Lindsay!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

2011-05-31T12:21:00.004-05:00

Today is my parents' 36th anniversary!

We used yesterday (Memorial Day) to celebrate.

After driving around for 2 hours viewing tornado damage and striking out at our first two breakfast choices--Elsie's and Swede Hollow (both closed because of the holiday), we ended up at the only legit Pannekoeken Huis in the Twin Cities.

Then we hit the farmer's market and thrift stores!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T14:15:00.004-05:00

Today was a fantastic day to get out and walk for an amazing cause!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Celebrating Lunar New Year

2011-02-25T14:19:00.005-06:00

This year is the year of the rabbit.

Mom and I celebrated it with pork

... and this recipe.

1st Real Snow of the Season

2010-11-13T13:12:00.007-06:00

I woke up to this ...

... so, of course, I broke out my new stand up mixer ($100 ... but I only paid $20) and made these ...

My Gram would be so proud. I should call her and tell her!

hot crossed buns

2010-04-05T16:25:00.003-05:00

So I'm helping Mom put the finishing touches on Easter dinner. I was putting this platter of hot crossed buns on the table when Jess (my sister's sister-in-law? my cousin's wife?) makes a wisecrack about taking a picture and updating my blog. It was a two-birds-with-one-stone zinger in which she managed to get me AND my sister! Anyway, now my blog is "updated."

Possible Link Between Dam and China Quake

2009-02-06T16:35:00.004-06:00

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!

2008-10-01T16:38:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-09-17T16:20:00.005-05:00

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!

2008-08-30T22:54:00.004-05:00

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 . . .

2008-07-13T21:49:00.006-05:00

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 . . .

2008-05-11T13:34:00.001-05:00

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

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

Charleston

2008-03-24T16:29:00.003-05:00

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!

"Christian"

2008-03-13T11:23:00.002-05:00

by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost. Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Happy Women's Day!

2008-03-08T16:50:00.003-06:00

Today is International Women's Day!

I know we don't really celebrate it in America, but we did/do in China so I'm celebrating today!

Jake and Meg are engaged!

2008-01-21T18:21:00.000-06:00

Big congratulations to Jake and Meg!
They got engaged Friday night in Wilmington, NC.
Jake totally surprised Meg (which isn't easy to do). You can check out a video of their engagement on Meg's blog. They're planning a July 26th wedding in Minneapolis!
Congrats, Jake and Meg! I love you guys!

Metro News--a new blog about crisis pregnancy ministry

2008-01-07T19:55:00.000-06:00

Check out Metro Women's Center's new blog @ www.metrowomenscenter.blogspot.com!

and

Don't forget that January is Sanctity of Life month!

Famous people are copying me.

2007-11-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

Oprah chops Swank's hair for charity

NEW YORK - Hilary Swank must really trust Oprah Winfrey. The Oscar-winning actress let the talk-show host chop off a little more than 9 inches of her hair during a segment that was to air Friday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The TV shearing was done in the name of charity: Swank, 33, donated her locks to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which works with the American Cancer Society to provide wigs at no charge to women suffering from hair loss caused by their cancer treatments.

"Well, it's taken months to get to this moment," Winfrey says before getting down to business. "It involves a two-time Academy Award winner, a sharp object and me."

Swank, who won Oscars for her roles in "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby," says she "wanted to find a way to give back."

"I've been growing it for the last six months to donate my hair," she says. "I've been taking a lot of vitamins and taking really good care of it knowing that it would go to a woman in need."

Jane Eyre @ Guthrie

2007-10-24T21:56:00.000-05:00

Caught a production of Jane Eyre at the Guthrie Theater on Tuesday night. It was fun, but Rochester was a little too light and flirty for me. Am I wrong, or is Rochester supposed to be dark, brooding, and a little dangerous?

Good Day Cafe

2007-10-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Check out Good Day Cafe--good food, fun atmosphere. We did GDC for breakfast on our way to Iowa for the weekend. I totally recommend the sticky buns and German pancake with lemon and powdered sugar.

Les Mis @ Chanhassen

2007-10-24T21:45:00.003-05:00

Caught a great production of Les Miserables last week. It was so fun!

Why I love Iowa . . .

2007-10-24T21:39:00.000-05:00

. . . my fabulous grandparents!

I spent last weekend with them. We relaxed, sat around, drank coffee, and talked about the things God has sent into our lives. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for being great, godly encouragements to everyone around you!

I did it! It's gone!

2007-10-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

After pretty much letting my hair grow for the past three years, I did what I love to do--put it in a ponytail, chop it off, and donate it to Locks of Love. If you've never done that, you should totally try it because it's SO fun!! The only downsides are that today's weather is rainy, which my hair hates, and that now I have to get used to not putting my hair behind my ears all the time.

Thanks to Megan Stuckey for doing all the work!

My New Place

2007-08-13T14:46:00.001-05:00

I was going to post pictures of my new place, but my roommate just did that on her blog. Click here to check it out! Or better yet, come by for coffee or dinner sometime to see it for yourself!

