Thanksgiving

One of the saddest things about living in a foreign country is not being home during the holidays. I was afraid that we wouldn't get to enjoy any of the thanksgiving festivities but there were several activities organized by American students. We visited Jimmy on campus for some pumpkin pie and apple cider. Is this not the cutest?!

Ali loved the first piece she ate but them decided it was just the whipped cream she liked.

Here are three of the Hult kiddos: Aisha (from Brazil), Pablo (from Columbia) and Ali.

Ali made a hand turkey with daddy.

After enjoying our Thanksgiving treats, we went with two other students and their wives to get some lunch. The restaurant was a couple blocks away on this street:

This lady is from the restaurant next door and here she is rinsing her noodles... with a hose, on the sidewalk. Isn't it amazing how they do things here? It's not exactly appetizing to see how the food is prepared and the dishes are washed. We don't eat out much but it was a special occasion. Hehe.

We ordered wonton soup. It wasn't bad but we both agreed that we wouldn't eat it every day.

Below is the couple from Columbia (Pablo's parents). They are really nice people.

One of the students organized thanksgiving dinner at a nearby restaurant/pub. We paid 100 rmb for all you can eat dinner and luckily we were some of the first few in line because about half way through the line they ran out of most of the food. They replaced the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with french fries but kept the turkey coming. Ali loved the food and ate almost a whole plate by herself!
We have so much to be thankful for. It seems that when you have the least, you find more reasons to be thankful. Ever since we moved here, I have been so grateful that at the end of the day we all get home safely, that we're healthy and that we have each other.

Mr. HSA

Last week, Hult held elections for HSA, Hult Student Association. Jimmy had several students approach him to ask if he was considering running and told him that he had their full support. He had already kind of talked about running and maybe this gave him the little push to enter the election. Each student made a slide that was part of a slideshow that ran on the TVs at school. They also gave a short speech before voting took place. It should come as no surprise that Jimmy was chosen as 1 of 4 students out of 80 to represent Hult. We are so proud of him and the person that he is.

What a Difference 2 Months Make

I know there's a song that talks about the difference a day makes but it certainly took more than a day. It took about 60 days to start to feel like we could survive here. But somehow, things always get better with time and patience.

I went into that store where we bought food the first night we got here and somehow it wasn't the dirty, crowed place that it was that first night. It was almost like a mini-walmart! They not only have snacks, they also have shampoo, toothpaste, envelopes, rulers, umbrellas, all kinds of stuff!

When we've been out all day and come home, it actually feels like home. The tub is still disgusting no matter how many times we have scrubbed it. It needs to be re-caulked badly.Despite the little things, it's nice to come home to our apartment.

This is where I go to buy our fruit and vegetables.

The first time we went in here none of the stuff seemed edible because it is so dark and wet and smelly in here. Now I go at least twice a week and pick up our fruit and veggies. All the fruit is here on the left side and is sold by one vendor. Then you walk to the right, into another section and there is a big long isle down the middle that has a ton of different veggie vendors. It's common for the stands to not post prices so you never know if the people are charging you more just because you're a foreigner. I went to several different vendors before finding a girl that we really like and she gives us a really cheap price. We love our veggie girl! I got a big bag of green beans the other day for 1 RMB! I don't love our fruit people but they are the only fruit vendors in this market so I go to them.

Instead of going to Carefour every time we need a food item we go to a small local store about 10 or so minutes walk from our place. These are the sights we pass on our walk. This will give a feel for what life is like in our neighborhood.

-pipe coming out of who knows where, bowl, and women doing her wash

This is very typical and can be seen several times per block. The pipe part is kind of unique but the rest is typical.

The shop with the yellow sign is selling curtain rods and there is a lady sitting behind a sewing machine making drapes. On the white table they are also selling cheap DVDs. I just love the random combination.

More shops...

The classic table on the right is outside of a "restaurant" and some guys are eating noodles for lunch.

Randomly you will see a barber shop like this set up in an alley. I hope to see Jimmy get his hair cut at one of these at least once. That would be awesome!

Clothes hanging to dry on the right and chicken on the left.... hanging to dry? I have no idea!

And to end... here are those cute people I live with!