Prague Hi!
Could you share details of the prague visit?...
where did you stay? did you use a tour operator?
any 'must-do'...'must-see' recommendations?
is there any kind of local transportation?- or do you just walk?
is finding veggie food a real problem?
Thanks in advance ! :)
Family Is everything!
Thanks for writing your wonderful comments. I know that Grandma is smiling knowing that you are home and are on a great journey establishing a new life while treasuring the old. Have a great rest of the week. Homecoming is this weekend. GO BADGERS! Love, Aunt Tudy
The Parting Glass Merritt,
What a moving blog! I love the "Parting Glass" with its Celtic sound. I am most familiar and have heard the Wailin' Jennys perform this as their final song in concert. Such a good sound!
Yes this does evoke sweet memories of family and loved ones. It's fun for me that I spent many nights with my grandparents on my mom's side. Mat I were just talking about that- we lived an hour outside of St. Louis and Principia Lower School. I would stay the night on Mondays or Wednesdays for my ballet lessons. I learned to sew, to cook, to play the recorder, danced in their living room, snuck to the grocery store to get a candy bar, learned to play Scrabble and Cribbage and generally felt loved. It's cool that now I live in Middleton, where you grew up and in WI where my grandparents met and lived. Things do come full-circle and yes family is "everything." Much love, Ginger
Merritt- I love this letter to Grandma Ruth. It helps me to see that yes, we never loose those we love. My great aunt Ruby has been keeping in touch lately with spontaneous calls to tell me, "I love you and remember to love your husband!" Thank you and hope to find the RSS feed here to be notified about future posts.
Thank you for your memories Thank you for sharing your memories in your "Touching Tribute" to your Grandma Ruth. She was a wonderful and well-loved lady. You are a wonderfully wise and self-assured young woman. How lucky you are to have such a strong connection to her. She was so very proud of you... and of all of her grandchildren.
A lovely idea to write to someone special like that each year, even if they're thought of daily. A beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing it with everyone.
A Touching Tribute What a lovely message you provided for those of us who knew your grandma as well as those who did not. It was specific to her yet universal in the idea that we all long for and have, in some way, a continued connection with those who have passed on. Your words remind us of how important that connection is and how grateful we are to have it.
My son does not appreciate the U.S. and takes our freedoms for granted... so after college he moved to Asia where he teaches English until he goes to law school. I'm hoping that he finds out that life isn't so free elsewhere. In May 2009 I took my Mom, sister, and son to China where my parents were missionaries from 1947-1949. I took her to Minxian where they lived. The city was totally changed. And we attended the church in Shanghai which she had attended. The church was the same other than the congregation was all international as Chinese were prohibited from attending. I hope you have time to read my blogs about our trip.
Inspiring observations It really would be interesting to know what other people were thinking and feeling at your wonderful concert. But, I guess that the houghts that people had were private thoughts. Just think though how that concert inspired people to enjoy the life that is all around them and helped them see the joy in their lives. I will bet that many felt lucky to be there just as you did.have a good week! Love, Aunt Tudy
What City are you IN? Merritt, Read your article with delight. I am so happy that you are 'home' in the US and that I can visit with you via Skype much easier, time wise, than when you were in China. We all have our preferences as where we want to spend time BUT I am so glad that you chose to come back to the US so that I can visit with you, off and on, in person. Look forward to seeing you this summer. GB
Impressive achievements Thanks for sharing the thoughts about your past, present and future journeys. You have accomplished so much on such a short time. While we are all so proud of you, just imagine the pride that Grandma Ruth has as she follows you around the world. The lessons that she shared with you during your whole life are helping you shine to others and most importantly to yourself. I am so proud of you! Love, Aunt Tudy
Reversed culture shock... I lived extended periods overseas so I know what you are talking about. It i sreally embarrasing to have to read fast food restaurant meues before ordering your meal! I just ran across your blog and remembered I had read them when you vacationed in Thailand, and then read many before that. However, I didn't subscribe so lost track. I have just clicked the Recommend button so that I will receive your future blogs...which you state you will continue producing, including future trips to China. I am also nominating you for Blogger of the Week.
Reverse culture shock... I remember having to study the menus at the fast food restaurants before I placed my order. Anyway, you promised you wouldn't end your blog. What can you promise by way of future blogs?
Thank you for visitIng Thailand. Sawasdee krup.
I've just read your trip story.I like it.
Hope you visit Thailand again.
The north of Thailand is also good.
There are also many beautiful beaches in the south like koh lipe,railay beach,similan.
Thanks again.
Khop khun krup
Open Minded Life Interpretation A very uplifting discovery you've made during life's journey. You have discovered at your young age what many of us with many more years into that journey have entirely not recognized or only partially understood. I would be one of the latter. I think your discovery is due to maintaining an open minded interpretation of life's events. Thank you for sharing this revelation in your blog.
Finally, A young woman fair got her own scooter, congratulations! "An American beauty" got her own scooter, she became freer than ever.
