As 1 Door Closes, Another Door Opens

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For those of you who follow our blog you may have realized we haven't posted in awhile. In 2009, when we started this blog we posted many times every week as living in China was such a HUGE difference and everyday was something surprising. We also didn't have access to Facebook so it was our way of sharing our photos and experiences.

I guess coming back to China for a 2nd year it has not been such a HUGE difference and everyday is not as shocking as it was last year. We also have a VPN service so we have access to Facebook.

Pete and I were talking one night while sitting in our apartment and decided that we are "just living" in China this year. We work, we buy groceries, we cook or should I say Pete cooks and I clean, we go about our normal lives or as normal as they can be in a country were we don't speak the language. Yes, doing little mundane things can still be very difficult but now we have more patience for it. At least I do, Pete is still working on that and needs to be reminded about this when we gets fired up about things not going his ideal way.

Even though our time in China came shockingly early we are glad we have had our time in Hangzhou. Looking back at the 3.5 months here on China Part 2 we have gained and experienced a lot. Meeting new teachers, school leaders and students who actually care about us, plus traveling.

Highlights:
Honeymoon in the Philippines
Going to Hong Kong one more time
Going to the World EXPO in Shanghai
Hiking Mt Huangshan
Experiencing the canals in Suzhou
Having another Thanksgiving in China
Getting to ride the FASTEST train in China (on our way to the Shanghai airport headed back to Portland)
Being Newlyweds :))

My mother has always said, "we deal with the cards we are dealt in life." No matter how easy or hard it may be at times you will survive and come out a stronger person. China has changed both of us and it will ALWAYS be a part of us.

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