Despite hurricane winds and mountains, 10 runners from TIS braved the Chang Ping 10k and did great! Good job guys! And I, the photographer and cheerleader and clothes carrier enjoyed the sun and wind and beautiful vistas of the northern borders of Beijing and was inspired to become a runner again.... someday....
I was inspired by everyone on the course actually... especially the ones running a 100k!!! (that's 10x as much as our group ran!) I don't think I'll actually EVER run and 100k, but never say never eh?
And... out of 2,700 registered runners in the 10k, Dave got 6th! I knew he'd be fast... but that fast? Despite hills and winds, and a week of exhaustion and not a good night of sleep the previous night, 6th place. Glad I could be there to cheer. 
look at those skies, mountains, water.... so amazing!
the proof....
And go to a doctor appointment afterwards, (all is going well!) Then a yummy lunch!!
And a train trip home
And a marital counseling session (we're doing the counseling for our friends getting married in a week)
And talking to my brother for an hour
And finally, bed.
No wonder I'm exhausted today! But it's a beautiful day and we're going for a picnic... Oh, I love spring!
I'm wearing them because they make me laugh.
We celebrated in the evening with a nap (first things first! Dave had been at school all day and I had been out buying flowers -- walking miles to get them-- and getting prepared for a bridal shower). And then out to a very nice Japanese restaurant for dinner. 
It was yummy... so good!! And then, yes this is for real-- Cold Stone ice cream! 
Imagine that! In Tianjin! In the basement of a mall where there's a new subway stop. This is is something I could have never imagined!! 
and it's not just the length of Dave's hair!
But to really draw a tree, to see it for what it is
Real close
and take a piece with you
And then, have some fun with the paint water (wait, not in my coffee!!!) 
on the cement is better!
And enjoy the spring morning in all it's glory! 
and if you really want to top off the day....
who can resist a smile when a little yipper kisses your face? 
oh.... I want one!
I win the bigger belly contest!
Two words to describe the trees outside my window and the feeling of spring on Easter morning. What a gorgeous day it was!! (oh, and those 2 words people have used to describe me this week as well!!)
But how nice to walk outside our apt. door and go to Church and celebrate Christ's ressurection!! I sang with Patrick's team-- always a pleasure. I love standing between Jenn and Michael and feeling comfortable to harmonize with them and enjoy worship. 
We just got back from our spring break-- a wonderful time to relax and vacation together one last time baby-free (kind of). Also nice to spend time with friends who are more like family and have quality time together before we pack up. Also, a time for me to visit the places that have been significant parts of my China experience before Dave and have the chance to share those with him. Like for instance, 4 hour train rides to Beidaihe/Qinhuandao... (this is not a clear depicition of what I've done in the past-- we ended up getting first class tickets for $3 more and had an entire car to ourselves and our friends! Usually there is standing room only and much less space, but makes for good conversations if you want!)
We took a 4 hour train up to Qin Huan Dao ($9 a ticket), and spent 3 nights at a 5 star hotel (for about $70 a night including a huge breadfast buffet for 2!) You can't beat China prices!
So so nice to have a balcony on the beach, a clean and comfortable hotel room (with a see-through bathroom to boot -- weird actually to sit on the toilet and watch the ocean)-- but it has blinds. 
And yes, the 32 week prego shot. I made a couple of skirts for the beach and got some tank tops for the occasion. 
It was NICE out our first full day there. We spent the morning soaking in rays... did I mention everyone else had babies? Seriously-- there were 4 babies there, 3 two year olds, and 2 other fun and very active children who loved to have us help them with thier muddy sand creations. The water was um... very very cold, but the sun sure felt good. 
And as you can see... our beach experience had some local flavor--- the others on the beach found the foreigners very intriguing and spend quite a long time checking us out and squatting nearby to get pictures. I agree, we must have been quite the site for sore eyes.
Especially since it's only mid-April and in this country it isn't acceptable to go around without long johns on until after May 1st. I've had experiences in the past out running where old women have literally hit my legs as I've been stretching scolding me for not wearing at least 2 pairs of pants in pre-May season (even when it's 80 deg out). Some things you just never get used to, even after 8 years. 
We did talk, both on the phone and in person when I got back, but this was certainly the beginning of the biggest whirlwind of my life! (It hasn't quite stopped yet, and for some reason I don't think it will). So, we went to the old beach, and I took him along the walkways I spent hours at talking with women I trusted to pray for me and help me sort out my emotions and fears of entering a relationship, and enjoyed the quiet and quait town (though under construction) of Beidaihe. I walk a little slower now, have trouble on the sand, can't get comfortable sitting on rocks but besides that, am quite content to stroll along the beach with the love of my life!! (awhhhh). 
Things were a lot different 2 1/2 years ago when I was there spending hours along journaling! Good things have happened and are happening. And the whirlwind momentum will be picking up again in 7 weeks or less!!