I would like to make a nickname for your scooter. how about "Black Pretty" for him? I think it will be good match with "an American Beauty". It will depend on you. :):):)
In your living district, Chagoyangguo(朝陽區), my 8 year-ago-student is living there to study a Chinese economy and law. a weeks ago, I met her in DAEGU city downtown. she is on summer vacation. soon or later, she will back to her college in Beijing. I had 6 princesses who I taught 8 years ago, she is one of six princesses. now she become a college woman in Beijing, China. she gave me a soft brown sweater in harmony with this coming Autumn. thanks to her, Four princesses except for two princesses reunited in Daegu city downtown. we had a good dinner in korean restaurant with all together. It was good time.
I hope "A young woman fair" will find a elusive and strong helmet as soon as possible. Take a good of yourself in the crowded Middle Kingdom city, Beijing.
P.S. I loaded a new article in my blog, if you possible, please leave your comments or your evaluation about my articles.
Chinese actions a On web surfing to yahoo in today morning, I hit the wild brawl video clip. It looked too terrible.
Basketball palyers of two nations exchangeed blows in the court. the goodwill game between America and China is turned to noisy quarrel. according to news Your Vice President, Joe Biden is on visiting Bejing China. after the credit rating of your country downgraded, Chinese government might has much complaint in US government's reactions. In the Soth korean penninsula,from Aug.16th to the end of this month, the joint military training between South korean forces and US foreces is opreating against North Korea. in this term, World championships of IAAF will be held in Dae-gu city,SoKo. It is very inharmonic situation. A week ago, North korean artilleries fired away to South Korea areas(NLL) of the west sea. I felt very nervous. I carefully expect that the situation of te Korean peninsula will be getting worse and worse. NO More War in the Koran peninsula! Everlasting Peace In the world.
Love is a root of life I think YOU played the pipe organ awesomely and gracefully. Thumbs up!
YOU with your Nick, the wonder dog in this year made me recall you with your Nick on Christmas day, 2009. I hope that the Love between YOU and Nick will be everlasting. I think so, Nothing better than family.
I will apply to Fulbright Programme of USA on next month. if my application will be succeed in Fulbright programme. I will have a scholarship to go to Austin, Texas to train my English skills. :):) SEOUL is attacked again by water. many people died or hurt due to flooding and some landslide in SEOUL.
Water bombs were dropped in Seoul, Korea. Due to heavy rains in Seoul, some lower bridges in the Han river in Seoul were blocked to traffic. some subway stop were leaking. :):):) 88 Chinese travellers enjoying cruise in the Han river were isolated by floods of rain. fortunately, they are all rescued. according to news, they enjoyed a party in the restaurant on a cruise vessel, although it was heavy rain.
I enjoyed watching rain drops with sitting on my chair in my room. I can feel the cool and fresh air. from some weeks before, koreans suffered drought and boiling hot.
to korean, this water bombs is present of the nature.
memory LOL. Love your blog! They say once you’re trained in BJ, everywhere else is trivial in comparison. Your story reminds me of 80s when I was a little kid (less than 10) in BJ (Chao Yang – Dong Cheng Districts), I did the same thing over and over again everyday in a bus on my way to school and back home – 3 short stops. The scene was almost the same. Once my Mom bought me this really fancy winter hat and a really flashy men’s leather belt – all were absolutely top of the line at a time. At the end of a Bus “War” after I arrived home in a busy day, I only fought out that both my hat AND my belt were mystically “gone” ( must be inside that d*** bus ! ). “Your belt also??!!”, my Mom was in total disbelief. “Yeah Mom, the belt also…”, I was almost crying… lmao.
Your story touched me again Children stood closer to God and wisdom than did adults, as in William Wordworth's(1770-1850)
"The life of a wise man is most extemporaneous, for he lives out of an eternity ahta includes all time. He is a child each moment and reflects wisdom. The far darting thought of the child's mind tarries not for the development of manhood; it lightens itself, and needs not draw down lightning from clouds" from [The dial(July 1840) 120] written by Henry David Thoreau.
He wrote in the last paragraph of the "where I Lived, and What I Lived For" chapter: " I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born."
Good speed to your life in Beijing! your reader in Dae-gu city, SoKo. :)
I have been reading Thoreau's book, Walden and Thoreau's collected Essays and Poems in every night time before falling on sleep. Reading these books is somewhat difficulty for me due to some Latin words. :) but my reading is carried on.
I hope that this blog of my experiences living and traveling abroad is able to facilitate multicultural understanding for those who don't have the time or opportunity to travel. If I may make one small difference in the world, I hope it can be one that helps us to understand that the multitude of small things we have in common bind the world so much more tightly than the seemingly bigger things that currently divide us. Our individual cultures and history should be celebrated--yes--but difference of opinion should never be the source of conflict. Rather, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. ... full info
Anu
Anu
Prague
Hi! Could you share details of the prague visit?... where did you stay? did you use a tour operator? any 'must-do'...'must-see' recommendations? is there any kind of local transportation?- or do you just walk? is finding veggie food a real problem? Thanks in advance ! :)