 Todd and Alicen - Todd and Alicen | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 19th May 2009 Ken Glenn | Welcome Home - From: El Finale; aka, America, *&%^ Yeah!!! Glad to hear you are back in Washington. After you guys settle in, we need to get together. I'm glad your journey went well and welcome home! Ken |
| 19th May 2009 Jenna | Move here! - From: El Finale; aka, America, *&%^ Yeah!!! You are truly missed in San Diego! Please consider moving back! |
| 8th May 2009 Jesse | epic - From: Final Stretch! What an epic journey you guys have had! Thanks for posting a public travel journal, it has been fun traveling with you vicariously. When you get back to SEA, are you going to... find a place to sit and, like, not budge for six months? Enjoy the rest of your travels! |
| 21st April 2009 Krystal | - From: Rainy Rome Yeah the Tagliatelli is our FAVORITE too!! YUMmmmmmmmmmm |
| 20th April 2009 Neil | Pasta - From: Rainy Rome The pasta with a T was probably Tagliatelli (sp?). It is also one of my favourites! |
| 19th April 2009 Todd and Alicen | whoops; - From: Rainy Rome I meant: With how good the food was in Thailand and INDIA |
| 11th April 2009 Mom | links - From: I Must Be Part German cuz Fried Meat and Beer Tastes Just Right to Me.... The link isn't blue, and when I click on it, nothing happens, so I can't see your pictures. Oh, well. I'll see them all when you get here. Have a great time in Germany! Mom |
| 10th April 2009 Mom | Wow--Again! - From: Gay(tley) Paris! Winter is, indeed, gone in Wenatchee. The tomatoes in my window are over 1 foot tall, but people here tell me it's too early to plant them outside. I actually have a teeny tiny bean growing on one of my pole bean plants, and blossoms on others. This is an incredibly fabulous trip you are taking. I'm so glad you are having all these once-in-a-lifetime, never-to-be-forgotten experiences. Much love, Mom |
| 3rd April 2009 Todd and Alicen | forgot; - From: Irish Spring here are some pictures on facebook of some of the UK http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=114055&id=548766367&l=f6bc9533fc |
| 30th March 2009 Sue | Wait until Ireland - From: wait, where am i from?? geneology please,? Hi you two -- I'm so glad you're enjoying Scotland. I totally agree that the people there are super friendly, but you ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until Ireland. They were, by far, the friendliest people I've ever met. I hope you enjoy Paris. I just got back from there on the 25th. You've got to go see Sacre Coeur...the stairs to get there will kill you, but the view is totally worth it (and the church is beautiful too). Look after Jen, Matt and the Kiddos for us. |
| 29th March 2009 davina | English IS our language! - From: wait, where am i from?? geneology please,? Dianna is sooooooo excited about your visit!!!!! I hope you make it there to see her. Say Hello to Sunny (the cat) for me! I'm so glad that Alicen is getting to see Scotland. It is the only place to which I have ever had a desire to travel. All of my children have Scottish blood. It sounds like the visit is warming your hearts and satisfying your souls. Love, Mom |
| 27th March 2009 Jesse | st andrews - From: Bonnie Scotland! i spent my jr year of college @ st. andrews... you'd have to take the bus there from Edinburgh but it's a beautiful little town w/ cobbled streets, slate roofs at the university, castle ruins etc. I also loved castle ruins in Essex and in many other places. But it's probably more important to get to the Henges, and maybe Glastonbury Tor if you get near there. How long are you in Europe and where else are you headed? have a great time! |
| 23rd March 2009 mom | Very Cool! - From: England is oh-so-pleasant Thank goodness I joined Facebook! How cool that Jen and Matt are joining you! Are you going to see Perth, Scotland? The Presbyterian Church there has your Great-Great Grandfather's name on a stained glass window. He was the minister of that church, for many years, and your Great Grandma Smith grew up there in the manse (parsonage). His last name is Symon (Grandpa Smith's and Danita's son's middle name. I think his first name was John. I'll get back to you on that, if I have time. I have a picture of that stained glass window. It's really beautiful! Happy travels! Love, Mom |
