Possible Link Between Dam and China Quake

I try to read the New York Times headlines every day, and then read an article or two that seem worth it. The following paragraph in this article really struck me because it's about timing. I realize that the researchers are talking about timing in terms of hundreds of years, but since I lived in Dujiangyan for a year before the earthquake, the timing still means something to me personally about my safety and the sovereignty of God.

"Mr. Seeber said that while the link between the Sichuan earthquake and the Zipingpu Dam was not yet proved, work by Christian Klose, a Columbia University researcher specializing in geophysical hazards, suggested the stress caused by the water’s weight might have hastened the quake by a few hundred years.

'It would have occurred anyway,” Mr. Seeber said. 'But of course the people who were affected might think the timing is an important difference.' "

Happy Birthday, P.R. China!

Today is China's birthday! If I were still there, I'd have 7 days off (sort of--it's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't lived in Asia), but I don't, so I won't.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

No, not THAT most wonderful time of the year. The OTHER most wonderful time of the year.

Yeah, fall. The time of year when I get the urge to do something drastic to my head.


Last year, around this time, I did this.


Here's this year's drastic change:

There are more pics on my facebook.

Valleyfair!

I've actually never been to Valleyfair in all the 10 years I've lived (off and on) in Minnesota.

My first experience was a doozy! The day was absolutely gorgeous and perfect, and the occasion was one of my favorites--hanging out with people who are learning English as a 2nd (or 3rd, etc.) language. We had tons of fun!

Lunch was especially fun . . . not just because I love food, but because it was so Asian (which I miss sometimes). On an American field trip, each kid would bring his/her own packed lunch, but not Asian kids! Their lunch was more like a potluck--each kid brought enough of one thing to share with everyone else (including me) and man, was it good!

How to have a happier birthday . . .

LOAD UP ON FREEBIES!

There was an article in today's Star Trib that was right up my alley. It was all about coupons and free offers for your birthday. I cashed in on some of these for my birthday a month ago, but I'm planning to do lots better next year!

• free burger at Red Robin 
• free entree at Noodles & Co.
• from free dessert up to free All-American at Famous Dave's
• free drink at Caribou Coffee and Dunn Bros. Coffee
• free ice cream creation at Cold Stone Creamery

I also got $10 at my favorite mani/pedicure place.

My mom . . .

. . . is a wonderful, godly example to everyone around her.

Mom, I'm so thankful for you! Happy Mother's Day!

Charleston

I spent Spring Break in Charleston with my sister Emily. Visiting Em in Charleston was a perfect choice because it was a break from snowy Minnesota and because I could sleep in and work while Em was working in the morning, and then we had afternoons and evenings to have fun.
[I posted lots more pics on my facebook.]

Thanks for letting me stay in your fabulous new house, Em! I love you!