BITS AND PIECES

Life around here has calmed down a little.  Last week, the weather was very warm.  There were many days when it was over 80 degrees.  It really felt very nice but it was a little worrisome that it was getting HOT so early.  The last couple of days have cooled off and we've had some rain.  It's been nice since it was getting very dry. 

A couple of weeks ago our Relief Society got together and we were taught how to make dumplings.  It was great fun and amazing how easy it was.  BUT, all the dough had already been made and the stuffing was already put together also.  Getting the stuffing ready would be a lot of work since everything is chopped very fine.  Lots of cutting involved there!   Here are a few pictures of the afternoon. 

 The whole group. 

 Debbie Bowen and I making our dumplings.

The finished products.

Last week I went to lunch with one of my monitors from last year and her roommates.  We went to lunch together last year so it was so nice to reconnect with them.  SiSi always took good care of me.  She would remind me to dress warmly when it was cold.  She would fill my bottle with HOT water so I would be healthy through the winter.  She is a doll.  I really love her and her roommates are the best.  They treat me like I'm their mom---or maybe their grandma.  

 From left to right: SiSi, Molly, Ellie, Me, Laura, Samantha and Grace.

Left to right: Me, Ellie, Molly, Grace, Samantha, SiSi, and Laura.

We were also thrilled this week that one of Kim's student's had us meet his parents.  Nicholas came to visit us after his work program in Ohio this past summer.  So it was a real honor to meet his parents. They were very lovely.

Nicholas with his mom and dad.  He purposely wore his BYU shirt that 

Kim gave him when he visited us this summer.

Our good friend, Barbara Openshaw, had a birthday last Friday.  We told her we'd take her anywhere she wanted for dinner.  She chose the alley and to buy our favorite noodles.  On the way there, we stopped by this first couples place who were making a rice dish with chicken they had on a rotisserie.  It looked pretty good so we bought one of those before we got to the noodle shop.  It tasted pretty good but it was super spicy.  Kim and Barbara wouldn't eat it at all.  So, it was all mine.  

 We take all the visitors here to get noodles.  It was one of the first places 

we went to when we got back in March.

 We bought some fried potatoes from this guy on our way home.  He was soooo happy that we bought them that I had to take his picture.  (I was making breakfast burritos for our branch's linger longer on Sunday and I needed tator tots for them but tator tots don't exist in China!  So when I saw his "hash browns" I had to try them.  They were REALLY greasy but they tasted delicious.

 

Our shower was leaking all over the floor and we noticed that the caulking was completely gone under the shower door.  We stopped in this little shop to see if they'd have caulking!  😳 I don't know how you find anything in here.  😅  He actually had some, but it needed a gun and we didn't have a gun so we didn't buy it.

 After we filed our medical records with the health department, we walked down this street where everyone was selling flowers.  Flowers of all kinds.  They were beautiful and the whole place smelled so good.

 A sight you can see throughout the city.  Mom and her 2 little girls.  I love how they have the front barrier on the scooter that keeps her hands warm and blocks them all from the wind.

The front entrance of the SAGA mall.  One of the most beautiful (and expensive) malls we've seen.

Metro is our favorite store.  It's a little bit like Costco.  It's actually a German store and it always carries things that foreigners like.  They always have fresh sea food.  I had to laugh though when I saw these huge crabs and the warning on their cage.

We were walking behind this little guy as we walked along the sidewalk.  Just had to take a picture.

I have two students in one of my classes who chose Tom and Jerry for their English names.  I laughed when they introduced themselves and asked them if they were aware of the American cartoon with that name.  Of course they had!!!  They had done it on purpose.  So when I saw this rug, I had to take a picture to share with them.  Tom told me that Tom and Jerry is very popular in China.  

This is a picture of our primary in the branch.  

And Northridge 3rd Ward thought their primary was small. 

Guess, that will do it for now.  Hope all is well whereever you are.  Life is good. Our district president was here last week and spoke in our branch.  He said, "You are all here for a purpose..."  I really don't know what that purpose it, but I will do my best to do whatever it is I am suppose to be doing.  When I went to lunch with my former students this last week, SiSi asked me when and where do I pray to "my God".  I answered her that I can pray whenever and wherever I want.  She was surprised by that answer.  I wanted to talk to her more but I had to explain that I have a commitment not to talk about my religion while I am here.  It's hard not to talk about it but sometimes you give little snippets.  HEE HEE!  I guess we are just planting little seeds everywhere we go.  I'm happy to be able to do that much!  LOVE TO ALL. ❤️