| 21st March 2009 gardener | Spring has sprung! - From: England, Baby Based on my limited experience, I believe you will arrive in Wenatchee during the best part of the year! It's been in the 50's during the day now, which is like most of the summer in Tacoma, and the nights have been above freezing. So, I believe I will get my garden built, using child labor, sometime during spring vacation, and planted soon after. The pole beans are so high I had to move them into your bedroom, and the cucumbers are about to cascade over the side of the pot! Seasonal depression is over for another year, and spring is in the air! You're arrival will be the frosting on the cake (make that cream cheese frosting on luscious carrot cake!). Have a great time with Chris and Lavina! Give them both my love! Much love to both of my babies, too! Mom |
| 20th March 2009 Jesse | glad you got there safely! - From: England, Baby sounds like you have had some seeeeeeerious adventuring! i'm glad you made it to europe in one piece... it does make a lot more "sense" in a lot of ways. i'm glad you got to see india, i know it is an experience you will remember for the rest of your lives but i understand how frustrating and hectic it can be, the trains never run on time, the taxi drivers try to kill you, many of the men there are aggressively sexist and rude, and everything is covered in fecal matter. i love the picture of you guys covered in pigment though. that is really classic. i'm sure europe will be a lot more relaxing. are you going to toodle around the continent as well before you cruise home? enjoy! happy travels. |
| 10th March 2009 Jesse | sounds rad! - From: Deep into Curry-land I am so glad you guys get to experience India. Varanassi is a good call. Enjoy! |
| 9th March 2009 Mom | camels - From: Happy Holi Talk about being able to sleep anywhere! O.K. Now I'm losing my confidence that your second 10 years can possibly be more interesting than your first ten. Or was that 7? I swam with the seniors this morning at 5:30. I might go back tomorrow. I kind of liked it. Mom |
| 7th March 2009 james | india - From: made it to the middle of the world.... sweet man, i'm sure you'll add many "bogs along the way" lol. Just remember to use the right hand.....or is it the left???? |
| 6th March 2009 Mom | Hi! - From: made it to the middle of the world.... It's snowing here. Big Snow. Safe and happy travels to you. Love, Mom |
| 4th March 2009 mom | Be safe because the radishes have sprouted! - From: First Half; Done. I also have one cucumber that has poked it's head out of the soil. I'm pretty excited about my new gardening prospects. It sounds like you guys are not going to arrive here until May. That proves you're having a fantastic time! My whole garden should be planted by then, including pumpkins, watermelon and cantelope. The garden plot is in the sunniest part of my yard, and has full-on sunshine from sun-up until sundown. We'll be eating the radishes by then, and by the time I am celebrating my first year in retirement two months later, fresh-from-the-garden salad should be the fare! I'm looking forward to creating many beautiful stained glass ornaments to decorate and celebrate my garden's life. Ahhhhh, retirement! I may have to take up canning, but I'll bet freezing, while not as glamorous, will work just as well. I love you both! Glad to be back blogging! Bring me some exotic seeds! Mom |
| 27th February 2009 Rose | Cheerleading bunnies! - From: Australia Pictures (fromMalaysia) I love it! |
| 27th February 2009 Rose | Hooray! Koalas!!! - From: Australia Pictures (fromMalaysia) At last! Koala photos! Alicen, the one of you with the fuzzy is the cutest!!! It looks like she's reaching out to hug you! They're so cute and fun to anthropomorphize! Thank you for sharing! |
| 13th February 2009 Mom | Yeah! - From: Contact Details Cool! I'll call you tomorrow. I also joined facebook, so I hope that will make communicating easier as well. I did my homework, and discovered that the places I suggested you visit are all the way across the continent. Oh, well. Happy touring on the west side. Love, Mom |
