Saturday, December 26, 2009

SPA DAY!!

We always mention to Robin how we want a good massage. He never really tells us anywhere good... until now. He told us about a place that he has never taken foreigners before, but he wanted to take us there. He described it and it sounded like a spa.... we were excited but remember, in China it is never just as simple as a "spa".

When we got there Kylie and I were separated from the boys. We needed a Chinese with us. We didn't know what to do.

They gave us some sweet pajamas to put on.

Kylie and I just wanted a massage. So we did the hand motions for a massage and they took us the 3rd floor and sent us to this hotel room thing. We thought we were going to die. 2 guys came in and started rubbing on us. Full body style. They even cleaned out our ears. It was so funny. We couldn't relax much because we were laughing so hard at some points. But it was worth it!

The boys found us finally after they had been to the hot tubs, saunas, and exfoliated each other. They even had the matching dark pink pajamas.

This place was a dream world.
They had a crystal sauna thing to lay in.

And these couch/recliner things in a dark room, with personal t.v.'s at each one. The boys slept here while having a 45 minute foot massage.

After sleeping for 5 hours on these couches, playing some pool, and taking a pretty incredible shower, we enjoyed a free dinner buffet where everyone was wearing the matching pajamas. The pictures can't describe how incredible this place was. You have to just use your imagination.

Spa Day Rules!!

kisses.

Christmas in Chiner

We traveled to NDH for Christmas. Slumber Party Style.

The boys (and Kylie) started out the evening with a little Candy Cane Poker.

We had a huge Christmas feast. Marshall didn't leave till it was all finished.

While walking back to campus Tim bought this Chinese flying lantern thing.

We went up the roof, lit it and sent it off. The first one was flawless.

The 2nd one did some crazy turn and went down under the roof.

The boys tried to guide it

But it landed on the ground, not burning anything on its decent down.

But somehow we seemed to attract a crowd... (we do that ya know)

The students were aware we were outside and were watching and yelling "Merry Christmas" at all of us.

So what did we do?

Impromptu Christmas Caroling.

Every window was full of students. They even lit a lantern out the window and let it go.

After all the excitement it was time to get to business.

I loved my bag, I didn't care what was in it!

Peter had Kara. He gave her 2 of her favorite things, notebooks and pictures. He knows her.

Marshall had Kylie. He flew in some of her favorites.

I had Marshall. And since the scarf I am making him isn't exactly finished I re-gifted some things he already had gotten. I am a bad girlfriend.

Peter opened a bunch of different balls; tennis, ping-pong, badminton. His response was "I like all kinds of balls"

At the bottom of Kevin's gift were beef flavored candies re-gifted of course. This is his beef candy response.

Tim had some of his favorites imported from America as well.

For Christmas in China we had a pretty great Christmas.

I love my team.

We had to get some sleep or Santa wouldn't come!

We slept on sweet orange couches. Go Pokes!

Kylie was even sporting her OSU snuggie. Go Pokes!

We ate homemade cinnamon rolls made by Heidi S. Yumm!

And watched Home Alone.

All I needed was my family and it would have felt like Christmas.

kisses.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve we canceled classes and hit the slopes! 1 hour and $10 USD later Robin, Kylie, Marshall and I were skiing on some man made snow. Now I have never skied before so what an experience to learn in China.

First things first... I had to learn how to stand!
The 2 who tried to teach me, the China man in the red hat who would yell the only English words he knew, banana, pencil, apple.. and Marshall. What a patient patient man. Can you imagine, trying to teach me?

He was dragging me around. Hoping I would get a feel for it all....

And at the beginning this is how I felt.

But with time, 1 fall, and a little patience with my self I was flying past those Chinese crazies.

Speaking of crazies, Robin is one crazy skier.
It was only his 2nd time to ski and he was fearless.

The ski lift is also pretty unique trait of this place...

You grab the pole and let it take you up the mountain...

At one point during the day the power went out so the lift stopped working

Robin and Kylie's look of disappointment.

Skiing on fake snow makes for interesting scenery.

Half snow-Half grass/dirt

I love skiing in China!
Merry Christmas Eve!

kisses.