I'm leaving on a jet plane...

I'm finally coming home. It is time. I realize that for all her faults, there really is no place like the good old USA. I have had such a rich experience and will try to share it, but writing about it really does not do it justice. Experience is the best way to learn about the Asian culture. I have an incredible soft spot for the Chinese. I would even consider being a missionary there if that is what I should do. They are an incredible group of people and are a great model for collective living.

I'm in Seoul today. Talk about a contrast. This is big city done right. Shanghai is huge (18 million) but Seoul is cool. It is clean, well laid out, people are well dressed, traffic seems normal for a city of 10 million and there's a Starbucks on almost every corner. The Koreans really like coffee - so The Coffee Bean, Starbucks, and several smaller European chains are here as well. It's nice to be thousands of miles from home, yet be able to order a coffee frappacino and it tastes just like home!

I met a lot of interesting people, especially the children...they love America and think that it's a dream come true to study in our schools. They also think they will all go to Harvard if they study in America. Oh well, one can dream.

Looking forward to seeing Mosaic in action! See everyone soon!!

There's no place like home

It is nice to be home. I'm exhausted...but glad to be home. If you have a chance to go to Hawaii jump on it and go to Kaua'i. It is awesome...I've been to Oahu before, but the three times I've been to Kaua'i have been awesome and then to have Hill & Phil suprise me there was equally as fun. We had a great time swimming, relaxing, doing our brackets and just being together. H&H and B&E were the only things that would have made it ideal. Someday.

Had dinner with my family today - Phil leaves for Kuwait tomorrow but Hillary is staying home, which is great. I also bought her an EPT today as she has not been "feeling well". It's just in case...but fingers crossed. I bought Holly one when she was trying to find out about Ellie - so I figured, maybe if I can't have kids, I can supply the tests? Who knows.

Honestly, today when I saw Mosaic, I almost called and cancelled my trip. I hate when things happen without me and I feel like I've missed this huge event. I know we all make choices and I'm excited to travel but really feel like I am missing this great thing that God has created. It looks amazing down there...I mean...I was speechless when I saw it this morning. I can't describe it. I am amazed and honored to be a part of this and so excited for what the future holds!

Nothing Better

As I sit here on the lana'i or veranda or patio and look out to the ocean I am reminded that there is nothing better than being on vacation. The weather is about 78 degrees with filtered sunshine. The ocean is green in places and blue further out. There are whales spouting on the horizon and surfers (about 13) trying to catch a wave. I can smell the sweet scent of...burning bacon. Alas, there is always an awareness of reality when you vacation with your parents..my dad just burned the bacon trying to make himself a BLT. Snapped back to reality!

I also am trying to write a 15 page research paper (with a table of contents, abstract and 8-10 references) by Saturday. I have about 8 pages done, but it's hard when I want to go play. I am proud of myself that I've finished, with relative success, the first quarter of my PhD. program. It is now something I think I can resolve to do and finish.

I do wish I could bring friends and family with me..but I do have a HUGE surprise to bring home with me...that none of you will guess! I'm so excited!

China here I come

For the 2nd time in six months I'm off to China! This time I'm going to Bejing, Shanghai and Seoul South Korea. We're going (all expenses paid) at the request of a school recruiting firm there that gets Korean and Chinese students into American schools. Oddly, a lot of them want a Christian education as it's something they can't get there (yet..).

I come home from Kauai on March 17th and leave for Bejing on March 22nd - and I'll be back by April 1st. I will miss the Mosaic grand opening - which grieves me - but will be ready to jump in for my volunteer shifts when I get home!

Speaking of Mosaic...we have decided (with the help of the City of Seattle) to work on a donation only basis. There are some great models for this (successful) not only in Seattle, but in other parts of the country as well. It is at this point that we really trust that the Lord has brought us this far and will not ever let us down. Funny how images of the Children of Israel come to mind - standing at the foot of the Red Sea.

In the words of C.S. Lewis in the final Chronicles of Narnia book "Further in and further up!"