| 10th February 2009 Mom | Enjoy! - From: Australia, Mate!!! I love that Austrailian accent! I ran across a ticket in my scrapbooking stuff that admitted Grandma Smith and Aunt Liz to a Gil Shaham and Paavo Jarvi Concert in the Sydney Opera House. It is dated Wednesday, July 18, 2001, 8PM. If you get to Sydney, perhaps their aura will still be there. I'd love a real live picture of the Opera House, and you two in it, of course, to go with the ticket. I also found a picture of Aunt Liz and Grandma Smith (she's holding a koala bear) in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It would be beyond cool if you could take a picture of yourselves at that same place. It would be a tri-generational vicarious experience. I have no idea where these places are compared to Perth. By the way, my Grandmother Smith was born and raised in Perth (Scotland, of course). It's a stretch, but perhaps this qualifies as a quad-generational thing. Was Perth, Austrailia named after Perth, Scotland. How about a picture of Perth's City Sign, if there is such a thing. No pictures, no problem. Have great fun and stay well! Love, Mom |
| 9th February 2009 Vicki | Shrimp - From: Just a quick hello Have some shrimp on the Barbie and a fosters for me!! What a trip for you 2!! It has been great hearing about your adventures!! Enjoy the beach and try surfing! I hear it is great in Perth. Dale & Vicki Gray |
| 9th February 2009 Mom | Miss You a Lot - From: Just a quick hello Glad you're doing great. Everyone here is great as well. Received 6 more boxes. Now I have a lot. I sub a lot and love it most of the time. All the other times I just like it a lot. I volunteer a lot in Mike's and Jordan's classes. Looking forward to April... a lot. Love you a lot. Mom |
| 4th February 2009 ged | - From: a little sick but getting better fast you haven't heard from us because we are all so jealous that we don't want to think about it. :) |
| 29th January 2009 Rose | Monkeys!!! - From: At Railay Beach, Thailand.... Monkeys!!! Sigh... |
| 28th January 2009 Snoopy | Not really snooping, just organizing - From: Minor Head Wounds and Extreme Chillaxation Received 13 more boxes from the post office yesterday. All, plus the previous 7 or 8, are happily housed at the storage unit. Here's the poem titled "Live Long and Prosper: Picard is sexy, Warf is hot, Data's studly, Jordy's not, Troy is useless, Riker's a slut, and if you're not a treckie, shove it up your butt!" And there you have it! Your first world-wide-published poem, circa 1994 (approx.) Still living vicariously through my children, head wounds and all. Much love, Mom |
| 28th January 2009 Jesse | sounds fun - From: Minor Head Wounds and Extreme Chillaxation sounds like a great time. enjoy Thailand and try not to hurt yourself! |
| 26th January 2009 Danita | How come I'm just now figuring out you have a travel blog? - From: 1 night in bangkok Such is life in suburbia with a toddler. Things slip right past me. Have insomnia tonight - found your blog and have spent the better part of the last hour reading. What a wonderful trip you two are having. Much love, Danita |
| 22nd January 2009 Snoopy | Poem - From: Alicen's Take - One Month Review It's great to hear your sweet voice, Alicen! Your reference to some of your favorite characters reminds me of a poem I recently found on an old blue notebook while sorting through the many tubs of papers I have saved over the years. I was scrapbooking at the time, and shared it with the gals at the retreat. (I hope you can meet them and go with us sometime!) Andy had a great hoot. I'll write it in my next blog. It's a keeper! Love, Mom |
| 20th January 2009 Mom | Obama - From: A Totally Awesome Change of Itinerary and our Last Day at Angkor! I'm recording the entire thing at home, but I have a sub job all week at Mike's school, so we combined efforts and let the students here watch and celebrate! Hurrah for Austrailia! I just got a congratulatory text message from Germany (Diana) congratulating me on my (our) new president. Congratulations to you, too!!!! My favorite bumper sticker of all time remains "January 20th, 2008: The end of an error." Love, Mom |
| 18th January 2009 Mom | upgrades - From: !0 days into Cambodia; 10 days left in Cambodia...bring it on! I guess this is when "you get wat you pay for" is applicable. I'm glad you moved! Mom |
