9 weeks

Yes! That is all we have left here in China! I am so excited to see family and friends (that are really family). Today in class I was basically day dreaming. I often read my cousin's wife's facebook status - Maria- and she posts what she has made of is making for dinner most days. Although it makes me really miss good country food I grew up on, it also kinda keeps me going. I think of this food and sometimes it makes to on the "what to eat when we get home" list. Of course other times I just get frustrated that I cant run out to the grocery store and pick up the food and make it.
Here are a few more pictures from our most recent trip to Xi'an




This weekend we are headed out to a "lake". I saw the trip, signed us up, and forgot to really check it out and see what was happening during the trip. I am pretty excited to go. It is just an overnight trip but it means we get to see another part of China, and it is FREE! The school covers food, transportation and hotel.
As you may have heard, there was an earthquake in China, no we did not feel it, and we were not affected. In fact, we didn't even know about it until Jennifer called to check on us. Thanks for your concern.
Well we have another week down and 9 more to go. That's not bad. And we have lots going on till then.
Next week we have a costume party. We are trying to think of great costumes, if you have an idea, leave a comment! Thanks!!!

Xian terracotta warriors

So this year at Easter was a little different, we were in Xi'an ( a pretty large and westernized developed city in China) and we were visiting the discovered and excavated site of the Terracotta warriors when a lady asked if she could take our picture and we did the same for her, and then she said Happy Easter! I could not believe it, I had forgotten that it was Sunday and even that it was Easter. I was reminded again then- and usually about twice a week- of how disconnected we are from American life. I felt bad that I had forgotten about it; I took a few minutes to take in the scenery, it was amazing! He created all of this, and now has granted me the opportunity to be here to enjoy it. I could not be more thankful.
The warriors were great, really more than I expected and the city was beautiful. the excavation site itself was huge! I had no idea the size of the pits were so large, but I guess it has to be pretty big to fit 6,000 6ft tall soldiers made of clay. While I was there I was thinking of how Rebecca pretty much made us go to the exhibit in Atlanta and how thankful I was to have gone and to have her and Abby in our lives. We had laughed so much on that trip and got so frustrated a few times, but we still love each other. And this time I did not sit in a parking garage with a broken window that would not roll up for 45 mins, but it was still nice. However, I would take a little window drama anyday if I could have shared this visit with them. Rebecca- you would have loved it, but I thought Atlanta was more informational ;). Thanks!
Thanks to all our friends and family who supported our decision to be here, it meant so much knowing that you were there if we needed you and to all who gave us all the memories before we got here so we could make it through, Thank you. China is a good place to be, but I sure do miss home! Love you all!- Ashleigh