Don't You Be My Neighbor!

Hello friends and family. I write to you from the warmth of my own bed in my own apartment in the city I call home. After a more than full nights sleep (8pm to 6am -- how does that even work?) I am feeling rather vivacious, yet it was not too long ago I was participating in a horrible ordeal: the 24 hour flight home.

I have heard first-hand the horror stories of spending long flights cramped between large men who spread their body mass over the armrest. However, I would like to present for consideration a seatmate who may even be worse than the Large Man and that is the Busybody. Yes, friends, the Busybody is a neighbor who is well skilled in traveling, who knows all the tricks, and is aware that it is their duty to educate all the ignorant masses how to travel. She showed me where to plug in my headphones, how to use a touchscreen, how to put my seat back, to put my tray table down when they were serving food. She graciously shoved me awake for a breakfast I was trying to sleep through, but my favorite interaction came as we were waiting to take-off (we were delayed by an hour). I was a little hungry so I started snacking on some candy corn and I heard a voice, "Don't eat too much. Don't eat too much." I was terrified (I thought she was asleep) as she continued to explain that they were going to serve food as soon as we took off and I didn't need to eat too much (especially not that stuff) because lunch would be soon.

The rebellious side of me grabbed a couple of more pieces of candy corn before shoving it back in my bag and leaving my seat back and tray table up until I wanted to use them. The independent side of me wanted to snap that I had obviously made it to Hong Kong, I could make it back again just fine. However, I knew that God calls us to love our neighbor so I spent a large part of the flight talking myself out of my irritation. I'm not sure I was lovely, but God helped me to not be rude. From outside the middle seat, the situation is now funny although still a bit unbelievable. I am no worse for the experience but there are still some neighbors I would rather observe rather than encounter!

Photo Hunter: Aftermath

Another one of my favorite pictures EVER. This is a tree in Pensecola I found standing strong after Hurricane Ivan.

Photo Hunter

Holiday in The City of Lights

Hello again from Hong Kong, the city of lights! The advantage of coming to Hong Kong instead of other major world cities is that my sister-in-law grew up here. Before I left, she gave me a list (front and back on a piece of computer paper) of things to see and do here. Most of these things happened to be on Mom's list as well, so armed with expert advice we set off the explore the city.

My first full day in the city, we took the tram to the Peak. The peak is a wonderful place to see most of the city at once and to catch all the shining lights at night. We spent several days hanging out around the harbor (Mom said I misspelled this last time--it should be 'harbour'--thanks England). There is the Avenue of Stars with the names and hand prints of famous Hong Kong actors and a series statues with a cinematic theme. I was excited to find three names that I recognized--Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and Jet Li--now ask me if I have actually seen any of their movies.

Every night at 8:00 there is a light show in which tall and important buildings on both sides of the harbor participate, spinning and flashing their lights in time to music. We watched it one night from the harbor and one night from the water. Both provided very interesting viewpoints and were quite fun. The ferry that we watched from the second time took us on a one-hour tour around the harbor and showed us a large part of the city but there were still buildings spilling out beyond the boundries of our tour.

We took a couple trips to a market with an often beautiful and sometimes exhilirating bus ride that was a treat on its own. On New Year's Eve we spent the day at Ocean Park, a sort of amusement park/aquarium and took the tram to see a different part of the city (and ride a different subway line). New Year's Day was a lazy day of reading, strolling through the very well-designed History Museum, and drinks at Starbuck's.

This past weekend we had a chance to meet the "in-laws." We made plans with my sister-in-law's mother and sister to go to one of the outlying islands together (Cheung Chou). We had a wonderful day walking along the beach and beside what was advertised as "The Mini Great Wall" much to the amusement of everyone.

I feel like I've always known my way around Hong Kong and living here is as natural as living in Florida or Texas--then I realize that I have only seen maybe 1/8th of the city! At the same time, the Master List is almost completely checked off and the time with my mom has been wonderful. Time is running out, so I'm getting the most of the vaction I have left. I leave Thursday and school starts Monday, so it's either 4 days til Chick-fil-A or 7 days until class and rehearsal--personally, I'm counting down to waffle fries and a chicken sandwich.

This is what Hong Kong looks like when riding the peak tram :)







This was taken on a bus ride and is a rather typical street scene. What a brave/crazy soul!







This is the corner just a few stores down from Mom's office. Yikes!

Part of the Harbor during the light show. This was the night we were on the ferry.

Mom hiding on the ferris wheel at Ocean Park.

The in-laws :)

Random skyscrapers.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Mom! I hope this year is full of spring! I love you!


(This picture was taken outside of Chappell Hill)

Photo Hunter: Hope

This week's theme feels so appropriate for a new year! This past semester was extremely discouraging for several different reasons and even on New Year's Eve our attempt at celebrating turned out to be disappointing. Mom and I tried to see the fireworks display at the Hong Kong Harbor, but the streets were packed several blocks away so all we could see were a few puny fireworks from the top of one building. All in all a bit of a letdown.

My friend, Meg, asked how the new year was since it was still 2008 in her time zone and I told her about the disappointing celebration, along with the good things -- a long sleep and a finished book. I got her email back saying, "I hope the rest of your 2009 is a lot grander than your first few moments of 2009..." As I was moving on to the PhotoHunter reminder email I was thinking in response to Meg, "I'm hopeful" and found the word "hope" as the theme. Coincidence? I think not.

Now, the picture...there is no greater hope than the hope of salvation and abundant life which can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is my friend, Alyssa (bright green swimsuit), right before she was baptized while we were in Thailand.

I never put much stock in the change of year because while it is advertised as "new" nothing actually changes any easier than it does any other time of the year. Still, it is a natural stopping point so may 2009 be a year of hope.

Photo Hunter

Photo Hunter: Squeaky

I have never met a swing, particularly of the porch variety, that was not squeaky. Our swing was no exception, yet we still enjoyed employing it for phone calls and the occasional homework binge if the weather was good. In this picture, Rachel is installing a hammock for a couple of days just because she had a hammock for a couple of days. Under the right circumstances, she can be squeaky too.

Sorry for the delay, the time change and diversions got the best of me.

Photo Hunter

Merry Christmas to All

I am writing from the end of a wonderful day, celebrating the beginning of the biggest adventure of all -- the life of Jesus Christ leading to the sacrifice to redeem us all. May the surprises this day brings be full of joy, love, and laughter and pave the way for your own adventure!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!