| 18th January 2009 Annie | - From: !0 days into Cambodia; 10 days left in Cambodia...bring it on! Your no McDonalds comment reminds me of when Ged and I were in Thailand. We had been traveling around SE Asian for about 5 weeks and we were craving familiar food from home. We sought out a Mexican restaurant and devoured the food. Traveling is so educational for your brain and your emotions. You are growing leaps and bounds as individuals. |
| 16th January 2009 Mom | boxes - From: Ankgor!!! Hurrah for a very cool day!!! I have several of your boxes now. 3 have been delivered to my home, and two I picked up at the Post Office because I had to sign for them. The one really long skinny one I openned because Mike wanted to know if they were the walking sticks. Guess what? They were! Mike was delighted. Andrea is here right now playing with Mariah, and she says "Hi!" Love, Mom |
| 14th January 2009 Mom | - From: Cambodia, cont. Eventhough I have less and less desire to travel as I read more and more of your experiences, I am extremely happy that the two of you are seeing so much of our earth. I am eagerly looking forward to putting it all into some kind of managable perspective, if possible. I'm quite sure I'll need your help. Human beings are such a flawed species, don't you think? Much love and respect, Mom |
| 13th January 2009 John Cho | - From: Cambodia, cont. Good blog. I really would like to visit Cambodia sometime, and see what you're seeing.... |
| 13th January 2009 Jesse | interesting - From: Cambodia, cont. hey guys, sounds intense and educational, transitioning into relaxing and fun. thanks for broadening all our perspectives with this. "bigger vehicle seems to have the right of way, and everyone honks all the time. " sounds about right! have a great time! |
| 10th January 2009 Ged | ~ - From: wow, this is different The lady next to you on the plane probably thought you were going to detonate a bomb strapped to your chest. As for all the beggars it reminded me of the movie Slumdog Millionaire, which definitely caused me to think about all the money I've given to children in developing countries. One of the craziest things I remember from the killing fields is how easy it was to find bits of human bone and clothing in the dirt of the trails around those places. We could help but walk on it. |
| 9th January 2009 Krystal | OMG - From: Last Day in China Sucked! Todd I too share major acrophobia but i'm sorry i couldn't stop laughing that whole story...i'm sure it was terrible at the time but this is one of the funniest blog entries i've read yet!!! |
| 9th January 2009 Davina Hartley | 7 years - From: Last Day in China Sucked! I asked Mike tonight how many years you have been married, and he said 4. When I told him 7, he was amazed. Where has the time gone? I'm speechless concerning your gondola ride. I wouldn't have enjoyed the ride either. |
| 8th January 2009 Davina Hartley | The Best - From: Hong Kong These are the best pictures of my beautiful daughter that I've seen! Maybe it's just that I'm missing her so much. I'll definitely print at least two of them. Oh, yeah, he two bald guys are really cute, too! Much love, Mom |
| 7th January 2009 Rose | No Bugling! - From: Beijing Picture Catch up Thank goodness for that "No Bugling" sign! Imagine the utter chaos if Bugling was allowed?! Phew! Thanks for sharing the fun updates on your adventure! |
| 7th January 2009 Mom | Spring? - From: Beijing Picture Catch up We also went from deep winter to near spring, but in just 1 hour tonight. At 5:00 the temperature was 30 degrees, and Andrea was slippin' on ice as she walked the puppy, Mariah (Parriah according to Mike). At 6:00 water was running off roofs, patios and driveways were bare and wet, and I opened the slider a bit to get some of the "warm" breeze in the house. I love this weather! I'm up for seeing every single picture you have taken. Maybe we can have a picture-viewing party! You will be sooooo pleased to re-meet your nieces. They are awesome, and regard both of you awesome as well. Happy wandering! Mom |
| 5th January 2009 Todd and Alicen | re: Can you top this? - From: Great Wall Pictures considering we've been married for 7 years, this IS our second 5 years of marriage ;) |