A Huge Blessing!

2007-08-06T11:42:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was praying with a friend. She mentioned that her young daughter wasn't sure about her own personal relationship with Christ, so we prayed for her specifically that night. The little girl, and that family, has come to mind a few other times since then.

Then last week I was in the blessed position of working half days (mornings) at good, old General Mills and spending my afternoons at my church's day camp, telling the daily missionary story.

Now, I don't know how many of you went to day camp or VBS/VBT when you were little, but I did. And I specifically remember the missionary story teller. Her name was Melanie Sieple (sp?). She told great stories with these old flip books and left us with a cliff-hanger every day. You know, "and all of a sudden, 8000 fierce warriors jumped out of the bushes!! If you want to find out if Missionary Mike survives . . . come back tomorrow!" I only pulled that once in the week, just to say I had. But I digress.

I never know how much kids are really paying attention and catching what you're saying . . . especially since little kids aren't really my thing. I'll choose adults any day! Anyway, this past Wednesday night, a day camp mom told me that her little girl's teddy bears had been learning Chinese while having a tea party that afternoon. How cute is that?! And last night (Sunday) another day camp mom told me that her little girl (the one I had prayed with the mom about a few weeks earlier) had come home saying that she wasn't sure she had peace in her heart like Hudson Taylor didn't have peace in his heart before he accepted Christ's gift for himself! I chatted with the little girl's dad later, who said he had seen such a change in her since then!

I'm rejoicing with the angels on this one!!

One of My Favorite TV Shows . . .

2007-07-24T09:05:00.000-05:00

. . . is The Price Is Right. I've loved Bob Barker since I was a little girl, and I'm sure I could win it all (or at least a dinette set) if I were ever to actually get on the show. I had big plans to make my TPIR debut last summer while I was in southern California for a wedding and to visit family; however, it wasn't meant to be. I've missed my window of opportunity to give Bob a kiss on the cheek. Sigh.

I'm excited today, though, because I just read that the new host of The Price Is Right is Drew Carey. I'm so relieved--I was afraid Rosie might get the gig. Scary Larry!

On Falling Off the Face of the Blog-Earth

2007-07-10T12:07:00.000-05:00

Yikes! I haven't posted since the end of May; however, that's not my fault. It just figures that as soon as I started my own blog, I almost immediately had no access to blogspot. My Chinese internet quit being able to find any and all blogspot sites. Grrrr.

The good news is that I'm back in the States and have blogspot access again. I solemnly promise to retroactively post in the very-near future . . . after I reestablish my identity (see a future post) and figure out minor life details like a car and an apartment. Sigh.

Where I Am . . .

2007-05-28T01:49:00.000-05:00

The biggest part of life for me right now (after The Biggest Part of Life, of course)--I mean the thing that takes up most of my brain power--is teaching. Although I've been teaching for six years, this past school year has felt like first year teaching all over again, which is fun and exciting but also incredibly challenging and draining. But I chose it, and I knew what I was getting into when I did so. Here's a little bit of the story:

I spent the past two years teaching post-graduate oral English at Daqing Petroleum Institute above: DQPI in summer and winter) in northeastern China. I loved teaching masters degree and doctoral candidates and I loved life as part of Global's team there, but a big part of me wanted to move on to something more academic. Honestly, I was getting a little bored of oral English.

So, in June of last year, my parents and sisters came to visit (above: us in front of an Olympic countdown in Tian'anmen Square), and in our travels we moved me here to "The Duj." You might think "The Duj" is kind of a fruity name, but the vast majority of people who read this blog will have serious trouble with "Dujiangyan"! Dujiangyan is a "top tourism city" (below: that's what it says under the big gold horse) in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Americans are more familiar with "Szechuan" which probably lets you know that the food (and the weather) here is spicy!!

The Duj is night-and-day different from the flat oil fields where I spent the last two years. Daqing is dry, flat, super-windy, and cold, but it almost always has gorgeous, clear blue skies. The Duj, on the other hand, has a super-wet climate and is often overcast, which makes for a gorgeously lush atmosphere . . . and, of course, lots of creepy-crawlies including sometimes-jurassic-sized spiders! Fun, fun!

For you history- and knowlege-buffs, Dujiangyan is actually the name of an irrigation system that is more than 2000 years old! It was just one of the major projects initiated during the rule of Qin Shi Huang (below: see us with his statue), the first emperor of China who also connected sections of the Great Wall and was buried in Xi'an with all the terracotta warriors (above: us in Xi'an).

I'm a blogger!

2007-05-27T10:36:00.000-05:00

I'm finally a blogger! I should have started this three years ago when I first came to live in China full-time instead of just a month before I leave . . . but better late than never, right?!

Thanks to my sister, Meg, who's a great blogger, and thanks to Dana who's got a fun blog about our lives here in the Duj! You two are my inspirations, but you don't have to take the blame if this ends up being really lame.