb and Jonny

Team China!

Quote of the Week

There are more things…that frighten us than injure us, and we suffer more in imagination than in reality
               - Seneca
                  Roman philosopher, statesman and dramatist
                  c 4 B.C. - AD 65

I will have my cake and eat it too!

Our first day in China is actually going to be my birthday. Such a coincidence. We start the biggest adventure of the year on my birthday! So great, and I'll stop myself from getting philosophical about the coincidence.

Growing up one of my favorite traditions was birthday cereal. The week of our birthdays, we picked out any cereal we wished with as much sugar as we pleased! Super fun as a kid. So, in a bit of self-indulgence (and nostalgia), I purchased a box of Frosted Mini Wheats at the market. I'm sure they'll have something in China-sugar cereal that is, but I couldn't help myself from doing it a bit early.

Also we made a confetti cake to celebrate early. Yummy!

I wonder what the Chinese rendition of the 'Happy Birthday' song sounds like?...

What traditions have you had over the years for birthdays? Or have you started any new ones as an adult? Please share!

Beautiful Etsy shop to check out...

Check out Kristi Johnson's Etsy shop Mischief By Lokie. Her handmade jewelry is gorgeous and very reasonably priced! Kristi is local to Walla Walla, WA, and making jewelry is one of her many passions. With her good eye, fantastic taste, and attention to detail, any piece would make a lovely gift for yourself or someone else.

Lothlorien Earrings in turquoise and gold

Pearl and Sparkle Necklace

Pearl and Sparkle Earrings

Earth Pendant

Galaxy Necklace

Lyla Necklace in Turquoise

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MischiefbyLoki

Great book- it will change your life!

Recommended reading:

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/12/31/cold-remedy-15-real-world-lifestyle-design-case-studies-now-its-your-turn/

Egg-scuse me!

Scrambled, fried, poached?

Min and Kev came over for breakfast. Do you see anything wrong with this photo?

While reaching for seasoning, I knocked over the whisk that was sitting in the bowl holding raw eggs....ewww! Not only did it spill down the front of the counter and onto the floor, but it ended up dripping down the crack between the stove and the counter. Oh man! I couldn't believe it! So gross! We imediatly pulled out the stove to clean it. This was on my chore list anyways, but it was still a pain while in the middle of cooking breakfast. And the egg was so difficult to clean!

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because the rooster egged her on.

What happens when you tell an egg a joke?
It cracks up. 

Oh Jonny, how you amuse me!

Jonny wants to build this box, he thinks it is one of the greatest things ever!!


The Most Useless Machine EVER! - More DIY How To Projects



Have you ever come across anything that is completely useless? Do you own anything that is completely useless?

The Ex....

A few years ago, I made a very shameful purchase: The Ex.

This was a knife set that we had seen on Overstock.com. My thoughts on it were very negative (as I believe I have at least a little class) and Jonny thought it was hilarious (I'm not saying he doesn't have class, but his opinion on this knife set made me wonder). I bought it for him for Christmas on one condition:

IF WE EVER GET MARRIED, THE KNIFE SET DOES NOT COME WITH YOU!!!! and it will be passed on to the next bachelor in our group of friends.

This horrid knife set has actually turned into quite the good luck charm when it comes to marriage. Each bachelor that has owned this knife set has gotten married in the order in which it has been passed along.

Jonny

Whitney

Kevin

That's 3 for 3

Cheryl (Kevin's mom), was soooooo excited to have the Ex removed from her kitchen (Kev lived at home until he got married). See how excited she is?!

So, now we have decided to bequeath the Ex to Kevin's brother Kip. He is living in Seattle and is in need of a quality girl! Look how cute he is:

(509)301-3403

coleki@gmail.com

aka Mr. Super Nice Guy

Kippra-ham-lincoln

Kip-sickle

Kipperoni

Interests:
all games
reading
movies
coffee (his dream is to own a coffee shop)
dancing
music
eating out

Likes:
Thai food
mangos
cats
anime

Dislikes:
peas
soup
actually he doesn't have too many dislikes, these are all that came to mind

So, if you know of a lady living in the Seattle or nearby (even within a few hours), Kip is looking (now officially since the Ex is being sent his way)!  Only nice girls please! :)

Our home in China

We were sent photos of our three options for housing in China. All are on the same complex with plenty of security (gated with a guard shack and plenty of security personnel), an indoor pool, ping pong and billiards. All are in the same complex and are with in a 3 min walk of each other. 

Apt option 1

Apt option 2

Apt option 3

Photos from the complex

All in all, we are happy with the options. Thinking about how bad it could be and seeing where we will be living is a relief.

Which would you choose?