| 4th January 2009 Satchie | You lucky Bastard! - From: Great Wall Pictures Hey Todd, Hey Alicen!!! I've just been catching up with your blogs! (have been in Kyushu for the New Years) Your pictures are awesome and I am super SUPER jealous!!!! Keep the blogs coming so that I can live vicariously through you guys!! HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU BOTH!!!! |
| 4th January 2009 Momma D | Can You Top This? - From: Great Wall Pictures I can hardly wait to see how your second five years of marriage will top your first five! And I have no doubt that it will! Love, Mom |
| 4th January 2009 E | pics - From: Great Wall Pictures OK...Ninja on the wall is still my favorite pic, but the reenactment of Todd hitting his head on the wall is a close second. Looks awesome guys! Great pictures! |
| 3rd January 2009 Friend | The Lesson - From: I smile, 'cuz I'm happy. Most people who get to where you are, perhaps 20% of Americans, wait until their second half-century to aquire the widsom that you have. Your ability to express it is even more rare. Wow. |
| 2nd January 2009 Dad | Todd - - From: I smile, 'cuz I'm happy. I am VERY proud of who you have always been and of who you have become. Very special posting for me to read. LOVE YOU Toddy Boo, Dad |
| 31st December 2008 NYCkid | Beijing pollution - From: New Years Eve Eve "Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in the world...." This is definitely not true. We spent a whole week there this summer. And we had blue sky everyday. For me , China is like Japan in the 70's and US in the 40's, lots of environment issues and other social problems. But considering what they have achieved in the short period of time, i think it's truly an amazing country. |
| 30th December 2008 Dad and Mom | Thanks ! - From: New Years Eve Eve We are really enjoying all your wonderful photos and your stylin' writing ! We are getting drawn deeply into it - it is like a TV serial that you can't wait for the next eposide.... Stay safe and stylin'!! Love you both, Dad and Mom |
| 30th December 2008 Momma D | TnA - From: New Years Eve Eve Of course, to an old Broadway buff (Chorus Line), TnA means something totally different than "Todd and Alicen". Well, maybe not totally. Andrea and I possess really cool software with which I intend to help you save forever your pictures and blog comments. What fun that will be!!! This latest entry by T was particularly savable ;-) Love, Mom |
| 30th December 2008 Dale & Vicki Gray | Have you seen any Honda's? - From: New Years Eve Eve We have enjoyed your blog about your travels in China. What an experience, isn't it funny how this world is really small but different in cultures. (spitting everywhere) The pictures of the tera cotta soilders were very interesting. Looks like it has been cold everywhere you have been. Back home, as I am sure you have heard, it has been cold and tons of snow! Looks like we have mini Mt Rainers in front of the shop after the road crews piled up the snow into mounds on the street. Enjoy your trip and thanks for sharing your experiences! Dale & Vic Gray South Sound Honda/South Bound Honda |
| 28th December 2008 Davina | Retired - From: Stop. Terra Cotta Time. One of the fluency readings I used in my classes was about the terra cotta army. It's great to see all these fabulous pictures. The one included with the reading did not give the scope or detail you have captured. Hopefully you two standing shoulder to shoulder with soldiers of the past is symbolic of what our world can do in the future. Much Love, Mom |
| 28th December 2008 Shaun | sweet - From: Xian is a cool, great, wonderful, beautiful, good place. That's pretty sweet...good to see you guys are doing well. Can't wait to see the pictures of the soldiers! |
| 26th December 2008 Mommy | Beautiful! - From: Xian is a cool, great, wonderful, beautiful, good place. The colors are exquisite! How fantastic that you could rent a tandem bike! It mirrors your relationship. There is snow everywhere here. I threw some table salt on the front porch walkway bacause of the slippery stuff. I have to consider a solution to that situation this spring. The snow runoff hits in exactly the wrong place! Love, Mom |
