Liger

Dear Friends,

While a bit controversial, we did take a trip to the Siberian Tiger Park while in Harbin. We saw some amazing cats, including this liger. While some of the animals looked like they had plenty of food and large places to live, there were others in small cages. While it was interesting, I left feeling a bit uneasy about what really is going on there.

Love,
Heather

Staying Warm

Dear Friends,

We made a quick stop at the Burger King for a little coke to add to our rum (ok and a burger for Bradley).

Love,
Heather and Bradley

California Beef Noodle King

Dear Friends,

Not exactly sure what makes this "California" Beef Noodle King USA.  Maybe we should have gone in to investigate.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Songhua River

Dear Friends,

After our afternoon checking out the snow sculptures, we took a walk back across the frozen Songhua River. There were lots of people out enjoying the frozen river and the sunshine.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Local Police

Dear Friends,

The look of China and Russian blend together in many ways in Harbin.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Snow House

Dear Friends,

We loved the snow buildings with the festive lanterns. This one was just a sculpture but there were others that were restaurants and stores.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Dance Time!

Dear Friends,

We didn't quite see the connection between the variety of dancing characters and the snow sculptures.
Love,
Heather and Bradley

Dancing Dog

Dear Friends,

Wish I could say I was surprised that this dog was wearing boots and a jacket. However, I see that all the time. It was the sunglasses that really caught me by surprise.

Love,
Heather

Ponytails

Dear Friends,

There were so many great snow sculptures at the park, it was difficult to only share a few.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Chinese New Year Preparations

Dear Friends,

Harbin was just getting all fancied up for the Chinese New Year celebrations that were beginning that week. The red lanterns all over town added a magical touch to this city.

Love,
Heather

Harbin Starbucks

Dear Friends,

We couldn't pass up a little taste of home.  Coffee for me and hot chocolate for Bradley.

Love,
Heather

Year of the Ram

Dear Friends,

This is our first "Year of the Ram" in China. It is a bit confusing as sometimes, the images actually look like sheep or goats. When I ask local friends about it, I get a variety of responses. It seems that goat, ram and sheep are not clearly differentiated in Mandarin.

Love,
Heather

Penguins

Dear Friends,

Snapped this photo at a rare time when there was no one jumping in to get their photo taken with the penguins.

Love,
Heather

New Year Blessings

Dear Friends,

Wish I was able to read and understand all these new year blessings.

Love,
Heather

Ice Cone

Dear Friends,

While there were many more fancy ice sculptures, this was my favorite. I am sure it wasn't nearly as nice during the day without the lights.

Love,
Heather

Horse Riding

Dear Friends,

Couldn't believe there were not more people trying to push their way on to these for photos. Maybe we just came at a good time.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Ice Slides

Dear Friends,

The slides were by far the best part of the ice park!

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Ice Castle

Dear Friends,

This was one of the larger ice sculptures at the park. I hear we missed the "ice bar", maybe it was in here?

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Seated Ice Skating?

Dear Friends,

There were many fascinating winter activities taking place on the frozen Songhua river. This seated ice skate and the whips and cans seemed to be quite popular.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Harbin Street Market

Dear Friends,

The array of dates and nuts at Chinese markets are always interesting. I am just glad to find non-meat products anywhere in China.

Love,
Heather

Valentine Boquet

Dear Friends,

We arrived in Harbin on Valentine's Day. It was difficult to walk down the street without someone trying to sell Brad flowers for me. It was hard to resist these natural looking blue, glitter roses, especially with the lovely bride and groom teddy bears on top.

Love,
Heather

Harbin Pedestrian Street

Dear Friends,

This pedestrian street in Harbin was a little bit of Eastern Europe in China. Our hotel was at the end of the street and we spent quite a bit of time walking up and down the road, enjoying the excellent people watching.

Love,
Brad and Heather

Unfamiliar Vegetable

Dear Friends,

I find all sorts of interesting veggies here in China. As far as I could understand from the lady at the market, this is some sort of Taiwanese kale.  Anyone know how to cook it?

Love,
Heather

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Dear Friends,

In preparation for the Year of the Goat, our school held its Chinese New Year celebration today. Our amazing front desk staff wanted to be sure to get a photo of us all dressed up.

Love,
Heather

Dragon Dance

Dear Friends,

This year for the Chinese New Year assemblies, some colleagues and I get to perform the traditional dragon dance. Luckily, I am the tail so I just have to follow the others. Lots of laughter going on here with a VERY patient local colleague trying to teach all of us foreigners.

Love,
Heather

Pond Hockey

Dear Friends,

Apparently the pond hockey tournament in Beijing was very cold this past weekend. The boys had a great time!

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Apron

Dear Friends,

Saw this very interesting apron at a shop in Hong Kong this weekend. Unfortunately, we already have two aprons so this was not a necessity!

Love,
Heather

Snackeez!

Dear Friends,

It is amazing what we miss out on living overseas like this little gem.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Clear Sky

Dear Eric, Stacy and Odie,

Thanks for making the trip to Clearwater to spend the weekend with us at a moment's notice. Had a great time! Think it is time to start planning our next get together.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Love the USA

Dear Friends,

I just couldn't convince my Canadian husband that he needed this winter toque.

Love,
Heather

Revelation

Dear Friends,

This was one of the more interesting cars we saw on our ride over to Clearwater beach.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Frenchy's

Dear Friends,

Grouper was the main ingredient on this menu. We tried several versions. My favorite was the Grouper Rubin...Yum!

Love,
Heather

Fire Eater

Dear Friends,

Just a little entertainment on Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach on a Friday afternoon.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Visitor

Dear Friends,

This little guy flew right to our balcony and would have come in if we had left the door wall open. Makes me a little worried that others are feeding him.

Love,
Heather

Clearwater Beach

Dear Friends,

The beach was just a little busy.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Cobra

Dear Friends,

Wish we could have seen the owner of this fascinating car.

Love,
Bradley and Heather

Englewood Sunset

Dear Friends,

We were lucky to catch this beautiful sunset at the local marina.

Love,
Bradley & Heather

Coke Life

Dear Friends,

Coming back to the US, we always seem to be amazed by something new at the grocery store. This year it was Coke Life. Who knew?

Love,
Heather & Bradley

Lemon Bay Park

Dear Friends,

Another great morning walk at a beautiful park in Florida. Peaceful way to spend some time with my dad.

Love,
Heather

Bocce Ball

Dear Friends,

Brad has been perfecting his Bocce game. We are ready for the Nelson rematch!

Love,
Heather

Manasota Key

Dear Friends,

The weather on Christmas Day was fantastic. We took a bike ride down to Manasota Key and enjoyed the waves crashing on the shore with a few hundred others.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Paella

Dear Friends,

I love the local farmer's market! There are so many wonderful treats to be eaten there! This man was just beginning to cook.

Love,
Heather

Vino Loco

Dear Friends,

After several years of saying we will get to the wine bar, we finally made it. It was worth the wait! It was an enjoyable evening sitting outside with some delightful beverages.

Love,
Bradley & Heather

Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends,

A day late but Merry Christmas from sunny, warm Florida!

After the morning with family, we headed out for a bike ride to the beach and a little Bocce ball.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Longshan Temple

Dear Friends,

This was definitely one of the highlights of Taipei!

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Snakes

Dear Friends,

Did not see any of these! Whew!

Love,
Heather and Bradley