| 25th December 2008 Mom | Merry Christmas! - From: Merry christmas from the Heart of China!!! The kids are coming over again today. Last night we ate Andi's Chicken, and tonight we'll eat Safeway's Salmon. Jojo and Sisi went shopping with me and each got to pick one thing from each aisle. It was cool to see their choices in some aisles; paper plates, shampoo, doggie toys, etc. and listening to their explanations of their choices as they opened them up. Talked to Dave. He and Lynette are happy and doing well. The popcorn balls turned out great! I know that because they're almost gone! Love, Mom |
| 25th December 2008 Mom | Cool! - From: yay! merry christmas, s'more No, Todd, no matter how hard you tried, there is no resemblance between you and the buddah --- OR the fish ;-) The art is beautiful. The Wal-Mart made me laugh out loud, uttering something like "Oh my gosh!" Very cool pictures! We'll get some of them permanently captured at some point. The foods looks, well, healthy. The santa looks, well, interesting. You two look, well, terrific! Love, Mom |
| 25th December 2008 Davina Hartley | Skyline - From: next hostel, better intenet../still could be a while before they're all up That building must have been hard to build. Is there some history on that? Give me a name and I'll google it. You guys look happy. No surprise there. Keep the pictures coming! Love, Mom |
| 25th December 2008 E | - From: Merry christmas from the Heart of China!!! Merry Christmas you two! It's all crazy snowy here, but I'm guessing you are going to be a bit cold there too. Be well and don't post anything on that facebook thing that you don't post here! :) |
| 23rd December 2008 Gramma D | Wow! - From: Still Shanghai'd This is my first blogging experience. I didn't reply to the first one because it said DO NOT REPLY, but I finally got brave enough to click on one of the blue lines, and apparently I clicked on the correct one. Whew! Thanks for your phonecall from the boat, Ali. I will remember it forever. Mike and I got new phones last week, and I'm looking forward to setting you two up with yours when you get home. Once you hit the US, you could go into any sprint store and pick them out and pick them up. It has to be a sprint store, not a radio shack or other outlet, in order to charge your purchases to my account. The sooner the better, so we/you can have inexpensive/free phone contact to loved ones. We are doing popcorn balls today. I promised the girls that we would have Christmas all over again when you arrive in Wenatchee, including popcorn balls (Sisi wanted to save one for each of you :-) hot spiced wine and hot-buttered rum. We might even put up the decorations again!!! What fun that will be. Sisi and Jordan send hugs and kisses. Love, Mom |
| 22nd December 2008 Dad | Cutting off in line - From: Still Shanghai'd Todd, Jane said that there is no such thing as polite lines for McDonalds or anything else. Everyone just crowds and pushes to the front to get waited on. She said she could hardly believe how Americans would just wait their turn. Seemed strange to her when she first came over here. Great Stuff!! |
| 22nd December 2008 Sue | Shanghai is fun - From: It Begins! Hi you two -- Glad to read that you're slowly making your way back to the good ole USA. I was in Shanghai when Logan was born. Lots of great (i.e. inexpensive -- particularly if you haggle which they expect) buys, and the people are terrific. Hold onto your wallets though...lots of pickpockets, particularly in the metro. Same goes for Paris when you get there. Have fun, and love ya, Sue |
| 22nd December 2008 Julia Mira | Hello from San Diego (Not so sunny right now) - From: It Begins! Hey guys, Could to hear you are alive and well!! Sherry, Vanessa and I always think about you!!! Foosball crew is scarce so can't say much there. Be safe and welcome back! |
| 22nd December 2008 Neil | Massages?? - From: Still Shanghai'd "Alrighty; that's it for now; thanks for the comments and massages so far! " You enjoying more of the Chinese hospitality than you have told us about? |
| 21st December 2008 Allen | First! - From: It Begins! Since they do this aicn, I just wanted to be the first to comment! You guys should find out what cities "Bizarre Foods" have been to, and then when you go there eat the same crazy stuff he has |
| 21st December 2008 Evan | Sweet! - From: It Begins! It's nice to see the blog get started and that the trip is off to a good start! Was that Karaoke on the Ferry? Got to love that... |
